hall not speak again!"

And there was heard in the bush another slight noise, too short, quick,
and clicking, to be the crackle of a twig. Neither was that pleasing to
the mind of Augustus. He turned, and with trembling hand made Virginia a
present of the revolver.

"Do you know how to use it?" Pomp asked. She nodded, breathless. "And
you will use it if necessary?" She nodded again, and held the weapon
prepared. "Now,"--to Bythewood,--"send those men away."

"What do you mean to do?"

"I mean to spare their lives and yours, if you obey me. To kill you
without much delay if you do not."

"If you shoot,"--Bythewood was beginning to regain his dignity,--"they
will rush to the spot before you can escape, and avenge me well!"

A superb, masterful smile mounted to the ebon visage, and the answer
came from the bush,--

"Look where the bowlder lies, up there by the ravine. You will see a
twinkle of steel among the leaves. There are guns aimed at your men. You
understand."

Perhaps Augustus did not distinguish the guns; but he understood. At a
signal, his men would be shot down.

"I would prefer not to shed blood. So decide and that quickly!" said
Pomp.

"And if I comply?"

"Comply readily with all I shall demand of you, and not a hair of
your head shall be harmed. Now I count ten. At the word ten, I send
a bullet through your heart if those men are still there." He
commenced, like one telling the strokes of a tolling bell:
"One----two----three----four----five----"

"Sergeant," called Augustus, "take your men and report to Lieutenant
Ropes at the sink."

"A fine time to be taken up with a love affair!" growled the sergeant,
as he obeyed.

"Now what?" said Bythewood, under an air of bravado concealing the
despair of his heart.

"Come!" said Pomp, with savage impatience,--for he knew well that, if
Bythewood had not yet learned of Ropes's death, messengers must be on
the way to him, and therefore not a moment was to be lost. He opened the
bushes. Augustus crept into them: Virginia followed. But then suddenly
the negro seemed to change his plans, the spirit and firmness of the
girl inspiring him with a fresh idea.

"Miss Villars, we are going to the cave. Look down the ravine
there;--you see this path is rough."

"O, I can go anywhere, you know!"

"But haste is necessary. You shall return the way you came. Take this
man with you. If you are seen by his soldiers, they will think all is
well. Make him go befo