The wrinkled red face peering cautiously around her ample waist line made me wish to laugh, but an earnest desire to placate the irate female, who was evidently the real head of this household, enabled me to conquer the inclination and answer gravely. “Madam,” I said with a low bow, “it is misfortune, not desire, which has caused us to trespass upon your hospitality. We will very gladly pay you liberally for any damage done. I am an officer in the Confederate service, and the breaking down of our horses compelled us to take refuge here in order that this lady might not be exposed to danger from roving gangs of guerillas. The dog attacked us in the dark, and we killed him in order to save our lives.” “'The deep-mouthed bloodhound's heavy bay resounded up the rocky way,” ejaculated Bungay with dancing eyes. “Drat yer potry, Jed Bungay! ye dew make me tired fer suah.” She turned back to us, and from her first words it was plainly evident she had been impressed with but one sentence of my labored explanation. “Did you uns say as how ye 'd pay fer whut ye et and fer thet truck ye busted?” she asked doubtfully. “Certainly, madam,” and I took some money from my pocket as evidence of good faith. “What would you consider due you?” The grim, set face relaxed slightly, while she permitted her husband to edge his way a little more into the foreground. “Wal, stranger, I sorter reckon as how 'bout four bits 'ill squar' things--dorgs is mighty durn cheap hereabout enyhow.” “'But Lufra,--whom from Douglas' side nor bribe nor threat could e'er divide,'” he protested. “Not that its name was Lufra, but he was a blame fine dorg.” The woman turned on him like a flash, and he crept subdued back into his corner. The incipient rebellion had been ended by a glance. “Durn ye, Jed Bungay, why, thet's more money thin ye've aimed in six months, an' ye've got more measly, flea-bit dorgs 'round yere now then ye kin ever feed. Give me ther four bits, mister, an' I reckon as how it'll be all right.” The little man balanced himself on one foot, and cocked up his eye in an abortive attempt to wink. “Yas, don't ye ever mind me, Mariar,” he said humbly. “'Whom ther Lord hath jined tergether let no man put asunder.' Thet thar ain't Scott, Cap, but I reckon it's out of another book mighty nigh es good. Hes you uns got all ther victuals ye want? 'He gave him of his Highland cheer, the hardened flesh of mountain deer.' This yere is slab bacon, but it smells purty durn good.” I glanced at Mrs. Brennan, and the amused twinkle in her eyes led me to say heartily, “We had not entirely completed our meal, but imagined we saw ghosts.” “Ghosts!” He glanced around apprehensively,--“'On Heaven and on thy lady call, and enter the enchanted hall!' Wus ther ghosts ye saw over thar?” And he pointed toward the wall opposite. I nodded.