Sheldon stood leaning against a tree. Another man joined them and then another. They were a formidable group with their long guns, and with their savage-looking dogs standing alertly beside them. “You bring her to Mammy’s bedside an’ then we’ll test ’em both,” commanded Sheldon. “Go git her.” But the party was not to move. A pleasant odor of freshly frying ham and of baking johnny-cake filled the air. “I ain’t had no food yet to-day,” whined Black Smith. “I can’t go too long without food.” “Well, then, eat,” grumbled Sheldon, who, while he scolded, commanded Jinny to bring him his own breakfast. Jinny brought him not only his breakfast, but advice as well. “You have no right to persecute these young people,” said she. “Vengeance is prepared for you; it were well to meet it with deeds of goodness. Let ’em go.” Her husband silenced her with his usual command. “I ain’t goin’ to shet up,” persisted Jinny. “An’ you can’t make me shet up. I’ve stood by ye, but I won’t stand by ye no longer. We were benighted, but we have seen the light. Light is bein’ let into all sorts o’ dark places these days.” “Shet up, Jinny,” commanded Sheldon once more. “Ain’t a man to eat his vittles in peace?” “No,” said Jinny, “he ain’t! Keep on an’ them police in black clothes’ll git ye soon enough, an’ then ye can eat in the peace o’ prison.” Sheldon rose brushing the plate of food from his knee. “Ye take my appetite,” said he. “Come on, Smith.” But Smith would not obey until he had had his fill. “Come on,” he ordered Herbert at last. Herbert rose, stiff and trembling. Then he sat down heavily. “Come on,” commanded Sheldon roughly. “We spent enough time foolin’ with you!” “How can they walk who haven’t et?” demanded Jinny. “When he has had some o’ the food that tantalizes his senses, then he can walk.” “Git him some.” Herbert ate slowly. He did not mean to delay the start; it seemed a year since he had seen Elizabeth; but he was afraid to eat rapidly. “He has a delicate stomick,” said Black Smith, grinning. Herbert rose once more. “I can go now,” said he angrily. “But I can’t go very fast.” “Well, go as fast as ye can,” said Sheldon. Then he directed Herbert to step out from behind Smith and take another way. “You fetch her,” said he to Smith. “We’ll be there ahead of you.” Smith started rapidly, looking forward not without pleasant anticipation to the moment when, gun in hand, he should lead Elizabeth to Mammy Sheldon’s cabin. It would be not only another triumph for the mountain people to have outwitted the people of the plain, but it would end an anxiety which was really acute. Mammy Sheldon knew their past history, and there were incidents which Smith and his friends believed might get them into serious trouble. Heaven only knew how much she had told! They would end her chances for making mischief by moving her nearer to their own cabins, annoying as was her constant crying.