Mr.Travilla requested her to delay a little till his horse could be brought to the door, and he would see her home.
"No, no, Travilla," said Mr.Dinsmore, "Horace and I will do that, if Mrs.Carrington will accept our escort." "Many thanks to you both, gentlemen," she said, "but I assure you I am not in the least afraid; and it would be putting you to unnecessary trouble." "On the contrary, my dear madam, it would be a pleasure; and as our horses are already at the door, we need not delay you a moment," said Mr.Dinsmore.

"It will not take us so very far out of our way, either: and I should like to have a word with Sophie." Upon that Mrs.Carrington gratefully accepted his offer, and the three went away together.
Convinced of his guilt, Mrs.Carrington made no effort to obtain the release of her nephew, but several of his confederates having perjured themselves to prove an alibi in his favor, he was soon at large again.
He showed his face no more at the Oaks or Ion, and upon occasion of an accidental meeting with Travilla or either of the Dinsmores, regarded him with dark, scowling looks, sometimes adding a muttered word or two of anger and defiance.
In the meantime damages had been repaired in the quarters at Fairview and Ion, and the men at the latter, secretly supplied with arms; also the rebuilding of the school-house was going rapidly forward.
A threatening notice was presently served upon Mr.Travilla, ordering him to desist from the attempt, as the teaching of the blacks would not be allowed by the Ku Klux.
He however paid no attention to the insolent demand, and the work went on as before.
Mr.Leland had succeeded in keeping the affair of the coffin from his wife thus saving her much anxiety and distress.
To leave just at this time would be a great pecuniary loss, and he had decided to remain; but had laid his plans carefully for either resistance or escape in case of an attack.
A couple of large, powerful, and very fine watch dogs were added to his establishment, and a brace of loaded pistols and a bowie knife were always within reach of his hand.
One night the family were aroused by the furious barking of the dogs.
Instantly Mr.Leland was out upon the floor hastily throwing on his clothes, while his wife, with the frightened cry.

"The Ku Klux!" ran to the window.
"Yes it is! they are surrounding the house! O Robert, fly for your life!" she cried in the wildest terror.

"O God save my poor husband from these cruel foes!" she added, dropping upon her knees and lifting hands and eyes to heaven.
"He will, Mary, never fear, wife," Mr.Leland said almost cheerfully, snatching up his weapons as he spoke.

"Pray on, it's the best thing you can do to help me." "You must fly!" she said, "you can't fight twenty men and I think there are at least that many." "I'll slip out at the back door then, and make for the woods," he answered, rushing from the room.
Children and servants were screaming with affright, the ruffians thundering at the front door, calling loudly upon Mr.Leland to come out, and threatening to break it down if he did not immediately appear.
Summoning all her courage, the wife went again to the window and called to them, asking what was wanted.
"Leland.