f all
the fever. From window to window, and from porch to porch, women fed
alarm with rumor and rumor with alarm, while on every sidewalk men
collaborated in the invention of plans for defensive vengeance.

"Well, they've caught him--pulled him out of a dry well in
Libertyville."

"I beg your pardon, he crossed the Ohio this morning at daylight."

John March was light-headed with much drinking of praise for having made
it practicable to "smash this unutterable horror in the egg!"

Ravenel, near the _Courier_ office, stopped at the beckon of Lazarus
Graves and Charlie Champion. John was with them, laboring under the
impression that they were with him. They wanted to consult Ravenel about
the miscreant, and the "steps proper to be taken against him."

"When found," suggested Ravenel, and they pleasantly assented.

"Oh, yes," he said again, as the four presently moved out of the hot
sun, "but if the color line hadn't been crossed already there wouldn't
be any Leggett."

"But he threatens to cross it from the wrong side," replied John, posing
sturdily.

Ravenel's smile broadened. "Most any man, Mr. March, could be enticed
across."

The mouth of the enticer opened, but his tongue failed.

"A coat of tah and feathers will show him he mustn't even be enticed
across," rejoined Lazarus.

Ravenel said something humorous about the new Dixie and a peace policy,
and John's face began to show misgivings; but Captain Champion explained
that the affair would be strictly select--best citizens--no liquor--no
brawl--no life-taking, unless violent resistance compelled it; in fact,
no individual act; but----

"Yes, I know," said Ravenel, "you mean one of those irresistable
eruptions of a whole people's righteous indignation, that sweeps before
it the whining hyper-criticisms of effeminated civilizations," and the
smile went round.

"Gentlemen, there's an easier way to get rid of Cornelius; one, Captain,
that won't hurt more by the recoil than by the discharge."

They were all silent. John folded his arms. Presently Graves said,
meditatively,

"We don't care to hang him, just at----"

"This juncture," said Ravenel; "no, better give him ten years in the
penitentiary--for bigamy."

Sunshine broke on Mr. Graves's face, and he murmured, "Go 'way!"

Champion, too, was radiant. "Hu-u-ush!" he said, "who'll get us the
evidence?"

"Old Uncle Leviticus."

The more questions they asked the more pleased with the plan were Joh