"Oh, yes, do be careful!" cried the ladies, joining them, "don't tear down the least part of our defences yet."
"Have they really fled? Are you all unhurt?" asked Rose in trembling tones.
"Edward! papa!" faltered Elsie.
"Safe and sound," they both answered.
"Thank God! thank God!" she cried as her husband folded her in his arms, and her father took her hand in his, while with the other arm he embraced Rose.
"We have indeed cause for thankfulness," said Arthur, returning from a hurried circuit of the verandas, "not one on our side has received a scratch. But I have ordered the men to remain at their posts for the present."
Horace came rushing back. "I can not understand it! I see no sign of troops, though—"
"The darkness," suggested his mother.
"Hark! hark! the bugle call; they are charging on the Ku Klux!" exclaimed Arthur, as a silvery sound came floating on the night breeze.
"Oh they have come! they have come!" cried Rosie, clapping her hands and dancing up and down with delight. "Now our troubles are over and there will be no more of these dreadful raids." And in the exuberance of her joy she embraced first her mother, then her sister, and lastly threw herself into her father's arms.