"He listens at the little birds That sing the fair day's dawning. O Fult, you better look around-- The grave for you is yawning! "Too late, too late; unseen they dash Upon him from the hollow; A flash, a cry, and Fighting Fult All in his gores doth wallow. "The jury never dairst to bring Again' Red Rafe a sentence; On 'self-defense' he triumphed through, Nor felt the first repentance. "But where's Young Fult? By day and night He's practising on gun-play, And on his eighteenth birth, he rides To meet Rafe, on a Sunday. "He takes his life all in his hand; He cares not for the danger, All set upon the holy task To be his paw's revenger. "There in the open road they met, All honest, fair and just, oh; But Heaven aimed the bullet swift That laid Rafe in the dust low. "O Fulty, you've revenged your paw, You've done your utmost duty; No man can curl the lip of scorn At you, in your young beauty. "I know hit's hard on you to lay And pine in Frankfort prison; I'd ruther be there, though, admired, Than safe home, in derision. "The hearts of all is turnt to you In love and fond affection; And here we sing this ballad true To keep you in recollection." When, a moment later, Fult, alert, graceful, perfect in physical beauty, came in sight, moving rapidly up through the thick timber below, Isabel felt as if, in his person, Romance itself, beloved of the ages, wept, honored, and sung, was advancing swiftly toward her from out the veils and shadows of bygone centuries. VII THE FUNERAL OCCASION After the first month of the women's stay on Troublesome, there was a change in their daily programme, on account of the beginning of the public-school term the fourth week in July. The school at The Forks was taught by Giles Kent, Uncle Ephraim's grandson and Darcy's cousin--a quiet, studious young man, who had been all along the most voracious reader of the brought-on books. When his school opened, with nearly two hundred scholars of all ages, and grades from first to eighth, to instruct in the three _R's_, and only one pupil-assistant to help him, he was only too glad to have the women continue their singing, sewing, and cooking classes in connection with his work. Cynthia Fallon offered the use of two rooms in her hotel, opposite the schoolhouse; various citizens lent tables, chairs, a stove, and tinware; and the cooking teacher established herself in one hotel room, while in the other Amy, assisted by Isabel, taught sewing, Isabel also going over to the schoolhouse every morning for an opening half-hour of singing. The kindergarten was still held on the hill all morning; and after school the young folks still gathered there for the play-hour, and often came up again after supper for a "sing."