ctor entered, somewhat excited.

"Monsieur,--Madame!" he exclaimed. "One comes!"

"Who is it?" demanded Dunwody, frowning.

"_Mon pere_! He is come but now from Tallwoods, Monsieur."

"What is wrong out there? Tell him to come in."

"I go."

A moment later, Dunwody left the room, to meet old Eleazar, who
made such response as he could to the hurried queries. "Monsieur,"
said he, "I have ridden down from the hills. There is trouble. In
the neighborhood are some who are angry because their negroes have
disappear'. They accuse Monsieur Dunwodee of being the cause, and
say that he is traitor, a turncoat. This very night a band are
said to plan an attack upon the house of monsieur! I have met
above there Monsieur Clayton, Monsieur Bill Jones, Monsieur le
Docteur Jamieson, and others, who ride to the assistance of
Monsieur Dunwodee. It is this very night, and I--there being no
other to come--have come to advise. Believing that monsieur might
desire to carry with him certain friends, I have brought the large
carriage. It is here!"

"Thank God!" said Dunwody, "they don't vote with me, but they ride
with me still--they're my neighbors, my friends, even yet!

"Hector," he exclaimed suddenly,--"come here!" Then, as they both
listened, he went on: "Tell the people there can not be a meeting,
after all. I am going back to my house, to see what is on up
yonder. Hector, can you get a fresh horse? And are there any
friends who would go with you?"

The sturdy young cooper did not lack in courage, and his response
was instant. "Assuredly I have a horse, Monsieur," was his reply.
"Assuredly we have friends. Six, ten, seven, h'eight person shall
go with us within the hour! But I must tell--"

Jeanne was at his elbow, catching scent of something of this,
guessing at possible danger. She broke out now into loud
expostulations at this rashness of her spouse, parent of this
progeny of theirs, thus undertaking to expose himself to midnight
dangers. Hector, none the less, shook his head.

"It is necessary that one go armed," commented Eleazar calmly. He
patted with affection the long barreled piece which lay over his
own arm.

Much of this conversation, loud and excited as it was, could not
fail to reach the ears of Josephine, who presently had joined them,
and who now heard the story of the old man, so fully confirming all
Dunwody said.

"There is trouble! There is trouble!" she said, with her usual
prom