it will work."

"I see," said Simeon, sighing; "I pray it come not to that."

"I don't want to involve any one with or for me," said George. "If you
will lend me your vehicle and direct me, I will drive alone to the next
stand. Jim is a giant in strength, and brave as death and despair, and
so am I."

"Ah, well, friend," said Phineas, "but thee'll need a driver, for all
that. Thee's quite welcome to do all the fighting, thee knows; but I
know a thing or two about the road, that thee doesn't."

"But I don't want to involve you," said George.

"Involve," said Phineas, with a curious and keen expression of face,
"When thee does involve me, please to let me know."

"Phineas is a wise and skilful man," said Simeon. "Thee does well,
George, to abide by his judgment; and," he added, laying his hand kindly
on George's shoulder, and pointing to the pistols, "be not over hasty
with these,--young blood is hot."

"I will attack no man," said George. "All I ask of this country is to be
let alone, and I will go out peaceably; but,"--he paused, and his brow
darkened and his face worked,--"I've had a sister sold in that New
Orleans market. I know what they are sold for; and am I going to stand
by and see them take my wife and sell her, when God has given me a pair
of strong arms to defend her? No; God help me! I'll fight to the last
breath, before they shall take my wife and son. Can you blame me?"

"Mortal man cannot blame thee, George. Flesh and blood could not do
otherwise," said Simeon. "Woe unto the world because of offences, but
woe unto them through whom the offence cometh."

"Would not even you, sir, do the same, in my place?"

"I pray that I be not tried," said Simeon; "the flesh is weak."

"I think my flesh would be pretty tolerable strong, in such a case,"
said Phineas, stretching out a pair of arms like the sails of a
windmill. "I an't sure, friend George, that I shouldn't hold a fellow
for thee, if thee had any accounts to settle with him."

"If man should _ever_ resist evil," said Simeon, "then George should
feel free to do it now: but the leaders of our people taught a more
excellent way; for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
God; but it goes sorely against the corrupt will of man, and none can
receive it save they to whom it is given. Let us pray the Lord that we
be not tempted."

"And so _I_ do," said Phineas; "but if we are tempted too much--why, let
them look out, that's all."

"It's