第23章

He could no longer doubt their combined intentions, nor hesitate how to meet them.He must at once make for the quarters with Cato, even if he had to cross that open field before them.He knew that they would avoid injuring him personally, in the fear of possible Federal and political complications, and he resolved to use that fear to insure Cato's safety.Placing his hands on the negro's shoulders, he shoved him forwards, falling into a "lock step" so close behind him that it became impossible for the most expert marksman to fire at one without imperiling the other's life.When half way across the field he noticed that the shadows seen through the openings of the fence had paused.The ambushed men had evidently seen the double apparition, understood it, and, as he expected, dared not fire.He reached the other side with Cato in safety, but not before he saw the fateful shadows again moving, and this time in their own direction.They were evidently intending to pursue them.But once within the woods Courtland knew that his chances were equal.He breathed more freely.Cato, now less agitated, had even regained something of his former emotional combativeness which Courtland had checked.Although far from confident of his henchman's prowess in an emergency, the prospect of getting him safe into the quarters seemed brighter.

It was necessary, also, to trust to his superior wood-craft and knowledge of the locality, and Courtland still walking between him and his pursuers and covering his retreat allowed him to lead the way.It lay over ground that was beginning to slope gently; the underbrush was presently exchanged for springy moss, the character of the trees changed, the black trunks of cypresses made the gloom thicker.Trailing vines and parasites brushed their faces, a current of damp air seemed to flow just above the soil in which their lower limbs moved sluggishly as through stagnant water.As yet there was no indication of pursuit.But Courtland felt that it was not abandoned.Indeed, he had barely time to check an exclamation from the negro, before the dull gallop of horse-hoofs in the open ahead of them was plain to them both.It was a second party of their pursuers, mounted, who had evidently been sent to prevent their final egress from the woods, while those they had just evaded were no doubt slowly and silently following them on foot.They were to be caught between two fires!

"What is there to the left of us?" whispered Courtland quickly.

"De swamp."

Courtland set his teeth together.His dull-witted companion had evidently walked them both into the trap! Nevertheless, his resolve was quickly made.He could already see through the thinning fringe of timber the figures of the mounted men in the moonlight.

"This should be the boundary line of the plantation? This field beside us is ours?" he said interrogatively.

"Yes," returned the negro, "but de quarters is a mile furder.""Good! Stay here until I come back or call you; I'm going to talk to these fellows.But if you value your life, don't YOU speak nor stir."He strode quickly through the intervening trees and stepped out into the moonlight.A suppressed shout greeted him, and half a dozen mounted men, masked and carrying rifles, rode down towards him, but he remained quietly waiting there, and as the nearest approached him, he made a step forward and cried, "Halt!"The men pulled up sharply and mechanically at that ring of military imperiousness.

"What are you doing here?" said Courtland.

"We reckon that's OUR business, co'nnle.""It's mine, when you're on property that I control."The man hesitated and looked interrogatively towards his fellows.

"I allow you've got us there, co'nnle," he said at last with the lazy insolence of conscious power, but I don't mind telling you we're wanting a nigger about the size of your Cato.We hain't got anything agin YOU, co'nnle; we don't want to interfere with YOURproperty, and YOUR ways, but we don't calculate to have strangers interfere with OUR ways and OUR customs.Trot out your nigger--you No'th'n folks don't call HIM 'property,' you know--and we'll clear off your land.""And may I ask what you want of Cato?" said Courtland quietly.

"To show him that all the Federal law in h-ll won't protect him when he strikes a white man!" burst out one of the masked figures, riding forward.

"Then you compel me to show YOU," said Courtland immovably, "what any Federal citizen may do in the defense of Federal law.For I'll kill the first man that attempts to lay hands upon him on my property.Some of you, who have already tried to assassinate him in cold blood, I have met before in less dishonorable warfare than this, and THEY know I am able to keep my word."There was a moment's silence; the barrel of the revolver he was holding at his side glistened for an instant in the moonlight, but he did not move.The two men rode up to the first speaker and exchanged words.A light laugh followed, and the first speaker turned again to Courtland with a mocking politeness.

"Very well, co'nnle, if that's your opinion, and you allow we can't follow our game over your property, why, we reckon we'll have to give way TO THOSE WHO CAN.Sorry to have troubled YOU.Good-night."

He lifted his hat ironically, waved it to his followers, and the next moment the whole party were galloping furiously towards the high road.