What have I been taking all my life but the biggest sort of chances ?--and for little enough!" Ware, feeling the entire uselessness of argument, uttered a string of imprecations, and then fell silent.

His acquaintance with Murrell was of long standing.

It dated back to the time when he was growing into the management of Belle Plain.

A chance meeting with the outlaw in Memphis had developed into the closest intimacy, and the plantation had become one of the regular stations for the band of horse-thieves of which Murrell had spoken.

But time had wrought its changes.