For a moment he watched her, proud at least that this proud woman was of
his own race, then saw that the old negro, her only protector, still
guarded the house.

"Here, old man," he commanded, "go along with your mistress and take
care of her. I'll be the last to leave and see that nothing happens to
the house."

"Yas, seh. Thank'e, seh," said old Uncle Billy, coming down. "If all of
'em was only lek you, seh--"

Uncle Billy suddenly turned and looked up at the house, his mouth open
in consternation. With a cry of anguish he pointed to an upper window.

"Look what dey done done," he shrieked. "Aw, Gawd a'mighty! Look what
dey done done!"

A cloud of smoke was rolling from the windows, shot through with yellow
jets of flame. There was the sound of clumsy boots on the stairs and the
door was thrown open. Dudley, escaped from arrest, ran out with a
flaming pine torch in his hand.

"Halt!" cried Morrison, with raging anger. "Dudley! HALT!"

But Dudley knew that there would be little use in halting and so ran on
until a big revolver barked behind him and he pitched heavily forward on
his face. Morrison looked down on the prostrate form and his lips moved
sadly, pityingly:

"And I promised her--protection!"