you have to say? Of course he knows; but the
question is, Do you know? You have brought the whole trouble down upon
our heads by your confounded insurrectionary school! Just as I told you,
your negroes, with the little smattering of knowledge you have given
them, are now the most dangerous, riotous, thieving, murdering rascals
in the district."

"They are bad; but it is not the work of the school, I hope."

"Yes, it is," said the planter angrily.

"They have been led astray lately, Mr. Ammerton; a person has come among
them--"

"Another Northerner."

"Yes," said David, a flush rising in his cheek; "but not all Northerners
are like this man, I trust."

"Pretty much all we see are. Look at the State."

"Yes, I know it; I suppose time alone can help matters," said the
troubled teacher.

"Give up your school, and come and join us," said the planter abruptly.
"You, at least, are honest in your mistakes. We are going to form an
association for our own protection; join with us. You can teach my
grandsons if you like, provided you do not put any of your--your
fanaticism into them."

This was an enormous concession for Harnett Ammerton to make; something
in the schoolmaster's worn face had drawn it out.

"Thank you," said David slowly; "it is kindly meant, sir. But I can not
give up my work. I came down to help the freedmen, and--"

"Then stay with them," said the planter, doubly angry for the very
kindness of the moment before. "I thought you were a decent-living white
man, according to your fashion, but I see I was mistaken. Dark days are
coming, and you turn your back upon those of your own color and side
with the slaves! Go and herd with your negroes. But, look you, sir, we
are prepared. We will shoot down any one found upon our premises after
dark--shoot him down like a dog. It has come to that, and, by Heaven! we
shall protect ourselves."

He rode on. David sat down on a fallen tree for a moment, and leaned his
head upon his hand. Dark days were coming, as the planter had said; nay,
were already there. Was he in any way responsible for them? He tried to
think. "I know not," he said at last; "but I must still go on and do the
best I can. I must carry out my plan." He rose and went forward to the
Corners.

A number of Jubilee men were lounging near the new store, and one of
them was reading aloud from a newspaper which the Captain had given him.
He had been David's brightest scholar, and he could read readi