e is
armed, and we are not. We cannot resist him."

"If you think it best," said Gilbert.

"I am afraid there is no other way. My friend, suppose I give you my
promise to come back, will you excuse this young man from stopping?"

"No!" said Hugh, shortly.

"Say no more," said Gilbert. "I will remain."

He jumped lightly from the chaise, and Hugh released his hold of the
bridle.

"When shall you be back?" he asked.

"At three o'clock this afternoon."

"I will be on hand with the boy."

"Keep up your courage, Gilbert," said Mr. Grey, as he drove away.

Out of sight, a smile of triumph overspread his face.

"I didn't think Hugh would do his part so well," he soliloquized.
"Really he is quite an actor. So I am rid of my troublesome
responsibility at last. I hope never again to set eyes upon him."

On reaching home he stated that Gilbert had suddenly received a
telegram summoning him to St. Louis; that he had carried him to a
landing-place for the river boats, and agreed to dispatch his luggage
to the Planters' House in that city by express. To keep up appearances
he did so dispose of Gilbert's carpet-bag, directing it to

"GILBERT GREY, Planters' House, St. Louis, Mo."

"'Pears like he left mighty suddint," said Pompey.

"Yes; he has a friend very sick in St. Louis," explained Mr. Grey.

"I'm sorry he's gone," said John, who suspected nothing. "He was a
right fine lad, and he managed Bucephalus beautiful."

Jasper said nothing, but wondered whether Gilbert had suffered violence
at his father's hands.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

HUGH BETRAYS HIS PRINCIPAL.

"Follow me!" said Hugh Trimble to Gilbert.

"Where are you going to lead me?"

"Never you mind. Come along."

Gilbert saw that resistance would be useless, and he obeyed. His
companion plunged into the woods, looking back occasionally to see that
he was following. He kept on for about half a mile as near as Gilbert
could judge, when they came to a small clearing, in the midst of which
was a dilapidated log hut. It was no longer occupied, but had been
deserted by the former occupant, who had gone across the Mississippi to
regions yet unexplored years before.

"Go in there," said Hugh.

Gilbert entered.

He saw nothing but bare walls, all furniture having been removed when
it was deserted.

Our hero looked around him curiously, and then at his conductor
inquiringly. He was not long in doubt as to his intention.

Hugh drew a strong cord