Audrey

"I also am his friend," said Audrey, coming nearer. Her hands were

clasped, her bosom heaving. "Listen! To-day I was sent on an errand to a

house far up this creek. Coming back, I took the short way home through

the woods because of the storm. It led me past the schoolhouse down by the

big swamp. I thought that no one was there, and I went and sat down upon

the steps to rest a moment. The door behind me was partly open. Then I

heard two voices: the schoolmaster and Jean Hugon were inside--close to

me--talking. I would have run away, but I heard Mr. Haward's name." Her

hand went to her heart, and she drew a sobbing breath.

"Well!" cried MacLean sharply.

"Mr. Haward went yesterday to Williamsburgh--alone--without Juba. He rides

back--alone--to Fair View late this afternoon--he is riding now. You know

the sharp bend in the road, with the steep bank above and the pond below?"

"Ay, where the road nears the river. Well?"

"I heard all that Hugon and the schoolmaster said. I hid behind a fallen

tree and watched them leave the schoolhouse; then I followed them, making

no noise, back to the creek, where Hugon had a boat. They crossed the

creek, and fastened the boat on this side. I could follow them no farther;

the woods hid them; but they have gone downstream to that bend in the

road. Hugon had his hunting-knife and pistols; the schoolmaster carried a

coil of rope."

She flung back her head, and her hands went to her throat

as though she were stifling. "The turn in the road is very sharp. Just

past the bend they will stretch the rope from side to side, fastening it

to two trees. He will be hurrying home before the bursting of the

storm--he will be riding the planter's pace"-"Man and horse will come crashing down!" cried the storekeeper, with a

great oath "And then"-"Hugon's knife, so there will be no noise.... They think he has gold upon

him: that is for the schoolmaster.... Hugon is an Indian, and he will hide

their trail. Men will think that some outlying slave was in the woods, and

set upon and killed him."

Her voice broke; then went on, gathering strength: "It was so late, and I

knew that he would ride fast because of the storm. I remembered this

house, and thought that, if I called, some one might come and ferry me

over the creek. Now I will run through the woods to the road, for I must

reach it before he passes on his way to where they wait." She turned her

face toward the pine wood beyond the house.