was afterward learned that he kept his promise.

CHAPTER XII

Some one laid his hand gently on Wade's shoulder. "Come on quick, now,"
he whispered softly, "don't make any noise."

It was Judson. Wade followed on silently. No sound broke the stillness
of the early morning, save the clatter of the horses' feet. Far to the
left of them the clatter was dying out; to the right of them the noise
was growing fainter; no sound came from old Peter Judson. The only
immediate sound was that made by their rifles as they clanked against
the brass parts of their saddles. The twinkling stars shone on,
undisturbed by anything that had happened. Those two Nightriders, Judson
and Wade, rode on for several miles without the exchange of words.
Finally Peter, concluding that there was no danger, jerked the cap from
his head and stuffed it into his saddle pocket.

"Take off yer head-gear," he said to Wade, who complied gladly.

"It's pretty warm under this thing," said Jack.

"Not so warm as hit was under them straps, is it?"

Wade made no reply.

"Ye don't like that much," said Peter, smiling, "Well, ye air not ter
blame, but ye'll see ther point afore ye air many days older. Now, I
want to tell ye somethin'. They was four o' them Thompsons' thar, an'
we've gotter look out, 'cause they're shore to head us off. We air not
travelin' ther same road as we come down when we went to ther spankin'.
Think yer kin take on a little shootin' fun ter-night, Wade?"

While Peter spoke he was glancing sharply about them. He was accustomed
to the ways of those old mountaineers, and felt quite certain that
trouble was lurking near. His experience in feuds had taught him about
what to expect, and he would not likely be caught unawares.

"Ef ye kin," he continued, "unhook yer gun, fer they's a-goin' ter be
somethin' doin' soon."

The words had hardly passed from his lips when there sang over their
heads the "zing" of a rifle bullet.

"Thar ye air," shouted Peter. "We mout a-looked for that shore. Git
ready, now, an' when ye see a black spot down ther road let 'em have it
good an' straight."

"_Bling_!" Another bullet passed harmlessly near. "_Bling!_" one was
sent back.

"Move up a little, Jack," said Peter, tapping his horse. "I'm not
a-feered,--don't want ye ter think that,--but they be too many fer us to
stop an' argify with."--"_Bling!_" "_Blang!_"--"Give 'em thunder, boy.
Thar they air!"--"_Bling!_"--"Git to t'other side o' ther