"Do you know whether he speaks the truth or not?"
"I don't know, and what's more I don't care; I know one thing, he didn't render us the slightest help, and in my opinion there is only one bigger coward and scoundrel in the country, and that's yourself."
Mr. Brainerd looked the Tory straight in the eye as he uttered these defiant words, and the latter winced under the indignation of an honest man.
Golcher stood for a moment irresolute, his eye wandering up and down the line, until it happened to rest on Aunt Peggy.
"Oh, don't you wink at me that way, you scand'lous villain," she exclaimed, shaking her head; "if you say a word to me, or come any nearer, I'll scratch your eyes out!"
The Tory moved a little farther off.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Fred Godfrey, as may well be supposed, was amazed at the words of Habakkuk McEwen, but he believed the fellow was simply descending to this subterfuge in the hope of saving his life.
Understanding the nature of the man as well as he did, he could not find fault, and he made an effort to help him, without telling a clear untruth.