Open the hall door and let the poor things in, of course," said Mr.Travilla, "and I'll be down in a moment." "Plenty room on de back veranda, Mars Ed'ard, an' 'tween dat an' de kitchen." "Very well, they'll be safe there, but if they don't feel so let them into the hall." "Yes, sah." The head was withdrawn, the door closed, and Jack's shuffling feet could be heard descending the stairs.
Mr.and Mrs.Travilla, having each completed a hasty toilet, were about to go down; but little Elsie clung to her mother.
"Mamma, mamma, don't go and leave me! please let me go too." "My darling, you would be quite safe here; and it is much earlier than your usual hour for rising." "But day is breaking, mamma, and I could not sleep any more: besides maybe I could help to comfort them." "I think she could," said her father, and mamma gave consent at once.
They found the back veranda, the kitchen, and the space between, filled with an excited crowd of blacks, old and young, talking, gesticulating, crying, moaning and groaning.
"De Ku Klux, de Ku Klux!" was on every tongue.
"Tell ye what, darkies," one was saying, "dey's debbils! why two ob dem stop befo' my doah an' say 'You black rascal, give us some watah! quick now fo' we shoot you tru the head': den I hand up a gourd full--'bout a quart min' yo',--an de fust snatch it an' pour it right down his troat, an' hand de gourd back quick's a flash; den he turn roun' an' ride off, while I fill de gourd for de udder, an' he do jes de same.

Tell ye what dey's debbils! didn't you see de horns, an' de big red tongues waggin' ?" There was a murmur of assent, and a shudder ran through the throng.

But Mr.Travilla's voice was heard in cheerful reassuring tones.
"No, boys, they are men, though they do the work of devils.

I have seen their disguise, and under that long red tongue, which is made of flannel, and moved by the wearer's real tongue, there is a leather bag, inside of the disguise--and into it they pour the water; not down their throats." "Dat so, Mars Ed'ard ?" cried several, drawing a long breath of relief.
"Yes, that is so, boys.

And they've been threatening and abusing you to-night ?" "Yes, sah, dat dey hab!" cried a score of voices, and one after another showed his wounds, and told a piteous tale.
Elsie and her namesake daughter wept over their losses and sufferings: the medicine closet was unlocked and its stores liberally drawn upon for materials to dress their wounds, both master and mistress attending to them with their own hands; and at the same time speaking soothing, comforting words, and promising help to repair the damage to their property, and make good their losses: also to bring their enemies to justice if that might be possible.
It was broad daylight ere the work was finished.
The veranda was nearly empty now, the people slowly returning to their homes--Mr.Travilla having assured them the danger was past for the present--when Elsie caught sight of a woman whom she had not observed till that moment.
The poor creature had dropped down upon a bench at the kitchen door.