My
people are teaching me to fear them even more than the Yankees."
CHAPTER XI
AUN' JINKEY'S WARNING
The night passed like a lull in the storm. Perkins reported that the
negroes were quiet, contenting themselves with whispering and
watchfulness. Aun' Jinkey smoked and dozed in her chair, listening
to every sound, but no "squinch-owl" renewed her fears. The family
at the mansion were too perturbed to sleep much, for all knew that
the morrow must bring decisive events. The three soldiers sent after
the recreant trooper returned from a bootless chase and were allowed
to rest, but Whately saw to it that there was a vigilant watch kept
by relief of guards on the part of the others. He was not very
greatly encouraged by his mother's report, but as the hours passed
the habits of his life and the tendencies of his nature asserted
themselves with increasing force. He would marry his cousin on the
morrow; he would not be balked in his dearest hope and wish. The
very resistance of the girl stimulated his purpose, for throughout
all his life nothing so enhanced his desire for anything as
difficulty and denial.
Pages:
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139