ope had entered
his mind that the newcomer might be Life Knox, who had grown impatient
of waiting at the forks of the road and come in this direction to find
him. He felt certain that if it was the tall Kentuckian, there would
presently be exceedingly "warm" times about the place.

But he was doomed to disappointment. The voice was that of a man, loud,
rough, and savage, and the front door was closed with a bang. Then a
long talk followed in the hallway, and the newcomer pushed his way into
the sitting room.

"So we meet again," was the salutation Artie received, with a dark frown
from a pair of wolf-like eyes. "Reckon you didn't expect to see me quite
so soon, and under such circumstances."

"You are right,--I never expected to see you again, Major Gossley,"
replied Artie, for the newcomer was the noted leader of the guerillas
encountered at Greeger Lake.

"How does it make you feel?"

"I haven't had time enough to consider that side of the question," Artie
returned, trying to keep as calm as possible, although he realized that
the coming of the guerilla leader was a bad thing for him.

"Reckon you will realize it before I have done with you," muttered
Gossley. "Martha, has he been telling you anything about me?" he added,
turning to his sister.

[Illustration: "SO WE MEET AGAIN," WAS THE SALUTATION ARTIE RECEIVED.

_Page 190._]

"A string of falsehoods, Dan,--a string of falsehoods! Said you actually
robbed a miller,--was going to hang him because he wouldn't give up his
money," ejaculated Mrs. Bradner, excitedly. "I wanted Dick to give him
the lash; the base Yankee deserves it."

"He deserves a rope--as they all do," said Gossley. "It was a fine thing
to steal our hosses and sell 'em, wasn't it?"

"Your horses were not stolen, as I told that lady."

"They were--and my money was taken, too. The Riverlawns are a pack of
thieves,--worse than any band of raiders that ever came out of
Tennessee," stormed the irate leader of the ill-fated expedition to
Greeger Lake.

"How much money did you have?" questioned Artie, calmly, hoping to draw
the guerilla out.

"I had nearly two thousand dollars, all told."

"In Confederate money?"

"Partly; and partly in United States scrip and gold."

"Where did you get so much money?"

The major of the guerillas scowled. As readers of the volume before this
know, Gossley had obtained the money by selling a large quantity of
grain, pork, hams, and bacon taken in the gu