trembling. While he spoke her lashes drooped quickly, her face
softened, and the color came back to it. She began intertwining her
fingers, and would not look up at him.

Ef y'u hates me like the rest uv ye, why don't ye say it right out?
'N' ef ye do hate me, whut hev you been lookin' 'cross the river fer,
'n' a-shakin' yer bonnet at me, 'n' paddlin' to Gabe's fer yer grist,
when the mill on Dead Crick's been a-runnin', 'n' I know it? You've
been banterin' me, hev ye? "-the blood rose to his eyes again. " Ye
mustn't fool with me, gal, by , ye mustn't. Whut hev you been
goin' over thar fer? " He even took a threatening step toward her,
and, with a helpless gesture, stopped. The girl was a little
frightened. Indeed, she smiled, seeing her power over him; she
seemed even about to laugh outright; but the smile turned to a
quick look of alarm, and she bent her head suddenly to listen to
something below. At last she did speak. "Somebody's comm'! "
she said. " You'd better git out O' the way," she went on,
hurriedly. "Somebody's comm', I tell ye! Don't ye hear?

It was no ruse to get rid of him. The girl's eyes were dilating.
Something was coming far below. Rome could catch the faint
beats of a horse's hoofs. He was unarmed, and he knew it was
death for him to be seen on that forbidden mountain; but he was
beyond caution, and ready to welcome any vent to his passion, and
he merely shook his head.

Ef it's Satan hisself, I hain't goin' to run." The hoof-beats came
nearer. The rider must soon see them from the coil below.

Rome, hit's Jas! He's got his rifle, and he'll kill ye, 'n' me too! "