tting opposite them, reading a pamphlet of some kind,
came nearer and seemed to take an unusual interest in the sharpening of
the knife. His keen eyes watched every movement the blade made. Coming
close up, he quietly said:

"If that ar ain't Cap. Bowen's knife over to Bruceville, he hes the mate
to it! His'n is the only knife I ever see with a handle like that."

"Do you know Captain Bowen?" asked Ree, and as the man said he did, and
told them who he was, both lads held out their hands which the newcomer
shook cordially. It was like meeting someone from home; for the lanky
individual was a peddler who had often visited at Captain Bowen's house
and knew many of their friends.

As they talked further the peddler said, sinking his voice to an
undertone, "I want yeow youngsters to hev some advice; it won't cost ye
nothin', an' it may save ye a heap of trouble. There's a bad 'un stayin'
at this old tavern, an' he's likely to want yeow boys to pay fer his rum.
Naow, he won't ask ye fer money, but be all-fired keerful that he don't
git it from ye anyhow. Jes sleep with one eye open, an' hev a hick'ry
club handy t' yer bed."

Ree told the peddler of their conversation with the stranger at the
table, and as he described the fellow, their new friend said:

"He ar the one, an' him an' the hos'ler here are bad 'uns."

As the hour grew late Ree and John went to the barn to see that their
cart and horse had been properly cared for, and returning, went
immediately to bed. For half an hour they lay awake talking of their
journey. Their money was between them in the big four-poster and each had
a pistol within reach. At last they said "Good night" to one another, and
settling themselves in comfortable positions, composed themselves to
sleep.

All had grown quiet about the old tavern. The ticking of the big clock
down stairs, and the baying of a hound off in the woods somewhere, were
the only sounds which reached the ears of the young emigrants. And thus
they forgot their travels and where they were, and the danger which
hovered near.

It was sometime after midnight when Ree was suddenly awakened. He had
heard no sound, nor could he tell what had disturbed his slumber; but he
had instantly found himself, eyes wide open, every sense alert. Without
the slightest noise or movement he lay listening. A minute later he felt
for just an instant the touch of something cold against his skin.

"A snake," was his first thought, and a lit