e immovable pose in the saddle, the man being absolutely
stationary, while the horse bounded at agile speed. There was the
similarity of facial expression, in infinite dissimilarity of feature,
which marks a common sentiment, origin, and habitat. Then, too, they
shared something recklessly haphazard, gay, defiantly dangerous, that,
elusive as it might be to describe, was as definitely perceived as the
guidon, riding apart at the left, the long lance of his pennant planted
on his stirrup, bearing himself with a certain stately pride of port,
distinctly official.

The whole effect was concentrated in the face of the leader, obviously
the inspiration of the organization, the vital spark by which it lived;
a fierce face, intent, commanding. It was burned to a brick-red, and had
an aquiline nose and a keen gray-green eagle-like eye; on either side
auburn hair, thick and slightly curling, hung, after the fashion of the
time, to his coat collar. And this collar and his shoulders were
decorated with gold lace and the insignia of rank; the uniform was of
fine Confederate gray, which seemed to contradict the general impression
that he was but a free-lance or a bushwhacker and operated on his own
responsibility. The impression increased the terror his name excited
throughout the country-side with his high-handed and eccentric methods
of warfare, and perhaps he would not have resented it if he were
cognizant of its general acceptance.

[Illustration: HE CAME UP LIKE A WHIRLWIND]

It was a look calculated to inspire awe which he flung upon the cowering
figures before the door of the forge as he suddenly perceived them; and
detaching himself from the advancing troop, he spurred his horse toward
them. He came up like a whirlwind. That impetuous gallop could scarcely
have carried his charger over the building itself, yet there is nothing
so overwhelming to the nerves as the approaching rush of a speedy horse,
and the group flattened themselves against the wall; but he drew rein
before he reached the door, and whirling in the saddle, with one hand on
the horse's back, he demanded:

"Where is he? Bring him out!" as if all the world knew the object of his
search and the righteous reason of his enmity. "Bring him out! I'll have
a drumhead court martial--and he'll swing before sunset!"

"Good evenin', Cap'n," the old miller sought what influence might
appertain to polite address and the social graces.

"Evenin' be damned!" cried Acker