“We don’t know but what he’s a spy,” added Jacks, determined, on account of the blow received, to make out the worst possible case against Louis. “A spy! you are crazy!” answered Andy. “He came down from Goreville just on a friendly visit. Let go of him, or I’ll knock you down, Sam Jacks!” And Andy squared off in such a determined fashion that Jacks fell back, and seeing this his companions did the same; and Louis struggled to his feet. “There is certainly a mistake here,” said Mr. Arlington, with a deliberateness which instantly commanded attention. “This boy is a friend of our family and I can vouch for him that he means no harm in this neighborhood. I am as loyal to Virginia as any of you, but we have not yet reached the point where we must be on the lookout for spies. Come, Louis, we’ll drive home, and you can depend upon it that you shall be safe as long as you remain with me.” He ranged upon one side of the boy, and, taking the hint, Andy ranged up on the other side. There were half a dozen murmurs, but the temper of the veteran was well known, and it was likewise known, and this was even more important, that he carried an effective side weapon with him upon all occasions. Having reached the wagon unmolested, Louis clambered in and the others followed. There was the snap of the whip, and soon Lee Run and the discontented ones were left behind. When the town had disappeared from view, Louis drew a long breath. “It looks as if affairs were getting too hot down here for my safety,” he said, with a faint smile. “I never dreamed of being attacked in this fashion.” “You will find hot-heads wherever you go, Louis,” answered Mr. Arlington. Then, after a moment’s reflection, he continued: “But, all told, I don’t know but that it will be as well for you to get home before long, not but that I would like you to spend Christmas with us.” “I promised mother to be home on Christmas. I think I’ll start to-morrow morning. It was very kind of you and Andy to come to my aid. I don’t want you to get into trouble with your neighbors on my account.” “Those rough mountaineers are hardly neighbors,” said Mr. Arlington. “They are very impulsive and generally aching for a chance to quarrel with some one, especially a newcomer. This talk of war has stirred them so that some of them have lost their heads completely and they’ll want to go shooting at something by to-morrow.” “Well, they needn’t shoot at me,” answered Louis, but in a light tone, for he did not dream of the perils so close at hand. The drive to the plantation was quickly at an end, and Mr. Arlington stumped into the house, to be warmly embraced by his wife and by pretty Grace Arlington, Andy’s only sister, a girl of fifteen. In the meantime Louis took the rabbits he had shot around to the kitchen and handed them over to the colored cook. Then he joined Andy down in the stable yard, to see that his horse was being cared for properly.