"This used to be a free country, though it isn't so now; but every man can have his own opinion as long as he is willing to be responsible for it." "It isn't exactly a free country as long as the loyal citizens of this county cannot hold a meeting without being attacked by the ruffians of Secession, as was the case at Big Bend last night. Then the same villains came over here in a mob of a hundred to burn Major Lyon's house, and capture his daughters, as they tried to do with Colonel Belthorpe's girls. They did not succeed, and some of them were shot down in the attempt. The right to commit such outrages as these is what you call free; but we at Riverlawn don't understand it in just that way." "But, according to your own statement, Mr. Bedford, your people had stolen the arms intended for the company of the Home Guards whom Captain Titus Lyon has enlisted," returned the doctor. "We took possession of the arms and ammunition, including the two guns at those embrasures, to prevent these ruffians from using them against the loyal citizens of the county in carrying out their ideas of freedom," said Levi stoutly. "Do you believe these ruffians, the offscourings of the county, ought to be permitted to burn, ravage, and destroy the homes of some of the most respectable people in this vicinity, Dr. Falkirk?" "But your people were the aggressors, and I think they were justified in trying to recover the property that had been stolen from them." "The ruffians issued their threats to burn the mansion of Major Lyon before the arms entered into the question." The discussion might have continued all day, if Sam, Colonel Belthorpe's house servant, had not ridden up at this moment. "I come for the doctor, sar," said the man. "Who is sick at Lyndhall, Sam?" asked Levi with much interest. "Nobody sick, Mars'r Bedford; but Mars'r Tilford's very bad with his wound, and Mars'r Cunnel send me for the doctor," replied the servant. "Is this another of your victims, Mr. Bedford?" asked the doctor with a heavy sneer. "It is Colonel Belthorpe's overseer. He refused to assist in protecting the family from the ruffians, and left the mansion. It seems that he was shot in attempting to join your army, doctor." "He's a brave fellow! I will go and see him." "But he deserted your army of ruffians, and crawled back to the house, where the girls nursed him and cared for him. Now the colonel sends for you to patch him up, the ingrate!" "True to his principles against his employer!" The doctor was conducted to the hospital, where he did his duty faithfully to those who had been wounded, though Levi reminded him that they belonged to "his army." None of them were in a bad way, and the surgeon said they would be all right in a few days.