wretches connected with all armies, on your side as well as ours,
who act without orders or any control except their lawless will. If
you and your friends are tortured by the fear of Northern soldiers,
should they come this way, you may set your mind comparatively at
rest. I must add, however, that our troops have to live off the
country, and so take food for man and beast. They also help
themselves to better horses when they find them. I have told you the
truth. Why, believe me, Miss Baron, I would defend you with my life
against any one."

"Oh, dear!" cried the girl, with another rush of tears, "my uncle
believes that our house will be burned and we all murdered, and they
are going to marry me to my cousin against my will, so that he can
take me to a place of safety."

"When?" asked Scoville, excitedly.

"To-morrow evening."

Aun' Jinkey in her trepidation had stepped to the door, and there,
sure enough, was Mrs. Baron coming down the path with her hand full
of crumpled muslins. She had appeared so silently and suddenly
before Chunk that he had started and stared at her. When he tried to
edge off toward the cabin, she had said, sharply, "Keep at your
work. What is the matter with you? I reckon your granny is smoking
instead of doing my work," and she hastened her steps to surprise
the supposed delinquent.

Entering the cabin, she saw only Aun' Jinkey ironing, and her niece
sitting with her handkerchief to her face. "Ah!" said the old lady