both of us desperate wounds and ludicrously
lauded us as heroes.

It cannot be said for Weighborne that he proved a docile patient. He had
all the energetic man's aversion to inactive days in bed, and he greatly
preferred, if he must submit to such an exigency, that it be in his own
bed and among more plentiful conveniences, than could be afforded here.
But to move him over twenty semi-perpendicular miles was pronounced
impossible and to that decree he had to submit.

I, who, despite my newspaper peril, was not even bedridden, continued
the daily rides to tracts marked for inspection, and discussed the day's
work with him in the evening.

One afternoon we met in the road a party of horsemen who halted us and
expressed the desire for a peaceable parley. Marcus gave his assurance
and a stout fellow with a ruddy, good-natured face and a benevolent
smile rode out and accosted us.

"You're a lawyer, Calloway," he began, "an' I reckon you know I've got
to do my duty. I hope you ain't holdin' hit ergainst me none." He paused
and seemed relieved when the attorney nodded his understanding.

"I just want ter know ef you won't bring yer fellers ter county co'te
any day this week that suits you an' answer fer the killin' of
Rat-Ankle. I'm namin' it to yer like a friend, an' I'm askin' you ter
set the day. Hit ain't nothin' but a matter of givin' bail noways."

"For whom have you warrants?" asked Marcus.

The sheriff read a list of a half-dozen names, all kinsmen and retainers
of the attorney. Weighborne and myself were not included. Marcus
accepted service and agreed to be present on the date named. It was not
until the sheriff's men had waved their hands and ridden away that he
turned to me.

"That shows Garvin's effrontery," he remarked with a laugh. "He
summonses me to answer in his own court, for meeting with hostility the
attack of his own assassins. I'll be there--but I hope to give him a
surprise."

Weighborne had some temperature and was often restless on his mattress
of corn shucks, though his amiability held steady. One evening several
days after our ambuscade, I was sitting alone and morose before the open
hearth while he slept. Since our apartment had been a sickroom, the
evening gatherings had been suspended and I had companionship only from
my pipe and thoughts. The thoughts were not cheery comrades to-night.
They went back with a brutal sort of insistence to the island and the
things which had there taken