eath, such as would indicate great
excitement, as they learned how Bob's father had been connected with the
raids on the secret Stills of the mountain moonshiners. And when finally
they heard how he had met so terrible a fate, while pursuing his sworn
duty by the Government, glances of true brotherly sympathy were cast in
the direction of Bob.

"Now," said Thad, in conclusion; "you've heard about all there is to
tell; and I know you're tremendously astonished, because none of us had
any idea that we were going to run up against such a thing as this when
we asked Bob to let us go with him to his old home here among the Blue
Ridge Mountains. But what is important to know, is your decision.
Majority rules in everything of this kind; and if more than half of you
think we ought to turn right back, and not keep on, why, there's nothing
to be done but turn about, and go over the trail again."

"Well, not much!" exclaimed Giraffe, filled with a spirit of boyish
comradeship toward the chum who had been so sorely afflicted, and whose
sad story was now discovered for the first time.

"Put it up to a vote, Thad!" remarked Bumpus, trying to look grim and
determined, though his round face was usually so merry that it was a
hard proposition for him to seem serious.

"All in favor of returning to-morrow say aye," Thad suggested.

Just as he expected, there was absolute silence.

"All in favor of sticking to our chum through thick and thin, and doing
all we can to help him over the rough places, say aye!" the leader
continued.

A chorus of eager assents drowned his words. Bob White's fine dark eyes
filled up with tears. He could not trust himself to speak; but the look
he gave each and every one of those seven loyal comrades was more
eloquent than any words could have been.

"After we've had supper," Thad went on warmly, "Bob means to go to keep
his appointment with his little cousin, who expects to slip out of the
house, and meet him where he wrote her he would be at a certain hour.
There's the queerest valley you ever saw just ahead of us. Across it you
can see the lights of Reuben Sparks' house, and several others that lie
there in a bunch, a sort of hamlet, because it's hardly a village. And
Bob says that Reuben really owns about the whole place. He can get over
there in an hour or so, because he knows the ground so well. And while
he's gone, we can take it easy here, making up our beds for the night;
if so be there are any