Bad Hugh

"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withdrawn from view just in time to escape the ball aimed at it.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.