"
"If you _was_ a goin' to be hung, Jasper, you'd fret me with it. I don't
believe there's harm in these here men. They didn't hand-cuff you,
that's a fact. An' jest see how they eat! I ain't afeared of no man that
eats well at my table. So, now you go on an' do the best you kin, an'
don't worry about me."
He put his arms about her and kissed her on the forehead, and even when
it was announced that the wagon was waiting, she did not waver, but
bravely stood to her determination.
The wagon drove off and Margaret lingered in the door, gazing; but
Jasper did not look back, and so, over the hill he passed from her
sight, as all things else had passed, for in the blindness of her tears
it was as if dark night had fallen. She turned about and in her ears his
words rang, and again strong-set to be brave, the misty night was winked
away. Hearing the hum of the old negro's tuneful spirit, she called him
and he came to the door.
"Kintchin, they have taken Jasper."
"Yas'm, an' da've tuck Lije Peters, too."
"Why, Jasper said he wasn't goin'.
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