must drop from
sheer exhaustion. That was impossible. They were used to such trips, and
could no doubt keep up the pace for many hours. Supreme quiet reigned.
There was no sound save that made by the clatter of many horses' feet
striking the soft dirt. When they passed some quiet farmhouse, where all
was silent within, a dog would bay loudly or set up a terrifying howl,
which could be heard until they were far beyond.

The moments soon turned into hours. Finally they drew rein in front of a
large farmhouse. Jack thought, as he looked at it through those
peep-holes in his cap, that he had not seen such a large and handsome
place since he arrived in the country. Barns and out-houses were
plentiful, trees and shrubbery were plentiful. This was the home of a
more wealthy farmer. They were now awaiting a signal from the leader,
when every pistol should be fired into the air to intimidate the
sleeping victim within.

Someone spoke. "When I fire," he said, "then you can all fire; but no
man must fire mor'n once."

The dog in the back yard had now made the discovery that someone was
about to intrude upon his master's domain and, faithful dog that he was,
he dashed out to face the enemy alone. When he reached the front,
yelping and baying, the signal gun was fired. The bullet struck the dog
squarely in the forehead, and with a short yelp he fell dead. Almost
simultaneously other pistols were fired, yet not so simultaneously as
not to be discerned separately. The Riders, who knew their business so
well, quickly separated and surrounded the house. From within came the
victim, who, when he heard the shooting, suspected immediately that
danger lurked near, and darted out of the house intending to make his
escape by the back way.

He was caught by the strong hands of two farmers, who lead him out to
where their horses stood, followed by others. No one spoke a word. The
spectacle was new to Wade, who followed on in silence. The victim was
lead out to a strip of woodland, where he was stripped of every stitch
of clothing, bent over a fallen tree trunk and--it is too horrible a
tale to tell. The vividness of it will stand forever in the minds of the
few. No, he was not murdered, but worse. The great leather straps with
holes in them were far worse than bullets from a forty-four gun. Mr.
Openraiser begged for mercy like a child. He promised that his tobacco
would not be sold, and he would be a good obedient member in the future.
It