"Darcy! just the fellow I want to see! And Old Ben, too!"
"The Yankees are coming!" answered Darcy.
"I know it, Darcy. I was going to call out the Home Guard."
"Exactly my idea."
"Old Ben can help you get the boys together."
"'Deed I will, Massah Jack, if yo' wants me to," responded the colored man.
Darcy and Ben were soon off and Jack re-entered the house, to be confronted by Mrs. Ruthven.
"What are you up to, Jack?"
"I have called out our Home Guard, mother. The Yankees shall not destroy this plantation or molest you and Marion."
"You must do nothing rash, Jack."