made. To shield myself from the advances of the rest I have permitted
the odious ruffian Murfree to pay court to me. He is my constant
persecutor; and he is persistently urging that I marry him, that vile
man, Jud Sykes, to perform the ceremony. I promised, at the last, to
wed him in May of the coming spring; but I shudder to think of his
violence now that _you_ have come amongst us.'

'Why should that make any difference?'

'Oh, he is deadly jealous of you; because he thinks that I prefer
you to himself. I fear him on your account as well as upon my own. Be
assured that he will never forgive you for last evening. But,' she
exclaimed, starting up, 'we had better try for some fish, or
grandmother will suspect that I have been blabbing.'

'Why should we not go to the pond? The captain says that there are
plenty of fishes there.'

'Do not speak of it,' she said with a shudder. 'Ah, those dark
waters have many secrets. I am afraid to tell you; the very bushes
about us seem to have ears.'




CHAPTER VII.

ROBBERS AT HOME AND ABROAD.