“Mr. Ross!” Denny ejaculated, contemptuously. “What are you doing here?” The superintendent’s voice was menacing. “I’m constable of this borough, Mr. Ross, and I’m here to prevent mischief.” “Then we’re on the same errand.” “Are we?” Denny asked. “You’d better go home to bed, Mr. Ross. You don’t want to get mixed up in this. You wouldn’t be any good—and it mightn’t be good for you.” “Look here, John Denny!” Ross stepped up close; his eyes flashed in the light of the lantern that Denny held aloft. “You the same as called me a coward to-day, and because you’ve got only one arm I can’t resent it! You told me that if I was any good for fighting I’d be somewhere else than here. Now I want you to know one thing—my plans were laid last week to leave for the front next Monday. You think I haven’t wanted to go! I don’t tell my private affairs to you or any other man, but I’ll say this much: over in Oil City I’m leaving a family provided for if anything happens to me.” “If that’s the case,” Denny said, slowly, “I take it back, Mr. Ross. I take everything back.” They sat down together on the log and talked amicably. Denny’s thoughts were turned back to his war experience. He told the new recruit stories of campaigning and battle. Ross listened with a respect of which his maimed subordinate became somehow conscious. That tribute of respect from one whom he had both envied and despised, and whom he had come so suddenly to like, swept the bitterness from Denny’s soul. “You’re giving up a good bit to go,” he said, at last. “Old man Drasnoe likes you; you’ve got a start toward being a millionaire. You throw it all up and go off to the war—and you can’t tell what you may come back to.” “I’ll have to run my chance,” Ross answered. “Mr. Drasnoe satisfied to have you leave?” “Yes,” replied Mr. Ross, quietly, “Mr. Drasnoe is quite satisfied. He likes the man I’ve picked to take my place.” Denny’s interest was at once awakened. “And who might that be?” Ross hesitated. “It’s hardly time to talk about it yet.” “Oh, all right. I wasn’t meaning to pry.” They arranged to divide the night into watches Denny was to sleep until twelve, then Ross would rouse him and sleep till four. At about one o’clock, while Ross, lying at the foot of a tree, was sleeping, the marauders came. Denny saw them as they climbed over the fence by the roadside. He awakened Ross, and said: “They’re coming. You’d better leave this to me—as constable. If they see you, they’ll get ugly. You go in behind that thicket and wait.” Ross protested. “You can come out if you’re needed,” Denny said; and the superintendent reluctantly withdrew. Denny put out his lantern, and stepping behind a great oak, awaited the approach. There were a dozen men, carrying lanterns, mattocks and spades; they passed close by where Denny stood. “Spread out, now—and rip it up all along!” cried one; and he lifted his mattock and brought it down upon the earth. Denny stepped forward.