"No, my son, it might bring them on us again, and we must speak low too."
"Yes, father; but oh what will you do? you can't come back home again?"
"No; I must go to Ion at once, while I can do so under cover of the darkness. Travilla has offered to hide me there. Archie, my brave boy, I can trust you with this secret."
"Father, they shall kill me before I'll tell it."
"I trust you will not be tried so far," Leland said with emotion. "I would not save my life at the sacrifice of yours. I leave your mother in your care, my boy; be dutiful and affectionate to her, and kind to your little brother and sisters. Mary, dear, you and Archie will have to manage the plantation in my absence," and he went on to give some directions.
"I will do my best," she said tearfully, "and as we have been for months past frequent visitors at Ion, I can surely go to see you there occasionally without exciting suspicion."
"Yes, I think so."
"Father," said Archie, "you can never walk to Ion; let me bring my pony and help you to mount him; then I will lead him to Ion and bring him back again."
"That is a bright thought; we will do so, if you can saddle him in the dark and bring him here very quietly."
"I'll try, father," and the boy hastened away in the direction of the stables.