"It was the sentiment of the song, not my singing, that pleased you, I think," she answered with a blush.

"It was both," replied Donald with enthusiasm. "I was reminded of Longfellow's verse about 'lending to the rhyme of the poet the beauty of thy voice.' You certainly filled all our souls with music. The words and your singing of them to-night made a perfect symphony."

In his pleasure Donald had forgotten for the moment all about Harbison Institute, and he shook hands warmly with Rose in parting, saying: "We are so glad to welcome you to Dothan. I shall hope to hear you sing again soon."

Donald and Jefferson walked home together. After both had recovered somewhat from the excitement and pleasure of the evening, which had been an eventful one for both of them, Donald, with a troubled mind, recalled Legree's threat, and asked Jefferson anxiously: "What kind of a row did you have at Larkin's hotel last week? Legree was telling me about it."

Jefferson told his story, adding that he had begun to notice some people glaring at him on the streets, and asking why Legree was interested in the episode.

Legree is the real master of Dothan," said Donald with an air of disgust. "I despise him, but he is the political boss' and everyone bows to him. His word is law."

"What does he think about the hotel affair?" asked Jefferson, seeing that his friend was acting very gravely.

"I am afraid, Jefferson, that you have gotten yourself into trouble. Once let it get started here that you are in favor of helping niggers and it will ruin you. A young traveling man from Chicago, a fine young fellow, who sold office supplies, was recently put in jail by Legree

for attending a negro church and calling on the negro minister, Dr. Brown. They almost lynched the poor fellow before he could get away. You see, it is like this: Legree holds his power on account of the menace of the nigger, and every time he runs a man out of town in that way the whites think he has saved the community from black rule. I think you had better leave Dothan for a while, at any rate."

Jefferson made no reply for a few moments. The sound of their footfalls could be heard echoing along the deserted streets. Suddenly the young man stopped and faced Donald Shelby.

"By the eternal, I won't go. I had intended to leave soon for a visit to Washington, but Legree can't drive me out of Dothan. I will stay here all summer, if need be, but I am going to show that brute that this is free America. If Legree wants a fight with me I am ready."

"It's no use," answered Donald sadly. "You will only get yourself into trouble and perhaps ruin your whole future. I have seen Legree drive out some of the best men in our community. I think he wants to disgrace you because he is afraid you are gaining favor with Miss Ashley. He is seeking to win her himself, and I noticed him glare at you like a fiend several times to-night when you were in her company."

If Donald Shelby had wished to compel Jefferson to remain in Dothan in defiance of Legree's threat he could not have taken a better way than to suggest that Legree wanted a free field with Florence Ashley.

Donald, my mind is settled. Let Legree do his worst; I am in Dothan to remain. To-morrow I will see him myself and tell him so."

"It is madness, Jefferson; pure madness," protested

Donald. "You have no more show against Legree in Dothan than a child has in meeting an African lion."

"Don't fear for me," said the other confidently. "Legree and I are destined to fight anyway, and the sooner the better. I will give no quarter and take no quarter." But Donald Shelby went home with a heavy heart. "Poor Jefferson!" he kept repeating to himself. "I am afraid I have brought him down to Dothan to be torn to pieces by dogs."

CHAPTER IV

PETER LEGREE

THE morning after the début of Rose Atkinson in Dothan society Jefferson Lilly was taking a stroll along a side street meditating on his proposed visit to the office of Peter Legree. So absorbed was he in his thoughts that he failed to hear a buggy stop opposite him on the street; and not until its occupant had shouted to him was he aware that someone wanted him. Rather surprised, he walked over to the side of the vehicle and recognized the doctor who had bandaged the negro's wounds at the hotel, and who had relieved him of his troublesome black burden.

"How are you, my friend?" said the doctor heartily. "Have you time to take a little ride this morning?"

66

Delighted!" responded the other, although he was in some wonder as to what it meant.

"Get in, then, and let us drive on together. I am glad to see you again. I was just going to call on the poor fellow whose life you saved the other day, and I thought you might want to know how he is getting on."

"How is he?" asked Jefferson.

"He is recovering nicely, but I am afraid he is crippled for good. You certainly called me just in time, and I was glad to be there, for I know the man well. His name is Mose Thomas, and his son, Nafti, works for me mornings and evenings. The boy is attending Harbison Institute along with his sister."

"I'm glad the poor devil's life was saved, though that experience is likely to make me some trouble yet from what I hear."

The doctor did not respond to this, perhaps not knowing just what to say.

"What is your name, Doctor?" went on Jefferson. "My name is Lilly-Jefferson Lilly. I am a friend of Donald Shelby, and I am visiting in Dothan for a while."

"I'm Dr. Rankin," replied the physician. 'One of your pill venders."

"From the way you put that nigger together the other day I should say you were a first-class mechanic," said Jefferson with a laugh.

"It's too bad about that negro," said the doctor, getting serious.

"He is one of the whitest of them all in Dothan and one of the most intelligent. I can't understand Legree getting after him."

"What had Legree to do with it?" asked the other with great interest.

The doctor became cautious. "Umph! you know everything, good and bad, is blamed on Legree. At least, he is our boss' down here."

Jefferson did not push the question, but he thought he could see some reason for Legree's interest in the hotel episode.

"You may call that fellow 'white,' but I call him the blackest negro I ever saw," Jefferson remarked with a smile.

"Yes, he's coal black, a full-blooded African. They are the only kind of niggers I like," answered Dr. Rankin, "but in his character he can set an example to some white men I know. He was born a slave, but he learned