he better, and gain a respite from his
fears. The road down the coast slid away before his heavy eyes, he
marked each turn; then a palsy of fear shook him, his heart beat against
his ribs, and he stood gnawing his lips while he gazed up at the sun.

"Do you get what I say, Tom? I am going to quit these parts," said
Hicks. Ware turned slowly from the window.

"All right, Hicks. You mean you want me to settle with you, is that it?"
he asked.

"Yes, I'm going to leave while I can, maybe I can't later on," said
Hicks stolidly. He added: "I am going to start down the coast as soon
as it turns dark, and before it's day again I'll have put the good miles
between me and these parts."

"You're going down the coast?" and Ware was again conscious of the
quickened beating of his heart. Hicks nodded. "See you don't meet up
with John Murrell," said Ware.

"I'll take that chance. It seems a heap better to me than staying here."

Ware looked from the window. The shadows were lengthening across the
lawn.

"Better start now, Hicks," he advised.

"I'll wait until it turns dark."

"You'll need a horse."

"I was going to help myself to one. This ain't no time to stand on
ceremony," said Hicks shortly.

"Slosson shouldn't be left in the lurch like this--or your brother's
folks--"

"They'll have to figure it out for themselves same as me," rejoined
Hicks.

"You can stop there as you go by."

"No," said Hicks; "I never did believe in this damn foolishness about
the girl, and I won't go near George's--"

"I don't ask you to go there, you can give them the signal from the
head of the bayou. All I want is for you to stop and light a fire on
the shore. They'll know what that means. I'll give you a horse and fifty
dollars for the job."

Hicks' eyes sparkled, but he only said

"Make it twice that and maybe we can deal."

Racked and tortured, Ware hesitated; but the sun was slipping into the
west, his windows blazed with the hot light.

"You swear you'll do your part?" he said thickly. He took his purse from
his pocket and counted out the amount due Hicks. He named the total, and
paused irresolutely.

"Don't you want the fire lighted?" asked Hicks. He was familiar with his
employer's vacillating moods.

"Yes," answered Ware, his lips quivering; and slowly, with shaking
fingers, he added to the pile of bills in Hicks' hand.

"Well, take care of yourself," said Hicks, when the count was complete.
He thrust the roll of bil