Nucky returned last night, after nearly a week of absence,--it seems that Blant was glad of his help this time. He says that on Monday they gathered together Rich and his uncle Billy's boys and one or two more, and in broad daylight laid the fence again on the old line, every man working armed, those who drove the mules that dragged the rails walking with guns in position, those who laid the rails doing so with guns tucked under their arms. "I carried my rifle Cap'n Enoch Marrs fit the British with," said Nucky. But though the Marrs side worked all day at the fence, and the Cheevers must have known what was going on, not one of them appeared. "They have had their fill of fighting Blant in the open," said Nucky; "what they will do now will be to kill him from cover. Todd he won't stop at nothing. And Blant he haint able to look out for hisself with so much to tend to, and needs me there to be eyes for him, especially now, with Christmas coming on, and all the drinking and devilment that is allus done then. But he won't listen to no reason, or let me stay." "I am sure that Richard Tarrant will be with him day and night," I said, to comfort him. "Yes; but tha'in't nobody got the eye for a Cheever I got, or can keep watch like me." I share Nucky's feeling that he ought to be there to be eyes for Blant; at the same time I am inexpressibly thankful that Blant refuses to keep him, and that he is here with me in safety. XVIII CHRISTMAS ANTICIPATIONS _Monday._ Already the air is full of Christmas talk and plans. Besides the great tree here in our school for the entire neighborhood, the workers and teachers expect to have seven or eight trees in other localities, thus bringing brightness and cheer and the Christmas story into many sad and colorless lives. I should have been glad to have a tree over on Trigger; but a gathering there in the present state of feeling would be extremely dangerous, and by Nucky's advice, I have abandoned the hope. "I'd like to have you come over," he said; "but Trigger haint no place for women or women's doings now." Another excitement is the telephone just set up in our village, connecting us with the railroad and the outside world.--All the boys went down this afternoon to see and hear the marvel. _Wednesday Morning._ I have begun teaching some of the beautiful old English carols to our boys and girls,--it seems peculiarly fitting that these children of pure English stock should sing the carols centuries ago upon the lips of their ancestors. But the task is an uphill one with the boys,--they refuse to take any interest in this or any other Christmas preparation. When I reproached them to-night for their apathy, Philip said, "Nothing here to take no interest in,--won't be no chance for no Christmas doings till we git away from here." "But there will be great Christmas doings," I said, "just the very best that can be thought of."