To the eventual day of his defeat he stood, careless of his fate, firm in his own principles, going down in defeat at last because he would not permit his own state legislature—­headed then by men such as Warville Dunwody and his friends—­to dictate to him the workings of his own conscience.  Stronger than Daniel Webster, he was one of those who would not obey the dictates of that leader, and he did set up his “conscience above the law.”  These two men, Benton and Dunwody, therefore, were at the time of which we write two gladiators upon the scenes of a wild western region, as yet little known in the eastern states, though then swiftly coming forward into more specific notice.

Perhaps thirty or forty slaves were employed about Tallwoods home farm, as it was called.  They did their work much as they liked, in a way not grudging for the main part.  Idle and shiftless, relying on the frequent absence of the master and the ease of gaining a living, they worked no more than was necessary to keep up a semblance of routine.  In some way the acres got plowed and reaped, in some way the meats were cured, in some way the animals were fed and the table was served and the rooms kept in a semi-tidiness, none too scrupulous.  Always in Tallwoods there was something at hand ready to eat, and there was fuel whereby fires might be made.  Such as it was, the hospitality of the place was ready.  It was a rich, loose way of life, and went on lazily and loosely, like the fashion of some roomy old vehicle, not quite run down, but advancing now and then with a groan or a creak at tasks imposed.

But now, another and most important matter for our note—­there was no woman’s hand at Tallwoods.  The care was that of servants, of slaves.  When things grew insupportable in their shiftlessness the master lashed out an order and got what he demanded; then soon matters sank back again to their old state.  None might tell when the master would ride away, and when gone none could say when he would return.  Since the death of his mother no woman’s control had ruled here, nor, in spite of the busy tongues at the larger cities above, did there seem likelihood that any would soon share or alter the fortunes of Tallwoods.  Rumors floated here and there, tongues wagged; but Tallwoods lay apart; and Tallwoods, as commonly was conceded, had ways of its own.

It was to these remote and somewhat singular surroundings that there approached, on the evening of a bland autumn day, along the winding road which followed the little stream, the great coach of the master of Tallwoods, drawn by four blooded carriage horses, weary, mud-stained and flecked with foam.  At the end of the valley, where the road emerged from its, hidden course among the cliffs, the carriage now halted.  Dunwody himself sprang down from the driver’s seat where he had been riding in order to give the occupants of the coach the more room.  He approached the window, hat in hand.