have her. They know she was called over to Judson's late to
stay with Mrs. Judson. He's away, water-bound, and the baby's sick, and
just as she gets home, he's to get her. If she screams, or tries to get
away, he'll scalp her."

I heard no more. My heart forgot to beat. I had seen Marjie's signal
light at ten o'clock and I was sure of her safety. The candle turned
black before me. The cry of my dreams, Irving Whately's pleading cry,
rang in my ears: "Take care of Marjie, Phil! Keep her from harm!"

"Phil Baronet, you coward," Tell fairly hissed in my ear, "come and help
us! We can't do a thing without you."

I, a coward! I sprang to the door and with Tell beside me we sped away
in the darkness. A faint light glimmered in the Whately home. At the
gate, Dave Mead hailed us.

"It's too late, boys," he whispered, "Jean's gone and she's with him.
He rode by me like the devil, going toward the ford. They'll be drowned
and that's better than for her to live. The whole Indian Territory may
be here by morning."

I lifted my face to the pitiless black sky above me, and a groan, the
agony of a breaking heart, burst from my lips. In that instant, I lived
ages of misery.

"Oh, Phil, what shall we do? The town's full of helpless folks." Dave
caught my arm to steady himself. "Can't you, can't you put us to work?"

Could I? His appeal brought me to myself. In the right moment the Lord
sends us to our places, and forsakes us not until our task is finished.
On me that night, was laid the duty of leadership in a great crisis; and
He who had called me, gave me power. Every Union household in the town
must be roused and warned of the impending danger. And whatever was done
must be done quickly, noiselessly, and at a risk of life to him who did
it. My plan sprang into being, and Dave and Tell ran to execute it. In a
few minutes we were to meet under the tavern oak. I dashed off toward
the Cambridge House. Uncle Cam had not yet gone to bed.

"Where's O'mie?" I gasped.

"I dunno. He flew in here ten minutes or more ago, but he never lit. In
ten seconds he was out again an' gone. He's got some sense an' generally
keeps his red head level. I'm waitin' to see what's up."

In a word I gave Cam the situation, all except Jean's part. As I hurried
out to meet the boys at the oak, I stumbled against something in the
dense darkness. Cam hastened after me. The flare of the light from the
opening of the door showed a horse, wet and muddy to t