sally dows-第15章
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Courtland thought so too； but it was a kind of sulphur that he had
smelled beforeon the battlefield！ For when the door was closed
behind his overseer he took the lamp to the opposite wall and
examined it carefully。 There was the distinct hole made by a
bullet which had missed Cato's head at the open window by an inch。
CHAPTER VI。
In an instant Courtland had regained complete possession of
himself。 His distracting passionhow distracting he had never
before realizedwas gone！ His clear sightno longer distorted by
sentimenthad come back； he saw everything in its just proportion
his duty； the plantation； the helpless freedman threatened by
lawless fury； the two womenno longer his one tantalizing vision；
but now only a passing detail of the work before him。 He saw them
through no aberrating mist of tenderness or expediencybut with
the single directness of the man of action。
The shot had clearly been intended for Cato。 Even if it were an
act of mere personal revenge； it showed a confidence and security
in the would…be assassin that betokened cooperation and an
organized plan。 He had availed himself of the thunderstorm； the
flash and long reverberating roll of soundan artifice not unknown
to border ambushto confuse discovery at the instant。 Yet the
attack might be only an isolated one； or it might be the beginning
of a general raid upon the Syndicate's freedmen。 If the former he
could protect Cato from its repetition by guarding him in the
office until he could be conveyed to a place of safety； if the
latter； he must at once collect the negroes at their quarters； and
take Cato with him。 He resolved upon the latter course。 The
quarters were half a mile from the Dows' dwellingwhich was two
miles away。
He sat down and wrote a few lines to Miss Dows stating that； in
view of some threatened disturbances in the town； he thought it
advisable to keep the negroes in their quarters； whither he was
himself going。 He sent her his housekeeper and the child； as they
had both better remain in a place of security until he returned to
town。 He gave the note to Zoe； bidding her hasten by the back
garden across the fields。 Then he turned to Cato。
〃I am going with you to the quarters tonight；〃 he said quietly；
〃and you can carry your pistol back to the armory yourself。〃 He
handed him the weapon。 The negro received it gratefully； but
suddenly cast a searching glance at his employer。 Courtland's
face； however； betrayed no change。 When Zoe had gone； he continued
tranquilly； 〃We will go by the back way through the woods。〃 As the
negro started slightly； Courtland continued in the same even tone：
〃The sulphur you smelled just now； Cato； was the smoke of a gun
fired at YOU from the street。 I don't propose that the shot shall
be repeated under the same advantages。〃
The negro became violently agitated。 〃It was dat sneakin' hound；
Tom Higbee；〃 he said huskily。
Courtland looked at him sharply。 〃Then there was something more
than WORDS passed between him and you； Cato。 What happened？ Come；
speak out！〃
〃He lashed me with his whip； and I gib him one right under the
yeah； and drupped him；〃 said Cato； recovering his courage with his
anger at the recollection。 〃I had a right to defend myse'f； sah。〃
〃Yes； and I hope you'll be able to do it； now；〃 said Courtland
calmly； his face giving no sign of his conviction that Cato's fate
was doomed by that single retaliating blow； 〃but you'll be safer at
the quarters。〃 He passed into his bedroom； took a revolver from
his bedhead and a derringer from the drawer； both of which he
quickly slipped beneath his buttoned coat； and returned。
〃When we are in the fields； clear of the house； keep close by my
side； and even try to keep step with me。 What you have to say； say
NOW； there must be no talking to betray our positionwe must go
silently； and you'll have enough to do to exercise your eyes and
ears。 I shall stand between you and any attack； but I expect you
to obey orders without hesitation。〃 He opened the back door；
motioned to Cato to pass out； followed him； locked the door behind
them； and taking the negro's arm walked beside the low palings to
the end of the garden； where they climbed the fence and stood upon
the open field beyond。
Unfortunately； it had grown lighter with the breaking of the heavy
clouds； and gusty gleams of moonlight chased each other over the
field； or struck a glitter from standing rain…pools between the
little hillocks。 To cross the open field and gain the fringe of
woods on the other side was the nearest way to the quarters； but
for the moment was the most exposed course； to follow the hedge to
the bottom of the field and the boundary fence and then cross at
right angles； in its shadow； would be safer； but they would lose
valuable time。 Believing that Cato's vengeful assailant was still
hovering near with his comrades； Courtland cast a quick glance down
the shadowy line of Osage hedge beside them。 Suddenly Cato grasped
his arm and pointed in the same direction； where the boundary fence
he had noticeda barrier of rough palingscrossed the field。
With the moon low on the other side of it； it was a mere black
silhouette； broken only by bright silver openings and gaps along
its surface that indicated the moonlit field beyond。 At first
Courtland saw nothing else。 Then he was struck by the fact that
these openings became successively and regularly eclipsed； as with
the passing of some opaque object behind them。 It was a file of
men on the other side of the fence； keeping in its shelter as they
crossed the field towards his house。 Roughly calculating from the
passing obscurations； there must have been twelve or fifteen in
all。
He could no longer doubt their combined intentions； nor hesitate
how to meet them。 He must at once make for the quarters with Cato；
even if he had to cross that open field before them。 He knew that
they would avoid injuring him personally； in the fear of possible
Federal and political complications； and he resolved to use that
fear to insure Cato's safety。 Placing his hands on the negro's
shoulders； he shoved him forwards； falling into a 〃lock step〃 so
close behind him that it became impossible for the most expert
marksman to fire at one without imperiling the other's life。 When
half way across the field he noticed that the shadows seen through
the openings of the fence had paused。 The ambushed men had
evidently seen the double apparition； understood it； and； as he
expected； dared not fire。 He reached the other side with Cato in
safety； but not before he saw the fateful shadows again moving； and
this time in their own direction。 They were evidently intending to
pursue them。 But once within the woods Courtland knew that his
chances were equal。 He breathed more freely。 Cato； now less
agitated； had even regained something of his former emotional
combativeness which Courtland had checked。 Although far from
confident of his henchman's prowess in an emergency； the prospect
of getting him safe into the quarters seemed brighter。
It was necessary； also； to trust to his superior wood…craft and
knowledge of the locality； and Courtland still walking between him
and his pursuers and covering his retreat allowed him to lead the
way。 It lay over ground that was beginning to slope gently； the
underbrush was presently exchanged for springy moss； the character
of the trees changed； the black trunks of cypresses made the gloom
thicker。 Trailing vines and parasites brushed their faces； a
current of damp air seemed to flow just above the soil in which
their lower limbs moved sluggishly as through stagnant water。 As
yet there was no indication of pursuit。 But Courtland felt that it
was not abandoned。 Indeed； he had barely time to check an
exclamation from the negro； before the dull gallop of horse…hoofs
in the open ahead of them was plain to them both。 It was a second
party of their pursuers； mounted； who had evidently been sent to
prevent their final egress from the woods； while those they had
just evaded were no doubt slowly and silently following them on
foot。 They were to be caught between two fires！
〃What i
