There was a sudden step in the hall; a hand touched the latch; the door
opened cautiously.
"Harriet!"
"Yes, mother."
Mrs. Floyd glided across the floor, sat down on the bed by her
daughter, and stared at her in wonder.
"Where on earth have you been? I have been watching for you all night.
Oh, my child, what is the matter? What has gone wrong?"
"I have been out trying to save Mr. Westerfelt. Toot led the
Regulators down an' they took him out. I warned him, but he would not
go in time and they took him to the mountain."
"Good Heavens! what did they intend to do with him?"
"Most of them meant only to frighten him and to whip him, but Toot
Wambush will kill him if he gets a chance."
"I don't believe they'll harm him," said Mrs. Floyd, consolingly.
"Anyway, we can't do anything; get in bed and let me cover you up; you
are damp to the skin and all of a quiver; you'll catch your death
sitting here."
Mrs. Floyd put her hand round Harriet, but she sprang up and pulled
down a heavy cloak from a hook on the wall.
"I did not come here to go to bed!" she cried.
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