were doomed to a ruin more complete and terrible than the four years of war had brought. Independence had been saved by a skillful movement of General Worth, who sought an interview with Legree when his council first issued their levy of thirty per cent for municipal purposes.

'Mr. Legree, let's understand one another," said the General.

"All right, I'm a man of reason."

66

66

66

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush!"

Every time, General."

Well, call off your dogs, and rescind your order for a thirty per cent tax levy, and I'll raise $30,000 in cash and pay it to you in two days."

"Make it $50,000 and it's a bargain."

The General raised twenty thousand in the city, went North and borrowed the remaining thirty thousand. Legree and his brigands received this ransom and moved on to the next town.

Poor Hambright was but a scrawny little village on a red hill with no big values to be saved, and no mills to interest the commercial world, and the auctioneer lifted his hammer.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE RED FLAG OF THE AUCTIONEER

TH

HE excitement through which Tom Camp had passed in the death of his daughter, and the stirring events connected with it, had been more than his feeble body could endure. He had been stricken with paroxysms of pain and nausea from his old wounds. For three days and nights he had suffered unspeakable agonies. He had borne his pain with stoical indifference.

Tom, old man, do look at me! You skeer me," said his wife leaning tenderly over him.

"Oh! I'm all right, Annie."

"What was you studyin' about then?"

1

"I was just a thinkin' we didn't kill babies in the war. Them was awful times, but they wuz nothin' to what we're goin' through now. The Lord knows best, but I can't understand it."

"Well, don't talk any more. You're too weak.”

"I must git up, Annie. Got to git out anyhow. The Sheriff's goin' to sell us out to-day, and I want to sorter look 'round once before we go."

So, leaning on his wife's arm, he hobbled around the place saying good-bye to its familiar objects. They stopped before the garden gate.

"Don't go in there, Tom, I can't stand it," cried his wife. "When I think of leavin' that garden I've worked so hard on all these years, and that's give us so many

good things to eat, and never failed us the year round, I just feel like it'll tear my heart out."

"Do you mind the day we set out these trees, Annie, an' you, my own purty gal holdin' em fur me while I packed the dirt around 'em, and told you how sweet you wuz?"

"Yes, and I love every twig of 'em. They've all helped me in times of need. Oh! Lord, it's hard to give it up!" She couldn't keep back the tears.

"Well, now, ole woman, you mustn't break down. You're strong and well and I'm all shot to pieces and crippled and no 'count. But the Lord still lives. We'll get this place back. The Lord's just trying our faith. He thinks mebbe I'll give up."

"You think we can ever get it back?"

66

General Worth sent me word he couldn't do anything now, but to let it go and keep a stiff upper lip. The General ain't no fool."

"Surely the Lord can't let us starve."

66

Starve! I reckon not! The foxes have holes, the birds of the air nests, but the Son of Man had not where to lay His head, but He never starved. No, God's in Heaven. I'll trust Him."

A mocking bird whose mate had just built her nest to rear a second brood for the season was seated on the topmost branch of a cedar near the house, and singing as though he would fill heaven and earth with the glory of his love.

66

'Just listen at that bird, Tom!" whispered his wife. "He does sing sweet, don't he?"

"Oh dear, oh dear, how can I give it all up! I've fed that bird and his mate for years. He knows my voice. I can call him down out of that tree. Many a night when you were away in the war he sat close to my window and sang softly to me all night. When I'd wake, I'd hear

him singin' low like he was afraid he'd wake somebody. I'd sit down there by the window and cry for you and dream of your comin' home till he'd sing me to sleep in the chair. And now we've got to leave him. Oh Lord, my heart is broken! I can't see the way!"

She buried her face on Tom's shoulder and shook with sobs.

"Hush, hush, honey, we must face trouble. We are used to it."

66

But not this, Tom. It'll tear my heart out when I have to leave."

"It can't be helped, Annie. We've got to pay for this nigger government."

At

Eleven o'clock was the hour fixed for the sale. half past ten a crowd of negroes had gathered. There were only two or three white men present, the Agent of the Freedman's Bureau and some of his henchmen.

They began to inspect the place. Tim Shelby was present, dressed in a suit of broadcloth and a silk hat placed jauntily on his close-cropped scalp.

"That's a fine orchard, gentlemen," Tim exclaimed. 'Yes, en dats er fine gyarden," said a negro standing

near.

"Let's look at the house," said Tim starting to the door.

Tom stood up in the doorway with a musket in his hand, "Put your foot on that doorstep and I'll blow your brains out, you flat-nosed baboon!"

Tim paused and bowed with a smile.

66

Ain't the premises for sale, Mr. Camp?"

"Yes, but my family ain't for inspection by niggers."

"Just wanted to see the condition of the house, sir," said Tim still smiling.

"Well, I'm livin' here yet, and don't you forget it,"