“Send a messenger to Kate, telling her from me that I sha’n’t be home until I come. She’ll understand. Send other messengers in my name warning the border to be ready to ride to me wherever I may be. See that Thatch is decently buried. If young Jackson turns up, tell him he’d better wait here till I get back. He was mixed up in a way he never dreamed of. I sent him to Polcher’s. Can’t tell you now; no time. But he acted under my orders. They jumped him; I wasn’t there, and he took to cover. Tell the boys he’s thoroughly innocent. I couldn’t tell them tonight without showing Polcher I knew his game. I had to let him have rope; now he’s got enough to swing on.” “You’re going away, John?” “I start inside of ten minutes, as soon as I can get my horse. If alive I’ll be back when the delegates arrive to settle our new form of government. If I’m not back, you will ask Judge David Campbell to take the lead. Now go, and don’t forget the messenger to Kate.” “You’re sure—quite sure you can’t take me along, John?” begged Stetson. “Not this time, old friend. I ride far, and I must ride hard, and I must ride alone.” “Then God be with you!” “May He be with Watauga—with America!” softly added Sevier. He wrote a few words and handed them to Stetson saying: “A few lines to Judge Campbell if I’m not here. Now, good night.” Their hands met, and Stetson reluctantly departed. Sevier caught up his weapons from behind the table and hastened to his horse corraled back of the court-house. As he threw on the saddle he told the intelligent animal: “Tonpit and Polcher are ahead of us, old boy. We’ve got to kill Polcher and head Tonpit off. Neither must reach Little Talassee. If we can steal Miss Elsie, then Tonpit’s errand is spoiled. McGillivray won’t trust him till he has the girl as a hostage.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER V THE ANCIENT LAW All over-mountain men rode well, and their mounts were the envy of both red and white thieves. Among the saddle-bred, however, Chucky Jack was given the palm. Until he reached the French Broad, he spurred along openly, sticking to the trail. The occasional settlers he encountered invariably caught up their arms and made for their horses, only to be told their leader rode alone. After crossing the river the little clearings were more scattered and the approach of the rider brought the gaunt border-men to sharp attention, rifles ready, until he shouted his name.