exan, raised his gun, but Harney struck it down, and
involuntarily lifting his cap, replied:

"We are here for horses, Miss Johnson. We know Mr. Worthington keeps the
best in the country, and as we need some, we have come to take
possession, peaceably if possible, forcibly if need be. Can you tell us
where they are?"

"I can," and Alice's voice did not tremble a particle. "They are safely
housed in the kitchen and dining-room and the doors are barred."

"The fair Alice will please unbar them," was Harney's sneering reply, to
which came back the answer: "The horses are not yours; they are Captain
Worthington's, and we will defend them, if need be, with our lives!"

"Gritty, by George! I didn't know as Yankee gals, had such splendid
pluck," muttered one of the men, while Harney continued: "You say 'we.'
May I ask the number of your forces?"

Ere Alice could speak old Sam's voice was heard parleying with the
marauders.

"That's a nigger, shoot him!" growled one, but the white head was
withdrawn from view just in time to escape the ball aimed at it.

There was a rush, now for the kitchen door, a horrid sound of fearful
oaths, mingled with the cries of the negroes, the furious yells of
Rover, whom Lulu had let loose, and the neighing of the frightened
steeds. But amid it all Alice retained her self-possession. She had
descended from her post on the housetop, and persuading Mrs.
Worthington, Aunt Eunice, and Densie to remain quietly in her own room,
joined the negroes below, cheering them by her presence, and by her
apparent fearlessness keeping up their sinking courage.

"We's better gin dem de hosses, Miss Ellis," Claib said, entreatingly,
as blow after blow fell upon the yielding door--"'cause dey's boun' to
hab 'em."

"I'll try argument first with their leader," Alice replied, and ere
Claib suspected her intention she was undoing the fastenings of a side
door, bidding him bolt it after her as soon as she was safely through
it."

"Is Miss Ellis crazy?" shrieked Sam. "Dem men has no 'spect for female
wimmen," and he was forcibly detaining her, when the sharp ring of a
revolver was heard, accompanied by a demoniacal shriek as a tall body
leaped high in the air and then fell, weltering in its blood.

A moment more and a little dusky figure came flying down the stairs, and
hiding itself behind the astonished Alice, sobbed hysterically: "I'se
done it, I has! I'se shooted old Harney!" and Mug, overcome with
excitem