a dream of vast dominion, and he had a powerful society behind him.

"What news, then, will you send to Charleston?" asked Bertrand at
length. "Will you tell her that Kentucky, the state of great names,
will stand beside her?"

"Such a message shall be carried to her," replied Colonel Kenton,
speaking for them all, "and I propose that my son Harry be the
messenger. These are troubled times, gentlemen, and full of peril.
We dare not trust to the mails, and a lad, carrying letters, would
arouse the least suspicion. He is strong and resourceful. I, his
father, should know best and I am willing to devote him to the cause."

Harry started when he heard the words of his father, and his heart gave
a great leap of mingled surprise and joy. Such a journey, such an
enterprise, made an instant appeal to his impulsive and daring spirit.
But he did not speak, waiting upon the words of his elders. All of them
looked at him, and it seemed to Harry that they were measuring him,
both body and mind.

"I have known your boy since his birth," said Senator Culver, "and he
is all that you say. There is none stronger and better. The choice is
good."

"Good! Aye, good indeed!" said the impetuous Bertrand. "How they will
welcome him in Charleston!"

"Then, gentlemen," said Colonel Kenton, very soberly, "you are all
agreed that my son shall carry to South Carolina the message that
Kentucky will follow her out of the Union?"