Late in August Hambright and Campbell county were thrilled with horror at the report of a terrible crime. A whole white family had been murdered in their home, the father, mother and three children in one night, and no clue to the murderers could be found. Two days later the rumour spread over the country that a horde of negroes heavily armed were approaching Hambright burning, pillaging and murdering. All day terrified women, some walking with babes in their arms, some riding in old wagons and carrying what household goods they could load on them, were hurrying with blanched faces into the town. By night five hundred determined white men had answered an alarm bell and assembled in the court house. Every negro save a few faithful servants had disappeared. A strange stillness fell over the village. Mrs. Gaston sat in her house without a light, looking anxiously out of the window, overwhelmed with the sense of helplessness. Charlie, frightened by the wild stories he had heard, was trying in spite of his fears to comfort her. “Don’t cry, Mama!” “I’m not crying because I’m afraid, darling, I’m only crying because your father is not here to-night. I can’t get used to living without him to protect us.” “I’ll take care of you, Mama--Nelse and me.” “Where is Nelse?” “He’s cleaning up the shot gun.” “Tell him to come here.” When Nelse approached his Mistress asked, “Nelse, do you really think this tale is true?” “No, Missy, I doan believe nary word uf it. Same time I’se gettin’ ready fur ’em. Ef er nigger come foolin’ roun’ dis house ter night, he’ll t’ink he’s run ergin er whole regiment! I hain’t been ter wah fur nuttin’.” “Nelse, you have always been faithful. I trust you implicitly.” “De Lawd, Missy, dat you kin do! I fight fur you en dat boy till I drap dead in my tracks!” “I believe you would.” “Yessum, cose I would. En I wants dat swo’de er Marse Charles to-night, Missy, en Charlie ter help me sharpen ’im on de grine stone.” She took the sword from its place and handed it to Nelse. Was there just a shade of doubt in her heart as she saw his black hand close over its hilt as he drew it from the scabbard and felt its edge! If so she gave no sign. Charlie turned the grindstone while Nelse proceeded to violate the laws of nations by putting a keen edge on the blade. “Nebber seed no sense in dese dull swodes nohow!” “Why ain’t they sharp, Nelse?” “Doan know, honey. Marse Charles tell me de law doan ’low it, but dey sho hain’t no law now!” “We’ll sharpen it, won’t we, Nelse?” whispered the boy as he turned faster. “Dat us will, honey. En den you des watch me mow niggers ef dey come er prowlin’ round dis house!” “Did you kill many Yankees in the war, Nelse?” “Doan know, honey, spec I did.” “Are you going to take the gun or the sword?”