"Don't you dare strike Uncle Lusthah," she said sternly.
Her appearance and attitude evoked all the pent-up hate and passion
in the man's nature and he shouted, "By the 'tarnal, I will strike
'im. I've got my orders en I'll find out yere en now whether a
traitor girl or a Southern officer rules this place."
Before the blow could descend she sprang forward, seized his wrist
and stayed his hand.
"Wretch! murderer! coward!" she cried.
"Oh, come, Cousin Lou, this won't do at all," began Whately,
hastening up.
An ominous rush and trampling of feet was heard and an instant later
the negroes were seen running toward them from the quarters and all
points at which the sounds of the altercation reached them.
"Turn out the guard," shouted Whately. "Rally the men here with
carbines and ball-cartridges." He whirled Perkins aside, saying,
"Get out of the way, you fool." Then he drew his sabre and thundered
to the negroes, "Back, for your lives!"
They hesitated and drew together. Miss Lou went directly toward them
and implored, "Go back.
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