body."

"I kin reach ter yo' lips," said Chunk, snatching a kiss.

"Stop dat foolishness!" she exclaimed, giving him a slight cuff.

"Zany, keep mum ez a possum. Dere's big times comin', en no un kin
hender um, dough dey kin git deysefs in a heap ob trouble by
blarnations. De Linkum men soon gwine ter be top of de heap an I'se
gwinter be on top wid um. Dar you be, too, ef you stan's by Miss Lou
en me."

"Ve'y well, but I'se gwinter keep my eye on you, Marse Chunk."

"Reck'n you will, kaze I am' gwinter be fur off; en ef you puts yo'
eye on some oder man, you soon fin' he ain' dar." With this ominous
assurance he stole away.

Soon afterward the hoot of an owl was heard again; shadows
approached the cabin; Scoville, assisted by Chunk, joined them, and
there was a whispered consultation. Scoville put the result in the
following words:

"The chance is a good one, I admit. It is quite possible that we
could capture the Johnnies and their horses, but that's not what
we're out for. Besides, I'm too badly broken up. I couldn't ride to-
night. You must go back to camp, and leave me to follow. Chunk here
has provisions for you. Better be moving, for Whately will probably
be out looking for you in the morning."