"I did no such thing," answered Mr. Templeton. "I did not know of the deed until it was done; then I told Alcorn never again to set foot on my premises."
"More lies, you canting old hypocrite. Do you know what I am going to do with you?" shouted Jennison.
"I am in your power; you can do anything you wish," answered Mr. Templeton, with dignity.
"I am going to shoot you, and burn your house," yelled Jennison.
"You will never harbor any more guerrillas."
At these words, Agnes sprang before her father, with a scream. "If you shoot any one, shoot me—not him," she said. "If there has been any harboring, it is I who am to blame. I have harbored those fighting to rid our State of such as you, and I glory in it. Shoot me—not him."
Lawrence and Dan just now rode up and gazed in astonishment at the scene. The girl stood in front of her father, her arms outspread, her bosom heaving with excitement, her eyes blazing, inviting the deadly volley.
Her tragic attitude, her wondrous beauty, awed the men, and they lowered the guns that had been raised to slay the father.
"Drag her away, and shoot!" commanded Jennison, with an oath.
"Hold!" cried Lawrence. "Colonel Jennison, do you realize what you are doing? What does this mean?"