"I've brought lint and bandages," she said, "let me bind it up as well
as I can in the dark."

"Daren't we strike a light?" asked Archie.

"No, my son, it might bring them on us again, and we must speak low
too."

"Yes, father; but oh what will you do? you can't come back home again?"

"No; I must go to Ion at once, while I can do so under cover of the
darkness. Travilla has offered to hide me there. Archie, my brave boy,
I can trust you with this secret."

"Father, they shall kill me before I'll tell it."

"I trust you will not be tried so far," Leland said with emotion. "I
would not save my life at the sacrifice of yours. I leave your mother in
your care, my boy; be dutiful and affectionate to her, and kind to your
little brother and sisters. Mary, dear, you and Archie will have to
manage the plantation in my absence," and he went on to give some
directions.

"I will do my best," she said tearfully, "and as we have been for
months past frequent visitors at Ion, I can surely go to see you there
occasionally without exciting suspicion."

"Yes, I think so."

"Father," said Archie, "you can never walk to Ion; let me bring my pony
and help you to mount him; then I will lead him to Ion and bring him
back again."

"That is a bright thought; we will do so, if you can saddle him in the
dark and bring him here very quietly."

"I'll try, father," and the boy hastened away in the direction of the
stables.

He returned sooner than they dared hope, with the pony saddled and
bridled. Husband and wife bade a mournful adieu. Mr. Leland mounted with
his son's assistance, and silently they threaded their way through the
woods to Ion.

"Hoo! hoo! hoo!" the cry came in loud and clear through the open windows
of the bedroom of the master and mistress of Ion, and startled them both
from their slumbers.

"Hoo, hoo! hoo!" it came again, and with a light laugh, Elsie said, "Ah
it is only an owl; but to my sleeping ear it seemed like a human cry of
distress. But Edward--"

He had sprung from the bed and was hurrying on his clothes. "I doubt if
it is not, little wife," he said. "It is the signal of distress Leland
and I had agreed upon, and he may be in sore need of aid."

"Let me go with you!" she cried tremulously, hastening to don
dressing-gown and slippers. "Shall I strike a light?"

"No, not till we go down below where the shutters are closed. There is
no knowing what foe may be lurking near."

Seizing his revolvers