The question was from a Marcum, who had come in late, and
several laughed. Rufe threw back his dusty coat, which was ripped
through the lapel by a bullet.

They seed me well 'nough fer that," he said, grimly, and then he
looked toward Rome, who thought of old Jasper, and gave back a
gleam of fierce sympathy. There were several nods of approval
along with the laugh that followed. It was a surprise-so little
consideration of an escape so narrow-from Rufe; for, as old Gabe
said, Rufe was big and good-natured, and was not thought fit for
leadership. But there was a change in him when he came back
from the West. He was quieter; he laughed less No one spoke of
the difference; it was too vague; but every one felt it, and it had an
effect. His flight had made many uneasy, but his return, for that
reason, brought a stancher fealty from these; and this was evident
now. All eyes were upon him, and all tongues, even old Sam's,
waited now for his to speak.

"Whut we've got to do, we've got to do mighty quick," he began, at
last. " Things air changin'. I seed it over thar in Breathitt. The
soldiers 'n' that scar-faced Jellico preacher hev broke up the fightin'
over thar, 'n' ef we don't watch out, they'll be a-doin' it hyeh, when
we start our leetle frolic. We hain't got no time to fool. Old Jas
knows this as well as me, 'n' thar's goin' to be mighty leetle chance
fer 'em to layway 'n' pick us off from the bresh. Thar's goin' to be
fa'r fightin' fer once, thank the Lord. They bushwhacked us dunn'
the war, 'n' they've laywayed us 'n' shot us to pieces ever sence; but
now, ef God A'mighty's willin', the thing's a-goin' to be settled one
way or t'other at last, I reckon."