I went back to the house and Jim was standing by the door, watching every move that was made. The girl had supper ready.
"Keep your carbine in your lap while you eat," said I, and we sat up to the table and ate a good, hearty supper.
"Now, old man, we do not wish to abuse you or your family, but are going to stay here to-night, and if we see any treachery on your part your life won't be worth a cent. Now, Jim, you go to bed and I will wake you up promptly at twelve o'clock."
There being a bedroom close at hand Jim went in and was soon snoring like a bugle call. The girl could not restrain a smile at his snoring. The old man sat smoking his pipe, casting glances over to where I sat. Finally he broke out and said:
"Now, look here, stranger, do you think you are going to sit there and bulldoze me all night and make me sit here?"
"No, sir, you can go to bed just as soon as you please, but I want to see where you sleep."
"You can't see where I or my daughter sleeps, and I want you to distinctly understand it!"
"All right, old man, you will stay just where you are, then."
He jumped to his feet and said, "I will not do it for any Yankee living."
I cocked my gun and brought it to bear on the old man and said: