Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/156

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH "Two scouts, Daniels and O'Brien."

The slight smile deserted his face, the lips becoming sternly set.

"That is why we have distrusted you; doubted your purpose," he explained shortly. "What do you know regarding this man Daniels?"

"Very little; I met him first a week ago, and then merely as his commanding officer. I understand he is a native of this region, and, for that reason, was selected to guide us on this scout."

"Well, before you go on, I will tell you something about Bill Daniels," the voice low, quiet, convincing, "something which may possibly justify our action toward you, if we are guilty of any mistake. Daniels was born within five miles of this spot; he was born into a feud which has cursed this mountain region for many years. My father was involved in it, and it cost him his life; when I grew up to manhood I made every effort in my power to reach a just settlement of the difficulty. I refused to go armed; I refused to retaliate for injuries done my property. I appealed to the courts, instead of fighting it out with the rifle. But those fellows could n't understand that sort of thing; they held me a coward, and started in to drive me out of the country. This Daniels was the leader, and he had with him a lot of midnight assassins. Before I learned the uselessness of courts, my house was burned, my crops destroyed; and my wife, weakened by exposure, died. I was twice shot from ambush, and three men, allied with my interests, had treacherously been done to death. It was then I became [ 146 ]