\"No！Iwanttoapologize。Sitdown，co’nnle。\"
\"But，MissSally\"——
\"Sitdown，quick！\"
Hedidso，seatinghimselfsidewaysonthebank。MissSallystoodbesidehim。
\"Takeoffyo’hat，sir。\"
Heobeyedsmilingly。MissSallysuddenlyslippedbehindhim。Hefeltthesofttouchofhersmallhandsonhisshoulders;warmbreathstirredtherootsofhishair，andthen——thelightpressureonhisscalpofwhatseemedthelipsofachild。
Heleapedtohisfeet，yetbeforehecouldturncompletelyround——adifficultytheyoungladyhadevidentlycalculatedupon——hewastoolate！ThefloatingdraperiesoftheartfulandshamelessMissSallywerealreadydisappearingamongthetombsinthedirectionofthehollow。
CHAPTERV。
ThehouseoccupiedbythemanageroftheDrummondSyndicateinRedlands——theformerresidenceofalocallawyerandjusticeofthepeace——wasnotlarge，buthadanimposingporticoofwoodenDoriccolumns，whichextendedtotheroofandfrontedthemainstreet。
Theall—pervadingcreepercloselycoveredit;thesidewalkbeforeitwasshadedbyarowofbroad—leavedailantus。Thefrontroom，withFrenchwindowsopeningontheportico，wasusedbyColonelCourtlandasageneraloffice;beyondthisasitting—roomanddining—roomoverlookedtheold—fashionedgardenwithitsdetachedkitchenandinevitablenegrocabin。Itwasacloseevening;thereweredarkcloudscomingupinthedirectionoftheturnpikeroad，buttheleavesoftheailantushungheavyandmotionlessinthehushofanimpendingstorm。Thesparksoflazilyfloatingfirefliessoftlyexpandedandwentoutinthegloomoftheblackfoliage，orinthedarkrecessesoftheoffice，whosewindowswerewidelyopen，andwhoselightsCourtlandhadextinguishedwhenhebroughthisarmchairtotheporticoforcoolness。Oneofthesesparksbeyondthefence，althoughalternatelyglowingandpaling，wasstillsopersistentandstationarythatCourtlandleanedforwardtowatchitmoreclosely，atwhichitdisappeared，andavoicefromthestreetsaid：——
\"Isthatyou，Courtland？\"
\"Yes。Comein，won’tyou？\"
ThevoicewasChampney’s，andthelightwasfromhiscigar。Asheopenedthegateandcameslowlyupthestepsoftheporticotheusualhesitationofhismannerseemedtohaveincreased。Alongsightrilledthelimpleavesoftheailantusandasquicklysubsided。Afewheavyperpendicularraindropscrashedandspatteredthroughthefoliagelikemoltenlead。
\"You’vejustescapedtheshower，\"saidCourtlandpleasantly。HehadnotseenChampneysincetheypartedinthecemeterysixweeksbefore。
\"Yes！——I——IthoughtI’dliketohavealittletalkwithyou，Courtland，\"saidChampney。Hehesitatedamomentbeforetheprofferedchair，andthenadded，withacautiousglancetowardsthestreet，\"Hadn’twebettergoinside？\"
\"Asyoulike。Butyou’llfinditwofullyhot。We’requitealonehere;there’snobodyinthehouse，andthisshowerwilldriveanyloungersfromthestreet。\"Hewasquitefrank，althoughtheirrelationstoeachotherinregardtoMissSallywerestillsoundefinedastoscarcelyinvitehisconfidence。
HowbeitChampneytooktheprofferedchairandtheglassofjulepwhichCourtlandbroughthim。
\"YouremembermyspeakingtoyouofDumont？\"hesaidhesitatingly，\"MissDows’Frenchcousin，youknow？Well——he’scominghere：he’sgotpropertyhere——thosethreehousesoppositetheCourtHouse。
FromwhatIhear，he’scomeoverwithalotofnew—fangledFrenchideasontheniggerquestion——rotaboutequalityandfraternity，don’tyouknow——andthehighesteducationandhighestofficesforthem。Youknowwhatthefeelingisherealready？YouknowwhathappenedatthelastelectionatCoolidgeville——howthewhiteswouldn’tlettheniggersgotothepollsandthejollyrowthatwaskickedupoverit？Well，itlooksasifthatsortofthingmighthappenHERE，don’tyouknow，ifMissDowstakesuptheseideas。\"
\"ButI’vereasontosuppose——Imean，\"saidCourtlandcorrectinghimselfwithsomedeliberation，\"thatanyonewhoknowsMissDows’
opinionsknowsthatthesearenotherviews。Whyshouldshetakethemup？\"
\"BecauseshetakesHIMup，\"returnedChampneyhurriedly;\"andevenifshedidn’tbelieveinthemherself，she’dhavetosharetheresponsibilitywithhimintheeyesofeveryunreconstructedrowdylikeTomHigbeeandtherestofthem。They’dmakeshortworkofherniggersallthesame。\"
\"ButIdon’tseewhysheshouldbemaderesponsiblefortheopinionsofhercousin，nordoIexactlyknewwhat’takinghimup’
means，\"returnedCourtlandquietly。
Champneymoistenedhisdrylipswiththejulepandutteredanervouslaugh。\"Supposewesayherhusband——forthat’swhathiscomingbackheremeans。Everybodyknowsthat;youwould，too，ifyouevertalkedwithheraboutanythingbutbusiness。\"
AbrightflashoflightningthatlitupthefacesofthetwomenwouldhaverevealedChampney’sflushedfeaturesandCourtland’slackofcolorhadtheybeenlookingateachother。Buttheywerenot，andthelongreverberatingcrashofthunderwhichfollowedpreventedanyaudiblereplyfromCourtland，andcoveredhisagitation。
ForwithoutfullyacceptingChampney’sconclusionshewascruellyshockedattheyoungman’sutteranceofthem。HehadscrupulouslyrespectedthewishesofMissSallyandhadfaithfully——althoughneverhopelessly——heldbackanyexpressionofhisownlovesincetheirconversationinthecemetery。ButwhilehisnativetruthfulnessandsenseofhonorhadoverlookedtheseeminginsincerityofherattitudetowardsChampney，hehadneverjustifiedhisowntacitparticipationinit，andtheconcealmentofhisownpretensionsbeforehispossiblerival。Itwastruethatshehadforbiddenhimtoopenlyenterthelistswithheradmirers，butChampney’sinnocentassumptionofhisindifferencetoherandhisconsequenthalfconfidencesaddedpoignancytohisstory。
Thereseemedtobeonlyonewaytoextricatehimself，andthatwasbyaquarrel。WhetherhedidordidnotbelieveChampney’sstory，whetheritwasonlythejealousexaggerationofarival，orMissSallywasactuallydeceivingthemboth，hispositionhadbecomeintolerable。
\"Imustremindyou，Champney，\"hesaid，withfreezingdeliberation，\"thatMissMirandaDowsandherniecenowrepresenttheDrummondCompanyequallywithmyself，andthatyoucannotexpectmetolistentoanyreflectionsuponthewaytheychoosetoadministertheirpartinitsaffairs，eithernow，ortocome。StilllessdoI
caretodiscusstheidlegossipwhichcanaffectonlythePRIVATE
interestsoftheseladies，withwhichneitheryounorIhaveanyrighttointerfere。\"
ButthenaiveteoftheyoungEnglishmanwasasinvincibleasMissSally’sown，andasfataltoCourtland’sattitude。\"OfcourseI
haven’tanyRIGHT，youknow，\"hesaid，calmlyignoringtheseverepreambleofhiscompanion’sspeech，\"butIsay！hangitall！evenifafellowhasnochanceHIMSELF，hedon’tliketoseeagirlthrowherselfandherpropertyawayonamanlikethat。\"
\"Onemoment，Champney，\"saidCourtland，undertheinfectionofhisguest’ssimplicity，abandoninghisformersuperiorattitude。\"Yousayyouhavenochance。DoyouwantmetounderstandthatyouareregularlyasuitorofMissDows？\"
\"Y—e—e—s，\"saidtheyoungfellow，butwiththehesitationofconscientiousnessratherthanevasion。\"Thatis——youknowIWAS。
Butdon’tyousee，itcouldn’tbe。Itwouldn’tdo，youknow。Ifthoseclannishneighborsofhers——thatSouthernset——suspectedthatMissSallywascourtedbyanEnglishman，don’tyouknow——apoacherontheirpreserves——itwouldbeallupwithherpositiononthepropertyandherinfluenceoverthem。Idon’tmindtellingyouthat’sonereasonwhyIleftthecompanyandtookthatotherplantation。Buteventhatdidn’twork;theyhadtheirsuspicionsexcitedalready。\"
\"DidMissDowsgivethatasareasonfordecliningyoursuit？\"
askedCourtlandslowly。
\"Yes。Youknowwhatastraightforwardgirlsheis。Shedidn’tcomenorotabout’notexpectinganythingofthekind，’orabout’beingasistertome，’andallthat，for，byJove！she’salwaysmorelikeafellow’ssister，don’tyouknow，thanhisgirl。Ofcourse，itwashardlinesforme，butIsupposeshewasaboutright。\"Hestopped，andthenaddedwithakindofgentlepersistency：\"YOUthinkshewasaboutright，don’tyou？\"
WithwhatwaspassinginCourtland’smindthequestionseemedsobitterlyironicalthatatfirstheleanedhalfangrilyforward，inanunconsciousattempttocatchthespeaker’sexpressioninthedarkness。\"Ishouldhardlyventuretogiveanopinion，\"hesaid，afterapause。\"MissDows’relationswithherneighborsaresoverypeculiar。Andfromwhatyoutellmeofhercousinitwouldseemthatherdesiretoplacatethemisnotalwaystobedependedupon。\"
\"I’mnotfindingfaultwithHER，youknow，\"saidChampneyhastily。
\"I’mnotsuchabeastlycadasthat;Iwouldn’thavespokenofmyaffairsatall，butyouasked，youknow。Ionlythought，ifshewasgoingtogetherselfintotroubleonaccountofthatFrenchman，youmighttalktoher——she’dlistentoyou，becauseshe’dknowyouonlydiditoutofbusinessreasons。Andthey’rereallybusinessreasons，youknow。Isupposeyoudon’tthinkmuchofmybusinesscapacity，colonel，andyouwouldn’tgomuchonmyjudgment——
especiallynow;butI’vebeenherelongerthanyouand\"——heloweredhisvoiceslightlyanddraggedhischairnearerCourtland——\"Idon’tlikethelooksofthingshere。There’ssomedevilmentplottingamongthoserascals。They’reonlyawaitinganopportunity;asingleflashwouldbeenoughtosettheminablaze，evenifthefirewasn’tlitandsmoulderingalreadylikeasparkinabaleofcotton。I’dcutthewholethingandclearoutifIdidn’tthinkitwouldmakeitharderforMissDows，whowouldbeleftalone。\"
\"You’reagoodfellow，Champney，\"saidCourtland，layinghishandontheyoungman’sshoulderwithasuddenimpulse，\"andIforgiveyouforoverlookinganyconcernthatImighthave。Indeed，\"headded，withanoddseriousnessandahalfsigh，\"it’snotstrangethatyoushould。ButImustremindyouthattheDowsesarestrictlytheagentsandtenantsofthecompanyIrepresent，andthattheirrightsandpropertyunderthattenancyshallnotbeinterferedwithbyothersaslongasIamhere。Ihavenoright，however，\"headdedgravely，\"tokeepMissDowsfromimperilingthembyhersocialrelations。\"
Champneyroseandshookhandswithhimawkwardly。\"Theshowerseemstobeholdingup，\"hesaid，\"andI’lltoddlealongbeforeitstartsafresh。Good—night！Isay——youdidn’tmindmycomingtoyouthisway，didyou？ByJove！Ithoughtyouwerealittlestand—
offishatfirst。ButyouknowwhatImeant？\"
\"Perfectly，andIthankyou。\"Theyshookhandsagain。Champneysteppedfromtheportico，and，reachingthegate，seemedtovanishashehadcome，outofthedarkness。
Thestormwasnotyetover;theairhadagainbecomecloseandsuffocating。Courtlandremainedbroodinginhischair。WhetherhecouldacceptChampney’snewsastrueornot，hefeltthathemustendthissuspenseatonce。Ahalf—guiltyconsciousnessthathewasthinkingmoreofitinreferencetohisownpassionthanhisdutytothecompanydidnotrenderhismeditationslessunpleasant。YetwhilehecouldnotreconcileMissSally’sconfidencesinthecemeteryconcerningtheindifferenceofherpeopletoChampney’sattentionswithwhatChampneyhadjusttoldhimofthereasonsshehadgivenHIMfordecliningthem，Iamafraidhewasnotshockedbyherpeculiarethics。Aloverseldomfindsfaultwithhismistressfordeceivinghisrival，andisaslittleapttoconsiderthelogicaldeductionthatshecoulddeceivehimalso，asOthellowastoacceptBrabantio’swarning，Themasculinesenseofhonorwhichmighthaveresentedthefriendshipofamancapableofsuchtreacherydidnothesitatetoaccepttheloveofawomanunderthesameconditions。Perhapstherewasanimpliedcomplimentinthusallowinghertotakethesoleethicalresponsibility，whichfewwomenwouldresist。
InthemidstofthisgloomyabstractionCourtlandsuddenlyraisedhisheadandlistened。
\"Cato。\"
\"Yes，sah。\"
Therewasasoundofheavyfootstepsinthehallcomingfromtherearofthehouse，andpresentlyadarkerbulkappearedintheshadoweddoorway。Itwashisprincipaloverseer——astrongandsuperiornegro，selectedbyhisfellow—freedmenfromamongtheirnumberinaccordancewithCourtland’snewregime。
\"Didyoucomeherefromtheplantationorthetown？\"
\"Thetown，sah。\"
\"Ithinkyouhadbetterkeepoutofthetownintheeveningsforthepresent，\"saidCourtlandinatoneofquietbutpositiveauthority。
\"Aredeygoin’tobringbackdeole’patterrollers，’*sah？\"askedthemanwithaslightsneer。
*The\"patrol\"orlocalpolicewhoformerlyhadthesurveillanceofslaves。
\"Idon’tknow，\"returnedCourtlandcalmly，ignoringhisoverseer’smanner。\"ButiftheydidyoumustcomplywiththelocalregulationsunlesstheyconflictwiththeFederallaws，whenyoumustappealtotheFederalauthorities。Ipreferyoushouldavoidanytroubleuntilyouaresure。\"
\"Ireckontheywon’ttryanygamesonme，\"saidthenegrowithashortlaugh。
Courtlandlookedathimintently。
\"Ithoughtasmuch！You’recarryingarms，Cato！Handthemover。\"
Theoverseerhesitatedforamoment，andthenunstrappedarevolverfromhisbelt，andhandedittoCourtland。
\"Nowhowmanyofyouareinthehabitofgoingroundthetownarmedlikethis？\"
\"Onlydemenwho’vebeeninsulted，sah。\"
\"AndhowhaveYOUbeeninsulted？\"
\"MarseTomHigheedownindemarketreckoneditwashightimefancyniggerswasdrovintodeswamp，andIallowedthatloafersandbeggarshadbetterroosthighwhenworkin’folkswasaround，andMarseTomsaidhe’dcutmyhahtout。\"
\"Anddoyouthinkyourcarryingarevolverwillpreventhimandhisfriendsperformingthatoperationifyouprovokedthem？\"
\"Yousaidwewastopertectourse’fs，sah，\"returnedthenegrogloomily。\"Whatfohdendidyoudrillustousedemriflesindearmory？\"
\"TodefendyourselvesTOGETHERunderordersifattacked，nottosinglythreatenwiththeminastreetrow。Together，youwouldstandsomechanceagainstthosemen;separatelytheycouldeatyouup，Cato。\"
\"Iwouldn’ttrusttoomuchtosomeofdemniggersstandingtogether，sah，\"saidGatedarkly。\"Dey’drunbeforedeoldmasters——iftheydidn’trunto’em。Shuah！\"
AfearofthiskindhadcrossedCourtland’smindbefore，buthemadenopresentcomment。\"Ifoundtwoofthearmoryriflesinthemen’scabinsyesterday，\"heresumedquietly。\"Seethatitdoesnotoccuragain！Theymustnotbetakenfromthearmoryexcepttodefendit。\"
\"Yes，sah。\"
Therewasamomentofsilence。Thenitwasbrokenbyasuddengustthatsweptthroughthecolumnsoftheportico，stirringthevines。
Thebroadleavesoftheailantusbegantorustle;anominouspatteringfollowed;therainhadrecommenced。AndasCourtlandroseandwalkedtowardstheopenwindowitsblankpanesandtheinterioroftheofficeweresuddenlyilluminatedbyagleamofreturninglightning。
Heenteredtheoffice，biddingCatofollow，andlitthelampabovehisdesk。Thenegroremainedstandinggloomilybutrespectfullybythewindow。
\"Cato，doyouknowanythingofMr。Dumont——MissDows’cousin？\"
Thenegro’swhiteteethsuddenlyflashedinthelamplight。\"Ya！
ha！Ireckon，sah。\"
\"Thenhe’sagreatfriendofyourpeople？\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutdat，sah。Buthe’sapow’fulenemyofdeReedsanddeHigbees！\"
\"Onaccountofhisviews，ofcourse？\"
\"’Deedno！\"saidCatowithanastoundedair。\"Jessonaccountofdevendetta！\"
\"Thevendetta？\"
\"Yes，sah。Deoldbloodquo’llofdefamilies。It’sbeengoin’onoverfiftyyears，sah。Degranfader，fader，andbrudderofdeHigbeeswaskilledbydegranfader，fader，andbrudderofdeDoomonts。DeReedschippedinwhenalldeHigbeeswasplayedout，fo’deywasrelations，butdeywaschawedupbysomeofdeDowses，firstcousinstodeDoomonts。\"
\"What？AretheDowsinthisvendetta？\"
\"No，sah。Nomo’。Dey’sbinnomanindefamilysinceMissSally’sfaderdied——dat’sletdeDowsoutfo’ever。Delas’
shootin’wasdonebyMarseJackDoomont，whocrippledMarseTomHigbee’sbrudderJo，anddenskippedtoEurope。Deysayhe’scomeback，andislyinglowoveratAtlanty。Dar’llbelivelytimesofhecomesheretoseeMissSally。\"
\"Buthemayhavechangedhisideaswhilelivingabroad，wherethissortofthingissimplemurder。\"
Thenegroshookhisheadgrimly。\"Denhewouldn’tcome，sah。No，sah。HeknowsdatTomHigbee’sboundtogofo’himorleavedeplace，andMarseJackwouldn’tmindsettlin’HIMtooaswellashisbrudder，fordescoresisagin’deDoomontsyet。AndMarseJackain’tnoslouchwidascattergun。\"
AtanyothertimetheimminenceofthissurvivalofalawlessbarbarismofwhichhehadheardsomuchwouldhaveimpressedCourtland;nowhewasonlyinterestedinitonaccountoftheinconceivablepositioninwhichitleftMissSally。Hadsheanythingtodowiththisbalefulcousin’sreturn，orwassheonlytobeahelplessvictimofit？
Awhite，dazzling，andbewilderingflashoflightningsuddenlylituptheroom，theporch，thedrippingailantus，andthefloodedstreetbeyond。Itwasfollowedpresentlybyacrashofthunder，withwhatseemedtobeasecondfainterflashoflightning，orratherasifthefirstflashhadsuddenlyignitedsomeinflammablesubstance。Withthelongreverberationofthethunderstillshakingthehouse，Courtlandslippedquicklyoutofthewindowandpasseddowntothegate。
\"Diditstrikeanything，sah？\"saidthestartlednegro，asCourtlandreturned。
\"NotthatIcansee，\"saidhisemployershortly。\"Goinside，andcallZoeandherdaughterfromthecabinandbringtheminthehall。StaytillIcome。Go！——I’llshutthewindowsmyself。\"
\"Itmusthavestrucksomewhere，sah，shuah！Deh’sapow’fulsmellofsulphurrighthere，\"saidthenegroashelefttheroom。
Courtlandthoughtsotoo，butitwasakindofsulphurthathehadsmelledbefore——onthebattlefield！Forwhenthedoorwasclosedbehindhisoverseerhetookthelamptotheoppositewallandexamineditcarefully。TherewasthedistinctholemadebyabulletwhichhadmissedCato’sheadattheopenwindowbyaninch。
CHAPTERVI。
InaninstantCourtlandhadregainedcompletepossessionofhimself。Hisdistractingpassion——howdistractinghehadneverbeforerealized——wasgone！Hisclearsight——nolongerdistortedbysentiment——hadcomeback;hesaweverythinginitsjustproportion——
hisduty，theplantation，thehelplessfreedmanthreatenedbylawlessfury;thetwowomen——nolongerhisonetantalizingvision，butnowonlyapassingdetailoftheworkbeforehim。Hesawthemthroughnoaberratingmistoftendernessorexpediency——butwiththesingledirectnessofthemanofaction。
TheshothadclearlybeenintendedforCato。Evenifitwereanactofmerepersonalrevenge，itshowedaconfidenceandsecurityinthewould—beassassinthatbetokenedcooperationandanorganizedplan。Hehadavailedhimselfofthethunderstorm，theflashandlongreverberatingrollofsound——anartificenotunknowntoborderambush——toconfusediscoveryattheinstant。Yettheattackmightbeonlyanisolatedone;oritmightbethebeginningofageneralraidupontheSyndicate’sfreedmen。IftheformerhecouldprotectCatofromitsrepetitionbyguardinghimintheofficeuntilhecouldbeconveyedtoaplaceofsafety;ifthelatter，hemustatoncecollectthenegroesattheirquarters，andtakeCatowithhim。Heresolveduponthelattercourse。ThequarterswerehalfamilefromtheDows’dwelling——whichwastwomilesaway。
HesatdownandwroteafewlinestoMissDowsstatingthat，inviewofsomethreateneddisturbancesinthetown，hethoughtitadvisabletokeepthenegroesintheirquarters，whitherhewashimselfgoing。Hesentherhishousekeeperandthechild，astheyhadbothbetterremaininaplaceofsecurityuntilhereturnedtotown。HegavethenotetoZoe，biddingherhastenbythebackgardenacrossthefields。ThenheturnedtoCato。
\"Iamgoingwithyoutothequarterstonight，\"hesaidquietly，\"andyoucancarryyourpistolbacktothearmoryyourself。\"Hehandedhimtheweapon。Thenegroreceiveditgratefully，butsuddenlycastasearchingglanceathisemployer。Courtland’sface，however，betrayednochange。WhenZoehadgone，hecontinuedtranquilly，\"Wewillgobythebackwaythroughthewoods。\"Asthenegrostartedslightly，Courtlandcontinuedinthesameeventone：
\"Thesulphuryousmelledjustnow，Cato，wasthesmokeofagunfiredatYOUfromthestreet。Idon’tproposethattheshotshallberepeatedunderthesameadvantages。\"
Thenegrobecameviolentlyagitated。\"Itwasdatsneakin’hound，TomHigbee，\"hesaidhuskily。
Courtlandlookedathimsharply。\"ThentherewassomethingmorethanWORDSpassedbetweenhimandyou，Cato。Whathappened？Come，speakout！\"
\"Helashedmewithhiswhip，andIgibhimonerightundertheyeah，anddruppedhim，\"saidCato，recoveringhiscouragewithhisangerattherecollection。\"Ihadarighttodefendmyse’f，sah。\"
\"Yes，andIhopeyou’llbeabletodoit，now，\"saidCourtlandcalmly，hisfacegivingnosignofhisconvictionthatCato’sfatewasdoomedbythatsingleretaliatingblow，\"butyou’llbesaferatthequarters。\"Hepassedintohisbedroom，tookarevolverfromhisbedheadandaderringerfromthedrawer，bothofwhichhequicklyslippedbeneathhisbuttonedcoat，andreturned。
\"Whenweareinthefields，clearofthehouse，keepclosebymyside，andeventrytokeepstepwithme。Whatyouhavetosay，sayNOW;theremustbenotalkingtobetrayourposition——wemustgosilently，andyou’llhaveenoughtodotoexerciseyoureyesandears。Ishallstandbetweenyouandanyattack，butIexpectyoutoobeyorderswithouthesitation。\"Heopenedthebackdoor，motionedtoCatotopassout，followedhim，lockedthedoorbehindthem，andtakingthenegro’sarmwalkedbesidethelowpalingstotheendofthegarden，wheretheyclimbedthefenceandstoodupontheopenfieldbeyond。
Unfortunately，ithadgrownlighterwiththebreakingoftheheavyclouds，andgustygleamsofmoonlightchasedeachotheroverthefield，orstruckaglitterfromstandingrain—poolsbetweenthelittlehillocks。Tocrosstheopenfieldandgainthefringeofwoodsontheothersidewasthenearestwaytothequarters，butforthemomentwasthemostexposedcourse;tofollowthehedgetothebottomofthefieldandtheboundaryfenceandthencrossatrightangles，initsshadow，wouldbesafer，buttheywouldlosevaluabletime。BelievingthatCato’svengefulassailantwasstillhoveringnearwithhiscomrades，CourtlandcastaquickglancedowntheshadowylineofOsagehedgebesidethem。SuddenlyCatograspedhisarmandpointedinthesamedirection，wheretheboundaryfencehehadnoticed——abarrierofroughpalings——crossedthefield。
Withthemoonlowontheothersideofit，itwasamereblacksilhouette，brokenonlybybrightsilveropeningsandgapsalongitssurfacethatindicatedthemoonlitfieldbeyond。AtfirstCourtlandsawnothingelse。Thenhewasstruckbythefactthattheseopeningsbecamesuccessivelyandregularlyeclipsed，aswiththepassingofsomeopaqueobjectbehindthem。Itwasafileofmenontheothersideofthefence，keepinginitsshelterastheycrossedthefieldtowardshishouse。Roughlycalculatingfromthepassingobscurations，theremusthavebeentwelveorfifteeninall。
Hecouldnolongerdoubttheircombinedintentions，norhesitatehowtomeetthem。HemustatoncemakeforthequarterswithCato，evenifhehadtocrossthatopenfieldbeforethem。Heknewthattheywouldavoidinjuringhimpersonally，inthefearofpossibleFederalandpoliticalcomplications，andheresolvedtousethatfeartoinsureCato’ssafety。Placinghishandsonthenegro’sshoulders，heshovedhimforwards，fallingintoa\"lockstep\"soclosebehindhimthatitbecameimpossibleforthemostexpertmarksmantofireatonewithoutimperilingtheother’slife。Whenhalfwayacrossthefieldhenoticedthattheshadowsseenthroughtheopeningsofthefencehadpaused。Theambushedmenhadevidentlyseenthedoubleapparition，understoodit，and，asheexpected，darednotfire。HereachedtheothersidewithCatoinsafety，butnotbeforehesawthefatefulshadowsagainmoving，andthistimeintheirowndirection。Theywereevidentlyintendingtopursuethem。ButoncewithinthewoodsCourtlandknewthathischanceswereequal。Hebreathedmorefreely。Cato，nowlessagitated，hadevenregainedsomethingofhisformeremotionalcombativenesswhichCourtlandhadchecked。Althoughfarfromconfidentofhishenchman’sprowessinanemergency，theprospectofgettinghimsafeintothequartersseemedbrighter。
Itwasnecessary，also，totrusttohissuperiorwood—craftandknowledgeofthelocality，andCourtlandstillwalkingbetweenhimandhispursuersandcoveringhisretreatallowedhimtoleadtheway。Itlayovergroundthatwasbeginningtoslopegently;theunderbrushwaspresentlyexchangedforspringymoss，thecharacterofthetreeschanged，theblacktrunksofcypressesmadethegloomthicker。Trailingvinesandparasitesbrushedtheirfaces，acurrentofdampairseemedtoflowjustabovethesoilinwhichtheirlowerlimbsmovedsluggishlyasthroughstagnantwater。Asyettherewasnoindicationofpursuit。ButCourtlandfeltthatitwasnotabandoned。Indeed，hehadbarelytimetocheckanexclamationfromthenegro，beforethedullgallopofhorse—hoofsintheopenaheadofthemwasplaintothemboth。Itwasasecondpartyoftheirpursuers，mounted，whohadevidentlybeensenttopreventtheirfinalegressfromthewoods，whilethosetheyhadjustevadedwerenodoubtslowlyandsilentlyfollowingthemonfoot。Theyweretobecaughtbetweentwofires！
\"Whatistheretotheleftofus？\"whisperedCourtlandquickly。
\"Deswamp。\"
Courtlandsethisteethtogether。Hisdull—wittedcompanionhadevidentlywalkedthembothintothetrap！Nevertheless，hisresolvewasquicklymade。Hecouldalreadyseethroughthethinningfringeoftimberthefiguresofthemountedmeninthemoonlight。
\"Thisshouldbetheboundarylineoftheplantation？Thisfieldbesideusisours？\"hesaidinterrogatively。
\"Yes，\"returnedthenegro，\"butdequartersisamilefurder。\"
\"Good！StayhereuntilIcomebackorcallyou;I’mgoingtotalktothesefellows。Butifyouvalueyourlife，don’tYOUspeaknorstir。\"
Hestrodequicklythroughtheinterveningtreesandsteppedoutintothemoonlight。Asuppressedshoutgreetedhim，andhalfadozenmountedmen，maskedandcarryingrifles，rodedowntowardshim，butheremainedquietlywaitingthere，andasthenearestapproachedhim，hemadeastepforwardandcried，\"Halt！\"
Themenpulledupsharplyandmechanicallyatthatringofmilitaryimperiousness。
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"saidCourtland。
\"Wereckonthat’sOURbusiness，co’nnle。\"
\"It’smine，whenyou’reonpropertythatIcontrol。\"
Themanhesitatedandlookedinterrogativelytowardshisfellows。
\"Iallowyou’vegotusthere，co’nnle，\"hesaidatlastwiththelazyinsolenceofconsciouspower，butIdon’tmindtellingyouwe’rewantinganiggeraboutthesizeofyourCato。Wehain’tgotanythingaginYOU，co’nnle;wedon’twanttointerferewithYOUR
property，andYOURways，butwedon’tcalculatetohavestrangersinterferewithOURwaysandOURcustoms。Trotoutyournigger——youNo’th’nfolksdon’tcallHIM’property，’youknow——andwe’llclearoffyourland。\"
\"AndmayIaskwhatyouwantofCato？\"saidCourtlandquietly。
\"ToshowhimthatalltheFederallawinh—llwon’tprotecthimwhenhestrikesawhiteman！\"burstoutoneofthemaskedfigures，ridingforward。
\"ThenyoucompelmetoshowYOU，\"saidCourtlandimmovably，\"whatanyFederalcitizenmaydointhedefenseofFederallaw。ForI’llkillthefirstmanthatattemptstolayhandsuponhimonmyproperty。Someofyou，whohavealreadytriedtoassassinatehimincoldblood，Ihavemetbeforeinlessdishonorablewarfarethanthis，andTHEYknowIamabletokeepmyword。\"
Therewasamoment’ssilence;thebarreloftherevolverhewasholdingathissideglistenedforaninstantinthemoonlight，buthedidnotmove。Thetwomenrodeuptothefirstspeakerandexchangedwords。Alightlaughfollowed，andthefirstspeakerturnedagaintoCourtlandwithamockingpoliteness。
\"Verywell，co’nnle，ifthat’syouropinion，andyouallowwecan’tfollowourgameoveryourproperty，why，wereckonwe’llhavetogivewayTOTHOSEWHOCAN。SorrytohavetroubledYOU。Good—
night。\"
Heliftedhishatironically，wavedittohisfollowers，andthenextmomentthewholepartyweregallopingfuriouslytowardsthehighroad。
ForthefirsttimethateveninganervoussenseofapprehensionpassedoverCourtland。Theimpendingofsomeunknowndangerisalwaysmoreterribletoabravemanthanthemostoverwhelmingoddsthathecanseeandrealize。Hefeltinstinctivelythattheyhadutterednovaguebravadotocoveruptheirdefeat;therewasstillsomeadvantageonwhichtheyconfidentlyreckoned——butwhat？Wasitonlyareferencetotheotherpartytrackingthemthroughthewoodsonwhichtheirenemiesnowsolelyrelied？HeregainedCatoquickly;thewhiteteethofthefoolishlyconfidentnegrowerealreadyflashinghisimaginedtriumphtohisemployer。Courtland’sheartgrewsickashesawit。
\"We’renotoutofthewoodsyet，Cato，\"hesaiddryly;\"norarethey。Keepyoureyesandearsopen，andattendtome。Howlongcanwekeepinthecoverofthesewoods，andstillpushoninthedirectionofthequarters？\"
\"There’sawayroun’deedgeo’deswamp，sah，butwe’dhavetogobackaspelltofindit。\"
\"Goon！\"
\"Anddar’smoccasinsandcopperheadslyingroundhereindetrail！
Deydon’tgoforusginerally——but，\"behesitated，\"whitemendon’tstandmuchshow。\"
\"Good！Thenitisasbadforthosewhoarechasingusasforme。
Thatwilldo。Leadon。\"
Theyretracedtheirstepscautiously，untilthenegroturnedintoalighterby—way。Astrangemephiticodorseemedtocomefromsoddenleavesandmossesthatbegantooozeundertheirfeet。Theyhadpickedtheirwayinsilenceforsomeminutes;thestuntedwillowsandcypressstandingfartherandfartherapart，andtheopeningswithclumpsofsedgewerefrequent。Courtlandwasbeginningtofearthisexposureofhisfollower，andhadmovedupbesidehim，whensuddenlythenegrocaughthisarm，andtrembledviolently。
Hislipswerepartedoverhisteeth，thewhitesofhiseyesglistened，heseemedgaspingandspeechlesswithfear。
\"What’sthematter，Cato？\"saidCourtlandglancinginstinctivelyatthegroundbeneath。\"Speak，man！——haveyoubeenbitten？\"
Thewordseemedtowringanagonizedcryfromthemiserableman。
\"Bitten！No;butdon’tyouhear’emcoming，sah！GodAlmighty！
don’tyouheardat？\"
\"What？\"
\"Dedogs！dehouns！——DEBLOODHOUNS！Dey’veset’emlooseonme！\"
Itwastrue！AfaintbayinginthedistancewasnowdistinctlyaudibletoCourtland。Heknewnowplainlythefull，cruelpurportoftheleader’sspeech，——thosewhocouldgoanywhereweretrackingtheirgame！
Everytraceofmanhoodhadvanishedfromthenegro’scoweringframe。Courtlandlaidhishandassuringly，appealingly，andthensavagelyonhisshoulder。
\"Come！Enoughofthis！Iamhere，andwillstandbyyou，whatevercomes。Thesedogsarenomoretobefearedthantheothers。Rouseyourself，man，andatleasthelpMEmakeafightofit。\"
\"No！no！\"screamedtheterrifiedman。\"Lemmego！LemmegobacktodeMassas！Tell’emI’llcome！Tell’emtocalldehounsoffme，andI’llgoquiet！Lemmego！\"Hestruggledviolentlyinhiscompanion’sgrasp。
InallCourtland’sself—control，habitsofcoolness，anddiscipline，itistobefearedtherewasstillsomethingoftheoldBerserkertemper。Hisfacewaswhite，hiseyesblazedinthedarkness;onlyhisvoicekeptthatleveldistinctnesswhichmadeitforamomentmoreterriblethaneventhebayingofthetrackinghoundstothenegro’sear。\"Cato，\"hesaid，\"attempttorunnow，and，byGod！I’llsavethedogsthetroubleofgrapplingyourlivingcarcass！Comehere！Upthattreewithyou！\"pointingtoaswampmagnolia。\"Don’tmoveaslongasIcanstandhere，andwhenI’mdown——butnottillthen——saveyourself——thebestyoucan。\"
Hehalfhelped，halfdragged，thenowpassiveAfricantothesolitarytree;asthebayofasinglehoundcamenearer，thenegroconvulsivelyscrambledfromCourtland’skneeandshouldertotheforkofbranchesadozenfeetfromtheground。Courtlanddrewhisrevolver，and，steppingbackafewyardsintotheopen，awaitedtheattack。
Itcameunexpectedlyfrombehind。AsuddenyelpofpantingcrueltyandfrenziedanticipationatCourtland’sbackcausedhimtochangefrontquickly，andthedrippingfangsandsnakyboa—likeneckofagrayweirdshadowpassedhim。Withanawfulsupernaturalnessofinstinct，itkeptoninanunerringlinetothefatefultree。ButthatdreaddirectnessofscentwasCourtland’sopportunity。Hisrevolverflashedoutinanaimasunerring。Thebrute，piercedthroughneckandbrain，dashedonagainstthetreeinhisimpetus，andthenrolledoveragainstitinaquiveringbulk。AgainanotherbaycomingfromthesamedirectiontoldCourtlandthathispursuershadoutflankedhim，andthewholepackwerecrossingtheswamp。
Buthewasprepared;againthesameweirdshadow，asspectralandmonstrousasadream，dashedoutintothebrieflightoftheopen，butthistimeitwasstopped，androlledoverconvulsivelybeforeithadcrossed。Flushed，withthefireoffightinhisveins，Courtlandturnedalmostfuriouslyfromthefallenbrutesathisfeettomeettheonsetofthemorecowardlyhunterswhomheknewwereathisheels。Atthatmomentitwouldhavefaredillwiththeforemost。Nolongerthecalculatingstewardanddiplomaticmanager，nolongerthecool—headedarbiterofconflictinginterests，hewasreadytomeetthem，notonlywiththeintrepidinstinctsofasoldier，butwithanarousedpartisanfuryequaltotheirown。Tohissurprisenoonefollowed;thebayingofathirdhoundseemedtobesilencedandchecked;thesilencewasbrokenonlybythesoundofdistantdisputingvoicesandtheuneasytramplingofhoofs。Thiswasfollowedbytwoorthreerifleshotsinthedistance，butnoteitherinthedirectionofthequartersnortheDows’dwelling—house。Thereevidentlywassomeinterruptioninthepursuit，——adiversionofsomekindhadtakenplace，——butwhatheknewnot。Hecouldthinkofnoonewhomighthaveinterferedonhisbehalf，andtheshoutingandwranglingseemedtobecarriedonintheaccentsoftheonesectionalparty。HecalledcautiouslytoCato。Thenegrodidnotreply。Hecrossedtothetreeandshookitimpatiently。Itsboughswereempty;Catowasgone！Themiserablenegromusthavetakenadvantageofthefirstdiversioninhisfavortoescape。Butwhere，andhow，therewasnothinglefttoindicate。
AsCourtlandhadtakenlittlenoteofthetrail，hehadnoideaofhisownwhereabouts。Heknewhemustreturntothefringeofcypresstobeabletocrosstheopenfieldandgainthenegroquarters，whereitwasstillpossiblethatCatohadfled。Takingageneraldirectionfromthefewstarsvisibleabovetheopening，hebegantoretracehissteps。Buthehadnolongerthenegro’swoodcrafttoguidehim。Attimeshisfeetwerecaughtintrailingvineswhichseemedtocoilaroundhisankleswithominoussuggestiveness;attimestheyieldingsoilbeneathhistreadshowedhisperilousproximitytotheswamp，aswellasthefactthathewasbeginningtoinclinetowardsthatdreadcirclewhichisthehopelessinstinctofalllostandstrayinghumanity。Luckilytheedgeoftheswampwasmoreopen，andhewouldbeenabledtocorrecthischangedcourseagainbythepositionofthestars。Buthewasbecomingchilledandexhaustedbythesefruitlessefforts，andatlength，afteramoredeviousandprolongeddetour，whichbroughthimbacktotheswampagain，heresolvedtoskirtitsedgeinsearchofsomeothermodeofissuance。Beyondhim，thelightseemedstronger，asofamoreextendedopeningorclearing，andtherewasevenasuperficialgleamfromtheendoftheswampitself，asiffromsomeignisfatuusortheglancingofapoolofunbrokenwater。Afewrodsfartherbroughthimtoitandafullviewoftheunencumberedexpanse。Beyondhim，faracrosstheswamp，hecouldseeahillsidebathedinthemoonlightwithsymmetricallinesofsmallwhitesquaresdottingitsslopesandstretchingdownintoavalleyofgleamingshafts，pyramids，andtombs。Itwasthecemetery;thewhitesquaresonthehillsidewerethesoldiers’graves。Andamongthemevenatthatdistance，upliftingsolemnly，likeareproachfulphantom，wasthebrokenshaftabovethedustofChesterBrooks。
Withtheviewofthatfatefulspot，whichhehadnotseensincehislastmeetingtherewithSallyDows，afloodofrecollectionrusheduponhim。Inthewhitemistthathunglowalongthefartheredgeoftheswamphefanciedhecouldseeagainthebatterysmokethroughwhichtheghostlyfigureofthedeadriderhadchargedhisgunthreeyearsbefore;inthevaporywhiteplumesofafunerealplantinthelongavenuehewasremindedofthelightfigureofMissSallyassheappearedattheirlastmeeting。Inanothermoment，inhisalreadydazedcondition，hemighthavesuccumbedtosomesensuousmemoryofherformerfascinations，buthethrewitoffsavagelynow，withaquickandbitterrecallingofherdeceitandhisownweakness。Turninghisbackuponthescenewithahalf—
superstitioustremor，heplungedoncemoreintothetracklesscovert。Buthewasconsciousthathiseyesightwasgraduallygrowingdimandhisstrengthfalling。Hewasobligedfromtimetotimetostopandrallyhissluggishsenses，thatseemedtogrowheavierundersomedeadlyexhalationthatflowedaroundhim。Heevenseemedtohearfamiliarvoices，——butthatmustbedelusion。
Atlasthestumbled。Throwingoutanarmtoprotecthimself，hecameheavilydownupontheooze，strikingadull，half—elasticrootthatseemed——itmusthavebeenanotherdelusion——tomovebeneathhim，andeven——soconfusedwerehissensesnow——tostrikebackangrilyuponhisprostratearm。Asharppainranfromhiselbowtoshoulderandforamomentstunghimtofullconsciousnessagain。
Therewerevoicessurely，——thevoicesoftheirformerpursuers！IftheywereseekingtorevengethemselvesuponhimforCato’sescape，hewasreadyforthem。Hecockedhisrevolverandstooderect。A
torchflashedthroughthewood。Butevenatthatmomentafilmcameoverhiseyes;hestaggeredandfell。
Anintervalofhelplesssemi—consciousnessensued。Hefelthimselfliftedbystrongarmsandcarriedforward，hisarmhanginguselesslyathisside。Thedankodorofthewoodwaspresentlyexchangedforthefreeairoftheopenfield;theflamingpine—knottorcheswereextinguishedinthebrightmoonlight。Peoplepressedaroundhim，butsoindistinctlyhecouldnotrecognizethem。Allhisconsciousnessseemedcentredintheburning，throbbingpainofhisarm。Hefelthimselflaiduponthegravel;thesleevecutfromhisshoulder，thecoolsensationofthehotandburstingskinbaredtothenightair，andthenasoft，cool，andindescribablepressureuponawoundhehadnotfeltbefore。Avoicefollowed，——high，lazilypetulant，andfamiliartohim，andyetonehestroveinvaintorecall。
\"DeLawdy—Gawdsaveus，MissSally！Wotyo’doin’dah？Chile！
Chile！Yo’’llkillyo’se’f，shuah！\"
Thepressurecontinued，strangeandpotenteventhroughhispain，andwasthenwithdrawn。Andavoicethatthrilledhimsaid：——
\"It’stheonlythingtosavehim！Hush，yechatteringblackcrow！
Sayanythingaboutthistoalivingsoul，andI’llhaveyo’
flogged！Nowtrotoutthewhiskeybottleandpouritdownhim。\"
CHAPTERVII。
WhenCourtland’seyesopenedagain，hewasinbedinhisownroomatRedlands，withthevividmorningsunoccasionallylightingupthewallwheneverthecloselydrawncurtainswerelightlyblownasidebythefresheningbreeze。Thewholeeventsofthenightmighthavebeenadreambutfortheinsupportablelanguorwhichnumbedhissenses，andthetorporofhisarm，that，swollenanddiscolored，layoutsidethecoverletonapillowbeforehim。
ClothsthathadbeenwrungoutinicedwaterwerereplaceduponitfromtimetotimebySophy，MissDows’housekeeper，who，seatednearhisbedhead，waslazilyfanninghim。Theireyesmet。
\"Broken？\"hesaidinterrogatively，withafaintreturnofhisolddeliberatemanner，glancingathishelplessarm。
\"Deedyno，cunnle！Snakebite，\"respondedthenegress。
\"Snakebite！\"repeatedCourtlandwithlanguidinterest，\"whatsnake？\"
\"Moccasino’copperhead——ifyoudounknowyo’se’fwhich，\"shereplied。\"Butit’sallrightnow，honey！Depizen’sdraw’doutandcleangone。Wotyerfeelsnowisdewhiskey。DewhiskeySTAYS，sah。Itgetsintodelubricationsofdeskin，sah，andhastobeabso’bed。\"
Somefaintchordofmemorywastouchedbythegirl’speculiarvocabulary。
\"Ah，\"saidCourtlandquickly，\"you’reMissDows’Sophy。Thenyoucantellme\"——
\"Nuffin，sahabsomlutelynuffin！\"interruptedthegirl，shakingherheadwithimpressiveofficialdignity。\"It’sdonegonefo’bidbydedoctor！Yo’’retoliedarandshutyo’reye，honey，\"sheadded，forthemomentrevertingunconsciouslytothenativematernaltendernessofherrace，\"andyo’’renottobodderyo’se’fefschoolkeepso’not。Demedicalmansaydistinctly，sah，\"sheconcluded，sternlyrecallingherdutyagain，\"noconversationwiddepatient。\"
ButCourtlandhadwinningwayswithalldependents。\"ButyouwillanswermeONEquestion，Sophy，andI’llnotaskanother。Has\"——hehesitatedinhisstilluncertaintyastotheactualityofhisexperienceanditsprobableextent——\"has——Cato——escaped？\"
\"Ifyo’meandatsassy，bull—niggeroberseerofyo’se，cunnle，HE’S
safe，yo’bet！\"returnedSophysharply。\"Safeinhisownquo’tahsnightafo’las’，afterbraggin’aboutthebloodhaownshekilled;
andsafeoberthecountylineyes’daymoan’in，afterkickingupalldisrumpus。Ifdarisasassy，highfalutin’niggerIjiss’spises——
itsdatblackniggerCatoo’yo’se！Now，\"——relenting——\"yo’jisswinkyo’eye，honey，anddon’texciteyo’se’faboutsachblacktrash;drapofftosleepcomfor’ble。Fo’youdo’angetannuderwordouto’Sophy，shuah！\"
Asifinobedience，Courtlandclosedhiseyes。ButeveninhisweakstatehewasconsciousofthebloodcomingintohischeekatSophy’srelentlesscriticismofthemanforwhomhehadjustperiledhislifeandposition。Muchofithefeltwastrue;buthowfarhadhebeenadupeinhisquixoticdefenseofaquarrelsomeblustererandcowardlybully？Yettherewastheunmistakableshotandcold—bloodedattemptatCato’sassassination！Andtherewerethebloodhoundssenttotracktheunfortunateman！Thatwasnodream——butabrutalinexcusablefact！
ThemedicalpractitionerofRedlandsherememberedwasconservative，old—fashioned，anddiplomatic。Buthissympathieshadbeenbroadenedbysomearmyexperiences，andCourtlandtrustedtosomesoldierlyandfrankexpositionofthematterfromhim。Nevertheless，Dr。Maynardwasfirsthealer，and，likeSophy，professionallycautious。Thecolonelhadbetternottalkaboutitnow。Itwasalreadytwodaysold;thecolonelhadbeennearlyforty—eighthoursinbed。Itwasaregrettableaffair，butthenaturalclimaxoflong—continuedpoliticalandracialirritation——andnotwithoutGREATprovocation！Assassinationwasastrongword;couldColonelCourtlandswearthatCatowasactuallyAIMEDAT，orwasitnotmerelyademonstrationtofrightenabullyingnegro？Itmighthavebeennecessarytoteachhimalesson——whichthecolonelbythistimeoughttoknowcouldonlybetaughttotheseinferiorracesbyFEAR。
Thebloodhounds！Ah，yes！——well，thebloodhoundswere，infact，onlyapartofthatwholesomediscipline。SurelyColonelCourtlandwasnotsofoolishastobelievethat，evenintheoldslave—holdingdays，planterssentdogsafterrunawaystomangleanddestroyTHEIR
OWNPROPERTY？Theymightaswell，atonce，letthemescape！No，sir！Theywereusedonlytofrightenanddrivetheniggersoutofswamps，brakes，andhiding—places——asnoniggerhadeverdaredtoface’em。Catomightlieasmuchasheliked，buteverybodyknewWHOitwasthatkilledMajorReed’shounds。Nobodyblamedthecolonelforit，——notevenMajorReed，——butifthecolonelhadlivedalittlelongerintheSouth，he’dhaveknownitwasn’tnecessarytodothatinself—preservation，asthehoundswouldneverhavegoneforawhiteman。ButthatwasnotamatterforthecoloneltobotheraboutNOW。Hewasdoingwell;hehadsleptnearlythirtyhours;
therewasnofever，hemustcontinuetodozeofftheexhaustionofhispowerfulstimulant，andhe，thedoctor，wouldreturnlaterintheafternoon。