The Doctor will go with us, and I want you to go to Frink's stable
and order the horses; we will be ready by the time you come round."

"I'll dew it."

"Now in the name of wonder, what does all this mean?" exclaimed the
Doctor, as daddy slammed the door behind him.

Edward handed him Little Wolf's letter, which merely stated that
Bloody Jim was at Chimney Rock, and she was momentarily expecting
violence at his hands.

No time was lost in vain conjectures; a constable was engaged, and the
friends had already buckled on their armor, which consisted of pistols
and bowie knives, when daddy returned with their horses. They were
fleet-footed animals, and he was himself well mounted.

Not long were the horsemen in reaching the well-known "Pass," and as
they emerged from the trees, and approached the house, no indication
of the threatened hostilities appeared. But still they dashed along
over the fallen leaves and faded turf, and drew up in front of Dr. De
Wolf's.

All was quiet about the old brown house. They dismounted and
approached the door, daddy leading the way, with the air of a
conqueror. He saw in imagination his young mistress triumphing over
the discomfited Hank Glutter, and he greatly gloried in the
anticipated conquest.

His companions were secretly uneasy at the unusual stillness which
reigned around, and when he attempted to open the front door, and it
resisted his efforts, Edward anxiously stepped forward and knocked
loudly and hurriedly.

"Never mind," said the old man complacently, "I guess them women folks
have gone out. I'll just step around the back way, and let you in."

The gentlemen followed him without ceremony into the kitchen, and the
first object that met their horrified sight, was mammy, stretched
lifeless on the floor.

It would be impossible to describe the grief and terror which took
possession of daddy, or the agony of doubt which sent Edward like a
madman through the house. As he flung open the door of a spacious
sleeping apartment on the second floor, clouds of smoke and flame
drove him back. A pile of light bedding and other inflammable
articles had been set on fire near the centre of the room, but the
fire had not, as yet, communicated itself to the building, and Edward,
finding water near by, soon succeeded in extinguishing the flames.

While he was thus engaged, Sorrel Top emerged from an adjoining
chamber, trembling so as to be scarcely able to stand.

"Where is Miss De Wo