ent, rolled upon the floor like an India rubber ball.

It was true, as Mug had said. Secreted by the huge chimney she had
watched the proceedings below, keeping her eye fixed on him she knew to
be Harney; and, at last, when a favorable opportunity occurred, had sent
the ball which carried death to him and dismay to his adherents, who
crowded around their fallen leader, forgetful now of the prey for which
they had come, and anxious only for flight. Possibly, too, their desire
to be off was augmented by the fact that from the woods came the sound
of voices and the tramp of horses' feet--Colonel Tiffton, who, with a
few of his neighbors, was coming to the rescue of Spring Bank. But their
services were not needed to drive away the foe, for ere they reached the
gate, the yard was free from the invaders, who, bearing their wounded
leader, Harney, in their midst, disappeared behind the hill, one of
them, the brutal Texan, who had raised his gun at Alice, lingering
behind the rest, and looking back to see the result of his infernal
deed. Secretly, when no one knew it, he had kindled a fire at the rear
of the wooden building, which being old and dry caught readily, and
burned like tinder.

Alice was the first to discover it, and "Fire! fire!" was echoed
frantically from one to the other, while all did their best to subdue
it. But their efforts were in vain; nothing could stay its progress, and
when the next morning's sun arose it shone on the blackened, smoking
ruins of Spring Bank, and on the tearful group standing near to what had
been their happy home. The furniture mostly had been saved, and was
scattered about the yard just where it had been deposited. There had
been some parley between the negroes as to which should be left to burn,
the old secretary at the end of the upper hall, or a bureau which stood
in an adjoining and otherwise empty room.

"Massah done keep his papers here. We'll take dis," Claib had said, and
so, assisted by other negroes and Mug, he had carried the old worm-eaten
thing down the stairs, and bearing it across the yard, had dropped it
rather suddenly, for it was wondrously heavy, and the sweat stood in
great drops on the faces of the blacks, as they deposited the load and
turned away so quickly as not to see the rotten bottom splintering to
pieces, or the yellow coin dropping upon the grass.

Making the circuit of the yard in company with Colonel Tiffton, Alice's
eye was caught by the flashing of s