l nearly to the Tennessee line afore
midnight, so les' hurry."

Wade buckled the pistols on, mounted the prancing horse, and started out
somewhat dubious as to the fate of himself. He had learned to trust old
Peter fully, however, and there could possibly be nothing to fear from
him. Beside, Nora had told him to go along, and there could absolutely
be nothing harmful to him in going.

"Ye see, Jack," explained Peter as they rode rapidly toward the big
mountain, "I told ye t'other day 'bout them durn scamps what'd jine ther
association an' then do all they could ter throw it down. Them's ther
biggest scoundrels what we have ter deal against. They're the snakes in
the grass, an' we don't ever know jest whar they air at. We cain't put
our fingers on 'em when we want 'em, but ever now an' agin' somebody
runs agin' 'em, an' that's what's up ter-night. We air a-goin' ter flog
one o' them fellers now. Ye see that dark-lookin' spot up ther road?
Well, them is 'bout fifteen horsemen. Now git that cap out'n Tom's
saddle-bags an' draw hit down over yer head,--hit'll fit yer,--an' don't
say 'nuther word from now till I ax yer to. When we git yonder that
black bunch'll move out an' nobody'll say anything. Jest keep a-goin',
an' ef ye git lost from me, say nothin', but keep a-goin', and I'll find
ye. I won't have ter show ye any more after ter-night, I 'low. Now keep
quiet."

Old Peter almost whispered the last sentence. Jack Wade understood and
kept quiet, as he had been instructed. When they rode into the black
mass one wild yell from those strong-lunged farmers rent the air, and
everybody for miles around knew that some farmer somewhere was nearing
the danger line. The swift ride through the cool night air was
exhilarating, and the excitement, being entirely new to Wade, was just
to his liking. He had been unconsciously drawn into a midnight raid with
those hated Nightriders. When it dawned upon his mind that he was
actually taking part in a great midnight raid, and would soon witness
cruel treatment from the hands of those he was aiding and abetting, a
cold chill ran over his frame. Still, the punishment was going to be
meted out to one who, in an extreme moment, was about to do a thing
which would affect every man, woman, and child in the whole country. He
would sell his tobacco for a price which would not permit a living, and
he must stop or suffer the consequence.

They rode until it seemed to Wade that the foaming horses