got one, I would like to know?" asked James. "There will be more men here in a little while, and then you fellows will want to keep dark. What were those fellows talking about that were gathered on the corner so long? We wanted to go over there but did not dare." "It is just as well that you did not go over," said Caleb. "You would not have heard anything anyway." "We heard somebody howling 'Hear, hear!' at the top of his voice," said Emerson. "I guess we would have heard something from him." "No, we would not," said James. "Don't you know that they do not talk when Tories are around? They are afraid we will tell of them." "And it is a mighty fine reputation for you to have," said Enoch, in disgust. "If I could not keep still in regard to what my neighbors do, I would go out and hang myself." "Oh, you will hang easy enough," said James, with a laugh. "Don't you worry about that. I will be one of the first to grab the rope and pull you up." Just how it happened Enoch could not have told to save his life. The place whereon James was standing became suddenly vacant and the spot where his face was occupied by his heels. He fell like a tree struck by a whirlwind, and his head came in violent contact with the ground. He lay there for a second or two as if he did not have his wits about him, and Caleb stood over him ready to receive him when he got up. Seeing no move on his part, he turned to face Emerson. Caleb stood over him ready to receive him when he got up. "Let us hear one word out of your head and I will put you down, too," said he. "Go away," said Emerson, tremblingly. "I have not done anything to you, and I want you to let me alone. There is a magistrate in this town——" "Go on," said Caleb. "You can get to the magistrate as soon as you please and tell him for me——" By this time Enoch began to recover himself. He unlatched the gate, and seizing Caleb around the waist fairly lifted him from the ground and carried him inside. Then he shut the gate and looked over at Emerson. "You had better go on your way," said he. "Pick up your comrade and go about your business." "But I would like first to hear him say that he would like to haul
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