“What does President Buchanan say?” “Hasn’t said anything yet. But there is a rumor that General Scott is to be sent for,” and Mr. Arlington shook his head gravely, for the hero of Mexico was still dear to his heart. “General Scott! Then they are going to fight it?” “It looks that way, neighbors.” A deep murmur arose, and half a dozen began to ask as many different questions. In the meantime the train had rolled away. Mr. Arlington answered the questions as best he could, shook hands with his son and with Louis; and ten minutes later moved over to where the farm wagon had been left standing. “I must get some groceries before we go home,” said Andy, and hurried into the store. “Mr. Arlington, do you really think we’ll have war?” asked Louis, when he was left alone with the Southern veteran. “It looks so, Louis; although I allow I don’t think it will last long if it does come. I think the South will split from the North, and that will be the end of it.” “But that will be too bad.” “That’s as how you look at it. The South will be better off alone than under the thumb of Northern dictators. One thing is certain, we’ll do as we please with our slaves.” At this Louis said no more, for he saw that an agreement with his chum’s father was out of the question. Finding Andy did not return, Mr. Arlington presently leaped from the wagon to learn what had become of him. As Louis sat alone he noticed half a dozen men gathered across the way and talking earnestly. In the crowd was the mountaineer, Sam Jacks, and presently the boy saw this man point toward him. “We ought to teach thet kind a lesson,” were the words which drifted to his ears, and at once Louis became alert, for he felt he was the subject of the talk that was taking place. Five minutes more passed, and Louis wished Andy and his father would reappear. Then the crowd stalked over to the farm wagon. The men were all mountaineers and of the roughest class to be found in that vicinity. “Say, you’re a Northern lad, ain’t ye?” drawled one. “I am from Goreville, Pennsylvania,” answered Louis. “Got a big head on ye, ’bout wot the Northerners are goin’ to do to us,” added a second of the group. To this Louis made no reply. His silence seemed to anger the entire crowd. “Get down from thet seat!” suddenly roared Jacks, catching Louis by the arm and jerking him forward. “Let go! What do you mean?” cried the youth, trying to draw away. “We are goin’ to teach you-uns a lesson!” cried another of the mountaineers. “Come down!” and he, too, caught hold of Louis. But now the youth was fairly aroused, and leaping to his feet managed to wrest himself free from his second assailant. Then, as quick as a flash, he caught up the horsewhip. “Let go!” he commanded, to Jacks. “Let go, or I’ll let you have this across the face!”