-sided pine-rails--fierce
regulators--Lynch's law, and all that rude and terrible sort of
punishment, which is studiously put in force in those regions for the
enjoyment of evil-doers. The next day found them both securely locked up
in the common jail of Chestatee.

CHAPTER XXX.

CHUB WILLIAMS.

The young mind of Colleton, excursive as it was, could scarcely realize
to itself the strange and rapidly-succeeding changes of the last few
days. Self-exiled from the dwelling in which so much of his heart and
hope had been stored up--a wanderer among the wandering--assaulted by
ruffians--the witness of their crimes--pursued by the officers of
justice, and finally the tenant of a prison, as a criminal himself!
After the first emotions of astonishment and vexation had
subsided--ignorant of the result of this last adventure, and preparing
for the worst--he called for pen and paper, and briefly, to his uncle,
recounted his adventures, as we have already related them, partially
acknowledging his precipitance in departing from his house, but
substantially insisting upon the propriety of those grounds which had
made him do so.

To Edith, what could he say? Nothing--everything. His letter to her,
enclosed in that to her uncle, was just such as might be expected from
one with a character such as we have endeavored to describe--that of the
genuine aristocrat of Carolina--gentle, but firm--soothing, but
manly--truly, but loftily affectionate--the rock touched, if not
softened by the sunbeam; warm and impetuous, but generally just in his
emotions--liberal in his usual estimate of mankind, and generous, to a
fault, in all his associations;--ignorant of any value in money, unless
for high purposes--as subservient to taste and civilization--a graceful
humanity and an honorable affection.

With a tenderness the most respectful, Ralph reiterated his love--prayed
for her prayers--frankly admitted his error in his abrupt flight, and
freely promised atonement as soon as he should be freed from his
difficulties; an event which, in speaking to her, he doubted not. This
duty over, his mind grew somewhat relieved, and, despatching a note by
the jailer's deputy to the lawyer Pippin, he desired immediately to see
him.

Pippin had looked for such an invitation, and was already in attendance.
His regrets were prodigious, but his gratification not less, as it would
give him an opportunity, for some time desired, for serving so excellent
a