barbarous, and
wholly without excuse or justification, whether examined by divine or
human laws."

"A sermon, a sermon from the young preacher, come, boys, give him Old
Hundred. Really, sir, you promise almost as well as the parson you heard
yesterday; and will take lessons from him, if advised by me. But go
on--come to a finish--mount upon the stump, where you can be better seen
and heard."

The cheek of the youth glowed with indignation at the speech of the
ruffian, but he replied with a concentrated calmness that was full of
significance:--

"You mistake me greatly, sir, if you imagine I am to be provoked into
contest with you by any taunt which you can utter. I pride myself
somewhat in the tact with which I discover a ruffian, and having, at an
early period of your acquaintance, seen what you were, I can not regard
you in any other than a single point of view. Were you not what I know
you to be, whatever might have been the difference of force between us,
I should ere this have driven my dirk into your throat."

"Why, that's something like, now--that's what I call manly. You do seem
to have some pluck in you, young sir, though you might make more use of
it. I like a fellow that can feel when he's touched; and don't think a
bit the worse of you that you think ill of me, and tell me so. But
that's not the thing now. We must talk of other matters. You must answer
a civil question or two for the satisfaction of the company. We want to
know, sir, if we may apprehend any interference on your part between us
and the state. Will you tell the authorities what you saw?"

The youth made no answer to this question, but turning contemptuously
upon his heel, was about to leave the circle, around which the assembly,
in visible anxiety for his reply, was now beginning to crowd.

"Stay, young master, not so fast. You must give us some answer before
you are off. Let us know what we are to expect. Whether, if called upon
by any authority, you would reveal what you know of this business?" was
the further inquiry of Munro.

"I certainly should--every word of it. I should at once say that you
were all criminal, and describe you as the chief actor and instigator in
this unhappy affair."

The response of Colleton had been unhesitating and immediate; and having
given it, he passed through the throng and left the crowd, which,
sullenly parting, made way for him in front. Guy Rivers, in an under
tone, muttered in the ear of Munro as