ourself; and so what's the use of such an ado
about nothing. Didn't you tell me yesterday you would stand by me in this
affair? Come, now, keep your word, and don't prove yourself a liar after
such a boast of truthfulness, just a moment ago?"

"Yes, there it is ag'in. You told me it was for our personal safety, and
such like stuff, that you were goin' to take the gal along; and now you
defy the whole order, and are goin' to blow them all to atoms! I take it
that makes quite a difference."

"Didn't I tell you the girl was to go any how? And didn't you say it would
hardly be fair to help an enemy and not a friend? Come, where is your honor
now?"

"That promise, I tell you, was obtained under false pretenses, and is not
binding!"

"A pretty excuse, indeed!--Well to bring the matter to a point at once, I
now state distinctly that I am going to take the girl with me, because I
wish to do so, and for that reason alone; and I want you to help me. Will
you do it? That's the question, and I want a positive answer, yea or nay,
and no more palaver on the subject. Say, will you stand by your old friend
in this last great hour of need?"

"I s'pose I'll have to; but it goes mightily ag'in' the grain, to be mixed
up in these women affairs, and I feel as mean as a kill-sheep dog, when I
find myself at such a dirty work.

"Well, that matter is settled, then, and I hope we shall have peace and
agreement between us hereafter. I know when you say you'll do a thing,
you'll do it, and I want a reliable companion to stand by me just now. Once
we get into our new quarters, in old Virginia, I shall feel safe, as we can
bid defiance to our enemies."

"Well, let us be off, then, as quick as possible; for, to tell the truth, I
don't like this part of the country much; it's gittin' entirely too hot for
our bizness, and is by no means as safe as it might be."

"We must be off to-morrow, if we can finish all our arrangements, which I
hope we shall be able to do, if we lose no time. We must have our horses
ready to-night, at all events; for it may suit to start in the night, if we
fail to get away to-morrow. I am not sure but it will be the best plan to
leave in the night, any how."

"Certainly, it will be."

"Well, it's settled, then, that we leave to-morrow night; and that being
the case, I must hasten away to get the key made. You stay here till the
sentinel returns, and then meet me at the usual place this afternoon, and
we will have e