Page:The Partisan (revised).djvu/59

 "Amen," said Humphries, gravely. "If it makes them stand up to the rack, as you think it will. But&mdash;" changing somewhat abruptly, he said to Singleton&mdash;

"You were with Jack Davis, of Goose Creek, major, when you first came up&mdash;I thought you were unknown in these parts?"

"You thought rightly; I am still unknown, but I learned to know something of him you speak of, and circumstances threw us together." Here Singleton related the occurrences at the tavern, as already known to us. Humphries, who was the son of the landlord, gave close attention, and with something more than ordinary interest. He was not at any time a man to show his feelings openly, but there was an increased pressure of his lips together as that portion fell upon his ear which described the interference of his sister, the fair coquette Bella, for the protection of her cast-off lover. His breathing was far less free at this point of the narrative; and when Singleton concluded, the listener muttered, partly in soliloquy and partly in reply&mdash;

"A poor fool of a girl, that sister of mine, major; loves the fine colours of the jay in spite of his cursed squalling, and has played upon that good fellow, Davis&mdash;Prickly Ash, as we sometimes call him in the village&mdash;till he is half out of his wits. Her head, too, is half turned with that red coat; but I'll cure her of that, and cure him too, or there's no virtue in twisted bore. But, major, did you do anything with Davis?"

The answer was affirmative, and Humphries continued&mdash;

"That's a gain, sir; for Davis is true, if he says it, and comes of good breed: he'll fight like a bull-dog, and his teeth shall meet in the flesh. Besides, he's a great shot with a rifle, like most of the boys from Goose Creek. His old mother kept him back, or he'd a-joined us long ago, for I've seen how his thoughts run. But it's not too late, and if the word's once out of his mouth, he's to be depended on&mdash;he's safe."

"A few more will do. You have several others, have you not, gathering in a safe place!" said Singleton.

"In the swamp&mdash;thirteen, true as steel, and ready for fight. They're only some some six miles off, and can be brought up in two hours, at notice. See, this river comes from the heart of the Cypress