Tonpit’s eyes glowed wolfishly and without a word he began reloading the weapon. The girl knew the climax would come the moment he finished his task, and to Sevier she pleaded:
“You mean well, but after all my place is by my father’s side. I thank you for what you’ve done. Now let us part good friends.”
“Your place is not in Little Talassee, where they plot to cut up the Union,” was the firm response. “Your place is where Americanism thrives, in the settlements, or in the cities over the mountains. Never where McGillivray plots with Spain.”
“Mr. Sevier, I will shoot you if you persist in your interference,” Tonpit announced.
“Then you will be a murderer and your daughter will refuse to ride with you,” cheerfully countered Sevier. “If my death will restore the young woman to the American settlements, why, I shall not have died for nothing.”
“Put up your pistol, father,” commanded the girl. “If you do Mr. Sevier any harm I shall ride north alone.”
Tonpit’s face became ghastly as he heard her ultimatum and caught a reflection of his own stubborn will in her young face.
“You’ve tricked me, Sevier,” he whispered. “But there’ll be a reckoning between us—”
“Hush!” cried the girl, placing her fingers against his lips.
Sevier tilted his head and meeting her questioning gaze nodded gravely.