er keeps
on straight to Cherry Lane. Within the fork of the trails lies a
fallen giant of the coves, a huge yellow poplar, almost hidden along
its length by the embowering thickets. Toward this, in an advance
tediously slow, the veteran made his way. When, finally, he was come
up to the great bole, he stood quietly for minutes, gazing everywhere
round about. Uncle Dick, emulating his companion, peered earnestly,
and soon he, too, perceived the evidences that something out of the
ordinary had occurred just here. Over a considerable space next the
trunk there were signs of a struggle. Broken branches showed on some
of the bushes; leaves from the poplar shoots were lying on the grass;
the turf was freshly torn here and there. The veteran bent over, and
picked up an object from the ground, which he held out. Uncle Dick
gave one glance, and uttered a cry of despair. He recognized it as a
button from the dress Plutina had been wearing the day before.

The further search of the veteran achieved little. He was able only to
make sure that the footprints led off through the forest toward the
south. But, now, the impressions were no longer of one following the
other. Instead, it was revealed that the two walked side by side.
Uncle Dick groaned as his companion told him of this. Plutina had been
attacked; she had fought; she had been overcome--and she was still
alive!

CHAPTER XVI

With the news of the event, a flame of wrath swept through the coves.
Everywhere, the men gathered in parties, to hunt, rifle in hand, for
some trace of the outlaw. There was none to give him favor, save the
outcasts numbered among his dependants. The usual sympathy for the
illicit distiller ceased utterly, destroyed by hatred for the
criminal's final offense. For the first time in the history of the
mountains, there was no voice raised to protest--nor any rifle pointed
in the laurel--against the Federal officers, who wandered at will in
the wild places. In execration of Dan Hodges for his sin against the
peace and dignity of the community, the people forgot for the nonce
their ancient enmity against the Government. With one accord, the folk
of the mountains joined in abhorrence of Hodges, sullenly anxious to
bring about his punishment, to avenge his victim at least, if too late
to save her.

Seth Jones turned from the joys of the belated honeymoon to give every
aid in his power. His counsel and the comfort of his presence were
boons to Unc