yes
flashed. The mellow voice deepened to a note of new dignity, despite
her anger.

"I hain't come hyar to gas 'bout rewards, an' money outten yer pocket,
Mister Stone, or 'bout my clothes an' sech. I'm an engaged woman.
When I wants to cover my legs with stockin's Zeke Higgins' money'll do
the payin', an' he won't need no he'p from no damned revenuer."

Stone, realizing too late the error in his diplomacy, made what haste
he could to retrieve it. His smile was genial as he spoke. He seemed
quite unabashed, just heartily sympathetic, and his manner calmed the
girl's irritation almost at once.

"Oh, you little mountain hornet! Well, you are telling me news now.
And it's the kind to make any old bachelor like me weep for envy.
Lucky boy, Zeke! I guess he knows it, too, for he's got eyes in his
head. About the money--why, you've a right to it. If Dan Hodges and
his gang ain't rounded up quick, they'll be killing some good
citizen--like me, perhaps."

Plutina had recovered her poise, but she spoke no less firmly:

"No, suh, I won't tech the money. I kin show ye how to kotch the hull
gang, but not fer pay, an not fer love o' no revenuer, neither. Hit's
jest fer the good o' this country hyarbout. Dan Hodges has done sot
b'ar-traps to kotch you-all. An' anybody might walk plumb into 'em,
but not if I kin he'p hit."

Forthwith, she made the situation clear to her eager listener.

"Kin you-all meet me, an hour by the sun in the mornin', on the trail
to Cherry Lane post-office jest beyond the Widder Higgins' clearin'?
I'll take ye to the place, whar ye kin see the still, an' the traps."

"I'll have to move lively," the marshal answered, with a somewhat
rueful laugh. "Twenty miles' ride to North Wilkesboro', and back. But
I'll do it, of course. I wouldn't miss it for a good deal. I'll have
my men waiting at Trap Hill. If things shape right, I'll make the raid
to-morrow night."

CHAPTER VIII

Marshal John Stone was a mountaineer of the better sort, who had the
respect and admiration of the law-abiding citizens in his district,
and the hate of the evil-doers. He stood full six feet in his socks,
and he was broad and muscled in proportion. His gray eyes were of the
sort to harden to steel against an enemy, to soften wonderfully for a
friend. The mouth, half-hidden by the thick mustache, was very firm,
yet prone to smiles. To an excellent intelligence had been added a
fair amount of education. Since he respected