heads were hitched to the fence. All had travelled a long way.
One wore a man's saddle; on the others were thick blankets tied
together with leathern thongs.

In the dark porch sat several men. Through the kitchen door he
could see his mother getting supper. Inside a dozen rifles leaned
against the wall in the firelight, and about their butts was a pile of
ammunition. In the doorway stood Rufe Stetson.

IX

ALL were smoking and silent. Several spoke from the shadows as
Rome stepped on the porch, and Rufe Stetson faced him a moment
in the doorway, and laughed.

Seem kinder s'prised? " he said, with a searching look. " Wasn't
lookin' for me? I reckon I'll s'prise sev'ral ef I hev good-luck."

The subtlety of this sent a chuckle of appreciation through the
porch, but Rome passed in without answer.

Isom lay on his bed within the circle of light, and his face in the
brilliant glow was white, and his eyes shone feverishly. " Rome,"
he said, excitedly, " Uncle Rufe's hyeh, 'n' they laywayed him,
'n'____" He paused abruptly. His mother came in, and at her call
the mountaineers trooped through the covered porch, and sat down
to supper in the kitchen. They ate hastily and in silence, the
mother attending their wants, and Rome helping her. The meal
finished, they drew their chairs about the fire. Pipes were lighted,
and Rufe Stetson rose and closed the door.