I left the kittles fur a minnit ter run down the gyardin walk, ter see how my bed o' pinks wuz comin' out, an' I sung ez I run.
"Jest then a passel o' men come stringin' up the road ter the bars.

They looked like some o' them that Kunnel Pennington tuck 'way with him, but they rid better critters then any o' them ever hed, an' they were dressed in a sorter soljer-cloze, an' all o' 'em toted guns.
"Something sent a chill ter my very heart the moment I laid eyes on 'em.
Hit a'most stopped beatin' when I see Kunnel Bill Pennington a little ways behind 'em, with a feather in his hat, an' sword an' pistols in his belt.

When they waited at the bars fur him ter come up, I knowed instantly what they were arter.
"'Fortner,' I said ter my son, tryin' ter speak ez low ez possible; 'Fortner, honey, slip back through the bushes ez quick ez the Lord'll let ye, an tell yer daddy that Bill Pennington an' his gang air heah arter him.

Sneak away, but when ye air out o' sight, run fur yer life, honey.' "He turned ter go, but tat that minnit Bill Pennington shouted out: "'Stop thar! Don't ye send thet boy away! Ef he moves a step, I'll put a bullet through his brain!' Fortner would've run in spite o' him, but I wuz so skeered for him thet I jumped ter his side an' ketched his arm.
"'Keep quiet, honey,' I said.

'Likely they won't find yer daddy at all.' "Vain hope! Ez I spoke, the sound o' David's ax rung out clearly and steadily.