and ponder upon the opinions of his fellow citizens, and, with
the exercise of his best judgment, to discard the bad, and take counsel
from the good; then, I would have him conclude for himself, not whether
his flag has been insulted, or whether there are injuries to avenge, or
criminals to be punished, but what is best and surest to be done for
the welfare of his country. If he believe the Union can only be
preserved by war, let his voice be for war; if by peace, let him counsel
peace, as I do, from my heart; if he remain in doubt, let him incline to
peace, secure that in so doing he will best obey the teachings of
Christianity, the laws of humanity, and the mighty voice that is
speaking from the soul of enlightenment, pointing out the errors of the
past, and disclosing the secret of human happiness for the future."

Arthur's eye kindled as he spoke, and the flush of excitement, to which
he was habitually a stranger, colored his pale cheek. Oriana had
awakened with the vehemence of his language, and gazing with interest
upon his now animated features, had been listening to his closing words.
Harold was about to answer, when suddenly the baying of a hound broke
through the noise of the storm.

"That is a bloodhound!" exclaimed Harold with an accent of surprise.

"Oh, no," said Oriana. "There are no bloodhounds in this neighborhood,
nor are they at all in use, I am sure, in Virginia."

"I am not mistaken," replied Harold. "I have been made familiar with
their baying while surveying on the coast of Florida. Listen!"

The deep, full tones came swelling upon the night wind, and fell with a
startling distinctness upon the ear.

"It's my hound, Mister Hare," said a low, coarse voice at the doorway,
and Seth Rawbon entered the cabin and closed the door behind him.

CHAPTER VI.

"It's my hound. Miss Weems, and I guess he's on the track of that
nigger, Jim."

Oriana started as if stung by a serpent, and rising to her feet, looked
upon the man with such an expression of contempt and loathing that the
ruffian's brow grew black with anger as he returned her gaze. Harold
confronted him, and spoke in a low, earnest tone, and between his
clenched teeth:

"If you are a man you will go at once. This persecution of a woman is
beneath even your brutality. If you have an account with me, I will not
balk you. But relieve her from the outrage of your presence here."

"I guess I'd better be around," replied Rawbon, coolly