as silently as they had assembled; only Yancy and Hannibal
remained. Mrs. Ferris turned to the former.

"If you will close the cabin door, Mr. Yancy, everything will be
ready for next Sunday," she said, and moved toward the horses,
followed by Murrell. Betty Malroy lingered for a moment at
Hannibal's side.

"Good-by, little boy; you must ask your Uncle Bob to bring you up
to the big house to see me," and stooping she kissed him.
"Good-by, Mr. Yancy, I liked your story."

Hannibal and Yancy watched them mount and ride away, then the boy
said:

"Uncle Bob, now them ladies have gone, won't you please show me
them dints you made in the doorjamb?"




CHAPTER III

TROUBLE AT SCRATCH HILL


Captain Murrell had established himself at Balaam's Cross Roads.
He was supposed to be interested in the purchase of a plantation,
and in company with Crenshaw visited the numerous tracts of land
which the merchant owned; but though he professed delight with