She handed him a small pocket Bible.

"Dear mother," he said, as he placed the book carefully

within the breast of his coat, "the Redskin that

takes that from me must take my scalp first. But

don't fear for me. You've often said the Lord would

protect me. So he will, mother, for sure it's an errand

o' peace."

"Ay that's it, that's it," murmured the widow in a

half-soliloquy.

Dick Varley spent that night in converse with his