CHAPTER XXIII.
THE GATHERING OF THE CLANS "How long has Tom's letter been here ?" asked Anne, after Grace had explained their situation to her companions.
"Ten days.

Every one seems to be issuing warnings, and Tom is no exception.

Listen to this, will you?
'Be vigilant! The white moonlight reigns supreme up here.'" "What does he mean by that?
Is Tom growing sentimental ?" questioned Emma.
"He means there are moonshiners on this ridge of Lieutenant Wingate's," answered Miss Briggs.
"Huh! Brown Eyes, don't you worry about Tom.

Any fellow who is slick enough to say a thing without saying it, is slick enough to outwit the whole breed of feudists and others up here." Grace said she was not worrying, but that they must start as soon as they could replenish their stores.

This they set about doing at once.
New canvas with which to patch up their tents, cartridges for rifle and revolver, and provisions were purchased and lashed to the back of the remaining pack mule, or carried by the Overlanders in small packs on their ponies.