“You mistake me greatly, sir, if you imagine I am to be provoked into contest with you by any taunt which you can utter.  I pride myself somewhat in the tact with which I discover a ruffian, and having, at an early period of your acquaintance, seen what you were, I can not regard you in any other than a single point of view.  Were you not what I know you to be, whatever might have been the difference of force between us, I should ere this have driven my dirk into your throat.”

“Why, that’s something like, now—­that’s what I call manly.  You do seem to have some pluck in you, young sir, though you might make more use of it.  I like a fellow that can feel when he’s touched; and don’t think a bit the worse of you that you think ill of me, and tell me so.  But that’s not the thing now.  We must talk of other matters.  You must answer a civil question or two for the satisfaction of the company.  We want to know, sir, if we may apprehend any interference on your part between us and the state.  Will you tell the authorities what you saw?”

The youth made no answer to this question, but turning contemptuously upon his heel, was about to leave the circle, around which the assembly, in visible anxiety for his reply, was now beginning to crowd.

“Stay, young master, not so fast.  You must give us some answer before you are off.  Let us know what we are to expect.  Whether, if called upon by any authority, you would reveal what you know of this business?” was the further inquiry of Munro.

“I certainly should—­every word of it.  I should at once say that you were all criminal, and describe you as the chief actor and instigator in this unhappy affair.”

The response of Colleton had been unhesitating and immediate; and having given it, he passed through the throng and left the crowd, which, sullenly parting, made way for him in front.  Guy Rivers, in an under tone, muttered in the ear of Munro as he left the circle:—­

“That, by the eternal God, he shall never do.  Are you satisfied now of the necessity of silencing him?”

Munro simply made a sign of silence, and took no seeming note of his departure; but his determination was made, and there was now no obstacle in that quarter to the long-contemplated vengeance of his confederate.

While this matter was in progress among the villagers, Counsellor Pippin vexed himself and his man Hob not a little with inquiries as to the manner in which he should contrive to make some professional business grow out of it.  He could not well expect any of the persons concerned, voluntarily to convict themselves; and his thoughts turned necessarily upon Ralph as the only one on whom he could rest his desire in this particular.  We have seen with what indifferent success his own adventure on the field of action, and when the danger was all well over, was attended; but he had heard and seen enough to persuade himself that but little was wanting, without appearing in