'Take care!' exclaimed Kainie, raising the disengaged hand, down which ran a trickle of blood. 'Do not think that because some of the poor lads have been taken, because ten out of one hundred are handcuffed, that every heart that is full of bitterness is beating behind prison walls, and every hand that can be raised against you is fettered. There are ninety pairs for every ten you put in iron cuffs, and they will be clenched in rage and resolve of revenge the day that you send the poor fellows to the gallows.' 'I fear them not,' said Drownlands scornfully. 'You may not fear, but that is because, like Pharaoh, your heart is hardened and your eyes are blinded, and the Lord is driving you to your destruction. I am here to stand between you—I, as your niece—between you and what threatens.' 'What threatens?' 'You are threatened.' 'Who threatens me?' 'Pip Beamish for one.' 'Ha! he will be arrested speedily.' 'No, not speedily. He is not taken yet, and till he is taken you are not safe.' 'I will see that he be not at large for long. Before this week is out he will be in prison.' 'That may be a few days too many for you.' 'I fear not your Pip Beamish; your braggarts do nothing.' 'No, braggarts do nothing; but Pip is no braggart.' 'It is my turn now,' said Zita. 'You, Kainie, have tried and have failed. Leave him to me. I can employ reasons that are stronger than yours. Let go your hold of the horse's head. You have said your say. Now I will say mine. But none must hear us.' Kainie reluctantly released the bit. Then Zita, still with her hand on the bridle, strode in the direction of Prickwillow, leading the horse, and some of the people congregated on the drove looked after her and the master, and laughed. 'He has found his mistress,' said one man, nudging his fellow. 'Ay, and is following her lead like a lamb,' replied the man who had been nudged. 'Who leads today will drive to-morrow,' said a third. 'Is he going to marry her?' asked the first. The man addressed shrugged his shoulders and said, 'No money. Drownlands is not such a fool as that.' None of this was heard by Zita, who did not relax her hold, nor turn to look at those who were left in the road. The master suffered her to conduct him towards the house without making remonstrance. CHAPTER XXIX A DEAL When Zita was beyond earshot, she looked over her shoulder, and said to Drownlands, 'I call that mean.' She walked on, then halted, changed her hand on the bridle, and, gazing about, said, 'You could free yourself of him in no other fashion, so you swear his life away. But you have to reckon with me before it comes to that. I will go into court and swear against you. What I shall swear to will be the truth; your oath will bind you to lies.' 'I refuse to strive with you in words,' retorted Drownlands. 'A woman is always victor with such weapons.'