revealed the
greatest improvement. Her eye was brighter, her dress cleaner and
better fitting, and her demeanor showed more intelligence and
self-possession.

Viola distributed sweets and books to this family much as she had done
to the other, and they were gladly received. She led the talk to things
which would interest their minds--prospects for good crops, the sewing
circle recently organized for women and girls, the picnic which the
mission school expected soon to have.

She told them several thrilling Bible stories about David slaying
Goliath, Daniel in the lions' den, the three Hebrew children.

It was nearing dinner time and the mother invited Viola to partake of
their plain fare. She said: "You air u'st to all de good tings money
can buy. We'uns cayn't gibe you much, but sich as we'uns hab you air
welcome to."

Viola replied: "I am really greatly obliged to you, Mrs. Sneath, for
your kind invitation, and will gladly dine with you today. It is not so
much the amount or kind of food one is given but the spirit in which it
is given that counts."

"Jist so," said Mrs. Sneath, "so we'uns'll all set down soon to corn
pone and pork. Please ask your nigger to unhitch his hosses and put 'em
in de bawn. He'll find sum hay der for 'em. De nigger shall hab sum
dinner too."

Viola putting aside any punctilious feelings she had, partook of the
homely meal with what grace and relish she could command, and thanking
them all for their kindness, bade them good-by.

Viola visited a number of other families in the afternoon, and toward
the evening of the long summer day instructed her servant to turn the
horses toward home. They were not far from the cabin of the monster
dwarf, Zibe Turner. A strange feeling of fear and apprehension sprang
up within her. Was it caused by her nearness to the home of this wicked
man, or by a premonition of danger?

They were passing through one of the densest parts of the great forest.
The sun was yet some distance above the horizon, but his slanting rays
could throw only a dim light through that mass of wood and foliage.

Suddenly two men sprang from behind high bushes by the roadside. They
had black cloth masks over their faces. Holes were cut in the masks
through which the bandits could see. One man was tall and broad. The
other was short and thickset. The shorter man leaped to the horses'
heads and, seizing the reins, stopped their progress. The other stepped
to the side of the phaeto