"But my poor Le! And he acts in vindication of my daughter!" sighed the squire.
"'Poor Le,' indeed! It would be poor Le if he was between the four walls of a jail, waiting of his trial for murder! Haul 'em up, squire! Haul 'em up! Make the two young wilyuns--as will break our hearts if you don't--give bonds to keep the peace! It's onpleasant, I know, but not half as onpleasant as murder and hanging."
"I suppose I must issue the warrants," sighed the squire.
"Well, then why don't you do it? Take time by the forelock, sez I. There ain't no time to lose, I tell you that! For, you know, though I interslipted the challenge, and my scamp took a blank in place of it, that won't stop the duel; it will only put it off a little while; it will be fought, all the same, unless them young rascals of ours is took up!"
"I think Miss Sibby is right, squire. I see no way to prevent mischief, except by arresting the two young men and holding them in custody for a while. You need not send them to the common jail. You can keep them here," urged the rector.
"I will do it. There is not a constable nearer than Benedict. I do not like to trust the warrants to a servant to take to the officer, because I wish to give some private instruction with the instruments. You will excuse me, Dr. Peters, I hope, if I ride to town and leave you for a few hours? Mrs. Force and the girls will be happy to entertain you until my return."
"My dear friend, I was about to ask you to order my horse an hour ago, when the arrival of our good neighbor stopped me. It is absolutely necessary that I return to the rectory to meet an engagement this morning."
"Then we will ride together as far as our roads go in the same direction."
Mr. Force rang a bell, which was answered by the entrance of Jake.
"Saddle the rector's horse; also saddle Samson for me, and the brown horse for yourself. Bring them around to the side block. We shall have to ride to Benedict to-day."
The man bowed assent to his master's orders, and left the room.
"You will stay and spend the day with the ladies, I hope, Miss Sibby?" said Mr. Force.
"Well, I reckon I will--if you'll tell the man, when he comes back with the horses, to have my mule put in the stable and fed."