Fort Lafayette or, Love and Secession

, and I guess he's on the

expression of contempt and loathing that the ruffian's brow grew black with anger as he returned

beneath even your brutality. If you have an account with me, I will

ngerous when he's on the scent. You see, Miss Weems," he continued, speaking over Harold's shoulder, "my niggers are plaguy troublesome,

eeth with a grin that caused O

oud, from beneath which his eyes fl

t which I cannot understa

good to you

Harold to go unarmed. Fearless and self-reliant by nature, even upon his surveying expeditions in wild and out of the way districts, he carried no weapon beyond sometimes a stout oaken staff. But now, his fo

ake, Harold, do not provoke him further," she

snuffling at the threshold, followed by a bound against the door, and a howl of rage and impatience. Nothing prevented the entrance of the

angry beast, as he dashed his heavy shoulder against the ric

shoulder reproachfully at Rawbon. His tone was low, and even gentle, but it was tremul

and spoke almost in a

our manhood, take away

not a

es, redoubled his efforts and his fury.

hur, take her from me, she's faint

ke be calm," and while he received Oriana upon on

and from the fire, and

ed, lifting the brand above Raw

and in an instant the revolver fl

but his face grew

me, and I'll set t

unearthly. Harold was familiar with the nature of the species, and eve

the action of his jaws while talking, the plaster had just been torn, and the blood was streaming out afresh. "Do you see this? I've got that to settle with you. I'll hun

fter this, put up his pistol

asked Arthur, mildly and with

th a searching glance,

er

ha

make term

ut w

his whol

l. G

th the law, and I know you mean to.

but Arthur implored him wi

give us against your o

on

should we comp

t, and you know it. For her, you know,

r head suddenly and her face assumed an expression of attention, as if her ear had caught a distant sound. She had not forgotten little Phil, and knowing his sagacity and fait

omposure, and he smiled again as he observed how effectually h

e dog on Jim's track, and now h

nd excited voice was heard, shouting: "There

her hands with joy; and for the first time that night

. The low hissing word of command that accompanied the action reached her ear. She knew what it meant and a faint shriek burst from her lips, more perhaps from horror at the demoniac cruelty of the man, tha

olution in that steadfast gaze-it was like the clear, straightforward glance of a father checking a wayward child-even the habitual sadness lingered in the deep azure, and the features only changed to be cast in more placid mold. It was the struggle of a brave and tranquil soul with the ferocious instincts of the brute. The hound, crouched for a deadly spring, was fascinated by this spectacle o

r altering his gaze. But the agony of suspense had been too great-Oriana, w

t help exclaiming, for it was indeed a count

dog's neck. The stick shivered like glass, but the creature only shook his grisly head, but never quit his hold. With his bare hand he seized the live coals from the thickest of the fire and pressed them against the flanks and stomach of the tenacious animal; the brute howled and quivered in every limb, but still the blood-stained fangs were firmly set into the lacerated flesh. With both hands clasped around the monster's throat, he exerted his strength till the finger-

in-door; and Beverly, entering hastily, with a cry of horror, stood one moment aghast as he looked on the frightful

aned against the wall. Beverly knelt by the side of the wounded man, and

s of blood," said Beverly. "

ood, but with the beautiful sad smile still lingering upon the parted lips. She appeared to see neither Harold nor her brother, but only those tranquil features, above which the angel of Death seemed already to have brushed his dewy wing. She put aside Beverly's arm, which was extended to sup

ly, and assured her th

st not die! He must not die for me! He is so good! so brave! A child's h

ed that it was black and burnt, and he too was suffering; and s

and he forgot her weariness and the trial she had passed. He had been binding some l

t. I have never seen you thus. C

calmly and with firmness. Bending beside her brother, without falt

ilent men and that pale woman seemed to be keeping a vigil in an abode of de