“So do I. He’s a marked man now, shor’, and his life an’t worth much,” said Nat Wellman, the constable. “Settle it?” said Capt. Doc. “Major General Rives, nothing will settle it but to let the company be broken up. I won’t do that, and my oath to the State, that I have taken as Captain, wonldn’t let me if I wanted to.” “I can’t see the end of this yet, I can’t,” said the Judge, with a sigh, as the trio separated. CHAPTER V. PREPARATIONS. “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world, Like a Colossus; and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves.” CASCA, IN JULIUS CAESAR. THE 8th of July, 1876, was an exceedingly hot day, and few white residents of the State of South Carolina ventured out of doors in the hotter hours, though, as is usual, the colored race needed less caution to avoid sunstroke. About nine o’clock, A. M., two gentlemen issued from an attractive residence, which was situated on a slight eminence on the outskirts of a little village called Enfield Court-House. Leaving the broad piazza, they walked leisurely down the gently sloping lawn to the street. As they closed the gate behind them a covered buggy passed, in which was seated a middle-aged man who bore a decidedly commanding air. His hat lay upon the seat beside him, and the light hot breeze lifted the long iron-gray hair which lay upon his shoulders, and fluttered his linen duster and the loose flapping curtains of the carriage with a cool and comfortable appearance. His horse was fresh, and so spirited that the neatly-gloved hands of the gentleman were well-exercised in controlling him. He found time to gaze at the two gentlemen upon the ground, however, but gave no sign of recognition, save possibly a little more lofty elevation of the head. “The General is off on professional business, judging from his manner and duster,” remarked the elder of the two pedestrians. “I often find it hard to repress a smile, even in his presence, at his _wondrous pomposity_. What kind of a business would he do in the North—Ohio, say—with all his airs? He wouldn’t have a client.” “Oh, yes, he would. There are plenty of people everywhere, who never know what estimate to put upon others till they, or some one else tell them. But the General’s “airs,” as you call them, are his stock in trade here.” Both men laughed heartily. “But to think of a man passing his neighbor and State Senator as he did you, Mr. Cone! He should respect your office, at least.” “Ah! that’s what he does not do when a radical is the incumbent. He was once quite condescending and affable to me, when I let politics and education alone, and didn’t meddle with them at all.” “Meddle! Senator! Who has a better right than you to take an interest in politics?” “Young man you forget yourself, you must learn meekness and discretion—not to put too fine a point on it—or you will get into trouble.”