He'd heard of Harney's threatening vengeance on all Unionists, and now that Hugh was gone he might pounce on Spring Bank any night." "Let him!" and Alice's blue eyes flashed brightly, while her girlish figure seemed to expand and grow higher as she continued: "he will find no cowards here.

I never touched a revolver in my life.

I am quite as much afraid of one that is not loaded as of one that is, but I'll conquer the weakness.

I'll begin to-day.

I'll learn to handle firearms.
I'll practice shooting at a mark, and if Hugh is killed I'll--oh, Hugh! Hugh--" She could not tell what she would do, for the woman conquered all other feelings, and laying her face on Rocket's silken mane, she sobbed aloud.
"There's pluck, by George!" muttered the old colonel.