went to England!"

"He's all cloven hoof, damn him!" the other answered cheerfully. "Best
ride on. He'll have been at the Court House this hour!"

Ludwell Cary glanced at his watch. "Early or late, the result will be
the same. The county's going for him twice over!"

"A damned tobacco-roller's son!" growled the other.

The elder brother laughed. "'A man's a man for a' that,' Fair. I dare
say old Gideon rolled tobacco with all his might. As for his son, his
worst enemy--and I don't know that I am that--couldn't deny him courage
and energy."

"He's a dangerous man--"

"Most men are who have won by fighting. But I don't think he loves
violence. Well, well, I'm coming! Good-bye, little one!"

Deb curtsied and Miranda bobbed, the gentlemen touched their hats, black
Eli grinned, the horses began to canter, and, the leafy road bending
sharply, the party for the Court House passed suddenly from view as
though the earth had swallowed them up.

Miranda bent her eyes upon her mistress. "Hit's time you wuz in de
schoolroom. An' Lan' o' Goshen! Jes' look at yo' wet shoes! I reckon
Mammy Chloe gwine whup me!"

Deb considered her stockings and slippers. "There's no school to-day.