CHAPTER XIX
The dark figures secured the horses, bridles and saddles and moved to the next appointed crime.
The stolen horses were put in charge of the two sons, who had refused to take part in the events of the night. They were ordered to follow the huntsmen carefully.
Again they crept through the night and approached the home of Wilkinson, the member of the Legislature from the County. Brown had carefully surveyed his place and felt sure of a successful attack unless the house should be alarmed by a surly dog which no member of his surveying party had been able to approach.
When they arrived within two hundred yards of the gate, it was one o'clock. Brown carefully watched the house for ten minutes to see that no light gleamed through a window or a chink. The wife had been sick with the measles when the survey was made. There was no sign of a light.
Salmon and Owen Brown were sent by the men on a protest to Brown.
Salmon was spokesman.
"We've got something to say to you, Father, before we take out
Wilkinson—"
"Well?" the old man growled.
"You gave every man strict orders to fire no guns or revolver unless necessary—didn't you?"