IN THE SHADOW
Southern homes, and the autho'ity which lies herein!" The man tapped his rifle.
"Have you any legal authority?" asked Giles. "Do you act in accordance with the Federal law?"
He had unwittingly blundered upon the very worst word. A fierce murmur swept the group of riders. These men, cruel, savage, vindictive as they were, would not curse before a lady; one saw the blasphemies writhing upon their thin, cruel lips.
"No, sir; we do not."
"Then you cannot have him," said Giles, his voice curt, scorning to equivocate.
An audible murmur rippled beneath; the leader looked puzzled for an instant then smiled.
"I reckin' you are an Englishman, sir. No one else would talk as you do. I am afraid, sir, that you do not understand the customs of this country. We are bound to protect ourselves and we must do so in our own way. Your principles and your courage reflect great credit upon you, sir, if I may make bold to say so, but you mistake our purpose. We have not come to ask for the person of this negra; we have come to get him. When we get him we will take him quietly away and hang him. There is to be no exhibition. And now, sir, we shall proceed to enter the house." He made a motion to dismount, but Giles took a step forward and raised his hand.
"Mr. Moultrie has left me in charge here," he said. "As you say, I do not understand the customs of your country. Where I live we abide by the law; but I do not believe that there is any country where armed men have the right to enter the house of another man with-
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