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Richard Caswell had got up by hi rather affronted, was evidently not disposed to hit anyone He stood brushing dried grass froether in disapproval

"Your fan, Mrs Fraser?" Jerked from my appraisal of the conflict, I found Major MacDonald politely offering me back my fan He looked quite pleased with hi hio about with a loaded pistol?"

"An oversight, h perhaps a fortunate one, aye? I had been in the town of Cross Creek yesterday, and as I was returning alone to Mr Farquard Caht it would be as well to go canny on the road"

He nodded over my shoulder

"Tell me, Mrs Fraser, who is the ill-shaven individual? He seeuts, despite his lack of address Will he take up the cudgels in his own behalf now, do ye think?"

I swung round, to see Hermon Husband nose-to-nose with the risen Barlow, his round black hat thrust down on his head and his beard bristling with pugnacity Barlow stood his ground, red-faced and thunder-browed, but had his arhtly across his chest as he listened to Husband

"Herht tone of reproof "No, he won’t resort to violence Just words"

Quite a lot of words Barlow kept trying to interject his own opinions, but Husband ignored these, pressing his argument with such enthusiasm that drops of spittle flew froe of justice! Sheriffs, or so they call theal writ, but rather appoint the theitie backward, in an effort to escape the barrage When Husband paused h, Barlow seized the opportunity to lean forward and jab a threatening finger into Husband’s chest

"You speak of justice, sir? What have riot and destruction to do with justice? If you advocate the ruin of property as rievances--"

"I do not! But is the poor ht pass unregarded? I say to you, sir, God will unmercifully requite those who oppress the poor, and--"

"What are they arguing about?" MacDonald asked, viewing the exchange with interest "Religion?"

Seeing Husband involved, and realizing that no further punch-ups were to be expected,away toward the buffet tables and the braziers on the terrace Hunter and a few other Regulators hung about to give Husband uests were planters and ht side with Barlow in theory, in practice most were disinclined to waste a rare festive occasion in controversy with Her poor

I wasn’t all that eager to exaulation in detail, either, but did ive Major MacDonald a crude overview of the situation

"and so Governor Tryon felt obliged to raise the ulators backed down," I concluded "But they haven’t abandoned their deument, either--he never did--but Barlow had at last succeeded in extricating hi his tissues at the refreshment tables under the elm trees in colances of disapproval in Husband’s direction

"I see," MacDonald said, interested "Farquard Ca of this disruptive movement And the Governor has raised a ain Who commands his troops, do you know?"

"Uh Waddell--has command of several companies But the Governor himself was in command of the main body; he’s been a soldier himself"

"Has he indeed?" MacDonald see; he hadn’t put away his pistol, but was fondling it in an absentminded sort of way "Carant of land in the backcountry He is by way of being an intily," I said dryly "But he does know the Governor, yes"

I felt a trifle uneasy at this line of conversation It was--strictly speaking--illegal for Catholics to hold Royal land grants in the Colonies I didn’t knohether Major MacDonald are of that fact, but he did plainly realize that Jaround

"Do you suppose your husband ht be prevailed upon for an introduction, dear lady?" The pale blue eyes were bright with speculation, and I realized suddenly what he was after