“Hit Yankee coffee.”

“I drink your health in my one contribution,” cried Scoville.  “Never mind, aunty, we’ll be jolly over it all the same.  I agree with you.  It’s worth a month’s pay to see Miss Baron happy and hungry.  I’d like to know who has a better right.  Aunt Jinkey’s told me how you protected her.  That was fine.  You’d make a soldier.”

“Oh, please stop such talk, both of you.  I’m ridiculously unlike the heroines in uncle’s library.  Lieutenant, please don’t say ’Ha! the hour has come and we must part, perhaps forever.’  I won’t have any forever.  Uncle Lusthah has insured you gray hairs, and if you don’t come and see us before they’re gray, Aun’ Jinkey and I will believe all uncle says about the Yankees.”

“And so you ought,” said Scoville.  “Oh, I’ll come back to breakfast with you again, if I have to come on crutches.  Well, I must go.  There is Chunk with the horses.  Even now I’m keeping one ear open for a shot from that hasty cousin of yours.”

At this reference she looked grave and rose from the table.  “Lieutenant,” she said, taking his proffered hand, “please do not think me a giddy child nor an unfeeling girl.  I do thank you.  I do wish you well just as you wish me well—­for your own sake.  Oh, it seems such a blessed thing for people to feel simple, honest goodwill toward one another, without having some scheme back of it all.”

“Well, Miss Baron, if I had a chance I’d soon prove that I too had a scheme.  The chief point in it would be to keep all trouble out of the eyes that looked on me so kindly when I came to my senses in this cabin.  Heaven bless your good, kind heart!  Promise me one thing.”

“Well?”

“If your cousin comes soon there may be a sharp fight.  Keep out of danger.  I could never be myself again if my coming here should result in injury to you.”

“As far as my curiosity will permit I will try to keep out of the way.  I’ve seen so little in my short life that I must make the most of this brief opportunity.  In a day or so you may all be gone, and then the old humdrum life will begin again.”

“Yes, we may all be gone before night.  Your chief danger then will be from the stragglers which follow the army like vultures.  If possible, I will induce the general to leave a guard to-night.  I wish Mr. Baron had a clearer eye to his interests and safety.  The general is not lamb-like.  If a guard can be procured for to-night it will be due to your action and my representations.  My services as a scout have brought me in rather close contact with the general, and possibly I may induce him to give protection as long as the interest of the service permits.  All questions will be decided with reference to the main chance; so, if I seem neglectful, remember I must obey my orders, whatever they are.  Ah! there’s a shot.”

Her hand ached long afterward from his quick, strong pressure, and then he mounted and was away at a gallop.  Miss Lou hastily returned to the house, but Chunk coolly entered the cabin, saying, “I’se git a bite fer mebbe I ain’ yere ter dinner.”