"Gritty, by George! I didn't know as Yankee gals, had such splendid
pluck," muttered one of the men, while Harney continued: "You say 'we.'
May I ask the number of your forces?"
Ere Alice could speak old Sam's voice was heard parleying with the
marauders.
"That's a nigger, shoot him!" growled one, but the white head was
withdrawn from view just in time to escape the ball aimed at it.
There was a rush, now for the kitchen door, a horrid sound of fearful
oaths, mingled with the cries of the negroes, the furious yells of
Rover, whom Lulu had let loose, and the neighing of the frightened
steeds. But amid it all Alice retained her self-possession. She had
descended from her post on the housetop, and persuading Mrs.
Worthington, Aunt Eunice, and Densie to remain quietly in her own room,
joined the negroes below, cheering them by her presence, and by her
apparent fearlessness keeping up their sinking courage.
"We's better gin dem de hosses, Miss Ellis," Claib said, entreatingly,
as blow after blow fell upon the yielding door--"'cause dey's boun' to
hab 'em."
"I'll try argument first with their leader," Alice replied, and ere
Claib suspected her intention she was undoing the fastenings of a side
door, bidding him bolt it after her as soon as she was safely through
it."
"Is Miss Ellis crazy?" shrieked Sam. "Dem men has no 'spect for female
wimmen," and he was forcibly detaining her, when the sharp ring of a
revolver was heard, accompanied by a demoniacal shriek as a tall body
leaped high in the air and then fell, weltering in its blood.
A moment more and a little dusky figure came flying down the stairs, and
hiding itself behind the astonished Alice, sobbed hysterically: "I'se
done it, I has! I'se shooted old Harney!" and Mug, overcome with
excitement, rolled upon the floor like an India rubber ball.
It was true, as Mug had said. Secreted by the huge chimney she had
watched the proceedings below, keeping her eye fixed on him she knew to
be Harney; and, at last, when a favorable opportunity occurred, had sent
the ball which carried death to him and dismay to his adherents, who
crowded around their fallen leader, forgetful now of the prey for which
they had come, and anxious only for flight. Possibly, too, their desire
to be off was augmented by the fact that from the woods came the sound
of voices and the tramp of horses' feet--Colonel Tiffton, who, with a
few of his neighbors, was coming to the rescue of Spring Bank. But their
services were not needed to drive away the foe, for ere they reached the
gate, the yard was free from the invaders, who, bearing their wounded
leader, Harney, in their midst, disappeared behind the hill, one of
them, the brutal Texan, who had raised his gun at Alice, lingering
behind the rest, and looking back to see the result of his infernal
deed. Secretly, when no one knew it, he had kindled a fire at the rear
of the wooden building, which being old and dry caught readily, and
burned like tinder.