e give
you _one_ horse whippin', an' ef you hang aroun' here you'll get anudder
one!"

Furious at the recollection of his shame of a few years back when he had
been overseer on this same plantation, the Sergeant rushed up the steps
and knocked the ax aside with his gun barrel. "Yes, he did whip me, burn
him, and now I'll do the same for you." Seizing Uncle Billy by the
throat he pushed him against the house.

Instantly the door swung open. Mrs. Cary, her head held high, her
beautiful dark eyes blazing with wrath, stood on the threshold.

"Stop it!" she commanded in tones that brooked no disobedience even from
a drunkard. "Let my servant go--instantly!"

Astounded at this sudden apparition the man shrank back for a moment,
but almost as quickly regained his bluster.

"Ah-hah, the beautiful Mrs. Cary, eh! I'm glad to see you looking so
well--and handsome."

The words might as well have been spoken to the wind for all the notice
that the woman paid them. With only a gesture of mingled contempt and
loathing she stepped to the railing and called to the grinning troopers
below. "Who is in command here?"

To her horror only Dudley answered.

"_I_ am," he said, triumphantly. He thrust a menacing face close to hers
and ordered her curtly. "And I'd just as soon have _you_ get me a drink
as the nigger. Come on, fine lady."

Intent on insulting this woman whose husband had once cut his back with
a whip the man caught her by the arm and roughly tried to pull her to
him. But before he could accomplish his purpose retribution fell on him
with a heavy hand.

Through a gap in the hedge an officer at the head of a dozen troopers
appeared. One look at the scene on the veranda and Lieutenant-Colonel
Morrison, with a smothered cry, dashed up the steps.

"You beastly coward," and catching the drunkard by the collar he twisted
him around and hurled him thudding and bumping down the steps. "Dudley,
I ought to have you shot." He swept his arm out and gave voice to a
ringing command. "Report to Lieutenant Harris--at once--_under arrest!_
Corporal! Take his gun." He paused a moment as a brother of the man now
under arrest stepped forward with a sullen face and obeyed orders.
Running his glance over the line of faces, now suddenly vacant of
expression, he whipped them mercilessly with his eye. "You men, too,
will hear from me. Go to the stable and wait. Another piece of work like
this and I'll have your coats cut off with a belt buck