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 "And from what he saw of the Caw Caw Swamp from the main dike he might guess that it was hardly a spot which we would choose for a picnic," said Manning dryly.

They discussed the matter for perhaps half an hour, when Virginia left them to dress for dinner. After she had gone Giles said to Manning:

"Do you suppose that Ginny hit that bounder when the pistol went off, Manning?" The Englishman's voice was anxious.

Manning uttered his hard little laugh. "It appears that she did, from her description; however, it makes little difference. If a lady can't shoot a cracker on her own plantation I should like to know whose plantation she can shoot one on. As far as that is concerned, Giles, there is a little account open between myself and the three other men." Manning's clean-cut features set rigidly; his eyes paled. Giles, law-abiding Briton that he was, stared at him amazed. There was something in the face of the Carolinian which was almost homicidal. "You see," pursued Manning, in his cold, even voice, "these men are virtually squatters on my land, although they pay a nominal rent. They have refused to recognize the authority of the mistress of the plantation and have even presumed to talk back to her with weapons in their hands." Manning's face grew a shade paler, his words dropped like pellets of ice. "They shall receive their warning to leave my land to-morrow, and if they refuse to do so, as I sincerely hope that they will, but doubt, it will be a matter for my personal attention!"

"What do you mean?" Giles's blue eyes began to kindle. 291