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THE SCOUT; 
 
 OB, 
 
 THE BLACK RIDERS OF CONGAREE. 
 
 BY W, GILMORE SIMMS, 
 
 AUTHOR OF "THE PARTISAN, 1 " MEIXICHAMPE," "KATHARINE WALTON," 
 
 "WOODCRAFT," "THE YEMASSEE," "GUY RIVERS," ETC. 
 
 Failing, I know the penalty of failure 
 
 Is present infamy and death pause not , 
 
 I would have shown no mercy, and I seek none. 
 
 MARINO PALIEBO. 
 
 :RSITY 
 
 
 CMIOAOO: 
 
 DONOHUE, HENNEBERRY & CO, 
 
 407-425 DEARBORN STREET 
 1890 
 
PRINTED AND BOUND BY 
 
 DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY 
 
 OHICAGO. 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HISTORICAL SUMMARY. THE SWAMP RKTREAT 
 
 ,- 
 
 AT the period when our story opens, the colonies of North 
 America united in resistance to the mother-country, had closed the 
 fifth year of their war of independence. The scene of conflict was 
 by this time almost wholly transferred from the northern to the 
 southern colonies. The former were permitted to repose from 
 the struggle ; in their security almost ceasing to recognise tin, 
 necessity of arms ; while the latter, as if to compensate for their 
 respite, in the beginning of the conflict, were subjected to the 
 worst aspects and i/ ages of war. The south, wholly abandoned 
 to its fate by the colonies north of the Potomac, was coequal tc 
 the struggle single-handed. Their efforts at defence, however 
 earnestly made, were for a time, apparently made in vain. In 
 experienced in regular warfare, with officers as indiscreet and 
 rash as brave, they were everywhere exposed to surprise and 
 consequently to defeat. They lacked money, rather than men, 
 experience and training, rather than courage, concentration and 
 unity, rather than strength. The two frontier colonies, South 
 Carolina and Georgia most feeble and most exposed, as lying 
 upon the borders of Florida, which adhered to the crown, and 
 which had proved a realm of refuge to all the loyalists when 
 iviven out from the other colonies were supposed by the Bri* 
 
 166359 
 
8 THK SCOUT. 
 
 isli commands : t tin 1 sway of the.il 
 
 1, In com . tin usual fortune of 
 
 \amjuished. lint the very sufiering proved that theyliv.- ! 
 and the struggle fur freedom was continued, Her battl 
 
 -mi, 
 
 . ulic.l fn.rn Mi-oiling- sin to son, 
 Though niton lust," 
 
 \ i -r couriered hy her friends in Carolina to In-, utterl) 
 hopeless. Still, they had frequent reason to despair. Cafes, 
 tin- successful commander at Saratoga, upon whose great re 
 nown and feeble army the hopes of the south, lor a B6A80D, ap 
 peared wholly to depend, had suffered a terrible defeat at Cani- 
 his militia scattered to the. four winds of Heaven his 
 iars almost annihilated in a conflict with thrice their nuiM- 
 . which, lor fierce encounter and determined j-psoliition, has 
 rjeve : while he, himself, a fugitive, c.vere<! 
 
 vilh shame and disajipointment, vainly huug out his tattered 
 :;er in tlu 1 . wilds of Ni>rth Carolina a colony sunk into an 
 apathy which as effectually paralysed her exertions, as did the 
 iperior power paralyse those of her more, sufierim: 
 -ciuiis of indiscretion and a most fatal presumption 
 the punishment oi which had l-een as sudden as it was severe 
 ! :1 MI fie red far h-v; from apprehension of 
 
 . -!ian of his country. He lia.l madly risked her strength. 
 
 at a perilous moment, in a \ ttle, for which he had made 
 
 :i in v.-hich he had . -hwii neither resolution noi 
 
 The l;\urels o! his old renown, withered in an instant 
 
 ::ied with doubt, if not with dishonor. 11- 
 
 ttd despon- iiii, awaiting, with whatever mora: 
 
 i he co;;ld command, the summons to that tribunal of hi; 
 
 --. upon \\liicli deiiende.il all the remaining honors of his ven 
 
 to the command of the miserahlc 
 
 remnan- nthern army. Cool, prudent, and circumspect, 
 
 rather than brilliant, . 0r, this gentleman was, perhaps, 
 
 that could be chosen for directing the HV.rts of 
 a people whose impulses but too frequently impaired their 
 duct who were too r.-iger to be wary, and who suffered per- 
 
HIST 
 
 petually from the ra>h and gQ of their native 
 
 is and their own indif: S be 
 
 long to a vigilant and cautions command. The etr< liich 
 
 moved (; ::duct tlie continentals and tin* soutliern 
 
 militia, back to South Carolina, then wholly in the j 
 of the British, has been descril <ed as singularly hold and auda 
 cious. But how ho co .ild have achieve-! the deliv. : the 
 country, without pressing into it, we do nut see. the 
 disputed prov -eck, find, and fight h j the 
 very for which he had been despatched, and the onlv 
 
 to the conduct which he should display, in 
 with that of Gat. D it lay in the prud. 
 
 with which he ji: , which the latter had 
 
 sacri: .d hnpro-. . The genius of On 
 
 .ently cautious, and his ; in South Carolina was 
 
 v rashness of nioveme- ,. o f 
 
 design. He was very soon ina< ;is that, with the : 
 
 ; .n army and such an army! n. . nn- 
 
 drilled nilliti i, few in number, disheartened l.y ih-leat, r. 
 
 nothing . 
 through ; ---watchful thought, and rig, 
 
 . by which, almost wholly, the great captain 
 : . Hil ini I formed an . ,, a rt of ].\ 
 
 tion, and tpiitr a< much as bis valor, COntrii 
 ol>j- ct. If )i" did not alw . he at length succeeded in 
 
 Uy baflling his op; ; 
 
 jircsnm]>tnon 
 
 nva.ler, he well k y },y w hi 
 
 him. The ! od march- 
 
 to the soldier, in an nnkn- ,li s . 
 
 : 
 
 clay added to th- 
 that of the British. Tin- :.::!; 
 
 more rallj 
 
 l;!lt 
 
 tatt free 
 
 from her slun. 1 B1 -. II 
 
 previous flight diul inaction. Yi, 
 
10 ll - 
 
 as her own -;fety and - .uty should b . !:n wne 
 
 not all ITIC 
 
 of the general of the, south; and from Maryland a 
 came a band, few but ; -Mi-passed by none of all th 
 
 troops that wer ever raised in America. The tried and tough 
 natives of the mountains and the swamps emerged once : 
 from their hiding-places under their ancient leaders; more reSO- 
 
 y, and n: >U8 in their 1;. 
 
 itainment, from the shame and the sorrow which i oJ- 
 I their previous and fivquent disappointments. 
 
 countenance of the Irtish commander became troubled 
 
 be gathering f evil in that liori/on, 
 
 . !ly fancied that lie had banished every cloud. 
 
 His troops were summoned to arms and to renewed activity; 
 
 HO longer in a condition to elude, the arm. 
 his adversary. Nor did he now so much desire it. The ft 
 sions of force which his army had received, and which drew 
 upon him the regards of Lord Cormvallis, had necessarily 
 the American general, and inspirited his purp 
 \\\ policy, though still properly cautious. Lofil something pi 
 
 Ming timidity; and he boldly penetrated, in the face of the 
 foe, into the state which he came to deliver. A series of small 
 and indecisive, Imt brilliant adventures, which followed the dis 
 persion of his light troops over the country, contributed equally 
 to enlncn the hopes of the commander and the courage of hr, 
 :,. The battle of King s Mountain had been fought by the 
 brave mountaineers of Virginia, and the two Carolina^, in which 
 the British force under rYrguson their ablest partisan com 
 mander in the smith was utterly annihilated. Tarleton, hith- 
 rrto invincible, was beaten by M .r^an at the Cowpens, witli a 
 v;1> . r army; while Ma: -ion, smiting the tories, hip and 
 
 thigh, in the swamps below, and Smnter. in a succession of 
 brilliant and rapid actions, in the middle country, had para- 
 lyzeM tlie a.-tivity and impaired seriously the strength of those 
 8in ;,llrr ; Hritish, which were employed to overawp 
 
 the inhabitants ami secure the conquests which had been already 
 made. In an incnceivab!y short space of time, the aspect of 
 things in Sout) Carolina underwent a cban-e The panic which 
 
-TOKICAL >IMMARY. 11 
 
 followed the d- 
 
 ~< If in i -.-. that the 
 
 Briti>h - found :i<-li\ c and >p rathv only in those p 
 
 they hi-Id rer, while the<c 
 
 pt sulliciently employed ly tl 
 
 Md liim. Brought to action at (iuilford. he was 
 rather than beaten, from tin- tirld; and a few d 
 abled him to turn upon hi> purMier. and to d ..lit from the 
 
 hie h In- could not keep, to that in which In- became a cap- 
 in leaving Carolina, Cornwallis left the interests of his 
 .of no inferior repr- Lord Ilawdon, 
 
 Ml him in the command. lie 
 
 was uni{iie-tiop.alily one of the :..-ral ollieers of the British 
 
 army; and throuirli a protracted trial of strength with his opponent, 
 
 i the duties of his trust \\ith equal skill, vidlan- 
 valor. The d.-cnit of into South Carol!:. 
 
 him into that >amc neighborhood which had proved so fatal 
 
 1 by the >harp action of 
 Hobkirk - Hill, in which Hawdon di-played many of those 
 
 d qualiti- luct which entitled him to the i: 
 
 an abl-- ;ined with the British, but it yielded 
 
 but barn-n fruits. It gave them the triumph, but not 
 the sucrc^. The victor [y not with Gtaeena It must 
 
 but for a miaappreheotioD .f . rs, on the; 
 
 having command of a fa\ 
 
 Our riod. The battli- of HohkirkV II: .! 
 
 was prodiutive upon both of the contending ] 
 
 which broil ;t nn equal < ri-i- in their fortunes. The 
 
 losses of tl Hies on that occasion were nearly the same. 
 
 But. in the case of Rawdon, the country offered but f. 
 sources against any external ] md immediate and utter 
 
 ruin i II, bad d the 
 
 1 irlds trampled upon the feelings, and 
 
 Despair 
 
 them a spiri 1 and the appearance of an 
 
 Auiericuu army which wan able to maintain iu ground even 
 
12 THE SCOUT. 
 
 after defeat, encouraged them to give t> th.it feeling its proper 
 utterance. 
 
 Comvnllis had long before complained to tlie British ministry 
 that he was " surrounded by timid friends and invetera: 
 and the diminution of British strength and courage, which no- 
 irily followed the flight of that commander into Virginia, to- 
 gether with the defeats sustained at Cowpens and K iint- 
 
 ain, naturally enough increased the timidity of the one, and the 
 inveteracy of the other party. That atrocious and reckle^ war 
 fare between the whigs and torics, which had deluged the fail- 
 plains of Carolina with native blood, was now at its height. 
 The parties, in the language of General Greene, pursued earl) 
 other like wild beasts. I itr seemed utterly banished from : 
 
 ins. Neither sex nor age was serure. Murder -lurked upon 
 the threshold, and conflagration lighted up, with the blazing fires 
 of ruin, the still, dark hours of midnight. The reckless brutality 
 of the invader furnished a sufficient example, and provocation to 
 these atrocities ; and the experience of ages has shown that hate 
 never yet takes a form so hellish, as when it displays itself in 
 the strifes of kindred. 
 
 Jt does not need that we should inquire, at this late day. what 
 were the causes that led to this division among a people, in that 
 hour so unseasonably chosen for civil strife the hour of fo-, 
 invasion. It is sufficient for our present purpose that the fact, 
 however lamentable, is equally unquestionable and well known. 
 Our narrative seeks to illustrate some of the events which grew 
 out of, and characterized, this warfare. We shall be com-> 
 to display, along with its virtues of courage, patriotiMii, and 
 endurance, some of its crimes and horrors ! Yet vainly 
 unwisely, would we desire to depict, in human langua- 
 measureless atrocities. The heart would sicken, the mind revolt 
 with loathing, at those hideous details, in which the acNrs seem 
 to have studiously set themselves free from all the restraints of 
 humanity. To bum and slay were not the simple perform, 
 of this reckless period and ravaged country. To burn in wan 
 tonness, and to murder in cold blood, and by the cruellest t-r- 
 tures, were the familiar achievements of the time; and the 
 criminal was too frequently found to exr.lt over his evil deed* 
 
THK 13 
 
 he ..ry cntln; the Mohawk wtfricr, even 
 
 In .ngh t 1 -etrihutio: l:ii;i with .varning 
 
 .TUU 
 
 
 
 ; a, and in the wills of Florida from, all 
 
 the , -- availed then 
 
 ity a lodgment in tlio s. vamps, the forests, ami 
 
 , mounted on fleet horses, trave- 
 with the. \\ind ; now here, now there; one moment operat n: 
 
 i.nah, the next on the JVedee ; BOmetin 
 
 witliir. sight of th-- < f the me- and anon, building 
 
 their own fires on the lofty summits .if the Apalachiau ridge. 
 
 hv the j:red:it"ry iooadfl "f :he.--e outlawed sipiad- 
 stung by their insults, ai> 1 maddened by their enoni 
 hc : 1 and suflering inhabitants gathered in little bands 
 
 for their overthrow; and South Carolina, at the period of 
 narrative, presented the terribl 
 arms, and hourly engaging in the ino.st sanguinary coir 
 
 district of country called 
 
 ! of which our story will partly . i to hav> 
 
 within its borders, at the ci<>M- "i" : . !i>n, im less than 
 
 fifteen hundred widows and orphan made BO duri 
 
 ! ; nded th 
 
 hat drunl. .:. v.-hii-h 
 
 follows upon . had made insc: 
 
 imn the daw;:. hat the 1 : tin 
 
 lina which 
 
 livi-ra:;.-.-. V. 
 
 dusky shadows nf 
 
 . that threatened niomeiitl;. 
 
 of the tall < 
 
 !ed capriri 11 ..-ly with : 
 th;, til folded 
 
 uber on the dark snrfar N. 
 
 voice of bird or i>t, n<> man, ih-nnte-!. n, that 
 
14 THE SCOUT. 
 
 ; any form of : in its .-is 
 
 poets, certainly, rol(l persuade tin- cnsn I -ppct 
 
 that .1 single human heart heat within those wild and dark 
 
 Gloomy, and dent-o, and dim, at all seasons, the very 
 trihutc of the spring in this the generous gifts of flowers ami 
 frr.it age only served to increase the depth of its shadow in the 
 rank exuberance of its vegciaMo life. The vines, and si.;. 
 and briers, massed tin :her in an almost solid . 
 
 |e to penetrate ; and oven wi 
 
 through teni; :as, the eye ohtained a p;;- i.nd 
 
 his formidable han-ior. the dismal lakes which it enconnteroi! 
 still and black filled with the decayed trunks of past contu- 
 and sunnoui, f trees yet in the \ 
 
 lieir growth, defied the examination or the cur- 
 scorned to rebuke, with frowning and threatening shadow?, oven 
 the presumption of a search. 
 
 But, in the perilous times of our history, those seeming dis- 
 conr red tin- kindly purposes of security and shel 
 
 ter. The sw. Una furnished a place of refuge to tin- 
 
 patriot and fagitivOi when the .Iv/elling and the temple yielded 
 none. The more dense the. wall of hriors upon the edge, of the 
 s\vam]>. the" morodismal the avenues witliin, the more a; 
 to those who, preferring Liberty t.vor all things, could there build 
 her altars and tend her sacred fires, without being betrayed by 
 the;: : . . Th- BC< DC to whicli our eyes have been ad- 
 
 -till and deathlike, as it appears, is full of life of h- 
 tliat beat with hope, and spirits that burn with animation; and 
 :;nddon, even as \-. 
 
 rippling into tinv wa\i-> th.it betray the onward motion of , 
 unwonted burden. In the moment of its dee; mst- 
 
 ling is heard ain. ng the wding foll.-i-e. A 
 
 rife takes j.lace between the broken w 
 rude trunks of the cyp 
 
 Idenly through the. tangled id approaches the 
 
 , - no won! no voice, A 
 
 la upright in the centre of ihe . if in 
 
 its forward pi-gu^s through the : no dip of D.-U 
 
 oo stroke of paddle betrays his efforts, and imjiaii i.-inn 
 
I/; 
 
 and 
 
 I 
 ..UK! : 
 
 ! . 
 
 Oi . itli tin- wind to <i 
 
 r of our little canoe is indehted for her p: 
 
 udled the vr.sH l of 1 ha-ilria and 
 iH-li of that laughing enchantress. Still, the 
 
 (jiiitc !]< ! fur ah;.-t * little exertion 
 
 of 1. ordinary --arly 
 
 . rowth nf the M\amj around 
 ::y of vliit-li, a hook, or fn 
 
 kt-d ln-ai, 
 
 hirK tightly Imun-l t I 
 
 Binows, \Tliilc the - left frer, to take hold <.f 
 
 idering 
 
 ( hi!s that tint- 
 
 forward to th 
 
 . murmur. toiu-li of 
 
 ll ; and t ; p.t fahric whudi it imjxdled with a 
 
 :iies of the Mvaiiij< led 
 
 v.-ith id iinjiulse. of its own; pressing aim . 
 
 \v darting freely f -rward where the 
 . .w hni ied in . 
 
 nd low, ^hat tl 
 
 . 
 
 !;t its romance 
 
 .ent 
 !i irnjitdh-.! :! ., :i t> the hand ,if t 1 
 
 M grape 
 -ith which the middle country of Carolina in l : V:ally 
 
16 THE SCOUT. 
 
 These iling themselves witli the wind in which they swing and 
 
 :, arching themselves from tree to tree, and interlacing their 
 green tresses until the earth 1 clow becomes , i strainer to the 
 sun. Their Uue droop to the hand, and hang around 
 
 the brows of the fainting and feeble partisan, returning from the 
 
 ict. lit 1 forgets tl.o cruelties of liis fellow man, in solacing 
 himself with the grateful tributes which are yielded him by the 
 . Their fruits relieve his hunger and quench 
 his thirst their green leaves refresh his eye their shadow:- 
 protect him from the burning sunbeams, and coin-en! him from 
 the. pursuit of the foe. 
 
 Dark, wild, and unlovely as the entrance of the swamp might 
 
 ;, still, to the musing heart raid contemplative spirit it hai 1 
 its aspects of beauty, if not of brightness ; and, regarded through 
 
 moral medium as a place of refuge to the virtuous and the 
 
 , when lovelier spots afforded none, it rises at once In 
 the mind, into an object of sacred and serene delight. Its mys 
 terious outlets, its Druid-like nooks, its little, islands of rep".-e. 
 
 >lemn groves, and their adorning parasites, which clamber 
 up and cling to its slender columns a hundred feet in air, fling- 
 ir,g abroad their tendrils, laden with Haunting blossoms and 
 purple berries all combined to present a picture of strange 
 but harmonious combination, to which the youthful steersman 
 wlio guides our little bark is evidently not insensible. lie 
 pause:; at moments in fav ttd his large blue 
 
 . looking upward, he catches some bright, hot 
 far and foreign glimpses of the heavens, through the ragget 
 openings in the umbr v > he thus gazes up 
 
 ward, seemingly forgetful of the present in the remoter, we m;n 
 observe him at our leisure. 
 
 e to invite and reward examination 
 
 Were the features of the faee sure indices always ef the indi 
 vidual character which v. the per 
 son now before us would i eat land- 
 
 : painter, (. "uld we. j-uppnse that the season and i-^i.-.n "f 
 which we write v. ight 
 
 well suspect him of being a i The- calm, yet 
 
 contemplate : he upward, outward look; the waD 
 
17 
 
 leriug mood ; the muth ; : 
 
 . ; the.-e, and Oth -.vliieh ai 
 
 nahle, would seem to indicate in tl.c roprietoi ;: 
 tin* pier the 
 
 stranger that declared, 
 temper, a direct aim, an energetic will, and a prompt and i 
 
 iiis purpii.M s. It would not, indeed, 
 y, that, when ho paused in his progress through tho 
 p, it was nut of some more seri;is pur 
 
 inplate the picturesque i:i i: 
 uition, the result of th 
 
 Tmians 1... beginning of thei. with 
 
 the mother-Country, may have prompted him ;tvh, 
 
 ami listen, In::. be approached the land. li 
 
 all marked hy tin- \i^iianee of one who was fully c M).- 
 of t! . >nld 
 
 :ire from the r\ ert, and when a single in 
 thn;- hore, he grasped with his ! 
 
 ing \ li lie had already left behind him, and an< 
 
 motion. His hoat .^WUIIL lightly upon her centre, and remained 
 nary f <r a 1-riei" instant, while, drawing from hi- real a 
 
 small win th-, ma le of the common re. 
 
 merry m.ti-, which went, waking up a h-.; 
 the still recesses of t! . His \vhi.Vi!< 
 
 ; r ht him . hills 
 
 iiich he v, aching. As if assured 1-y 
 
 our steersman threw up !. :h a 
 
 pull, and the harL 
 f vines and Overhanging hrauc!. 
 the ffateT) 1;.;. D him ,11:- . 
 
 prow was directed. A threw hi:; 
 
 Hat in his hoat, a- 
 np, in the next innnu-nt, upon tho - r 
 
 .ntly npo 
 of n clump ! 
 
 iu i r aid out of sight. A : 
 
 bil 
 f and, promptly following where i( .vas soon . 
 
18 TIIK COUT. 
 
 ov one wno appeared to ha\ 
 
 ante. A description of tlie, two thus !: a 
 
 clew to their objects as may seetn r roper to be given t this 
 
 early period in our progress, may well be reserved lor another 
 
 chapter. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TIIK FKIK.XPS A COXKHH KM F-. 
 
 Till-: stranger, as he leaped upon the solid earth, appeared of 
 ;-i noble and commandi: ice. In Miape In- was symmet 
 
 rically and vigorously made. Tall, erect, and muscular, his 
 person was thai <>f one. \\lio had been loi;. :aed to hardy 
 
 asidacti\. In his movements there was a 
 
 Milt equally of a fearless spirit and a n.hle i orni 
 which t.-illied well with a certain mil: 
 
 commending his well-finished limbs to the eye. v. hile convey 
 to the mind of the an impression, not less favorabli 
 
 the noble and linn character of their proprietor. Nor were the. 
 features of his countenance, wanting in anything which 
 needful to .support this impres.M n:. Ills face was full, bn: 
 lleshy ; the skin of a clear red and white, which the rammer SUM 
 
 bad simply darkened into manliuos. li : aii\el\ 
 
 intelligent hlue, mi- ht have .i.-imiud a rather pivp-aider. 
 playfulne^ of temper, hut for the 
 
 mouth, the lines of which were m-.re angular than roun-i. 
 lips being loo thin for softness, and, when COmprft 
 
 ! of purpo.se. which tlie jrenth-r e 
 
 his i.ther features failed entirely to qualify, lie had a 
 iiead, b],ad, intellectual and contemplative. His hair, V 
 B dark brown, 1. like, his beard, had ! 
 
 sufi ereil to remain nntrinn "ch in c< 
 
 with the ^ liast 
 
 1 
 
It 
 
 that 
 
 !! had, 
 
 in t! had 
 
 just 
 
 :nd in <! r <-nlv } -Mm;:, hut 
 
 in the military. In its material and make it D 
 
 CD nf the roil!: 
 
 pan ! a ilark Muc lirnncs]nni. t 
 
 wrapped in h ^L iMjrs l a BOmewl I 
 
 I rom those tl: en olditcratci] in 
 
 liliti ami tlir., from tin* vd- 
 
 :np, with wliich the wearer li;u; 
 bat it wot 
 
 A 
 
 hunting-shirt i ei 1 hie than that nl liis un.icr clothes, and 
 
 per! ttor material, which n-ached m n his 
 
 utial parts of his . 
 on of tl r 
 
 A ithout a wrinkle, and dNplayeil t 1 
 
 f.nn tot] had 
 
 it wouhl seem, i: 
 
 f rif this onl\ ;.;il trac- 
 
 whirh it 
 had passed, than \ 
 
 .-h Miiiiir.untnl ti ind li ll havk ujn.;. 
 
 dliMii: 
 
 
 
 tiT 
 
 ter the i. 
 
 OilT. 
 
 bun;- 
 
20 Tin- 
 
 that classic- super: Ul of which modern fa>hions ah. 
 
 wholly deprive the i. pect l"p"n his head, witliout 
 
 shading his hrow, re.-ted a caji of otter-skin, rude and ample in 
 
 .ake. the work, ino.st prohaMy, "f M>me favorite slave. A 
 
 small yellow crescent, serving the purpose of a hutton, looped 
 
 tip one of the >ides in the centre, and might, on occasion, have 
 
 lined a feather. Plain moccasins of huckskin, the original 
 
 \ellow of which had heen entirelv lost in the more doubtful 
 
 colors acquired in the swamp, completed the external- i.f his 
 
 It may he added that he wore no visihle armor; hnt 
 
 be stooped to fasten his skill heside the shore, the hutt 
 
 of a heavy pistol might have heen seen protruding from heneath 
 
 tin thick folds of his hunting-shirt. From the unnatural full: 
 
 of the opposite breast, it would not be rash to conjecture that 
 
 capon of war was not witliout its fellow. 
 
 The stranger ascended fr<>m the hanks and made his way toward 
 the foot of the heights, that, skirting the northern edges of the 
 Wateree, conduct the eye of the spectator to the lofty summits 
 of t! hills heyond. Here he was joined hy the person, 
 
 whose, answering signal he had heard, and, who had evidently 
 hec:i for some time expecting him. This was a man of middle 
 size, stout, well-made, coarse in feature, strong of limh, active 
 of movement, apparently without the refining influei. 
 and education, and evidently from the lower orders of the people. 
 Let ii"t this phrase, however, he understood to *5gnify anything 
 
 or unhecoming. Though a poor man, ournew acquaint, 
 was not the work of one of nature s journeymen, fashioned when 
 the "master hand" was weary. With head and feet equally 
 
 , he carried the one with a virtuous erectisess that could not ho 
 well misunderstood; while the other were set down with the 
 
 oin and fcarh a man conscious that he walked the 
 
 f his native land in the full performance of the equal duties 
 
 he patriot and warrior. In this hand he grasped a rifle of 
 
 immoderate length, the fractured stock of which, lashed togethei 
 
 with huckskin thongs, bore tokens of hard usage in more respects 
 
 than one. 
 
 The unquestionable poverty of this man s condition which, 
 was that of the, vhole American army did ,m. .-KStt 
 
TIIK 21 
 
 to have any effect upon his deportment or to give him any un- 
 
 know that his garments suffered 
 uliar defi. r did tin- language of a 
 
 heart declare itself with so little re>ervation from a blue 
 ey*> 1-natured physiognomy. The slight cloud of anx 
 
 which hung at m.inn:t> above his brow, and which gather- 
 there in consequci.t no ordinary kind, could not 
 
 long, at any time, withstand tlie buoyant action of the cheerful 
 spirit within. Thi> constantly shone out from his face, and 
 spoke aloud in the clear, ringing tones r,f his manly and not 
 unmusical accents. Drawing nigh to our iii>t acquaintance, he 
 liis hand with the joyous look in a warm manner of one 
 felt, in the meeting with his comrade, something of a sent] , 
 ment far stronger than that which governs the ordinary friend- 
 sh l - men. NVr was the manner >f his comrad- 
 
 Jec: U h, })erhaps, more quiet and suhdued. Tin- 
 
 hftvior of the twain was that of an intimacy unhroken from 
 boyhood, and made mutually confident hy the exercise of trusts 
 which had IMTH kept equally >,uT"d },y hoth the parties. 
 
 ! ; .. -lad youVe come. I ve been waiting 
 
 for \ two hor v > ; n the swamp 
 
 and did you tr\\ tJ 10 letters?" 
 
 "I did: all s well with us pretty much as when you left 
 But how with you, Jack? What news do you bring? Is the 
 
 the light troops gone in ?" 
 
 D I may -ay yea. (in, :;,- > drawed >iV fmm 
 e the brush at II..bkirk s, and there s no telling 
 
 now which way he i going, A. km, you knot 
 
 where to l...,k for him. Lee s g .nc down on 
 Bwhert !!. iw. and we re all tO he up and husv at 
 t(dl of great things to do. Our gin r,-.!, 
 ! picking r,p along the f a 
 
 hen gallop s the word 
 
 J lor at (iranoy, and " 
 
 thing of Butler ana 
 
 ^" -arc they oil ? If you 
 
 I D (.ul him " 
 
 " U : (iranby bv this time. They v* 
 
22 THE SCOUT. 
 
 given up the mint as a bad job. I saw .1 .e Clinch, one of his 
 trooj), only two day- Ago, and gin him a sort of hint that the 
 chap they were after was more like to he found above :!n 
 Congaree than in these parts. 4 For what s to BRV6 Ilim, 1 I said 
 to Joe, down here in this neighborhood, where we re all true 
 blue, and he a lirehot tory if That was a good re 
 Clinch and all 1 is troop, I reckon. They tuk it for one, and hy 
 peep of dawn, they were streaking it along the river road. 
 They ve got to Ninety-Six, hy this time, and even if they 
 ba ii t, it s all the same to us. They re out of your way." 
 
 "But you did wrong, John Bannister, in saying that Edward 
 Conway was a tory. He himself denies it." 
 
 " Well, Clarence, that s true, hut I don t see that his deny 
 ing it makes much difference. It s natural enough that a man 
 should say he s no tory when he s in a whig camp. The vartue 
 of a whole skin depends upon it. There s a chance of hroken 
 bones if he says otherwise, which Ned (. on way ain t a going to 
 esk." 
 
 "At least, for my sake, John Bannister, give Edward Coir.vay 
 ihe henefit of your douhts," replied the other, with an expiv 
 of grave displeasure on his countenance. " We do not know 
 that he is a tory, and the best of men have been the victims of 
 unjust suspicion. I must repeat that you did wrong, if yon loved 
 me, in calling him hy such a name. 
 
 "Ah, Clarence, he s your hafe-hrother, and that s the 
 you ain t willing to believe anything agin him; but I m dub ous 
 1 said nothing worse than the truth when I told Clinch he. was 
 a tory. I m sure the proofs agin him would have hung up many 
 a tall chap like himself." 
 
 "No more, Jack Bannister no more," said the other, gloom 
 ily. "It is enough that he is my brother. 1 am not willing 
 to examine his demerits. I know, and acknowledge to you, 
 that manv things in his conduct look suspicious; still 1 prefv : 
 
 to believe his word his solemn oath against all idle repoi; 
 
 reports, which are half the time slanders, and \\hich ha\v 
 Stroyed, 1 verily believe, many lives and charact. >rthy 
 
 4S om own. You know that 1 have no reason to 1< ve Edward 
 Conway. We have never been friends, and 1 have m partialities 
 
k JJ 
 
 Hi !. 
 
 to d. .in tim-nnviiii-. j . I 
 
 am only afraid that I ;iin !..., \\iliin- to Udieve what is said in 
 
 hi> prejudice, i .ut tliia I will : 
 it. 1 
 
 
 
 "Well, that s tlu- , Clarence, <>nly in ai, 
 
 :.ian that would act a lie, wouldn t 
 :ie. Now. it Kdward Oonwuy didn t jin. 
 bo did he jim- . II,- didn t jine us, .!id he . ; 
 ff to that, riaivMr, 
 
 N o! no! Woul.l to G.d ho could!" 
 
 " \\Y11, then, what is it that he do.- I m a-thinking 
 
 that it s good doctrine to helieve, in tin. . that the 
 
 man that ain t with us is a-in . him show what he did 
 
 the fall of Charle.ston. He warn t there. Y->u 
 
 1 ()11 : - d..n t he, 
 
 :-d you kn ( ,\v hi It 
 
 lit in the liriti&Ii iv^ii. 
 they carried a smart eh;i; that 
 
 uraeter ly taking t< tin 
 
 . that he went tli. 
 "lie 
 hut still den h that he ever joined th, 
 
 " hat 
 
 I m I m mijrhtly afean; | 
 
 ain t trliin- you t!ie truth. 1 iroilldn l let him -I d 
 
 l j "ld hm i, \\att-h Uj 00 hi;.. 
 
 . and 
 OU have 
 
 with hii:. ;i thii.k . 
 
 keeping him, 1 ri,,^ !,;,,, 
 
 He ll rr.i : that ll j.ull n 
 
 l t liim l.e ai! thai you think him, the tory and ti, 
 
 him as a 
 
24 THE SCOUT. 
 
 though h .i may not be altogether one. He shall suffer no hanr 
 at hands of mine." 
 
 Well, I m sure I don t say Lie ought. To keep him under 
 a strong thumb and forefinger to keep him, as I may say, 
 out of mischief and out of danger till the time of exchange 
 comes round, won t be to do him any harm. It s only on" way 
 <>f feeding a mouth that, mought be, couldn t feed itself so well 
 in these tough times ; and taking a little Jamaica from other 
 .:hs that mought like it jest as well, and dcsarve it a great 
 deal better." 
 
 "What, Jack, do you begrudge Edward Con a\ n > pitifu 
 (arc which we can give him in the swamp 1 You arc .-trangely 
 altered, Jack, toward him. You were once his playmate in boy 
 hood as well as mine." 
 
 " Yes, Clarence, and twas then, so far back as them same 
 days of our boyhood and they were mighty sweet days, too, ] 
 tell yon that I found him out, and Parned to mistrust him 
 God knows. Clarence, and you ought to know too, that Jack 
 Bannister would like, if he could, all the flesh <MH) blood in this 
 world that was ever a kin to youx n. I tried r.iinity ha, 
 love Ned Con way as I loved you, but it r/as like n^htin."- agin 
 natur . I tried my best, but couldn t make ii out with v i my 
 trying; and when I caught him in tliat bu.-imss of the deck 
 tailed horse " 
 
 "Do not remind me of these iif/.terp, now, J*:-A, I m afraia 
 1 remember them too well alre.v 
 
 " You re only too good for him, Clarence. I soinshow almost 
 think he ain t natrrally even a half-brother of your n any how 
 You don t look like, him ; neitln r mouth, nor nose, nor 
 
 ?hm, nor hair, nor forehead all s different as ef you ha d come 
 from any tw<Hamilics that lived at opposite ccnds of the river, 
 and never seed one another. But, as you say, 1 won t mind you 
 ny matters that you don t want to hear about. Them da; 
 . witli me, and with him ; and so I ll shut up on that subject 
 br begrudging him the bread and bacon, and the drop of Ja 
 maica. ;i;-li ;v we git in the swamp yonder well, 1 won t say 
 aothing, because, you see, I can t somehow think you meant to 
 bay what you did. All that I do say, Clarence, is, that I wisL : 
 
THK PRI] M- 4 2*i 
 
 had enough to - p.-.- liini that would | him to show clean 
 
 iiis friends niid blood-kin, and o>me out for his country, 
 likv m tliat has a man s love- for the airtli that i 
 
 "I kmv you mean him no wrong, Jack, and me no pain 
 when you ad -ise me thus: hut my word is pledged to Edwaro 
 Conway. ami 1 -..ill keep it, though I perish." 
 
 "And don t I t -11 y-m to keep it, Clarence ? You proi- 
 to save him from P.u ler s men, that was a-hunting liini ; and 
 what better way than to keep him close from sight; for, if he 
 once gits a-going agin, an ! they find his tracks, it won t be 
 boldness or my quickness that ll git him into the swamp so 
 easily. If Butler s men hadn t been up-countrymon, that didn t 
 onderstand swamp cdication, no how, he wouldn t have had such 
 a quiet time of it where we put him. Well, you ve done what 
 y- U promised, and what, I reckon eveiy man was hound to do 
 by his Mood-kin. You ve saved him from his inemies ; but 
 there s no need you should give him your best nag that he may 
 >i) full-speed into their pastures. N.w. tint s what you re 
 a-thinking to do. And why should yo i I If he ain t a tory, and 
 h i-n t been one, why shouldn t 1 -.-. hig ? Why shouldn t 
 
 he do what he ought to ha done live > jine Sm, 
 
 . T Mai ion s men, or Pickins men, or any men that s up 
 for the country and run his bullets with a tory s nan 
 each ? I don t think Ned Couway a coward, no how. and when 
 on t come out for his country, at a pushing time like t 1 
 
 -idoring him a mighty friend." 
 
 " KvouL h. .Jack ; the more you sj 11 think, of 
 
 matter, the more unhappy it mal: ;<>}>lied the other. " If 
 
 I darei! to think, I should probably cOffifl to morr < <.n- 
 
 ::an ynnrself on tl. of my brotb. ;ict 
 
 which, I COnffeM is ;:! inscrutable. I have only 
 
 me, and thai -ot him f 
 
 and let him rhm.se hi- . hence forward. I Irtve not 
 
 d arguirr --uade him t" . and he lmld 
 
 . that w: inished certain pri\ 
 
 : e will d" 
 
 Lord ha 1 upon us I i 
 
:M mi-: SCOUT. 
 
 *)ody talk, of private hu>>5ness, when throat cutting is so public? 
 When there s a sort of Injin hounty for sculps, and it takes 
 more tlian a man s two hands to k \vn skin and teeth 
 
 ("nun jroinjj oft , where tliey are worth tllir weight in ^old ] Vri 
 hnsines.x Lock you, Clarence, did you think *o sk him 
 when lie had last seen Miss Flora Middleton? 
 
 N , 1 did i ot," returned the other, abruptly, .and with MTIK 
 in patience in his manner. "Why should I ask him that? f 
 liad no reason t suppose that he had any particular reason for 
 MM],;/ l.er at this or at any other ti: 
 
 \r, Chnvnce you needn t he teV-ng me that, when I knou 
 . ich hetter. I know that if he hasn t a reason for seeing 
 he -, he s alway.-. had mighty stroi ._ wish that wav ; ami as for 
 jcur own fetdin s, ].,ird Mess you, C iarenre, it s no fault of 
 yvMir n, if ;-om man i.. the io^i:uent lon t know the 
 
 jdaee in the colonel s he--.r i Lv this time, ami can t put his tinker 
 on it wli -neve; lie. ]-h .".-e> If you lo\-e Flora Middleton th.- 
 no h;nn in it ; and if F M ard C"nway l<.ves her t-xt " 
 
 He paused, and lo k"<1 at his companion with the air of one 
 i-li,, !; donhtfitl of t!:e effect of that which he has already said. 
 
 Well ! What the : ?" demanded the other. 
 
 "Why, o llv, there s no harm, perhaps, in that either." 
 
 Ay, hut there is, ,J.>lin P.aiinister, and y.m know it ;" ci ied 
 the other, almost fiercely. " Fdward C.n\\ay knew that I 
 loved Flora Mi idlet n lon: hefore he had ever seen her." 
 
 " Ver\ true; hut that s no ;_ hy he slx. ddu t love 
 
 her wlien he did see her, Clare:. 
 
 " But it is gO(,d reas: n why he should nt seek ] I,M- \\ith his 
 
 4 I reckon, Clarence. l -e don t much stand upon such a re.i 
 son. There s nothing hrotherly in love matters. Clarence ; ami 
 \ en ; f there, was, Ned I inw.iy is nlmut the last per.-.tn to 
 
 much count of it." 
 Hi- does he shall! Xay, on this point 1 have hi- 
 
 He tells me that he has not sought her he has m> 
 her for months." 
 And did Edward ( ly tell you ?<>, darn: 
 
 * ! did it WM almo>( his la>t assurai.uv 1 A hcn I lel r h L: " 
 
Tilt % J7 
 
 "Then In- tdl v .Me an abominable rie. 
 
 l\ | I60J her withi: ks." 
 
 "Ha! how know yoq ? 
 
 :n little Joe, the black>rnith, that was down by W 
 
 taken from the 1 ritish. Little Joe wont with him 
 Brier Turk, and saw h::;i and Miss Flora in the piazx 
 
 ..ui.g man clutched the butt of the pistol in his 
 with a convii! -MI relaxed it. He struck his 
 
 <ment, with bis ..pen palm, then strodt 
 . .-m, as if to conceal the emotion whicli he 
 could not B veiT .me. 
 
 11 W \claimed, returning 1 , "I bad a strai ge fear I 
 
 know hi.t why thru there ..etbing insincere in hi.- 
 
 :: Le it voluntarily we had not named her 
 
 there was a something in bis face wh. ; - v 
 
 tnui 1 tiid made n e doubtful of his truth. But he will ^o 
 
 If be will try the force of blood beyond its patience." 
 
 . in the >bape of licking that sich 
 1 fi lb \\ed out more of his crooks than 
 .en there was no var ; and he had all the 
 trick D then." 
 
 " Tl. -ly lie to me, and at such a moment! 
 
 ive him ! AVhen ! but b 
 
 grow foolish. , that I know /ihn and suspect him. He 
 
 .shall find that I 1< i e that he can not ,1. 
 
 .heat n:c with lovii.- lanjrua^ e ami a .Til ! 
 
 "All, He bum 
 
 juick you are to believ.- ; and when be puts on them I 
 looks, ami talks so many smooth w.-rds. and makes b l; 
 all humility, and 1. . \\bat he s done, and 
 
 williiii: be i and all ho wants is a little time 
 
 a man w.Mitrd tin t in ! I.""k jron, < 
 
 and what - more, I m your friend you k 
 I I" 1 than one man ever h>\vd am 
 
 and jest as well M -i natl as TVC read in 
 
 th. good boob ith all m\ h ve i ; n 
 
 it you r*.y longer with 
 
28 our. 
 
 his Mveef wirds an i sugar ; . I \\ cut loose from you with 
 
 a jerk that ll tear e\ .TV j int ?ut of iVo socket. I won t be the 
 friend of no urin *hat lets himself bo cheated. As for hating 
 NVd Conway, as you BOinetimefl say I do, there, I say, you re 
 clean mist;uken. I don t hate him I mistrust him. I ve trie) 
 mighty hard to love him, hut lie wouldn t let me. You know 
 how much I ve done to save him fiom Sutler s men ; but I saved 
 him on your account, not because, T thirk he desarves to be 
 \. I m dub ous that he. is a t :ry, and a rank tory too, if 
 t -.e truth was known, jest as they rh.-M-ge it upon him. 
 dub otlfl he ll jinc the British as soon as he can git a clnu 
 and I m more thnn dub ous, that, if you don t git bef..re him to 
 your mother s plantation, and run the niggers info the swamp 
 out of his reach, he ll not leave you the hair of one he ll have 
 em off to Charleston by some . f his fellows, and then to the 
 "West Injies, before you can say Jack Robinson, or what s 
 a most as easy, Jack Bannister. There s another person I think 
 you ought to see about, and that s Miss Flora. Either you love 
 her. or you don t love her. Now, if you love her, up and at 
 her, at once, with all your teeth sot, as if you had said it with 
 an oath ; for though I know this ain t no time to be a-wiving ana 
 a-conrting, yet, when the varmints is a-prowling about the poul 
 try-yard, it s no more than sense to look after the speckled pullet. 
 Take a fool s wisdom for once, and have an eye to both eenda 
 of the road. Go over to the plantation, and when you re thar , 
 you can steal a chance to cross over to Middleton s. It s my 
 notion you ll find Ned Conway at one place or t other." 
 
 "I ll think of it," said Clarence, in subdued tones; mean 
 time, do you take the canoe back to the island and bring liiir. 
 out. The horses are in readiness?" 
 
 " Yes, behind the hill. I 11 bring him out if you say so, 
 Clarence; but it s not too late to think better of it. lie s safe, 
 for all parties, where he is." 
 
 " No, no, Jack ; I ve promised him. I ll keep my pr- 
 Let him go. I fear that he has deceived me. I fear that ho 
 will still deceive me. Still 1 will save him from his enemies, 
 and suppress my own suspicions. It will be only the worse for 
 him if he does me wrong hereafter." 
 
Ill K. 
 
 t Urence. if IK- turns out to he a lory, what Ml our men say 
 
 u harbored liiin /" 
 
 y perhaps, that I am no better." 
 
 . no! they can t say that they sha n t say it, when 
 nigh enough to hoar, and to Fend his hammer 
 ii.t-- the long jaws that talk sich foolishness; hut they ll think 
 lighty strange, Clarence." 
 " I! anlly, Jack, when they recollect that he is my father* 
 
 "Ah, Lord, there s mighty few of us pit brothers in : 
 times in Carolina. A man s he.-t brother now-a-d.v. 
 thing he, fights with. His best friend is his rifle. You ma;. 
 
 jack-knife a fi;>t-omsin, and his two pistols his cV 
 and even then, there s no telling which of them all i 
 fail him first, or whetl.er any one among em will stick ly him 
 till the scratch is over. Edward Conway, to my th n. 
 
 6I1C6, was never a brother of your n, if brother* has any 
 ming of friend in it." 
 
 u^-li, enonirh, Jack. Leave, mo now, and biinu r him 
 i. I will do what I promised, whatever may be my d- 
 il guide him on his way, and with this night s work acquit 
 f all ol. libations to him. When we next meet, it shall 
 u-h terms as shall for ever clear up the 
 i between 08. Away, now ! it will be dark ii. two hours, 
 and we have little time to waste. The >torm which threaten* 
 04 vill be favorable to his flight." 
 
SO TllK SCOUT. 
 
 C H A P n E R III. 
 
 THK RETROSl I-VT TMK Frc 
 
 TKK dialogue between the two friends, which has ji. 
 given, will convoy to the mind of the reader ><! . 
 8it.intii.il .jf ihe parties, UV have DO! aimed to 
 
 manner of thi* dialogue, pn 
 
 -hould speak entirely for l! .- 
 
 this plaee, however, hat, thron?: ; ".v 
 
 counsellor, whose Inkiest character and ^aim frici. QSti- 
 
 tuted his perfect claim to speak unre.-cruV.ly to his superior, 
 
 ,ycd a closed deterniiiiatioii not to he satisfied with the 
 disposition which the latter had resolved to make of one whom 
 he. was pleaded to consider ill some sort a prisoner. On the 
 other hand, the. younger of the two, whom we have known by 
 the name of Clarence Conway, and who held a colon, 
 maud over one of those roving bodies of win- militia, which 
 were to he, found at this period in every district of the state 
 though resolute to release his l.r.-ther from the. Imnorabh- 
 in which circumstances had placed him .still seemed 
 the necessity by which he was pr. < this pi- 
 
 There were V&rioua f.--!in-s contending for mastery in 1 
 While he did not believe in the charges of political :. 
 by which his half-brother was stigmatized, lie waa dug 
 
 but satisfied that his purpo- politically honest or honor- 
 
 } 4 ble. Kcjnally dubious with his companion on the subject of 
 Kdward OoDWay i principles.be \vasyet not j.repared t.. believe 
 in the imputation which had been cast upon his performances, 
 lie suspected him, not of lighting for the enemy, but of the 
 meaner and less daring employment, ul ^peculating in :hc 
 necessities of the country ; and, in some way or other, oi craitdy 
 availing himself of its miseries and want*, to reali/.e that wealth, 
 the passion for which constituted, he well knew, a leading and 
 greedy appeti 1 * in the thai his kinsman. 
 
THI: H ,ITI\ 
 
 h him an only child 
 tlion an infant t: i a lir>t marriage with a lailv of i 
 
 iii il in lirinirin^ it into t!:e \\mld. eful 
 
 g manner : ied intelligence of ihi.^ -ruth- 
 
 man, gained him the favor of a voting la ! y of tin- < . \vho 
 
 son, our he: >r\\ to this \\\. 
 
 <anl .y ojn-iicd UJI..11 tin 1 li^ht. who. 
 
 . which he caught in conscij-iii-ni-f ot 
 tnion^ tlir .-waiiij-s of the lo\v i-miutry. 
 infant, Clan-nri . lu canic the i avDriti; of his ^raiulpai 
 
 : :nally adopted. lh- thus lu-c-anie the heir of 
 : a vastne>s and value infinitely heyond i 
 which, hy thi . tnre, QCCessarilj acrrned t 
 
 Bdwanl C Uiway to ! the ai-tual jo- 
 
 . \vay 
 
 i.iin earl\ ><>\\ after her hu>hami 
 
 which had d ;Viun 
 
 -vay did not 1 
 
 tc left him liy liis father. lie fortunate 
 
 11 it, and realixe i tlie 
 
 i lution l.ecame inevitalde. With the con. . 
 : i>h, he almost di>.ijijieai ed from H 
 
 hut not until hiii: .er had alri .i into 
 
 unds which <!id not involve any re: . tliy 
 
 Mi>iin l-etv.een them \\ 
 aliv.iily h in the jircvii.i: 
 
 :mu- 
 CC Conway, t!. 
 
 ; hut littl. Qt 1 lie 
 
 rrturn of th- ff circumstances i.t n 
 
 under impntati inu* 
 
 Mik and ]>assiona:< 
 
 ! it which 
 
 | 
 
32 Tin: . 
 
 own ability to follow, a:id to watcn tin- object of his suspicion^ 
 was very limited at this period. His movements were governed 
 by his military position, liy prudence, and certain other relations 
 of a more private nature, whrih shall he considered as we pro 
 ceed. 
 
 With no such restraints ?j there, and once more safe from thr 
 dangers which had compelled him to seek shelter at the h.M;d.- 
 of his brother in the swamp, the future conduct of Edward 
 Conway filled the mind of Clarence with many apprehensions, 
 the more strongly felt, since his falsehood, in a particular re- 
 i, had been revealed by his companion. Theiv was, as the 
 latter had phrased it, a weak or tender spot in the bosom of 
 Clarence Conway, which led him to apprehend everything of 
 evil, should Kdward prove false to certain pledges which he had 
 voluntarily made, and proceed to a dishonorable use of his 
 liberty. But it was a point of honor with him not to recede 
 from his own pledges; nor to forbear, because of a revival of 
 jld suspicions, the performances to which they had bound him 
 Vet, in the brief hour that followed the departure of Jack Ban 
 nister, how much would his young commander have given, could 
 lie have taken his counsel could he have kept, as a prisonei 
 that person whose passions he well knew, and whose dissimula 
 tion he feared. He thus nearly argued himself into the convic- 
 i rm not a difficult one at that period that it was b s public 
 duty to arrest and arraign, as a criminal to his country, the per 
 son against whom the proofs were so strikingly presumptive. 
 
 !! (! rd upon this subject, it seemed to astonish even 
 himself, the degree of criminality which he was now willing t< 
 attach to his kinsman s conduct. II<-w was it that he had be 
 some so generally suspected? HI>\V easy, if he were able, to 
 prove his fidelity ? Why was he absent from the field ? Where 
 
 iad he been? Though proof was wanting to show that he had 
 oeen active in the British cause, yet none was necessary to show 
 that he had been wholly inactive ior the American. Mere than 
 once, in the interval which followed from the. fn>t futile attempts 
 to the final and BT J ihe enemy, 
 
 h;< ! Clarence sought him, to stimulate .ism, and urge him 
 
 r> the field All their conferences ,vcro devoted to this obj--t 
 
38 
 
 tv r \ ,c in tlio controvr 
 
 wiiici! i:.. tiling 1 , lt tlie punty of 1 :i>m and 
 
 uld have justified tV::i the lipr! :>f a 
 
 Hut his exhoi: .incuts 
 
 in barren places Ti ere were no iVu:t> Kdwanl 
 
 lived with no Mnall d* :;rt to conceal his n al scnti- 
 
 hrii tin- ly of t!u jifople were only 
 
 --lad to . 
 Subsequently, when tl. : "lis liad falh-ii, til. 
 
 ; to cnahlc him to < n-n- 
 
 f i-Mininittal to cither. How - done hy I 
 
 . or in \vhat manner Clarence Con- loss 
 
 to understand. 
 
 be M.tr proceeded, and the inva.- nui of the colony I 
 
 nts of the conflict, tin :s of the 
 
 country, the :. { rapid flight, from point to p. tint, of all 
 
 .ihnent, ser\ed to prevent the frc-, 
 of the kinsmen; and circtin. to which w.- 
 
 : political 
 
 !"ii of the i-l-ler l-i- ither, contributed to take fn.in such 
 what little gratification they inij^ht havr 
 
 "\Vhenevcr they -Hd meet, the . vnce 
 
 to lind out the mode f life which the 
 
 : jmrsuc-il, but simply to assure himself t !. I and 
 
 :a!>Ir. T j.-ct all }. . 
 
 but ; ill coinprlh . , iitcnt v. :. ,-r;,l but 
 
 8 asMira; ther, that it was BO, Still there waa 
 
 liarp.1 which Kdward ( 
 
 ion of that duty to hi \ , which, U 
 
 withheld without di>l. 
 
 ihood < i r the fuh-lity of the eiti/.en. Clare;. ding 
 
 to treachery this inactioi. 
 
 r cause, lie knew thai I . . 
 
 km.-w th. ^esscd of 
 Lo know that a ! 
 
 ills character Ti. uisc, and cou- 
 
84 THK scour. 
 
 stantly engaged in some business, Edward Ci.nway did lot nun 
 self seek to deny. AY hat that bu.- - however, neithei 
 
 tlu- prayers nor the exhortations of Clarence and liis friends 
 could persuade him to declare ; while tin- discovery of a cir 
 cumstance, l.y tlie latter which led him to apprehend tl;< 
 tcrference of the former in another field tlian that of war. con 
 tributed still farther to estrange them from each other E 
 n>w has been sai ? to render the future narrative eaaj "f 
 prehension. 
 
 While, with vexing and bitter thoughts, Clarence Conway 
 awaited the progress of his companion, with the fugitive whom 
 he had given into his charge, Supple Jack (for that was the 
 nom tie gucne conferred by his comrades upon the worthy wood 
 man, in compliment to certain (pialitics of muscle which made 
 his feats sometimes remarkable) penetrated into the iv. 
 the swamp, with a degree of diligence which by no n 
 betokened his own disposition of mind in regard to the particu 
 lar business upon which he went. I Jut Supple Jack was superioi 
 to all that sullenness which goes frowardly to tire task, because 
 it happens to disapprove it. As a friend, lie counselled without 
 fear; as a soldier, he obeyed without reluctance. 
 
 He soon reached the little island on the edge of the Wateree 
 river, where Clarence Conway had concealed his kinsman from 
 the hot hunt which had pursued him to the neighborhood. 
 suddenly and silently did he send his canoe forward, that hci 
 prow struck the roots of the tree, at wi itivf 
 
 reclined, before he was conscious of her approach. 
 
 The latter started hastily to his feet, and the suspicion.- 
 
 - : ;ipple Jack was by no means le.-.-ened, when he beheld 
 him thrust into his bosom a paper upon which he had evidently 
 been writing. 
 
 To the passing spectator Edward Conway might have seeme;! 
 to resemble his half-brother. They were not unlike in 
 inspects in height, in muscle, and in si/e. The air of Clan 
 
 . have, been more lofty; but that of Edward was p<pial!\ 
 firm. But the close, observer would have concurred with the 
 woodman, that thev Wfore, as kinsman, utterly unlike in al;. 
 
 othe.i re.-pccf. Tlu "f ( laiv.icp Conway wa 
 
bt 
 
 id open, lik.- tha: .,f an tUld 
 . :unl I- . . 
 
 in his glance ami movement : 
 . while 1,, . the sent re prol.,; 
 
 permit as imifh premeditation :\ .thh-. 
 
 -mile ha .1 in it a something sinister, which tailed to invite 
 
 the uiil- .11 n( 
 
 ft mind At 6180 of p.r.d-hmnor "fa heart showing its clrai 
 depths to the glances of the sun. It \va> rather the 
 Ituv of the em-haKter, \ :ile. 
 
 ;ch only did our woodman 
 
 f Kihvard (\.n\vay. B 
 
 leil up at his approach the liearly ofTer of the hand 
 \\ith little a; v/annth on the part of th. 
 
 ;nc-e of the iV l:out fear. 
 
 with a cold reserve; his hand was quickly withdrawn from the 
 :ch which grasped it ; and the words with whir! 
 : and answered th 
 
 uch only. itive 
 
 I idt the CfddneSfl with which he was en- 
 ;. Without > ti ended, h<> made it tl. 
 
 remark. 
 
 ll.i- Jack, 1 n Friends old frir ,uld not 
 
 iner: M a fa>hioii. Wherefo.. r,,ld / !) 
 
 n that we were 1 
 
 .Jark playmatai i "i- BO many happ\ 
 
 :i"! 1 hain t : anything, Kdwar-i .that 
 
 tO ivmemher ;" ivplied ihr ITOOdlDJ 
 
 ;lly the reproach of his coii)paiii..n. " Hut we ain t ; 
 and pl.iymat, .ward Cmiway. \V- 
 
 
 
 us that know with whom , 
 without line: 
 h." 
 " 1 .lack ; hu- 
 
 fricn.hs. \\ r 
 one another." 
 
86 THE SCOUT. 
 
 This was said with an eager insinuating manner, and the hand 
 
 : y was a second time extended to take that of the other 
 
 But, without regarding the movement, Supple Jack replied with 
 
 a Hunt resoluteness of demeanor, which would most effectually 
 
 rebuffed any less flexible spirit : 
 
 " I reckon we a n t, Edward Conway, and it s of no use to 
 bent about the bush to find out what to say. Times change and 
 we change, and it s onnatural to expect to keep the same face 
 in all weathers. I know there s a mighty great change in ir.e, 
 and I m thinking there s the same sort of change going on in 
 a inost everybody. I used to be a quiet peaceable sort of per 
 son, that wouldn t hurt a kitten ; and now I m wolfish more than 
 once a week, and mighty apt to do mischief when I feel so. I 
 used to believe that whatever a pair of smooth lips said to me 
 was true, and now I suspicions every smooth speaker I meet, as 
 if he wor no better than a snake in the grass. Tain t in my 
 natur to keep the same face and feclin s, always, any more than 
 the weather, and I tell you plainly I m quite another sort cf 
 person from the boy that used to play with you, and Clarence 
 Conway, long time ago." 
 
 " Ah, Jack, but you h.iv n * changed to him you are the 
 same friend to Clarence Conwa/ as ever." 
 
 "Yes, bless God for all his marcies, that made me love the 
 boy when he was a boy, and kept the same heart in me after lie 
 came to be a man. I a n t ashamed to say that I love Clarence 
 the same as ever, since he never once, in all my dealings with 
 him, hoy and man, ever gin me reason to distrust him. lie s 
 mighty like an oak in two ways he s got the heart of one, and 
 there s no more bend in him than in an oak." 
 
 The cheek of the fugitive was flushed as ho listened to this 
 , Ic and earnest language. lie was indiscreet enough to press 
 the, matter farthei 
 
 "Hut why should you distrust me, Jack Bannister? Y<m 
 have known me quite as long as you have known Clarence, we 
 have played as much together " 
 
 " Ay !" exclaimed the other abruptly, and with a startling en 
 
 v. " But we hav n t fou t together, and bled together, and 
 
 "lo.pt together and starved together Kdward CJomvav 
 
THK -Tin: rrcrnvK. 37 
 
 hav : i-ly MS laivnce t<> COmi vour country 
 
 . ved in liis company, and run, ami fou t, and 1 . 
 
 iiiin in a- :i tin* fir I 
 
 run. and : the la>t to frel afraid, and to h<>w 
 
 that lie was hungry. Km- nine months we. had hnt one hlanket 
 
 hetween us ami that was halt Limit up from sleeping too d 
 
 ;> tin- allies one odd night last ( Miristmas. It s sich things that 
 
 friemK from the heginning, and it s sich things that 
 
 us friends till now. 1 MT to remem- 
 
 and me war never iViends, Edward (. niway, even 
 
 war playmates; and the reason was I always mis- 
 
 u. I> n t think I mean to hurt yOUT teclin^s hy ti l- 
 
 y>u tin 1 trnih. You re a BOH .f ] ii-Mi--r. you see, and it 
 
 won! ,:eel for me t BRJ anything that mouirht 
 
 ad I ax pardon if I dors; hut a- I tell you, I mis- 
 
 . and I can t help telling you that 
 
 I in: i to thr Oend. V..u ha n t -nt the sort o* wav> I 
 
 like, ami \\hen t ; r s no use to strain one s natur 
 
 to make a liking Kenrern frclings that don t seem to tit. ! .- 
 
 i hev a had standing in the country. The.-e im 
 J>utl- :i you hy an- tluM name, and it looks m : _ 
 
 Mi-picious wh< :. -ider that none of the wliigs have 
 
 .tnvthing t >ay in y>ur hrhalf." 
 
 "Onethii tain, John Bannister," replied the fugitive* 
 
 - -ur ancient hluni: 
 ^ ind afl plainly as evc i-." 
 
 " I r-M k ii its alv. " \va- thi- 
 
 :h"i;uli you d" me inji;-.t!cr. and you, 
 Merons. It is unfortunate fur me that, !" little 
 
 time l-uig<-r I must suhmit to he distrusted. The time will C 
 
 P, and II . . \\ hen y^u u ill . . 
 
 ith dmilit or Mi-jiiri-.n." 
 
 WeD, 1 j tO y. Ur n in that matter; hnt, till that 
 
 linn- : r.vard Coiiv.-ay. I nioiight a^ will s 
 
 ym that ,,/ t lit-nds. and I don t think it ill make u- 
 
 M ev. :: ! ;. why 
 
 I know that yu re no triend to ( larrncc, for all he s dom 1 
 r or you." 
 
88 THF 
 
 "Ha, Barmiste. hmv what know von?" 
 
 "Enough to make me say what I m >aying. Now, you heat 
 me, jest once, f>r the lirst and last timo that \ may ever have .-. 
 chance rt letting you see my mind. I know enough to know 
 that you ve heen a-wi>rking agin Clarence, ami 1 suspicions you 
 ha n t done working agin him. Now. tliis is to let you onder- 
 stand that Jack I>;mni>ter has nara an eye in his head thai 
 don t watch tor his i riend and agin his enemy: and I ttdl yon 
 all in good uatur , and without meaning anv malice, that, \\hat- 
 ever harm you do to him. that same harm I ll douhle and trehle 
 upon you, though 1 wait and watch, out in the worst weather, 
 and Avalk on bloody stumps, to do it. I suspicions voii, Kdward 
 Conway, and 1 gi\e you fair warning. I ll he at your lied.-, 
 like a dog that never harks to let the world know which wav 
 he s running." 
 
 A lair warning enough, Banni>ter," replied the fugitive with 
 recovered composure, and a moderate show of dignity. "To 
 :it your language, at this time, would he almost as i ooli>h as 
 to endeavor to prove that your suspicions of me arc groundless. 
 1 shall not leel mys;-lf less maidy or less innocent hy forhearing 
 to do either." 
 
 " Well, that s jest as you tliink propel, Kdward Comvay ; I 
 must ax your pardon agin lor saving rough tiling^ to a man that s 
 a sort of j.risoner. hut I m thinking it s always the cleanest play 
 to speak the truth when you re forced to it. You ve heen talk 
 ing at iii" HCC the time I helped Clarence to git vou into 
 the swamp, as it I had heen >ome old friend of your n ; and it 
 went airin mr to stand <jniet and hear you all the lime, and not 
 set vim right on that matter. Now. a> the thing s dune, with 
 your leave we ll say no more ahout it. My orders from the 
 colonel war to carrv you out of the suamp; M> you ll make 
 ready as soon as you can, for there s precious little of daylight 
 left for a mighty dark sort (({ navigation. 
 
 " And where is he where, do you take me /" demanded tin 
 fugitive. 
 
 " Well, it s not in mv orders to let you know any more tlia- 
 I ve, told you : only I mav say you don t go out exactly whe 
 you came in." 
 
-aid \\iili thai air of r:t which ampi 
 
 iman that his l.lunt freedoms 1, : ,,1 1,,.,. M s.-iinbly t . it. !!. 
 
 united only it the dfetrosl \\hi.-h .-; of the fugitive seemed 
 
 to i ! the liauirlitin- manner :,|.j. -an ,1 
 
 . n in the : [< ,n. 
 
 !." Iu- inuttcn-d lialf aloud aa In- j-i- 
 
 .!.! that he should 
 dd like him the lit-it.-r if lit- \\.mld 
 
 hr<. :iid hack all his -ly (Inin-x at the inu/. 
 
 1. Hut I have no ]atiVnv u iih anything that looks lik.- 
 
 .iniirli to he dcd-inu: \\-\\\\ an enemy. li-.:t to dodire \\lnn a 
 friend s Inikin. 
 
 a ^ hite man. :ur\ ami don t sham. a black 
 
 but well, you re ready. Mr. Kduard . .JeM tal &1 in 
 
 the bottom, and keep stiddy. It < a tiekli^h sort of navigation v. 
 B Q8 t and OUT dug-OUt an 1 mu<-h more heavier th; : : 
 ibuh. She ll .swim i : Idy. but i bdul 
 
 vim tor it. Stiddv, 
 
 dy all riirht ! " \\a> the calm, low response of tl. 
 
 <! throii-li tl,,. ia-iine. 
 
iO THE SCOUT. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THi: KIN.SMKN. 
 
 TIIK boat, under tlie adroit management of Supple .l 
 ?oon readied tlie shore where Clarence Comvay awaited them. 
 Standing side by side, there was little ohvious difference het \veen 
 the persons of the kinsmen. They were both equally tali. 
 strongly made and symmetrical each had the. same rener;:l 
 cast of countenance the hair was not unlike; the complex!. >. 
 of Edward was darker than that of Clarence. The difference 
 between them, physically, if not so obvious, was yet singularly 
 marked and substantial. There was that in the expression of 
 their several laces, which, to the. nice physiognomical critic, did 
 not inaptly illustrate the vital differences in the two charar 
 as they will be found to display themselves in the. progress of 
 this narrative. The forehead and chin of the former were much 
 smaller than those of the younger. The cheek-bones wore 
 higher; the lips, which in Clarence. Tonway were usually com 
 pressed, giving an air of decision to his mouth which approached 
 severity, were, in the case of Edward, parted into smiles, which 
 were only too readily and too easily evoked, not, sometimes, t< 
 awaken doubts of their sincerity in the mind of the, spectator. 
 S-.me well-defined lines about the upper lip and corners of the 
 mouth, which Minified cares and anxieties, ten led still more to 
 make doubtful the prompt smile of the wearer. The dillereiice 
 of live years for that period of time lay between their several 
 ages had added a few wrinkles to the cheeks and brow of the 
 elder, which nowhere appeared upon the f-ice of the jrom 
 A conscience free from reproach, h .d probably saved him from 
 tokens which arc quite as frequently the proofs of an ill-ordered 
 life as of age and stifle; ing. Some other leading ditVerences be 
 tween the two might be traced out by a close observer, and not 
 the least prominent of these exhibited itself at the moment of 
 
Tin: KINSMEN. 41 
 
 the ; . in tlu> OVCr-nctcd and extn-im 
 
 ;itive kinsman. His .sweet soft tones .if con 
 
 ciliatiou, his .studied gentleness -f accent, and the extreme hu 
 mility of ;re all appeared in large contrast with the 
 -iniple, unaffected demeanor of the younger. The feelin. 
 Clarence were all too e,iii;e>t f<>r mannerism of ,".nv sort; and 
 motioning .lack r>anni>!er aside, ]:e met his half-hiother with ail 
 
 : ill of direct pnrpo.se, and a keenly-awakened COnsciotl 
 of tl. ,d>ts renewed in his mind upon that mvstery which 
 
 ; like a \\ all hetween them. 
 
 It was ditlicul: ! ,\ ai d ( ..nw;iy was approach- 
 
 l.im, \fbetbcr surn .-,- or aii^er predominated 111 his counte- 
 Blll :he tace of the fugitive, heained with smiles, and 
 hi.- hand- ttded. i he hand remained untaken, hou, 
 
 and the i-ye .f the elder hr.it her shrunk from the encounter with 
 the .searching ! Clarence. A slight suflusion passed 
 
 heek, and there \\ a> a tremor in his voice as he spoke, 
 itnral to the resentment which he inu.st have 
 felt, hut which h<: >howed im pdsitinn to declare. 
 
 hi to me, Clarence . What now shotdd awaken your 
 
 disj- . haved nobly in this bud] uot 
 
 send i. m in an:. 
 
 " 1 have hehaved ,,idy as a l.rother, Edward ( <nw,iy. Would 
 you could feel like one! You have again deceived i. 
 ITU, accusin.ir answer. 
 
 y, and the eye of the speaker 
 
 ! iVoni t! ..- of his kinsman, and his lips 
 
 ^hitene.. : h-iw, Clarence how ha\ | 
 
 re<l me, ,n your honor, that you had 
 Middleton since my last conference wit!: 
 I n.w know that you have been a: ; 
 
 ks." 
 
 c-unnin- .nne to the relief of 
 
 the accused, and Kduard ( .in- !! himself of one of 
 
 which none hut the mean spirit IB ever 
 will;; 
 
 " \ en !::; i iareiice ; l>ut I diil not \/ ( A i1!-; in goini; there 
 
42 TMK SCOTT. 
 
 T happened to l>t in the neighborhood at nightfall, and saw 110 
 good reason for avoiding a go.,d supper and a comfnrtahle bed. 
 which I knew the, hospitalities <>f Brier Park would always 
 atTord me. I d ul L r <> there that is true saw Flora and all 
 the family hut it is nevertheless equally true, that in going 
 1 did not si ch her." 
 
 " But you withheld the fact of your being there, Kdward 
 Cnjiwav, and left the impression on my mind that you had not 
 seen her." 
 
 "I did not seek to convey such an impression, Clarence; i 
 simply spoke to the point, ami spoke with literal exactitude." 
 
 " You have a legal proficiency in language," was the sarcastic 
 
 .neiit. "But for this I should probably have heard the 
 
 whole truth. AVhat g.>od reason was there why you should be 
 
 so partial in your revelations. AVhy did you not tell me all?" 
 
 " To answer you frankly, Clarence," replied the other, with 
 the air of a man unbuttoning his bosom to the examination of 
 the world " I found you jealous and suspicious on this subject 
 in just the mood to convert the least important circumstance 
 into a cause of doubt and dissatisfaction ; and, therefore, 1 with 
 held from you a fact which, however innocent in itself, and un 
 worthy of consideration, I was yet well aware, in your mood of 
 mind, would assume an importance and character which justly it 
 could not merit. Besides, Clarence, there were so many sub 
 jects of far more interest to ///// mind, of which we had no 
 speech, that I did not care to dwell upon the matter longer than 
 was neces.-ary. You forget, Clarence, that 1 had not seen you 
 for months before this meeting." 
 
 The suspicions of the, younger were in no respect disarmed 01 
 lessened by this explanation. Kdward Cunway had somewhat 
 overshot his mark when he spoke BO -light ingly "I a subject t" 
 which Clarence attached so high an importance. The l.iller 
 could not believe in the indiil erence which the other expressed 
 in reference t" one so dear to himself as Flora Middlcton; and, 
 in due decree as he felt the probability that so much merit as 1m 
 eisteemed that maiden to . fail to awaken the 
 
 tender passion in all who beheld her, BO was he now inclined to 
 c"iifiider the declaration of hia kinsman as an hypocrisy equally 
 
48 
 
 !lv, th.it l.c .should uei- 
 
 her deeeixr his judgment inn hi> watchfuhi 
 
 while he himself forbore reproa \\hich. indeed, 
 
 nt. would have seemed ungenerous ami u: 
 . ould endeavor to maintain a surrcillurr ; ;s rival b 
 
 incuts, which would at -uch oi his machinations 
 
 otherwise teni to l.eguilo from himself the aiV.-ctioiu 
 
 loved ohject. T!.. van! Con 
 
 natural change of the subject, of whicli Clarence 
 ju u-kly availed himself. 
 
 remind me. Edward Conway, that, thougli we, have 
 spoken ot various and inte:e^tin^ subjects, you have ffa( yet 
 
 i me the iiii oitiiation which I sought, on any. The 
 mo.st impiirtant to hoth of u>. lvi\vard Conway to our fat! 
 family, to the name \ve hear, ami the position we should equally 
 .in, as well to the past a* to the future, in t; our 
 
 country is that of your present puhlic course. On that E 
 jert you have, told me nothing, of your position in thi- . 
 tlict 1 know nothing; and what little reaches my ears from the 
 painfully unfiM.rahle. Nav, nion-, K-iwanl 
 A ay. I am constrained to think. : d 1 Hty it in hitte: 
 and >adne.ss, that what you have said, in ivp u-nt 
 
 D this point, intended 
 
 rath- e than to answer my demands. 1 can i 
 
 : the conviction that you 1 
 
 with as careful a suppression of the whole truth, as this 
 "he: re me the assurance \\illi regard to Fl-ira Mi- 
 
 ton." 
 
 A IIOAVJ el -. i cUurkened, thn:. men! onl\-. I 
 
 " riierc are son. prejudu . : me in vmr 
 
 mind. Clarence, or it w-.uhl n t he ditlicult ! 
 
 h"\\ 1 ] natural!;. j which should 
 
 nil yet i -d in no which would 
 
 cither hurt my own. or the h 
 
 1 bill 1 do DO( deilj - K-l\\ard, ! it may 
 
 <cem ih..t Rti !i m cief*. ->hon! iiehl from an only hn V 
 
 :h Vou l.a\ 
 
44 TIIK SCOUT. 
 
 prudence you have never found oa Hut 1 do 
 
 not ask for any of your secrets. I slu.uld sn.rn myself for evei 
 did I feel a single desire to know tliat which you have any good 
 reason to withhold from inc. It is only that I may defend you 
 from injustice from slander from the suspicions of the true 
 and the worthy that I would lie. fortified by a just know!. 
 of your objects and pursuits. Surely, there can be no good ica 
 son to withhold this knowledge, if what you do is sanctioned l.\ 
 propriety and the cause for which we are, all in arms." 
 
 "It is sanctioned by the cause for which we are in arms," re 
 plied the other, hastily. "Have I not assured you that I am no 
 traitor that my fidelity to my country is not less pure and per 
 fect than your own ? The slanderer will defame and the credu 
 lous will believe, let us labor as \ve may. 1 take no heed of 
 these 1 waste no thought, on such profitless matters ; and you, 
 Clarence, will save yourself much pain, and me much annoying 
 conjecture, if you will resolve to scorn their consideration with 
 myself, and cast them from your mind. Give them no concern. 
 Believe me to be strangely and awkwardly placed; but no* 
 criminal not wilfully and perversely bent on evil. Is not 
 this enough? What more shall I say i Would you have me 
 your elder brother bearing the same name with yourself de 
 clare to you, in words, that I am not the black-hearted, blood 
 thirsty, reckless monster, which these wide-mouthed creatures, 
 these blind mouths and b)!ter enemies, proclaim me?" 
 
 " But why are these men of Butler your enemies ? They are 
 not the enemies of your country." 
 
 " I know not that," said the other hastily. 
 
 "Your doubt does them gross injustice," replied Clarencu 
 Conway, with increased earnestness; "thev are known men 
 tried and true and whatever may be. their and vio 
 
 lence, these are owing entirely to the monstrous provocation 
 they have received. How can it be, Kdward, that you have 
 roused these men to such a degree of hostility again>t yourself? 
 They bear to yon no ordinary bate they speak <>f you in no 
 ordinary language of denunciation " 
 
 "My dear Clarence," said the other, "you seem to forget all 
 the while, that they never spoke of me at all certainly not by 
 
con. 
 
 THK KIN -:; \ 
 
 name. They know me not they have Ul 
 founded me with another. Even if 1 irere fod< 
 
 whom they hate, to answer your <jue>tions would be DO 
 <". well mi-ht I undertake to .how why 
 
 -rinu- and injustice in the world, as why there a: . and 
 
 These are plants that will grow, like joi: 
 
 nd work at them as you m 
 
 " 1* > s iieverthele.- Kdward," v, . 
 
 mu.sin- answer of the still un~ 
 how any >ef of men should make such a inista 
 
 " Tl: * thin- of all is. that my own brother should 
 
 think it BO. Why ,!. ,uld you?" 
 
 -M.uld I n,. t / 
 
 Wheivf,, iv . You can not believe that 1 am, indeed, what 
 they alle-e me to be the chief of the Black R -that 
 
 dreaded monster half-man, half-dra-on u ], days ;l, r lin . n 
 su allows the children, and ilies oil with the datiuek Ha! h/i 
 na! Jteally, Clarence, 1 am afraid you are as credul 
 twenty-live as you were at : 
 
 " It i.s not tktU 1 beh, If i , 
 
 i.ame .,f my father, which you bear, had not Bayed 
 But, why, a-ain, aiv you suspected . Suspicion folio, 
 tions that are not doubtful it doj 
 
 ^htforward it haunts no character, the co; . i,i c di 
 
 has 1 een direct and uiMMjuivocal I My unhappinrss is tha: 
 have made your>.-lf liable to be confounded with the crii. 
 because you have not been seen with the innocent. N 
 not \\itli OB, and the natural preMtmptioii is that you are with 
 
 our enemi 
 
 " J >li"iil.l not care much for t! .Kble of the>,- eOU 
 
 it that you should echo their slanders 
 YOU should join in the h: 
 
 hi- ,11 with the air of mortified j 
 
 ^0 supposed the natural emotion of every honor.. . as- 
 
 by the doubts of friend or kin- 
 
 "I d,, not all I demand that confidence which 
 
 would enalde me to silence 
 
 "Afl Well attempt to .sileiic,- the 
 
4<> THE SCOTT. 
 
 be idle; ;iii !, if made, where should u e hr^in Wli;it suspirior 
 
 inu>r 1 ! r-t dissipate . Whose poisonous hreath must I lirst en 
 
 Tin.-, story of the 1 ilack Riders, fur example do you 
 
 really 1 arence, in tin- alleged existence of this ban- 
 
 I do! I can not believe otherwi.-e." 
 
 Impossible ! 1 iloulu t wholly. These dastardly fellows 
 ot 1 Sutler have fancied half the terrors they descrihe. Their 
 I .ed their foes, and I make no (jnestion they 
 have slandered as civil a set of em ever had a pi. 
 
 sitni.il sanction f r throat-cutting, Really, Clarence, the very 
 extrava^ano re yon from hcliel ; and 
 
 1 must say, if you do believe, that a little nioie of the 1 n.therly 
 1 ve \vhirh yon jn-,.fe.s;. should keep yon lVmi snj.jiosin_u r me t. 
 !: tl ii Mii they .u ivf .-urh horriil traits in 
 
 the tdiief of this lihu-k handitti. My vi-ry ajijiearaiu-e in 
 our VMith, Claiei, . red not very much unlike your own 
 
 should save me, iV.Mii the^e suspicious. See! my >kin is 
 rather fair than dark; and as for the mass of hair which is said 
 to dec- rate the chin, and the Mark shock which surrounds the 
 
 of tin- I onnidaMe. outlaw none who looks at my vi 
 will fancy that K.-au c<.uld ever claim me fur his kinsman. l\iy 
 vanity, indeed, is (piite, as much touched as my honor, ("laience, 
 
 uld suffer such cruel mirepresentib- 
 
 And ; eoiu-luded this rhapsody, h Menly 
 
 wainlereil from th.it of the person he addressed, ami rested upon 
 
 l-elt which encircled II IN own hody a l.elt of plain hlack 
 
 .-(1 l.y an ordinary iron huckle. painted of the same 
 
 r, and freshly varnished. An uneasy upward -lance, at this 
 
 untered that of his kinsman, wl had evi- 
 
 . . . own, to the examination uf the sann- ohjrct. 
 
 d that the moral cliasin 
 
 ti liad alwavs cxi>led hetween their M>uK. had yawned \\idei 
 ad farth.-r than before. There was a mutual in-: 
 
 no mutual sympathy. Tin- di>i|uiet of the one 
 
 ami the doubts of the other, were reawakened ; and though nei 
 
 th umlcr.-tood the gad sen diillcnlties of fnrthei 
 
rai v. 47 
 
 them, Ai; tin . \ o, at - : 
 
 tin- liicli it iliil not h"\vcver relitve <>f ,-u: . gain 
 
 ful | n hieh the 
 
 . The impatience <.f tin- worthy woodman 
 l.n-u^lit him suilicient! . 
 !er kinsman. 
 
 luntly, "iflon^ talking can mak, 
 
 d ar, then it ml Con way, (hat the- 
 
 .lily belie. 1 y..n. What yu s ~k:u 
 
 .iplexion, and all that. Xaterally, yu lia n t 
 no p. . and your .shock, as it stands, \v..uld:. 
 
 
 
 ln-lp natur in sich a matter. I 
 of liviii men, and liviii 
 in the sculps .f .lead j 
 
 . when, naterally tlu-y liad nn. 
 the same th 
 
 hearn sjti-ak f th> -aid that ti 
 
 al that t! .-iiid the 1 
 
 and . ii;^ t the c..mj, ; ,i;;. 
 
 <>i ten . the time you may reniei; 
 
 Min }"U ; fnm th. s of 
 
 1 thai L6 ground, \shen, what 
 
 should I ha]i|irn t<> see in the ln>ad track hut 
 fli- n- -:ljs the sctilp i or the head ;uid the M -nlj t -r the 
 
 cliin, and an..thrr sculp that d 
 
 -ut the mouth, though it must 
 ha i -icklin- .f the 
 
 8CC, if I knows anxthln^ of human 
 .! tlie up; 
 
 in all tl.- 
 
 a little : 
 
 Mr. ! 
 
 t find it so hard to l,dieve that a fair-skinned man : 
 
 a lilnrk sculp and a mighty dark compl. atli 
 
 he the 
 think, ): 
 but n.s .sure as a gun. i 
 
48 THE SCOUT. 
 
 see em, on the broad path down t> tin- AYateree; and I reckon 
 that s a strong sarcumstance, by itself, to make me think they 
 H r as made for something, and for somebody to wear. Hut that s 
 only my notion. 1 reckon it - Mough, in sich time 
 
 the^e, for every man to find a different way of thinking when 
 he likes to." 
 
 The articles described by the woodman were drawn from his 
 bosom as he spoke, and displayed before the kinsmen. Tho 
 eyes of Clarence, now doubly sharpened by suspicion, 
 L-eemed disposed to pierce into the very soul cf Edward Conway 
 Hi-, however, withstood the analysis with all the calm fortitude 
 of a martyr, lie examined the several articles with the man 
 ner of one to whom they were entirely new and strange; and 
 when he had done, quietly remarked to the deliberate wood 
 man, that he had certainly produced sufficient evidence to satisfy 
 him, if indeed he were not satisfied before, " that a man, disposed 
 to adopt a plan of concealment and disguise, could rcudily find, 
 or make, the materials to do so." 
 
 " But this, Clarence," said he, turning to his kinsman, " this 
 has nothing to do with what I was saying of myself. It does 
 not impair the assurance which I made you " 
 
 Clarence Conway, who had been closely examining the arti 
 cles, without heeding his brother, demanded of the woodman 
 why he had not shown them to him In , 
 
 " Well, colonel, you see 1 didn t find them ontil the second 
 day after the chase, when you sent me up, to scout along the 
 hills." 
 
 " Enough ! Bring up the horses." 
 
 " Both ?" asked the woodman, with some anxiety. 
 
 " Yes ! I will ride a little way with my brother." 
 
 The horses were brought in a few moments from the 
 of a gorge which ran between the hills at the. foot of which the) 
 
 stood. The promptness of the woodman s movementa pre. 
 
 ed mucli conversation, meanwhile, between the kinsmen .- 
 did either of them appear to desiiv it. The SOU] of Glatt 
 
 full of a new source of disquiet and dread ; while the ap 
 prehensions of Edward Conway, if entirely of another sort, 
 yet too active to permit of adv speech. As the ki:;& 
 
1HK KIN-MI V 49 
 
 in.*!, to mount. Supple Jack i OH) 
 
 iiis superior aside. 
 
 Well, what s the matter now /" demanded ( Man-in-*- impatient 
 !y. "Speak Ojiiiekly, Jack the storm IB at hand the r. 
 already falling." 
 
 " Yes, and tliaf s another reason for your taking to the swamp 
 ag in. In three hours the hills will tell a story of every 
 :hat your horse i* taking" 
 " Well, what of th 
 
 " Why, matter enough, if the tories are on the look out for 
 Inch I m dul. (.us is p:vtty much the case. I didn t al- 
 her like the signs I fell in with on the last scout, and 
 1-e that Edward I -ur. 1 . ay is one of these Black Riders, the: 
 good reason to believe they ll he looking after him in the place 
 where they lost him." 
 
 "Pshaw, no more of this," said the other angrily. 
 " Well, Clarence, you may pshaw it to me as much as j 
 
 -e, only I m mighty sartain, in your secret heart, you don t 
 pshaw 1 it to yourself. It s a strange- busino 1 it s 
 
 dde in me, to think so seeing what I 1. 
 and knowing what I know. NOW that Butler s i 
 
 in thick as grasshoppers in all 
 
 this country ; and it s my notion, if you will go. th. mid 
 
 a .-harp eye in your head, and let your dogs hark at the 
 
 danger I m duh oiis you re running a mi 
 risk on this side of the Wateree. There s no telling 
 where. Marion is jist at this time; and there s a rumor that 
 on the road to jino Rawdon. So | \ 
 
 leave ( amden, and call in h 
 
 Si\ and Augusta; and if so, thi- ry pa/it f the country 
 
 where there s the l>e>t i-han- :ing him and all - 
 
 [wouldn t riile far, Clarence ; and I d ride fast; and 1 
 hack llesb could bring me. Sorrel is in full 
 
 blood now, and he ll show the ch-aue^t heels in li 
 the civillest axing of the spur." 
 
 " You are getting as timi-:. i 
 the youth kindly, and wkh an en ort at 
 not successful. "A ming upon \ 
 
60 THE SCOUT. 
 
 the campaign is over, you ll be expecting to be counted among 
 the non-combatants. Don t apprehend for me, Jack; I will 
 return before. midnight. Keep uj) your scout, and get a stoutei 
 heart at work you couldn t have a bet: 
 
 " That s to say, Clarry, that I m a durn d good-natered fool 
 for my pains. I onderstands you " 
 
 f riie rot was lost to the ears of Clarence Cornvay, in the r >h 
 >f his own and the steed of his companion. 
 
 The worthy scout, however, continued the speech even aftei 
 the departure of all hearers. 
 
 "But, fool or not, I ll look after you, as many a fool before 
 has looked after a wiser man, and been in time to save him 
 when lie couldn t save himself. As for you, Ned Conway," he 
 continued in brief soliloquy, ami with a lifted linger, "you may 
 draw vour skairts over the eyes of Clarence, but it ll take thicker 
 skairts than yourn to blind .Jack Hannister. Yon couldn t do it 
 altogether when we war boys together, and I m a thinking 
 "t ll be a mighty onbeeoming thing to me, now that I m a man, 
 !f I should let you be any more successful. Well, here we 
 stand. The thing s to be done; the game s to be played out; 
 and the stakes, Ned Conway, must be my head agin youm. 
 I he grime s a fair one enough, and the head desarves to lose it, 
 that can t keep its place on the shoulders where God put it." 
 
 With this conclusive philosophy, the scout tightened his belt 
 about his waist, threw up his rifle, the- flint, and priming of 
 which he carefully examined, then, disappeared for a brief space 
 among the stunted hushes that grew beside the swamp thicket. 
 H. .-merged soon after, leading a stout Cherokee pony, which 
 had been contentedly ruminating among the cane-tops. Mount 
 ing this animal, which was active and sure-footed, he set i\ ir. 
 i smart canter upon the track pursued by his late companions, 
 just as the rainstorm, which had been for some time threatening 
 began to discharge the. hoarded torrents of several weeks 
 the parched and thirsting earth. 
 
THE 51 
 
 CIIA I TKK V. 
 TIIK HLACK KIIU:K> m-- 
 
 VVlill.i: the kinsmen won aboul 
 
 X .V .i,l. there were otlicr j 
 
 nil . : w miles distant. ; 
 
 down, on the .same road, toward th I f the 
 
 r skulking woodman may havr seen, toward nightfall, a n 
 
 p nl lmr>. MUin- 
 
 \HT. winding slowly down the narr-- 
 car/ , sutlic-itMit to make, them nliji-t 
 
 picioii, even it tii , rcn- 
 
 ,dl tiling- . ie unwonted . 
 
 ily strange and ealrnlatrd to inspire apprehension. 1 
 
 ; in complete l.laek each cai i;. 
 
 Is, and all the u-nal npiipniciits "f the well-mounted dra 
 goon. Tin- ! ip which Inn. 
 
 upon the Irow ; tl the sa>h all we 1 hy 
 
 the same .1:! . - irions ii; 
 
 and color, iinpaii-i-d t! : this otherwi-e ^enc-ral uniform 
 
 ity. Silently they kept upon their way, lik 
 80Ili< ! hand of the olden tin, 
 
 to reoccnjty, at rertaii, ; . . 
 
 they fought and snfiered. Their dark, hi-. 
 
 dimini-h the . 
 
 f their ap] : ! 
 
 chin, in : 
 which aro w 
 
 uriant a!>o\r th- : d, it wou . 
 
 cultivated ; for no 
 
 to trim and curl the pan, p.-. 
 
 iansantl MM- The imperial tu:- 
 
r >- Tin-: SCOUT. 
 
 decorates BO appropriately tin , throat of tin-, turkey, seemed de- 
 il, ill the C086 -.1 each >f our sable riders, to emulate in 
 length and dimensions, if not in fitness, that of the same preten 
 tious bird. Some of these decorations were, doubtlessly, like 
 those which became the spoil of our worthy woodman in a pre 
 vious chapter, of artificial origin; but an equal number were 
 due to the bounteous indulgence of Dame Nature, herself. Of 
 the troop in question, and their aspects, something more might 
 be said. They had evidently, most of them, seen service in the 
 "imminent deadly breach." Ugly scars were conspicuous ou 
 sundry faces, in spite of the extensive foliage of beard, which 
 strove vainly to conceal them; and the practised ease of their 
 horsemanship, the veteran coolness which marked their deliber 
 ate and watchful movements, sufficiently declared the habitual 
 and well-appointed soldier. 
 
 Still, there was not so much of that air of military subordina 
 tion among them which denotes the regular service. They were 
 not what we call regulars men reduced to the conditions of 
 masses, and obeying, in mass, a single controlling will. They 
 seemed to be men, to whom something of discipline was relaxed 
 in consideration of other more valuable qualities of valor and 
 forward enterprise, for which they might be esteemed. Though 
 duly observant not to do anything which might yield advantage 
 to an enemy, prowling in the neighborhood, still, this caution 
 was not so much the result of respect for their leader, as the 
 natural consequence of their own experience, and the individual 
 conviction of each of what was due to the general safety. They 
 wen- not altogether silent as they rode, and when they addn 
 their superiors, then- was none of that nice and blind deference 
 upon which military etiquette, among all well-ordered bodies of 
 atively insists. The quip and crack were freely 
 -_ (.(! in the ribald jest was freely spoken; and, if the 
 ribald song remained unsung, it was simply because of a becom 
 ing i" 11 that its melodies might reach other ears than 
 their own. 
 
 Their leader, if he might be so considered, to whom they 
 turned for the small amount of guidance which they seemed to 
 need, was scarcely one of the most attractive among their num 
 
TIIK i:i.\ iLS OF COXJAKEE. 53 
 
 ber. II :, thick set, dark-looking person, v. 
 
 tern ami inflexible featr never li. 
 
 gleams of anger and iVnu-ity. II- 1 rode at their head, heard in 
 silence the most that was said l>y those immediately about him, 
 
 I if lie gave any reply, it was uttered usually in a cold, con 
 clusive monosyllable. His dark eye was turned as frequently 
 upward to the lowering skies as along the path he travelled. 
 B :;etimes he looked hack upon his troop and occasionally 
 halted at the lo>t of the hill till the last of his Land had app< 
 in sight His disposition to taciturnity was not otVen-ive 
 
 to wh<un he permitted a free u-e of that speech in which 
 ie did not himself indulge ; and, without heeding his phlegm, 
 free companions went on without any other restraint than 
 in their own sense of what was due to caution in an cu- 
 emy s country. 
 
 ie the leader, at moments, rode one who seemed to he 
 
 cthing of a favorite with him, and who did not scruple, at 
 
 all times to challenge the attention of his superior. He was 
 
 one perha: y y<.unge>t "f the party wh"sc <{uick, ac- 
 
 ft, and glih utterance, declared him to 
 
 belong t> tin- class of stihtler spirits who delight to manage the 
 more direct, plodding, and less ready of their race. It is not 
 improvable that he possessed some such influence over the per- 
 wlnnii we have briefly de.scrihod, <>f which the latter was 
 himself totally uncom <;: . Nothing in the deportment of the 
 
 Offer would have challenged a su>piciin of this sort. Though 
 he spoke freely and familiarly, yet his manner, if anything, 
 much i:. .-ft ful than that generally of his companions. 
 
 This man was evidently a close observer, as even his most rare- 
 remark- fully prove. 1 ; and the glances of disquiet which 
 the lea <; bout him, at moments, as \\>- lid not es 
 
 cape hll QOtice. rp"ii these he did not directly comment. H> 
 policy, of C <urse, did not puffer him -ly to blunder as to 
 
 assume that a lieutenant, or captain, of dragoons cmld be dis 
 quieted by any thing. When he sj.oke, th 
 
 his purpose was conn-el 01 Miggesti ii, be was careful that his 
 language should imt indicate bis real purpose. Wo take up the 
 dialogue between the parties at a moment, \\lu-n, pausing at tht 
 
54 TUB SCOUT. 
 
 bottom of one hill, and about to commence tho asce/it of anoth 
 er, the leader of the squad cast a long thoughtful glance sky- 
 wanl, and dubiously, but unconsciously, shook his head at the 
 survey. 
 
 " We are like to have the storm on our backs, lieutenant, be 
 fore we can get to a place of shelter; and I m thinking if we 
 don t look out for quarters before it comes down in real earnest. 
 there ll be small chance of our finding our way afterward. Tin 
 night will be here in two hours and a mighty dark one, it will 
 be, I m thinking." 
 
 The lieutenant again looked forward, and upward, and around 
 him, and a slight grunt, which was half a sigh, seemed to ac 
 knowledge the truth of the other s observations. 
 
 44 1 doubt," continued the first speaker, "if our drive to-day 
 will be any more lucky than before. I m afraid it s all over 
 with the captain." 
 
 Another grunt in the afiirmative ; and the subordinate pro 
 ceeded with something more of confidence. 
 
 "But there s no need that we should keep up the hunt in such 
 a storm as is coining on. Indeed, there s but little chance of 
 finding anybody abroad but ourselves in such weather. I m think 
 ing, lieutenant, that it wouldn t be a bad notion to turn our heads 
 and canter off to old Muggs s at once." 
 
 "Old Muggs ! why how far d ye think he s off?" 
 
 " Not three miles, as I reckon. We ve gone about seven froir 
 Tantey s, he s only eight to the right, and if we take a short cut 
 that lies s. tine where in this quarter I reckon I can find it soon 
 we ll be there in a short half hour." 
 
 " Well ! you re right we ll ride to Muggs s. There s no use 
 keeping up this cursed hunt and no fun in it." 
 
 " Yes, and A reckon we can soon make up our minds to get 
 another captain." 
 
 ,iirk of the lips, which accompanied this sentence, wa.- 
 intended to convey no unpleasant signification to the ears of hi* 
 superior 
 
 " How, Darcy how is it have you sounded them ? What 
 do they say now ?" demanded the latter with sudden earnest 
 MM 
 
TUK BLACK B ,::KK. 66 
 
 Well. lieutenant, . 
 as we ; is- notion." 
 
 D think so? Some of them have I liking for 
 
 M .rt..n." 
 
 " Yes, hut not many, and they can he cured of that." 
 
 Knough, tlien, till we get to Muggs s. Thru we can talk i f 
 
 : . Hut heware of what you say to him. Muggs is no f: 
 of mine, you know." 
 
 Nor is he likely to he, so long as he wears that 
 
 in token that your hand is as heavy a> your temper is pas- 
 -. He remembers that hlow ! 
 
 " It isn t that, alt- replied the other; "hut the truth 
 
 . .nglish are no favorites here, even among the most 
 . >f this people. There s a leaning to their own folks, that 
 hem the preference when we oppose them; and 
 Muggs has never heen .slow to >how us tiiat he has no love 
 fr any king s man aCTOM the water. I only wonder, 
 knowing their dislikes as I do, that there s a single loyalist in 
 .y. These fellows that ride hehind us, morcile- 
 ret bhown them>elve> in a conflict with the iv 
 
 ! them who, in a pitched hattle between 
 one of us and one of them, wouldn t lie more apt to hall- 
 him than for us. Nothing, indeed, has secured them t- 
 
 le but the foolish violence of the rid. els, which wouldn t 
 suffer the thing to work its own way ; and began tarring and 
 .: at the beginning of the sijuabble. Had 
 they left it to time, there wouldn t have been one old M 
 
 t, Catharine s. We shouldn t 1 
 
 such a troop as that which foli \v<>uld I, thi-> 
 
 I lieutenant of dragoons, after a leader, who " 
 " Whom we shall not find in a hurry, and whom we n<> } ; 
 need," said the >nl>..nlinat . c"i lt -luding tl 
 other had partly MI; 
 
 " Policy ! ; atenant. " J hat 
 
 :->r refusing me the commission, ;, 
 it upon Mor.on. i i : 
 
 M| and mu>t ha\e it !: . he ran 
 
 >o it, if it be as we | laid b\ t 
 
56 Tin-: SCOUT. 
 
 even as a prisoner, he is dead to us. The rebels will novel 
 suffer him to live if they have taken him." 
 
 "No, indeed," replied the other; "he hasn t the first chance. 
 And that tlicyhare taken him, there is little doubt on my mind." 
 
 " Nor on mine. What follows if the men agree ?" 
 
 " What should follow ? The friends of Morton can say noth 
 ing. The command naturally falls into your hands without a 
 word said." 
 
 " I m not so sure of that, either. There s some of them that 
 don t care much about Morton, yet don t like me." 
 
 "Perhaps! But, what of that? The number s not many, 
 and we can put them down, it it conies to any open opposition. 
 But we ll see to that this very night, when we get to Mug^ -." 
 
 "For Muggs s, then, with all the speed we may. Take the 
 lead, yourself, Darcy, and see after this short cut. You know 
 the country better than I. We must use spur, if we would es 
 cape the storm. These drops are growing bigger, and tailing 
 faster, every moment. Go ahead, while I hurry the fellows for 
 ward at a canter ; and even that will barely enable us to save 
 our distance." 
 
 " It matters little for the wetting, lieutenant, when we remem 
 ber what s to follow it. Promotion that comes by water is not 
 by any means the worse, for the, wetting. The shine gets dim 
 upon the epaulettes ; but they are epaulettes, all the same. 
 There s the profit, lieutenant the profit !" 
 
 " Ay, the profit ! Yes, that will reconcile us to worse weather 
 than this ; but" 
 
 The sentence was left unfinished, while the subordinate rode 
 ahead and out of hearing.- The lieutenant signalled his men, as 
 they slowly wound down the hill, to quicken pace ; and while 
 IK- watched their movements, his secret thoughts had vented in 
 a low soliloquy. 
 
 " True ! the event will reconcile us to the weather. The 
 prixu is precious. Power is always precious. But here the 
 pri/e is something more than power; it is safety it is freedom. 
 If Morton is laid by the heels for ever, 1 am r-ai e. J escape my 
 danger my terror the presence which I hate and fear ! I 
 do not deceive myself, though I may blind these. Kdward 
 
mi: BLA< EC U&J ::KF. 67 
 
 Morton was one in shrunk to less than rny full 
 
 proportions. That single act that net of shame and 
 made mo h! II* alone, knows the guilt and the mean- 
 
 ness of t! nt of my life. God ! what would 1 
 
 not give to have that memory obliterated in him who did, and 
 him who hehehl, the deed of that moment. I feel my heart 
 tremble at his approach my muscles wither heneath his glance ; 
 and I, who fear not the foe. and shrink not from the danger, and 
 ill hrave brave to desperation I dare not lift 
 my e\ es to the encounter with those of another having limhs 
 and a per^>n neither stronger nor nohler than my own. He 
 down, and his lips i ;.r ever closed, and 1 am free. I can then 
 :lie in confidence, and look around me without dreading the 
 
 eye. But, even should he live should he 
 
 have escaped this danger why should I continue to draw my 
 breath in fear, when a >ingle stroke may make my safety cer 
 tain may ncl me of every doubt every apprehension/ It 
 must be . irard Morton, it is sworn. In your life my 
 
 shame lives, and while your lips have power of speech, I am no 
 moment safe from dishonor. Your doom is written, surely and 
 . if it be not already executed." 
 
 \\eiu only so many indistinct mutterings, inau 
 dible to IIIOM- who followed him. He commanded them to 
 ac.li, quickened their speed, and the whole troop, following 
 his example, set olf on a smart canter in the track which I > 
 had taken. Meanwhile, the storm, which before had only 
 threatened, began to pour down its torrents, and ere they 
 he promised .shelter at Muggs s a rude cabin of pine 
 . to which all direct approach was impossible, and which 
 but an initiate could have found, so closely was it buried 
 nmonir the dense groves that .skirted the river swamp, and may 
 Jiave formed a portion of its primitive domain. Here the ; 
 t" a full halt, but the object at which they aimed app. 
 to he le.-s their own than their hordes and equipment-. I 
 
 ducted into yet deepi-r rece>se>, where, in cl 
 and shrubbery, in which art had slight! ;. nature, 
 
 were BO bestowed as to suffer only -lightly from the storm. 
 The greater portion of tho troop t..,k shelter h\ *J e cabin of 
 
58 THE SCOUT. 
 
 Muggs, while a small squad still kept in motion arouiul the 
 neighborhood, heedless of the went her, and quite as watchful 
 
 from long hahit, ;is if totally unconscious of any annoyances. 
 
 The establishment of .Mnggs was one, in fact, belonging to 
 the party. The host himself was a retired trooper, whom a 
 wound in the right arm had so disabled that amputation hecame 
 necessary. Useless to the troop in actual conflict, he was yet 
 not without his uses in the position which he held, and the new 
 duties he had undertaken, lie was a hhmt, fearless old soldier, 
 a native of the neighborhood, who, being maimed, was tolerated 
 l>v the w hi ITS as no longer capalde of harm ; and suffered to re 
 main in a region in which it was thought, even if disposed to do 
 mischief, his opportunities were too lew to make his doings <if 
 very serious importance, lie .Mild strong liquors, also did not 
 villanously dilute his leverages and, as he made no distinc 
 tion between his customers, and provided whigS and lories at the 
 same prices, theie u as no good reason to expel him from his 
 present position hy way of punishing him for a course of conduct 
 in which so heavy a penalty seemed already to have been at 
 tached. He was prudent enough though he did not withhold 
 his opinions to express them without warmth or venom ; and. 
 as it was well known to the patriots that, lie had never heen a 
 savage or blood-thirsty enemy, there waA a very general dispo 
 sition among them to grant him every indulgence. IVrh 
 however, all these reasons would have heen unavailing in his 
 behalf, at the sanguinary period of which we write, but for tin- 
 excellence of his liquors, and the certainly of his supply. Hi* 
 relations with the British enabled him always to provide himsi-lf 
 
 :iailest< u, and every public convoy replenished his private 
 
 It should he also understood that none, of the wings, at 
 
 an\ moment, suspected the worthy landlord of a previous or 
 
 nt connection with a band so odious as that of the Black 
 Riders. The appearance of the-e despei only a -ignal 
 
 tO MaggS to take additional precautions. As we have already 
 d, a portion of the hand was sent out to patrol the sur 
 rounding country; and the number thus despatched, on the 
 
 nt occasion, was, hy the earnest entreaty of the host, made 
 twice as large as the lieutenant thought there was any occasion 
 
r.i.u K KIIM:; B 58 
 
 for. Hut tin* former . uith eharacten-tic stuhhornne8. 
 
 ami with a decree of sullenness in his manner which w 
 
 ;:su:il custom. 
 
 " I in not ovrr-pl -a.-ed to sec you hero at nil. this time, 
 lieutenant, though I reckon you V,- tor 
 
 ..irp stir amoui; tlic rehels all alonj 
 
 Wateree, and down on the Santee. tin-re s no telling you how 
 far. A> tor t .it s a->warm tliar , in sjiitc of all Hill 
 
 lin-ham ran do, and he s twice as spry as ever. li 
 only two day- a-o. has l.een that creeping critter. Supple .lack ; 
 that conic in. as I may my shoulder, like the old Satan 
 
 him- : A 1 - 1 did think it was the old Satan, till he laughed 
 at i; and then 1 know d him hy his lan-h. Now. it s 
 
 cheat Supplr .Fack. and he knows all ahont j 
 !! > uillin.^ to hotViend me. thon-h lie jrii: 
 
 fair warninir, la-t time he was here, that 1 wa> suspicionrd tor 
 lo\-Jn U you too well. NOW, sulit my ced;u->. men. IV- 
 
 n to love you yon know that and I m 
 
 ihinkinL . for your sake and mine huth, the MHUHT you draw spur 
 
 for the mountains, the smoother will he the skin you keep. I 
 
 : want to see, the ii ( L r ly lace of QHC (rf }"ii I m- a month of 
 
 >uinl, 
 
 " Whv. Mii-u -- old M __ -- gel M cd in the very he- 
 
 pnninj: of tin- BeaflOnj SOW*! this. what > COB 
 
 niand of half a do/en. 
 
 " 1 . :IM!, when I know that hem; 
 
 - very mail that s keeping had company. Such raj.-calli ns 
 u. if you eon BD, would Weak uj. the he>t nr;. 
 
 jam Vfai in: .i^rh. and MI old 
 
 T awakened no more smile on his lips than npoi 
 
 Uen in M :- . He oontimied to 
 
 bOT them with half playful ahu-e. mingled \\ith : 
 well intended n-p \\hile pro\ idin^-, with true landlord 
 
 tor thei: 1 demandf mm 
 
 put iii fre.juent n-ipiisition a choice supply of h-j. 
 pro.i: i a hiiX heneatli ti .ml was 
 
 LCD up into little group* that htuiil. 
 
60 Tin: SCOUT. 
 
 own fashion, in the several corners of the wigwam. The rain 
 meanwhile beat upon, and, in some places, through the roof 
 the rush of the wind, the weight of the torrent, and the general 
 darkness of the scene, led naturally to a considerable relaxation 
 even of that small degree of- discipline which usually existed 
 among the troop. Deep draughts were swallowed ; loud talking 
 ensued, frequent oaths, and occasionally a sharp dispute, quali 
 fied by an equally sharp snatch of a song from an opposite quar 
 ter, proved all parties to be at case, and each busy to his own 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The lieutenant of the troop, whom we have just seen acting in 
 command, was perhaps the least satisfied of any of the party. 
 Not that he had less in possession, but that he had more in 
 hope. He suffered the jibe and the song to pass ; the oath 
 roused him not, nor did he seem to hear the thousand and one 
 petty disputes that gave excitement to the scene. He seemed 
 disposed and this may have been ji part of his policy to 
 release his men from all the restraints, few though they were, 
 which belonged to his command. B*t his policy was incom 
 plete. It was not enough that he should confer licentious privi 
 leges upon his followers to secure their sympathies, he .should 
 have made himself one of them. He should have given himself 
 
 portion of that, license which he had accorded to them. I ni 
 lie was too much of the Englishman for that. He could not di 
 vest himself of that haughty bearing which was so habitual in 
 the carriage of the Englishman in all his dealings with the p,o- 
 vincial, and which, we suspect, was, though undeclared, one of 
 the most active influences to provoke the high-spirited people of 
 the south to that violent severing of their connection with the 
 mother-country, which was scarcely so necessary in their case 
 as in that of the northern colonies. 
 
 Our lieutenant whose name was Stockton it is true, 
 made sundi\ , but not very successful efforts, to blend himself 
 with his comrades. He shared their draughts, he sometimes 
 yielded his ears where the dialogue seemed earnest sometimes 
 he spoke, and his words were Miiliciently indulgent; but ho 
 lacked utterly that ease of carriage, that simplicity of manner, 
 which alone could prove that his condescension was not the re~ 
 
THK Hi. \ 
 
 B\i\t of effort, and aizain-t tin- desires <>f his mini. I. 
 
 y, was more supple as lie was IIMHV subtle, lit was not 
 deficient in those arts which, amoni: the ignorant, will ah- 
 Kecuiv the low. lie drank with them, as it he could not well 
 have drunk without them threw himself among their i 
 as if he could not have disposed his limhs easily anywhere 
 and did for his superior what the latter could never have 
 !. : mself. II-- Brated sufficiently on the mind 
 re a faction in his favor, and tlr. iiencd. h 
 
 himself of the moment when the Jamaica had pr<> . 
 tin of its p broach njieidy tli 1 Mihjcct whir!, 
 
 hitli- "nly discus.-ed in priv, 
 
 thfl entreaties, the arguments, or the promises made by 
 Kn- v to persuade the troop into his way of tliii.l. 
 
 we -hall say nothing. It will he suih cient for ,.ur purpose that 
 we show the condition of things at this particular juncture, < 
 siderable pr<>invss had now heen made with the subject. It had, 
 in fact, become the one subject of discus-ion. The per-on whom 
 it more immediately concerned, had, prudently, if not mud. 
 withdrawn himself from the apartment, thou-h in d,,; 
 
 i himself to th the pi 
 
 The various groups hail mingled th. 
 
 The diiVerent smaller topics which before excited them, had 
 fore the magnitude of this, and each : 
 
 1 importance as i 
 in the creation of | :iu. 
 
 So far, Darcy had no reason to ! with h 
 
 formances. Assisted by the Jamaica, his ar- i.ad sunk 
 
 deeji into their souls. One after another ha- . -.vert 
 
 ;o his views, and he was just about to flatter himself with the 
 conviction that he should soo;, the uuaiii: 
 
 shout which should d<vlare the MMU.!. 
 
 \\hen another party, who before had laid n >t . MOW 
 
 joined in the . after a man;.. .is no 
 
 lew important M :adh.vd. 
 
 "Counting sculps 
 
 di-.-kens you was brou-ht - II 
 
 for making a new cappin. afore you know irl 
 
62 THK SCOUT. 
 
 old You reckon Nod Morton s dead, do you 7 I reckon he f 
 alive and kicking. I don t say so, mind me. I wouldn t swoaj 
 fiicli a thing on Scripture hook, but I m so nigh sure of it, that 
 I d he willing to swear never agin to touch a drop of the stuff 
 
 0, he is not alive." 
 "But, Muggs if he s alive, where is he?" 
 
 Gog s wounds ! that s easier asked than answered ; hut if 
 ye go to count for dead every chap that s missing, I d have to 
 go in mourning mighty often for the whole troop of you, my 
 chickens. It s more reasonaltle that he s alive jist hecauso we 
 don t hear of him. We d ha hearn of him soon enough if the 
 Is had a got him. AYo d ha MM-U his hide upon a drum 
 head, and his own head upon a stump, and there wouldn t ha 
 hern a dark corner on the Wuteroe that wouldn t ha hern ring 
 ing with the uproar about it. 1 tell you, my lads, that day that 
 the death of Nod Morton, won t he a quiet day in these 
 parts. There ll he more of a storm in these woods than is gal 
 loping through em now. If you don t cry that day, the rebel* 
 will ; and let them lose what they may in the skrimmage, they ll 
 have a gain when they flatten him on his hack!" 
 
 "All, Muggs! 1 exclaimed Darcy, "I m afraid you let your 
 wishes hlind you to the, truth. J suppose you don t know that 
 
 ; the captain s horse, and he all bloody?" 
 
 "Don t I know, and don t I think, for that very reason too, 
 
 that he > safe and sound, and will soon he among you. You found 
 
 his horse, hut not him. The horse was hloody. Well! If the 
 
 blood had heen his, and vital hlood, don t you think you d ha 
 
 found the rider as well as the horse? But, perhaps, you didn t 
 
 stay long enough for the hunt. Folks say you all rode well 
 
 enough that day. But if the, cappin was mortal hurt and you 
 
 didn t find him, are you sure the. rehels did } I m a thinking, 
 
 hy no manlier of means. For, if they d ha got him, wlia. 
 
 llo-halloo wo. rshould have had. No, to my thinking, the 
 
 rappin lost the hoi>e a-purpo>o when he found he couldn t 
 
 the rehols. The whole troop of Butler was upon him. swearing 
 
 death agin him at every jump. Ho sure now, Ned Morton left 
 
 the critter to answer for him. and fuk to the swamp like a hrown 
 
 in September. I can t feel as if he was dead; and, if he 
 
Tin: i.1 
 
 was F.nsiirii I | ppin 
 
 out of any but one that COmi rth. I m fi-r country 
 
 bom, if a 
 
 " Well, MUJ-.:-, what objection d ! to the lieutenant? 
 
 Hi- - not try b rn, I tell y 
 
 " Hut lie - : in the cruntry 
 
 than Lieutenant Stockton." 
 
 "That in. nit he, anil then, airin, it moutn t. I m a-thinkim* 
 
 e fur 
 
 i-"ur eappir. if BO be that Ned Morton s slipped 
 
 in. I do: to-nijjht at this present hut 
 
 at him when I in, and you ll say thai n to 
 
 he a cappin. He s a drajr ^ui, im\v, amon^ a th-Misainl, and then, 
 
 i-MUiitry horn." 
 
 " Hut, Mii^-jrs, I don t see that yov.r arpi:. niui-h. 
 
 .viuerican 1 oin is a kind s man, and a Hriti.sh horn is the 
 
 j natural, wlu-n they re li^litin^r on the same ! 
 that lnrn should have rommand just tin- 
 
 American." 
 
 " I d !,;it it .s natural, and I don t helieve it. 1 
 
 a mighty dii;< n em to my think !/. Aj 
 
 . I m one that w; i let 
 
 lit it out . ! and l<-\ . 
 
 :and. It \vas a >mt of family (juarnd, and wouhl ha . 
 
 hadn t .lipped a l,,n^ >poon i dish. 
 
 01 we d ha licked them, and which 
 ve d all ha heen ([iiiet :e this. Hut 
 
 mine, with your Irishmen, and your Yagers. Jch- 
 
 ineii . the matt. 
 
 u t As 
 
 \v hai . N", hy the ]io\\er> [ } . 
 
 \vell enough to .say >,,. Hut when 
 
 iin 1 hearn, I can teli j 
 "\YrlU" iVom half a do/.en. M Let fhetrl The news ! The 
 
 " Well! I - not well not well i* 1 the 
 
 u re ^-oiM- fn.m t! 
 ick e is about to run ..1 
 
64 IHK sriUJT. 
 
 have it from bcrub Ilcriot little Scrub, you know that 
 they ve had secret council in CaimU n, and all s in a mist thai 
 
 the people half scared to death, for they say that thev can t 
 get bacon or beans, and Itawdon s going to vackyate, and 
 sw ars, if he has to do so, he ll make Camden sich a blaze that 
 it ll light his way .ill down to Charleston. I m a-lookin;. 
 
 for the burst every night. That s not all. Thar s as fresh a 
 gathering of the rebels along the Santee and J edee under 
 Marion, as il every i ellow you had ever killed had got his sculp 
 back agin, and was jest as ready to kick as ever. We!l, T . 
 Taylor s brushing like a little breexe about (Jranby, and who 
 but Sumtcr rides the road now from Ninety-Six to Augusta f 
 Who but he? Cunningham darsn t show his teeth along the 
 track for fear they ll lie drawed through the back of his head. 
 Well, if this is enough to make you feel M-arey, ain t it enough 
 to make Ned .Morton keep close and hold in his breath till he 
 find a clean country before him. Don t you think of makirir a 
 new cappiu till you re sartin wliM s come of the old; and if it s 
 all over with him. then 1 say look out for another man among 
 you that comes out of the nateral airth. Ben Williams for ne, 
 lads, before, any other." 
 
 "Hurrah for J5en Williams!" was the. maudlin cry of half a 
 dozen. The. lieutenant at this moment reappeared. His glance 
 was frowningly fixed upon the landlord, in a way to convince 
 Mugi> that he had not remained uninformed as to the particular 
 course which the latter had taken. But it was clearly not his 
 policy to show his anger in any more decided manner, and the 
 cudgels were taken up for him by Darcy, who, during the 
 various Lmg speeches of the landlord had contrived to maintain 
 a running lire among the men. lie plied punch and persuasion 
 
 stroii-- argument and strong drink with equal industry; 
 and the generous tendencies of the party began everywhe: 
 overflow. II" felt his increa.-ing strength, and proceeded to 
 carry the attack into the enemy s country. 
 
 "The truth is, Muggs, you have a grudge at the lieutenant 
 ever since you had that brush together. You can t so readily 
 forget that ugly mark on your muzzle." 
 
 "Look you, Ensign ]>arcy, there s something in what you 
 
IIS OP COXiJAKKK. 65 
 
 ,hat a leetle turns upon my stomach ; f 
 
 the truth. I have no more gi in Lieutenant Stockton 
 
 than I ha\c agin you. As lor the mark ymi speak of, I do 
 it did him no great credit to make such a mark on a one-armed 
 man; though I d ha paid him oil with a side-wipe that would 
 ha made him spectful enough to the one I had left, if so he 
 that Ben Williams hadn t put in to save him. That was the 
 only onfriendly thing that Ben ever done to me to my knowing. 
 I han t n> grudges, thank (Jod for all his , hut 
 
 that s no reason why J shouldn t say what 1 do Mfy, tl. 
 
 Morton s the man for my money ; and, though I can t have 
 much to say in the Business, seeing I ain t no longer of the 
 troop, yet if twas the last word I had to retickilate, I d cry it 
 for him. !! > to Ned Morton, boys, living or de 
 
 to Lieutenant Stockton, hoys, and may he soon 
 he captain of the Black Riders." 
 
 " Hurrah for Stockton ! Hurrah !" \\ \v almost unan 
 
 imous cry, and Stockton, advancing, was about to speak, when 
 the faint sounds of a whistle broke upon the night, impart: 
 
 accent to the melancholy soughing of the wind without. 
 note, again repeated, brought every trooper to his 
 cups were set down hastily i uckled on 
 
 Bed, and ; tmined. 
 
 was the command of Stockton, and hif 
 .ptitude, shown on this occasion, was perhaps (jui;,- 
 to justify the choice which the troop had been about to make 
 captain. " To horse, !" In- cried, leading the u. y M 
 the entrance, hut ere he reached it, the thrown 1 
 
 and the ambitious lieutenant recoiled in COnstenuti 
 counter. -d, in the face of the new-co: that 
 
 very man, supposed to be dea.l, whom he equally feared ;nid 
 
 .d whose post he was SO well disposed to Jill, 
 chief of the ! lack Riders stood suddcnl;. 
 and the shouts for the new commander in n in 
 
 which welcomed the old. Hut let u- retrace our 
 a few moments, and bring our rcade: iring 
 
 of the kinsmen. 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 FIRST KUUITS OF FREEDOM. 
 
 IT is not important to our narrative, in returning to the place 
 find iio.n and where we left the rival kinsmen, that we 
 
 i repeat the arguments which the younger employed in 
 .ade the other to a more opon and manly murse 
 
 :idiu-t in his political career. These arguments could he of 
 one character only. The style in which they were urged, how 
 ever, l.ecanie somewhat difVerent, after the final interview wluVh 
 they had in the presence of the sturdy woodman. The dis- 
 ulay which Supple Jack had made of the disguises which he 
 had found upon the very road over wliich Edward Conway had 
 lied, and ahout the very time when he had taken shelter in the 
 swamp from the pursuit of Uutier s men, would, to any mind 
 in. I aosolntely anxious not to helieve, have hee i conclusive of 
 his guilt. Kdward Conway i elt it to he so in his own case, and 
 readilv eonelnded that Clarence would esteem it so. The few 
 
 tions. thi rcfore, which time permitted him to make, were 
 neitln-r plea.-ant i:or satisfactory; and when he galloped oil 
 with his younger brother, he had hall a douht whether t!ie 1 
 did not meditate his sudden execution, B8 sou as they shouhl 
 In- fairly concealed from the sight of the woodman. lie knew 
 enough of the character of Clan-nee, to know that he would as 
 , destrov his own hrother lor treachery nay, sooner than 
 an open eneinv ; and the silence which he maintained, the Mi-rii, 
 .11 of his features, and the reckless speed at which 
 he Beeincfl n-^.K-eil to ride, c(ntrihuted in no small degree t< 
 increax- the ajiprdiensions of the guihy man. For a hrief 
 ; ready wit and prompt suhterfuge, which had enaUec! 
 him hitherto to play a various and very complicated gan, 
 life, with singular adroitness and su< :,:<<! ahout to fail 
 
67 
 
 He fell bli elasticity !. liis COni : hhn.-elf 
 
 
 . 
 
 in any conflict, unites from liis cm-;. -ad upon 
 
 that, in those |artisan who {utiirht tin ei 
 
 luit few calculations. A club, the : the roug 
 
 liinli of the lithe !. the mind 
 
 COHici iiis inoji he did not truly 
 
 ad the i that mind and those pri: 
 
 which bil 
 
 and acti\e W( -the child. . which 
 
 were working in i ; larcnc.- ( 
 
 At K-n-th the latter drew nj hi- 
 
 11, whi.-h hy this time had heo-ine an in- 
 ,:. had hitherto been ah: the par- 
 
 1 bi- ai. . and the aj)|i:v 
 
 thr, had n hem finally inseiisihle t.i I 
 
 . ut. 
 
 i!d tin- younger, M h-t I I here. 
 
 ! w..nld 
 I my father s son." 
 
 :!O\VIM! the example 
 
 of li i-, kinsman, ami tlu- two ali- hte.. , ; j, ,,f \.\\\.. 
 
 the . \\bii-b they found a partial pr.terti.. n ; 
 
 storm, wliirb was blowing from th.- did 
 
 cithi-r net d, at that moment, of shelter from i: 
 - 
 
 i then f.d!..v, d the partin- 
 which had faced. 
 
 1 < >iiway, D .,11 fultilled 
 
 ll m..re than was re.|iii:, 
 
 I 
 biot!.. 
 
 f it. (Ma. 
 
 " <)l : isbly, 1 
 
 . Hut 1 
 
 ^ a " : .. in all till 
 
68 THE SCOUT. 
 
 oM suspicion^. God knows ho\\ nuieh I have striven to set my 
 soul against these suspicions. (Jod only knows how much I 
 would give could 1 le smv that they were groundless. I daro 
 not for my lather s sake believe them I dare not for my own. 
 And this dread to believe, Edward Conway, is, I fear, the only 
 thing that has saved, and still saves yon, from my blow. But 
 for this, kinsman or no kinsman, your blood had been as freely 
 shed by these hands, as if its sluices were drawn from the least 
 known and basest puddle in existence." 
 
 " I am at your mercy, Clarence Conway. I have no weapons. 
 My anas are. folded. I have already spoken when I should 
 have been silent. I will say no more nothing, certainly, to 
 prevent your blow. Strike, if you will : if I can not convince 
 you that 1 am true, I can at least show you that I am fearless." 
 
 The wily kinsman knew well the easy mode to disarm his 
 brother to puzzle his judgment, if not to subdue his suspicions. 
 
 " 1 have no such purpose ! exclaimed Clarence, chokingly. 
 " "Would to heaven you would give me no occasion to advert to 
 the possibility that I ever should have. But hear me, Edward 
 Conway, ere we part. Do not deceive yourself do not fancy 
 that I am deceived by this show of boldness. It did not need 
 that you should assure me of your fearlessness. That I well 
 knew. It is not your courage, but your candor, of which I am 
 doubtful. The display of the one quality does not persuade mo 
 any the, more of your possession of the other. We arc now to 
 part. You are free from this moment. You are also safe. Our 
 men are no longer on the Wateree ; a few hours good riding 
 will bring you, most probably, within challenge of Watson s sen 
 tinels. If you arc the foe to your country, which they declare 
 you, he is your friend. That you do not seek safety in <>nr 
 ranks, I need no proof. But, ere we. part, let mo. repeat my 
 warnings. Believe me, Edward Conway, dear to me as my 
 father s son, spare mo, if you have it in your heart, the pain of 
 being your foe. Spare me the necessity of strife with you. If 
 ?t be that you are a loyalist, let us not meet. 1 implore it as 
 ihe last favor which I shall ever ask at your hands ; and I im 
 plore it with a full heart. Ymi know that we have not always 
 been friends. You know that there are circumstances, not in 
 
OH. 
 
 !* our principles, on which we have already quarrelled, ami 
 which arc ! a nature hut to,. well calculated to bring into activ 
 ity the wilde.-t a:igi r and tlie hate. Hut, howi 
 mud! been at strife however I may have fancied that 
 you have done me wrong still, believe me, when I tell you 
 that 1 havi ever, in my cooler moments, striven to think of, 
 and to serve y..u kindly. Henceforward our meeting must bo 
 on other terms. The cloud which hangs about your course 
 ;-piciou which stains yonr character in the minds of others 
 have at last atl ected mine. We meet, hereafter, only a* 
 . Your course must then be decided your prin 
 ciple- derlared your purpose known ; and then, Edward Con- 
 if it be as men declare, and as I dare not yet believe, that 
 you are that traitor to your country that you do lead that 
 
 mditti which has left the print of their horse 
 wherever they have trodden, in blood then must our meeting 
 ! only ; and then, as surely as I shall fe.-l all tin 
 L6 of such a connection in my soul, shall I seek, by a strife 
 without remiT.-e, to atone equally to my father ami to my coun 
 try for il id folly of his son. Fondly do I implore you 
 ;rd Conw.-iv, to .-pare me this trial. Let our parting at this 
 moment be linal, unless we arc to meet on terms more sat; 
 
 tO both." 
 
 The elder of the kinsmen, at this appeal, displayed more 
 emotion, real or affected, than he had shown at any time dr. 
 the interview, He - rode to and fro among 1 the tall trees, with 
 haii . . behind, . .own upon the earth, and brow- 
 
 contracted. A .single t|uiver might have been seen at inorm 
 
 ^ the muscles of his nmuth. Neither of them seemed to 
 
 heed the incr- -- ght of the tempest. It.-, r- ar was un- 
 
 heard its torrents fell without notice around and upon them. 
 
 ply f Kdward Conway ITU at length spoken. He ap- 
 
 i rother. He had subdued his emotions, whatever 
 
 t have been their ii is were few his utter- 
 
 ! and calm. H.- QZtended bll hand to Clan 
 ns- ho spoke. 
 
 " !.< 01 ; n t, Clarence. It doe-* not become me to make, fur 
 ther assurances. To reply, as I should, to what you have - 
 
70 THK SCOUT. 
 
 might ut , .;> to increase tin- \\idih ai;<l d-:pth of that 
 
 chasm which seem o lie between us. I can QOl I am 
 
 Mtufied with yimr tone, your temper, tin position which v<>u 
 assume, and the right which you claim to dh ami 
 
 counsel! and when y -.1 threaten! TJut enough! I.- 
 part before anything b-> ;;;iid " Inch slial! make you : u-git any 
 thing which you should r jrieinb.r, or me that I owe mv lif 
 your assistance. ^Vhat ic said is said- -let it In- forgotten. Let 
 us part." 
 
 "Ay, let us part: hut let it not be forgotten, Edward On 
 way r 
 
 " True, true ! Let it not he forgotten. It shall not be forgot 
 ten. It can not be. It would not be easy for me, Clarence, tu 
 forget anything which has taken place in the last ten days of 
 my life." 
 
 There was a latent signification in what was said by the speak 
 er to arouse new suspicions in the mind of the yonngi-r of the 
 kinsmen. He saw, or fancied that he saw, a gleam of ferocity 
 shine out from th<>. eyes of his brother, and his own inflammable 
 temper was about to Hare up am 
 
 " Do you threaten, Edward Conway 1 Am 1 to understana 
 you as speaking the language of defiance ?" 
 
 " Understand me, Clarence, as speaking nothing which should 
 not become a man and your brother." 
 
 The reply was equivocal. That it was s<>, was n 
 cient why Clarence Conway should hesitate, to urge a niattei 
 which might only terminate in bringing their (juarrel to a crisis. 
 
 " The sooner we separate the better," was his only a 
 " Here, Edward Conway, is one, of my pistols. You shall not 
 .-ay 1 sent you forth without weapons to defend you, into a fi-r 
 est field, possibly, with foes. The horse which you ride, is a 
 favorite. You have lost yours. Keep him till you an- provi- 
 (led. You can always find an opportunity to return him \, 
 you are prepared to do so; and should you not, it will make i 
 difference. Farewell: God be with you but remember! 
 remember ! 
 
 The youth grasped the now reluctant hand of the elder COQ- 
 way ; wrung it with a soldi. p a pressure in which miu 
 
<\i. 71 
 
 gled , .._ 
 
 thon, Bpri teed, In- dashed rapidly into the fur- 
 
 est and in ;i IV w moments was hidden fr>m si^ht in its th. 
 max 
 
 member, Yes, Clarence Conwajr, I will remember 
 
 Can I - 
 t-> counsel, to warn, and to threaten-- into my j 
 
 -to denounce tlieni wit:. 
 
 en them with vengeance. I will n to requite] I? 
 
 shall not he always ti: . will h e in my hand- 
 
 .nil I will j.lay it a . with all u]".n the 
 
 . Without p 
 ,,i- pity lesolved and ivrkle>s 1 will speed on to t; 
 
 :i of my . until my triumph is complete ! 1 i 
 
 I . I must accoi 
 
 And why, l oi> 1)( ,th / BecaU86 1 RIB 
 
 a he\vare ! 1 irere no son <>f my 
 
 father it I did not resent this insiden. 
 
 II- had extricated his hor>e from the COT6T which 
 
 ii nn \\hih (iving utterance to this . The i 
 
 .:id whinnied after 
 phi:- ,d of the hea>t s.,-me.l to irrita: 
 
 .-traint which he had foiim. 
 deci .: jiainli;!. ; which : 
 
 niinsna! and under their inilu- 
 
 ril with tlf :i.uul 
 
 I that hate whii h he lain would have heMoued np<>n hi 
 
 member!" he muttered, as he leaped upon ; 
 " I need no 61 this en- :. . v, ;i y. [ 
 
 ur l-iiiiiiii^ , and > 
 ; and forlu-ar the wcmian of my la-art in oliediem 
 
 ! auth..riry. \V, |] ftll , , \\Y |] j] . 
 And, as I 
 
 while he .slii..-k his t! ; hand in the direetimi which hi- 
 
 her had taken. Tumi:... 
 
 :,-d, though :, ; m j 
 
 | hich he now, fur ; : t .g a n to 
 
T2 THE SCOUT. 
 
 It may have been ti-n minutes after their separation, wheu 
 he heard a sound at a little, distance which aroused his flagging 
 attention. 
 
 " That whistle," said he to himself, " is very like our own 
 It may be ! They should be here, if my safety were of any 
 importance, and if that reptile Stockton would suffer them. That 
 fellow is a spy upon me, sworn doubly to my destruction, if he 
 can find the means. But let me find him tripping, and a shut 
 gives him prompt dismissal. Again ! it is ! they arc hen- 
 the scouts are around me, and doubtlessly the whole troop is at 
 Muggs s this moment. Then; he could do me no harm. .M 
 is sworn my friend against all enemies, and he i * true as any en 
 emy. Again, the signal ! They shall have an echo." 
 
 Speaking thus he replied in a sound similar to that which he 
 heard, and an immediate response, almost at his elbow, satisfied 
 him of the truth of his iirst impression. He drew up his stred. 
 repeated the whistle, and was now answered by the swift trend 
 of approaching horses. In a few moments, one, and then an 
 other appeared in sight, and the captain of the Black Ki 
 of Congaree on,ee more found himself surrounded by his men. 
 
 Their clamors, as soon as he was recognised, attested his pop 
 ularity among his troop. 
 
 "]Ia, Irby! Ha, Uurnet ! Is it you? and you, Gibbs 
 you Fisher: I Rejoice to see you. Your hands, my good fellows. 
 There ! There ! You are well all well." 
 
 The confused <jne.stions and congratulations, all together, of 
 the troopers, while they gave every pleasure to their chieftain, 
 as convincing him of their fidelity, rendered unnecessary any 
 attempt at answer or explanation. Nor did Kd\vard r<>nway 
 allow himself lime for this. His words, though friendly enough 
 were lew; and devoted, seemingly, to the simple business of 
 the troop. Captain Morton for such was the name by which 
 only he was known to them with the quickness of a govern 
 ing instinct, derived from a few brief comprehensive cjuesti 
 all that he desired to know in regard to their interests and posi 
 tion, lie ascertained where, the main body would be found, and 
 what had taken place during his absence; and proceeded ID 
 stantly to the reasstimption of his command over them. 
 
FII, ,\r. 
 
 ugh of tills, my good i 
 
 W w for uii!. You 
 
 have work on hand. Pmrnet, do \n\\ tak 
 
 and Fisher 1 n-h jroI honefl do-.vn for the AV v the 
 
 road running left of \ I >.> yMt know 
 
 tlu route / It 1, clay diggings of the old Dutchman 
 
 the brick-burner what s his name ?" 
 
 " I know it, sir " 
 
 . then. Take that r-;ul jtut the steel hit 
 
 i them forward. If yon ;LIV dil _ 
 
 take one of our \v.>rst rnfinie.-, r> friend of Butfer a nd>.d 
 han Colonel Coir.v.-iy. Puivue and catch him. You 
 .1 if you try for it. Take him pris 
 oner alive, if yon can. i parti-.-iilarly wi>!i tliat yon should 
 Irive him alive ; but, iviiu inU-r, take him at every ha/.ard. 
 
 dragoon lingered lor further or.. 
 " in taking him, bring him on t 
 
 !i his cabin, that there ni;> . 
 trpriflC no mistake. Soniethii, 
 
 aution ; s->, you will reineiii .er. Away, now, ami 
 
 Thrl. j.roiiijjt. In an ii. 
 
 I l .-.Miii;,: 
 
 . th- -i ;ltati n "now 
 
 >ncceed in taking 
 
 lli: " 1 will 
 
 will do him harm. 
 If they kill him well, it 
 which he vnlunt.Hly incur 
 
 I 
 1I- 
 
 may not be 
 
 with 
 
 In love ! !, what 
 
 I *iirn I t!. : J And . 
 
7-1 THI-: M . 
 
 but think; lic.r beauty, her pride of soul ay. e\en her arn>- 
 
 g-mce, I can think of with temper and with love. But his no, 
 
 lie has spoken too keenly to mv soul ; and when he for- 
 
 ;hat I should seek and sec //</-, lie forfeits every /hum. Let 
 
 hi in slay him, if they please; it can only come to this at 1 
 
 And, with these 1 words, striking with his open palm upon the 
 . -ck of his horse, he drove him forward to Muss s. His en- 
 rrance we have already seen, and the wonder it excited: the 
 wonder in all, the consternation in one. The troopers, with one 
 voice, cried out for their ancient captain ; and Stockton, con 
 founded and defeated, could only hoarsely mingle his congratu 
 lations with the rest, in accents more faltering, and, as the outlaw 
 captain well apprehended, with far less sincerity. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CAPTIVITY FIM>- ! .. 
 
 ElWAUI> MuKT<i\ bcstowol I J < i 1 Is H-jColld uiaCCT ()UL I 
 
 single glance, beneath which his eye fell and his soul became 
 trouMed. That glance was . ne t eijtial scorn and nuspici-:i. 
 It led the treacherous subordinate, with tbe natitr;.! trndr... 
 a guilty conscience, to ;!]-, hend that all his niaclii^:ati. n- 
 been discovered; tbat s >m- ci - e;ture >f his tni.^t !.ai j 1 
 trea: and that he M-d in the pi- 
 
 come with the full pnrp /nnc^ and of punishment 
 
 But, though M-i-m-e AS vet, in this respei t. Lieutenant S 
 ton was not eijually so in , Cicely nf less confront 
 
 He had neglected, even if h-r had :i-t l-i frayed, hi^ trust. 
 had kept aloof from the j lace. <.f dai.-rr, when his- tid \\ a re 
 quired, and left his ca; "< >\hieh 
 
 . ah eady intimated to the realer which nattiraH Y followed 
 
 a di. ;it and jiemliar ill" latter had 
 
 himself. E\en when his risk had heen takm, ai d the 
 
 daiigers incurred, Stockton hao cith"r .-b<,rne that search after 
 
i vii v 75 
 
 .-1 it a- to re- <;er his efiY>it> almost 
 
 Hut In- had undertaken the toil- of villany in vain, and with 
 out . JT of fruits, The return of h^ ^upe,- 
 
 hi- -rave, left him utterly di 
 ll . Brer torn ins hopes; and, to hi& 
 
 at hand. 
 
 Hi- . : .. not wholly without foundation. 
 
 goon EUdeil could relieve himself from 
 
 the "unteivd hi> safe r- 
 
 D to his troop. In- turned upon the lieutenant, and, with an 
 i .ist than prudent, declared \i\> disapprobation 
 of his c-ondnct. 
 
 I know not, Lieutenant E h.w yon pn.ji<i>e to satisfy 
 
 .don for your failure to bring your men to Dukr.- - 
 , ; hut 1 shall certainly report to him your Q6f 
 in sm-h 1. all speak my own opinion of it, IIOWCMT 
 
 it may inliuence his. The cm^ ;ir misconduct are 
 
 ::iputed. You involved me individually in an 
 mine . l,.-,t a hapjiy opportunity of str" 
 
 :y which has ; 
 stricken this caiuj .-ii^H. The whole troop of the rebel 1 utler 
 
 .;mihilated but f"r 
 
 liich is wholly nnaccountal :< . - 1 
 If had ] ttd waited 
 
 ,nin<; with e\ BfJ esnlt." 
 
 I . .id not 1-. . that there was any prospect of doing 
 
 lin- In-low here, and I heard of a convoy on the road to 
 
 ie " 
 
 n that will not answer, Lieutenant Stockton. Y .1: 
 under orden lor one duty, and jir-- 
 
 k the liberty ..f making I 
 
 : I little ill. 
 
 bow nigh you were to ruin. H kfl hour .-a\eii 
 
 in with all SiimterV MNBmand, and putting an end 
 to y-ui -In it-lived authority. t, sir, JOV 
 
 ambition-, ..and. foil bave yov Sjmissaiies among 
 
 the troop irging your litmus to lead them; as if Mich proo 8 
 
76 THE SCOUT. 
 
 were ever necessary to those who truly deserve them. Youi 
 emissaries, sir, little know our men. It is enough for them to 
 know that you left your leader in the hands of his enemies, at a 
 time when all his risks were incurred for their safety and your 
 own." 
 
 " I have no emissaries, sir, for any such purpose," replied the 
 subordinate, sulkily ; his temper evidently rising from the un 
 pleasant exposure which was making before those who had only 
 recently been so well tutored in his superior capacities. " You 
 do me injustice, sir you have a prejudice against inc. For " 
 
 " Prejudice, and against you /" was the scornful interruption 
 of the chief. " No more, sir ; I will not hear you farther. You 
 shall have the privilego-of being heard by those against whom 
 you can urge no such imputations. Your defence shall be 
 made before a court martial. Yield up your sword, sir, to Mr. 
 Barton." 
 
 The eye of the lieutenant, at this mortifying moment, caught 
 that of the maimed veteran Muggs ; and the exulting satisfac 
 tion which was expressed by the latter was too much for his 
 firmness. He drew the sword, but instead of tendering the hilt 
 to the junior officer who had been commanded to receive it, con 
 fronted him with the point, exclaiming desperately 
 
 " My life first ! I will not be disgraced before the men !" 
 
 "Your life, then!" was the fierce exclamation of Morton, 
 spoken with instant promptness, as he hurled the pistol with 
 which Clarence Con way had provided him, full in the face of 
 the insubordinate. At that same moment, the scarcely less 
 rapid movement of Muggs, enabled him to grasp the offender 
 about the body with his single arm. 
 
 The blow of the pistol took effect, and the lieutenant would 
 have been as completely prostrated, as he was stunned by it. 
 had it not been for the supporting grasp of the landlord, which 
 kept him from instantly falling. The blood streamed fr,mi 
 his mouth and nostrils, llalf conscious only, he strove to a 1- 
 vance, and his sword was partially uplifted as if to maintain \\ith 
 violence the desperate position which he had taken ; but, by 
 this time, a dozen ready hands were about him. The weapon 
 was wrested from his hold, and the wounded man thrust down 
 
r \rnviTY nxi 77 
 
 npon the ll-M.r of the hovel, where he was held \iy the 1.- 
 knee of more than one <f the dragoons, while others wore, found 
 equally prompt to hind his arms. 
 
 re all willing to second the pioceedings, howevoj 
 fearful, of a chief whose determination of character they well 
 know, and against whom they also felt they had them.- 
 
 what ort f.. ! !. in the ready acquiescence which mo>t .f 
 m had Driven to the persuasive arguments and entreaties ..f 
 Dariy. This latter person had now no reverence to display for 
 the man in < use he had heen only too ofliciuus. He 
 
 moral vanes which obey the wind of circum- 
 iiid acquire that flexihility of hahit, which, after a little 
 while, leaves it impossihle to make them fix anywhere. He 
 did not, it is true, join in the clamor against his late ally; hut 
 he kept sufficiently aloof from any display of sympathy. His 
 own selfish fears counselled him to forhearanee, and he was not 
 /own of martyrdom in the cause of any prin 
 ciple so purely al. -tract as that of friendship. To him, 
 ( the Hlack B | single look, which sufficiently 
 
 .nfonned him that his character was known and his conduct 
 than suspected. The look of his RlpenOI had yet another 
 .noaning, and that was one of unmitigated contempt. 
 
 Unlike the lieutenant, Darcy was sufficiently prudent, \m\\-. 
 . not to display hy glance, word, or action, the hk-h 
 
 it. He wisely suhdued the resentment in his heart, pi. 
 
 i) time the work of retrihutiou. Pmt he did not, 
 any more than Stockton, forego his desire fr ulti: 
 11 1 PrllO could wait, and who>,. pafionce, like 
 
 that of the long unsatisfied creditor, ,>eived oidv t- 
 ihe. uMial interest , imomU of -:i which 
 
 no w f..r time that he 
 
 -lie. 1 to experience tlie M-,,ni of their mutual Miperi T. 
 It may 1 stated, j u th! thai the alliair | ,,-k- 
 
 himself was quite as much tin- result of tl. 
 of injury, at the hands of .Morton, | e of an\ 
 
 . the pan 
 
 " Take this man hence," was the e.-minaud of Morton, turning 
 mce moi s upon the p. . 1 him 
 
78 THH SCOUT. 
 
 hence, Sergeant Fisher see him well hestowed have his 
 wants attended to, hut SOP, ahove all things, that lie escape not. 
 Tie has gone too far in his folly to ho trusted much longer with 
 himself, till wo are done with him entirely. This, I trust, will 
 ;<! ui ho the case." 
 
 This order gave such a degree of satisfaction to the landlord, 
 Misggs, that he found it impossihle to conceal his delight. A 
 roar of pleasure hurst from his lips. 
 
 " Ho ! ho! ho! 1 thought it would lie so. I knew it must 
 come to this. I thought it a Masted had sign from tl. 
 ning, when he was so willing to helieve the cappin was turned 
 into small moat, and the clippings not to IK- come at. There s 
 more of them sort of hawks in those parts, cappin, if twas worth 
 any white man s while to look after them." 
 
 The last .sentence was spoken with particular reference to 
 Ensign Darcy, and the eyes of the. stout landlord were fixed 
 ipon that person with an expression of equal triumph and 
 threatening; hut neither Darcy nor Morton thought it advisahle 
 to perceive the occult signification of his glance. The occupa 
 tions of the latter, meanwhile, did not cease with the act of 
 summary authority which we have witnessed. He called up to 
 him an individual from his troop whose form and featu; 
 what resemhled his own whose general intelligence might 
 easily he conjectured from his features, and whose promp- 
 RI emed to justify the special notice of his captain. This person 
 he addressed as lien Williams a person whom the landlord, 
 :td de.-ignated, in a previous chapter, as the most fitting 
 to succeed their missing leader in the event of his loss. That 
 Morton himself entertained some such opinion, the four 
 s will show. 
 
 11 Williams," he said, after the removal oi hnd heon 
 
 aflVcted "there is a g;ime to play in which you must he chief 
 actor. It is Decenary th.it y 3 should take my place, and M-em 
 for a while, to he the leader of the I .lack tlidei S. The motive 
 for this will he explained to you in tin. more, it is m>- 
 
 -.,ry that J should seem ynr prisoner. You u ill pml.ahly 
 loon have a prisoner in fact, in whose sight 1 would also occupy 
 the same situation. Do with me then as one. Hark! Thai 
 
i> e . Ifngga, bai 
 
 while, until everything is ieadv. Now, Wil 
 liams, be quick ; ; :mis and hind mo 
 
 your men watch me with pi>tolg 
 cocked, and .-h W, all of ytm, tin- appearance oi p -i>":;> who 
 
 have ju>t ma>!e, an important capture. 1 will tell ymi : 
 
 I ll accr. 
 
 r to 
 (lircctioiis. The outlaw was hound 
 
 hulk that stood in a 
 of ti. :.i. whih twr hlac-k-t accd tn" jirrs kfjit watch lu-- 
 
 him. The .signal was repeated iVom with Mit ; the }>a: 
 
 .t-ntly oliist?. at hand. The chief <.f 
 
 the i : uf his Mih.mliuntc. Mich larther 
 
 instructio:: utial to his oi j 
 
 K- i this >ituation, in connection witli the j: 
 
 should he he hp ii-ht for the sj.are of an hour. hrt D 
 
 tliat ^jiace of til. us then he separated. 
 
 while yon . We slud! then be better able 
 
 enniin- fur the fu 
 
 liurrie-1 jnejiarations hein^ completed, the chief, now 
 
 !y watched and stronglj-gtuurded pri- 
 
 ii the entrance, and, in the meantime, 
 
 rca t tl . i"M of a well-grounded dis- 
 
 n \\ith a situation eijually unajijiifheinh d and painful. 
 
 i - not >uch a; 
 
 It \\ill hi- rriiii-mhi-reil that, when lie separated from his 
 
 :I.:<M- the influence of feelings of a in>t exciting nature, 
 
 he 1 pur, and dashed forward at full 
 
 in hi> pl.t . B rapidity 
 
 I .nl at the M . would i 
 
 ired him I -led. and his 
 
 1] and, hy tin- time that his treacherous kiiiMiiau 
 enahled to vend the t: . pur>uit. hi> i 
 
 to pick hi> \ ; !, in a _. -d to 
 
 :nfort. 
 
80 TUK SCOUT. 
 
 The consequence was inevitable. The pursuers gained rapidly 
 upon him, and owing to the m-ise occasioned hy the ruin pat 
 tering heavily upon the leaves al out him, he did not hear the 
 sound of their horses feet, until escape became difficult. At 
 the moment when he. became conscious of the pursuit, he was 
 taught to perceive how small were his chances of escape from 
 it. Suddenly, he beheld a strange horseman, on each side, of 
 him, while two others were pressing earnestly forward in the 
 rear. None of them could have been fifty yards fYom him at 
 the moment when he was first taught his danger. The kecn- 
 
 3 of the chase, the sable costume which the pursuers v, 
 left him in no doubt of their character as enemies; and with 
 just enough of the sense of danger to make him act decisively, 
 tlu 1 fearless partisan drew forth his pistol, cocked it without 
 making any unnecessary display, and, at the same, time, drove 
 the rowel into the flanks of his steed. 
 
 A keen eye sent forward upon the path which he was pursu 
 ing, enabled him to see that it was t<>o closely covered with 
 woods to allow him to continue much farther his present rate, of 
 tlight, and with characteristic boldness, he resolved to turn his 
 course to the right, where the path was less covered with under 
 growth, and on which his encounter would be with a single en 
 emy only. The conflict with him, he sanguinely trusted, might 
 be ended before the others could come up. 
 
 The action, with such a temperament as that of Clarence 
 Coiiway, ^as simultaneous with the thought; and a few mo 
 ments brought him upon the one opponent, while his sudden 
 change of direction, served, for a brief >pace, to throw the others 
 out. 
 
 The trooper, whom he thus singled out for the struggle, was 
 a man of coolness and courage, but one scarcely so BtXOllf 
 li;::b, or so v.ell OXCrcised in conflict, as the partisan, lie readily 
 Comprehended the purpose of the latter, and his <>\vn i csohitioii 
 was taken to av:>id the light, if he could, and vet maintain his 
 relative position, during the pursuit, with the ei.emy he chased. 
 To dash aside from t! push forward at the same, 
 
 time, was his design ; at all events, to keep out of pistol-shot 
 i , i" . a while at least, yet be able, at any moment, to 
 
ivn v - 81 
 
 b:in hi.-, opjiMiient within ; MII. Such a 
 
 ..ryini: the flight of the latter, until tl. 
 
 :p, would ivndt-r the cnptai le. 
 
 rafl lint siittered to pursue tlsi- 
 
 The moment ho tin- tnu-k, Conway da>hed 
 
 .with increased c., particular ea: 
 
 Btween the individual and hi* friends. 
 
 lu til bo seemed to drive tlic ntlu-r hrf" .e him, and, as 
 
 .ily iiicrcasfd undrr tin -tan- 
 
 ;ho man tlius isolated hccamc anximis ahout liis pn>:tinn, and 
 
 turtt En a mutual struggle of tliis M .ent 
 
 depended np>n tho compai iiy of tlio two IIOIM s, and 
 
 horsc iiifii, "f tin- several riders. In l.nth re- 
 be ail van: with Couway ; and he mi^ht ! 
 Biy iiioveinent of his enemy, but for the ppx: 
 of those who were now i :-. beliind him. 
 
 :ioiMen! hrcainc one of increr,. -;:-g fii;:.i(;ty. ! !. } v.-i-re 
 approaching rapidly nigher, and ; -\rity of : lieii 
 
 r was too considerable to h -;.\ e him a s:i:<;!e 1; 
 Slice- iiould lie 1 i to an encnn: th** 
 
 If of them. The wits of the > all pnt 
 
 tivity. lie soon saw that he D e indivihial bei 
 
 liini . ;,:sd at bay a- iinst 
 
 an attack in which defemv 
 stai;- .dilating 
 
 of ;: from either taki: 
 
 iliirht, an in then driving :ii ; 
 
 ID do\\n ! 
 
 ust his OWIL 1I(> br.-i. 
 :i. ami timed his movement 
 
 Mcket presenting itaetf mam -iiatrly in th 
 
 man before him, rendered : 
 
 ii ili{z;ht. 
 His reckless and sudden ]>1 
 
 who found the ^arti.^an on his liaur.ches at a time 
 turn : .. m l dillieult. i 
 
 uaide from the thicket was 
 
SL THE SCOUT. 
 
 himsclt, who naturally inclined to the more opo-n path ; but, j 
 under these circumstances, in his agitation, (he trooper endeav 
 ored to incline his bridle hand to the opposite side, in order that 
 he might employ his weapon. The conflict between his steed s 
 instinct and his own, rendered his aim ineffectual. His pistol 
 was emptied, but in vain ; and the rush of Conway s horse im 
 mediately followed. The shock of conflict with the more pow 
 erful animal, precipitated the trooper, horse and man, to the 
 earth, and the buoyant partisan went over him with the rapid!? > 
 of a wind-current. 
 
 A joyous shout attested his consciou*no>s of safety the 
 outpourings of a spirit to which rapid action was always a 
 delight, and strife itself nothing more than the exercise of I .u-- 
 nlties which seemed to have been expressly adapted for all its 
 issues of agility and strength. Secure of safety, Con way now 
 dashed onward without any apprehension, and exulting in the 
 tulle.- 1 ; out, in a moment after, he had shared 
 
 t 1 forhUiO of him he. had just overthrown. A sudden de 
 cent of one of the Wat. ;<> ! 11-; wa-> immediately before him, 
 and in the increasing dimness of the twilight, and under the 
 ripidii-.- . f MS H gbt, liu did not ol serve that its declivitv of 
 yrllo.,- d eu freshly washed into a gulley. Jlis h .;e 
 
 piling-- i forua.- i Mp.M. fi>4 i veptive and miry surface, ".ml !<>,; 
 h!s footing. A scries of hu-fVocnial plunges which ho made to 
 foccver himself, only brought the poor beast headlong to th.- 
 >f the hill, where he lay half stunned and shivering. Ill- 
 te -iith had broken in the violent muscular efforts which he i 
 te arrest his fall, and his rider, in spi 1 v exertion of skill 
 
 Hinl strength, was thrown forward, anJ fell, though with litil. 
 nj-::-y, ujon the yellow clay below, lie, had barely time t" re- 
 Cf>ei his feet, but not his horse, when the, pursuers were, upon 
 l.ini. Resistance, under existing circumstances, would have I 
 vVoi Fc than u-eless ; and with feelings <( mortification, much !..;. 
 niagined than described, he yielded himself, with the !.e>i 
 j;oi,si!ile grace, to the hands of his captors. 
 
88 
 
 Oil A I TK R V I , I 
 Kun;n USAGE AMONG Till-: mi>i:i;v 
 
 Mi\i a M\I{ exceed tin- Burprii :iway, 
 
 :. dueled 1-y liis eajitors into the house "f MHL _ 
 
 held tin- . ; ; irdent .-mil misusjM.- 
 
 6 rej-roached liini with those ili.ulits which lie linti 
 I d of tlic fidelity of tlic lattrr. He IIM\V womlrivil at 
 liiinsclf I m- t: nice wliirli lie li;ul ln-cn dli 
 
 li-lit ;i!i.l un>ati>r, they tln-n ;ij.- 
 
 .:jiit.-iti(iiis .-ijrain.st Mm- s<> near to him liy 
 
 ; ami with the natural rapi lity nf the generous nature, he 
 
 I enon, thdM- <>f wliii-h 
 
 Well knew. : liltv. 
 
 Qo forgot tl , n-pmai-h against Iv! \\anl < 
 
 even it he was i . ; i> frieinlly tn the ran- 
 
 -that he had 1 >li,i\v that he \\a> iVinnlly 
 
 to that of h!> country; and, in that nioinent of ^TIHT.U> t . 
 fiili 1 i-ondiR-t of tlie I uptivi , in relation to 
 
 : from his nieniory. 
 
 ; it I" ! Is nway, that I tin.l in this 
 
 \\hcn t!ie .sj.eaker 1 
 
 ..(1 they irere !<: Aether, 
 
 " V j.ly. " .My ill ivputatimi with the 
 
 amend me to anv favor with the 
 ;." 
 
 <, ilHluil-;: 
 
 QO other 
 
 "f their discijiline alreadv, 
 
 -hall juo nn. re he! 
 
 w l| l " I? Bred that I am as 
 
 .eemed a t TJ. I 
 i-harjre me v, , Billing king s IDCD 
 
84 THK SCOUT. 
 
 anil burning their houses, stabbing women ana rua.sting children 
 to all of which charges I have pleaded not guilty, though 
 \\ith very little chance of being believed. 1 can not complain, 
 however, that they should be as incredulous in my behalf as my 
 own father s son." 
 
 " Do not reproach me, Edward. Do me no injustice. Yon 
 an not deny that circumstances were against you, so strong as 
 almost to justify belief in the mind of your father himself. If 
 any man ever straggled against conviction, 1 was that man." 
 
 "Clarence Conway, yon perhaps deceive yourself with that 
 notion. But the truth is, your jealousy on the subject of I~h ra 
 Mi ldleton has made you only too ready to believe anything 
 against me. But I will not reproach you. Nay, I have resolved, 
 believe what yon may, hereafter to say nothing in my defence 
 or justification, 1 have done something too much of this alreadv 
 for my own sense of self-respect. Time must do the rest 1 
 will do no more." 
 
 The generous nature of Clarence deeply felt these expres 
 sions. 11 is wily kinsman well understood that nature, and de 
 liberately practised upon it. He listened to the explanations 
 and assurances of the former with the doggedness of one 
 who feds that he has an advantage, and shows himself : 
 lute to keep it. Still he was too much of a proficient in 
 the knowledge of human nature to overact the character. 
 He spoke but few words, lie seldom looked at his brother 
 while he spoke, and an occasional half-suppressed sigh be 
 tokened the pains of a spirit conscious of the keenest wrong, 
 yet too proud even to receive the atonement which reminds him 
 of it An expression of sorrow and sadness, but not unkind] 
 prevailed over his features. His words, if they did not betoken 
 despondency, yet conveyed a feeling almost of indifference 
 v, 1 hat ever might betide him. The language of his look seemed 
 to say 
 
 " Suspected by my best friends, my father s son among them, 
 it matters little what may now ln-i all me. Let the em-my do 
 his worst. I care not for the.-e bonds I care for nothing that 
 he can do." 
 
 Nothing, to the noble heart, is so afilicting as the conscious 
 
ROUCH i Tin: KIDKRS. 85 
 
 ifness the suffering of 
 iir injustice, is one of the 
 
 human i. - a nature of this order. Such 
 
 at this moment in the bosom of Clarence Comvay. 
 
 II, ; rthe and to appetae the resentment! 
 
 . with all the solicitude of truth. 
 
 Believe me, . I could not well think otherwise than 
 
 ve thought, or than I have dune. You surely can 
 
 -if in a false p..siti-.n. It would 
 hcen wonderful, indeed, if your course had not incurred 
 
 ie fiiend>hip seldom suspects, and is the last to yield to 
 IB airainst the hreast it loves. 
 
 But more on this suhject, Clarence. It has always 
 
 D a painl i ! ::ie; and ju-t n->w, passing, as 1 may say, 
 
 fmm .re. (o aii ither, it is particularly so. It is 
 
 perhaps, uni:- -ituated as we are, that we should any 
 
 iUs >f the jiast may In- as nothing to 
 the : the future. If this handitti be as you have 
 
 >hall have little time allowed us to discuss 
 
 the pa.st ; and. i -ir the future! " 
 
 II 
 
 me, Kdward, it makes me far Iir.ppier to soo 
 
 ;;il the langeis wliicli \] lt -\ 
 . the accursed suspiei >u that y.Mi were tLe 
 his han-l! 
 
 1 indeed I thank you very much for not!. in;; ! 
 
 i hear n;o say that your situHti-iii y h ids 
 
 mo i. ireei of happiness and congratnlaii <u 
 
 1 Hi v > ; mi>undei>tanl n. 
 
 Wh.at ! : i speak BO bitt 
 
 rhftpfl; but ju>t i:"\v, . larence. mv thought.; 
 \eet, and mn-. 
 
 U) v, hat : i lit I 
 
 begged th;it all nubjevts :.{ 
 
 i . nit-thing might bo 
 
86 THE SCOUT. 
 
 spoken by one or both which wouhl make us think more iu> 
 kindly of each other than before, which would increase the 
 gulf between us." 
 
 " I think not unkindly of you, Edward. I regret what I have 
 ppoken unkindly, though under circumstances which, I still in 
 sist, might justify the worst suspicion in the mind of the best of 
 friends. There is no gulf between us now, Kdward Com 
 
 " Ay, but there is; an impassable one for both a barrier 
 which we have built up with mutual industry, and which must 
 stand between us for ever. Know you Flora 3Iiddh-tn . Ha! 
 Do you understand me now, Clarence Conway ? I see you do 
 you are silent." 
 
 Clarence was, indeed, silent. Painful was the conviction that 
 made him so. He felt the truth of what his brother had spoken. 
 He felt that there WY/.V a gulf between them; and he felt also 
 that the look and manner of his kinsman, while he spoke the 
 name, together with the tone of voice in which r ken, 
 
 had most unaccountably, and most immeasurably, enlarged that 
 gulf. AVhat could be the meaning of this / What was that 
 mysterious antipathy of soul which could comprehend so instantly 
 the instinct hate and bitterness in that of another ? Clarence 
 felt at this moment that, though his suspicions of Edward Con- 
 vay, as the chief of the Mack Kiders, were all dissipated by the 
 i lii in which he, found him, yet he loved him still less than 
 before. The tie :! 1 lood was weakened yet more than ever, 
 : curr. nts were boiling up in either breast, with 
 1 ippn -".MM! hut inci easing hostility. 
 
 The pause was long and painful which ensue i between thei i. 
 V length Clarence broke the silence. His manner w^s *ub- 
 lued, but the soul within him v/as strengthened. Tl. 
 f his kinsman had not continued to its judicious as it 
 
 oenibl at the beginning. It had been a wiser policy had he 
 irb<.iiie even the intimation of reproach Lad he assumed an 
 i-pect of greater kindness and love toward his companion in 
 misfortune, and striven, by a gtndioufl display of cheerfulness, to 
 ,jiove to his brother that he vas only apprehensive le.st the situ- 
 ition in which the latter had found him might tend too much to 
 tiis OV.-D self-reproach. 
 
A.MoX , THE RIDERS. 
 
 . would ha\ e been tin- com 
 
 should have been the course of one t..\\ ard a g- :i.-ii(l. 
 
 :ch a moment, would have been the 
 
 : of the presence of a real kindness. Hut it \vas in this verv 
 
 particular that tlie mi:il of Kdward (. miwav \\as weak. He 
 
 selfish a man to kno\v what magnanimitv is. He did 
 
 .iprehend tlie nature of the man lie addn 
 
 and, though the situation in which tlie latter found him had its 
 : the policy, which he subsequently pursued, most ef- 
 .ally defeated many of the moral advantages which ; 
 have resulted to him, in the mind of his brother, from a more 
 train of conduct. 
 
 reference to Flora Middleton placed Clarence on his 
 1. It reminded him that there were more grounds of dif- 
 fii himself and kinsman than lie had been just 
 .epared to remember. It reminded him that Kdward 
 had been guilt} of a mean evasion, verv like a E 
 . in .-peaking of this lady; and this remembrance revi 
 all his former personal distrusts, however hu-hed now migl. 
 all snrli as \\ere purely political. Kdw; 
 
 that he had made a false move in tl.. moment that his 
 
 .-d his speech. 11 fa I,, j, ( . r . 
 
 he vainly then migl. Q to 
 
 .eamvhile, j,r.. Hows, with a 
 
 erity of manner, which proved that, on one subject at 
 
 ould neither he abused nor trilled with. 
 
 V- ; have named I l-u-a Mid.. w*y. With 
 
 Ted 1 - e it to my o\\ . ,, t .j; 
 
 worth, that it should not be spoken with in. 
 
 What purpose do you jMoj.o> t . by naming her to me, at this mo- 
 . and with such a - 
 
 6 outlaw assumed a b-lder lom- and a higher pusitJ,,n i\ 
 k when the p i n 
 
 .vamp. TJie.re was ;n. iance in hi- manner, as he 
 
 replied, which ai 
 
 for the ti: 
 that I h . . 
 
 " Ha! Is it *.. I Well!" 
 
88 THE SCOUT 
 
 "It is even so! I love Flora Midclleton as 1 long have 
 loved her." 
 
 " You arc bold, Edward Conway ! Am I to understand from 
 this that you propose to urge your claims ?" 
 
 " One does not usually entertain such feelings without some 
 hope to gratify them ; and I claim to possess all the ordinary 
 desires and expectations of humanity." 
 
 " Be it so, then, Edward Conway," replied Clarence, with a 
 strong effort at composure. "But," he added, " if I mistake 
 not, there was an understanding between us on this .subject. 
 You" 
 
 "Ay, ay, to pacify you to avoid strife with my father s son, 
 Clarence Conway, I made some foolish promise to subdue my 
 own feelings out of respect to yours some weak and unmanly 
 concessions ! 
 
 " Well ! Have you now resolved otherwise]" 
 
 " Why, the truth is, Clarence, it is something ridu- ilous for 
 cither of us to be talking of our future purposes, \vm\- in such a 
 predicament as this. Perhaps we had better be at oar prayers, 
 preparing lor the worst. If half be true that is said of these 
 Black Kiders, a short shrift and a sure cord are the most prob 
 able of their gifts. We need not quarrel about a woman on the 
 edge of the grave." 
 
 " \\Yre death sure, and at hand, Edward Conway, my prin 
 ciples should be equally certain, and expressed without fear 
 Am I to understand that you have resolved to disregard mj- 
 Buperior claims, and to pursue Flora Middleton with your atten 
 tion- 
 
 " Viuir superior claims, Clarence/ replied the other, "consist 
 biniply, if 1 understand the matter rightly, in your having seen 
 tin- lady before myself, and by so many months only having the 
 start of me in our mutual admiration of her charms. 1 have not 
 ied that she has given you to suppose that she regards you 
 with more favor than she do, a myself." 
 
 A warm flush passed over the before pale, features of Clarence 
 Coins ay. His lip was agitated, and its quivering only suppressed 
 ly a strong effort. 
 
 " Enough, air !" he exclaimed " we understand each other." 
 
ROUGH USAGE A.Mo.V. 1 1 IK UIUKIIS. 
 
 hahly 9OD16 little, mockery in the mooil of Ed- 
 ward if In- nrired the matter t-> a further point. 
 
 " I>ut let me /;/./>/. Clarence. Something of my own course 
 will certainly depend that is, if I am ever a-ain free from the 
 
 clutches of these " The sentence was left unfinished hy the 
 
 ker, as if through an apprehension that lie might have more 
 auditors than the one he addressed. He renewed the - 
 cautiously omitting the offensive member: 
 
 "Something of my course, Clarence, will surely deceit! 
 my knowledge of your claims. If they are superior to min< 
 to those of a thousand others if she has given you to under 
 stand that she has a preference " 
 
 The Hush increased upon the cheek of the younger kinsman 
 as he replied 
 
 " Let me do her justice, sir. It is with some sense of shame 
 that I speak again of her in a discussion cuch as this. 
 Middleton has given me no claim she has shown me no pivfer- 
 
 uch as 1 could build upon lor an instant. i mt, my claim 
 
 on ijnu, Kdward Conway. You were carried by me to her 
 .ling. She was made known to you \>\ 
 this was done, I had declared to ytsti my own deep U 
 her. You saw into the secret and >aered plans of my heart 
 you heard from my o.wn lips the. extent of my affection for her; 
 and but I can speak n more of this without anger, and I 
 here is impotence. T . Kdward < 
 
 assert your desires AS you may. 1: . ard I under- 
 
 and on thN Mihjf-t 1 eg to . 
 Edward Conwi Mwilling that further dl- 
 
 .oiild cease, lit- had etl eeted t: whirh In- 
 
 aimed at \\hen he limai-hed it; and tacitly it was felt bv 
 
 hat words \\ en- 1,0 1- ap.iii-. in 
 
 such an argumi-nt as theirs. Th.- 
 either, and the t. iptivcs sat apart, their 
 
 :ig. 
 
 Tlie hour had ela;r 1 Wrhil b, the : 
 
 the outlaw chief, ha-! been accorded t the intn 
 himself and kinsman. The "!,jr,-t of his, 
 lieved, been fully answered ; .-uid, ;. 
 
BO THE SCOUT. 
 
 Williams his counterfeit presentment made his appearance, with 
 all due terrors of authority, clad in sahle, savage in hair and 
 beard, with a Wow clothed in gloomy and stern purposes, and as 
 if prepared to pronounce the doom which the. fearful reput-ition 
 i-f the lilack Riders might well have counselled the innocent 
 pri.-oi:rr to expect. 1 ut something furtlier of the farce remained 
 to U 1 played out, and Clarence ( omvay was the curious witness 
 t> a long examination to which his fellow-prisoner was subject 
 ed, (lie ohject of wliieh seemed to he to establish the fact that. 
 Edward Toms ay was himself a most inveterate rehel. A part 
 of this examinatitm may he given. 
 
 " You do not deny that your name is Conwny I" 
 
 " I do not," was the reply. 
 
 loiiel ( oiiway, of Sum ;de T 
 
 "Jam Colonel Conway, of Sumter s I rigade," said Clarence, 
 interposing. 
 
 "Time enough to answer for yourself when you are asked! 
 that story Vion t go down with us, my good fellow," sternly 
 exclaimed the acting chief of the handitti. " Shumway," h 
 claimed, tnrnin- to a suhordinate, "why the. d 1 were these 
 ,1 ,1 ivhels put together . Tliey have heen coukin^ uj a story 
 hetween them, and haii- in^ m>\v will hardly ^et the, truth out 
 ither! \Ve ll see what Mi .^ s can tell-us. lie should know 
 this fellow Conway." 
 
 hiirirs has ^-oiie t heil, sil ." 
 
 "Wake him uj) and turn him out, at the invitation of a rope s 
 end. I m suspicious that Muj^s is half a rehel himself, he s 
 lived so long in this rascally neighborhood, and must he. 1 >oked 
 
 Shumway disappeared, and the. examination proceeded. 
 " 1 ><) you still deny that you are Colonel Coiiuay, of Sumter s 
 Fie ware is-.w of your answer we. ha\e other r- hels 
 ro (-"HJVont you witli." 
 
 Die (jiiestion was still addressed to the elder of the kinsmen. 
 
 11 . ;.!-. MTSS made with grave compomire. " I do. ^Iy name is 
 
 as I declai ed to you hrfore ; Imt I am n.t of Sumte: s 
 liri^ade, nor of an\ 1 am not a colonel, and never hope 
 
 to he, made ono." 
 
ROU(i 91 
 
 : with that d d {tack of lies, 
 
 do you, : f all the - Hut you are 
 
 . I wouldn t .! copper for tin- safety 
 
 of your skin, < 
 
 he conn: . K ltleil^c of South Carolina 
 
 will "W who is. ami who is not, Col 
 
 of Suinte. the second interruption of 
 
 und in nn 
 
 ; what will that p. hut that it has 
 
 ro tlu 1 oti :i wanted it. Your 
 
 ,! known make-shir . ami 
 
 -.veil their value to put much faith in them, l^ut 
 
 who 
 
 lonel can v what 
 
 it \\ill c ihl >h tl. >v that a 
 
 ;ir first haltin ud your first 
 
 iiink to terrif . .:ch threats, you are mistaken 
 
 in y ." repliol ( , \\ith features which amph 
 
 le scorn within his hosoin ; "and if you dare to 
 
 i a>; little know the men of 
 
 : whom would promptly peril his 
 
 own life t 1 and hloody retrihution for the deed. I 
 
 ain Colo;, y, and, dog of a toiy, I <let y you, D your 
 
 : o notliinir of the sort you threaten. 
 d sj>it upon you." 
 
 law hlackeiied : Chi: 
 
 H.v We shall Bee. Shumv. 
 
 ! you ti.: la-t 
 
 ;ndiels, to tlie nearest 
 
 sajilin::. and let him - r . in the wind. To yi.ur 
 
 villains 
 
 the rnil a: 
 
 ::in^ 
 d which l;e had not heen willing to he . 
 
 :lC88 
 
 1 1 . ;j: fcQ] : 
 
 Uie . ll -*li;a .- 
 
92 TMK 
 
 for no delay lie simply denounced against them the ven-vanco 
 
 of his command, and that of his reckless commander, whose fiery 
 
 energy of soul and rapidity <>f execution they well knew. 
 
 His language tended still farther -rate the peivon wli- 
 
 acted in the capacity of the outlaw chief. Furiou>ly. as 
 second the Subordinates in the awful duty in which they seemed 
 to him to linger, he grasped the throat of Clarence Oonwaywith 
 his own hands, and proceeded to drag him forward. lie did not 
 see the significant gesture of head, glance of eye. and impatient 
 movement of Edward Conway, while he thundered out his t 
 mands and corses. The latter could not, while set-king to pre 
 serve the new character in which he had placed him-elf, t;ik 
 any more decided means to make his wishes understood; and il 
 tvas with feelings of apprehension and annoyance, new even to 
 himself, that he beheld the prompt . < whom he had in 
 
 trusted the temporary command, ahoiit to perform a deed which 
 ret and mysterious something in his soul would not permit 
 him to authorize or hehold, however much he might !. 
 willing to reap its pleasant fruits when done. 
 
 Then- was evidently no faltering in the fearful purpose of his 
 repiv.M-ntative. Everything was serious. He wa^ too familiar 
 with such deeds to make him at all heedful of consequences; 
 and the proud bearing of the youth; the unmitigated scorn in 
 his looks and language; the hateful words which he had i: 
 and the threats which he had denounced ; while ti. : era- 
 
 ted all around, almost maddened the ruilian in command, to 
 whom such defiance was new, and with whom the taking of life 
 I circumstance equally familiar and indiuV. 
 
 "Three minutes fur prayer is all the grace I give him !" ha 
 cried, hoarsely, as he helped the subordinates to drag the 
 tined victim toward the door. 
 
 These were the last words he was allowed to utter. Ho 
 himself was not allowed a single minute. 
 
 Carcely Spoken, when be fell prostrate on \\ Tit-ken in 
 
 the mouth by a rifle-bullet, which entered through an aperture 
 in the wall opposite. His blond and ; ;ittered th^ 
 
 breast of Clarence Conway whom his falling body also bors to 
 the floor of the apartment. 
 
93 
 
 without followed the >liut, and r 
 
 and j . the clamor within. In that shout ( 
 
 enco could not doubt that he hoard the manly voice of the. faith 
 ful Jack Bannister, and the deed spoke for itself. It could 1 
 hen, the deed of a friend only. 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 A CRISIS. 
 
 Tin: M-n.satiiin pi< I all the. parties l.y tin.; I 
 
 ke of retribution was indescribable. The fate of Clarence 
 Mi-pended i-.r a while. The execntio: 
 
 : their ho d nji..n the pri>oi;,-r ; all tlieir 
 mindly paralyzed in amazement and alarm. 
 , with the in>tinct of an ancient habit, 
 turned upon Kdward dmway. II", too, had partaken, to a 
 
 irrce, of the excitement of the Keae. 1 bfl old 1 
 niinand reolitaiiunl t! iency. He furgot, for the 
 
 int, the : i in vhich lie stood; the 
 
 ; whieh he played, and all the ^rave inuinniery 1-1 
 ;isc. Starting to 1 
 
 .^uted aloud ill the langua: 
 authority. 
 
 id follow. \V!.y do yon gape and 1 
 I m i. Let him not escape yon ! Away!" 
 
 ]! WU f.heyed l.y all the, troupi-:-> preMBlt 1 
 headlon:; from the dwelling M iti. 
 brothers, still hound, were left alone togerhrr. Tl t r ; 
 
 B 
 
 of the wily game he had been playing the moment th. 
 his feet and issued his commands. Tin- 
 is upon his amis, when he would h. 
 them to his men, ln-might hark all 1 . . .1 
 
 he felt h - error, and apprehended ti 
 
94 TIIK SCOUT. 
 
 naturally turned in search of his kinsman, who stood erect, <* 
 surprised but calm spectator. 
 
 He had witnessed the, action, had seen the excitement, and 
 heard the language of Edward Conway; hut these did not 
 seem to him too extravagant for the temper of moved, 
 
 who was yet innocent of any improper connection with the 
 criminals. The circumstances which had taken place were 
 Milliciently exciting to account for these ebullitions, without 
 awakening any suspicions of *.he truth. It is true that the 
 fierce command, so familiarly addressed to the robbers by their 
 prisoner, did seem strange enough io the unsuspecting Clarence ; 
 hut even this was natural enough. Nor was it less so that they 
 should so readily oboj orders coining from any li}s which, to 
 them, conveyed so c"nv c -tly the instructions to their duty. l>e- 
 sides, the claim. r, the uproar, the confusion and hubbub of the. 
 scene) not to speak of those conflicting emotions under which 
 Clarence Conway sr.-flered at a moment so full, seemingly, of 
 the last peril t: himseY, served to distract his senses and impair 
 the just powers of judgriont in his mind. He felt that Kdward 
 Conway had acted unexp. ^tedly had shown a singular activi 
 ty which did not seem exact y called for, and was scarce due to 
 those in whose behalf it was displayed; but, making due allow 
 ance for the different effects o_" fright and excitement upon dif 
 ferent temperaments, he. did not regard his conduct as strange 
 or unnatural, however unr.ecosS -ry it might seem, and, perhap.-, 
 impolitic. It was the first thought in his mind that Kdward 
 Conway, in his great agitation, did not seem to recollect that 
 the assassination which had taken place was probably the only 
 event which could then have sa^ed his life. 
 
 These reflections did not (-.cur to the mind of the latter. 
 Conscious of equal guilt and indiscretion, the apprehension* 
 Kdward Couwav were all awakened for his secret. Ti 
 Mid suspicions glance which he watched in the ey< 
 man, and which had its ori-in in a portion of tlie previous 
 conference between tlr.m, he was at once reads to a 
 the discovery, by the latter, of his own crimin. vith 
 
 the outlaws. In his anxiet\ , he was not aware that he had not 
 said enough to declare his true character that he had only 
 
\ oftie 
 
 Ahich any citi/m mi-ht employ \\ithoi.- 
 <"> ; . Mm and 
 
 nviction that In- had IP. | 
 
 tin- whole truth ly his imprudence, that the resolution i: ; 
 mil: rtly form himself Itoldly and bid de- 
 
 What had he nmv to 1 
 lti> irilural n tl< rti-n. Why slmuM he strive 1 
 
 h one wilh whom he muM inevitably break in the end? 
 
 Ufl rival, his enemy, and was in his p. 
 
 II- had already felt the humiliation resultiiiL: l r<>m the unbecomini: 
 
 ::i iis in which he stood to him. He had bowed to 
 
 him. when he felt how much mere grateful would be the mood to 
 
 Lh him. He had displayed the .-mile of c.^iciliation, when. 
 
 in his IK art. he felt all the bill. . Why 
 
 maintain appearance- with one from whom 
 
 ; - . Why DOt, by a 
 
 . in the ! i an,-, the 
 
 : in which he >:.! equally to his country and hi- 
 
 "ild amply a< count for the pa-t , and. in 
 
 iii -h the of that day foui. 
 
 their adiieivnee to the ..untry, he i: 
 
 ;u all tl ition due to one, what 
 
 it. who draws hi* MVOH! in b-.-half of IIN 
 
 princi] 
 
 irawn from the seemin- : 
 --.I throuLTh the mind of Kdward 
 v of nun-led surprise and di-<miet in 
 .iiiMnan. Hut they were not conclu-ive. Tliev 
 b\ tin- la-t lin-_ humanity and 
 
 m. and more than that. 
 <1 him a life. 
 
 ond thoughts " his myr- 
 
 from ti, \ \\\\\ ihe 
 
 not far ,|T -, 
 
96 nn: SCOUT. 
 
 natural reflection .f every mind, after the sudden and feaifui 
 death of him who had been the chosen representative of theii 
 chief. That the shot which slew Williams was meant for the chief 
 of the Black Riders, was his own reflection ; and it counselled 
 continued prudence for the present. The game" which he p-->- 
 posed in the prosecuting his purposes equally with Flora Middle- 
 ion and his brother, was best promoted by his present forbear- 
 ance by his still continuing, at least while in the presence of 
 Clarence Conway, to preserve his doubtful position as a prisoner. 
 
 lie sank back, accordingly, upon the bulk from which he had 
 arisen in the first moment of the alarm. His efforts were 
 addressed to the task of composing his features, and assuming- 
 the subdued aspect of one who stands in equal doubt and ap 
 prehension of his fate. Some moments of anxiety elapsed, in 
 which neither of the kinsmen spoke. Clarence, in the mean 
 time, had also resumed his seat. He no longer looked toward 
 his companion. His heart was filled with apprehension, in which 
 his own fate had no concern. lie trembled now for the life of 
 the faithful woodman fi.r he did not doubt that it was he 
 who had tracked his footsteps, and so promptly interfered at the 
 hazard of his own life, to exact that of his enemy. The senses 
 of the youth were sharpened to an intense keenness. He could 
 hear the distant clamors of the hunt without. The shouts and 
 shrieks of rage, breaking, as they rose, far above the rush of 
 the winds and the monotonous patterings of the rain. lie was 
 roused from an attention at once painful and unavoidable by the 
 accents of his kinsman. 
 
 "Clarence!" said the latter, " this is a terrible affair the 
 murder of this man !" 
 
 " Scarcely so terrible to me ;" was the cold reply " it pro 
 longed my life the wretch would have murdered me, and 1 
 look upon his corse without horror or regret !" 
 
 " Impossible ! His purpose was only to intimidate he would 
 ne.ve.r have dared the commission of such a crime. 
 
 "You are yet to learn the deeds of the P>!ack Riders ; you 
 know no! how much such outlawed wretches will dare in the 
 very desperation of their boo-*- " 
 
 "That was a dreaaiiu aeea, m.wi-ver; so swift, so su<V 
 
A OB i* 
 
 I confess it almost unmanned inc. I fi-1- 
 I know not what I said." 
 
 "So I thought," replied Clarence, "for you actually shouted 
 to the wretche* t> pursue the murderer, and he, too, that noMe 
 fellow, Jack Bannister. He has stood between D rath 
 
 . You also, Edward Conway, owe him a life." 
 
 " Do you think it was he, Clarence ?" 
 
 " I have no doubt of it. I am sure of his halloo." 
 
 "If they catch him!" 
 
 "God forbid that they should !" 
 
 "If they should not, we shall probably pay for his boldi.< 
 They will wreak their fury on our heads, if they be the blood} 
 wretches that you describe them." 
 
 " I am prepared for the worst. I am their prisoner, but 1 
 fear nothing. I, at least, Edward Conway, am somewhat pro- 
 ; by the rights and usages of war; but you " 
 
 41 Much good did these rights promiM- yon a few mil. 
 baid the other, .-arca.-tically, "unless my conjecture be the right 
 one. According to your notion, precious little respect would 
 11 have had for the usages of war. Their own usages, 
 by you own eft wing, have long since legitimated hanging and 
 burning, and such small prac 
 
 I ,!:ould sin; irished unavenged. Nay, y u 
 
 ,v closely tne avenger follows upon the footsteps of the 
 criminal. For every drop of my blood shed unlawfully, there 
 would be a fearful drain from the heart of every prisoner in the 
 hands of Sumter." 
 
 "That, methinks, were a sorry satisfaction To me, I con 
 less, it would aftord very little pleasure to be told, while 1 ,\j. 
 swinging, that some one or more of my . \v311 shai 
 
 ( tween tin- ! .. may 
 
 lii-ir mutual satisfaction. M. would, o. 
 
 oib : Styx, derive small comlmt from beholding the 
 
 ghoht of my foe following close behind me. with a neck h, 
 a like ugly twist uith my own, which he admits having lece.ived 
 on my account." 
 
 "Tl I bald one that s born under the gallows," re 
 
 j/lie 1 Clarence, gravely, with a whig proverb. 
 
98 THE SCOUT. 
 
 " Ay, but I am not there yet," replied the oilier ; " and, will- 
 God s blessing, I hope that the tree and day are equally i a 1 
 distant which shall witness such an unhappy suspension of mj 
 limbs and labors." 
 
 " If I stand in such peril," replied Clarence Conway, " hold 
 ing as I do a commission from the state authorities, I can no; 
 understand how it can be that you should escape, having, un 
 happily, no such sanction, and being so much more, in dangei 
 from their suspicion. I sincerely trust that you will escape, 
 Edward Conway ; but you see the perilous circumstances in 
 which you are placed by your unhappy neglect of the proper 
 duties to your country and yourself." 
 
 " I am afraid, Clarence, that your commission will hardly 
 prevail upon them to make any difference in their treatment of 
 us." 
 
 " And yet, I wish to Heaven Edward Conway, that both of 
 my father s sons were equally well provided." 
 
 "Do you really wish it, Clarence?" 
 
 " From my soul I do," was the reply. " Gladly now, could 
 I do so, would 1 place my commission in your hands." 
 
 " Indeed ! would you do this, Clarence Conway I Are yoa 
 serious?" demanded the elder kinsman, with looks of consider 
 able interest and surprise. 
 
 " Serious ! Do you know me s;> little as to make such an 
 inquiry! Would I trifle at such a moment with any man? 
 Could I trifle so with a kinsman ? No ! Bound as we both are, 
 the desire is idle enough; but, could it be done, Edward Con- 
 way, freely would I place the parchment in your hands with ali 
 the privileges which belong to it." 
 
 " And you " 
 
 "Would take my risk would defy them to the last and 
 rely upon their fears of that justice which would certainly follow 
 any attempt upon my life while I remain their prisoner." 
 
 The chief of the Black Riders rose from the bulk on whirli 
 lie had been seated, and twice, thrice, he paced the q>art;nent 
 without speaking. Deep shadows passed over his counten, 
 and low muttering sounds, which were, not Munis, escaped at 
 moments through his closed teeth. !!< seemed to be struggling 
 
A cm 99 
 
 Wfth s..me new emotion, u Inch baffled his control and 
 equally At length ! D i mm of bil 
 
 1Il> !i : ; posing liis features, which were now 
 
 mantled with a smile. 
 
 " lie exclaii. ; are a v. , us fellow. 
 
 ^ ()U a - - f boyhood. Your proiler 
 
 to liberalit;. it woul.l be injurious rather 
 
 than beneficial to me. Your intention is everything. Hut, 1 
 C*n nol or -ift it would i :lu> "shirt 
 
 II ""^ nth, and if y<-u take my CUIMIM-! you w9] 
 
 Boti : hy far ha<l y,u left .it in tin- 
 
 Have you for-otten that 1 am here, under these very 1 
 
 with no worse offence than that of being Colonel t lar- 
 away. If 1 could b c secure from this imjmtati.n. }v-r- 
 lia{>s I would with no worse evil than t: they 
 
 have 
 
 "True, tn: ,ater> had driven the other from 
 
 my thou-ht. I recollect] had even given my testimony > n 
 ,. If it will serve you. 1 will again repeat the truJi, 
 bew me d-wn iii.stant." 
 
 ence. You i relj hold 
 
 ^.-iier.Mis every way an extravagant man. Sup- 
 
 if you can, for I m doubtful if it ca; 
 
 good with the.M- people, and it may do you 9& 
 
 harm. Tl,,.y make little heed, I tr.tr, of law and "parch:. 
 
 barkl ! ! Bhouting becomei oearerand louder, i 
 
 hey have taken the assassin!" 
 
 he involuntary ejaculation of Clare: 
 ll1 ^ llu1 frame at the apprehension 
 
 l " rl i l ;nV[ Conway, he i| 
 
 if not irke!" was the remark of his com- 
 1 1 rrhaps, Clarence, our only hop, 
 BP having their victim." 
 
 >aid the rthcr; " i 
 nd a loathing could 1 feel it were : 
 :he sacrifice of that worthy 
 
 " U r >lll;l11 > s " Heiv they (-me. (Jur trial is f1 
 
 " 
 
100 THE SCOUT. 
 
 No more words were permitted to either speaker. The. uproak 
 af conilicti ig voices without, the (jucstioniug and counselling, 
 die cries and clamor*, effectually stunned and silenced the 
 \vkhin. Then came a nisli. The door was thrown open, and 
 in poured the troop, in a state of fury, vexation, and disap 
 pointment. 
 
 They had failed to track the assassin. The darkness of the 
 night, the prevalence of the storm, and the absence of every 
 trace of his footsteps which the rain obliterated as soon as it 
 was set down served to baffle their efforts and defeat their 
 aim. They returned in a more savage mood of fury than be 
 fore. They were now madmen. The appetite for blood, pro 
 voked by the pursuit, had been increased by the delay, lien 
 Williams, the man who was slain, was a favorite among the 
 troop. They were prepared to avenge him, and, in (hmig this, 
 to carry out the cruel penalty which he was about to inflict on 
 the prisoner in the moment when he was shot down. Led <ni 
 by one of the party by whom- Clarence had been originally 
 made prisoner, they rushed upon him. 
 
 " Out with him at once !" was the cry of the infuriate 
 wretches. "To the tree to the tree !" 
 
 " A rope, Muggs !" was the demand of one among them ; and 
 sharp knives flashed about the eyes of the young partisan ii; 
 fearful proximity. 
 
 What would you do, boys?" demanded Muggs, ir.tei i 
 He alone knew the tic which existed between the prisoner 
 his commander. lie also knew, in part at least, the objects for 
 which the latter had put on his disguise. 
 
 " Let the prisoner alone to-night, and give him a fair trial ir 
 the morning." 
 
 " Who talks of fair trial in the morning 1 Look at Ben Wil 
 liams lying at your foot. You re treading in his blood, and you 
 t.-Jking of fair trial to his murderer." 
 
 "But this man ain t his murderer!" 
 
 "Same thing same thing wa n t it on his account that he 
 was shot? Away with him to the tree. Away with him !" 
 
 "Haul hi n along, fellows ! Here, let me lay hand on his col- 
 
A CRISIS. 101 
 
 [ar,"tri<M a I from behind. "Give s a hold on him 
 
 and y.-u ll him out." 
 
 A (In/en hands grappled with the youth. A do/on more c<>n- 
 i that they mijrht do so likewise. 
 
 mi lnit riinin and I will follow you," cried 
 
 Clarence with a would have shown in a sta- 
 
 -.f the u" irity, and with tones as firm as lie ever 
 
 uttered at the ln-ad of hi-; regiment. 
 
 " If nothing but my lilm. : -m fur that which is 
 
 ! shall n tie shrink from any violence 
 
 which your rnllian hands may inflict. Kno\v that I despise and 
 tO thr !; 
 
 : him -top his mouth. Shall the rebel flout us on oui 
 
 own ground . " 
 
 " Hrini; him forward. The hlood of IVn Williams cries out 
 to us; why (! ;li ojien mouths there? Shove 
 
 him ahead." 
 
 . coupled with the. most shocking 
 . ions, they draped forward the youth slowly, 
 for their own numhers and conllicti!)^ vii.h-- 
 
 .iti -n. They iiim <>n until, at h-nu-th, he stood in 
 
 the hlood, and jr.st ahove tl:c> hody. of the murdered man. il 
 did not |1 .nnk hack naturally, with some, hor- 
 
 wli(Mi he felt the clammy suh.-tam-o sticking to his leet. He 
 readily conjectured whence it came fn-m wl 
 of human life; and, though a fe, ier one Avh 
 
 eat of hattle, had often shed the hlood of ]\\ > enemy yet 
 tl*e naf,;:-" within him recoiled at the conviction t! 1 in 
 
 n juddh\ which, hut a little time hefore, had heat and hounded, 
 all animation, and strength, and passion, in the f a living 
 
 man. 
 
 Inulderin^ recoil was mi-takcii hy the crowd for I 
 ance, ai. 1 OD niffiAl . lUOTQ hrutal than tlie rest. rene\vin;_. 
 
 j> with one hand unun the collar of the youth, with the 
 other struck him in tlie 
 
 f la- !: i \ 5denc<> to which tli* 
 
 Submits, roused the .swelling tide- in the lio.om .f the youth be 
 yond their wonted With AH hei 
 
102 
 
 an emotion ot n.e soul than a phygicAl endeavor, he put >> 
 
 his whole strength, and th- napped asunder which 
 
 confined his anus, and with the rapidity of lightning he retort V. 
 the iilow with such sui- cient interest as prostrated ihe "Ksaih .nt 
 at his feet. 
 
 " N.IW. scoundrels, if you must have Mood, use your kii" 
 for no rope, shall profane my neck while I have soul to dc y and 
 power to resist yon. Dogs, Moodhonnds that yon are, I -corn, 
 1 spit upon yon. 1 ring forth your best man your chief, i! 
 have one to take the place of this carcass at my feet, that 1 may 
 revile, and defy, and spit upon him also." 
 
 A moment s pause ensued. The nohlc air of the man whom 
 they environed the. prodigious strength u Inch he had shown 
 in snapping asunder the strong cords which had secured hi^ 
 limbs, commanded their admiration. Courage and strength will 
 always produce this efi ect, in the minds of savage men. They 
 beheld him with a momentary pause of wonder ; but shame, to 
 ! i- thus battled by a single man, lent them new audacity. They 
 rushed upon him. 
 
 Without weapons of any kind, for he had been .iisarmed when 
 first made a captive, they had no occasion to resort to that d< 
 of violence in ovrcoming him, to which he evidently aimed t< 
 provoke them. It was his obvious desire to goad them on to 
 the use of weapons which would take life, and thus effectually 
 det eat their purpose of consigning him to the gallows; that 
 degrading form of deatli from \\hicli the gentle mind shrinks. with 
 a levulsioii which the fear of the sudden stroke or the swift shot, 
 could never occasion. Hence the abusive and strong . 
 which he employed language otherwise unfamiliar to hi-, lips. 
 
 His desire might still have been gratified.. Several of the. 
 more violent among the young men of the party were rushing 
 on him with uplifted hands, in which the glittering blade u as 
 Hashing and conspicuous. I ut the scornful demand of I larencv 
 with which he concluded \i\< contumelious speech, brought a in-v 
 party into the field. 
 
 This \\MV no nthc.- than his kinsman. He had been a h:kei 
 on for some moments long for the \\lmle scene took far 
 le>* time for performance than it now Hk"s for irip-at on. lie 
 
A ri. 108 
 
 had watched H s with n> ithor strange < mov 
 
 
 
 and 
 
 around h : 
 : 
 
 them go on let liim perish why should I j... 
 fn in destruction the only obstacle t< my 
 
 At the next moment, a hotter spirit prevailed within him. Ii 
 
 es of Clarence t<> himself. . 
 
 him his life; and. hut now. had net the ^enemus youth I 
 him for his extrication and K>1< it document, which he 
 
 >d wiiuhi he all-powerful in securing his -y. The 
 
 gG of their mutual father came, also, to goad the unworthy 
 and when he heard the fierce, pr-md 
 ;th when lie heard him call for "their 
 that lie mi^h- ;,it upn him," he 
 
 Tliere was but a left him for perl if his 
 
 purpose 
 
 already flourishing ;d in the . i^ht 
 
 -en that fanatical of fury which i> ahm^t 1 t-vond 
 
 human power t. juick, ir.< . he 
 
 - had all the while 
 
 rhful of i. . At the siirn the latter mad* 
 
 nd him, and. unohserved. with 
 knife, sr; which hound his arm^. In another 
 
 all their clan. 
 
 " H ; . D ; .: !-!" he exclaimed, leajiin^ in 
 M8n ; will make U . n 
 
 I.t-t the prbonei ah;n. 
 
 while the big drop- 
 
 of perspiration poured io\\n h - "I thought, ctpplo 
 
 you coildn t stand hy, ami see them make a finish cf it" 
 
104 Tin 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 SHADOWS OF (OMI\<; KVKNTS. 
 
 " HOLD, comrades, you have done enough. Leave, the. prig- 
 oner to r. .e ! Colonel Conway, you demanded to look upon the 
 chief of th< B^" *k Riders. He is before you. He answers, at 
 last, vi your defiance." 
 
 And >vit h these words, with a form rising into dignity and 
 height, in becoming correspondence, as it won 1 , with the novel 
 boldness of his attitude, Edward Conway stood erect and con 
 fronted his kinsman. In the bosom of the latter a thousand 
 feelings were at conflict. Vexation at the gross imposition 
 which had been practised upon him scorn at the baseness of 
 the various forms of subterfuge which the other had employed 
 in his serpent-like progress ; but, more than all, the keen an 
 guish Avhich followed a discovery so humiliating, in the bosom 
 of one so sensible to the purity of the family name and honor 
 
 all combined to confound equally his feelings and his judgment. 
 But his reply was not the less prompt for all this. 
 
 " An/1 him, thus known, I doubly scorn, defy .and spit upon!" 
 
 lie had not time for more. Other passions were in exercise 
 
 beside his own ; and Edward Conway was taught to ki ow, by 
 
 what ensued, if the truth were unknown to him befoiv, that it 
 
 is always a t;.r le>s diilicult task to provoke., than to quiet, iVen/.y 
 
 to stimulate, than to subdue, the ferocity of human passions, 
 when at the flood. A fool may set the wisest by the ears, but 
 it is not the wisest always who can restore them to their former 
 condition of sanity and repose.. The congratulations of Mr. 
 the landlord, which, by the way, spoke somcHiing in his behalf, 
 promised for a while to be without sullicient reason 
 
 The captain of the Black Riders met with unexpected . 
 ance among his troop. The murdered man had hei u a favorit? 
 and they were not apt to hi; scrupulous about avenging the 
 
.-n.\ 105 
 
 Mich among their . Kven at a time 
 
 when a moderate degree of reason prevailed among them, i 
 
 not easy to snhdne them tn placability ami forhearance in regard 
 
 to a : tin- very mime of whom, according to their usual 
 
 Mvmous witli victim. How much less so, at 
 
 this juncture, when, with their Mood roused to tiger rage, they 
 
 had hern suffered to proceed to the very verge of indulgence, 
 
 it, worthy of the name, on the part of an aeknowl- 
 
 e to arrest them ! 
 
 Kdsvard .Morton telt his error, in delaying his interposition so 
 
 If his purpose had hern to save, his effort should have 
 
 and then it might have leen effected with- 
 
 M ri. U.x ri.sk which now threatened himself, in the 
 
 :i of his authority. He estimated his power 
 
 too highly, and flattered himself that he could at any moment in- 
 
 terpo.M- with effect. lie made no allowance for that momentum of 
 
 Uood, which, in the man arou>ed hy passion and goaded to fury, 
 
 n the desires of the mind accustomed to c-.ntrol it ; 
 
 the wild hra.-t, after he ha> lathed himself into i 
 
 r hy whom he i.- fed and disciplined, and rends 
 him with the n 
 
 Edward Morton stood erect and frowning among those whom 
 .med to command and their obedience wa> with 
 held ! His order.- ; with murmur> hv M>me with 
 snlh- all. Tliey Mill maintained their position their 
 hand> ami weap-ns ujiliih-d thrir I ing with w\ 
 
 initiation ; now ; their threatened victim, and 
 
 On their commander ; and without much difference in their ex 
 ion when surveying either. 
 
 M.urmur are ye mutin* ;> . Ha! will ye have me 
 
 II not hack f Is if -..n, and j 
 
 Von, of all. that .stand up in n to my u ill! 
 
 . it \\ill hest i . prompt 
 
 I ha-. M your connecti.n with Lieu 
 
 :. 1 D back, ^-ir do not provoke me to an. 
 
 . " 
 
 man add] .tn a huge fr] made 
 
 his rlam i> from the ll .-t n-plied in 
 
106 THK SCOTT. 
 
 a style which revealed to Morton the full dL heulties of liia 
 position. 
 
 "Look you, Captain Morton, I m one that is always for obe 
 dience when the thing s reasonable ; but here s a case when- 
 it s unreasonable quite. We ain t used to ge< f us shot 
 
 dnwn without so much as drawing blood i or it. Hen Williams 
 wa.s my friend ; and, for that matter, lie was a friend with every 
 fellow of the troop. I, for one, can t stand looking- at his blood, 
 right afore me, and see his enemy standing t other side, without 
 so niiit-li as a scratch. As for the. obedience, Captain, why th- 
 time enough for that when we ve done hanging the rebel." 
 
 "It must be now, Mr. Barton. Muggs, that pistol! Stan 1 
 by me with your weapon. Men, 1 make you one appeal! 1 
 am your captain ! All who aie still willing that 1 should be BO, 
 will follow 3: Ktlggfi behind me. March! Hy tin. 
 
 of Heaven, Mr. liart.-n, this moment tries our strength. 
 You or I must yield. There is but a straw between us. There 
 is but a moment of time for either! Lower your weapon, sir, 
 or one of us, in another instant, lies with Ben Williams." 
 
 The huge horseman s pistol which Muggs handed to his 
 leader at his requisition, had been already cocked by the laud- 
 lord. It was lifted while Morton was speaking delibeiately 
 lii U-d and the, broad nm/zh; WBS made to rest full against the. 
 of the refnvctory subordinate. The instant was full of 
 doubt and peril, and Clarence Con way forgot for the time 
 own danger in the contemplation of the isstie. 
 
 But the courage of the moral man prevailed over the instinct 
 O f 1,: [ward Morton saw that he was about to triumph 
 
 The eye "f the fierce mutineer sunk beneath his own, though 
 its angry li.es were by no means quenched. It still gleamed 
 \\ith defiance and rage, but no longer with resolution, 
 fellow locked round upon his comrades. They hail shrunk back 
 
 they weiv no longer at his side ; ami no Miiall number had 
 
 wed the landlord and were now ranged ..n the side of their 
 captain. Of those who had not taken this decided movement. 
 h<; & a\s tin: UTesoluteneBS, and his own purpose was necessarily 
 
 It is thi,; dependence upon .sympathy and asf 
 tion which constitutes one of the es&uitial differences between th 
 
107 
 
 . mind. Brutal ;m<i 1 Bar 
 
 it- ft alone. The chief of the Black Ri 
 
 ! i:it tlu trial - ;. The 
 
 - laid t <T :: t, and there \vas no longer , 
 
 
 
 " Knout;!: !" lie exclaimed, lowering his weapon, and acting 
 v\ii!, policy than had altogether ; his previous 
 
 1 Von know mo, Barton, and I think I kin 
 
 VMM >,! fellow at certain B your 
 
 T hurricanes, and do not al \\ays know when to 
 
 leave off t!ie uproar. Yon will g i. I trust; hut, niean- 
 
 : must i: in order. 
 
 _h treatment of your fr:- .. ..n t 
 
 : -iir warn:. 
 
 .i-il the. rntiian, doggedly, still unwilling ah. 
 
 Hihmit ; "hut when our fi;. 1 ii]> for our 
 
 nrd take Mde^ au;ainyNt us, I tliii, : iialile 8DOngh to think 
 
 there * not much dilVereuce het\\cen Q lay, I m dn , 
 
 hut I think it s mighty hard n^w-a-days that \ve can t han-- a 
 
 . itliout i.ein^ in danger o| .swallowing a hullet 
 
 And then, too, jionr Ui-ii Williami 1> he to lie 
 
 ,id notliin_ 
 
 " I - iy not that, Mr. Barton. The priflOnei shall ha\t> a trial; 
 
 and if you find him guilty of coiinci-tioii \\ith the man who shot 
 
 William^ y a may then do . 1 have no di>jo>ition 
 
 to (h-jiri\e you of yoi.r victim; hut know from me, that, while I 
 
 ! ohcy me ay, with. the why 
 
 -.iM In- a /r.-iin nay, you would 
 
 , in^ul ordination tor an in- 
 
 "nl make th- I ail of you hut 
 
 it be kept dry ; 
 
 in r-adii. dawn. i 
 
 ,:id with such mai 
 : ad in n." . it \\\\] . 
 
 ." 
 
 disappenred, ii ".it tlie tw who \\-c: 
 :, red tin- ji; 
 
108 THE SCOUT. 
 
 " Shumway, do jou and Irhy take charge of tin- lebel 
 Lodge him in the block, ami let him be safely kept till 1 relieve 
 you. Your lives shall answer for his safety. Spare none who 
 seek to thwart you. Were he the best man in the troop, who 
 approached you suspiciously, shoot him down like a dug." 
 
 In silence the two led Clarence Conway out of the hm: -. 
 Jle followed them in equal silence. lie looked once toward hi- 
 kinsman, but Edward .Morton was not yet prepared to meet hi> 
 glance, llis head was averted, as the former was followed !;. 
 his guards to the entrance. Clarence was conducted to an out 
 house a simple but close block-house, of squared logs small, 
 and of little use as a prison, except as it was secluded from the 
 highway. Its value, as a place of safekeeping, consisted .sim 
 ply in its obscurity. Into this he was thrust headlong, and the 
 door fastened from without upon him. There let us leave him 
 for a while, to meditate upon the strange and sorrowful scene 
 which he had witnessed, and of which he had been a part. 
 
 llis reflections were not of a nature to permit him to pay 
 much attention to the accommodations which were aftbrdeu him. 
 He found himself in utter darkness, and the inability to employ 
 his eyes led necessarily to the greater exercise of his thoughts. 
 lie threw himself upon the floor of his dungeon, which was 
 covered with pine-straw, and brooded over the prospects of that 
 life v/hich had just passed through an ordeal h O n;urow. Let UB 
 now return to his kinsman. 
 
 Edward Morton had now resumed all the duties of his >tatiou 
 as chief of the Black Riders. In this capacity, and just at this 
 this time, his tasks, as the reader will readily imagine, were 
 neither few in number nor easy of performance. It required no 
 small amount of firmness, forethought, and adroitness, to k 
 in subjection, and govern to advantage, such unruly spirit > 
 But the skill of their captain was not inconsiderable, ;md 
 
 the very spirits whom he could most successfully eo umand 
 The coarser desires of the mind, and the wilder p.* flu- 
 
 man, he could better comprehend than any other. With ti 
 he was at home. But with these, his capacity was at an 
 Boyond these, and \\ith liner spirits, he was usually at fault. 
 
 To be the successful leader of rullians is perhaps a small 
 
NTS. 10* 
 
 merit. It requires cunning:, rather than wisdom, t<> 
 simply t wlm-h it and thia 
 
 the chi. . H,. knew how t< 
 
 make hate, and jealousy, and 1 fear, sub 
 
 purposes, already rouse.l into action. It is doubtful, even, 
 whether he possessed the cnld-hlnoded talent of la.iro, to awaken 
 them from their slumbers, lireatlie into them the hreath of life, 
 and send them forward, commissioned like so manv : 
 the destruction of their wretched victim. A sample 
 
 . ( )f the sort of trial which awaited him in the 
 control of his comrades. 
 
 here were other difficulties which tasked his pov 
 the utmo.st. The difficulties which environed the whole. I ritish 
 .inny were such a- :ily troubled, in a far - ;ree, 
 
 its subordinate commands. The duties of tin N wean more 
 
 rant, more arduous, and lialde to more van and 
 
 exposure. The unwonted Mice. lie American arms had 
 
 Uened all the slumbering patriotism of the people : while 
 the- f which such parties as that which Morton com 
 
 manded had l.een guilty, in the hey-day of 
 
 BT| li;id r U-ed jassions in the hosom of ,ich, 
 
 if letter justified, were equally violent, and far less lik 
 awakened, to relapse into slumber. Rev. with J! 
 
 ber train in seai\ n of Morton himself, and the gloomilv-capan- 
 oned troop which he led. It was her array from which 1 
 ...irrowly escaped when he received the timely succor of hij 
 kinsman in the swamp. A hundred small ru.dies like his own 
 had suddenly started into existence and aetivitv around him. 
 BOme of wfaieHad almost specially devoted themselves to the 
 destructiMU of Iiis tnu.p. The i ] u -t. ami mu: 
 
 spoliation, we i ; ;il ,d ), ; , 
 
 ho required to keep hi- troop in for no other 
 
 object than h : hy this . he w&B 
 
 comjtelled to traver-r a country which h.-, 
 
 the wanton hands of those whom he c.^nmanded. On the Fame 
 track, and b.- m scattered hun 
 
 dre<ls of ene:: --tive in pur-uit an s in 
 
 He well kn-wth- 
 
11 THE Sr 
 
 .ind involuntarily -hu- dered as he thought of it : death in itg 
 most painful form ; torture fashioned by the m>>t capricious ex pr 
 of ingenuity; scorn, ignominy, and contumely, the most bit 
 ter and degrading, which stops not even at the Callows, and, as 
 far as it may, stamps the sign of infamy upon the grave. 
 
 These were, in part, the subject of the gloomy meditations of 
 rl .e outlawed chief when left alone in the wigwam ({ Muggs. the 
 landlord. True, he was not without his resources his disguises 
 his genius! lie had been so far wonderfully favored by f<>r- 
 , and bis hope was an active, inherent principle in disorgani 
 zation. Bui the resources of genius avail not al\vay>. and c\< n 
 the sanguine temperament of Kdward Morten was disposed to 
 reserve, while listening to the promises of f:>rini;e. lie knew 
 the characterislir cajirices in which she was accustomed to in 
 dulge. lie was no blind believer in her books. lie was too 
 seliish a man to trust her implieitlv ; though, hitherto, !-he had 
 fulfilled every promise that she had ever made. 
 
 T ] ,e signs of a change were now becoming visible to hih 
 senses, lie had his doubts and misgivings; lie was not without 
 audac ty he could dare with the boldest; but his daring hao 
 usually bc\"n shown at periods, when to dare. \ cautious. 
 
 He nu.lil.ited, e\ en now, to distrust the smiles of fortune in sea 
 son to leave, the. field of adventure, while it wa ible 
 
 and safe to d-> so. 
 
 His meditating were interrupted at this moment, and, per 
 hap-, assisted, by no less a person than Muggs, the landlord 
 He made his appearance, after a brief visit to an inner shanty 
 a place of peculiar privity the sanctum sanctorum in 
 which the landlord wisely put away from slghtich Mores as 
 he wished to prcsc.rve, from that maelstrom, the common maw. 
 The landlord was one of the lew who knew the secret hi 
 of the two C onways ; ind, though lie knew not all, he knew 
 rntugh to form a tolerably jus idea of the feelings with which 
 the elder regarde.l the \ unger kii. man. He could form a no- 
 lion, also, of the sentiments by which they were requited. In 
 Mugg*. Kdward M->rion had rea iieve that he had a sure 
 
 IVicinl one hefore whom lie might safely venture to unbosom 
 wititi of his rcse.r\t-s. Still.be . ciaHy careful to siio\v 
 
SUV 111 
 
 not all, iur t! 
 which ci-nld ] 
 
 inco: . He, perh.Mp-. tiiil little limn- firm >!:mulatf. the 
 
 ::iunicati\ 6 
 
 ii his craft. 1 ilnus hy ; : . and fancied that 
 
 lie never ininistereil perfectly t the pal; Jtfl, unless 
 
 mpnnied the service hy a f; own 
 
 :ue. 
 Well, cappin, the f f (lX and 
 
 n. There s u> chance t<> play posnim with your l-n thei 
 It s linn ami ti^er now, if anythiujr." 
 
 <!ie.l the other, with soinethin r "f | 
 indlor.l continued : 
 
 :, now, I reckon now, that you ve ^ r ot him ii 
 \vhat you re to do with him. To my think 
 -tion that hothered the man when he 
 !: hand.s with the hlack hear round the tree. I 
 to lii l-i on and a Mjnee/e to let pi, and danger to the mortal 
 whirl, evr way he took it." 
 
 Y ; [bed the diHiculty, Mui: ^," said the 
 
 what to do with him is the ijnestion." 
 
 . ;!r." 
 "No. That s hnpu.-iMe !" 
 
 to get him out of the 
 
 nd ir s cd ar they know where to find him. That 
 ", ianis was mighty ni^h and mi- 
 
 I m nnsati>tied hut theiv 
 
 
 ton -hut OK 
 
 Well, rappin, hv i . n t no t 
 
 him. The \va<h m/.!e the airth 
 -month a^;iii : ; i int." 
 
 I; 
 
 i.d who i IfMi c lppiii . " 
 
 k !" 
 
 " \Vell, I re. ! 
 i:^h. I didn t OT1C think "t h ni. ! 
 
 iy that k tin- la< 
 
112 THE SCOUT. 
 
 to take any risk for a person lie loves so well. But, you don t 
 think he come alone ? I m dub ous the whole troop ain t mighty 
 fur off." 
 
 " But him, Muggs ! He probably came alone. We left him, 
 iily an hour before I came, on the edge of the Wateree a few 
 miles above this. He and Clarence gave me shelter in the 
 swamp when I was chased by Butler s men, and when that 
 skulking scoundrel, Stockton, left me to perish. Clarence, rodo 
 on with me, and left Supple Jack to return to the swamp, where 
 they have a iirst rate hiding-place. I suspect he did not return, 
 but followed us. But of this we may speak hereafter. The 
 <{iic>ti<>ii is, what to do with the prisoner this bear whom I 
 have by the paws, and whom it is equally dangerous to keep 
 and to let go." 
 
 " Well, that s what I call a tight truth ; but it s a sort of sat 
 isfaction, cappin, that you ve still got the tree a-tween you ; and 
 so you may stop a while to consider. Now I ain t altogether 
 the. person to say what s what, and how it s to be "done; but if 
 sc be I can say anything to make your mind easy, cappiu, you 
 know I m ready." 
 
 Do so, Muggs : let me hear you," was the reply of the out 
 law, with the musing manner of one who listens witli his oars 
 only, and is content to hear everything, if not challenged to iind 
 nn answer. 
 
 " Well, cappin, I m thinking jest now we re besot all round 
 with troubles; and there s no telling which is biggest, cl" 
 and ugliest they re all big, and close, and ugly. As for hiding 
 Clarence Conway here, now, or for a day more, that s >nj. 
 ble. It s cl ar he s got his friends on the track, one, mout 1 
 hundred; and they can soon muster enough to work him <>; 
 the timbers, if it s only by gnawing through with their teeth. 
 Well, how are you to do then? Send him under jruard to C 1 am- 
 den ? Why, it s a chance if all your troop can cany themselves 
 there, without losing their best buttons by the way. It s ,-i lon^ 
 road, and the rebels watch it as rl>e U hawks do tin 1 fani,;- 
 in chicken season. That, no\\ . Q lor the 
 
 king s side that I ve M-ed fur ;. \\\>j .-pell ! -mnniers. It shows 
 pretty cl ar that we a , was a thinking. The 
 
sn.\ I l- 
 
 :.: ; and 1 ! 
 
 , when they get their boldne on u ti; 
 
 Tarleton :n to ride among us. it f iike a dr; 
 
 -f deer than a lighting ofim-n ; but it svms in me that the 
 pis 1 !:ivers and 0* late day 
 
 :ily. I things hotter tli.MN you, eappin, anl, per 
 
 . hrtter tlian the rel rN the: fot I ain t in tin tl 
 
 1 iis je-t Ilk. 1 On that fl a-standing .n a hiirh liill an. 
 
 t gliting when it s M i>id"\v. I tidl ; 
 
 ID, tl;. 1 game s p-ini: airin tlic kind s ]M .,j.lc. 
 - .:i j:ri)iuiii tlicse nii ii s --t ttinir fcv.rr and lV\vi-r c\ riy 
 day, and JQ8\ so l ,~: I liear of I hering amon r 
 
 nv-liigs I tell you agin, cappin, you re bi-sot with 
 
 " I know it, Mujrgs. Ynr account of the G 
 3nc. We are in a had M 
 
 " l \ jingo, yon may say so, cajipin. Yon are. I 
 
 mighty had way a sort of confine hat it puzxh s 
 
 my old head more than 1 can tell rightly, to onhclli;-;. i . rh-:i. 
 : tin- prisoner " 
 
 Muggs. Speak to that. AVhat <.f him . - 
 near yom advice ;iluut tin- jirisoner. How is he to be disp 
 
 of r 
 
 Well iinv,-, rappiu there s a-many ways f..r doing that. 
 which is the right and prop- v One and when it s i-ne, Aviil it 
 .eard not I m not ki; any 
 
 X it SO as to pl-a<e you. It s j 
 
 ynur enemy in war and your enemy in j < ! it all thi 
 
 true, ahout him and M 
 
 i any WOtte olV if so he your 1 
 i tliis hi .ion." 
 
 "ef looked up lor the first time du; 
 
 tarfki . e. t lll of signifiou f the 
 
 rd. 
 
 " Ay, Mi.. fatal one to : 
 
 far hetter had he BO the li .that 
 
 aome -, while he while 
 
 ve were 1- tli in a state ,.f bu 
 
 " Ghui, e. .inking at one tirno tc-night tii/it hlncV 
 
114 THE BCOCT. 
 
 Barton would II.SN e done you a service like that; and I was 
 a-thinkhig jest then, that yon wa n t unwilling. You kept so 
 long quiet, that I was afeard yorfd \\t\\ ten the Mood. 
 
 kin, and let (lie l.nys had the game their own way." 
 
 "Yon Mere afraid of it, v, i " said Morton, his brow 
 
 darkening as he spoke. 
 
 "Ay, that I was, migbtly. When I thought of the temp;. . 
 lions, yon kno\v ; Miss Flor.i and her property ami thei 
 line estates lie got hy his mother s side and all that was like ! 
 fall to yon. if once he was nut of the way I begun to trindde 
 for 1 thought yon conldn t stand the temptation, lie s only 
 to keep t uiet now and say nothing, and see what he ll get for 
 only looking on. That was the thought that tronliled n;e. I 
 \vas at eard, as I tell you, that you d forget blood-kin, and every 
 thing, when you come to consider the temptations." 
 
 The outlaw rose and strode the floor impatiently. 
 "No. no, M .iff 53; yon had little cause to fear, lie had jusi 
 i my life slithered me from my enemies nay, would 
 have yielded me his own commission as a protection, Avhich he 
 supposed would he effectual for his own or my safety. No, no 
 I could not suffer it. Yet, as you say, great, indeed, would have 
 been the gain great was the temptation." 
 
 "True, appin, hut what s the gain that .t man gits hy bloody 
 ing his hands agin natnr / Now, it s not ovi easoe.able or Oil- 
 natural, when you have tumbled an oneil enemy in a fair 
 scratch, ti see after hi - I, and empty his fob and pockets. 
 
 I don t think anv good c<mld com.- with the gain that s 
 spotted with the blood of one s own brother " 
 
 " He s but a half-brother, Mugg>." ^aid Morton, hastily. "Dif 
 ferent mothers, you recollect." 
 
 " Well, 1 don t see that then- 1 * a mu -h di Tcronce. c;,ppm. 
 lie s ^ full bvothei by your father s side. 1 
 
 Yes, yes i but Mugg* had he b.-.-n *l<iin by Barton and 
 the rest, th^, :le d \onM have been none of mine. It was a 
 chance of wm, ami : 
 
 "Well, cappin, I m m ; There s a dif- 
 
 I know, but--- 
 matters not : . -.ivtv- f He is spared. Mn-j^s spared 
 
SHADOW 
 
 perhaps, for tlio destnu 1 hit 
 
 life ; liut lio knows my secret. That secret I That fatal secret ! 
 
 <_ " 
 lie hmke oft" the exclamation abruptly, while he struck hid 
 
 . with liis open palm. 
 " My brain is sadly addled, Muggs. Give me BOmethiog 
 
 : ch will settle it aii.l COB \ 
 
 Id fellow yi-ii are happy, and safe T!.< 
 have foririven you have t! 
 
 Well, we have fm-jriven each other, cnppin, and I 
 found them hetter fellows niirh, than tliey war at a d; 
 -d the landlord, while he c 
 jht of punch, the lav of the time and conn- 
 
 "It 1 ain t happy, cappin, Jilt hut my own. 1 
 
 b you we i, with all your rettinjrs. as i think 
 
 elf with mine ; an- ip]iin; you inou^ht." 
 
 A look of much iduded the M-nte: 
 
 " II.-w what w.ml l > dt-manded the out 
 
 law, with ry in his manner. 
 
 The reply <; tin- landlord was whispered in i 
 " WonM to lieaven I couM ! hut how? How. Muggs, is 
 this to he done?" 
 
 The au-wer n whisjiered. 
 
 lieil the other, with a heavy shako of the head. 
 
 1 v, onld DI t, . ! re n t. They h.- :out 
 
 foar or faith!- II not \\- But 
 
 < i-r me your lantern, while I 
 
 k this brother of mine ii: r l here must bo gome r 
 
 last words Lclwe-en us." 
 
110 TJII: SCOUT. 
 
 ,1BH 
 
 OF 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 
 ell A I TKU X 1. 
 Tin: TIM K IE 
 
 PRECEDED by the landlord Muggs. win- carried a dark lantern, 
 Morton took -his way to tip- ^-eluded block-house in which his kins 
 man was a prisoner. Yh" only entrance to this rude fabric was 
 closely watched by thet\\o persons to whom Clarence was given in 
 charge. Yhcse found shelter beneath a couple of gigantic oaks 
 which stood a little di .rt from one another, yet sufl;< 
 
 nigh to the block-bouse to enable the persons in their shadow, 
 while themselves perfectly concealed, to note the approach of any 
 intruder. Dismissing them to the tavern, the chief of the Black 
 Riders assigned to Muggs the duty of the watch, and having 
 given him all necessary instructions, he entered the prison, the 
 door of which was carefully fastened behind him by the obedient 
 landlord. 
 
 The lantern which he bore, and which he set down in one 
 corner of the apartment, enabled Clarence to distinguish his brother 
 at a glance; but tin- youth neither stirred nor <pok- as he beheld 
 him. His mind, in the brief interval which had elapsed after 
 their violent separation in the tavern, had been bu>ih engfl 
 arriving at that siage of stern resignation, which left him com 
 paralively indifferent to any evils which might then occur. l"n 
 form any judgment upon tin- course of his brother s 
 future conduct, he was not prepared to say how far he might be 
 
 willin o -in permitting to his sanguinary troop 
 
 the in ; : their bloody will. Wisely, then, he had steeled 
 
 his mi !. if h- had to suffer death in 
 
 ired by the youthful and ambitious heart. 
 
 bitter edge with as calm a countenance a he should 
 
 display, under a similar trial, in the presence of a thousand 
 
 spectal 
 
 rard Morton had evidentlv made ureat efforts to work lite 
 
i II i: 1 i;i 117 
 
 H iii-i i;:.liir-ivncc; l.uf he had 
 
 ""I : :"ul. although, at tin- moment. unlrouhled l.y any 
 
 of lh..si- apprehend. n- which w<-iv suiliciently natural to the 
 ion (if his l.n.th.-r. Hi- Eft B night ; D to vary 
 
 in a- his , ye turned upon the spot v. 
 
 -ittiMir. The moral strength wa^ v.antinir in hi- 
 which BU :he latter. The cunscioiiMH -s of i:uilt en- 
 
 d. " pirit whose intense selli>i 
 
 alone were he uni>.sx e x S ,.,l () f :U1 y ,,thtT more 
 characteristics must have l>een the source of IK. small amount 
 Of fll if a-haine.!, liowev. r, (.f his feehli 
 
 and .lel-Tinined to l.rave the virtue wliieh h- *\\\\ frit himself 
 comp. lied to respect, lie opened the conference by a remark, the 
 \\hieli \\cre intended r .-iltin.ir and tri- 
 
 umpl, 
 
 Coloiu-I Oonway, you find your wi-dom has l..en at fault. 
 
 You liul,. fancied that you \VI-P- half >o intimate \\ith that tier.,- han- 
 
 dit tii-ii iv:;..wned chieftain of whom report ->peak- so loudly. It 
 
 hat I should introduce you formally to the captain of 
 
 the iJlack i . 
 
 Th" \..u:h l....Ur.l up and tixed h. .-dily on that of the 
 
 speiii, :. but full of a manly sorrow. 
 
 ion of ll,;,r 
 
 he n-pi: r a hriei y..il 
 
 !) n me hy that tone ; fa not deceive yiuir- 
 
 Vour In-art. Instead of exultati.. I this moment nothinir 
 
 I. ut shame, fonrq :ily on mine. Y.,ur >pirit i^ 
 
 man. V.-.u >hrii:k. Kdward CODWaj, in >piti- 
 
 with all the cowardice of a guilty 
 
 ..irdiec ?" 
 
 "Ay. \\hat cKc than nade you d.-cend to the Milt- 
 
 . to the 
 r )>ro!her. even at tin- m.-ment when In 
 
 cut- tlmt which you have <li>h.nored for 
 
 U) you, in iluc leaSOIl, that 1 am M.I ...\\ard. 
 : it-il the i.tht-r. in boaiSC ai, . nn- 
 
TIIK SCOUT. 
 
 distinguishable accents; "you, at least, arc Decking to 
 
 me that you are none, i.i thus hoarding tlic lion i-i his den." 
 
 "The lion! Shame not that noble boast by any such com 
 parison. The fox will better suit your purpose and po^i 
 nee." 
 
 With a strong effort the outlaw kept down his temper, while 
 he replied 
 
 " I will not suffer you to provoke me, Clarence Conway. J 
 have, sought ym for a single object, and that I will perform. 
 After that that over and the provocation shall be met and 
 v.-.-lcitined. Now! " 
 
 The other fiercely Interrupted him, as he exclaimed 
 
 Now be it, if you vil! ! Free my hands cut asunder these 
 rading bondfl which you have fixed upon the arms whose last 
 68 were employed in freeing yours, and in your defence 
 and here, in this dungeon, breast to breast, let us carry out that 
 strife, to its fit completion, which your evil passion, your cupidity 
 or hate, have so dishonestly begun. I know not, Edward Con- 
 way, what perversity of heart has brought you to this wretched 
 condition to the desertion of your friends your country 
 the. jnst standards of humanity the noble exactions of truth. 
 You have allied yourself to the worst of ruffians, in the worst of 
 practices, without even the apology of that worst of causes which 
 the ordinary tory pleads in his defence. You can not say that 
 your loyalty to the king prompts you to the side you have 
 taken, i or I myself have heard you declare against him a thou 
 sand times; unless, indeed, I am to understand that even ere 
 we left the hearth and burial-place of our lather, you had begun 
 that career of falsehood in which you have shown yourself s* 
 proficient. But I seek not for the causes of your present state 
 for the wrongs and the dishonor done me. If you be not ut 
 terly destitute of manhood, cut these bonds, and let the issue for 
 lift* ai>] nV;.th between us determine which is right." 
 
 "There! You have your wish, Clarence Con way." And, an 
 he spoke, he separated the, cords will, his hunting-knife, and the 
 partisan extended his limbs in all the delightful consciousness 
 if recovered freedom. 
 
 "You are so far free, Clarence Conway! your limbs are un 
 
11! 
 
 bound, luil you arc unarmed. I n ith \\hirh 
 
 iliN day pro\ided inc. ll would i, , the 
 
 life of him whom you ft bitterly denounce. Ilia 
 
 without dcl ei:< 
 
 What mean that I would rush on you un- 
 
 1 that 1 sock unfair ad vanta- 
 
 \. 1 would not ti-lit 
 : DW." 
 
 :iy fur im demanded the partisan. 
 
 il in taking niy life, 
 it would a vail you nothing, and your own would be forfeit. You 
 
 pe from thl iinl fifty v. -. .oulil In- n 
 
 my death." 
 
 ; ds mockery this cutting IOOM> my bonds tliis 
 providinir me with weapon- :" demanded (. lar- 
 
 :i know not yet my doire. Hear inc. Mv 
 
 pui| oquil my-clf \\lr-il\ of thedrbt I ( ,\\. -hat. 
 
 wlicn v.e do meet, there shall In- iiothin.ir to cnfeelde either 
 
 of our arms, or diminish their pr Lltion. ( IK c i.-niulit I 
 
 i) at the peril of my own life, from the furv of 
 
 my followers. I have alrcad . your bonds. 1 ha\. 
 
 von re the da\\n of another day, the licet limbs 
 
 >our own rhariT T shall edom. Tin s dene. 
 
 Coiiway. I shall feel iny>.-]f acquitted of all tl 
 burd<-nsome obligations which, hitherto, have m sup- 
 
 .tural feeling ,,f my 1: 
 
 my mind the pi: ,;nbition. love all of which 
 
 id upon your life. So lonir as you li 
 
 th i- drawn with doubt, ditliculty and in 
 life has b.rn in my hands, but I could : 
 
 while I was indebted to you for my \\ n. i \u I 
 
 shall !>e acquit- ; M you life for life, 
 
 :md liberty for lib, i : that, when M 
 
 shall be M .,ni fur BCOFD :m-! i 
 
 iieard him with patience, but with ; 
 about to reply in a similar spirit, bir 
 arose in his bosom with t. an pau-e \\hieh 
 
1\Ml THE SCOUT. 
 
 lir allowed himself for thought, lie k< pt dowii the gushing 
 blood which was about to pour itself forth in defiance from his 
 laboring breast, and spoke as follows 
 
 " I will not say, Edward Con way, what I might safely declare 
 of my own indifference to your threats. Nay, were I to obey 
 the impulses which are now striving within me for utterance. I 
 should rather declare how happy it would make me were the 
 hour of that struggle arrived. But there are reasons that speak 
 loudly against the wish. For your sake, for our father s sake, 
 Edward Conway, I would pray that we. might never meet again," 
 
 " Pshaw ! these arc whining follies ! the cant of the girl or 
 the puritan. They do not impose on me. Your father s sake 
 and mine, indeed ! Say nothing for yourself for your own 
 sake oh, no! no! you have no considerations of self none! 
 Philanthropic, patriotic gentleman!" 
 
 The keen eye of Clarence flashed angrily as he listened to this 
 meer. He bit his lip to restrain his emotion, and once more 
 replied, but it was no longer in the language of forbearance. 
 
 " I am not unwilling to say, for my sake also, Edwaid Conway. 
 Even to you I need not add, that no mean sentiment of fear 
 governs me in the expression. Fear I have of no man. Fear 
 of you, Edward Conway you, in your present, degraded atti 
 tude and base condition the leagued with ruffians and common 
 st-ibbers a traitor and a liar! Fear of you I could not have! 
 Nor do you need that I should tell yon this. You feel it in your 
 secret soul. You know that I never feared you in boyhood, and 
 can not fear yon now. My frequent experience of your powers 
 and my own, makes me as careless of your threats, as that natu 
 ral courage, which belongs to my blood and mind, makes mu 
 insensible to the threats of others. Go to you can not bully 
 me. I scorn I utterly despise you." 
 
 " Enough, enough, Colonel Conway. We understand each 
 other," cried the ortlav. alrros* convulsed with his emotions 
 " We are quits from this hour. Henceforward I iling the. ti 
 blood to the winds. As 1 do not feel them, I will not al.-vt 
 them. I acknowledge them no more. I am not your father s 
 gon not yo,-j brother. I forswear, and from this moment I 
 shall for ever deny the connection. 1 have no share in the bsse 
 
I I M I i ; I I ! - ! I . 1 -J 1 
 
 puddle which fills your vein-. Know me, heneefonh, I 
 nobler spirit. I dory in the name which scares your puny 
 squadrons. I ;im the chief of the Black Hiders of Con-;,], 
 that fell banditti which makes your, women shiver ami your 
 war: upon whom you invoke and threaten vrn-i ance 
 
 equally in vain. I care not to l.e distinguished by any other 
 name or connection. You, I shall only know as one to whom I 
 
 and whom I am sworn to destroy. \ 
 
 know not, forso-Mh. v, hat has driven me to this position! I will 
 
 tell you here, .-nc^ fur all : and the answer I trust, will con 
 
 clude your doubts for ever. Hate for >/>< for y<>u only! I 
 
 i you froin your era.ile. with an inMinct which boyhood 
 
 rly Mren-lhcncd. and manhood rendered invincible. I shall 
 
 always hate you; and if I have (empori/ed heretofore, and for- 
 
 declaration of thetruth.it was only the more ell". < tu- 
 
 ally -. id promote purposes which were nei ;hat 
 
 That time, and the I .re at an 
 
 . the full fe lin-r of my soul. 
 
 revealed to you what, perhaps. I should have 
 
 v Mied for a Whl to withhold: but that known, it is 
 
 ;>ride to have no further concealments. I repeat, there- 
 
 tliat 1 , from my soul, Clarence Conway; and 
 
 when I have fairly acquittal myself of the debt 1 owe you, bv send- 
 
 inir you to your >wamp in Safety, I shall then . seek, by . \ TV etfort, 
 
 i( and .! \ Q h-ar m<- ? am I at last 
 
 i ? " 
 
 "I 1 replied Clarence Conway, with a tone calm. 
 
 OOmj M; and with looks unmoved, and even sternly con 
 
 tcmptuous. 1 hear you. Your violeix , i alarm me, 
 
 I- d ward Conway. 1 look upon you as a madman. As for your 
 pshaw, man You aim.. -t move.! me to deal in da; 
 
 jrour own. Let u< vapor hen- no longer, I 
 
 me n:y fre.-dmn, and -ur rutlians on the track. I 
 
 I u ter no Mireat - l)iit if I fail to tal 
 OF the brutal 001 whirh I ha\e this ni-i, t . 
 
 :iid \oiir myrmidons, then m.-i , Ib ,., ;. tail me in mv 
 
 " u ( : i the outlaw. be 
 
122 Tin: SCOUT. 
 
 fore daylight 1 will conduct you from this place. Your 
 shall be restored to you. You shall be five. I then know yov. 
 no more I fling from me the name of kinsman." 
 
 Not more heartily than I. Ulack Rider, bandit, onfl 
 radian ! 1 shall welcome you to the combat by any > 
 sooner than that which my father has m. in my ear-;." 
 
 Morton bestowed a single glance on tin* speaker, in which all 
 the hellish hate spoke out which had so long 
 yet working in his bosom. The latter met the ghr v-e uith o 1 3 
 more cool and steady, if far less lull of malignity. 
 
 " l>e it, then, as he wills it !" he exclaimed, when the outhn r 
 had retired ; " he sliall find no fonli.-h tenderm 
 heart, working for his salvation ! If \ve mus^ meet -if he wib 
 force it upon me then God have, mercy upon us both, for 1 wit) 
 have none.! It is his own seeking. Let him abide it ! And 
 yet, would to God that this necessity might pass me by ! Some 
 other arm some other weapon than mine may do me ju.- -ti-.v, 
 and acquit me of this cruel duty ! 
 
 Long and earnest that night, was the prayer <xf f lnrence, that 
 he might he spared from that strife whir ii, so far, threatened t<; 
 he inevitable. Yet he made not this prayer because ! an; 
 affection whicii, under the circumstances, must have 
 equally misplaced and unnatural which he bo-v his kinsman 
 Thev had never loved. The feelings -:f brotherhood had 
 uni elt by either. Their moods had IK-CII wai first 
 
 it does not need that we should inquire why The sweet 
 dependencies of mutual appeal and coiilid 8 unknown to, 
 
 and unexercised by, either; and, so ia; 1 as tin ir . ynipathies were 
 interested, Clarence, like the other, v.-ould hao- felt no more 
 scruple at encountering Kdward Onway in battle, than in n 
 
 any indiiferent person, who was equally his own and the foe 
 of his country. 
 
 I .ut there was something shocking t" the social SCUM-, in such 
 a c .nilict, which prompted the prayers of the youth that it might 
 be avoted; and this prayer, it may be added, was only ma.le 
 when the excitement which their conference had induced. 
 partly over. His praver was one of reflection and the mim! 
 His Mo.xl took no part in the entreaty. At moments, when 
 
THINiiS IN KMlii:\u. TJ3 
 
 . moved hy mei, ined the 
 
 while he strove in prayer the hoon which he implored waft 
 
 and, rising from his knees, he thought of nothing hut 
 
 :;ife and the vengeance which it pron rhaps 
 
 1 pr \aile ! even after the supplication was 
 
 ended. It minted in with the feelings which followed it. and 
 
 v. hniever they hecame excited, the revulsion cea>ed entirely, 
 
 vliich a more iteliherate thouglit of the >ul j 
 
 ;ied. Tlie passion of the gladiator was ^ti!l wan. 
 the prayrr u of the Chri>tian man. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THiMJS I.\ K.MHRYl . 
 
 FJI\VAKP Mnin-nN kept hi-; promise. I5efre the dawn of tb 
 d-iy he n-least-d IPS kinsman from prison. JIc I..- .! 
 v > iit his followers Out of the way all save the land- 
 -who rould seareely he counted one of them 
 and some two or three more upon whom he thought 
 relv. II I without suflifient motive for t: :i. 
 
 lie had hi.s apprelieiiMms of that unruly and insnhordinate sjiirit 
 which tliev had already shown, and which, haflled . 
 
 onahly believed mi t L r hi I If in 
 
 \ ;ea of honor prompted him at all ha. 
 
 OD, the destruction of wh<un would 1,-ave heeu 
 to him a source of the j;r tioiL Oontradictk)] 
 
 this sort are not uncommon ain>ii minds which h.ae heeu suh- 
 
 influences. It uas }\->t a principle, hut p 
 ; -;i t> thi^ :;imily. i 
 
 -tiuj: of l;i- connection with the i: 
 M "f .shamr to ha\ 
 
 inal wl- : "l < .,de was i U) liiin 
 
 di his departure. M<rton, aiso monnte^ 
 
 nd the | hich the rohher* 
 
1-1 I UK SCOUT. 
 
 had chosen for their temporary refuge. He then spoke at part 
 ing. 
 
 "Colonel Conway, your path is free, rind you are also! He- 
 f re you lies the road to the Watcree, with which you are suf 
 ficiently acquainted. Here we separate. I have fulfilled my 
 pledges. When next we meet I shall remind you of yours. Till 
 then, farewell." 
 
 !! did not wait for an answer, hut striking his rowel fiercelv 
 into the flanks of his horse, he galloped rapidly 1 a- k to ". 
 place which he had left. The eye of Clarence fo . i.wed him 
 with an expression of stem defiance, not nnmi.t^led with Padness, 
 while he replied : 
 
 " I will not fail thee, he that meeting when it may. Sad as 
 the necessity is, I will not shrink from it. I, too, have my 
 wrongs to avenge, Edward Conway. I, too, acknowledge that 
 instinct of hate from the beginning, Avhich will make a labor of 
 l<>ve of this work of vengeance. I have striven, but fruitlessly, 
 for its suppression ; now let it have its way. The hand of 
 fate is in it. We have never loved each other. We Irive both 
 eoually doubted, distrusted, disliked and these instincts 1. 
 strengthened with our strength, grown with our growth, and 
 their fruits are here ! Shall I, alone, regret them ? Shall they 
 revolt my feelings only? No! I have certainly no tear I 
 shall endeavor to free myself from all compunction! Let the 
 fctrit e come when it may, be sure 1 shall be last to say, Hold off 
 are we not brethren? You fling away the ties of blood, do 
 you i Know from me, Edward Conway, that in flinging away 
 these ties, you fling from you your only security. They I 
 often protected you from my anger before they shall protect 
 you no longer." 
 
 And slowly, and solemnly, while the youth spoke, did he 
 wave his open palm toward the path taken by his brother. But 
 he wasted no more time in soliloquy. Prudence prompted him, 
 without delay, to avail himself of the freedom which had been 
 given him. He knew not what pursuers might be upon hib 
 path. lie was not satisfied that his kinsman would still be true, 
 without evasion, to the assurances which he had given in a 
 mood of unwonted magnanimity. He plied his spurs freely 
 
THIN 
 
 : his .-! 
 
 Another moment found him j>n-^iu^ toward th- -\\amp. 
 Hut be had Karceljr commenced his 
 
 hi- ears, in a !": 
 
 liaml. ci; rid in LT out his faithful ; 
 
 ami adherent. Jack Jlann: 
 
 "Ah, true and trusty .Ja< k. \. indful 
 
 of y.,ur friend wortl. ,:id friends - I mi-M well i 
 
 looked to 
 
 much. If * 
 
 litlr " 
 
 Worked tlr. 1 
 
 iloft the ! .:::ly lnit ID 
 
 iiistrunicnt, \vith one hand, he _ . ith the other the 
 
 extended hand of his -upcrior. 
 
 "I couldn t see the fellow handl- 
 
 Clan-: - I I DO . : . . 
 knowed that twould 
 
 was mighty dub ous ti f ( .r 
 
 y. t I couldn t work 
 
 X onr- for L r ood and all. and thai rate. 
 
 I didn t pretty much kl 
 that Polly Lonirli; 
 
 it oil her-elf. for I di : tbil r. If I liad 
 
 nee. I don t thinl, 
 
 of him that tumbled. I m a ihinkir. : ha drawn i ; 
 
 that i-ht more ni<rh to yr-nr n. if 
 
 n that your father h:,d fat j^Tillg Iv!\\a:-i 
 nan, 
 
 ra al, projHT ki: 
 him out of liarm ^ \\ :.\ , a:. 
 of him." 
 
 L r ot you into tlui: 
 than an\ .-arjH-nt tin 1 
 
 for him 
 
I M TIII: SCOUT. 
 
 ence don t say anythint: more in his favor, or I ll stun" my 
 with moss and pine gum whenever you open your lips to speak. 
 You ve stood by him long enough, and done all that natur 1 
 called for. and more than w;is nateral. Half the men I kno\\ , 
 if they had ever been saved by any brother, as you ve been 
 i by him, would ha sunk a toolh into his heart that wouldn t 
 ha worked its way out in one winter, no how. But you ve done 
 with him now, I reckon ; and it you ain t. I m done with you. 
 there ll be no use for us to travel together, if you ain t ready 
 to u<i- your knife agen Edward Comvuy the same a< agin any other 
 tory." 
 
 "Iii- satisfied. Jack. I m sworn to it nay to him by 
 
 oath when we next meet !> make our battle final. It was on this 
 condition that he set me 
 
 " Well. he > not so mean a skunk after Till, jf he s ready to fight it 
 out. I didn t think .he was bold enough for that. But it is all the 
 better. I only \\> pe that when the time comes. I ll be the one to 
 fair play. I ll stand beside you, and if he flattens you which. 
 knows, I don t think it s in one of his inches to do v, by. he ll only 
 have to flatten another. It s cl ar to you now, Clarence, that you 
 knows all about him." 
 
 " Fes! He is the lc::der of the Black Riders. He declared it with 
 his own 
 
 " When he couldn t help it no longer. AVhy, Clarence. In- 
 lit them fellows a ter you that tuk you, I didn t 
 it, bi.l 1 knows it je-t the same as if I did. But, though 
 you know that he s a tory and a Black Rider, there s a thousand 
 viil. . been doing, ever since we played together, that 
 
 \ nothing about, and I m minded of one in preticular 
 
 happened \\lien you was at college in Kngland. by the 
 coming of old .lake Clarkson! You member .lake ClaiK 
 that planted a short mile from your father^ place, don t you 1 . he 
 had agnail patch of farm, and tli.; the river, like my 
 
 self." 
 
 -. 
 very well I remember him." 
 
 ""Well, him I mean. Old Jake had a daughter I i 
 . don t much remember her. Mary Clark^on as ^\,ry and 
 i man 9ei c\< - on. 1 had a liking for th. 
 
THINGS IN EMBRYO, 1 i 
 
 I own it, ( ami if BO lie lliin.i;- hadn t turned out as 
 
 th. y diil. I mouirht ha married her. I Jut Wt a <Iod\ ! 
 
 didn t, toi i-.vard Conway irot tin- better of her, and 
 
 1 anything about it. poor Mary v 
 a bundle <h- had no law to rarry. When they pushed tin- 
 
 told a lung iral s >tory how Kdward had promised to marry her, 
 and >n Ilnly Hook, and all that sort of thinir. which 
 
 pretty much out OJ 
 it, but for l;er to be such a child as to believe it. Hut no matter. 
 
 Mir was mil:!, bout it. Old Jake carried a ritle i. 
 
 than three months for Kdward ( onway, and he took that time to 
 make his lir-t trip to Florida ; win re, I m thinking, bad as he was 
 
 i d to be a great deal there th., 
 
 picked up all hi- tory notions, from having too much dealing 
 
 with John Stuart. Jhe Indian a.irent, who, you know, is jist as 
 
 bad an inimy of our liberties as ever ci>me out of the old country. 
 
 .. but th. o tell. I oor Mary couldn t stand the 
 
 -lion of IMward Conway and the di-kivery of h* r vitiation. 
 
 i f.ir the poor child, who. you 
 
 kn " - itied ; for it s miuhty 
 
 .n in thi< \vorld that no whrn tin ; 
 
 . a man they have a likin.ir for. Old Jake was miirhty 
 
 1 Moliy. his \\ife. who. by nature, was a 
 
 made hi : niulit and day ab.i/ the 
 
 till her heart was wi.rn d wn in IP and she 
 
 didn\ dan- to look up. and trimbled win-never anyli. 
 
 la.-t. that she \\elit 
 
 one niuht. noliody knows \\har, and left no : \Vell, 
 
 re all turned out on the sareh, 
 
 to be the lir-t to tilld 
 what had lieconn- "f ! 
 
 lid you lind her. .la- 
 in t find her. Clan-ncr ; but found . -1 she 
 
 und her 1 D the ban 
 
 but her b i ka at the ; 
 
 all ftbOUt :i " 
 
128 
 
 THK s< 
 
 I Lave now a faint recolle-ction of tliis story, Baiini.-ter. 1 
 must liavo heard it while in Kngland, or soon alter inv return, 
 
 " Twaw a bad business, Clarence ; and I didn t feed the small 
 est part of it. I didn t know till I come across the g;il - bonnet 
 how great a liking I had for her. I reckon I cried like a baby 
 over it. From that day I mistrusted Edward Comvay worse 
 than p ison. There was a-many things, long before that, th.-s* 
 made me suspicion him ; hut after that, Clarence, I alw.- ys toll 
 when I was near him, as if 1 saw a great snake, a viper, or a 
 in- ( ka-in, and looked all round for a chunk to ms!i il head 
 with." 
 
 "And what of her old father, Jack?" 
 
 " Why, he s come up to join your troop. I was so full of 
 tlrlnking bout other matters yisterday, when I saw yon, that I 
 quite forgot to tell you. He s been fighting below with Mari 
 on s men, but he wanted to look at the olo> range, and so he 
 broke off to go under Stunter ; but the true story is, I m think 
 ing, that he s hcarn how Edward Conway is up here somewhar, 
 a-iighting, and he comes to empty that rifle at his head. He ll 
 his prayers over the bullet that he uses at him, and I reckon 
 will make a chop in it, so that he may know, when his inimy is 
 tumbled, if the shot that does the business was the one that bad 
 a commission for it." 
 
 "And Clarkson is now with us? In the swamp ?" 
 
 " I left him at the Big Crossings. But, Clarence, don t you 
 
 say nothing to him about this business. It s a sore thing with 
 
 him "till, though the matter is so long gone by. But everything 
 
 helps to keep it alive in his heart. His old woman s gone, to 
 
 h r long homo; and though she had a rough tongue and a long 
 
 yet he was usen to her; and, when he lost little .Mary, and 
 
 i her, and the tories burnt his house, it sort-a cut him up, 
 
 and branch, and made him fretful and vexatious, lint he ll 
 
 light, riaivijce, lik< old bhr/es there s no mistake, in him." 
 
 "I will be can-fill, Jack ; but a truce to this. We have, but 
 iltle time fc.r old histories; and such melancholy onefl as tlie.^o 
 may well be forgotten. We have enough before us sufficiently 
 sad to <! ma:id al! our attention and a\raken our griefs. T 
 businov- i-rnv, Jack. We have idled long enough." 
 
THIN.i- l\ KMUIiYO. 
 
 U< ;. . eolonel. Say the word." 
 
 kc the back track, and see after these lUack ttider>. \Ve 
 IN- fairly ucMunk-r them to heat them tn 
 
 make the cross in blood on the brea best of th 
 
 "Edward Conway at the head of them !" 
 "Edward Comvay no longer, John lianni.-ter. ). 
 disclaims the name with scorn. Let him have the nai 
 the doom, which is due to the chief of the handitti which hr 
 
 IB. That name lias saved him too long alre;;<iv. . 
 tliat lie now disclaims it, Avith all its sccuirl- --. Aft t ! 
 Hannistcr. If you have skill , 
 
 what has passed between us, he will he <>n my hi 
 shortly. He may be, even now, with all hi* band. 1 mi, 
 prepare.] for him, and must distrust him. h i 
 importance that all his movements should be known 
 discretion 1 leave it. Away. Find me in the swamp ! 
 at the Little Crossings. We must leave it for the i onirn;. 
 three days more. Away. Let your hoi heels." 
 
 A brief grasp of the hand, and a kind \\ ,1 tl:- 1 
 
 een the youthful partisan and his ti wer, 
 
 latter dashed abruptly into the v. amp, 
 
 while the former, taking an upper route, purged the win< 
 f the river, till he reached the point 
 f"llnw th- ,.f either for the 
 
 h )u>- of Mu-gs, and observe, somewhat further, th> 
 f the outlawed captain. 
 
 I here, evt rything had the appearance of a rapid i 
 
 troopers, coi ercd by a thick wood, -, _ , u -ing to rM-> 
 
 . 
 
 while their r: ]y or in grou; 
 
 \hile away the brief interval of time 
 the delay of their chief ojl u-. 
 
 lie, meanwhile, in the wigwam of M 
 
 rations which bathVd f-.r the time his habitual 
 it uj.on the same bulk which he had mvMpicd whi! 
 
 
 
 t" that fit , which the lamil-.!- 
 
 t with manifest ODi did int seem 1; K1 c-in/agh t" riter 
 
l30 TUT SCOUT. 
 
 nipt. At length the. door of the. apartment opened, and me> 
 presence of a third person put an end to the meditations of toe 
 
 td the forbearance of the other party. 
 
 The inU-uder was a youth, apparently not more than seven 
 teen years of age. Such would have been the impression .m 
 ;IM\ mind, oeca>ioiu d by his timid bearing and slendei figniv 
 indi-rd, lie, would have been called undersixed for seventeen 
 I!nt tlicrt) wa> that in his pale, well-defined features, which sp.-ke 
 
 .,ter maturity of thought, if not of time, than belon- 
 this ea -ly period in life. The lines of his cheeks and mom! 
 were nil of intelligence that intelligence which results from 
 eariv ;i j. \irtics and the pressure of serious necessities. The 
 frank, iree, heedless inditferencc of the future, whic v shines mit 
 in the countenance of boyhood, seemed utterly ob/iierated iron.. 
 his !, .e brow was already touched with wrinkles, that 
 
 appeared strangely at variance with the short, closely cropped 
 black hair, the, ends of which were apparent beneath the sloucheo 
 cap of fur he wore. The features were pensive, rather pretty, 
 Indeed, but awfully pale. Though they expressed great intelli 
 and the presence of an active thought, yet this did not 
 t<> have produced its usual result in conferring confidence 
 [ he look of the youth was downcast and when his large dark 
 - ventured to meet those of t\,h speaker, they seemed to 
 er and to shrink within themselves; and this desire, ap 
 peared to ^ive them an unsteady, dancing motion, wliich hei 
 painful to tin: beholder, as it seemed to indicate, apprehension, if 
 not fright, in the, proprietor. His voice faltered too when he 
 spVKr, and was only made intelligible by his evident effort at 
 
 deliberateness. 
 
 that of the rest of the troop, the costume of the youth 
 black. A belt of black leather encircled his waist, in 
 which pistols and n knife, wen- ostentatiously .stuck. Vet h.:-\v 
 Fhouhl .>ne so timid be expected to use them? Trembli 
 tiie presence of a friend, what firmness could he posse.- s in the 
 eiif-ouuter with a foe? Where was the nerve, the strength. f.r 
 the, (leac-.ly issues of battle? It seemed, indeed, a mockery 
 of fate a ciiielty to send forth so feeble a frame and * fear 
 ful a spirit, while the thunder and the threatening storm were 
 
THIN<;> IN : 131 
 
 Hi the wky. But no such scruples appeared to alllict the chief; 
 i^ seen; o~f timUity in tlie 
 
 ures and manner .i-h. Perhaps, In- 
 
 i the natural ellect of his own stern manner, which 
 .ather increased than softened as he li>tcnr.l to : 
 
 which tlie hoy made that all wa*. ready for a movement. 
 Vnu have lingered, i 
 
 * H; .rion and the ensign \\ere. not with the rest, sir, and 1 had 
 t<- l.iok for them !" 
 
 So ! plotting again, were they ( Hut they shall find their 
 ii yet ! i lil m 1 and deaf fools, that will not content 
 
 th heing knaves to their own profit, hut 
 
 - knaves, to their utter ruin. But go, i 
 
 that your own horse is MC! hark ye, do not he following 
 
 my heels. I have told you repeatedly, keep the 
 rear when we , ucing, the front only when we are .treat 
 
 ing. Kemeiii. 
 
 The hoy howed respectfully, and left the room. 
 
 And now, Muggs, you are hu;>t!r -k. I know why, 
 
 therefore, ami on what sulject. No\v. do you know th 
 
 6 hut to reveal to the troop the 
 
 la-t night, to have them tear you and your hoi: 1 )o 
 
 yon fcrget that desertion is death, according ; own 
 
 "I am no longer one of tne troop," replied the landlord 
 hastily. 
 
 Ay, that may he in one son.Ht.hut is scarcely >o in 
 other. You I from your oath tl... 
 
 < duty. Hut. let them hear ) 
 of yiu:>elf, as 1;. 
 
 and they will s n convince yu that they holv! lirly 
 
 li<iund to thei;. .1 your lii. 
 
 They will only release you ly tearing \\h;; 
 in-." 
 
 " Well, hut cappii:. 
 
 no r-ji>nu wl.;, know the advice I 
 
 (licit .Idn t take th 
 
 \\ ith dai.^.. i-l Q :i hii 
 
132 Tin: 
 
 army, a-gaining ground every day. Yhere s Sumter aiul Ma* 
 ion, and Pickens, and Maham, and " 
 
 " Psbaw, Muggs i what a d d catalogue is this; and what 
 matters it all 1 Be it as you say do I not know? Did I not 
 know, at the beginning, of all these dangers? They do mt 
 terrify me now, any more than then ! These armies that, vuu 
 speak of are mere skeletons." 
 
 " They give mighty hard knocks for skilitons. There s that 
 aftair at Ilobkirk s " 
 
 " Well, did not llawdon keep the field ?" 
 
 " Xot over-long, cappin, and now " 
 
 "Look you, Muggs, one word for all. I am sworn to the 1 
 tioop. 1 Avill keep my oath. They shall find no faltering in 
 me. Living or dead, 1 stand by them to the last; and I give 
 you these few words of counsel, if you would be safe. I will 
 keep secret what you have said to me, for, I believe, you meant 
 me kindly ; but let me hear no more of the same sort of counsel. 
 Another word to the same effect, and I deliver you over to the 
 tender mercies of those with whom the shortest prayer is a span 
 too long for an offender whose rope is ready and whose tree ia 
 near/ 1 
 
 These words were just spoken as the boy reappeared at the 
 
 and informed the chief that the troop was in motion. The 
 
 latter rose and prepared to follow. He shook hands with the 
 
 l::i)dl".-d at parting, contenting himself with saying the single 
 
 , " Remember I" in a tone of sufficient warning in reply 
 
 to the- other s farewell. In this, Edward Morton displayed 
 
 .mother sample of the practised hypocrisy of his character. Jlis 
 
 iM. -ntai soliloquy after leaving the landlord, was framed ir 
 
 tr.ieh language as the. following 
 
 1 like your counsel, Master Muggs, but shall be no such fool 
 put myself in your power by showing you that 1 like it. 
 I were indeed a sodden ass, just at this moment, when half of 
 my troop suspect me of treachery, to suffer you to hear, from 
 my own lips, that I actually look with favor upon your counsel. 
 Yet the old fool re., iitly. This is no region for me now 
 
 It will net be mu:;h longer. The British power is passing away 
 pidly. Rawdou will not sustain himself much longer. Corn- 
 
THIN-,- IN EMBRYO, 
 
 w.dlis frit tli;t. and hence his pretend- d in\ aH >n of . 
 
 .illy to conceal his own Big] i; il 
 
 \\h:;t cart- I for him or them. .M Mich nt ii: 
 
 B, and that is \\ i -11 n\ : .-:\i u<>. I -.-If when 1 fancied 
 
 that the rebel-; >;i!d n.-t niBfofa 
 
 :ind if I wail t.. MC the hunt up, 1 shall have a plentiful harvest from 
 >\\n full;, i i, ut of Hi.- well 
 
 - 1 can, and \\illi all p<.s>i!.| r spe<d. Hut no landlords for 
 ate, A wise man nn-ils none of any kind. They are for your 
 adln-ivr p< ople ; folks who believe in friend 
 ships and love-, ::iid tliat x>rt of thiiiLT. Have I, then, 
 nonV i:.. Ay, there are a tli..;isml i;i that tine, If I 
 can win f,u\ whe!h<r l.y fair w.ird <,r fea: . \\.11 : It will 
 not tli- n he hard to hreak fnun tlie-e .--.(uiidn-ls. Hut, here 
 
 llleV 
 
 Such wa< lli, train of Kdward U he Kit 
 
 t!u- landlord. Folh.wed liy the hoy of \\hoiu \\e have all 
 
 . n. he eantend forth to the wood where the troop had forimd. 
 
 a:;d - them wiiii - .hiirrly, eye, 
 
 :iMjt military ambition, and eertainl\ 
 
 like his brother, n considerabl tal -m. His ^laiu-r 
 
 im. excellent dn Sfl and n<pec! of hi- 
 troop. IJexi.nd ihi. and U] ::ion purp 
 
 which had prompt, d the A ell of men as leader, he had 
 
 inpathies uith them. E\vn as 1:,- l,,,,k, d and Bulled upon their 
 
 d t lii-oii.-: h hi. mind 
 
 id I inn i into tin .sivam^ MO\V. and withdraw my 
 
 own, ii were no bad lini-h to a doubt! . 
 but I IIHI-.T i;-r tin m snmi thinn furthc:. Th. y can . 
 
 i no man should tlr ;k i> 
 
 ended." 
 
 n to the examinati. n. Tln-ri followed the 
 in-Jnu-ii.. which do not require that 
 
 li -m. T ; that concern our narrative will 
 
 ind i:i d>. 
 
 in-iy mention. the outlaw^ made hi- 
 
 ment- \\ i 
 
184 TII,*: SPOUT 
 
 his liH H \\hieh hau r6OCl)GiI his eai>. He took care to sepaivu* 
 tho. sur-prru d illicers, in such a way as to deprive them, t -.r th 
 ttt, of all chance of communion; thon, taking; tho. advance 
 he led the troop forward, and was von found pursuing tho track 
 lately taken by ( Ian :.o- v onway 
 
 CHAPTER XJ11. 
 
 \KU l lll.\< iPLKS DiSCLSSKD MV OLD l,\\\ * 
 
 THK last words of the chief of tho Hlack Riders, as lie le<; 
 the presence of the landlord, had put that worthy into a most 
 U lei.viahlr frame of mind. He had counselled Morton for hi> 
 wn henelit lie himself had no soliish consideration*. He 
 Battered himsell that the. relation in which he stood to the p,.r 
 etwecn which the country was divided, not to speak of his 
 mutilated condition, would secure him from danger, no matfcr 
 which of them should finally ohtain tho ascendency. That he 
 should ! > still held responsible to his late comrades, though lie 
 no I ! in their pursuits and no longer shared their 
 
 Js, was a ni"dium equally now and disquieting through which 
 .eijuirod to regard the suhject. The stern threat with 
 which Morton concluded, left him in little douht of the uncertain 
 tenure of that security which ho, calculated to find among his 
 v d friends; and, at the same time, awakened in his heart some 
 and rather hitter feelings in reference to the speaker. 
 Hitherto, from (.Id affinities, and because of some one of : ; 
 tameless moral attachments which incline us f avorahly to ; 
 vi luals to whom \\ o otherwise owe nothing, he had heen as well 
 .li.-posed roward Edward Morton as he conld ho toward anv 
 individual not absolutely hound to him 1>\- hlood or ii:tere:t 
 lie had seen enough to like in him, to make him solicitors oi 
 his jucve,,>es, a;:d to lead him in repeated instances, as in thnt 
 which incurred the late reluike, to volnntec-r his suggestions, and 
 to take some pains in acquiring iiii.>rn,ation which sometimes 
 

 
 ur:illy ciioUL h. i" confer with him, \\i:h U>1 
 
 number of topic^ Mridh io liiin> which the 
 
 troop knew nothing t ii the 
 
 f till out lav. , III) 1 l!"t liivamilii: o! tha* 
 
 f the latter. \\hii-h - ->lvc him t< adept the 
 
 which lie ; urn with loatlii;;-. the landlord, 
 
 r l-lt indiirnant at the i \\ith which 
 
 he had In and his indiiMiatioii Avas nipt 
 
 l>y the di^(jiiietiiiir dnuli - y which 
 
 : ton had ju-t at the moment \\ !. 
 
 ~t unfavorable t-> the outlaw, tli 
 (juietly thrown open, and he Ixheiii. 
 irpri>e. t i a worthy 
 
 in.i; in upon him. The latter needed no invitation to 
 
 li-hind him our coininny at hi-t. . 
 
 in pretie lar. that them 1-1. 
 
 waited 
 wi-h I WM 
 sari in. M 
 to ma,. 
 
 " Al, i 1 the other 
 
 with an iid not 
 
 nice I - 
 
 i ha dnink me oui . it thev 
 
 i much lon-j. r. A L-iir of leinoi - 
 
 and the:. 
 : upon them lolii; suail 
 
 "f Suppl. 
 lenance of the landlord, a- In- <L Jailed ihc 
 
 :.d \\hcn ; nad Jini>i. .lly re- 
 
 - 
 
136 I HI: 3COt r. 
 
 "I m afear d, I-aae .Mug-.:-, you a n l Showing clean hands 
 above the table. Tha 1 ! talking that don t Itlind in\ 
 
 t it stop- my ears. h-n t I know it would he mighty on 
 null-nil if you wa n t glad enough to -ell yowkagSOf lemons, and 
 your kags of sugar, and your gallons of ruin, pretic larly \\htn. 
 in place of them, you can count me twenty times their valley 
 in Hritish gould? No, .Mii-i:-, that -<>ri o talking won t do for 
 me. Take the cross out of your tongue and be prctic lar in what 
 you say, for I m going to s arch you mighty ck)Be thi- tin. 
 you." 
 
 Well but. Supple, you wouldn t have me take nothing from 
 them that drinks and eats up my substance?" 
 
 "Who talks any such foolishness but your-elf, Mug 
 don t. I m for your taking all you can get out of the inimy ; 
 lor it s two vxay-o! distressing em, to sell em strong drink and 
 take their gould for it. The man that drinks punch is always 
 the vroiM for it : and it don t better hi- business !< make him 
 [my for it in guineas. That s not my meanin I m 
 
 MI another track, and I ll show vou both rends of it before I m 
 llone." 
 
 Why, Supple, you talk* and looks at me ^u-pieionsly," said the 
 landlord, unable to withstand the keen, in|uirinir .-lance- .-! the 
 -cout, and almost as little able to conceal hi- :ipprrlirnM..iis lest some 
 serious di.-covrry had liren made to hi- detriment. 
 
 " Look you. I-aac Mu,L r .L;-. do you see Iliat jteep-hole there in the 
 wall? oil, thar! jest one side of the \\indow--thr prr]-holr in the 
 
 " Yes, I see it." said the landlord, \\ho-e busy !; 
 alrradv engaged in thrusting a wadding of dry moss into the discov 
 ered aperture. 
 
 " Well, it s too late to poke at it nov. , M uggs," said the other. 
 "The harm s done a ready, and I ll let you know the VTOFbt of it. 
 Through that peep-hole, last ni.uht. I saw \\lial mgoii 
 
 luTe Minomr \ on ; and through that peep hole, it was this same 
 Polly Longlips" lapping his ritle as he spoke "that went 
 olT of her own liking, and tumbled one big fellow ; and was 
 mighty vexatious, now, when she found he-self onable to tumble 
 another." 
 
If PBINCIPL1 > LAWS lol 
 
 iker," mur 
 mured the hiinlli)nl tlattcrindy, and moving " take in his remaining 
 hand tin- ol lio-ium. Hut Supple Jack evidently re 
 
 coiled at so doubtful a libertx i niL crou- I 1 drew 
 
 -ruinent .pletrly within the control of h: 
 
 arm. 
 
 : > bashful anionM 
 
 nd \\hen -he puts up luTMi<utli, it ain t to be ki^ed or to 
 
 thai prctic lar. 
 
 lon t think I mi-:i ; twould be mighty 
 
 iVard of anythini: you i oiild do with a 
 
 rille like he;, lia\inii l-sil one nnu t p> upon. h\ ( ,n|y t t jraloiix 
 thai inak !> kn-p my Polly out of the arms of 
 
 natcral enough, you know, to a person that 
 a)." 
 
 "Oh ye- very nat -ial. Supple , but somehow, it seems to me ns if 
 you did -u-picion me, Supple it does, I declar ." 
 
 ied the other, promptly. "I suspicions 
 little bit of a fool of yotirsc-lf ; and I \> 
 ;id of the road will brin^r you up. You know, 
 that I know all about you from A t i//ard. 1 < an read 
 you lik I reckon you ll allow that I have larn d 
 
 ;rn d any other." 
 " Well. Supple. I reckon 1 may -ay yu know me pretty much as 
 
 other pi ! 
 
 ( I know you from the jump; and I 
 ial you did once ride with these 
 
 ;>p!e. but" and the landlord jumped up and looked 
 
 !>d. with all his eyes. MS far ns p 
 
 into tin- -iirroimdiir. i mwhile, with 
 
 turba! ined the st at which he had 
 
 taken. 
 
 saiij he. when the othT had returned. 
 .:nvenJ <1 your whole establishment In at both of 
 
 r your cypress holl. 
 
 : 
 
138 THI: S< > 
 
 tliat pay for what they git," exclaimed the apprehensive land 
 lord. 
 
 " That s the very p int I m driving at, Muggs. You know well 
 enough that if our hoys had a gu. >^ that you ever rode with li, 
 
 it wouldn t IK- your stump of an arm that M save you from the 
 ing limb." 
 
 did hide that I fou t. ( n the British >](]< 
 said the oilier. 
 
 " In the \V( Si That s the BtOf; 
 
 about your hurts, and all that. If you was to tell them, <T if I 
 tell them, any other story now, that had the least smell 
 of the truth in it, your shop would lie shu! up for < ver in this life, 
 and who kno. \ be never opened in the next. \Ycll, 
 
 hen- this blessed day to c< nvart you to rebellion. 
 ry peep-hole, la-t night, 1 heard you, with my own 
 ears, talkii free as the rankest tory in all the AYateiee 
 
 country." 
 
 " Oh, Lord, Supple, wa n t that nateral enough, when the house 
 wor full of to: 
 
 " T wa n t nat<-ral tj> an honest man at any time," replied the 
 other indignantly ; "and let me tell you, Muggs, the house wa n t full 
 only Ned Conway was here, with his slippery tongue that s a 
 wheedling you, like a blasted blind booby, Muggs, to your own de 
 struction. That same fellow will put your neck in the noose yet, an! 
 laugh when you re iroing up." 
 
 A prediction so confidently spoken, and which tallied so admira 
 bly with the s.-ivage threat uttered by the outlaw at hi- late Departure . 
 dro\r the b]. ; od from the cheeks of the landlord, and made him heed- 
 the harsh lan-ua^e in which the scout had e\pres-ed liim-elf. 
 
 i : 
 
 " 15ut twas pretty much the same thin.ir. Supple lie was their 
 cappin, you know." 
 
 plain ! And what d< -.nd what do they 
 
 about him, if they can get their & -d without 
 
 each other? It wouldn t be . a coi per. the l..ve that s 
 
 : tiiem. He ll let them ham:, and they ll hanir him, as 
 
 soon i ,,rth while for cither t Don t I know, 
 
 Muggs? Don t I know that nniving strong agin him 
 
139 
 
 < Ulate th:; 
 
 i in hold Kaudon. this Ned COMN\:I\ will ! the first to kill 
 
 a halter : He ll ride 
 . and when Jhere he ll sink to the V. 
 
 ame. and he ll so work il. ! 
 ir nc-ck in the collar without \\ai;in- to hear the 
 
 Vie clean ipjo-ikm. Supple. 1. : .!y this morni; 
 
 lioncd the captain liout hN men. and 1 gin iiiiu D I to 
 
 the Lack track and find his way to I 
 
 d never d-ai the troop, and i 
 
 about it. and even thieatened. if I lalked of it another time to him, to 
 " me." 
 
 ,. and ni" ! the other 
 
 . rein iy ; Imt th: in tlia! he nn-ar 
 
 linMi a i np his hand. I! 
 
 n l stop tocount. J.tii 1 
 
 hick, ha:id and irlovr, with the 
 
 chief of tli" lliack Riders, thai \. U iiim wlij .! 
 
 do ; your own words, h- out tha : 
 
 still lial.le to the I.VA- of the . say 
 
 10 til 
 
 iy what /< 
 when you come in." 
 
 M it ouL ht to worry you! I m mighty ^-rious 
 
 in tnis luivinc-. I m -oin- to I.,- mi.iity strick uith you. I 
 
 only 
 i them that I h:id BOH 
 
 Well, I thi -.i-ht l 
 
 in a lo\\( ! com; 
 wilh him in d to put Mini 
 
 Well, \\lu-ii I - him ; 
 
 like a L r cr,llein:iii bred I liad a call to 
 \\c had a i .nent alioiit our li 
 
 Third, and \\hat lujsiiic^: Parlyim-nt l.a-l U) I lo. k U] 
 harbor, and | 
 
1-10 Tin; BCOUT. 
 
 Do you remember all them matters ami specification.;, feaac 
 Bfuggs?" 
 
 Well, Supple, I can t but say 1 do. We did have (ju j t ,. a long 
 argymcnt when the lieutenant was a dying, and jest after ihr 
 burial." 
 
 "No, twas all the while we was a laying in the trench; for 
 1 recollect savin- to you. when YOU waa a pitying him all the 
 time, that, ef I was sorry for the poor man s death, I wasn t 
 sorry that I kill him, and I would shoot the very next one 
 that come along, jest the same ; for it made the gall bile up in 
 me to see a man that I had never said a hard word to in all inv 
 life, come here, over the water, a matter, maybe, of a thousand miles. 
 to force me at the p int of the bagnet, to drink stamped 
 tea. I never did drink the tea no how. For my own drinking, 
 I wouldn t give one cup of coffee, well biled, for all the ten that 
 was ever growed or planted. But, twas the freedom of the 
 thing that I was argying for, and twas on the same argyment 
 that I was willing to fight. Now that was the time, and them 
 was the specifications which made us argyfy, and it was only 
 then, when I thought I had convarted you from your evil ways, 
 that I tuk on me to answer for your good conduct to our boys. 
 I spoke to the colonel for you, jest the same as ef I had know d 
 you for a hundred years. It s true I did know you, and the 
 mother that bore you, and a mighty good sort of woman she 
 was; but it was only after that argyment that I felt a call to 
 speak in your behalf. Now, Isaac Muggs, I ain t conscience- 
 free about that business I ve had my suspicions a long time 
 that I spoke a leetlc too much in your favor; and what I heard 
 last night and what I seed makes me dub ous that you ve 
 been a sort o snake in the grass. I doubt your convarsion, 
 Isaac Muggs; but before I tell you my mind about the business, 
 I d ju-t like to hear from your own lips what you think about 
 our argyment, and what you riMin-mbi-r. and what you be 
 lieve." 
 
 The landlord looked utterly bewildered. If was evident that 
 he had never devoted much time to metaphysics; and the con 
 fusion and disorder of the few words which he e^pl-yed in an 
 swer, and the utter consternation ,,f j,j s l,, ( ,k s . amply assured the 
 
\ I \\ l-i:i\ JIM ES DISCUSSED i:v 01 l I. 
 inflexible >cout that the labor of conversion must 
 
 ppin. 
 
 " I sc that you re in a mi-hty had li.\. ami 
 
 -tion with me whether I ought raly to gi\-. you a helping hand to 
 git out of it. Kf I thought you wanted to git at the truth " 
 \\ ell, Supple, as Qod i my judge, I >aitinly di 
 I d go over the argyinent agin for your Bftke, bui 
 I d thank y..ii mightily, Supple." 
 
 " liut twon t do to go On forgdiing. MugL-. The thing is to lie 
 i, :.nd if it s once onder-iood, it - to be believed ; and when 
 v U , lieve. th. after that. Then 
 
 Ing you re a tory with lories, and a whig with whi 
 needful. The time s come for every tub to -land on its o\\ : 
 and them that don t must have n turn inside out : Now, ther. 
 axing you to fight for us, Muggs that s out of imtur - and I m 
 thinking we have more men now than we can feed ; but we want the 
 truth in your soul, and we want you to stick to it. Kf you re i 
 for that, and ralv willing, I ll put it to you in plain arguments that 
 you can t mi . OOleafl you want to mix-, em ; and you ll ne< 
 from em, if you have only half a good->i/ed man s soul in you I 
 upon, i ^ now, whether you d like to know " 
 
 Tin landlord cut slmrt the speaker by der -larini: \i\< an\ie \ |.. be 
 and Supph Jack ro0C to his i.-i-k with all the calm 
 delib-ration of a practised lecturer. Coiling up a huge quid of 
 tobacco in one jaw, to nrevent it- interfering with the argument, he 
 went to the door. 
 
 I ll jevt go out for a bit and hitch Mossfoot. " the luim. 
 
 1 upon his pony, a- . d Imnter has a tend, r diminutive 
 
 for the II.TM. he rid.- a;:d the gun he |ho I!! OB^j gQ and hitch 
 
 Dip, and out of hani: r a spell, 
 
 and then be b a < k. If- a thre,- mini;:. - b>i-iiirss only." 
 
 Ib was not lomr gone, but. during that time, rapid transition^ 
 ot thought and purple were paim: through the mind of 
 .n landlord. Cin , 
 
THE SO i 
 
 the force of. many of th >v ;nients. The 
 
 so! ho had given to Kd-.vard M Tighiatod in a 
 
 viction tliat the 1 ritish cause v, d<>\vn that i\\f\ 
 
 whigs wore gaining ground u])on the torios with every day s 
 movement, and that it would be impossible tor the latter much 
 
 r !-r to maintain themselves. The policy of the publican 
 ally goes with that of the rising party, r genorallv a 
 
 bad political thermometer, and Mugi;- v as a really good . 
 Besides, he ha.- ! eei stung by the contemptuous rejection o\ 
 counsel by the chief whom he was conscious of having < 
 
 Ifishly, and alarmed by tbe threats which had followed b> 
 incalled-1 ur counsel. 
 
 The nccet nfinning his friends among tlie smv 
 
 n-ht-l.s ^;rew sinuubirly obvioufl to hi* intellert, if it had not b;>eK 
 so before, in the brief absence of the SCOUT : and wlien he iv- 
 turued, the rajudly (juickenin^ intelligence of the worthy land 
 lord made the eyes <f the former brighten with the satisfaction 
 which a teacher must naturally feel at the wonderful pro;, 
 and ready recognition of his doctrines. 
 
 These, it will not be necessary for ns entirely, or even i.. 
 part, to follow. The worthy woodman has aheady g iven us ft 
 Mifiicient sample of the sort of philosophy in which he dealt ; 
 and farther argument on the tyranny of forcing il stamped tea" 
 down the people s throats, " wiH they, nil! they, may surely 
 be dispensed with. Hut, flattering as his success appeared to 
 first. Supple .lack was soon annoyed by some doubts and 
 .litliculties which his convert suggested in the progress of the 
 M vnt. Like too manv of his neighbors. Isaac Muggs was 
 largely endowed with the combative quality f st-lf-esteein. 
 This, as the discM^ion advanced, w.is graded into exei 
 iind his fears and his policy w-re e(|iially forgotten in the d. 
 
 resent triumph. A spivr.tien of the manner in which their 
 leliberations wanned into controversy may be passingly MI- 
 
 I. 
 
 " Jt s agin natur* and reason, and a man s own seven senses," 
 
 Supple .lack, " t<> reclcon on any man s right to make IHWS 
 
 for another, when he don t live in the same country with him. 
 
 v, King George, living in England, never had a light to 
 
m 
 
 make John Bannister, living on :!.e ( 
 tea or anvthi: 
 
 "Hut it s all the same country, Kn^rland and America, Jack 
 
 "Jimini! if that s the h<>w, what makes ymi give, em dif 
 
 ram- - ! want to kii"\ 
 
 "Ob, that was only 1 &CaUB i. ? :ap]en -d so," said the la:. 1 
 l, doubtfully. 
 ^" y Ceor^e the Th 
 
 Tiiat s the word fi.r -iK ; and it s j;.).>d reason whv 
 1 si. -.y him, wlK-ii for ;t! : his trvln^, he can t make inc. 
 
 HIM. :.:iiiient after ri^iimMit ami tin: 
 
 snt, and the princi- of Wales his ri^iment 
 
 i the priiice s liniment all to flimlr. 
 
 Han kl Td!. then, there Royal Scotch 
 
 ..nd the. Dutch II- I >!!].] 
 
 didn t call t!.. one they couldn t ax in Knjrlish for 
 
 vhat tin-;. : well, what was the i: ..... 1 of it I all th.-^e 
 
 Mn t make j ..... r Jack Hannister. a < 
 i, difnk stamjied t. . P l he : . 
 
 !. and a hundred nimv. like last autumn s 
 
 ( i "} . v h -htin^ tl, :i now, north 
 
 to -peak .-f, i., American horn gainst An.. 
 
 -and cutt: ,, iiH the j.ocke: 
 
 f the iiLrlie>t old men ! .v. that ever 1 
 
 It spiles . they put his 
 
 lace Mnir^s, I v < 
 
 llor. I d 
 
 .1 y.u twixt my le-rs in ti;; v u 
 
 through b 
 
 :, hut it 1 - 
 whrie to Link for it. You j ding I ,. lV \\i;h 
 
 k. N-.JV. , Tin 
 
 . to an>\\. 
 
 I h , 1 Ut ;. \ man o 
 
 8 im 
 Dm* . , j.j, 
 
1 1 J TMK SCOUT, 
 
 fortune. " I m sure I ve tried my lest to see the right nnil th 
 
 :i. I ve beam what you had to say " 
 
 "Only to gi* somo d d crooked answer ready, that had jist 
 as much to do with the matter as my great graud-d.- lighter lias 
 You hearn me, but it wa n t to p.ee if the tmtli w;:- in me ; i 
 only to see if you couldn t say something after me thai 
 would swallow up my saying. I don t see how you re eve; |. 
 get wisdom, with such an understanding, unless it s linked |nt - 
 
 y main force of tooth and timber." 
 
 44 I could ha fnu t yu oiice John Bannister, though von nr.> 
 named Supple Jack," replied the landlord with a:i ;>ir of indig 
 nant reproach, which, in his own Self-absorption, reaped the 
 notice of the scout. 
 
 " It s no had notion ///^/," he continued, \vitlumt heeding tho 
 language of the- landlord. "Mnny s the time, boy an 1 nnn, I 
 have fnu t with a fellow when we couldn t find out the ri^ht of it, 
 any vay ; and, as sure as a gun, if I wan t right I win :-a:tain 
 to be licked. "Besides, Isaac Mnjrgs, it nsen to be an old haw, 
 when they couldn t get at the truth any other way, to make a 
 battle, \:id cry on God s mercy to help the cause that was right. 
 By Jimini, I don t see i:> other way for i-s. I ve given you all 
 the reason I know on this subject --all that I can onderstaml I 
 mean for to confess a truth, there s a-many reasons for i-ru 
 liberties that 1 hear spoken, and 1 not able to make, out the 
 sense of one of them. Imt all that I know I ve told you. and 
 there s more than enough to make me sartin of the side 1 take 
 Now, as you ain l satisfied with any of my reasons, J don t 
 how we re to finish the business onless we go li.-u-k to the old- 
 lav,-, and strip to the hiiiV for a fight. You used to br." 
 M lf, and you know what I an:, so there s no use to ax about 
 ,;nd weight. If you speak agreeabl" to yon -nca 
 
 and want nothing better than the truth, then. ! ;t a 
 
 r light Avill give it to us; for. as 1 tidd yu afore, I nevei 
 iid light on the wrong side, that I didn t oMi.e up ondei 
 most." 
 
 The scout, in the earnestness with which he ei:V; :;ilned and 
 expressed his own views and wishes, did not sufVer himself to 
 perceive some of tin- o!>>t;ieles which lav in the way of a trans- 
 
NEW IT)-. ., i;^ OLD LAWS. 11. ". 
 
 \ he KO d< Ht 
 
 .1 atteni] 
 
 .-Is for a project, t which : , ncy of a 
 
 limh, on the part of one of the disputants, seemed to suu^ 
 most conclusive objection. When, at length, he caiae to a 
 pause, the landlord repeated his former reproachful reminiscence 
 of a period when the challenge of the scout would not have 
 
 unans-wered l.y defiance. 
 
 " I nt n \v !" and he lifted the stump of his remaining arm, in 
 melancholy answer. 
 
 -It s -A ell for yon to talk big, John Bannister; I know 
 you re a strong man, and a spry. You wa n t c 
 .Jack for nothing. But there was a time when Isaac Muggs 
 wouldn t ha stopped to measure inches with you in a fair up and 
 down, hip and hip, hug together. I could ha thrown you once, 
 I m certain. But what s the chance now with my one arm, in 
 a hug with a man that s got two? It s true, an.! I helievc it, 
 that God gives strength in a good cause; but it s quite onrea- 
 : H me to hope for any help, seeing as how I can t help 
 myself, no how. I couldn t even come to the grip, ho\\, 
 much 1 wanted to." 
 
 -urc enough, Mtiggs, and I didn t think of that, at all. It 
 was so natural to think that a man that let his tongu> 
 
 as yonr n had two arms at least to hack it. I m m: . 
 sorry. Hogg*, that JOB ain t, for / j disapp intm. 
 
 ten with all the chagrin of a man w . 
 comfited in his very last hope of triumph. 
 
 "Well, you WC 1 linV said the other, sulkily; "so there s 
 UO more to |,e said ahout it." 
 
 fee; hut you nin t come to a ri-ht mind yit. It s d ar to 
 
 Mngjrs, that one thiiu , T must 1 . 
 
 must cut IOUM- fioin the lilac!. 
 
 knows tl,, , much tell 
 
 what s the re.k of the other. Now, ti hits mo 
 
 and it s one that conies nateral enough to a man I 
 
 his time, in a hundred dim-rent UTAjn. One of 
 
 I had to deal with a fellow t! [ M l,,.liinil i. 
 
 strength that he couhln t match me as we stood, was to t 
 
 7 
 
146 niK sroui. 
 
 hand behind my hark, or a It 1 -- to a pine sapling, and make my 
 self, as it wor, a lame man till the light was over. Now, !"!. 
 yon, Mugg>. if it s the tmth your really after, 1 don t care much 
 it I try that old-fashion wyy with you. I m willing to buckle 
 my right arm to my hack." 
 
 " Swonnds, Supple, how yon talk! Come, take a drink." 
 I ll drink when the time comes, Isaac Muggs, and when ir j. 
 needful; but jest no\v. when it s the truth I m after, I don t suf 
 fer no divarsions. I stick as close to it, I tell you, as 1 does to 
 my inimy. I don t stop to drink or rest till it s a-lying fair be 
 fore me. Now, it s needful for your sake, Muggs, that you c 
 to a right sense of the reason in this business. It s needful that 
 you give up Black Uiders, lories, British, Ned Con way, ugly 
 faces, and the old sarpent. My conscience is mightily troubled 
 becaise I stood for you, and it s needful that you come to a right 
 onderstanding afore 1 leave you. J ve sworn it, Isaac Mi; 
 by Tolly Longlips, as we rode along together, and Mossfoot 
 ked ii]) his ears as if he understood it all, and was a witness 
 for us both. Now, you know what an oath by Polly Longlips 
 means, Isaac. It means death to the inimy sartin death, at 
 any reasonable, distance. I don t want your life, mair; by the 
 hokey, 1 don t; and that s why 1 want to put the reason h 
 yon, so that you might say to me at one*; that you re done with. 
 these black varmints, for over. Thev can do you no good 
 they can t help you much longer; and the time s a-coming, 1 
 Muggs, when the \\higs will sweep this country, along the WaU,- 
 ree, and the (.longaree, and Santee, with a broom of fire, and wo 
 to the skunk, when that time comes, that can t get clear of the 
 brush wo to the coon that s caught sticking in his hollow! 
 There s no reason yi-ii shouldn t onderstand the liberty-cans^, 
 and there s every reason why you should. Hut as you can t 
 onderstand my argyment - " 
 
 " Well, but Supple, you re always in such a hurry ! " 
 " No hurry never hurried a man in argyment in all my 1L , r 
 but when Ue fl BO ta:nal slow to understand " 
 
 "That ll it, Supple, I m a slow man; but I begin to R 
 
 6 of \\hat you 
 44 Well, that * M.mcthlng like. Mnggs; hut ; good gripe ;1 -it 
 
1 1. 
 
 the : ill tug UJi.... :iic li 
 
 - .it. will !. a 1 
 
 .ding ti> ; quicker m< 
 
 It ll J.llt your slow ji;u I ." 
 
 IMio, Suji] l( in thinking that there s 
 
 anything in t! 
 
 , t I. then ! By gum. you don t know it;. 
 if you think .: y. Now, what 1 : he truth from 
 
 ;ig out in a fair tug heiueen us/ Here \\ e stand, hoth tall 
 men, most like in height and hreadth. ni-h alike in strength l.y 
 ni .vt |u-o],lp*s eonnt ; ahout the same age. and jiretty mueh tlte 
 same exjiei ience. \Ve \e had our tugs and tears, hoth of ; 
 
 v way; tlmugh, t _ot the woi>t of it, 
 
 tiuut the am 1 tie ii{> mine. th 
 
 N U -I) the hanks nf the A . 
 
 ho(!\ hut the g all. that g 
 
 He .- . i:id thar. 
 
 J u l.ar, .".mi 1 i 
 all that. . 
 win . .,1 all. There s a 
 
 qnesJ 
 
 looking no little 
 
 ::t ; and tl ,T of 
 
 tin old faith, ] with accustomed voluhility : 
 
 " \Yell, then, lu-i-e. a> \\ ; all ujmr 
 
 him how we stand. I hoii-h, T he knows all. 
 
 telling wouldn t 1 i- Bud ;i ; M mind - 
 
 iiim. I say to him. II it aiif: 
 
 im-nt, ami ui.h- 
 
 H matter of life aad death (< him; ; .nut 
 
 the oath I tuk on I -tlly I.onglij^. He 
 .ful to make i sign which 11 
 
 
 v\e |..;.y Mir! \ u UlUSt i. J 11 
 
 I m right, \\liy \ u ii k;.-\vit 5ni^! 1 I ll 
 
 ; hut if I m wrong, the 
 
148 TIII-: SCOUT. 
 
 and I ll make the confession, though it ll lie a might) bittei 
 
 ueedresMty, I tell you. But I ain t afcanl. I msartin that my 
 
 . merit for our rights is a true argyment, and I ll say my 
 
 prayers with that sort of sartinty, that it would do your heart 
 
 if you could only feel about the same time." 
 
 "If I thought you was serious, Jack Bannister; but I m 
 jub ous about it." 
 
 " Pon t be jub ous. I m ser ous as a sarpent. I b lieve in 
 God I b lieve he ll justify the truth, whenever we axes him in 
 airnest for it! My old mother God rest her bones and bless 
 her spcrrit ! she s told me of more than twenty people that s 
 tried a wrestle for the truth. There was one man in partic lar 
 that she. knows in Georgia : his name was Bostick. He used to 
 !> a drummer in General Oglethorpe s Highland regiment. 
 Well, another mar., a sodger in the same regiment, made an 
 accusation agin Bostick for stealing a watch-coat, and the sar- 
 p.umstances went mighty strong agin Bostick. But he stood it 
 out; and though he never shot a rifle in his life before, he 
 staked the truth and his honesty on a shot; and, by the hokey, 
 though, as I tell you. he never lifted rifle to his sight before, he 
 put the bullet clean through the mouth and jaw of the sodger. 
 and cut off a small slice of his tongue, which was, perhaps, as 
 good a judgment agin a man for false swearing as a rifle-shot 
 could make. Well, twa n t a month after that when they found 
 \t was an Ingin that had stole the coat, and so Bostick was 
 mown to be an honest man, by God s blessing, in every way." 
 
 There was something so conclusive on the subject in this, and 
 one or two similar anecdotes, which Supple Jack told, and which, 
 having heard them from true believers in his youth, had led to 
 l iis own adoption of the experiment, that the landlord, Muggs, 
 tO ered no further doubts or objections. The earnestness of his 
 companion became contagious, and, with far less enthusiasm of 
 <:haracter, he was probably not unwilling in order to the 
 oroper adoption of a feeling which was growing momently in 
 C-tvor in his eyes to resort to the wager of battle as an easy 
 mode of making a more formal declaration in behalf of the domi- 
 iant faction of the state. The novelty of the suggestion had its 
 recommendation also- and but lew words more, were wanted 
 
THK TRIAL I ".: TIIK TUITH. 149 
 
 1)0 fore the two went forth to a pleasant and shady grass-plot, 
 which lav some two hundred yards further in the hollow of the 
 I, in order that the tot so solemnly recommended, on such 
 high authority, should he fairly made in the presence of that 
 High Judge only, whose arbitrament, without intending any 
 irrevert -nee, was so earnestly invoked by the simple woodman 
 of Congaree 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THK TRIAL FOR THK TRUTH. 
 
 NI change could have been suddenly greater than that which 
 produced upon the countenance and conduct of John Ban- 
 niMer, when he found himself successful in bringing the landlord 
 to the dr.-ired is>ue. His seriousness was all discarded, his 
 intei!>e cai nr>tne>s of air and tone, and a manner even playful 
 and sportive, succeeded to that which had been so stern and 
 sombre. He congratulated Muggs and himself, equally, on the 
 stroll-- probability, so near at hand, of arriving at the truth by a 
 
 and proceeded to make his arrangement 
 
 the ( onllict with all the buoyancy of a boy traversing the play- 
 ground with "leap-frog" and "hop o my thumb." 
 
 landlord did not betray the same degree of eagerness, 
 
 but he was not backward. Ho might have had his doubts about 
 
 . lor Supple Jack had a lame in those days which 
 
 >piead far and wide along the three contiguous rivers. Wher- 
 
 .1 pole-boat hail made its way, there had the name of Jack 
 
 Bannister found repeated echoes. But Muggs was a fearless 
 
 man, and he had, . I very toll-ruble degree of self-asHi- 
 
 rance, which led him to form his own expectations and hopes of 
 
 If ho had any scruples at all, they arose rather from 
 
 his doubt, whether tin- proposed te*t of truth would bo a fair 
 
 one a doubt which M-emcd very fairlv overcome in his mind, 
 
 us indeed it should be in that of the reader, if full justice in don 
 
150 THE SCOUT. 
 
 to tlio final argument which the scout addressed to his adversary 
 on this subject 
 
 " There never was a quarrel and a fight yet that didn t come 
 out of a wish to Tarn or to teach the truth What s King 
 George a-fighting us for this very moment ? Why, to make us 
 b licve in him. If he licks us, why we ll believe in him ; and 
 if wo licks him, gad, I m thinking he ll have to b lieve in ne, 
 Aiut that cl ar, Mnggs ? So, let s fall to if I licks you, I 
 reckon ynu ll know where to look for the truth for ever after; 
 for I ll measure your back on it, and your breast under it, and 
 you ll fed it in all your bones." 
 
 Thf rii)d was chosen a pleasant area beneath a shadow- 
 fii^r giove of oaks, covered with a soft greenward, which seemed 
 to lessen, in the minds of the combatants, the dangers of discom 
 fiture. But when the parties began to strip for the conflict, a 
 little difficulty suggested itself which had not before disturbed 
 the thoughts of either. How was the superfluous arm of 
 Supple Jack to be tied up? Muggs could evidently perform 
 no such friendly office; but a brief pause given to their opera 
 tions enabled the scout to arrange it easily. A running noose 
 was made in the rope, into which he thrust the unnecessary 
 m. inber, then gave the end of the line to his opponent, who 
 contrived to draw it around his body, and bind the arm securely 
 in his side an operation easily understood by all schoolboys 
 who have ever been compelled to exercise their wits in securing 
 a balance of power, in a like way, among ambitious rivals. 
 
 As they stood, front to front opposed, the broad chest, square 
 shoulders, voluminous muscle, and manly compass of the two, 
 naturally secured their mutual admiration. Supple Jack could 
 not refrain from expressing his satisfaction. 
 
 " It s a pleasure, Isaac Muggs, to have a turn with a man of 
 your make. I ha n t seen a finer buxxum for a fight this many 
 a day. I think, ef anything, you re, a splinter or two fuller 
 across the breast than me; it may be fat, and ef so, it s the 
 ,*e for you; but ef it s the solid grain and gristle, then it s 
 01, ly the worse for me. It makes me saddish enough when J 
 look on sich a buxxuin as yourn, to think that youre cut off 
 M.e half in a fair allowance of arm. But . 1 don t think that U 
 
THE TKi PH. 1 ",1 
 
 work agin you in .-,-,. , 1S( . ( 1 to ,l M m ,, 
 
 without it, and inakii,_ ; l n , 
 
 1 u if I wam t of Q< ,11 in tlie 
 
 part of my body. Let s feel o your heft, old fellow." 
 
 A mutual lift .ken, they prepared to take hold for 
 
 . trial ; and Supple Jack soon discovered, as he had 
 
 :, that the customary disuse of the arm gave to his 
 
 opponent an advantage in this sort of conflict, which, taken in 
 
 connection with his naturally strong build of frame, rendered 
 
 the i re him equally serious and doubtful. But, with a 
 
 shake of the head as i his acknowledgment, he laid his 
 
 chin on the shoulder of the landlord, grasped him vigoroii-.lv 
 
 about the hotly; and Muggs, having secured a similar grasp, 
 
 him the word, and they both swung round, under a mutual 
 
 impulse, which, had there been any curious spectator at hand, 
 
 would have left him very doubtful, for a long time, as to the 
 
 .ct proprietorship of the several legs which so rapidly 
 
 ii other in the air. 
 
 amateur in such matters a professional lover of the 
 
 would make a ravishing picture of this conflict. The 
 
 niug success the hopes, the fears, the occa- 
 
 tfl of the 
 
 oilier the horizontal tendency of this or that head and slioul- 
 the yielding of this frame and the staggering of that Irg, 
 
 t, under the pencil of a master, he made to awake: 
 many lenabilltiefl in the spectator as did ever tin- adroii fOg 
 I Sheppard. Hut rails mn>: 
 
 of their own to the Cniikshank.M-v . __,.,- that 
 more popular, if less worthy fraternity, the " Quix, 1 : 
 Tix," cVr., trihe of artists in How 
 
 :1 ./// unmrt; and con- 
 -hall find its representation in ugli; 
 
 ^ have i:.-!thrr the : tlie tah-nts whic!. Iful 
 
 and shall not .int- 
 
 :o supply our delir ,,iu- 
 
 I ntat/ _led with 
 
 wa pleased to asMire him; and tl. he 
 
152 THE SCOUT. 
 
 himself was a tough colt, not easy to be put upon four logs, 
 when his natural rights demanded only two. The conflict was 
 protracted till both parties were covered with perspiration. The 
 turf, forming a ring of twenty feet round or more, was beaten 
 smooth, and still the affair was undecided. Neither had yet 
 received a fall. But Supple Jack, for reasons of his own, began 
 to feel that the argument was about to be settled in favor of 
 right principles. 
 
 " Your breath s coming rether quick now, Isaac Mtiggs I m 
 thinking you ll soon be convarted ! But it s a mighty strong 
 devil you had in you, and I m afeard he ll make my ribs ache 
 for a week. I ll sprawl him, though, I warrant you. 
 
 " Don t be too sartin, Jack," gasped the other. 
 
 "Don t! Why, love you, Muggs, you couldn t say that 
 Khort speech over again for the life of you." 
 
 " Couldn t eh !" 
 
 " No, not for King George s axing." 
 
 " Think so, eh ?" 
 
 " Know so, man. Now, look to it. I ll only ax three tugs 
 more. There there s one." 
 
 " Nothing done, Jack." 
 
 " Two three ! and where are you now ?" cried the exulting 
 scout, as he deprived his opponent of grasp and footing at the 
 same moment, and whirled him, dizzy and staggering, heels up 
 and liead to the earth. 
 
 But he was not suffered to reach it by that operation only. 
 His course was accelerated by other hands ; and three men, 
 rushing with whoop and halloo from the copse near which the 
 struggle had been carried on, grappled with the fallen landlord, 
 and plied him with a succession of blows, the least of which was 
 unnecessary for his overthrow. 
 
 It seemed that Supple Jack recognised these intruders almost 
 in the moment of their appearance ; but so sudden was their 
 onset, and so great their clamor, that his fierce cry to arrest 
 them was unheard, and he could only make his wishes known 
 by adopting the summary process of knocking two of them 
 down, by successive blows from the only fist which was left free 
 foi exercise 
 
THK TRIAL FOB I in: THl TH. 
 
 "How n<>w! Who a\M you (. j.ut your dirty lingers into 
 my dish, ( )lin Ma>M-v ? or you. Uoh ,Jnes ! >? you, 1 ayton 
 
 \ our liravery, is it, t<> beat a man afti-r 
 iM him, i h . " 
 
 : we didn t know that twas over, Seargcant. We though: 
 jou was a-wanting help," replied tlie fellow who was called 
 it would seem in mockery only. Ho, was a litil.-. 
 dried-up, withered atomy a jaundiced " sand-lapper," or " i 
 eater," iVoiu the Was.viniasaw country whose insignificant size 
 and mean appearance did very inadequate justice to his resolute, 
 
 . and implacaltle character. 
 
 And if I was a-wanting help, was yon the man to give me 
 (Jo Ion--, ( >li i Ma^scy yon rc a very young chap to be 
 here. What makes you here, 1 want to know?" 
 
 " Why, didn t you send us on the scout, jist here, in this very 
 place /" said the puny but pugnacious person addressed, with a 
 and gestuie, and a lire in his eye, which the 
 trcMi m->s of his form did not in the least seem to warrant. 
 
 :ie ; hut why didn t you come ? I ve been here 
 
 "f two hours by the sun; and as you didn t come, 1 
 
 reckoned you had taken track after some tory varmints, and had 
 
 deeper into the swamp. You ve dodged some tories, eh ?" 
 
 No, ha n t Been a S"iil." 
 
 " Then, by the hokey, Olin Ma-^ey, you ve been squat on a 
 
 1 >ledge for penni 
 ing party looked down in silence. The little man 
 
 .a.-aw felt his anger subside within him. 
 i><>ral M them painted darlings out of your 
 
 jnickets, IM ! >]( they re the death of you. Hy old natur, betwixt 
 cards and nil; more of my men than by Cunningh. 
 
 bulh leton s broadswords. (Jive me them cards, Olin 
 
 ..nd make your resjiects to my good natur. that I don t 
 blow you to the coloiud." 
 
 Ilr drew from his pocket, in sileiue, ;\ 
 
 I of the dirtie>t cards that ever were thumbed over a p nu- 
 and delivered them to his superior with the air of a M-Iu ol- 
 from whom the master had cruelly taken, " at one felJ 
 woop," tt>p, marbles, and ball. 
 
161 rin: SCOUT. 
 
 "There," said Supple Jack, as lie tlir ist tliein into his pocket 
 " I ll put them up safely, boys, and you shall have em ag in 
 for a whole night alter our next brush with the tories. Go 
 you now and git your nags in readiness, while I see to M-; 
 I ll jine you directly at the red clay." 
 
 When they had disappeared, lie turned to the landlord, \rhc 
 had meanwhile risen, though rather slowly, from the earth, 
 now stood a silent spectator of the interview. 
 
 " Now, Muggs, 1 reckon we ll have to try the tug over agin. 
 These blind boys of mine put in jest a moment too soon. They 
 helped to flatten you, I m thinking ; and so, if you ain t 
 quite satisfied which way the truth is, it s easy to go it over 
 agin." 
 
 The oiler was more liberal than Muggs expected or desired 
 lie was already sufficiently convinced. 
 
 "No, no, Supple ; you re too much for mo !" 
 
 " It s the truth that s too much for you, Muggs not me ! 
 reckon you re satisfied now which way the truth is. You ve ^o*. 
 a right onderstanding in this business." 
 
 The landlord made some admissions, the amount of which 
 taken without circumlocution, was, that he had been whipped i)> 
 a fair light ; and, according to all the laws of war, as well as 
 common sense, that he was now at the disposal of the victor 
 His acknowledgments were sufficiently satisfactory. 
 
 "We ve prayed for it, Muggs, and je.-t as ire prayed we go* 
 it. You re rubbing your legs and your sides, but what s a hruis- 
 and a pain in the side, or even a broken rib, when we ve got the 
 truth] After that, a hurt of the body is a small matter; and 
 then a man don t much fear any sort of danger. Let me kimv. 
 that I m in the right way, and tha-t ju.^tice is on my side, and I 
 don t see the danger, though it stands in the shape of tl.- 
 <:un-nur//le. tli.it ever bellowed from the walls of Charle.stown ii 
 the great siege. Now, Mnggs, since you say now that you 
 derstand the argyment I set you, and that you agree to have 
 your liberties the same as the rest of us, I ll jist open your < 
 i. a little of the resk you ve, been a-nmniii for the la.-i 
 days. Look read this here letter, and see if you can recollrc. 
 the writing." 
 
THE TKIAL i I ll. 155 
 
 The kl <>f the landlord tho instant that tlie 
 
 scout hande 1 him tin- letter. 
 
 " Whore did you find it, Supple . " In- gapped, apprehensively. 
 "Find it ! 1 f;r>t found the Ctllp of the chap that carried it," 
 the cool reply. " lint yon answer to the writing, don t yon 
 it s your n ?" 
 
 " \\V11, I reckon yon know it, Supple, without i:iy saying so." 
 Reckon 1 tin, Mug;s it s pretty well known in those parts; 
 and b pose anv of our I. >ys but me had got hold of it! Where 
 dd yon be, 1 wonder? .swinging on one of the oak limits 
 hcf-ire yonr own dor ; wangling a good pair of legs of n. 
 of n.sc t. yon. ylsody olsc. Hut I m your friend, M 
 
 a better friend to you than you ve been to yourself. 1 come 
 and argy the matter with yon, and reason with you to 
 nderstanding, and make a convarsion of yon without try: 
 frighten yon into it. Now that yon see the error of yonr ! 
 I show yon their danger also. This letter is tory all over, luit 
 theie s one thing in it that made- me have marry upon yon 
 it s hero, jist in the middle, v here yon beg that bloody tory, 
 ! Conway, to have inarcy on his brother. Anybody that 
 >ks friendly, or kind, of Clarence Conway, I ll help him if 1 
 can. Now, Muggs, I ll go with yon to yonr house, and there 
 I ll burn this letter in your own sight, s< that it ll never rise up 
 in judgment agin yon. P>ut you must make a clean bre 
 it. You must tell me all you know, that I may be sure 
 tin- truth according to the lesson, which, with the helpi: 
 
 been able to give yon." 
 
 iandli.nl frit himself at the mercy of the BCOUl ; but the 
 
 treatment which he had received from the worthy fel- 
 
 treatment so unwonted at that period of wanton bloodshed 
 
 e cruelty inclined him favorably to the can.se, the argu- 
 
 r which had been produced by > liberal a disputant. 11 > 
 
 iy adverted lu-.re than 
 
 1 far better; and, if the landl". 1 at all in his 
 
 ie\cdations, i ling natural, 
 
 mind, ho\\e\ cr 1. .\\I\- which inak- 
 
 which it has joined for 
 i.ery. The information which the 
 
156 THE SCOUT. 
 
 tained, and which was valuable to the partisans, he drew from 
 the relator by piecemeal. Every item of knowledge was drawn 
 from him by its own leading question, and yielded with broken 
 utterance, and the half-vacant look of one who is only in part 
 conscious, as he is only in part willing. 
 
 "Pretty well, Muggs, though you don t come out like a man 
 who felt the argyment at the bottom of his onderstanding 
 There s something more now. In this bit of writing there s 
 line or two about one Peter Flagg, who, it seems, carried t ort}- 
 one niggers to town last January, and was to ship cm to the 
 West Iiijies. Now, can you tell if he did ship them niggers ?" 
 
 " I can t exactly now, Supple it s onbeknown to me." 
 
 " But how come you to write about this man and them nig 
 gers ?" 
 
 "Why, you see, Peter Flagg was here looking after the 
 captain." 
 
 " Ah ! he was here, was he ?" 
 
 " Yes ; he jined the captain just before Butler s men gin him 
 that chase." 
 
 " He s with Ned Conway then, is he ?" 
 
 14 No, I reckon not. He didn t stay with the captain but half 
 a day." 
 
 " Ah ! ha ! and where did he go then ?" 
 
 " Somewhere across the river." 
 
 " Below, I m thinking." 
 
 " Yes, he took the lower route ; I reckon he went toward the 
 Santee." 
 
 " Isaac Muggs, don t you know that the business of Pete 
 Flagg is to ship stolen niggers to the West Injy islands ?" 
 
 " Well, Supple, I believe it is, though I don t know." 
 
 1 That s enough about Pete. Now, Muggs, when did you see 
 Watson Gray last ? You know the man I mean. He comes 
 from the Congaree near Granby. He s the one that watches 
 Brier Park for Ned Conway, and brings him in every report 
 about the fine bird that keeps there. You know what bird I 
 mean, don t you 1" 
 
 44 Miss Flora, I reckon." 
 
 44 A very good reckon. Well ! you know Gray V 
 
THK TUI.U. FOR THK TRUTH. 15" 7 
 
 "Yes !. - ;>. great scout tl.- ftcr you, I m think 
 
 ing, on till ( <>!)-;:: 
 
 Pore inc. M uir^s" s il the scout, Avith a soher sli 
 the head. " lie s brf >iv me, in- IM ha trapped him inany s the 
 long day ago, He s the only outlyer that s beyond my 
 that I acknowledge on the river: hut he s a skunk a bad 
 chap about the heart. His bosom s full of black places. Jit- 
 to do ugly things, and to make a brag of Yin afterward, 
 and that s a had character fur a good scout. But that s neither 
 hen- nor thar. I only want you now to think up, and tcK 
 when he was here last." 
 
 " Well ! " 
 
 "Ah, don t stop to well about it," cried the other impa 
 tiently " speak out like a bold man that s jest got the truth. 
 Wn n t "Watson Gray here some three days ago before the 
 troop came down and didn t he leave a message by word of 
 mouth with you? Answer me that, Muggs, like a good whig as 
 you ought to be." 
 
 " It s tine as turpentine, Supple ; but, Lord love you, how did 
 you come to guess it . " 
 
 "No matter that! up now, and tell me what that same mes 
 sage was." 
 
 "That s a puzxler, 1 reckon, for I didn t onderstand it all my 
 self. There wa> live Micks and two bits of paper on one 
 a lung string of multiplication and rithmetic figures and all 
 that ! on the other was a sort of drawing that looked most like 
 ick." 
 
 " Kh ! The gal on horseback was nateral enough. Perhaps 
 1 can make out that; but the. hits of stick and rithmetic is all 
 rish. Wa n t there nothing that you had to say by word 
 uth t i Ned I niiv. . 
 
 1 W . U) bfl Die. !! left word as how the whL 
 
 thicker and thicker how Sumter and hee marked all the 
 road from (Jianby d.-wn to Oraiigehurg with their ho: 
 and never afranl ; and hov. Q a-pu>h!ng ar 
 
 ard Ninety-Six, where he was -nine to .siege Ciu r 
 
 " < 1 1 iifw.s, Muggs, and I reckon you \c kept hack the best 
 
158 *THB SCOUT. 
 
 for the last. What did lie have to say bout Miss Flora ? Speak 
 up to th.it !" 
 
 "Not a word. I don t think ho said anything more, onless it 
 v. as something about boats being a-plenty, and no danger of 
 "-tracks on the river." 
 
 " There s a meaning in that ; and I must spell it out," said 
 the scout; "but now, Muggs, another question or two. Who 
 \\ as the man that Xed Conway sent away prisoner jest before 
 day ?" 
 
 " Lord, SuppU 1 , yui sees <-\ erything !" ejaculated the landlord. 
 Pressed by the wily scout, ho related, with tolerable correctness, 
 all the particulars of the affray the night before between tin 
 captain of the Black Riders and his subordinate ; and threw 
 such an additional light upon the causes of quarrel between them 
 as suggested to the scout a few now measures of policy. 
 
 " Well, y> .;! he, at the close, "I ll tell you something 
 
 in return for all you ve told me. My boys caught that same 
 kton and trapped his guard in one hour after they took the 
 road ; and I m glad to find, by putting side by side v.hat they 
 confessed and what you tell me, that you ve stuck to the truth 
 like a gentleman and a whig. They didn t tell me about the 
 lieutenant s wanting to be cappin, but that s determined me to 
 parole the fellow that lie may carry on his mischief in the troop. 
 I m going to leave you now, Muggs; but you ll see an old man 
 coming here to look after a horse, about midday. (..Jive him a 
 drink, and say to him, that you don t know untiling about the 
 horse, but there s a hound on track after something, that went 
 barking above, three hours boforv. That ll sarvc his purpose 
 an;! mine too : and now, God bless you, old boy, and. remember. 
 I m your friend, and I can do you better sarvice now than any 
 two Black Riders of the gang. As I ve conva U d you. I ll 
 ; bv \ on, aud I ll iv.ve.r be so far oil in the, swamp that 1 
 ; hear yuiir grunting, and come out to your help. So, good- 
 by, and no more, forgittiug of that argymeut." 
 
 "And wii vi.u going now, Supple ?" 
 
 " l .-ho, ! v. that fi irlling. Was I to let you know that, 
 Watson Gray might worm it out from under your tongue, with 
 )ut taking u w rattle for it. I ll tell yo" when I come back." 
 
GLIM I lTS. 159 
 
 Am! with a good-hunioivd chuckle tin- scout disappeared, 
 leaving the landlord to meditate, at his leisure, upon the value of 
 those arguments which had made him in one day resign a faith 
 which had been cherished as long as it had proved profitable. 
 Mnggs hail no hope that the new faith would prove equally so; 
 hut if it secured to him the goodly gains of the past, he was sat- 
 
 !. Like many of the tories at this period, he received a 
 sudden illumination, which showed him in one moment the errors 
 for which he had been lighting live years. Let not this sur 
 our r In llie closing battles of the Revolution in South 
 
 linn, many were the t>ries, converted to the patriot cause, 
 who, at the eleventh hour, displayed the mo.xt conspicuous 
 bravery fighting on the popular side. And this must not be 
 
 MM! to lower them in our opinion. The revolutionary war, 
 in South Carolina, did not so much divide the people, because 
 of the tendencies to loyalty, or liberty, on either hand, U 
 
 il and other influences personal and sectional 
 feuds natural enough to a new country, in which one third of 
 the people were of foreign birth. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 GLIMPSES OP PASSION AM) ITS FRUITS. 
 
 Sri-i u: ,J.M K -oon joined his commander, bringing with him, 
 undimimMied by use or travel, all the various budgets of intelli- 
 
 B which he had collected in his scout. lie had di<in" 
 the insubordinate lieutenant of the Black Riders on parole; not 
 without suffering him to hear, as a familiar on <lit along the 
 river, that Captain Morton was about to sacrifice the troop at 
 the first opportunity, and fly with all his booty from the coil 
 "J \.- k .A .;. 11 -aid he to himself, after Stockton took hi* 
 rtore, " 1 :k than that set off 
 
 barnd Qfi 
 To I,! . having delivered all the intelligence which he 
 
160 THK >COUT. 
 
 had gained of the movements as well of tlie public as private 
 enemy, he proceeded, as usual, to give such counsel as the na 
 ture of his revelations seemed to suggest. This may be summed 
 up in brief, without fatiguing the reader with the detailed con 
 versation which ensued between them in their examination of 
 Ihe subject. 
 
 "From what I see, colonel, Ned Comvay is gone below. It .- 
 (rue he did seem to take the upper route, but Massey can t li::-l 
 the track after he gits to Fisher s Slue" (diminutive for sluice) 
 "There, I reckon, he chopped right round, crossed the slue, I m 
 thinking, and dashed below. Well, what s he gone below for. 
 and what s Pete Flagg gone for across to the Santee ? Pete, 
 that docs nothing but ship niggers for the British officers. They 
 all sec that they re got to go, and they re for making hay while 
 the sun is still a-shining. Now, I m thinking that Ned Conwav 
 is after your mother s niggers. He ll steal em and ship cm by 
 Pete Flagg to the West Indies, and be the first to follow, the 
 moment that Kawdon gits licked by Greene. It s cl ar to me 
 that you ought to go below and see about the business." 
 
 The arguments of the woodman were plausible enough, and 
 Clarence Conway felt them in their fullest force. But he had 
 his doubts about the course alleged to be taken by his kinsman, 
 and a feeling equally selfish, perhaps, but more noble intrinsi 
 cally, made him fancy that his chief interest lay above. lie 
 was not insensible to his mother s and his own probable loss, 
 should the design of Kdward Conway really be such as Ban 
 nister suggested, but a greater stake, in his estimation, lay in 
 the person of the fair Flora Middleton ; and he could not bring 
 himself to believe, valuing her charms as he did himself, that 
 his kinsman would forego such game for the more mercenary 
 objects involved in the other adventure. 
 
 The tenor of the late interview between himself and the chief 
 of the Black Riders, had forced his mind to brood with serious 
 anxiety on the probable fortunes of this lady; and his own 
 hopes and fears becoming equally active at the same time, tho 
 exulting threats and bold assumptions of Kdward Conway *y 
 very diil eieiit from the sly humility of his usual deportment 
 awakened all his apprehensions, lie resolved to go foi \vard to 
 
CUM; K l 
 
 tlic i C -ipou the pleasant lianks of wl 
 
 tlif princolv domains of tlio Middloton familv ; persuaded, g 
 
 that the rival with whom he contended for so p-oat a 
 mre, equally wily and dishonorable, had in contemplation 
 sonic now villain*, which, if ii" 1 My met, would i 
 
 in equal loss to himself and misery to the maiden of his heart. 
 
 he did not resolve thus, without certain misjrivin. 
 elf-reproaches. His nether was fpiito as dear to him afl 
 mother was to the favorite son of her affections. II,- k;>, 
 danger in which her property stood, and was not heedless of the 
 alarm which *ho would experience, in her declining years and 
 douhtfnl liealtli, at the inroad of any marauding foe. Tl,< 
 mimonts of a stron<roi passion, however. pre\ ailed ah" 
 apprehensions, and lie contented himself with a determination to 
 make the hest of his way hclow. as soon as he had assured him- 
 of the safety and repose of cvorythin.fr nhovp. Tcrhaps, 
 too, ho had a farther ohject in this contemplated vi>it to Kh;ra 
 
 leton. Tlio counsel of Bannister on a previous 
 .\hich urjrod upon him to bring his doubte to conviction on the 
 suhject of the course which her feelings mi^ht 1 d to 
 
 take, found a corresponding ea^cnirss in his own heart to arrive 
 nt a knowledge, always so de-iraUe to a lover, and \\hich ho 
 .-eeks in fear and trcinhling as well as in Impe. 
 
 "I will but see her," was his uuuttercd determination, "I will 
 luit soo her, and see that she is safe, and hear at once her Una) 
 
 vr. These doubts arc too painful for endurance! 1 
 to hear the worst at once, than live always in apprehension 
 >! it." 
 
 Leaving the, youthful partisan to pursue his own cmirsr. let u;s 
 now turn for a while to that of Kdward Morton, and th< 
 
 .nditti which he commanded. He ],;\< ,;1: 
 lie Wateroo, traversed tho country 1-etween that . 
 and the Con^areo ; and after various small adventures. 
 
 ; likely to occur in such a progress, hut which 
 do not demand from us any more special notice, we find him on 
 the ! :he latter hborhood 
 
 ot t! I ere it re the twi 
 
 warring: waters of the Saludn and the Broad I ihse- 
 
n.L 7 TIIK scour, 
 
 (jueiilly, hotter distinguished as the chosen site of one of the 
 loM-licst t\vns of the. state the seat OJ it;il, and of a 
 
 ic of refinement, worth, courtesy, and taste, which are 
 nut often equalled in any region, and are certainly surpas.-cd ii) 
 none. 
 
 Columbia, however, at the period of our stoiy, was not in 
 .1 the meeting of its tributary waters, their stri- 
 111 rivalry, and the continual clamors of theii 
 Strife, formed the chief distinction of the i-pot ; and conferred 
 upon it no small decree -if picturesque vitality and loveliness. 
 A fe\v miles below, on the opposite side of the stream, stood 
 then the flourishing town of (iranby a place of considerable 
 magnitude and real importance to the. wants of the contiguous 
 country, but now fallen into decay and utterly deserted. A -ar- 
 :,cd town of the British, it had just before this period been 
 -ndered by Colonel Maxwell to the combined American force 
 under Snmter and Lee an event which counselled the chief 
 of the Black Killers to an increased decree of caution as he 
 approached a neighborhood so likelv to be, swarming with en 
 emies. 
 
 Here we may as well communicate to the reader. such por 
 tions of the current history of the time, as had not yet entirely 
 reached this wily marauder. While he was pUTfUing his personal 
 and petty objects of plunder on the Waleree, Lord Ra 
 had fled from < amden. which lie left in flames; Snmter had 
 taken Orangeburg J Fort Motte had surrendered to Marion ; 
 the British had been compelled to evacuate, their po.-.t at Nel 
 ferry ; and the only fortified place of which they now kept 
 i in the interior was that of Ninety-Si \ ; a station of 
 importance, to their interests in the back country, and 
 which, accordingly, they resohed to defend to the last extremity 
 But though ignorant of some of the events here broii- h. 
 
 "her, Kdward Morton was by no means ignorant of the 
 iiculties which were accumulating around the fortuin 
 British, and which, he naturally enough concluded, must n 
 in these, and even worse disasters. Of the fall of (Irani y h<- 
 aware; of the audacity and number of the American par 
 his scouts hourly informed him, even if his own frequent 
 
and nan liim to | : the 
 
 prcvailiiiLT danger* B 
 
 he 1. desire 1.. caution, fur the pi 
 
 tion . it which 
 
 rni^lit p lew prudent, ami of tlni proper kind. 
 
 Hi- had neither wish nr motive to > forward rashly; am 
 con! find him advaucin- to the Saluda, with tin- slow, 
 
 wln> looks to hchoM his enen.N 
 f-irtli. without summons -t trumpet, i roin the hosoin 
 
 al -iiu. thi 1 ! Mitr. 
 
 It\\a> noon when his troji rcaclu-d the hL ftlic 
 
 rivrr. tlie murmur i.f whose falls, like the di-tai.t mat! 
 oi-ean upon some island-hearh. \\eri- lu-ard, jdeasantly 
 in t! ,:. A . 
 
 the employments of !; 
 
 stationed, and the iendered thcmsrlvi-s to rej 
 
 : his own la.-hii-ii : slumhe . 
 
 .-. andered oif to t! 
 
 or to meditate, as their various inood.s might inch 
 
 : from the rest, and found a sort of 
 
 rock immediately overha; 
 
 unded \,y an nml-ra-eoii> fo 
 
 :i n r th, and yielded himself up to those hroodii.. 
 
 iultijdyin^ folds alioiit his mind, in the i 
 grasp of whieh it worked slowly and without its r. 
 ity. 
 nieditati .. nful with a sjiirit BU 
 
 n M hen 
 
 rounded hy ;: "-lily 
 
 tends to its i.-olation as eomjiletely I 
 
 II this. He had 1 ;,d not in vai:. 
 
 Uif Bpoflf bad b< He 
 
 had hoarded up a 
 
 ilu- \ icissituth { rtune ! 
 
 lie h;,-l ;it he hilii^e!; 
 
 n to liel!. all 
 
 ad him II. lia.l kej-t i\\\ n fear, and d< 
 
 , hut it was in moment> > 
 
1(34 THK SCOUT. 
 
 like tins, that he himself found none. It was then that his fears 
 grew bus)- th.it lie began to distrust his fate, and to apprehend 
 that all that future, which he fondly fancied to pass in serenity 
 of fortune, if not of mind and feeling, would yet be clouded and 
 compassed with denial. His eye, stretching away on either 
 hand, beheld the two chafing rivers rushing downward to that 
 embrace which they seem at once to desire and to avoid. A 
 slight barrier of land and shrubbery interposes to prevent their 
 too sudden meeting. Little islands throw themselves between, 
 as if striving to thwart the fury of their wild collision, but in 
 vain ! The. impetuous waters force their way against every 
 "bstructfon ; and wild and angry, indeed, as if endued with 
 moral energies and a human feeling of hate, is their first en- 
 n Tutor their recoil their return to the conflict, in foam and 
 roar ;VM! commotion, until exhaustion terminates the strife, and 
 il> -y at length repose together in the broad valleys of the Con- 
 6 below. 
 
 The turbulence of the scene alone interested the dark-bosomed 
 .--.tor whose fortunes we contemplate. He saw neither its sub 
 lime nor its gentle features its fair groves its sweet islands of 
 rock and tufted vegetation, upon which the warring water, 5 , as if 
 i!!y struggling to do honor to their benevolent interposition, 
 fiiny; ever their flashing, and transparent wreaths of whitish foam 
 !y thought was busy in likening the prospect to that 
 turbulence, tlic result of wild purposes and wicked desires, which 
 filled his own bosom. A thousand impediments, like the numer 
 ou rocks and islands that rose to obstruct the passage of the 
 ::ns which he surveyed, lay in his course, baffling his aim. 
 driving him from his path, resisting his desires, and -.-altering 
 inefficiently all his powers. Even as the waters which he be 
 held, complaining in the fruitless conflict with the rndc masses 
 from which they momently recoiled, so did he, unconsciously, 
 break into speech, as the difficulties in his own future progress 
 grew more and more obvious to his reflections. 
 
 "There must soon be an end to this. That old fool was 
 right. I should be a fool to wait to see it. Once, twice, thrice 
 already, have I escaped, when death seemed certain. Let me 
 not provoke Fortune let me not task her too far. It will be 
 
<,l.]v. . J KHUITB. M- 
 
 bailie these bloodhoundfi much longer! Their 
 their iiuinhers too great, ami the spoil too cn- 
 couraging. nougli. I have proved my 
 
 lo\. dty in<l""d ! a profitable pretext! and there 
 
 will he no diiViculty now in convincing Rawdon that I ought nt 
 : to linger liore in waiting for the end. That end 
 what j-hall it be ? A hard fight a bloody field a sharp 
 pain and quiet! Quiet! that \\ < thing, too, which 
 
 might al- :cile one to linger. Could I be secure of that, 
 
 at t 1 i Mnall pain only; hut it may lie, worse. Captiv 
 
 ity M tn death. In their hands, alive, and 
 
 , ani-Oi tortures would equal mine. No! no! I must not en- 
 liat linger. 1 must keep in reserve one weapon at 
 .iied to the one purpose. This this! must secure 
 I tivltv !" 
 
 lie drew frmn his ho.-oin, as he. spoke these words, a small 
 
 f CUlioUfl manufacture, which he contemplated with an 
 
 rate stm "he exquisite Moori>h woikman- 
 
 .shij) ot tlu handle, and the rich and variegated enamel of the 
 
 blade, served to pnnmite the train of gloomy >pei-ulati<m into 
 
 ii he had fallen. A ru>tling of tin- leaves the slight 
 
 foot immediately behind him caused him to start to his 
 
 ; but he resumed his place with an air of vexation, as he 
 
 Id in the, intruder, the person of the boy whom we have 
 
 i-efi.iv in close attendance upon him. 
 
 How now! he exclaimed impatiently ; "can I have no 
 ; why will you thus persist in following 
 
 I li.-ive no on- follow," was the meek reply the 
 
 i allinir, a> it were, in echo from a, weak and withered 
 
 no one el^e to follow, and and " 
 Tin- lips faltered into silei 
 " Spe;ik out and what ? " 
 
 ; till to me that I should go with none but you 
 
 urn me m>t drive me not away with 
 
 aid cruel accents; let me linger beside you 
 
 ti , til! out of yiiur sight ; for I am des 
 
166 THE RCOU1 
 
 olate oh! so .e.s<;/ate, when you leave me! you, to whom 
 alone, of all the, world, I may have- some right to look for pro- 
 ted ion and for life." 
 
 The sex of the speaker stood revealed in the heaving breast 
 the wo-begonc countenance the heart-broken despondency 
 of look and gesture the tear-swollen and down-looking eye. 
 threw herself before him as she spoke, her face bunVd in 
 her hands and prone upon the ground, ller sobs succeeded her 
 . peech, and in fact silenced it. 
 
 "No more of this, Mary Clarkson, you disturb and vex me. 
 Rise. I have seen, for some days past, that you had some new 
 tribulation some new burden <>f wo to deliver; out with it 
 now say what you have to say ; and, look you, no winnings ! 
 Life is too seriously lull of real evils, dangers, and ditliculties, to 
 sutler me to bear with these, imaginary afflictions." 
 
 " Oh, God, Edward Conway, it is not imaginary with me. It 
 is real it is to be seen to be felt. I am dying with it. It 
 is in rny pale cheek my burning brain, in which there is a 
 instant fever. Oh, look not upon me thus thus angrily 
 for, in truth I am dying. I feel it ! I know that J can not live 
 very long; and yet, I am so afraiQ to die. It is this fear, Kd- 
 ward Conway, that makes me intrude upon you now." 
 
 "And what shall I do, and what shall I say to lessen your 
 fears of death ? And why should I do it why, yet more, 
 should you desire it? Death is, or might to be, a verv good 
 tiling for one who professes to be so very miserable in li. 
 yourself. You heard me. as you approached ? if you did, you 
 must have heard my resolution to seek death, from my own 
 on, under certain circumstances. Now. it is my noti<;:; th:t 
 Mover life becomes troublesome, s..mer than grumble at it 
 hourly, I should make use of some small instrument like this. 
 A finger prick only no greater pain will sullice, and put :\\, 
 end to life and pain in the same instant." 
 
 "Would it could ! would it could ! exclaimed the unfortr.i 
 victim of that perfidy which now laughed her miseries to sconi. 
 
 "Why, so it can ! Do you doubt . I tell you. that thei, 
 no more pain, Mary, in driving this dagger into ; ;t 
 
 into JN most tender and vital places than there would be. 
 
OF PAS m ITS FRUITS. I M 
 
 burying it in your linger. Death will follow, and there s the 
 end of h." 
 
 "Not tin- end, not the end if it were, Edward Conway, how 
 gladly w.mhl I inijtlore from your hand the blessing of 
 lasting p -ace \\hich would follow from its blow. It is the. here- 
 -the awful hereafter which I fear to meet." 
 
 " i whip of the hangman a bugbear of the ; 
 
 l "i- ad women! I ll warrant you, if you are will ::.. 
 
 try the experiment, perfect security from all pain hereafter!" 
 
 And the heartless wretch extended toward her the hand 
 rt hieh contained the glittering weapon. She shuddered and 
 urned away giving him, as she did so, such a look as, e\eii 
 he. callous as he was, shrunk to behold. A glance of reproach, 
 more keen, deep, and touching, than any word of complaint 
 which her lips had ever ventured to utter. 
 
 "Alas! 1-M ward C onway, has it really come to this! To you 
 I have yielded everything virtue, peace of mind tl.. 
 father, and of mother, and of friends all that s most dear all 
 that the heart deems most desirable and you offer me. in re 
 turn, for :eath, death! the sharp, sudden poniard 
 the cold, cold grave ! If you oiler it, Kdward Couway strike ! 
 
 the death is welcome! Kven the fear of it is ! 
 
 t me, free; I will vex you no longer with my j 
 
 " Why, what a peevish fool you are. Mary Clarkson ! tin-, 
 t" be U are ii"t very different from the rest. Th 
 
 in) plea-ing any of you, do ;is we may. You first come to n 
 clamor about your distaste of life, and by your perpetual grum- 
 blin. . ke it a-, distasteful to ; 
 
 , | tell y ( ,u this is nnj remedy this sudden, shai p 
 Wh< i -hall come l regard lite Bfl a thing of so much I 
 
 MI do, I shall end it; and 1 also add, in the bene\ : 
 y heart "here is my medicament f share it with \ 
 
 and ](} ! what an uproar what a li-. \\lipg. I.ok vu, !\i 
 you must trouble me no longer in this manner. I am, just : 
 
 in tl, T with the best friend under the 
 
 Mill." 
 
 " Oh. Kdv j .mi- PI-..JD 
 
168 THE SCOUT. 
 
 ise ! Do you remember your promise to me, by the poplar 
 spring, that hour of my shame? that awful hour! Oh ! what 
 was that promise, Edward Conway ? Speak, Edward Comvay ! 
 Repeat that promise, and confess I was not all guilty. No, no 
 I was only all credulous ! You beguiled me with a promise 
 \\ilh an oath a solemn oath before Heaven did you not?- 
 that I should be your wife. Till then, at least, I was m 
 guilty !" 
 
 "Did I really make such a promise to you eh?" he askei 
 with a scornful affectation of indifference. 
 
 " Surely, you will not deny that you did ?" she exclaimed, 
 with an earnestness which was full of amazement. 
 
 " Well, 1 scarcely remember. But it matters not much, Mar, 
 Clarkson. You were a fool for believing. How could you SID 
 pose that I would marry you ? Ha! Is it so custoinarx 
 pride and poverty to unite on the Congaree that you should be 
 lieve ? Is it customary for the eldest son of one of the wealthi 
 est families to wed with the child of one of the poorest ? AVhy, 
 you should have known by the promise itself that I was amu 
 sing myself with your credulity that my only object was to 
 beguile you to win you on my ow r n terms not to wear you ! 
 I simply stooped for conquest, Mary Clarkson, and you were 
 willing to believe any lie for the same object. It was your 
 vanity that beguiled you, Mary Clarkson, and not my words. 
 You wished to he a line lady, and you are " 
 
 " Oh. do not stop. Speak it all out. Give to my folly and 
 my sin their true name. I can bear to hear it now without 
 shrinking, for my own thoughts have already spoken to my 
 l.rart the foul and fearful truth. I am, indeed, loath.-.*: 
 myself, and would not care to live but that I fear to die. Tis 
 not the love of life that makes me turn in fear from the dagger 
 which you offer. This, Edward Morton tis this which brings 
 me to you now. I do not seek you for guidance or for counsel 
 no.no! no such folly moves me now. I come to you for 
 protection for safety for security frmu sudden death from 
 the judge from the avenger ! II la pursuing us I have seen 
 him!" and, as she spoke these, almost incoherent words, her 
 ee looked wildly among the thick woods around, with glance 
 
.s OF PASSION \v;- na FBI !<>.< 
 
 frill of apprehension, as it :! 
 
 at hand. Surpri.-.- :ly expressed in the featuie- of !. r 
 
 callous paramour. 
 
 " He! Of whom speak you, cliild ? Wli" is it you fear?" 
 and his glance followed the wild direction nf h 
 
 " My father! Jacob Clark-ni ! He is in search of me of 
 
 1 And oh IE i know h! . I 
 
 tell you it will not be your high conn, ratio 
 
 birth that will save yen on the Congaree from a poor man s 
 
 . th.iugh these may make it a trilling thin., 
 poor man s child. lie is even now in search of us I have 
 him ! I have seen the object of his whole soul in his eydj as f 
 have seen it a hundred times before. He will kill you he will 
 kill us both, Edward Conway, but he will have revenge!" 
 
 " Pbhaw, girl ! You are very foolish. IIow can your father 
 find u.s out I IIou- approach us I The thought is f dly. As an 
 individual lie can only approach u.s by coming into the line of 
 
 -um him, and he then might look . 
 us, in each Oth . without being able to do us any inji 
 
 "Do not .speak BO Edward, for ( 
 arms no longer-- -I M more !" and a BOrl of .^hivering h 
 
 d o\cr her i ra iir I >ke these words. 
 
 " AS \ . Q pl< B8C ." mutten-d the outlaw, with an air am: 
 of scornful indifference. The girl proceeded 
 
 " But, even without weapons, tin 1 sight of my father the. 
 
 poll mine would kill me would 
 than any sort of death ! < )h, (i 
 
 bin nrvn gee me the child that has lost him, lo.-t h. . 
 And is bringing his gray hairs in sorrow to the gr.v. 
 
 ".Mary Clarkson, who do you think to cheat with all t 1 
 
 :iment .? 1 ) -n t I know that all th 
 and phrases are picked out of books. This t;. 
 to be tnie." 
 
 "They may he.! they weie bonks, Edwaul which 
 
 me, and wh u-h I hvcd i i your -, 
 
 :d not follow their 
 
 of this stutV, and now to t!. ... . -,{ this 
 
 business. You ha% - urfathei. 
 
170 TUB SCOUT. 
 
 "On the Wateree ; the day before you came back from } our 
 brother in the swamp !" 
 " Hrother me no brothers!" -exclaimed the outlaw fiercely ; 
 
 ".".ml hok yon, girl, have 1 ao1 told yon a thousand tiir.es that 
 I wish not to be called Oomvay. Call me Morton, Cunningham, 
 olm Stuart, or the devil or any of the hundred names by 
 A hich my enemies distinguish me and denominate my ch 
 but call me not by the name of Comvay. 1, too, 1: 
 tiling iilial in my nature; and if yon wish not to see the l ; 
 yon have offended, perhaps it is for the same reason that 1 would 
 not hear the name of mine. Let that dutiful reason content you 
 it may be that I have others; but these we will forbear for 
 ihc present. What of .Jacob Clarkson, when ymi saw hhh ? 
 Where was he? how employed? and where were you, and 
 who with you ?" 
 
 "Oh, God! I was fearfully nigh tu him, and he saw me! 
 lie iixed his keen, cold, deathly eye upon me, and 1 thought 1 
 should have, stink under it. 1 thought he knew me ; but how 
 could he in such a guise as this, and looking, as 1 do, pale, with 
 ered, and broken down with sin and suffering." 
 
 " Pshaw ! Where was all this ?" 
 
 " At Isaac s tavern. There was none there beside myself and 
 Isaac. He came in and asked for a calabash of water, lie 
 would drink nothing, though Muggs kindly offered him, but he 
 would not. He looked at me only for an instant ; but it seemed 
 to me, in that instant, that he looked through and through my 
 soul. He said nothing to me, and hardly anything to Isaac 
 though he asked him several questions ; and when he drank the 
 water, and rested for a little while, he went away, hut, while 
 he stayed, 1 thought J should have died. I could have buried 
 myself in the earth to escape his sight; and yet how 1 longed 
 to throw myself at his feet, and beg for mercy ! Could I have 
 done that, I think I should have been happy. I should have 
 been willing then to die. But I dared not. He hadn t a human 
 look he didn t seem to feel ; and I feared that he might kill 
 me without hearkening to my prayer." 
 
 " Muggs should have told me of this," said the other, musingly 
 
- . lurre, 17i 
 
 " lie nmsl bftY6 forgot n, 01 I "f the uproar and great 
 
 confuMon afterward." 
 
 "That is in. g K>ri f.>r a ov,ol fellow like him. I must 
 
 ii." 
 
 "But what will y< E \vard win-re .-hall wo fly?" 
 
 " JTh why ? Becai: 
 
 u that he can not appr 
 
 do harm; a:. ing us, have you not 
 
 that I .vn child without knowing her; 
 
 me as the man who once helped 
 him t. . fur the "idy undutil ul child he had." 
 
 D yi.ur \\onis, Kdward, lor, of 
 
 I my tall. 
 have, not lon^ not very loii^ to 1. 
 
 , so, while lii e lasts, let us bo up and doinu r !" 
 the etdd-i iooded reply, as, starting to hi> ; with the 
 
 id further en:.; u an aiinoyiiig siihject, lie 
 
 prepared t" 1- :;ad taken pla 
 
 Her! td, bat fbe ipoke not Her hands were ei 
 
 \\hieh ti. irai lo.st eijually np..n 
 
 ami heart; and if she meant to pray to him for a fur- 
 
 d in any stron^-rr t .,nn. 
 Jly him it remained unnoticed. Was it unnoticed l.y the 
 
 :iu r . Mid "i -i-rvant (iml ! for, to him, when the. other had 
 hearing, were her prayers then ofi ered, 
 
 with, seemingly, all the sincerity of a broken and a contrite 
 pint. 
 
172 THE SCOUT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 \ GLIMPSE OF BRIER PARK: THE OATH OF THE BLACK K1DKK&. 
 
 BY evening of the same day, the scouts made their appear 
 ance, and their reports were such as to determine the captain 
 of the Black Riders to cross the Congaree and puisne his h- 
 jects, whatever they might be, along its southern banks. Suf 
 ficient time for rest had been allotted to his troop. He believed 
 they had employed it as assigned ; little dreaming how busy 
 some of them had been, in the concoction of schemes, which, if 
 in character not unlike his own, were scarcely such as were 
 congenial with his authority or his desires. But these are mat 
 ters for the future. 
 
 Though resolved on crossing the river, yet, as the chosen 
 "erry lay several miles below, it became necessary to sound to 
 Dorse; and, about dusk, the troop was again put in motion, and 
 continued on their route till midnight. 
 
 They had compassed but a moderate distance in this space of 
 time, moving as they did with great precaution ; slowly of course, 
 as was necessary while traversing a country supposed to be in 
 the full possession of an enemy, and over roads, which, in those 
 days, were neither very distinct, n<>r fairly open, n<>r in the. best 
 condition. They reached the ferry, but halted for the remainder 
 of the night without making any effort to cross. 
 
 At the dawn of day, Mary Clarkson, still seemingly a boy, 
 was one of the first, stealing along the bank >f the river, to 
 remark the exquisite beauty of the prospect which on every .vide 
 opened upon her eye. The encampment <>f the I .lark Kii!n, 
 had been made along the river bluff, but sufliciently rein 
 from its edge to yield the requisite degree of woodland shelter. 
 The Spot chosen fur the purp<e was a ridge unusually elevated 
 for that portion of the stream, which is commonly skirted by a:i 
 alluvial bottom of the richest swamp undergrowth, This, on 
 
A (JLIMI SK OF IUIIKR PARK. 
 
 either hand, lay below, while tl in ling upon its way in 
 
 the foreground, was as meek and placid as if it never knew 
 !. or interruption. 
 
 ! iit a few miles above, how constant had hcen it- 
 with the rocks how unceasing its warring clamors. But a fe\v 
 >f these obstructions, and tl obstructions in appeal. 
 
 only , occurred immediately at the point before us; and tl 
 home down by the violence of the conflict carried on a 
 might seem rather the trophies of its own triumph, which the 
 river brought away with it in its downward ; terviug 
 
 rather to overcome the. monotony of its surface, and increase the 
 picturesque of its prospect, than as offering any new obstacle, 
 - provoking to any farther strife. Its waters broke with a 
 gentle violence on their rugged tops, and passed over and around 
 them with a sli^Jit murmur, which was quite as clearly a ir.nr- 
 mur of merriment as ne of annoyance. 
 
 uml, the- foliage grew .-till in primitive simplicity. Tl,< re, 
 the long-leafed pine, it>clf the evidence of a foivM ninlishonored 
 by tl: . red its lofty brow. soaring and stooping, a giant 
 
 domain. About him, not inferior in pride and ma- 
 :igli perhaps inferior in height, wen; a numerous growth 
 D the varieties common to the region; tributary, 
 .r be to Strength, were the rich and vari 
 ous hu,..s of the hay, the poplar, the dig\vouil, and the red bud 
 "f tl. 18 all growing and blooming in a profligate luxu- 
 
 :ed and unemployed, as if the tastea <-f the 
 bifl benevolence, found their own suf- 
 
 ticient exercise in the conteinju.-.tloii ,,f such a treasure, tl, 
 man him-eh \\.-ic Qevei ! be created for its future enjovn; 
 Hut U-yi-nd la-. t in which art. -npi-rati: 
 
 .1 i, had proved hei>eif a <! 
 
 chingac tream,ihe 
 
 jiroi;! baronial pi r . ,ii:a tl: 
 
 of o. it -lived noliility broad lie! 
 
 lawns, green : way into the embrace of the br.i\\n 
 
 BDS mot ; >olcnin . .<\ iu 
 
 the \vn of a gently 
 
 ilopinghill, one of :;ih- lai-ricsol the 
 
174 THE SCOUT. 
 
 time, which our ancestors devised to answer the threefold pur 
 poses of the dwelling, the chapel, and the castle for defence. 
 
 There, when (lie courage of the frontier-men first broke 
 ground, and took possession, among the wild and warlike hunt- 
 >f the Santee, the Congaree, and the Saluda, did the gallant 
 General Middleton plant his towers, amidst a region of great 
 perils, but of great natural beauty. With fearless soul, he united 
 an exquisite taste, and for its indulgence he was not unwilling 
 to encounter the perils of the remote wilderness to whir! 
 went. Perhaps, too, the picturesque of the scen cry was height 
 ened to his mind by the dangers which were supposed to envi 
 ron it; and the f< -rest whose frowning shades discouraged must 
 others, did not lose any of its attractions in his sight, 1 
 sometimes tasked him to defend his p< hy the Btl 
 
 arm and the ready weapon. The bear disputed with hii,. 
 possession of the honey-tree ; and the red man, starting up, at 
 evening, from the thicket, not unfreqiiently roused him with his 
 fearful halloo, to betake himself to those defences, which made 
 his habitation a fortress no less than a dwelling. 
 
 But these, which are difficulties to the slothful, and terrors to 
 the timid, gave a zest to adventure, which sweetens enterprise 
 in the estimation of the brave; and it did not lessen the value 
 of Brier Park to its first proprietor because he was sometimes 
 driven to stand a siege from the red men of the Congaree. 
 
 But the red men disappeared, and with them the daring ad 
 venturer who planted his stakes, among the first, in the bos.nn 
 of their wild possessions. He, too, followed thorn at the ap 
 pointed season; and his proud old domains fell into the hands 
 of gentler proprietors. Under the countenance of her venerable 
 grandmother, Flora Middleton truly a rose in the wilderness 
 --blossomed almost alone; at a time when the region in which 
 the barony stood, was covered with worse savages than r.ven-the 
 Congarees had been in the days of their greatest lie- 
 
 But the besom of Avar which swept the country as with 
 flame and sword had paused in its ravages at this \ 
 threshold. "With whig and tory alike, the name of old (Jem-ral 
 Middleton, the patriarch of the Congaree country, v 
 equally gacred; and the lovely granddaughter who inherited 
 
\ IT " 
 
 lie and a rebel, 
 to hold her j.inions without pa; 
 
 .ties which, in tin <>f 
 
 . y liki-ly to incur. 
 
 this general condition of imlul- 
 
 8 illicit occasionally take place. Sometimes a marauding 
 nl upon tlic hen-roost, or made a bolder foray into 
 1 and st. ; Imt th. depredations 
 
 sunk out oi si^lit in comparison \\ith the general state 
 v ami robbery which prevailed evcryv, here e! 
 
 Bfl to which the inhahitants of 
 
 .hjcct, an ist from the involuntary hospitality 
 
 impelled to exercise inward the enemies ot 
 
 country. Flora Middlcton had heen forced to receive with 
 
 iablc" Cornwallis, and the brutal Fergu- 
 aml to li.-ti ii %\i:h Complacency tO WOrdfl of softened cor,. 
 and compliment from lips which had just before commanded 
 
 : her countrymen, innocent of all ofh 
 
 lit that of defending, with the spirit of manhood and filial 
 v, hicb jravu them birth. The njually san-uiiiary 
 in Rawdon the savant- Tai .eton, and the 
 tanningham, had also been her uninvited 
 whom she had dour the, honors of the house with the 
 i spirit natural to her name and education, but nev. 
 tin- expriiM- oi her patriotism. 
 
 . .ra," was the phrase with which with un- 
 d urbanity of t mprr, J.ord OornwaHifl was wont to 
 
 J t.thrr way the : 
 
 .! sentiments, i hese ihfl declared with eijual 
 and firmness, whenever th< 
 
 ; and, keen as mi-lit 1 uith it its own 
 
 ;i the quiet, subdr.etl, ladylike tone, in which it was ut- 
 
 ; . and the courteous manner \\\ irace 
 
 and : :ay vil./ laus with impunity, and praise- 
 
 n >i | .t, will still follow the offender. 
 
 was the happy fortune .-I Flora Middlrtnn one oi those 
 
 >f Carol-na, W\ :i!imrnt, pride 
 
 and patriotism, Acknowledged equal, ud and foe, exer- 
 
17 .) THE SCOUT. 
 
 cised a wondrous influence over the events of the war, which is 
 yet to lie put on record in a becoming manner. 
 
 The poor outcast, Mary Chirksim a beauty, also, ,, 
 time, I: her rustic sphere, and <me whose sensibilities had 
 unhappily heightened by the very arts employed by be- - 
 cer to effect her ruin gazed, with a mournful sentiment ol 
 isfaction, at the sweet and picturesque beauty of the scene. Al 
 ready was she. beginning to lose herself in that dreamy lan^ i" 
 of thought which hope itself .suggests to the unhappy as . 
 means to escape from wo, when she found her reckless beh. 
 suddenly standing by her side. 
 
 "Ha, Mary, you are on the look-out, I see you have :\ 
 taste, I know. What think you of the plantations opposite 1 
 See how beautifully the lawn slopes up from the river to the 
 foot of the old castle, a glimpse of whose gloomy, frowning \ is- 
 age, meets your eye through that noble grove of water oakj 
 that link their arms across the passage and conceal two third:. 
 no less of the huge fabric to which they lead. There uo\v, to 
 the right, what a splendid field of corn what an ocean of pvm 
 leaves. On the left do you see a clump of oaks and sycamores 
 there, to itself, away a clo^e, dense clump, on a little hil 
 lock, itself a sort of emerald in the clearing around it. There 
 stands the vault the tomb of the Middleton family. Old Mid- 
 dleton himself sleeps there, if he can be said to sleep at all ; for 
 they tell strange, stories of his nightly rambles after wolves and 
 copper-skins. You may see a small gray spot, like a chink of 
 light, peeping out of the grove that is the. tomb. It is a huge, 
 f-tjuare apartment 1 have been in it mor* than once partly 
 beneath and partly above the ground. It has hid many more 
 living than it Avill ever hold dead men. I owe it thanks for 
 more than one concealment myself." 
 
 " You ?" 
 
 "Yes! I have had a very comfortable night s rest in it, all 
 things considered ; and the probability is not small that we .shall 
 take, our sleep in it to-night. How like yon the pm-pi-ct . " 
 
 The girl shuddered. lie did not care f>r any other answer, 
 but proceeded. 
 
 "In that oil cage of Middleton there is a bird of sweetest 
 
A ( 177 
 
 song, whom I would sot five. 1 ><> you 
 
 , 
 
 The. girl confessed her iguoran 
 Yon are dull. Mary, ! ut you shall grow 
 
 Knough for tho present. We mu-t BCt the tl , -A 
 
 short mile below and we find our crossing pb ce. and then 
 hark yo;;, Mary, you i: out to-night. If 
 
 hief yesterday, it is not yet cured. There, is moro 
 {-day. I shall expert you to watch to-night, while I ; 
 
 II. chuckled at the pacing attempt at | wit, in which, 
 
 him justice, lie did not often indulge, and the pop 
 uhich his companion did r,:>t perceive; then continued 
 
 Perhaps it should he prowl rather than watch. Though, 
 to prowl well requires the best of watching. You must do 
 You j>rutcl while I prey do you understand ?" 
 
 He had given a new form to his phrase, by which hi- made 
 his humor obvious; and, satisfied with this, he proceeded ; 
 
 usly 
 
 "(live up your dumps, girl. It will not be the v. 
 you that things turn out to please me. These most 
 
 .nd I can now trust none to watch them but \ 
 
 At this confession, her reproachful :;-ncd full 
 
 .iy upon him. He had betrayed the trust of the only 
 in whom he could place his own. What a coinnn ntary on his 
 crime, on his cruel indifference to the victim .fit! He saw in 
 the meaning which her lips did not : 
 
 be said ; " and w. 
 this, and they must expect it. Born to be dr; 
 
 that we fii.pl.y y, i ; and If v 
 fewer and humbler, your chance for happ n. 
 
 Content yourself now with th !"ii thai 
 
 have a share in i and all will g 
 
 . man are I the frail and un- 
 
 i all 
 , that 1.\ 
 
 \> veiy well for boj but it fur: 
 
 nor the tor manhood. If .:, you 1!. 
 
178 THE SCOUT. 
 
 vain. Your food must lie the menu-; ir 1 onner 
 
 Let it satisfy you, Mary, that I loved you once." 
 
 " Never, Ed ward you never loved me; not even when my 
 confidence in your love lost me the love >f all other persons. 
 This knowledge 1 have learned by knowing how 1 have nn 
 loved, and by comparing my feelings with the signs of ION > 
 you. In learning to know how little I have been loved, I made 
 the discovery of your utter incapacity to love." 
 
 "And why, pray you?" he demanded, with some pique. ; but 
 the girl did not answer. lie saw her reluctaiice, and framed 
 another question. 
 
 " And why, then, after this discovery, do you still love me, 
 and cling to me, and complain of me ?" 
 
 " Alas ! 1 know not why 1 love you. r \ hat, indeed, is beyond 
 me to learn. I have sought to know I have tried to think 
 1 have asked, but in vain, of my own mind and heart 1 cling 
 to you because, 1 can cling nowhere else; and you have yourself 
 said that a woman is a dependant she must cling somewhere ! 
 The vine clings to the tree though it knows that all its heart iy 
 rotten. As for complaint, God knows 1 do not come to make, it 
 1 do not wish, but I can not help it. I weep and moan from 
 weakness only, I believe, and 1 shall soon he done moaning." 
 
 "Enough I see which way you tend now. You are foolish, 
 Mary Clarkson, and war with your own peace. Can you n- 
 be reconciled to what is inevitable what you can no longer 
 avoid? Make the best of your condition what is done, can t 
 be amended ; and the sooner you show me that you can yield 
 yourself to your fate with some grace, the more certain and 
 will be the grace bestowed in turn. You are useful to me, Mary ,- 
 and as women arc useful to men grown men, mark me so do 
 they value, them. When I say useful, remember the word is 
 a comprehensive one. You may be useful in love, in the pro 
 motion of fortune, revenge, ambition, hope, enterprise a thou- 
 ; things and objects, in which exercise, will elevate eijualiy 
 your character and condition. Knough, now. You must sho\v 
 your usefulness to-night. 1 go on :; business of peril, and 1 
 Must go alone. Hut 1 will take; you with me a part of the \\ay. 
 a:id out of sight </ the encampment To the encampir.eiM 
 
40 <K IIRTEU ! ARK. 179 
 
 must return. : and with such pi keep un- 
 
 :;-ther your talents clearly 
 
 lie t! business ,1 sort of sickne 
 
 perhaps the natural e.inplaint of overgrown babies of hoth sexes, 
 with caudle ami put t< after 
 
 as possible. D> you h--;;r, chihl / !). you understand?" 
 Thus substantially ended tli:> conference the singula: 
 of which, and the relation between the parties, ean only h. 
 
 iidence in 
 
 which the unhappy jrirl stood to her hetrayer. She was hujn-- 
 
 :iy change of fortune ^ht- knew not where to turn 
 
 :. w had mi other to which she mi^ht prom, 
 
 .. She rcmemheivd the huinhler love of John Bannister 
 
 with a siirh the r<>,,f and the ail rctioiis of her father with a 
 
 thrill, which carried a cold horror through all her veins. A 
 
 natural instinct turned her to the only one upon whom she had 
 
 i-lniin a claim still indisputable, though it might be scorned 
 
 hy him ; and, without 1-eing satisfied of the truth <-f 
 
 - willing, as he required, to he useful, that 
 
 tten. 
 
 Whil-- j. was preparing to CfOtt the liver, it wa> joined, 
 
 : the surpriM y and the eliagrin of its commander, 
 
 by the refractory lieutenant, Stockton. 
 
 Lie related the events which occurred to him somewhat dif- 
 ;tly from the truth. According to his version of : 
 
 I to \\hoin he had been h, trusted was attacked i 
 
 :en, and prol-ably -lain he himselt 
 
 ably escaping to tell the story. ! 1 >V himself and 
 
 is that his oaiTOlV (.-ape and \ duty 
 
 i>ul iience in the eye .f the chief, and prohahlv 
 
 .:n from all the consequences threatened in !. 
 
 the latter wrafl t-.o j.-ahms of the di>artecti..n prevailing 
 Midi-lit in the beneficial iuiiueiu 
 
 : a hair in the 
 
 exercise of his authori: tor a 
 
 close \m> 
 id i ; .-half bv 
 
>UT. 
 
 soiuo of tho tempori/ers :; f whom the Black 
 
 ; human community, had a lair propor- 
 
 1 i \ tho Middleton 1 
 
 thicket in th.- .:ul on the 
 
 . hoson tor their bivouac; ami their .mi 
 
 ni casual observation, the chief of the l lac\ 
 with his dark banditti, awaited till the approach of night, in a 
 condition of becoming quiet. Ho then prepare.; 
 
 his expedition to the barony; ami it was v. 
 though \vith"V : of the cause, that M; ; 
 
 ; orecivod. on his - it, that he hail discarded all his 
 
 -.,1 had really been pa\ little u;;- 
 
 D to the arts of the toilet. The black ai. 
 
 heard and whiski- OH1 hy the troo; . a 
 
 moo of \\liich had fallen into the hands of Supple 
 
 .1 previov.- :i had disappeared from h ^ face; 
 
 his sable uniform had jriven place to a \vell-iittini: suit of becom- 
 
 l, of the costume of the troop, nothing remained 
 
 but the dark belt which encircled hi- 
 
 Marv rlaikson was not naturally a suspicious person, nor of a 
 jealous temper; and tho lirst observation which noticed ; 
 cha . , en a surmise in relation to their oh- 
 
 joet. S .. i his intimation to follow him as he prepared 
 
 ke his departure; and, availing herself of the nioine! 
 
 -uch of the band as were about her at the moment, 
 away and joined him at a little distance from the camp, 
 
 < 1 his instructions as to the game whic: 
 . her to play. 
 
 The quiet in \\hich Morton had left his followers did not lon$ 
 C his departure. The insubordinates availed them- 
 
 :h in a 1 
 
 than they had 1 . 
 
 tumultuously, nished upon the guard to whom Stockton had 
 
 . overawing all opposition by their 
 .ior mini - 1 him from his bonds. 
 
 Ensign 1 the leader of this party. lie had found it 
 
 uo cliOi ulty to unite them in a measure which they boldly a> 
 
A . : PARK. 181 
 
 mr; iled at a gpecies of tyranny 
 
 to which ibrnit. Disaffection had ?j 
 
 .ton imagiwd. 
 
 : made them forgetful of es, as well as 
 
 I; :;tly, their spoils had been few and 
 .:it and severe, and their dangers 
 gre- things inclined them all, in a grea* 
 
 be dissatisfied ; and nothing is so easy to vulgar 
 power which governs, all the evils 
 
 
 j Availed t! his natural 
 
 teiui irt. The more ignorant /aid unthink 
 
 ing were taught t :hat their chief had mismanaged in a 
 
 irse of conduct would have 
 lie had operated on the "Wateree 
 - and the Saluda offered the 
 culiar practi 
 
 :he cold-blooded Morton had 
 
 given in chai _ _ which he now kept upon 
 
 of secret consultation at a mo- 
 
 mei.: is enough fur the objects of her watch. The\ 
 
 assembled -thai is, O uch of the band (and this involved a ma- 
 rebel against their present lead- 
 c a rivulet which passed from the 
 the swamp. lieic they had kindled 
 
 a small : _ h to give light to their d eh be rations ; had 
 
 lighted i. s, and, from their canteens, were seasoning 
 
 lisite degree and \. 
 1 precautions which is apt to follow 
 m the usual restraints of authority, 
 sentries around their place of con- 
 rt the aj -tile foot.-- 
 
 i at the beginning, they had 1 
 be debate and the drink to leave 
 
 .:\i their comrades. 
 
 Ma h -r.iig 
 
 of all their deK \ itli exemplary forbearance 
 
 tnd u .cd, did not take much 
 
182 HIE SCOUT 
 
 part in the proceedings. Ensign Darcv, howe\ er, was faithful 
 to his old professions, an l was the principal speaker. H<- it was 
 who could best declare what, in particular, had heen (he omis 
 sions of the chief; and }>y what mistakes lie had led the troop 
 from point to point, givi ig them no rest, little loud, and h. 
 sing them with constant dangers and alarms. 
 
 The extent of his information surprised the faithful li. 
 and informed her aJeo of some matters which sne certainly did 
 *>ot expect to hear. 
 
 Davcy was supported chiefly by the huge fellow already 
 known hy the name of Barton the same, person who had led 
 the insuhordinates in Muggs cabin, when Edward Morton, at 
 the last moment, sprang up to the rescue of his kinsman. This 
 ruffian, whose violence then had offered opposition to his leader, 
 and could only be suppressed by the show of an equal violence 
 on the part of the latter, had never been entirely satisfied with 
 himself since that occasion. He wa- one of those humble- 
 minded persons of whom the world is so full, who are always 
 asking what ibeir neighbors think of them ; and being a sort of 
 braggart and bully, he was annoyed by a consciousness of hav 
 ing lost some portion of the esteem of his comrades by the 
 comparatively easy submission which he then rendered to his 
 leader. This idea haunted him, and he burned for some oppor 
 tunity to restore himself in their wonted regards. Dairy dis 
 covered this, and worked upon the fool s frailty to such a 
 degree, that he was persuaded to take the lead in the. work of 
 mutiny, and to address his specious arguments to those doubtful 
 persons of the gang whom the fox-like properties of the t : 
 would never have suffered him directly to approach. Their 
 modes of convincing the rest were easy enough, since their ar 
 guments were plausible, if not true, and there was some founda 
 tion f ov many of the objections urged against their present com 
 mander. 
 
 "Here, for example," said Dairy; "here he comes to play 
 the lover at Middleton place. He dodges about the young 
 woman when it suits him ; and either we follow him here, and 
 hang about to keep the rebels from his skirts, or he lea\ . 
 where we neither hear nor see anything of him for weeks. 
 
THK OAtfl <>K Till I., .-Kits 1 - 
 
 .while, we can do nothing we dare not move without 
 him ; and if we do any creditable tiling, \\ hat s the coiiMMjur: 
 Lieutenant Stockton there can tell you. He s knocked . 
 like a bullock, and arrested is attacked by the rebels, make* 
 a narrow escape, conies hark like a -"oil soldier, and is put 
 under arrest again, as it no punishment was enough for showing 
 the spirit of a man." 
 
 All, yes, that wa n t right of the captain; said one of the 
 fellows, with a conclusive shake of the head. 
 
 Yes ami all that jist after the lieutenant had hecn husy foi 
 live days, through storm and rain, looking after him only," 
 the addition of another. 
 
 It s a God s truth, for sartin, the captain s a mighty changed 
 man now-a-days," said a third. 
 
 He ain t the same person, that s a d ar," was the conviction 
 of a fourth ; and so on through the talc. 
 
 \nd who s going to stand it?" cried the fellow Barton, in a 
 voice of thunder, shivering the pipe in his hand by a stroke 
 upon the earth that startled more than one of the doubtful. 
 
 I ll tell you what, men there s no use to beat about the 
 bush when the thing can be made plain to every men s onder- 
 htandiiig. Here it is. We re in a mighty bad fix at pi- 
 any how; and the chance is a great deal w< Dg tfl \\ e 
 
 stand here. Here, the whigs are tjuite too thick for us to deal 
 with. It s either, we must go np to the mountains or get down 
 toward the seaboard. I m told tin- 
 But here \\e \e mighty nigh cleaned out the crib; tl. 
 preri .u^ little left. What .- to keep us here. 1 ra:i t Me; hut 
 
 s Captain Morton here. II. - after 
 
 this gal of Middleton s ; and he ll stay, and peep, and d 
 and con,- . until he gits his own neck in the halter, 
 
 may-be our n too, NOW. it yuYe of my mind, we ll leave him 
 to his gal and all he can get by her. and take hor>,. thi- 
 night, and find our way along the Sahidah, up : 
 That s my notion; and, as a beginning, I m wil! 
 the fint, let Han , "ur captain from the jump." 
 
 ;lv, soft!. iid the more \vil\ " thaJ 
 
 <uui hardly be, u:de-s you im-aii to pn! the ;_ I Ninety- 
 
184 THK SCOUT. 
 
 Six at defiance also. You ll find it 110 easy matter to show a 
 king s commission for the lieutenant ; and it ll be something 
 wr>rs3 if Ned Morton faces you just at the moment when Bal- 
 four, or Rawdon, or Stuart, or Cruger, has you under examina 
 tion. No, no ! There s no way of doing the thing, unless you 
 can show them that Ned Morton s a dead man or a traitor. Now, 
 then, whifh shall it he?" 
 
 "Both !" roared Barton. " I m for the dead man first. Wr 
 can go in a hody and see for ourselves that he s done up for this 
 world, and we can go in the same hody to Cruger at IJinety- 
 Six and show that we want a captain, and can t find a hetter 
 man than Harry Stockton." 
 
 "But he ain t dead," said one of the more simple of the 
 tribe. 
 
 " Who says he ain t?" growled the ruffian Barton "when 
 1 say he is] lie s dead dead as a door nail; and we ll 
 prove it before we go to Cruger. Do you suppose I m going 
 with a lie in my mouth ? We must make true what we mean 
 to say." 
 
 " You re right, Barton," quietly continued Darcy ; " but per 
 haps twould be well, men, to let you know some things more. 
 Nu\v, you must know that Middleton place has been let alone, 
 almost the only house, since the beginning of the war. Old 
 MioMleton was a mighty great favorite among the people of all 
 then- parts when he was living; and Lord Cornwallis hearing 
 that, he gave orders not to do any harm to it or the people liv- 
 there. Well, as they were women only, and had neither 
 faihor, brother, nor sn, engaged in the war, there was no provo- 
 ration to molest them; and so things stand there as quietly as 
 they did in seventy-five. In that house, men, there s more 
 good ol-.l stamped plate than you ll find in half the country. 1 
 reckon you may get ban-els of it, yet not have room for all. 
 \Yt-:i. there s the jewels of the women. It s a guess of mine 
 only, but I reckon a safe one, when I say that I have no doubt 
 you ll find jewels of Flora Middleton enough to help every man 
 of us to the West Indies, and for six months after. Now. it s a 
 question whether we let the captain carry off this girl with all 
 her jewels, or whether we come in for a share. It s my notion 
 
THK \ Pfl OP THI-: I .I.ACK P.TI ! 1 << 
 
 it s flint lie s aiming at lit 4 don t care a t .g what becomes of us 
 if he can carry of} this plunder, and this is the secret of all his 
 doings. I know lie s half mad after the girl, and will have hor. 
 though lie takes her with his claws. I move that wo hv 
 hand in the business. It s but to steal uj> to Prior Park, got round 
 the placo, sound a rebel alarm, and give him a shot while 
 mining. After that, the work s easy. Wo can then 
 upon the women as a rebel troop, and empty the closets a; 
 leisure." 
 
 The temptations of this counsel were exceeding great. It 
 was received without a dissenting voice, though there wore sun 
 dry doubts, yet to be satisfied, among the more prudent or the 
 more timid. 
 
 " But the boy that strange boy, Henry. He s with him. 
 What s to be clone with him ?" 
 
 Mary Clarkson had been a breathless listener dining the 
 whole of this conference. Her emotions were new and inde- 
 .ihlo. Heretofore, strange to say, vhe had never entertained 
 the idea, for a single instant, of I M ward Mort<m loving another 
 woman. She had never, during the marau 
 which he pursued, beheld him in any situation which i 
 
 ken hor female fears. \" v, the unr <mmunicati<m 
 
 and bold assertion of Darcy, awakened a novel emotion of 
 pain within her heart, and a new train of reflection in her mind. 
 
 " This, then," she mu<ed to herself, as lei-ted the 
 
 conversation that morning with hor seducer " tlr the 
 
 bird that he spoke .f the sweet singing-bird in th.v 
 
 ich ho determine : 
 
 {ear. no thought of this! Hut ho can i r \-> 
 
 ho 1: li natui-o. \t is i: [Q f.i-- him to feel 
 
 have felt." 
 
 She strove to listen again, but site hoard little more, !!: 
 mind had formed a vague impro-<: >n o! 
 
 i with in; illy vague in form, but far morn im- 
 
 we.V 
 
 of that 1 ; tO think. I -T | 
 
 tl .at tl ::. 
 
186 THE SCOUT. 
 
 but their suggestion to murder the criminal, revived in all its 
 force, if not her old passio*h, at least her habitual feeling of 
 dependence upon him. The idea of losing tor ever the one 
 who, of all the world, she could now seek, was one calculated 
 to awaken all her most oppressive fears; and, with a strong 
 effort at composure, she now bent all her attention to ascertain 
 what were the precise means by which the outlaws proposed to 
 cfiect their objects. The farther details of Dairy enlightene-l 
 hrr on this head, and she was about to rise from her lowly posi 
 tion and hiding-place, and steal away to Brier Place, in order 
 to awaken Morton to his danger, when the inquiry touching her 
 own fate commanded her attention. 
 
 "What of the boy, Henry what shall be done with him? 
 I m thinking lie s the one that reports everything to the cap 
 tain. What shall we do with him ?" 
 
 " Cut his throat, to be sure. He is no use to any of us ; and 
 if we silence the captain, we must do for him also. I reckon 
 they re together now." 
 
 "The getting rid of the boy is a small matter," said Dairy ; 
 " let s settle about the principal first, and the rest is easily man 
 aged. We must set about this affair seriously there must be 
 no traitors. We must swear by knife, bullet, tree, and halter 
 the old oath ! there must be blood on it ! Whose blood shall 
 it be?" 
 
 " Mine !" exclaimed Barton, as he thrust forth his brawny arn: 
 to the stroke, and drew up the sleeve. Mary Clarkson was still 
 too much of a woman to wait and witness the horrid ceremonial 
 by which they bound themselves to one another; but she could 
 l"ar the smooth, silvery voice of Dairy, while she stole away 
 on noiseless feet, as h.- severally administered the oath, upon the 
 Cashed arm of the confederate, to each of the conspirators. 
 Swear!" 
 
 And the, single rcspms< of the first ruffian, as he ple.djrrd 
 himself, struck terror to her heart and gave fleetness to her 
 footsteps. 
 
 " By knife, cord, tree, and bullet, I swear to be true t 
 my brothers, in this business ; if ! fail or betray you then !-i 
 knife, cord tree, or bullet, do i^ n ork ! 1 su 
 L 
 
: i;i:n:i; P [67 
 
 The ten . .slic ll. -1 : hnt even then 
 
 she : -what .-lie 1,. : that M BW66l sing- 
 
 itig bird, in that L to hoth of which she was now 
 
 aching with an equal i-entiir.i-nt of curiosity and terror. 
 
 ( II A I TKR X VII. 
 
 !. l.MYK PASSAGES AT lU .II.i: I AKK. 
 
 M KA\\VHII.K. the chief of the 1 laek K ulei^ jnirsiH-il lii> 
 
 vay to the scene of his jin-jeded nperations. 1 aniiliar with 
 rlie neighborhood, it was n<.t a ditlicult matter for him to make 
 
 ;th .sntiicient n :i.nni^h the ^Icmii:- 
 
 mute liad lieen often trodden liy him liefoiv often, indeed. 
 when the fai; Mleton ! :ned nf the proximity 
 
 , \\hrn imt a star in the sky 
 Mi .il- Ms purj)(.-> 
 
 I ht- the nigh* was without a cloud, 
 
 nn!r few of those li^lit, tieccy, transparent r- 
 
 wliich the risinir moon I ;t 1 n.m her j.er.-.n, and 
 
 which ll her pathway in tributary J-eauty ; ami 
 
 th maiden queen, makiu- lu-r v ta t.dy pr. 
 
 : her sil\> 
 
 rii;kled, I 
 nt dri-pp!- glimmezing and kindred Leauty wit!. 
 
 The uimis wen- whi.-ht or sleeping. The, sacred 
 ness of t! iled in the air and o\ 
 
 :! ird flappetl a di> 
 
 I. ranches which overhung its nest, or, with si; 
 shrunk from t _ through 
 
 We: - lie purposes of the 
 
 t liiiu on -. 
 While he pu; nuliously 
 
188 THE SCOUT. 
 
 concealing his person from the light, other and nobler spirit* 
 were abroad enjoying it. Love, of another sort than his, was no 
 less busy; ami, attended hy whatever success, with a spirit far 
 more worthy of the gentler influences which prevailed equally 
 above the path of hoth. 
 
 The outlaw reached the grounds of the ancient barony IK 
 had almost followed the course >f the river, and he now stor.d 
 uj)on its banks. Tl is path lay through an old field, now aban 
 doned, which was partly overgrown by the, lob-lolly, or short- 
 leafed pine. The absence of undergrowth made his pro- 
 ea-y. He soon found himself In-side the solemn grove which 
 had grown up, from immemorial time, in hallowed security 
 around the vaulted mansion in which slept the remains ; 
 \enerable casiquc of Congaree for such was old Middh 
 title of nobility, lie penetrated the sacred enclosure, and, as he 
 had frequently done before, examined the entrance of the tomb, 
 which he found as easy as usual. 
 
 The dead in the wilderness need no locks or bolts for their 
 security. There are no resurrectionists there to annoy them. 
 Edward Conway looked about the vault, but there he did not 
 long remain. Pressing forward, he approached the park and 
 grounds lying mere immediately about the mansion. Here, a 
 new occasion for caution presented itself. He found soldiers 
 on duty sentinels put at proper distances; and, fastened to 
 the swinging limbs of half a dozen trees, as many dragoon 
 horses. 
 
 He changed his course and proceeded on another route, with 
 the hope to approach the dwelling without observation ; but 
 here again the path was guarded. The watch seemed a strict 
 one. The sentinels were regular, and their responses so timed, 
 as to leave him no prospect of passing through the intervals <-f 
 their rounds. Yet, even if this had been allowed him, what 
 good could be. effected by it? He could not hope, himself un 
 seen, to approach the person he sought. Vet he lingered ,-u.d 
 watched, in the eager hope to see by whom she was attended. 
 What guest did she entertain ? 
 
 To know this, his curiosity hr< ,:me intense. Tie would prob 
 *bly have risked something to have attained this knowledge 
 
LMt. 
 
 but, under tlif itch which ci he habi- 
 
 endeavor promised to be utterly hopeless. 
 
 :i, after a vJiile, drove him hack to the tomb, 
 with D his lips and fury in his heart. He VMS art 
 
 of those men who had known much, or had learned to endur 
 any disappointment; and his anger and anxiety grew alnn- 
 : vlien, after successive and frequent attempts to fin . 
 to the house, he was compelled to give, up 
 rt in despair. 
 
 mod in no hurry to withdraw ; the ligl 
 dwelling wn and numerous, lie fancied, n. 
 
 lie continued liis survey, that he could hear the t 
 Flora s harpsichord, as the winds brought the sounds in the, 
 required direction. The twin instincts of hate and jealousy in 
 formed him who was the guest of the maiden. \Vho could it he 
 hut Clarence COM way that kinsman who seemed horn ; 
 his hane t" whom lie ascribed the loss of property and posi 
 tion ; heneath whose superior virtue his spirit quailed, am! 
 
 f whom might, in truth, b much of 
 
 and dishonorable practices which, so far, he had 
 almost i luitlessly pursued. His was the jealousy rather of 
 than love. Perhaps, such a passion as the latter. g to 
 
 the opinion < irksmi, could not fill th- 
 
 Kdward Morton. But he had hi- ; and 
 
 tlie denial of his object which, to himself, he dignilied with 
 the name of ]nve was quite enough to provoke hiswra 1 
 fren 
 
 " All. all, has he robbed me of!" he muttered through his 
 1 teeth. "The love of parents, {!: , tlie 
 
 attachment of inferiors, the wealth of kindred, and ti. 
 woman. lie stole from me the smiles of my iatl:> 
 
 :.i my side; the rude woodman, whose blind but E 
 ful attachment was that of the hound, abandoned me to cling to 
 him; r.nd now! but I am not sure of this! He is not | 
 I Middleton has said nothing i/ct to justify b ; 
 
 : doubt ii: 
 
 > T sex, and if that devil, or saint, that 
 not root up 1 .iraeulotis in 
 
190 THK SCOOT. 
 
 will ye* onng forth a far different fruit fnun any which lie now 
 hopes to taste. Let her hut be shy and haughty let him hut 
 show himself sensitive and indignant and all will 1 -e done. 
 This meeting will prove nothing; and time gained now is. to 
 ,n\ everything. In another week, and I ask no further help 
 n>m fortune. If I win her not hy fair word, I win her by bold 
 deeds; and then"! brush the clay of the Congarec for ever from 
 my feet ! The waves of the sea shall separate me for ever from 
 the doubts and the dangers, numerous and troublesome, which 
 are increasing around me. This silly girl, too, whom no scorn 
 can drive from my side I shall then, and then only, he fairlv 
 rid of her !" 
 
 He threw himself on the stone coping which surrounded the 
 vault, and surrendered himself up to the bitter meditations which 
 a reference to the past life necessarily awakens in every guilty 
 bosom. These we care not to pursue; but, with the reader s 
 permission, will proceed without heeding those obstructions 
 which drove the chief of the Black Riders to his lurking-place 
 in the vault to the mansion of the lovely woman whose for 
 tunes, though we have not yet beheld her person, should already 
 have awakened some interest in our regards. 
 
 The instinct of hate in the bosom of Edward Morton had in 
 formed him rightly. The guest of Flora Middleton was his 
 hated kinsman. He had readied the barony that very evening, 
 and had met with that reception, from the inmates of Brier Park, 
 which they were accustomed to show to the gen^emen of all 
 parties in that time of suspicion and cautious policy. The grand 
 mother was kind and good-natured as ever ; hut Clarence 
 in Flora Middleton, or fancied that he saw, an air of Inn:., 
 indifference, which her eyes sometimes exchanged for one of a 
 yet more decided feeling. Could it be anger that Hashed at 
 moments from beneath the long dark eyelashes of that 1 
 browed beauty? Was it indignation that gave that curl to her 
 rich and rosy lips ; and made her tones, ahva;. final 
 
 strain of music, now sharp, sudden, and sometimes harsh? 
 
 The eyes of Clarence looked more than once the inquiry 
 which he knew not how to n>.;ke in any other way ; but only 
 once did the dark-blue orbs of Flora encounter h!> foi a pro- 
 
AT r.i;n::: r.uiK. 
 
 ill ; an-i tl wai 
 
 r that, she resolutely 
 
 ; and the time, f.r an hour after his arrival, 
 
 irtfl pa-sed by liini in uhtful solicitude; ami by 
 
 Flora, a* he could not help thinking, under a feel r. j aiir 
 
 ami . circumspection, which was new to both <>t t: 
 
 painful in the 1 bim. All the freedom* of tlieii 
 
 old intercourse had given way to cold, stitV formalities; and, in 
 
 place of "Flora" from his lips, and "Clarence" from hers, tin 
 
 forms of addn rigid and ceremonious between thei. 
 
 be most punctilious disciplinarian of manners, in the mo- 
 
 ious srhool of the puritans, could insist upon. 
 Flora Middleton was rather remarkable than heautiful. She 
 i nolle sjieeimen of the An^lo-Norman woman. Qlowilig 
 with health, hut softened hv ^race ; warmed l.y love, yet not. 
 obtrusive in her earnestness. Of a temper juick. energetic, and 
 vet too pn.ud to deal in the lan^ua^e of either anjrer 
 i.r cMinj-laint ; too d-licate in her o\vn sensil.ilities to oiitra-c, 1-y 
 :!ie feelings .t others. Livinir at a time 
 
 and in a region, where life was full of serious purposes and con 
 tinual trials, she was superior to those small tastes and j 
 
 which disparage, too frequently, the understand- 
 of her sex, and diminish, unhappily, its acknowledged im- 
 nce to man and to BOcietjT, Her thoughts were neithe 
 nice for, nor superior to, the lni.-iness ami the events of the 
 ; to that wonderful race of Carolina women. I 
 all praise, who could minister, with e^ual propriety and MK 
 
 iltars for which their fathers, and hushands. and hrntli- 
 ,t who could tend the woumled, m; -k. cheei 
 
 , ; spirited, arm the warrior for the field nay, sometini< 
 
 ml in sudden emergency, and make 
 
 tie, in compliance with the requisitions of the soul, nerved hy 
 tenderness, and love, and serious duty, to the most maM-ulim* 
 
 . t n.n.s utterly forgetful of those eilem/ 
 
 which are partly due to oigani/ation and partly to the arbitrary 
 and. too fre<iuently. injurious la\\ 
 
 In Mich circum>ta: iiarai terix.ed \ . 
 
 write, women as well M melt lx 
 
192 THK SCOUT. 
 
 every kind. The ordinary occupations of life were too grave to 
 admit of them. The mind threw off its petty humors with dis 
 dain, and where it did not, the disdain of all other minds wad 
 sure to attend it. Flora never knew affectations she was no 
 fine lady had no humors no vegetable life; hut went on 
 vigorously enjoying time in the only way, by properly employ 
 ing it. She had her tastes, and might he considered by . 
 persons as rather fastidious in them ; but this fastidiousness was 
 nothing more than method. Her love of order was one of her 
 domestic virtues. But, though singularly methodical for her 
 she had no humdrum notions ; and, in society, would have 
 been the last to be suspected of being very regular in any of 
 her habits. Her animation was remarkable. Her playful hu 
 mor which took no exceptions to simple unrestraint found 
 no fault with the small follies of one s neighbor; yet never tres 
 passed beyond the legitimate bounds of amusement. 
 
 That she showed wone of tliis animation this humor on 
 the present occasion, was one of the chief sources of Clarence 
 Conway s disquietude. Restraint was so remarkable in the case 
 of one whose frank, voluntary spirit was always ready with its 
 musir, that he conjured up the most contradictory notions to 
 account for it. 
 
 " Are you sick ?" he asked " do you feel unwell ?" was one 
 of his inquiries, as his disquiet took a new form of apprehension. 
 
 " Sick no ! What makes you fancy such a thing, Colonel 
 Conway ? Do I look so ?" 
 
 " Xo ; but you seem dull not in spirits something must 
 have happened " 
 
 " Perhaps something has happened, Cousin Clarence." This 
 was the first phrase of kindness which reminded Clarence of old 
 times. He fancied she began to soften. "Cousin Clare: 
 was one of the familiar forms of address which had been adopted 
 by the maiden some years previously, when, mere children, they 
 first grew intimate together. 
 
 "But I am not sick," she continued, "and still less ou^ht you 
 to i-i.nsider me dull. Such an opinion, Clarence, would annoy 
 many a fair damsel of my acquaintance." 
 
 She was evidently thawing. 
 
SOME LOVI: i A I I;I;IKI: I .UIK. 19S 
 
 "But on that head, Fi"i-a, y"U &] A to 
 
 annoy yc.u." 
 
 " 1 erhaps Iain: but yon have certainly lo>t the knack of 
 
 ::g fine tilings. The swamps have impaired your polite: 
 That last phrase has not 1 ottered your speech, since I am at 
 liberty t<> take it as either a reproach or a compliment." 
 
 Han-nee felt that the game was growing encouraging. 
 
 " Can there he a doubt which ? As a compliment, surely. 
 But let me have, occasion for another, the meaning of which 
 shall be less liable to misconstruction. Let me lead you to the 
 harpsichord." 
 
 44 Excuse me not to-night, Claience ;" and her present reply 
 :ade with recovered rigidity of manner. 
 
 " If not to-night, Flora, I know not when I shall hear you 
 again perhaps not for months perhaps, never! I go to 
 [ to morrow." 
 
 Her manner softened as *he replied : 
 
 "Ah! do you, Clarence I and there, at present, lies the 
 whole brunt of the war. I should like to play for you, Clar- 
 1-iit I can not. You must be content with music of drum 
 and trumpet for a while." 
 
 " Why, Flora you never refused me before?" 
 
 M True but " 
 
 " But what ! only one piece, Flora." 
 
 "Do not ask me again. I can not I will not play for you 
 
 ght; nay, do not interrupt me, Clarence : my harpsichord 
 
 is iii tune, and I am nut seeking for apologies. I tell you I will 
 
 not play for you to-night, and perhaps I will never play for you 
 
 Tin- young colonel of cavalry was astounded. 
 
 .a Middleton !" was his involuntary exclama 
 tion. Ti. < le grandmother echoed it, though her tones 
 
 B of exhortation, not of surj 
 
 " Fl"ra Flora, my child what would you do?" she COii- 
 t with ivhukii. :ul warning li. 
 
 .id the maiden asHir mgly " h-t me hare 
 my o\\n way in this. I like frankne>>, ird ii 
 he ha> always scvMin-1 and \\ e alwa\ ^ U 1 : vi-d him --In-, will 
 
194 THE scorn. 
 
 like it too. I am a country-girl, and may lit 1 permitted a little 
 of the simplicity you call it bluntness, perhaps which ii 
 natural to one." 
 
 " Flora, what can be the meaning of this ?" demanded the 
 lover with unaft ected earnestness and astonishment. "In what 
 have I offended you ? For there is some such meaning in your 
 words." 
 
 The maiden looked to her grandmother, but did not answer; 
 and Conway, though now greatly excited, could readily perceive 
 that she labored under feelings which evidently tried her con 
 fidence in herself, and tested all her strength. A deep suflusion 
 overspread her cheek, the meaning of which, under other cir 
 cumstances, he might have construed favorably to his suit. 
 Meanvliile, the c)] lady nodded her head with a look of mixed 
 meaning, which one, better read in the movements of her mind, 
 might have found to signify, "Go through with what you have 
 begun, since you have already gone so far. You can not halt 
 now." 
 
 So, indeed, did it seem to be understood by the maiden ; fc * 
 she instantly recovered herself and continued: 
 
 "Give me your arm, Clarence, and I will explain alL I 
 am afraid I have overtasked myself; but the orphan, Clarence 
 Conway, must assert her own rights and character, though ic 
 may somewhat impair, in the estimation of the Mr.mger sex, he 
 pretensions to feminine delicacy." 
 
 "You speak in mysteries, Flora," was the answer of the 
 lover: "surely the orphan has no wrong to (W.r at my hands; 
 and what rights of Flora Middleton arc there, deputed or de 
 nied by me, which it becomes her to oseerl with so much 
 solemnity, and at such a fearful risk ? 
 
 " Come with me, and you shall know J!." 
 
 She took his arm, and, motioning her l.e&d expressively to 
 ner grandmother, led the way to the spacious portico, nalf- 
 >ml>owcre<l by gadding vines already vanton with a thousand 
 ilowers of the budding season ^hicb formed the hiJ. and 
 imposing entrance to the ancient d^vll-jig. 1 h 1 "I " 1 ^ ;|S " m 
 well chosen for the secrets of VOKCJ- lovers a limne of buds, 
 and blossoms, and the hallowing ! .> i. light <{ii;et ahove in the 
 
AT i .UIKU PARK. 196 
 
 sky. earth ; a icene >U"h as prompts tin- mind o 
 
 MI that there may lie griefs ami strifes at a distai: 
 niinr> nf war ami bloodshed in barbarian lands, ami often, 
 that will uble ours. Clan-nee paused as they emerged 
 
 into the sweet natural shadows of the spot. 
 
 " I low have 1 dreamed of the<e scene.-. Flora this spot- 
 . and these only ! My heart has seareely for- 
 
 1 iid or leaf. All appears MOW as I fancy 
 Jitly in our long rides and longer watches in tlie swam})." 
 wnvd M : : 
 
 f this romance, Clarence? Can it \ 
 
 that he w!,.i thinks of blood, and battle, and the near 
 
 the foe, has yet a thought to -pare to ladies 
 
 1"<\\< B, and such woman-fancies as make up 
 
 the pleaMires of her li>tless moods, and furnish, in these times. 
 
 .-nly, and perhaps her 1 -y." 
 
 I think of them as tributary to her only, Flora. JVrhap* I 
 should not have thought of these, but that you were also in my 
 
 ; and you remind me of the explanation 
 b I have to make, .and to demand. Bear with me 1 
 .eiit ; it calls for all my resolution/ 
 
 She seated herx-lf upon a bench beneath the vines, and ino- 
 -ide her. After a brief delay a 
 M of her sex .she began as follow> : 
 
 "( ftfore 1 UN* you to-night, I had resolved 
 
 rd and treat you a> the most imlitVerent 
 r challenged the hospitality of my fat! 
 
 <lw-!: tl I have mil been able to keep my resolution, 
 
 "-nijrht reminds me so much of old times, when 1 
 
 why ^houl. j it -_i, 
 
 , that 1 feel unwilling to put you olV as a ll 
 
 u-h exp! .is will justify me in 
 
 :!y. then, Clarence (^onway, some things i. 
 - if spoken by you. and of me >uch tl. 
 
 .! be Mipp,.M d Ilk 
 
 young woman who 1, . ,1 1, iin to think that .she had 
 
 thoughts for nothing beside himself. I will not tell y 
 
196 THE SCOUT. 
 
 ence, that 1 believed all this. I could not dare I did not AS ish 
 to believe it ; but, I thought it not impossible that you had 
 spoken of me, perhaps too familiarly, without contemplating the 
 injury you might do me and do yourself. Now, if you kne\v 
 anything of a maiden s heart, Clarence Conway nay, if you 
 Knew anything of mine you would readily imagine what I 
 must have felt on hearing these things. The burning blushes 
 on my cheeks now, painfully as I feel them, were as nothing to 
 the galling sting of the moment when I heard this story." 
 
 " But you did not believe it, Flora !" 
 
 " Believe it ? no ! not all at least " 
 
 "None! none!" repeated the youth, with stern emphasis, as 
 he laid his hand upon her arm, and looked her in the face with 
 such an expression as falsehood never yet could assume. 
 
 " That I should speak this of you, and that you should believe 
 it, Flora Middleton, are things which I should have fancied 
 equally impossible. Need I say that it is all false thoroughly 
 false ; that your name has never passed my lips but with i eel- 
 ings of the profoundest reverence ; that but I blush too, at 
 the seeming necessity of saying all this, and saying it to you : 
 I thought I could have hoped, Flora Middleton, that you, at 
 least, knew me better than to doubt me for a mom cut, or to 
 listen with credulous ear to such a miserable slander. The neces 
 sity of this explanation, next to the sorrow of having given pain 
 iO you, is the keenest pang which you could make me suffer." 
 
 "Be not angry, Clarence," she said gently "remember 
 what society exacts of my sex remember how much of our 
 position depends upon the breath of man ; our tyrant too often 
 
 always our sole judge while we dwell upon the earth. His 
 \\hispor of power over us, is our death; the death of our pridf 
 
 of that exclusiveness of which he, himself, is perhaps, the 
 
 ; jealous being; and whether the tale of his abuse of this 
 power, be true or not think how it must wound and humble 
 how it must disturb the faith, with the judgment, of the pour 
 woman, who feels that she is always, to some degree, at tho 
 y of the irresponsible despot whom she must fear, even 
 when she can not honor. I mention this to excuse the prompt 
 ness of my resentment. I tell you, Clarence Conway, that a 
 
SOME LOVI-: I AHSAGES AT i:i:iKK I ARK. 197 
 
 in .f my fr;uik nature, is compelled to he resentful, if she 
 suhdue the slanderer to silence. Sinn. UT i> of such mush- 
 
 growth. ; , l; ir ge a surface, that it is need 
 
 ful at once to check the first surmises, and douhts, and insinua 
 tions with which it hegius its fungous, hut poisonous existence. 
 My feeling ,.u thi> suhjeet my keen j. .ihmsy of my own posi- 
 ti.in a jealousy the more natural, as, iVom the frankness of my 
 disposition, I am frequently liahle to he misunderstood, has 
 sihly led me to do you injustice. Even when this reached my 
 
 I did not helieve it altogether. I thought it not improhahle, 
 however, that you had spoken of me ainon" your friends, 
 
 and " 
 
 "Forgive me that I interrupt you, Flora. I feel too much 
 pain at what you ay to,, much annoyance to sutler you to 
 go on. Let in.- finish my & I shall employ hut few- 
 
 words, and they shall he final, or nothing! I have no friends 
 to whom I should k a falsehood of anv kind none to 
 
 whom I would ever utter, with unbecoming familiarity, the name 
 
 : .ra Middled;,. If I have spoken of you in the hearing 
 
 of others, it has I, ecu very seldom; only, perhaps, when it 
 
 d needful for me to do s.. perhaps never more thay 
 
 ; and then never in disparagement of that mode.-ty which 
 
 i> th- eharacto. But! " 
 
 He paused ! II,- was reminded at this moment of the late 
 conf. i-ence which he had with Kdward Conway. I.i that . 
 
 certainlj ; a suj.erior right, over hi> kins- 
 
 man, to {ippmarh I lora Middleton with love, i his assertion, 
 -nly contemplated the ndative position of the hr-.t! . 
 
 BTJ and was accomj)anied hy an express disclaimer, 
 on t le part of ( la. any inMu- the maiden her- 
 
 fliis ebea . the dif- 
 
 ticulties in th. an explanation, unless hy the I 
 
 of a : ,;p!e bill one which 
 
 apt to he [] y ()n t!i- 
 
 fal !! who kl)"\ V 
 
 : -ettin- thrwugli the knots of 
 the i ins. 
 
 . tat* Spoken I lora nay, 1 have spoken of you 
 
198 IMK SCOUT. 
 
 and in reference to the most dedicate suhjcct in the history of a 
 woman s heart. Thus far I make my confession, and will for 
 4>ear with your permission saying more saying what 1 mean 
 to say until I have craved of you the name of him who ha? 
 thus ventured to defame me." 
 
 " I can not tell you, Clarence." 
 
 " Can not, Flora I CXn not! " 
 
 IF/// nut, is what I should say, perhaps; hut I have used 
 those Avords once already, to-night, when I felt that they must 
 give you pain ; and I would have forhorne their use a second 
 rime. I can, certainly, tell you from whom I heard these things, 
 hut I will not." 
 
 " And why not, Flora? Would you screen the slanderer ?" 
 
 Yes! For a ,-ery simple reason; 1 would not have you 
 fight him, Clarence. " 
 
 " Enough, Flora, that 1 know the man. None could he so 
 hase hut the person whom you know as Edward Conway, h ;t 
 whom I know " 
 
 He paused he could not make the revelation. 
 
 " 11,1 ! Tell me. Clarence what know you of Edward Coi> 
 way, except that he is your near kinsman?" 
 
 That which makes me Mush to hclieve that he is my father s 
 son. Hut my knowledge is such, Flora, that 1 will not tell it 
 you. It differs from yours in this respect, that, unhappily, it is 
 true all true teirildy true! Know, then, that, to him to 
 Ed- iway long ago, did I declare, what I once already 
 
 pi: mmed to declare to you that 1 loved you " 
 
 J,et me not hear you, Clarence," said the maiden timidly, 
 rising as she spoke. Hut, he took her hand, and with a gentle 
 pressure restored her to her seat heside him. 
 
 " 1 niiiht. It is now nrce.^arv for my exculpation. I M Ion- 
 he saw you, he, knew that 1 loved yon. and wraa the faithles- 
 nnij ulnnte of my unsuspecting aiTections. He betrayed them 
 He sought you thenceforward with love himself. Words ot 
 anger Mows, almost followed hetv.een us; and though w, 
 did not actually reach that issue, yet suspicion, and jealousy 
 rind hate, are n<>w the terms on which we, stand to each other. 
 He poured \\\\> cursed falsehood into your ears, I have iv 
 
199 
 
 t" think. ! Ill ten Witliii. 
 
 have saved I him. only, have I 
 
 terms 1: tii!- f.. misrepresentation, I did not <pe.-ik i 
 
 him ; _I dunked him 
 
 my tru.st, though I did not then dream tliat lie had 
 louhly-dyed traitor that I liavo since found him." 
 Let HI return to the parlor, Clare: 
 
 ;ith. with mild and mournful 
 
 Middleton, let our understanding lie final. To- 
 : Ninety Six. and (iod knows what fa; 
 
 QIC there. Yni. j : mining it, hy the 
 
 u-hk-h you ii. _! lt . I wrote you l,y .I..hn" Jian- 
 
 J know that you ivreived that letter- 
 sent me no nn.swer." 
 
 " I-i t me CO . Clarence : But th,. 1 efore I 
 
 letter, I \\a< told of tl, 
 " Ha ! Has the rej.tile heen BO lon^r at his weh /" cxela:: 
 
 outh " Pint J \\ill crush him ii: 
 
 "Beware! Oh! Clarence Conway. lu-war-. of \\hat you 
 say. Heware rash \<.u !i jiertonnanci . -. ,.u forget 
 
 that the man of whom you sj-.-ak N your In-other the son of 
 your fath.- 
 
 Wliy sho.d.l I remember that \\hich lie has hiins< 1; 
 
 iiich he rejiudiates with l.itterrst cur>es, an.l w\ 
 the Mack deeds of his wretched 1 fe ,.f whicii. 
 know nothing have repudiated m,, n . etlectually than all. 
 il l not him now, Flora. I would, if 
 
 < all bitl my thought a> in sj.eakii: 
 
 Id .-xclnde it from my lips. 11- Mm. Von kimw 
 
 8 I am sent upon. You can in : its dan 
 
 gers. The employ ment i:ow !><; 
 
 alon- the Bahldfl no ordinary cliaracter. It 
 
 i;i ha\ e learned to i 
 
 Destroy with an appetite of far greater aiix- 
 v. now, are death onlv 
 
 1 know ! I know ! hnrrihle condition 
 
 of things. I know it all." 
 
200 THE SCOUT. 
 
 44 The final issue is at hand, and victory is almost in oui 
 grasp. The fury of the tories increases with their despair, 
 They feel that they must fly the country, and they are accord- 
 ingly drenching it with hlood. I speak to you, therefore, with 
 the solemnity of one who may never see you more. But if we 
 do meet again, Flora, dear Flora if I survive this bloody cam 
 paign may I hope that then these doubts all dispersed, 
 these slanders disproven you will look on me with favor ; you 
 will smile yon will be mine; mine only all mine!" 
 
 The tremors of the soft white hand which he grasped within 
 his own assured the lover of the emotion in her breast. Her 
 bosom heaved for an instant, but she was spared the necessity 
 of making that answer, which, whether it be "no" or "yes," is 
 equally difficult for any young damsel s utterance. A sharp, 
 sudden signal whistle was sounded from without at this moment; 
 once twice thrice; a bustle was heard among the lew 
 dragoons who had been stationed by the prudent commander 
 about the premises ; and, a moment after, the subdued tones of 
 the faithful Supple Jack apprized his captain that danger was 
 at hand. 
 
 " Speak ! speak to me, Flora, ere I leave you ere 1 leave 
 you, perhaps, for ever! Speak to me! tell me that I have 
 not prayed for your love and devoted myself in vain. Send me 
 not forth, doubtful or hopeless. If it be " 
 
 Sweet, indeed, to his heart, were the tremulous beatings 
 which he distinctly heard of hers. They said all that her lips 
 refused to say. Yet never was heart more ready to respond in 
 the affirmative never were lips more willing to declare them 
 selves. One reflection alone determined her not to do BO. It 
 was a feeling of feminine delicacy that prompted her, for the 
 time, to withhold the confession of feminine weakness. 
 
 "What!" such was the reflection as it passed through her 
 mind "bring him to these shades to hear such a confession! 
 Impossible! What will he think of me ? No! no! not to- 
 uight. Not here, at least !" 
 
 She was still silent, but her agitation evidently increased; 
 yet not more than that of her lover. The summons of the faith 
 
fB LOVK I i: PARK. JOI 
 
 ful sco it was again repeated. The circumstances admitted of 
 no delay. 
 
 " Oil, speak to me, dearest Flora. Surely you can not need 
 any new knowledge of what I am, or of the love that I bear 
 you. Surely, you can IK it still give faith to these wretched 
 slanders of my wretched brother!" 
 
 "No! no!" tihe eagerly answered. "I believe you to bo 
 true, Clarence, and as honorable as you are faithful. But in re 
 spect to what you plead, Clarence, I can not answer now not 
 
 Let me leave you now!" 
 Nt yet, Fl..ra! But one word." 
 "Not //<-, Clarence not Ju-re . " with energy. 
 " Tell me that I may hope !" 
 
 I can tell you nothing now, Clarence not a word here." 
 
 lit. lips were inflexible; but if ever hand yet spoke the 
 
 meaning of its kindred heart, then did the soft, shrinking hand 
 
 which he gra.-ped nervously in his own, declare the meaning of 
 
 It said "hope on love on !" as plainly as maiden finger 
 
 i it yet; and this was all and, perhaps, enough, 
 
 first answer to a young beginner which she then vouch- 
 
 . him, as she glided into the apartment. In the next 
 moment the faithful Supple Jack, clearing, at a single hound, 
 the height from the terrace to the upper balcony, in which the 
 interview had taken place, breathed into the half oblivious senses 
 
 mmander the hurried words 
 
 "The Hriti>h and tones are upon us, Clarence ! We have 
 not R moment to lose! * 
 
202 THE SCOUT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 A CONFERENCE IN THE TOMH. 
 
 SK words at once awoke the young soldier to activity 
 Clarence Comvay was not the man to become subdued by 
 "Amaryllis in the shade," nor meshed, fly-like, in the "tangles 
 of any Nu-cra s hair." A new mood possessed him with the 
 communication of his faithful scout, who, by the way, also per 
 formed the duties of his lieutenant. 
 
 "Get your men instantly to horse, Jack Bannister, and send 
 them forward on the back track to the river," was the prompt 
 command of the superior. 
 
 44 Done a ready, colonel," was the respectful answer. 
 Good ; and, now, for your report." 
 
 The examination which followed was brief, rapid, and com 
 prehensive. Though fond of long speeches usually, Jack Ban 
 nister was yet the model of a man of business. He could con- 
 tine himself, when needful, to the very lei 
 
 "From whence came the enemy ? above or below?" 
 " "Below, sir." 
 
 AVhat force do your scouts report to you I" 
 "Large! 1 reckon it s Rawdou s whole strength ; but the 
 advance only is at hand." 
 
 " Raw-don, ha ! He goes then to the relief of Ninety Six. 1 
 I trust he goes too late. But our business is scarce with him. 
 What cavalry has he ? Did you learn llmt /" 
 
 "It s mighty small, I m thinking; but we can t hear 1. 
 tin. It s had a monstrous bad cutting up, you know, at Orange- 
 burg, and don t count more, I reckon, than sixty men, all told 
 That s the whole, foice of Coiiin, I know." 
 
 "AYe must manage that, then! It s the only mode ii: 
 we can annoy Rawdoii and battle bib object*. Between . 
 
v THK TMMH. 203 
 
 4 
 
 k 1 ;unl -N should surely pick up all of his flock 
 
 Are tin- BCOUtfl in f All ?" * 
 
 "All lint Finlcy I m jub ous lie s cut of} below. They ve 
 i !ii Mm napping. 1 
 
 , before this, the penalty of his nap. We 
 incur like penalties. We have nothing 
 Iraw off quietly from Brier Park, taking the 1 
 k by the river, and plant ourselves in waiting a few mile? 
 a ilo/en places along the road where we can 
 in into a neat ambush, which will enable us to empty 
 their saddles. What do the lower scouts sav of their order of 
 niarrh . " 
 
 *Pn tic! They had to run for it Coffin * cavalry 
 
 -rouring pref rably ahead. But they keep up a mighty 
 
 quick step. It s a forced march, and his cavalry is a mile or 
 m re in a Ivai. 
 
 41 The} march without beat of drum /" 
 
 Or hla-t iiflmglr; so |uiet you can hardly hear the clat 
 ter of a Babre. Nn;h:ng but the heavy tread of their fdfe." 
 
 " Kno ::gh. As you have sent the troop forward, let your 
 
 scouts file (iff ijuietly after them. Keep rinse, along the river, 
 
 let them all be in saddle when I reach them at the end of 
 
 tin- causey. Rawdou will probably make the Barony his place 
 
 It 1 t. Hr must have marched forty miles BinCO la>t 
 
 :i!ght. J ity we had not known of this! That fellow, Fin- 
 
 1,-y he wa. a sharp fellow, too but no matter ! (i you now, 
 
 Bannister. Have my hor>e in readim-ss by the old vault; and 
 
 tg, in filing off. dismoui.t : their hor.-es, that 
 
 ihi-ri- may !. no mini , . latter of hoofs. A . I 
 
 will hut say f.ue-,\ell t -ra." 
 
 \ for m< , <>nel, it \ M ; for 
 
 MI uiight\ 
 t me. ;md I like to I c civil." 
 
 I larciu-e prom 186(1 him, air; - lent fellow di 
 
 whom he mo>.t all ccti 
 rd to th- . lit iu uhich the ladies 
 
 ami suffering undei the natural e\ 
 
 ling in th- days, of 
 
204 THH SCOUT. 
 
 i 
 
 the approach of a British army. Brief words at parting were 
 allowed to the love; and whether Mrs. JMiddlcton conjectured, 
 or had been told by Flora, of what had taken place between 
 them, the old lady was civil enough to leave the couple together 
 without the restraint of her maternal presence. Preliminaries, 
 at such moments, among sensible people, are usually dispense.! 
 with. 
 
 " You will not answer me, Flora ?" 
 
 "Spare me Clarence not now." 
 
 " Not now ! Think, dearest Flora, of the circumstances under 
 which I leave you : the force that drives me from your presence ! 
 Remember the danger that follows my footsteps, and the dan 
 gers which I am bound to seek. I may never again behold 
 you may lose, in the skirmish of the dawn, the hope, the fear, 
 the thousand dreams and anxieties which now possess and alter 
 nately afflict and delight my heart. Let me not go forth trem 
 bling with this doubt. But one word one only which shall 
 fill my bosom with new spirit, strength and courage. Speak, 
 dearest -Flora but a single word!" 
 
 " Ah, Clarence, urge me not ! What I should say might have 
 a very different effect upon you ; might subdue your spirit, dis 
 arm your strength; make your heart to waver in its courage; 
 might- " 
 
 "Enough! enough! I ask for no other answer!" he ex 
 claimed, with bright eyes and a bounding spirit. " Nothing 
 could do that but the fear of losing a treasure suddenly won, and 
 so precious, over all things, in my sight. But I trust that this 
 sweet conviction, dear Flora, will have no such effect upon my 
 spirit. If, before, I fought only for my country, 1 now light for 
 love and country ; and the double cause should occasion double 
 courage! Farewell farewell! God be with you, and his 
 angels watch over you, as fondly, as faithfully, and with more 
 ability to serve you, than your own Clarence. Farewell, fare 
 well !" 
 
 Hastily seizing her hand, lie carried it to his lips with a fer 
 vent pressure: then, elastic with new emotions of delight, that 
 made him heedless and thoughtless of the danger, he hurried 
 downward into the eourt-yarl below. The area lay in utter 
 
OMB. 205 
 
 silence. Tin- sc.-uts had [ m, and, 
 
 with i single glance- up to the apartment where In- had left the 
 lailv of his h>ve. the youthful partisan took his way after his 
 lieutenant. Let us only follow him so far as to look after other 
 is in our narrative, who lie upon his route, and whom we 
 may m> longer leave unnotic. 
 
 ; and wearisome, indeed, had heen the hour of anxious 
 watch which the chief of the Black Riders had maintained over 
 the barony, in his gloomy hiding-place. Twenty times, in that 
 period, had he emerged from the tomb, and advanced toward 
 the dwelling of the living. But his coin muled by the 
 
 military restraints which the timely prudence of I onwny, and 
 the watchfulness of Bannister, had set aiound the mansion. 
 Vainly, from the cover of this or that friendly tree, did his 
 strain to pierce the mi>ty intervals, and penetrate the apartment 
 whose gay lights and occasional shadows were all that were dis 
 tinguishable. Disappointed each time, he returned to his place 
 of concealment, with increasing chagrin; plunging, in sheer 
 .ration, down into its awful and dark . which to him 
 
 :.ted no aspects of cither awe 01 dark] 
 
 At length, however, the sound of a movement near the man 
 sion awakened in him a hope that his tedious watch would 
 shortly end. Slight though the noises were, under the cautious 
 management of Bannister, the calling in of tlu . ami 
 
 their withdrawal, necessarily reacheu hi> ears, and prepared him 
 for the movement of the troop which followed. Each tr 
 leading his steed with shortened rein, they deployed .-! 
 beside the tomb, little dreaming whom it harbored ; and the out 
 law was compelled, during t ieir DTOgreOB, to obbi 
 singular <jiiiet. 
 
 The vaulted hah/ no unfretjuent 
 
 hiding-places in those days for and, to a 
 
 trained in the s\\ann, warfare, to OOBYerl every situati. : 
 obscurity and darkness into a place of retieat 01 ambush, the 
 slightest circumstance or movement on his part, he well k: 
 would result in their sudden search of his gloomy 
 refuge. Through a chink in the decaying floor of the van! 
 watched their progress; and when they had jjoiic from Mght, 
 
-06 THE scon. 
 
 swallowed up in the deep blank of the forest along the margin 
 of the river, lie mice more asceiuled to the light. 
 
 HLs path now promised to he free. He know the troop to he 
 >,ne, of his hrother s reghnent a small though famous squadron 
 " B Blues" proverbial for bold riding, happy 
 
 horsemanship, and all of that characteristic daring which e\erv- 
 where marked the southern cavalry throughout the war. The 
 uniform he readily distinguished, though not the persons. He 
 fancied that his In-other was among them ; and, hearing no 
 further sound, with that impatience which was natural to his 
 desires, and which was necessarily increased by the restraints to 
 which they had been subjected, he prepared to go boldly for 
 ward lo the. mansion. 
 
 But the coast wa- not yet clear. He had advanced a few 
 paces only, when hi- beard the faint, but mellow t-.iu s of a dis 
 tant bugle, rising and falling in s\\ eet harmony with the light 
 zephyrs which horn them to his ears. These sounds now fur 
 nished him with the true reason for his brother s flight, and this 
 was of a sort which should not have troubled him. The ene 
 mies of his kinsman, according to his profession, were, not un 
 likely to be his friends; yet the business upon which the heart 
 of Edward Morton was set, and the position in which lie then 
 Stood, were such as to make the presence <>f a British force 
 almost as little desirable to him as had been that of bis brother. 
 His present objects admitted of no friendships. Thoroughly 
 selfish, they could only be prosecuted at the expense of the 
 in which be was engaged, and at the sacrifice of that band 
 with which, for life and death, his own life if his oath to them 
 were of any value was solemnly and indissolubly connected. 
 
 rly, therefore, and with renewed \v.\ation, did he listen 
 tn the sweet but startling tones of that sudden trumpet. Curs 
 ing the course of events which, so far, that :ii :bf. seemed destined 
 to baffle his purposes, lie stood for a fe ,v moments, in doubt, 
 Upon the spot where the sounds lirst struck his ears; hesitating 
 whether to go forward boldly, or at once; return to his place "f 
 v. 
 
 T-i adopt the former course, was, h, Li present undisguised 
 condition, to declare to Flora IfiddletOD the fact, which he had 
 
207 
 
 hitlicrto studiously conceale er kuowled-e. of!. 
 
 with the Hriti.sh cau>e. Si;< h a revelation, lit- well k 
 would, in the mind of one to tlie \ 
 
 part . ;hat maiden, . -t liia 
 
 pei>onal pretension.-, on t!.< -of which 
 
 himself, lit* miirht, in .- 
 
 "While lie doul, ted and delii 
 tied hy othe; which warned him of the i of n 
 
 niination. The h 
 
 . wa> nu a>iire(l like th. .dier, \\t-re, heard ajj)i > >)ach- 
 
 injr tlin> . | ended IVoin thu d\vel!in^r in the 
 
 ;nli ; and the outlaw moved hmriedly Inn 
 the >lieher he had left. 
 
 He R ly rapid, .enough in his movements. The per- 
 
 ai-liin^ was no other tlian Clari-nce (. oiiway. He had 
 
 just part* en, with Fh.ra ^liddleton. Her la.-t 
 
 ;ill snnnding in his ears like some sweet, melan 
 choly music, which the lan^ua r heart delivers, in love, 
 
 her hand 
 
 ed still to make it-elf felt from hi* o\\ n, upward, to his 
 ;. with a sensation which carried a thrill 
 
 With the Imjjle of the enemy somulin r 
 U-ack hehind him, he hail then no thought, no feclin 
 
 :;y and, certainly, no Ira;, i .-e.-. at that moment, if not 
 
 ikened no emotion in his hosom which a smi! 
 imlii pun his lips did not sutliciently e.xpn 
 
 From mnsinu->. the dieamy languor of which : 
 
 had 
 
 kin.^man . I he mere huuiaii outline 
 
 all that he hehcld, and th: .,nt only. 
 
 WO.S !iat it \va own dragOOHB, all 
 
 iiom had. goiM- forward in that direction, and hum 
 
 s, or pos> 
 
 : the outlaw had 1 < too 
 
 like a Hijjit no< | n in>tantly t:.. ]>ai 
 
 wa* 
 prubnhly to alurn. 
 
208 THE SCOUT. 
 
 be thought of. To hurry in pursuit was the only mode of &a 
 certaining his object, and this mode was put in execution as 
 promptly as resolved upon. 
 
 The partisan rushed forward, but the object of his pursuit v.::s 
 uo longer to be seen. The old field, on one hand, was bare 
 desolate the park, on the left, did not attract the youth s 
 tention. Obviously, the melancholy grove which led to and en 
 vironed the ancient vault, was that to which the footsteps of th.- 
 fugitive would most naturally incline. Into the deep shadou s 
 of this he pressed forward, until he stood beside the tomb 
 Then, and not till then, did he speak, challenging the fugitive to 
 stand" whom he could no longer see. 
 
 The summons was heard the moment after the outlaw had 
 b.iried himself in his place of concealment. The tones of his 
 Brother s voice arrested the outlaw. That voice awakened all 
 his rage and hate, while reminding him of his gage of battle; 
 and when he remembered that Clarence Conway had but that 
 instant left the presence of the woman whom lie sought, and 
 whom he. had not been permitted to see when he remembered 
 that he was his hated rival, and when he thought that his lips 
 mi^ht even then be warm with the fresh kisses of beis the. 
 feelings in his heart were no longer governable ! I liiting with 
 that gnawing impatience, which had grown almost t<i f-\i-r, 
 and was a frenzy, under his late constraint, they determined him 
 ,t;:ainst all hazards; and, darting from the vault, ho answered 
 sinuous of his foe with a hiss of scorn and defiance. 
 
 "Stand thou! Clarence Conway wretch and rebel! \Ve 
 aie met on equal terms at last." 
 
 "Ay, "cried the other, nowise startled at the sudden appa 
 n;i"ii ; " well met !" and as the outlaw sprang forward from the 
 with uplifted dagger, Clarence met him with his own. 
 
 A moment s collision only had eiiMied, when the latter Btm K 
 hi.^ weapon into the mouth of his enemy, with a blow so fow 
 fill as to precipitate him back into the ca\ein which be had 
 left. Clarence sprang into the tomb after liiui, 
 deep darkne.-s of the, s<-ene, among the mor.ldei ::i^ coilins am! 
 dry bonea of the dead, the brothers grappled in deadly desjl m 
 tiou. 
 
;i: TOMB 
 
 ii, ami the pi- its awful trophies, had nn 
 
 .. The tiring - of the heart were triumphant 
 
 their threatening shadows, and the struggle W*B ivr. 
 
 , , ith a degree <f liatc and fury that found in- 
 ,;her than diininntion from tlie solemn and dai 
 hv which they H Unt few -\\ 
 
 .en, and those only in tlie breathing intervals which their 
 
 left them The language of the outlaw was t! 
 tion and hate; that of Conway, an indignation natural 
 ich revolted at the brutal and sanguinar;. 
 mpered, at the same time, with eijnal scorn and 
 ,iion. 
 
 In Clarence Conway, the chief of the I dack Ixidc: - s saw only 
 the imhodied form of all the evil influences which !;. hail felt or 
 fancied iVom his liuyhood ; the long-engendei < and mal 
 
 f twenty years finding, at length, its unqualified 83 
 In h be was the hatrful rival who had beguiled from 
 
 him, with equal facility, the regards of parents, tli <>nts 
 
 of friends, the smiles of fortune, and the love of woman. 
 Clarence, on the other hand, no longer saw the kinsman <: 
 
 :i the son of the same father in the person of the out 
 law ; or, if he remembered the tie- of hlood at all.it was only to 
 warm his hostility the more against one who had so conin 
 outraged, and so cruelly dishonored them ! . 
 trayer of his country, and t! f the mo- 
 
 i themselves against her peace and lih- 
 ;ruck, and struck with fatal design U) 
 pate ! Nor need it he denied that th- 
 stimulated hy the conviction that he himself fought 
 with a pci.-. inal foe who had threatened him with all t! 
 
 t an enduring and bloody enmity a hatred bom 
 without caiiM 1 . and nourished without restraint warmed by 
 
 :i rivalry, and a suspicious selfishness, which no 
 labor of love could render Me. and whieh COuld 
 
 finally cease in the death of one or both of the combatants. Tlie 
 incoherent lai the broken words, and 
 
 ings of the outlaw, left nothing subject : :ure; 
 
 and while the two wmthe 1 t -jether in their narrow apartment 
 
210 THE 8CODT. 
 
 the otheiwise horrible stillness of their strife might be thoughx 
 relieved and rendered human by the bursts of passion and invec- 
 tive which fell the while from the lips of both. But these 
 caused no interruption to the conflict. They Fought only \\itli 
 daggers, thougb both were provided with sword and pistol. A 
 mutual sense of the proximity of those whom neither wished t 
 alarm, rendered them careful not to emplov weapons whirl, 
 could draw a third party to the scene of strife. Besides, ! 
 dagger was the only weapon that might be employed in their 
 limited area with any propriety. This weapon, deadly *n 
 close struggle as it usually is, was rendered less effectual in ;he 
 imperfect light of the place, and by the baffling readme 
 their rival skill. They both felt that the struggle, must be fatal, 
 and did not, accordingly, suffer (heir rage to disarm their provi 
 dence and caution. Still, several wounds had been given and 
 ivcrived on either side. One of these had penetrated the right 
 arm of the partisan, but the point of the dagger had been diverted, 
 and the wound was one of the flesh only, not dee]) nor disabling. 
 The outlaw had been less fortunate. That first blow, which he 
 had received in the mouth at the entrance of the vault, had 
 necessarily inihienccd the combat as first blows usually do; 
 *:nd, though not of serious hurt, for the point of the weapon 
 found resistance against his clenched teeth, two of which were 
 broken, still it y-riii-.Iy affected the relations of the parties. 
 The ore it encouraged, the other it provoked to increased anger, 
 which impaired his coolness. A second and third wound in 
 each of his arms had followed in the vault, and a moment came 
 in which a fourth promised to be f u.al. 
 
 Clarence had grappled closely with his kinsman, had borne 
 him backward, and succeeded in prostrating him, face upward, 
 upon the pile of coffins which rose in the centre of the. tomb. 
 Here, with his knee upon the hieast of his enemy, one hand 
 upon his throat, and the other bearing on high the already 
 dripping steel, the stroke and the death seemed equally inevita 
 ble. So, indeed, the. outlaw considered it : and the language 
 nf his lips at that moment of his greater peril, spoke more <,. 
 nsivelv for his manhood than, perhaps, it had ever done before. 
 
 "Stj ke " In- n ;e,l; " I fear \ on not! The devil you h;t\- 
 
211 
 
 i faithfully in turn ! I ask you not foi 
 
 iway 1 loathe ;unl > 
 
 you to the la.xt. Strike then, a> I should have stricken you. 
 had the chance fallen to my lot." 
 
 r \ he weakness of a human and a social sentiment made t! 
 youth hesitate. He shivre.l as he thought upon tl . 
 1,1. ....I ties which in could never entirely forget, hov. 
 much they might he scorned l.y his proiligate 1-rother. He 
 still hi.; lather s son he would have spared he wished to 
 
 him. 
 
 While he hesitated, a new and desperate effort was made l.y 
 the prostrate outlaw. Hope and fear united for a last and ter- 
 
 rihle struggle. He half tO8< he grasped the arm with wh.icli 
 
 Clan-nee held him, with demoniac strength, and flinging him- 
 velf upward, with the exercise f all that muscle which he 
 
 d in almost eo^ial degree with his hrother, ho had nearly 
 shaken himself free from the. hold which the. latter had taken 
 upon him. 
 
 It was then that the da-ire r ..f Clan-nee descende-1 ! then, 
 \\hen it l-eeame ohximis that DO indulgence coul 
 his Jo.- without ilanirer to him.self. But the hhw, even then. 
 ; lia ] 11( ,t iatal. It touched no vital region. Y\ 
 
 of th- outlaw, though it failed in its ohjoct. 
 another, which o>i< his partial safety. The mouldering 
 
 ifl upon which he 
 
 under the violence and ]>re 
 
 blow I the heart of the thr- Q6 down, 
 
 with a fearful crash, in fr; up"ii tlu> damp floor of the 
 
 vault. T r-poi-.it !>and\ of the falling 
 
 it ^rappliu^ with his foe, and 
 
 hv him in turn, w . 1 downwaid to the earth, an-i 
 
 two lav together instant, withmit - the 
 
 cd and hleached 1 onei of ! nerati-Mi<. l th 
 
 !,h--s, hut tin 
 
 ditlicultv t!. Med to then- frt : 
 
 moment, hut only. ;n f renew their terril-le , 
 
 I.,-t t! D mil to ! Morton. I.d 
 
 forth into the moon i^ .1 io nothing ! 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 Ay, anywhere !" was the reply of the other; " but let it be 
 quickly : I have not a moment to spare." 
 
 " A nroinent should suflice for either, and would have done so, 
 ha.! thiTi- been sufficient light for the business. So far, Clarence 
 Conway, you have had the matter all to yourself. But there is 
 a day for every dog, they tell us: and, though still there be no 
 daylight, I trust that my day is at hand. Lead the way; T am 
 ready. Lot the dagger still be the weapon. It is a sure one, 
 and makes but little clatter. Besides, it brings us so much the 
 Higher to each other, which is brotherly, you know." 
 
 The sterner, perhaps the nobler, features of the outlaw stood 
 out in bolder relief at the moment which he himself bclievd 
 was one of the greatest danger. Morton was not deficient in 
 animal courage. It was only less frequently apparent, because, 
 like the Italian, he preferred the practice of a subtler agent. A 
 fierce laugh concluded his attempt at playfulness. To this the 
 heart of Clarence gave back no response. Tin nigh not less 
 fearless than his brother nay, though greatly excited by the 
 strife it yet had, to his mind, the aspect of a horror which he 
 could not complacently behold. The few moments consumed in 
 this brief dialogue had brought, him back to those reflections 
 which the provocation of the strife had almost wholly banished. 
 But he Buffered no mental or moral scruples, at such a moment, 
 to impair his mai-iiood. 
 
 "^400 am ready," was his only answer as he left the vault. 
 
 He was followed by the outlaw ; and there, in another moment, 
 
 they stood together on the green sward before the tomb, fiercely 
 
 .Vonting each other with eyes of mortal hate utterly un- 
 
 n. ived by the pure and placid smiles of that maiden moon whose 
 
 cd light they were about to employ for the most unblessed 
 
 purpose. 
 
THE OOMBAl OP TIM: r.uoiiiEBS. 218 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THK CUM BAT OP THE BROTH KRS. 
 
 THK ancient additaments for tlic groundwork of the grand of 
 tenible, the wild or warlike, would have home aspects not 
 unlike their own. Ordinarily, the painter of the darker passions 
 :pt to accompany their explosion with a sympathetic 
 :i on tin- part of the natural world. The hero, just before 
 committing the- d-.- -d of blood, stalks upon the scene, surrounded 
 hy the gloomy shadows of tlie night ; storm and thunder attend 
 upon his footsteps, and the fiery eyes of the rebuking heaven 
 6 along Ins path in flashes of impetuous lightning. A voice 
 <>f warning is heard to mutter in the skv. The Moody dagger, 
 the awful sign of the crime which is already acted in the mind 
 <.f the criminal, hangs in the air above him, and marshals him 
 the way that he must follow; while the ghosts of the past ivap- 
 pear, shaking their gory locks, to impede or to precipitate the 
 -Mike progress of the future. All things are made to act in 
 harmony with that terrible passion which has already thrown 
 the heart of the possessor the uniform "brown horror" 
 which distmgniahefl its own unvarying aspect. There is no 
 Mm- in the transparent of the noonday sky; there is no 
 
 living green in the fresh swaid of the luxuriant earth ; the songs 
 of the one, and the mellow voices of the other, recei\e their 
 : sad tones wholly from the desolate or depraved soul 
 which speaks in the bosom of the fated actor. All forms and 
 feat. 1 sounds, are made to correspond with his 
 
 |uvvadii:_ ; and the hues of sky and land become natu 
 
 rally incarnadined by the bloody mood which governs in his 
 sold. The voices which he hears, whether of earth or sky, are 
 ::om the -mailing victims, who start, perhaps, 
 from the embrace of jdumbrr, to sleep in that of death. 
 But, very di tie rent fiom these were the auxiliary . 
 
214 THK SCOUT: 
 
 that scene upon which the rival kinsmen were about to contend. 
 Never was night more beautiful, mow uniformly beautiful and 
 tender, in any one of its thousand attributes and agents. The 
 moon, almost at her full, was high above the forest tops, and 
 hallowing its deep and dim recesses with innumerable streams 
 of glory from her own celestial fountain. Few were the cloud* 
 that gathered about her path, and these, sharing in her gifts of 
 beauty, became tributary to her lustrous progress. A gentle 
 bree/e, rising from the east, accompanied her march, and the 
 tall pines swayed t. and fro beneath its pressure, yielding a 
 whispering music, like those faint utterances of a sweet com 
 plaint which are made by the curling billows of the sea, when 
 they break and die away in a languid struggle with the shore. 
 These breathings found lit fellowship in the gentle murmurs of 
 the (. ongaree, as it rippled away on its sleepless path, at a little 
 distance from the scene of strife. Lighted by the moon above, 
 its winding form might be seen, in silvery glimpses, where the 
 vistas of the woods had been opened by that tasteful art which 
 had presided over the barony from its first settlement. Nothing 
 was dark, nothing sad, stern, or terrible, but the human agents 
 of the scene. 
 
 There they stood, frowning defiance upon each other, and 
 looking grim and ghastly, in the pure, sweet atmosphere of light 
 by which they were enveloped. The aspect of the outlaw was 
 particularly terrible, in consequence of the wound which he had 
 received in the mouth at the beginning of the conflict. The 
 upper lip was divided by the stroke, the teeth shattered; and 
 smeared and clotted with blood, his face presented the appear 
 ance of one already stamped with all the features of the 
 grave, and marked with an expression of hate and passion 
 which increased its terrors. That of tin; partisan was stern, but 
 unrullled pale,, but inllexible. IJis eye> were full of that fiery 
 energy which, perhaps, distinguished equally the characters of 
 the brothers. The lips were closely compressed, and resembled 
 that >\\eet serenity, that resigned and noble melancholy, which 
 peculiaily distinguishes tin- same, feature in tin- instance of 
 nearly every Indian warrior that we have ever seen. There 
 no faltering in his soul he was as firm of purpose as his 
 
Till 
 
 . 
 
 the outlaw could not feel, .s not the 
 
 don of other and i 
 
 utlaw unbuckh 1 the sabre from his *ide, tlic sahlo belt, 
 and threw them down, with the pistols which he ourri. 
 
 . :lt. II. resolute that then- should ! 
 
 ;iction to his movements in the - 
 : :.- place. ( n th.- other hand, I 
 
 iiition. lie calmly surveyed the movem. : 
 .ient \\ithoutchan_ lions. His eye glanced, 
 
 . with a i .v anxiety, t<> the clear blue vault, 
 
 !own upon him from a 
 
 ;urned involuntarily, though for a single instant only, to the 
 int dwelling of Flora Middleton, Hut i : ..t a momen. 
 
 timeiitalist or lover. 
 
 :od hefore him, and was ready. The outlaw had wit- 
 i the. direction of his foeman s eve. and the words of prov 
 ocation gushed from him in increasing bittern. 
 
 " Ay. ;.,ok, Clan look! It may be for the last 
 
 : For that matter we may both look; for I tell you, there 
 
 1] be no child s play between OS, Here, on this green turf. 
 
 un ler that smiling heaven, shall I be - in death, 
 
 I yield up a single sentiment of that hate which mak 
 
 that one of us should die for the peace and security 
 of the other." 
 
 . either for yoi;r peace or mine, that such 
 IM- the ( . inanded (Man ,vav. 
 
 .y. We can not breathe the same 
 I 
 
 i, their i eet planted in opposition 
 ther. and riveted in g! , e nt- 
 
 : i fulness and calm.. 
 
 " was tl M of the outlaw. 
 
 ivplV . be contim. hi* 
 
 enemy with a , M . 
 
 "-:.%! and e stay i" retorted the other 
 
 * Are you go goon quiet. >ur stomach revolt at tho 
 
216 . THE SCOUT. 
 
 idea of a final struggle which shall end the strife hetweea 
 us?" 
 
 It does !" 
 
 " Ha ! Has it then come to that ?" was the ironical speech 
 of the outlaw ; but Clarence interrupted him with a cool firmness 
 of tone and look which disarmed the intended sareaMii. 
 
 You may spare your irony, Edward Morton. That I fear 
 yon not, you should know. That I am your superior in strength 
 you have long since discovered that I am, at least, your match 
 with any weapon known to either of us, you can not deny ; ana 
 you know that 1 have no dread of death." 
 
 " To what does all this tend ? It means everything or noth 
 ing. Grant what you have said, still it does not follow that you 
 shall triumph over me. You may slay me, but I can grapple 
 with you, Clarence Conway I can rush upon your weapon. 
 and, sacrificing myself, succeed in killing you ! Ha ! is not thai 
 undeniable also ?" 
 
 " Perhaps so ;" was the deliberate answer. " But even tin:* 
 docs not influence me in what I mean to say. There is a con 
 sideration of far more weight which would make me avoid this 
 conflict." 
 
 " Ah ! it is that, eh ? But you shall not avoid it ! 1 
 desperate man, Clarence Conway, and such a man al 
 the life of his enemy at the point of his dagger!" 
 
 " Be it so ; but hear me. For all your crimes, all your hate 
 and hostility to me all your treachery to your country still 
 I shall find no pleasure in being your executioner." 
 
 " Indeed ! But be not too sure. It has not yet come to 
 that!" cried the other. "There are two to play at this game, 
 and I flatter myself that I shall turn the tables upon yon this 
 hoiit. We have some light now on the subject, and tl 3&e pricks 
 which you gave me in the dark, have rather warmed me for the 
 conflict. They rather better my chances, by rousing me to the 
 proper feeling of strife ; as, to graze the bear with a bullet, is 
 to make him more affectionate in his squeeze. So, look to it ! 
 our embrace will be a close one. Come on quickly. We ran 
 not too soon make a finish no\v." 
 
 deceive yourself, Edward (Vnway fatally deceive 
 
Til! 217 
 
 you: u-li a fancy ;" replied Clarence s< lemnly 
 
 " It ,;n I shall kill you. Nothing cai: 
 
 1 feel it I know it. I can not help but kill you." 
 " I Koleh! braggart ! But. ; !" 
 
 " 1 have said nothing Init the truth, and what I feel must be 
 :his st niggle. Hear me but an instant more, and 
 jud-< : ,!1 find no pleasure, in taking your life. I can m>l 
 forget many things, and I am not desperate. II 
 
 the claims of blood and the opinin- 
 
 !v, it is impossible fur me to do .so. For this reason 1 wouM 
 the indulgence of tho>e passions, Edward Conway " 
 "Not ( nn\\ay Morton, Cunningham ! anything but Con 
 v a\ 
 
 \iile of scorn p M the lips of Clarence. 
 
 I thank you for your correction," he said. "But this is a 
 
 small inatti-r. To return. My passions and enmities are scarcely 
 
 active than yours ; but 1 would forego their enjoyment be- 
 
 ter responsibilities. I now make you an offer. 
 
 :it ; and you shall go free. I will facilitate your 
 
 | iiarle>ion nay, insure it and you will then be 
 
 enabled, unencumbered by the villanous banditti- to which y..u 
 
 have been attached, to tly the country. I know that you have 
 
 a hi y stored away in Jamaica enough to give y<>u 
 
 competence for life. Let that suffice you. Leave the country 
 
 while the chance is allowed you while you may do so in satr- 
 
 ;, 1 Greene will traverse all this re- 
 
 Fool fanr lainx d the other rudely. "Those are 
 
 Uawdon s trumpets." 
 
 4 You will not long hear them, except sounding the iv 
 1 he war is well nL r h over." 
 
 1 shavv ! this is mere folly. We came here to fight, I think. 
 ter ! Come on !" 
 
 " 1 v, On) : Ml e \ OH- U !" 
 
 "I shall no! >j,are youf V-:ir t oiiceit is insufferable, and 
 -hall be whipped out of yu, by heavens! this very n . 
 , ti.en ; I long to . .pittance. "i 
 
 head IB lurne . V -ur Flora, my Flors 
 
218 THI-: SCOUT. 
 
 the, Flora of Congaree you have been Irppmg, nne ym f 
 -and you like the taste sweet flavor! " 
 
 " li- .iliaii w. , with a fury tliat seemed 
 
 Hide governable now as tliat of the outlaw, "you are doomed. 
 1 can not spare you now." 
 
 11 1 a>k you not. Let the steel sjieak for botli of us. Mine 
 has been blushing at the time you have consumed in prating. 
 (i) come On ! - if your heart were in it, Clar 
 
 ence ( Vnwa v, tor, hy (iod s death. I will have it in your heart, 
 it hell has not grown deaf to human prayer. Good Made, to 
 your work! It is some pleasure. I Conway. to know 
 
 thai yours is tolerahly pure blood at least it will do no dis 
 honor to mv claggei*." 
 
 r rhe struggle followed instantaneously. The outlaw pro 
 ceeded to act his declared intentions. His ohject seemed t 
 fo get within the arm of his opponent to close at all haxards. 
 and sacrifice himself in the bloody determination to destroy his 
 enemy. 
 
 But Clarence was no ordinary foe. His anger did not deprive 
 him of his coolne>>, and his skill with the weapon was far be- 
 yond that of most men of his time. Still, it required all his 
 watchfulness and circumspection all his readiness of eve and 
 arm to baffle the purpose of the, other. The. blind fury of 
 the outlaw, perhaps, served him quite as effectually as did his 
 own resources. It made him fearless, but not fearful full of 
 purposes of d- ut not dangerous that is, comparatively 
 
 speaking for, .- long as the partisan presenel his CO! 
 and kept only on the defensive, his enemy did not find it so 
 certainly true as he had affirmed, that a desperate man aL 
 carries the life of his enemy at tne point of hi.- !! 
 
 had tried this more, than once., and had always been repelled 
 times with hurts, which were not always slight, though, sin 
 
 e dangerous. 
 
 His con>tant failure warned him of the folly of his own fury, 
 ann its utter ineffectiveness to achieve the .l]rct of his desires. 
 He recovered h:m.-e!f, and adopted another pub-.-y. He renewed 
 those coarse sneers and .nsinuations which had been alv 
 effectual in provoking Clarence, and which had closed their 
 
T1IK C().MIi\. v lllr 
 
 letorr, and ni sucb 
 Irably calculated to throw a lov 
 guard. 
 
 M U ," hf .said, "that you have just 
 
 ; hut hn\ ,:lue ? I tell you, 
 
 . it ever \viniiaii spke falsely. Flora Middleton B] 
 
 I know her : 
 
 man, when you charged me with having ! 
 Park, you knew hut half the truth. Shall 1 tell you that she 
 rhen as indulgent to t: >{ the Black Kid- 
 
 een Mm moral kinsman? Here. !;. 
 
 vault, did he walk with her at evening; and you know what it 
 uhl know, to wander among dim groves at snivel 
 with a romantic damsel. f rhe heart will yield then, if ever. If 
 \ith the hour, and melts. Ha! are you touched 
 touched at ia>t . Know, then, it was my turn to lip and to 
 .diallv " 
 
 reptile !" eried C lan-nee. .-.trikinj: at him t uri- 
 u>ly as he heard the , " Know I nut that you ]. 
 
 i iill her jur. ii U 
 tho.sc you would now thru>t into mini 
 
 "YOU 1 11 of delight, 
 
 point of hi into the . 
 
 lloh-wound only, hut <>ne in danp-i- 
 
 imit\ rt that was now lji!in^ in it> m-i:rii!n-i 
 
 . .".ith felt his Imprudence J hut if he had not. tlu-r- 
 ;nvelliii^ friend at hand, who did not MitV -r : 
 nnreminded. . who, in tl 
 
 to which he liad eraule.! .ui-ee;i, li.i 
 
 Mto>- ,,f the brief conflict, during the 
 
 oil tl,. lUlt. 
 
 let him fool you, Clarence ; he s onlv ti". 
 make you 11 ad that s his ti ick. But don t you mind iii: 
 
 ;n liar, and if von vou should, he ll : 
 
 lie in his mouth. Strike a\\a\. 
 and only forget that you e\ er had rho was 
 
 a son of the \\ronj; brec 1 ut it to him, ami shut 
 ip your nater till it s all . >d ha mercy pon me. hut 
 
22D THI 
 
 "t C3SH13 so nateral for me now to want to put in and kih 
 him ! M 
 
 "ii .rj you have brought your bullies upon me !" were the 
 words of Morton, as the first accents of Bannister reached his 
 ears. "But I fear them not!" and he renewed the assault 
 with increased determination ; if that indeed were possible. 
 
 "Keep back meddle not, John Bannister!" cried Clarence.. 
 " T need no assistance." 
 
 " I krow it, Clarence ; but, Lord love you! don t git into a 
 foolish passion. Go to it as ef twas a common work you was 
 a-doing splitting rails, or digging ditches, or throwing up po- 
 t?.;o-hi!is. Jest you hit and stick as ef you was a-managing a 
 dug-out, or a raft, or some sich foolish consarn. For sich a foul- 
 mouth as he to talk agin Miss Flora! Why, it s as foolish as a 
 wolf to bark at the moonlight. But don t let me interrupt you. 
 (}o to it ! I m jest a-looking on to see the eend, and obsarve 
 air play ; only make haste, Clarence; shut him up as soon as 
 you can, for the bugle s a sounding from the head of the avenue, 
 and there s little time to lose." 
 
 The warning was not to be disregarded, and Clarence Con- 
 \vay soon brought the strife, to an issue. The resumption of his 
 caution provoked the outlaw into a renewal of his rashness, and 
 his dagger-hand wa> caught in the grasp of the partisan at the 
 same moment when the weapon of the other sunk into his breast. 
 Clarence relaxed his hold upon his victim the instant that the 
 Mow was delivered He fancied that he had given him the 
 mi ft (U- gran- as he intended ; and a strange, keen, sudden pang 
 rushed like lightning through his own bosom. 
 
 The outl-iv, meanwhile, felt himself about to fall. A faint- 
 ness co\e:vd his frame; his sight was growing dark; and, with 
 the last convulsive moment of reflection, he threw himself for 
 wan! upon the breast of his enemy, whose dagger-point was no\\ 
 turned toward the ground. His left arm was tightly clasped 
 about the form of Clarence; while his right, with all the remain 
 ing consciousness of his mind, and the concentrated, but fa.-t 
 failing vigor of his frame, addressed a blow at the heart of the 
 latter, which it needed sullicient strength only to render fatal. 
 
 But the arm of the outlaw sank down in the effort ere the 
 

 _ er reached its in;irk. His hold tt] 
 1, and !,< .riii at t! 
 
 tlu latter had sulnViently recovered from the horror which 1 
 
 . tt> l-o alt "us of tli- iVi.in which li. 
 
 ped, With tvrrv justification for the. deed which, 
 could bring, lie yet felt how full of pain and sorrow, if n 
 crime, was the shedding of a brother s blood. 
 
 E AFTER x x. 
 
 CAPRICES OF FOKTI 
 
 WK have omitted, in the proper place, to record certain events 
 that happened, during the. j ..iiict. in order that 
 
 nothing idiould retard the narrative of tl 
 had reached its termination, and while il 
 mea.Mire doubtful, a new party came upon the scene. wli- 
 Bfl our attention, and commanded that of the faithful v. 
 man. Aery a soft but piercing ray- -unheard by eith. 
 the combatants, first drew the > former to tl 
 
 boring wood from which it issued ; ami, >imultaneou>ly, a - 
 der form darted out of th. nd hurried forward i; 
 
 direction :mi>ter . kely put himself iu 
 
 - to prevent any interi eiviu < the jian 
 
 when he saw the stranger pi^hin,: { -rward, and wielding a jrlit- 
 ter m^ ueapon in his i^rasji, as he advanced, in- ru-hed iV-.m hi> 
 
 raiment, and threw himself directly in the pathw., 
 the intruder. Th.- 
 ni.ster c"iin:iain!e i him to - and. 
 
 k !" sai.l the latter, " hack, my lad, till i 
 won t he Ion- DOW, 1 warrant you. They ll 
 
 until they vi- done " 
 
 11- dre.w a pi>td from hi-> lu-lt, which h. 
 
 and thus clo>cd the sentence. I ck at 
 
 this Midden and sturdv iuterniption ; but, reco\ -ering a m- 
 
--- Th 
 
 after, appeared determined to press forward. The second warn 
 ing of the scout was more imperative than the first. 
 
 ml hack. 1 fell vim !" cried the resolute woodman, " 01 
 8, I ll .send daylight and moonlight both through \ m: 
 with an ounce bullet. I ain t trilling with yon, stranger ; be 
 Kartin, I m serious enough when I take pistol in hand. Back, I 
 tell you, till the tug s over, and then you may sec and be seen. 
 31 .ve another step and I ll flatten you." 
 
 "Xn, no, no!" was the incoherent response; "let me pass! 
 I ///// pass !" 
 
 The sounds which assured the woodman of the determination 
 of the stranger, were so faintly and breathlessly articulated, 
 that, at any other time, Jack Bannister would have only laughed 
 at the ob.-.ti ate purpose which they declared; but the moment 
 wa. t o clous tor his friend, and he was too earnest in secu 
 ring lair play for all parties, not to regard their tenor rather than 
 their ; 
 
 If you do. I ll <1 as sure as a gun !" was his answer. 
 
 They will kill him ! " murmured the stranger, in accents of 
 
 utter despondency. He struck his head with his palm in a 
 
 manner of the dee] then, as if seized with a new imjitil.se, 
 
 \\aved a dagger in the air, ami darted upon the, woodman. 
 
 So Midden wa* the movement and unexpected, that Bannister 
 
 r thought to >liM.f. bnt, clubbing his pistol, he dealt th< 
 
 sailant a blo\v upon the :-k ill, which laid him prostrate. A faint 
 
 cry ex-aped the li; :h in falling; and Bannister fan- 
 
 :liat liis osvn nan. \ a part of its burden. He was 
 
 -nrpris.-d \vlien he recollected that the enemy, though rush- 
 
 .11 him with a ;ad yet forborne to use it, although 
 
 ient opportunity had been allowed him to do so, had such 
 
 hi.s jiurposc, in the siirjni.-e orca^ioneil b}- bis tirst onslanglit. 
 
 ;he moment was not one f . to reliection. (Marencu 
 
 his enemy, who wa- prostrate and in>ensible ; 
 
 waa brnding over him in a fruitless effort to 
 
 h the blood which isnied IVoin a deep wound on the side. 
 
 Banni.ster appioached him with the inquiry 
 
 "(iod he, thanked, Clarence, that you arc uppermost. How 
 is it with him ( Is he dead /" 
 
CAT 223 
 
 "I hi.pf n..t. Hi- 1 -till. There is Motion in his 
 
 heart 
 
 ] f,,r it, (Marcnrc. I iiin t MMTV that you lia n t 
 
 killed him, for I d rather you shouldn t do it ; hut I m mi-hty 
 ;d. It ll he all the letter for him if he is. 
 a neck -mooth to the last, Hut come, there s a 
 >tir at the house 1 can hear the voices." 
 " But we can imt leave him here, Jack. Something mus- 
 
 bim, \V-uld to God I had never seen him, for I feel 
 wretched. no\v that it s all over." 
 
 t a time to iVel such feelinirs. You couldn t help it, 
 
 Clarence, He would force it upon you. Didn t 1 hear him 
 
 ,ikin- here. We must hru>li up and 
 
 he doin-:. [Ve iriven a knock to a chap here, that s laid him 
 out ui laid the other. A small chap he wa>. I 
 
 mi-rht have .-topped him, I m thinking, with a lighter hand, 
 hut 1 hadn t time to think, he jumped so spry upon me." 
 Who is he?" demandel Clarence. 
 
 "1 don t know; a friend to Edward Conway. looking after 
 him. I reckon. I ll see all ahout him directly, when once you re 
 off. But yon must trot at once. There s a mighty stir all 
 about the house, and I m thinking, more than once, that I ve 
 
 hearn a whoo-whoop-halloo, below Ar in the direction of 
 
 Hats. T\va- a i >rt of whoop for an owl to 
 
 make, am! I m juh ous twa n t one that had a good schoolmaster 
 
 nateral." 
 
 M \\ wt , to do with him . " demanded Clarence, as he 
 
 d with an aspect of complete bewilderment, now at the hody 
 of hi- kin-Mian, and now at the distant mansion. 
 
 .. 1),,; I tak- |efl the rea>onahle time to hearken to 
 
 t l u , ^ordl <^: : l- t the dead hury their .lead; and 
 
 ll,,,u--ii I i-.-ui MOW they re to set ahout it, yet, \\ hei. 
 
 . hard pn.shed , J well to put upon holy 
 
 ch ditlicuh ,t hy our 
 
 own I m thinkii lay him (piietly in the 
 
 vault and leave him." 
 
 Hut he s n..: -nd with > 
 
 "M ore s the pity It s better for you and me, and 1 
 
Tin-; SCOUT. 
 
 too, if lie don t iocover ; and it serins to me very unilateral thai 
 you should take pains first to put him to death, ;uid the next 
 moment worry yourself to bring him to life again." 
 
 " I took no such pains, Bannister. I would not have struck 
 him if I could have avoided the necessity, and I strove t 
 avoid making his wounds fatal." 
 
 "I m sorry for that agin. But this ain t no time for palav< -. 
 ing. You ll soon have these dragoons of Coffin scouring tie..- 
 grounds of the, barony, and llawdon s too good a soldier not to 
 h,\vc his scouts out for three good miles round it. Them tnna 
 pet. 1 - that we hear are talking some such language now; and wo 
 iiMst ride pretty soon, or we ll be in a swamp, the waters rising, 
 tin dug-out gone, and a mighty thick harricane growing in the 
 west." 
 
 I can not think of leaving the body thus, Bannister." 
 
 "And } on resk your own body and soul or your own body, 
 which is pretty much the soul of the Congaree Blues ef you 
 sstop to take care of him," replied the woodman. 
 
 What are we to do ?" 
 
 14 Clarence, trust to me. Take your horse you ll find him 
 in that hollow and get to the head of the troop before Coffin s 
 hoofs tread upon its tail. I ll be mighty soon after you ; but 
 before 1 start, I ll give em a blast of my horn, and a scare from 
 my puppy-dog here" meaning his pistol " which 11 be pretty 
 sure to bring a dozen of em on my track. When they come 
 here, they ll find the body of Edward Conway, and this lad 
 that I flattened ; and they can do for em all that s needful. 
 I m a hoping that this here person," pointing to the chief of the 
 Black Riders, " is out of his misery for ever, and won t trouble 
 the snrgeont with much feeling of his hurts. As for the otliei 
 lad, I don t think I could ha hurt him much with the butt only, 
 though I struck him mighty quick, and without axing how 
 much or bow little he could stand. Trust to me, Clarence, and 
 go ahead," 
 
 Obviously, this was the only course to be pursued in jrder to 
 reconcile, the duties and desires which the partisan entertained 
 lie. took not a single further look at. his enemy, whose grim and 
 ghastly features, turned upward in the moonlight, presented an 
 
r more fearful than any which the simple appearance 
 ath could present; and, with a few [ Erec 
 
 tion to the woodman, he hurried away to the h.ill.,w when 
 liorse had hern concealr d. In a few moments after, t: 
 Bannister rejoiced, as his ear caught tlie slo\v movement o| his 
 departing hoofs. 
 
 The hold fellow then hefore jnittii .. 
 
 arming the British at tlie mansion and bringing them down 
 upon the spot true to the business of the smut. 
 in the direction of the dwelling, in order to ascertain wh: 
 could, as to the disposition and strength of the force which h;:d 
 come and was still advancing. A perfect knowledge, of the 
 place, its point" of retreat and places of ^heifer, enabled him 
 id , a station where he saw quite, as much as he desired, 
 "f men, were evidently drawn up a ; 
 .-lung the avenue, for the reception of the commander- 
 in-chief; and while Bannister admired their array, and noted 
 th" stealthy i-auti.in which marked their move!: 
 
 te to count their numbers with tolerable certainty. 
 re than they told me," he muttered to himself; "but .. 
 good ambu>hment will make up the diih . 
 a til- . 
 
 .-itistied his curiosity, and perceiving that the ma::: 
 
 body of the British army was at hand, he ! himself with 
 
 li soldi -rl/ admiration, the fine appearance "f the 
 
 B b.,dy eonsistiog chielly of th then 
 
 ly arrivi-d from Ku-ojie ami the excellent :heir 
 
 inarch ; and then 
 
 Ifbere he had left the wounded. 
 
 .;iing with as vtralthy -is at his departure, 
 
 h. \\as surprised to discover th.r i.^m 
 
 h had knocked down wa- lie had b : rt A 
 
 Bl i de curiosity filled his oo.-om to 
 
 His conduct bad -newhat n 
 
 -ure, that when he inflicted the blow v.hich 
 l.iid him prostrate, the stranger had uttered his .wn D 
 ling ; and that, to,., j], Umei wh:.-! 
 nor those of an enemy. 11 tliat ilns 
 
-- THE SCOUT. 
 
 .-Hi had feigned imconx-iousness, but had taken advantage of 
 his momentary absence to steal oil into the contiguous woods 
 To seek him there under present circumstances, and with so 
 
 time as was allowed him, would lie an idle attempt ; and 
 the \\oo.lrnan, with some disappointment, turned once more !. 
 ti.e spot where the outlaw was lying. 
 
 To his surprise, he found a second person with him. whom a 
 
 r glance discovered to he the very person whose absence 
 he had regretted. Flic stranger was lying upon the body of 
 Kdward Morton, and seemingly as lifeless as himself: hut he 
 started np when he heard the footsteps of Bannister, and made 
 a feel ile attempt to rise from the ground, hut fell forward with 
 an expn^sion of }iiii, and once more lay quiescent upon the 
 body of the outlaw. 
 
 The scout drew nigh ami addressed the youth with an accent 
 of excessive kindness; for the milk of a gentle as well as a 
 generous nature, flowing in his heart from the beginning, had 
 not been altogether turned by the cruel necessities of the war 
 fare in which he was engaged, lint, though lie sp.,\e the kii. 1- 
 est words of consolation and encouragement known to his v < .!>- 
 ulary, and in the kindest tones, he received no answer. The. 
 youth lay In a condition of equal stillness with him whose body 
 he seemed resolved to cover with his own. 
 
 Banni>ter readily conceived that he "lad swoor.ed. He ad 
 vanced accordingly, stooped down, and turned the lace to the 
 moonlight. It was a fair face and very pale, except where two 
 livid streaks \vere drawn by the now clotted blood, which had 
 ued from beneath the black i"nr cap \\hich he wore. This, 
 upon examination, the scout found to be cut by the pistol-lilou 
 which he had given ; and it was with a shivering M-n^ition of 
 horror, to him very unusual, tl IT, when lie preyed lightly v.ith 
 his linger upon the. skull belov, it felt soil and pulpy. 
 
 Li-id forgive me!" w.is the involuntary ejaculation of 
 \\oodman "Lord forgive me, if I have hit the poor lad 
 \ard a blow." 
 
 His annoyance increased as he beheld t -.e slight 
 person of the youth. 
 
 "There wa.s no n KSdceSSlty to USC the pistil. po<-r fellow. A fisl 
 
hi. ,\\- \\uul ! li him quiet " 
 
 muttering thus ;if inteiv.-ds. he proceeded to antic the sti 
 
 wrere 
 
 ned helow the chin ; and, in his anxiety and 
 man, whose finders in;iy r. 
 
 better fitted for an] licate busi rrived to m. 
 
 slip into a knot, which his hunting knife was finally emp! 
 
 te. 
 
 f l ho cap ; and in 
 
 t li.M-d at it> siii - th. silk-lik. - and 
 
 ..d his ii . . 
 
 when, lu..kinir ni ( --i\v in the fair li^ht of tin- niocii, 
 
 the hii; li narrow >\- .iite forehead in connection with the. other fea 
 ture* of the i linfnl conject" thrnujrh 
 
 and with treninlo and a convulsive { eeli: 
 
 .".jip! he tore Open the ..1 sahle which the 
 
 nnc enon wrote, and tl mournful truth tla- 
 
 upon his soul. 
 
 "(Jod ha mercy, it is a woman! it is she it is po.r Mary 
 Mar\ M , anil h-ok up. 
 
 Don id it s me. Jack l>ai.. 
 
 old friend, ymu- lather s fiien<l. (Jod 1 ! Slie don t 
 
 -he don t hoar ^ she can*( speak. It 1 should ha* hi< t<m 
 
 hard ! if I should ha* hit too hard." 
 
 The ; : the houe>t fcllov. 
 
 tiiu of his oun uumeditated hlou- wt)uld he ii 
 
 oh-. He Bai down on the sward and took her he;. law. 
 
 and clasped her i 1 laid hi.- 
 
 i, with return!; in mured 
 
 i:t words. hU delight \\ tic. 
 
 He now laid her down tenderly, an 
 which trickled from the i no{ i.f the hill, \\itli tl 
 \\hich he irai \\<dl acijuaii.t. . \ .unl lnni_ 
 
 h .f a tlee t!. 
 
 OQOped full "f water, and ran hack to the unl 
 had during 1 
 
 know th :ie v, ;;s l U-y in the \\ork aud 
 
 kii.di. 
 
228 THK SCOUT. 
 
 "No. DO," site mutt -red, " iniiitl not me go to him him! 
 Save him before they kill him. 
 
 11 Him, in do od ! N. ! Lot him wait. He can afford to do it, 
 for I reckon it s all over with him. But you, Mary, dear Marv : 
 toll mo, Mary, that you are not much hurt tell me that you 
 know me; it was I who hurt you; I your old friend, John 
 Bannister, Mary ; hut it s a God s truth, I didn t know you then. 
 I d ha cut off my right arm first, Mary, before it should ever 
 liavo given pain to you." 
 
 "Leave mo, if you have mercy I don t want your help ; 
 you can t help me no! no! Go to him. lie will bleed to 
 doath while you aiv talking." 
 
 " Don t toll me to leave you, Mary ; and don t trouble your 
 self about him. He ll have all the help he needs all he de 
 serves ; but you! look up, dear Mary, and tell me if you know 
 mo. I am still your friend, Mary your father s friend." 
 
 The. mention of her father seemed to increase her sufferings. 
 
 " No ! no ! not that !" she muttered bitterly ; and writhing 
 about with an effort that seemed to exhaust all her remaining 
 .strength, she turned her face upon the ground, where she lay 
 insensible. 
 
 Never was mortal more miserable or more beAvildered than 
 our worthy scout. He now suffered from all the feelings, the 
 doubt and indecision, which had beset his commander but a little 
 while before. To remain was to risk being made a prisoner; 
 yet t< leave, the p*oor victim of his own random blow, in her 
 present condition, was as painful to his own sense of humanity 
 as it was unendurable by that tender feeling which, as we have 
 already intimated, pi.sx SM d his heart in an earlier day for the 
 frail victim of another s perfidy. This feeling her subsequent 
 dishonor had not wholly obliterated ; and he now ga/ed with a 
 son of stupid sorrow upon the motionless form before him, until 
 h/ s big, slow gathering tears fell thick upon her neck, which his 
 arm partially sustained; while his fingers turned over the lon^ 
 silken hair, portions of which urre matted with her blood, in 
 a manner which betrayed something f.f a mental self-abandon 
 rnent a total forgotiulncss of duty and prudence on the part 
 of one of the hardiest scouts in the whole Congarec country. 
 
229 
 
 How long In might lu i in ihis puij 
 
 n, iV iiu without, awakened him to a 
 
 iy u"t he conjectured. In 
 man were sensibly di- 
 
 :!i were 1 
 
 ver lior tears and treasures, and 
 ..lid trial wore all MKI- 
 
 d, 
 
 In t; vein h half forgot the near noighboih 
 
 >:d ;!ic dangers which awaited him in the event of 
 
 it remembered, of no com- 
 
 kind. It was i:.t then the mere prospect of restraint which 
 ! the rebel if taken prisoner. The sanguinar. 
 
 1 with blood ; and it is strongly probable 
 
 executions oi which the British coinniandeis 
 
 \ iis the M.uth, were sunietimes ])ronij>ted 
 
 lire t.) ennriliate tlie loyalists, of the same, region, who 
 
 :lfy,aiul personal revenges to w. 
 whic-l: tlfificd in scarcely any other way. 
 
 Of tli.-- idman wa made most m 
 
 i V hearing the tones and language of mi! 
 .;and i limediatrly hehind him. A guard was evidently ap- 
 hout to he placed, and the. sounds 
 
 which startled him on one side were echoed and str.-.n-. -lv an- 
 sudden clamor of a most unmilitary ch;u. 
 
 rly the same infant, from the swan.|,s and 
 li lay along the riv.-r a f<-w hundred yan; 
 
 xjdained the mystery of tl. 
 
 h to hear; but such was not 
 
 -mentary ; and when ohvi- 
 
 iu <-xi>ressi..ns which now denote) a wander- 
 
 il ^ l the he. scout as ho rose to hiti 
 
 r tenderly in his arm--, and hore 1-er toward the 
 the i-ntranco of which he laid her -ei.tly down, in 
 ! \\hirh I,,- knew would make i icuous to the , 
 
 He had hardy ffl 
 1 still bending over her with a last look 
 
TUI-: 
 
 tiic expression of which, though unseen liy any, .-poke more 
 effectually the anguish which In- felt, than conld over have 1 
 conveyed by the rude, and simple la;. . when he 
 
 felt a hand upon his shoulder a <jnick. 
 hy the sounds of a voice, which it soon appeared ; 
 
 "Oh! ho! Caught at last, Supple .Jack; Supple-, the fa 
 mous! Your limbs will scarcely help you uow. You arc my 
 tier." 
 
 "Not so fast, Watson Gray I know you " replied the scout, 
 as he started to his i eet and made, an ett ort to turn ; but hi- 
 emy had grappled him from behind, had pinioned his arms 
 
 p from limbs as full of muscle as his cr.vn, and wa- 
 fairly mounted upon his back. 
 
 " Andyrr/ me too, Jack Bannister, I think. There s . 
 ling loose, my boy, and your inly nay is to keep (juiet. r \". 
 are, twenty Hessians at my haek to help me, and as many Irish." 
 
 * More than enough, Watson Gray, for a poor Congaive boat 
 man. But you re ivther vent rous. I m thinking, to begin the 
 attack. You ought to ha waited for a Tilth more help, Watson 
 Gray. You re rather a small build of a man, if my memory 
 sarves me rightly you ha n t half of my hei t, and can t suivly 
 think to manage me." 
 
 " I do. indeed!" was the answer. " If I m light, you ll find 
 me strung -trong enough to keep your nrmr. fast till my wild 
 Irish come up, and lay you backward." 
 
 Well, thai may be, Watson. But my arms ain t my le^, 
 my lad. Keep iticm, if you can." 
 
 Thus speaking, greatly to the surprise of the assailant, he 
 grasped the enclasping arms of the Li ter with his muscular fin 
 gers, held tl em with a hold as unyielding as their o\vn. ai d 
 rising erect, set ofV, at a smart canter down the hill in the <; 
 tion of the river. This proceeding was one which had ionn-( l 
 no part of Watson Gray s calculations; and he beca. 
 denly and awkwardly a ware: that there v, as an unpleasant chain.-- 
 in the relations "f tiie part;. 
 
 **The boot s on t other leg, I m think 
 
 chuckled our scout pi To this ojVen- -ti .D 
 
 the other had no answer, in words; h-it In- employed all hi 
 
[ FORTUNE. 
 
 v. ith tin- \trieatinp 1 himself from the 
 
 lie li;nl .-( indiscreetly mounted. Hut flu 
 
 performance and the dt siiv, arc notoriously very different tiling. 
 
 In spite of all h lea, Jack Bannister kept mi his way 
 
 down hill, and Watson (Iray, perforce, kept in his nneasv pla<-i- 
 
 . .n. He had not calculated //// the resources of h : lf 
 
 .list, and no\v curbed himself tor his overweening 
 
 confidence in his own. 
 
 - hut nateral that you should kick and worry, at ridm, 
 n n;ir that you ha n t hitted, Watson (iray, hut it s of no use; 
 you re fairly mounted, and there s no u ettin-j; otV in a hurry," 
 >!inu lan^tia- t of the scout as he ran toward the 
 v. iili his raj. live. "I sec that you never hearn of the !.! 
 
 !:akin^ hands with a Idack hear. The danger is that you 
 can ; -A lion you want to. A Idack hear Man 
 
 animal, that he lutvrr likes to -i\ e up ; ^ood acquaintance, and 
 he ll hold on, paw f<>r paw with you, and ruhhin^ noses when 
 lie ran, though it s the roii^lio^t tree in the swamp that stands 
 up i liim ami his iVicnd. Your amis and shonldr: 1 
 
 reckon, ; U ^ood and strong as tnine. Hut your 1 
 
 L r ot the weight, and I conld carry you all day. mi a pinch, 
 ami ! the Wtime for it. You see Imw ea>y we -M to- 
 
 1 > n you, for a cunning levil." cried the emharra- 
 . kicking and tlounderin- i-iirioiisly, hut vainly striving to 
 
 Pon t you cilice, Watson Cray ; it sort o 1 makes you 
 
 r on my ijua; 
 
 Let me ii.iun. 1 anni.ster, and you may ^o free, and to the 
 devil where you c.r ] trom." 
 
 Well, you re too <o>nd. Volfll let me -o j ree . I m thilik- 
 ;n\ prisoner, mv lov. I ll jarole von a- 
 ii my critter." 
 I ll shout to the Hessian^ to shoot you as ymi mi:. 
 
 d the lit: 
 
 Will you. then. You don t consider that your hack will 
 feel the hull e a cuniiJiu man. ^^ 
 
 lid you v. .r 1 know d in the 
 
THK BCODT, 
 
 Congarce country, ami it s a long time since we ve been 
 dodging after one another. I was a little jub ous, I confess, that 
 you were a bettor man than myself. I was : hut you made a 
 poor fist of this business a poor pair of fists, I mav sav," eon- 
 eluded the woodman with a chuckle. 
 
 "So I did a d d poor husiuess of it!" groaned the other 
 "I should have put my knife into your ribs, or had the 
 round you first." 
 
 The knife s a had business, Watson," was the reply of the 
 other; "a good scout, that s not onnatural, never uses it when 
 le.-s hurtful things will answer. But it s true you should ha 
 put your Hessians between me and the woods before you cried 
 out you re my prisoner ! If ever a man jumps into detarmina- 
 tion at all, it s jist when he hears some such ugly words, on a 
 sudden, in his ears: and when 1 felt you. riding so snugly on 
 my back, I know d J had you, and could ha sworn it." 
 
 A desperate effort to effect his release, which Watson (I ray 
 made at this time, put a slop to the complacent speech of th.< 
 other, and made him less indulgent. 
 
 "I ll cure your kicking, my lad," said he, as, backing himself 
 against a pine-tree, he, subjected his involuntary burden to 6 
 succession of the hardest thumps which he, truld inflict upoi 
 him, by driving his body with all its force against the incorrigi 
 hie and knotty giant of the forests. The gasping of the cap 
 tive, which ensued, suliiciently attested the success of thi 
 measure; and an attempt which (Jray made, a moment or <\vo 
 after, to get the ear of Supple Jack within his teeth which 
 was answered by a butt (hat almost ruined his whole jaw ter- 
 ied the fruitless endeavors of the, former to free himself 
 
 from his awkward predicament. 
 
 Mi-.- iiwhile, the stir and confusion were li :reasing behind the 
 fugitives, and it was a wonder to both that tV-v had not been 
 
 ,;ed. The sounds, imperfectly In- . ! by the woodman. 
 
 I ed to be those of actual Conflict J \m- <,in:.-elf secure, 
 
 and his thoughts re\ertrd, over all, >r Mary Clar!. 
 
 the victim of the outlaw uith whom -lie had bn-n In i. and, 
 
 perhaps, his own victim. The poor felloe ; himself with 
 
 horror when he thought of the cruel blow his h<:nd had inflicted 
 
-VE. 
 
 But ho had no time for t! .d the. , lr 
 
 : -ining his commander, nerved i.iin to 
 He had now reached the pl,- ; 
 
 l ( alt ; tl - II; ^ pitch his captive 
 
 I ; which he did 1 , the, latter. In the 
 
 next moment, ! a kn< ,, ( 1 wit ], . 
 
 his month, he m. 
 
 These only of two him- ,, [ an 
 
 ortli Ecel pistol. II.- then rilled his p, 
 
 tnerously 
 
 . \Yatso,, Gray, you re a C 
 
 ef I ve thumped you a little hard as we run, put it 
 the needd and not ! 
 
 . I ll let you off now, OD : -ole, that \>.,n ma-. 
 
 - and help Ned Conway. You ve been his 1, |j 
 
 v l.mg time, and you ve done for him a pn 
 
 He ll need more help now, I m thin!. 
 
 than you can -ive him. There s a pool boy there too a 
 .- slender chap, that 1 hit with a mo>t U id, 
 
 Pin aleard, and if you can do anything for her " 
 
 "E id the otl, 
 
 M Oli,ye8 the truth-will out she s a -al t!^,,.-!, ; no gal s 
 
 clothes. Perhaps you know her. JTon ought to know 
 
 enough ..f Ned Conway .. wickedness to tcno* that Take 
 
 of that -al, \Vat>,n Gray, and if phy,ic can do ]^,- . 
 l ; i;l1 I it- I ax it of you as a favor. \ 
 
 Ml :i - ""l Pvt . l"iig tried f. have a turn 
 
 ut than I am; hut r 
 that yo U irani my heft and timbers. In 
 .your master; Uit 1 mju!/, 
 
 erthan me. See tothatgal, \V. 
 
 try. Shi own c .j,; 
 
 e re l..,tl, from tlie river; and if tl, 
 
 . in ludpin- l,er f eit] 
 me know of it. and you -!,.;!! I,. 
 
 the -dd out 
 
 MW nm.st never Uk till 
 
 armi with him aho 
 
THK SCOUT. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 PROGRESS AM) si >! K.\SK. 
 
 "WAS ever poor devil caught so completely in his own trap 
 ln> to iv !" was the querulous exclamation of Watson Gray, as. 
 with a painful effort, he rose from the ground where his adver- 
 >ary had so ungently stretched him out. "Egad, I m sore all 
 over; though I think there s no hone broken !" lie nibbed his 
 arms and thighs while he spoke, with an anxious earnestness 
 which showed that he spoke in all sincerity, though still with 
 some donbt whether his limbs preserved their integrity. 
 
 "Confound the scamp! I thought I had him sure. His arms 
 fastened, his back turned ! who d have thought of such a can 
 ter down hill with a strung man over his shoulders! Well, he 
 certainly deserves the name, of Supple Jack ! He s earned it 
 fairly by this bout, if he never did before. If ever fellow was 
 strong and supple over all the men I ever knew, he s the man. 
 But for those sleepy Hessians, I d have had him ; and I wonder 
 what can keep them now. The dull, drowsy, beef-eyed Dutch 
 men what the d 1 are they after? What stir s that?" 
 
 A buzz of many voices in earnest controversy, in the direction 
 of the vault, arrested the speaker in his soliloquy, and stimulated 
 his apprehensions. 
 
 " 15y Jupiter! they re fighting among themselves! What 
 an uproar! They re are loggerheads, surely the Hessian 
 boobies !" 
 
 The anxiety of the scout made him half forgetful of his 
 bruises as he turned toward the. spot from whence the clamor 
 rose. There seemed sufficient cause to justify the aj prehensions 
 which he had expressed. The uproar which first startled him 
 was followed by oaths, execrations, and finally the clash of arms. 
 He hurried forward to the scene of the uproar, and arrived not 
 a moment too soon to prevent bloodshed. It will be necessarj 
 
that order t> 
 
 
 :i left the l.i\..u;ir of 
 
 tl.e I d.H-k II! through the 
 
 nial of i iic anothei for the 
 
 f a new mm. . to sup; 
 
 would ver\ -lioitlv folh,\\- upon her focist,-p>. Thi>, to ;i certain 
 
 They followed her. hut n 
 
 hed the miseraUe man for 
 
 ftn fi lite, in full ti; 
 
 lia\rt o], :i.i: of ih.ir ajt};--uch antl purpotte, ba^ tliis, 
 
 uiitler tl. lo. W<- 
 
 \\hat tlmse circumrtancefl were ; ami tlu 1 eruel 
 iiiMilts \\ .. her r,iiM lii>i. 
 
 little deserving ..ny heart. I iie c-liief of the outlaws 
 
 i in of his kin>iiiaii. 
 
 3 li.i-l .-till >oine arrangements to make 
 some stii. juatl. ami pi;: 
 
 ;arted lor the work of trear 
 
 Ui the elevation nt 
 
 muiauii. .end. 
 
 iral transition, ami as a hecomin^ i-ewani 
 for h .onioted at the same time : 
 
 tion wliii-h the ntlicr had so lately filled. 
 
 ton had I the handitti, who simj.l-. 
 
 mitted to proc \\jich th y could not hafile. and oji> i iv 
 
 dared in I iiey, however, held the-!is(dves in 
 
 with . ; ~ihh, the darK . nr 
 
 they could ]M ^\\>\ v carry them 
 1 iit tbu determination was inetVective t T 
 ilme. simjily liecar individual in each mai, 
 
 \-had hail no opportunity allowed them for U-liher.v 
 and, heii led of lukewaiiuiie>-, tlu-v were n 
 
 teie . her uiiwatched and iin. Uerved l.y tho i: 
 
 factit.n. 
 
 ncied that 
 
 the path of the future wa> fairlv ojteii hefore hi> steps, unemhar- 
 ra88( (l hy .-11 . f..rtuiic I 
 
236 THE SCOUT. 
 
 oning him to the conquest. There was but one task before him 
 necessary to render all things easy, and that a malignant. senti- 
 iiicnt of hate goaded him on to perform. Flic murder of I M ward 
 Morton liis personal enemy the man who knew his .- 
 baseness, and who scorned him in consequence was yet to be 
 executed ; and this when he thought of the past, its bitte] 
 and contumely of the future, its doubts ami dnnp-vs bee 
 a task of grateful personal performance. To this task, when all 
 the ceremonials were over, of his own and confederate 
 tion, he accordingly hurried. 
 
 liis men were soon put in readiness, and Davcy, who had 
 traversed the ground more than once before took charge of the 
 advance. Their plans were simple, hut sullicient, had the, cir 
 cumstances continued throughout as they were at the beginning. 
 They had meditated to advance upon, and to surround the man 
 sion, in which they supposed their captain to b -. then, rai.Miig 
 the cry of " Sumter," create an alarm, in the confusion of which 
 Morton was to be put to death. 
 
 It need not he said that the unexpected approach of a 1 
 army, under a forced march, and without any of ihe, usual bruit 
 attending on the progress of a large body of me:i, utterly battled 
 all their calculations; and when, following the path toward the 
 tomb, which Morton had originally taken. Limtcnani 1" 
 arrived at the spot, he found it almost in complete n of 
 
 soldiery, consisting of the very Hessians some twenty in num 
 her on the assistance of whom Waisuii (jray had so confidently 
 calculated when he made the rash attempt on the person of 
 Jack Bannister. 
 
 The Hessian troops had never before been seen by the lilark 
 liiders, and Darcy immediately jumped to the conclusion that 
 these were partisan troops of Lee s legimi, which lie knew had. 
 a little time hefore, been seen in the neighborhood; and tin- 
 conjecture was a natural one. not only that they might be i! 
 Atill, but that Morton might already have. In-come thei; 
 The incautious movement of these soldiers BUj I>arcv, 
 
 who was not without his ambition, the project of i-aptuiing the 
 whole of them. They \\ere evidently as CArelftSfl of danger, ah 
 if they had never known what apprehension was; and finding 
 
3 LND S 
 
 ; Mpiattiis- around near t l" toiul., husy ii low 
 
 ;->i >n, the next most natural conjecture. : liis in.v 
 
 in^ hahits \\a>. tli;it tln-v lia<l already rifled the mai. 
 were now sharing its plunder. 
 
 cupidity of the lialiitual rohher i his jud. 
 
 :t which favored the i. , 
 art : ami. taking that f.u- granted whirl: 
 ie, and waiting for no further knowledge ..f the 
 truth, I>arcy k to Stockton. \\] .llouin^- with 
 
 the main l..,dy, and readily iilled his mind with the idea> which 
 predominated in his own. Hut few .{notions \\e;v tflked 1 . 
 
 6 information of Darev >eenied to coverall the 
 ind they hoth were instantly ripe for action. 
 " II. i -t twenty si^iiat UJH.H the turf some of their 
 
 le them, ami .some upon the tomh ; and the plu:. 
 
 from the interest they take in it, must he rather 
 than has Mr^.-d their eyes lor many a day. We ran 
 lound them in a jiiVy, without striking a Mow." 
 
 "1 d.) y, ti B60 nothing of him?" demai. 
 
 ton anxi. 
 
 Hut if tlie>e fellows found him at the hon.se, ihe. 
 me trotthle. They ve ilone for him alre,; 
 " Enough ! SOl (m, and lead the v, , 3 . \| ... _, it, : 
 
 -ui-M-lf; y.iu alone know the path." 
 "B 1 have heard that trumpet onr 
 
 It must he at the man.s : 
 
 i he more need f r hurry. These fello\\ 
 
 who have rilled the hoUM before the main 
 
 them f their 
 
 hurden he! .,iv they L et help from thr After that, 
 
 u>li up for the hous<-, and .see what i 
 
 " K p -ill still, fchei 111 uii.!. -ur- 
 
 .oiind these rasraU and ivlj.-ve th. in i.f their plunder, without 
 
 I Lei j b md we ll 
 
 kbe jounn <ii>inoniit ; we 
 
 1 1 ^eiv the :.. ! the Hlaek K :d vield- 
 
238 TI1K SCOUT. 
 
 ing the management <>i tho affair entirely to Darcy, Stockton 
 followed with his hand in silence. With the stealthy pro- 
 of the Indian, each individual passed to his appointed station, 
 until the tomb, and all about it, was completely environed with 
 a cordon m&itaire, from which nothing could escape. A signal 
 whistle warned them to be in readiness, and a second com 
 manded the movement. 
 
 The operation was fully successful. The Hessians were sur 
 rounded before sword could be drawn or vager lifted. Nothing 
 could well exceed the astonishment of the mutual parties, the 
 captors equally with the captive. The Hessians, with an army 
 of two thousand men or more at hand, were confounded to find 
 themselves, on a sudden, in eu>tody of a force not twice their own 
 number; while the amazement of the lilack Riders was sea* 
 less, when they heard the clamors of th people they ha-! ; 
 captive, in a language which they could not comprehend, and 
 the harsh sounds of which seemed to them so shocking and un 
 natural. Their disappointment was something increased, a! 
 discover, that instead of the treasure of the house of Middle 
 ton the family plate and ladie> jewels the supposed plunder 
 around which the Hessians had heen squatting was neither more 
 nor less than the body-, seemingly dead, of the tender boy who 
 usually attended upon their captain. 
 
 It was at this moment of confusion on both bands, and before 
 anything could be understood or anything explained, that AVat- 
 m Gray made his appearance, to the satisfaction f one at least 
 of the parties. 
 
 How now, Darcy ? what s the matter here? What are you 
 doing with tlit M*. men I Let them go." 
 
 Let them go, indeed ! when we ve just taken them. Let 
 ihem rather go to the gallows." 
 
 "Gallows! why, who do you take these fell ws for?" 
 
 "Lee s legion or a part of it." 
 
 "Indeed? Had your courage ever carried you nigh eni g). 
 lo Lee s legion, you d have foun 1 out your mistake. Why 
 man what are you thinking of? T! his maji 
 
 new levies, hired or bought from the prince, oi 1I< 
 sel, at two and sixpence a-head, and d d extravagant pay 
 
239 
 
 Let tin-in they re 
 
 A -;l hensh, utterly 1.. jrond translation hy any present, a: 
 
 iio from t! , in full confirmation of this 
 
 assurance. P>\ this ti: .ton made liis appearann -, and 
 
 the face of \Y . v mi-ht 1 :i to indie 
 
 he .-aw him. Graj knew tlie relation in which 
 
 : to his captain, ai, -ured that the 
 
 latter had Dover deputed to him the chief command in his ab- 
 
 ; a.-tance 1 -plcioiis ; hut 1 1 ray was too 
 
 old a scont t" ta to he seen, until he knew in 
 
 what condition tlie od. 
 
 he said, inditl erently "is that you? hut 
 
 is lie nut in command ?" 
 
 "No, I an:," -aid Stockton "I am fur the present. We 
 came to ! ihe captain. 
 
 " Tla- caprah; ?- \\-\iy -vlier. did he leave, you ?" 
 
 the h\vaiii|) l! 
 
 And what hr n look after him? Did he order it ? 
 
 taking up t!<e talt; uith an ndruitnr.-s of 
 
 which In- kiu-w that no ma>ter "no; hut we 
 
 1 tnuiijirls. ami a> he stayed rat .ier lonu r . WG \\ere appr>- 
 
 thottt him. Whe;i we came, and sa\v these fellows 
 
 uniforms, we took Ym f--r !.( > K-^ion, as we 
 
 it thi- neighborhood.* 1 
 
 And you really have never seen Lee s uniforms, ensign /" 
 
 . yi.-u know ; and " 
 
 You liave not found the i.-iptain. tlii-n . " 
 
 N *. and what t> do " 
 
 11 I ll tell !1 tind him. The soonei 
 
 to iiim tl: 
 1I-- i the IMM : - ard Morton a-> he 
 
 . .own with composure, bill interest, and 1 to 
 
 f life \\hicli it I ontained. The wily 
 Dai cy follou i duct, in turn, > 
 
 that which it u onld he jr"jrr tor him to pursue. 
 
 to tlie examination, and still less 
 
 m vain H -nd lamentations. Tlie sel;>ImeBb of mau i 
 
240 TIII-: SCUUT. 
 
 nature soars triumphant above all other considerations, in a tim 
 of war; .-Mill lift . K comes as i-niall a subject of consideration as 
 any one of its own circr. 
 
 "Some ugly him- i reckon," sAid Parry; "we 
 
 get him to the house ;md to the hands of the sur.:. 
 
 able." 
 
 " Does lie live?" asked Stockton in a whisper, over Parcy ^ 
 shoulder, 
 
 . he lives!" was the answer made by Gray, in tor.es 
 which wo. re somewhat sharpened by aspect y ; "there s life 
 enough to go upon, and, with good care, he ll be able shortly to 
 . the saddle. If we can stop the blood, there s nothi: 
 /aid of, I m thinki 
 
 man b.-ldly took the lea , as a man having his wits 
 it him will be always apt to do, i;i seasons of Midden peril 
 and givat surprise. Even Stockton tacitly submitted to his 
 guida. 
 
 my good fellows, and let s see what, we re 
 it. Hero, one of you take that d.>.-.i, there the door of 
 the vault from its hinges, a:;d v.v il carry him to the house on 
 that." 
 
 (Iray muttered throng!, 1 teeth at tl. 
 
 and his hands were Unconsciously pressed upon his hips 
 as he spoke: "Jle ll have an eAsier ride than I had of it. M\ 
 
 will talk of .Jack Bannister fi-r a moi .th." 
 
 The dour of the van!: lit forward, and thi 
 
 k Kiders, with careful hands, rai.-ed their captain ujmn i . 
 Darry ami Slnektun both hu>ied theinsflvt Js in ihi- 
 Hut, though performed with great enuti.>n, tl i-ecalh-d 
 
 wounded man t CMIIM : .and fw. 01 tlnee 
 
 half-stilled n. ]>ed from his lips. Jle mutl- ved B 
 
 \vord .-., also, which >hn\\ed that he still fancied himself 
 in all the, stru. i protracted and doubtfnl ^trii e. 
 
 AVhen (Jray had >,-en him fairly placed upon the frame, which 
 
 amplv large, he thought oi the poor prl \\-hom th- 
 solicitations of .Supple .lack had commended to 1. and. 
 
 with a < ud tenderness which c-oiihl 
 
 have breii . \pected from one habitually so rough, he himself 
 
thv victim In 
 
 h had first 
 
 1 her CO]) 
 
 1 with all the fancie* of delirium. 
 
 hii-li peri. 
 mid in ai:y way comprehend, hut the Mnn) 
 
 : 
 
 :;>ihh- tin- creatu;. of tlio 
 man \\ 1 ved, anil who 
 
 I 
 ly un;ti: . ilit a-ony wliieh her ravin-- 
 
 : . II,- \\-alknl l.o.si.l. , her, as a clo/.en of thr 
 
 litter toward th<: house; and few 
 .d those only such v. which 
 
 : niouniful in 
 I had he- 
 
 \vdon at the lnui>e, with all his BOltC, and 
 military. H.- likefl U) B66 ban 
 . and he ll look to you i or it while tin- 
 
 hanc. . this," imittnvd Stockton, as he d: 
 with l>arcy to jmt in exec-ution tin 
 " "NVhoM hav ; .\vdnn ln-re, and we know not a 
 
 D in the dark. That 
 "<!! tii . JJut it 
 
 tpon him tv. 
 
 
 
 " ! >-unld ha. :,,n. 
 
 "Th. -in all. E 
 
 iid h<>w |j -han nil that we should 
 
 bav 
 
 - ; Bl !....;. >n, and show alac;. ell ai 
 
242 THK scour. 
 
 order. Of course we ll soy nothing about the captaincy. You . . 
 Htill lieutenant only, and if Morton duvs " 
 
 "He must die!" said tlio other. 
 
 "Ay, lie nv.ist. Rawdon will leave him a surgeon, and w% 
 will find a guard; and if he survives the one, there s hut 
 little chance of his getting off from the other. Eh! wlial 
 think you ?" 
 
 " It will do," was the significant answer of Stockton. They 
 understood each other thoroughly, before thev put their men m 
 order. The thoughts of Watson Gray were not less hu^ 
 lie pursued his way alone with the wounded persons; nor weie 
 they more favorable to the conspirators, than was the determina 
 tion of those friendly to their captain. He knew, better than 
 any other man, the true history of the latter, and the sort of re 
 lation iu which he stood to his troop. He was not igno:. 
 also, of the scorn which Morton felt for Stockton, and the hate, 
 more deadly because secret, with which the other requited it. 
 He could readily conceive, at the same time, that Stockton s in- 
 tere.-t would lie in the death of his captain ; and, putting all 
 these tilings together in his mind, he determined to k- ep his < 
 open, and watchful of every movement of the parties. 
 
 " Kawdon will take them with him to Ninety-Six," he mut 
 tered, as he came to this conclusion. 
 
 " I will persuade him to do so, at least, and the chances are 
 fair that they will get themselves knocked on the head 1 
 the siege is over. Hut, whether they do or not, we, shall gain 
 time ; and if Morton s hurts are curable, we shall know it bei-iiv. 
 they get back, and provide accordingly. Hut one thing imr 
 cared lor. Uawdon must not know Morton in the house of Flora 
 Middlcton. That would spoil all. 1 must speak with him h, 
 the body arrives. He must leave the matter to me." 
 
 "Whatever may have been the tie that attached "Watson Gray 
 fc " *l-c chief of the Hlack Ixiders, his course was evidently that -f 
 a truf- and shrewdly thinking friend. lie had no sooner deter 
 mined what was proper for him to do, than he hurried ahead of 
 tlu> . n, and made his ai in the spacious hall of 
 
 the mansion several minutes b< -1 -,re it could possibly anivc. 11 ,.- 
 \op!*J p was in the parlor with the ladies, but (li.i\ km-v 
 
24S 
 
 t" be - a snffi- 
 
 % illptioii. 
 
 !ii|i that W.v old speak with 
 
 <T some importai id to an 
 
 who know the estimation in which the 
 was held, ami at once disappeared to do his hidding. 
 
 CII A PTEB XXII. 
 
 \KKi:i:\< K WITH THi: K.NK.MV. 
 
 LHI:I> R.\wiio\ appears in the history of the war in the south- 
 
 ; tin sternest leaders of tin- time : 
 I H wallis. and without 
 
 of thoM- imnnNcs of a lu-ttcr temper which have -ri-iuvd f,, : 
 
 . :!:i-nc;in cnjitains, tin- doiihtfully dc- 
 
 "f the "tmi Kawdon left liiin- 
 
 ;er to the lurking . the nl.vious llatte; 
 
 an ejiitl. iseijilinc , : his 
 
 -hi and inflexihlr ; and he n ded the 
 
 whom he had the fortune to eonijurr, as something 
 
 which, like the spoil he won. he n-i-lit <-;i>ily disji-iv,. of accord- 
 
 to the mood which ^ovenied him at the moment, nnd not 
 
 r tlie dii(c:ion of any fixed principles or written laws. I! - 
 
 mn / i and specious, are Oil hut these do not 
 
 - TimiiH-nt ; and w mu-t admit that the kin^ 
 
 ive in all the Revolution 
 to his dutir- .lute in their 
 
 funi. ; "ii had also the merit of 1. : : tle- 
 
 inan ; a haid, cold, ii.; ; too f. d hlooil, 
 
 and - < ri^ht time and in the riirht 
 
 place . n d unpliant in his feeling hut 
 
 still a gentleman : a tjualill his crimes of per! 
 
 . . Inch he posseted in common 
 
 with !!: tiie nsany with whom ho CO-OpPrated du 
 
 rimr hi- r:.ircr in the Mujthern count: 
 
241 -nil 
 
 Well acquainted with tlu character of the Middleton family 
 it liad been, .is we Lave already elsewhere intimated, the policy 
 of this commander, as well as of liim by whom he had been pro- 
 
 !, to treat tin? inmates of the barony with all indul-. 
 Their popularity with the surrounding country, which it w,-. 
 sirahh- tn ci iu-iliate, was a sufficient reason lor an indulgent-. 
 which, in tiie reckless career of the invaders, they had not l>een 
 disposed to extend to many; and the time was fast approaching 
 when, in the declining power of their arms, their desperation led 
 them to withdraw even this degree of favor, in the vain hope to 
 coerce the patriotism which they found it impossible to persuade 
 or seduce. 
 
 Already had the tone of British superiority been lowered. 
 They could no longer maintain themselves in their strongholds; 
 and, evacuating Oamden under the accumulating p> if the 
 
 American forces, Kawdon was even now on his way to Xinety- 
 Six, to piotraet the hour of its downfall. This was the last st] 
 hold left them in the. interior, and to delay, not to battle it 
 sailants, in the work of conque>t, was now the only hope of the 
 British commander. The political aspects of the time were all 
 unfavorable to British ascendency; and the temper of his lord- 
 ship underwent a corresponding change with his changing for 
 tunes. This could be seen by the Middletonfl the moment when 
 he announced himself their guest, with the air and manner of 
 one who feels all the changes in his own fortunes, and readily 
 divines the effect of such change upon his reluctant host. He 
 I, though he did not say : 
 
 "I know that you receive me with reluctance that my 
 presence is hateful to you nay, that you perceive and exult in 
 my approaching overthrow but I still have the power to com 
 pel your respect, and I may yet awaken your fears. You shall 
 receive me, and seem glad to do so." 
 
 But the suspicious mood of Rawdon became quieted when, in 
 tlie gentle and easy deportment of the ladies, he failed to behold 
 the exulting expression "f those sentiments which he fancied 
 might fill their bosoms. They were, superior to tlfot vulgar sen 
 timent of triumph which shows itself in the ill-disgniaed grin, or 
 in the reserved and chilling demeanor. A quiet dignity and a 
 
I! WIMi MY. 
 
 ,ent iii the conduct <{ hoth, ii-, receiving 
 i chief: and this, in t!:< >r of the two ladies, W19 
 
 :!ed with some little tremulou-ne-s the result >f her eon- 
 
 what ha.! place hetween In 
 
 and Conway which Uawdon was not unwilling to 
 
 Mtion which his own pi mofli naturally 
 
 produce ujon a very VMiithful miml. 
 
 This notion pleased liis Belf-COmplacency, nml made tlic work 
 
 taBy to the ladies; hut they could still j.er. 
 that they had assumed, as enemies, in the recent sue* 
 thrir countrymen, an increased importance in his . -\ -. which 
 ;-l prohahly increased their dangers; 
 i ml this difference in a more, 
 (lirect and decitled mai 
 
 :t the time the hane of the country, though the h!- 
 of tbe ] the CTowninir dish of the evening repast ; and 
 
 : odiiy, though employed simply in coiniilinii-nt to tho 
 ion an opportunity to .say something on the 
 suhject of their loyalty, as he sat down the rich howl of ^old- 
 rimmed Chin Inch, in that day of a luxury far : 
 
 than ours, though of far ;d ostentation, the 
 
 drunk. 
 
 "1 patriotism so I think 
 
 :!iis flinging away your kinr and country takes conn- 
 
 f gii.nl taste, and does not allow you to iling awav y.mr 
 
 . It would have heen a serious trial of faith to 
 
 your sex to have given up the celestial liquor for more than a 
 
 n<wered smartly, with no small portion of that 
 Hpint which the.: distinguished the dames of Carolina. 
 
 ID n. -t arcrpt yur compliment to .,ur tastes, mv l,.rd, at 
 t " 1 "four patri -tiM,). Yu perceive that while, your 
 
 l-.rdship drinks tea, we c..nline ourselves to such leverage onlv 
 ;r milch cattle yield us. Sometimes we rep-ile iturselves OD 
 Indian te;i, which , : hut this onlv 
 
 when our milk fails us, which is no unfrefjuciit event, since the 
 i> t ound th. ur neighhoi hood." 
 
 the. :dy another evil 
 
246 THE SCOUT. 
 
 of your patriotism. But surely the whole burden of this coin- 
 plaint should not fall upon the Black Riders. There have 
 sueh Rulers as l i>ll..\v Fee and Suinter in this neighborhood 
 lately; of whom report speaks not more favorably; and who 
 prohahly love milch cattle (juite as well as anybody else, Nay, 
 rny lair young mistress," addressing himself to Flora, "there is 
 another Rider, black enough in my eyes, but, perhaps, anything 
 butbhrk in yours. Ha! you can guess who 1 mean by this 
 description; and I will not name him for your sake ; but let 
 me catch him !" and he, raised a threatening finger, while a 
 half smile rested upon his lips. Flora could not altogether 
 suppress the blush which found its way to her cheeks, and was 
 as little able to control the irony that rose at the same time to 
 her lips. 
 
 " Ah, my lord, yon are too severe 141011 our poor sex ; but 
 
 She paused, and the color heightened upon her cheeks. 
 
 " But what ?" he asked, seeing her hesitate. 
 
 " But what if he. catches you, my lord ?" 
 
 "Flora, Flora !" said the grandmother, with a look and voice 
 of warning. A momentary gravity overspiead the fac> 
 Rawdon, and his severe features, under the dark shade, of his 
 lowering brows, almost startled Flora with a sentiment of ap 
 prehension for her own imprudence; but the good sen so and 
 breeding of his lordship came to her relief as well as his o\vn. 
 
 " Ah, my fair foe," he said with a smile of good nature. 
 incorrigible still dangerous. The, tongues of your Carolina 
 ladies inflict deeper wounds than the swords of your heroes." 
 
 " I would you could think so, my lord." 
 
 " Why, they do," he answered, "they do." 
 
 "Nay, my lord, I will- not contradict you, and yet I am try 
 ing to persuade myself that you will think otherwise before 
 you come back from Ninety-Six. " 
 
 "And do you find the task of self-persuasion diilicult ? J 
 should think not ; and least, you lio^c I will come back /" 
 
 "Yes, my lord, I hope, so in safety; but with such opinions 
 as will make you think better of our soldiers, and, in this reason, 
 find a much farther journey necessary. 1 
 
 "What, to Charleston, eh ? a forced march back?" 
 
i: WITH mi: KNKMY. 247 
 
 :d, my l.inl ; at that di.-tai.ce thflre 
 
 will diall 
 
 tlu-ii resume our t. 
 
 " Iiiit without the duties?" ho said hiu^liinu. 
 44 Not altogether, my lord. I. tor one, he! all the disposition 
 to In* the dutiful friend it you plea>e the dutiful child .f 
 ..Mid; hut not the subject, not the sla\ e ! Her victim, 
 rather !" 
 
 \h. my fair Flora, we wish no sacrifice: none of i/ni/, at 
 all drai: no damsel to the altar, unless it l.e to one 
 of her o\\n choosing. Hut, in return for this ^harp speech of 
 yonr>. fair lady, suffer me to know when Colonel Conwav 
 
 la>t ; h..w Imiir since he has taken his departure, and where 
 I may expect to find him ?" 
 
 " He ii. i> 1 ren here, my lord, I frankly tell von, hut when lie 
 
 l. ft I will not say. V .u will find him " 
 
 - hesitated as if in meditation, while her larire lirillia.it 
 shone without a cloud upon her auditor, and her form 
 i-l to dilate in more than feminine majeMv as she rose to 
 the room : 
 
 Middleton," said his lordship, " yon have not told 
 
 : t-i find Colonel Conway." 
 Her an.-wer was iniMediate. with flashin- :.d (earless 
 
 " You may expect to find him, my h.rd. wherever an amhu^h 
 can he laid; whenever a hold soldier may fancy that his swnnl 
 an maki- an rui-iny feel ; ..r a L:ood hlow can he struck lor the 
 
 " Humph!" exclaimed Kawdon, gravely, though with -ut di.; 
 FlOM left tin- room. " FotU ,u-liter. .M i - 
 
 M ul . . .,-/ 
 
 " She is yoni .. tie, |,ut ;! 
 
 she b]H>ak.s thus. I m sure she i> (juite a> unliajipv at tl. 
 : 11-. \\ e all wi>h it well over." 
 
 hiii^- for the ri^ht side. I ,, 
 
 r, madam, ii umpl; to\vi>h our kinj: hi- 
 
 Tint in.w, that yo,, r daiiirht. .\\n.lrt IDC 
 
 Mrs. Middleton. of ],, ,-,,yai f.r> melf and family " 
 
248 THE SCOUT. 
 
 * ; To me, my lord; to my family!" was the reply of the 
 \enerable lady, with some appearance of astonishment. 
 
 Yes, madam, in the immunity you have so long enjoyed 
 when it has been well known to his majesty s commanders in 
 the South, that your own and the sentiments of your grand 
 daughter your opinions and wishes are all unfavorable to 
 his authority." 
 
 il Am I to understand, my lord, that his majesty s officers are 
 instructed to wage war against the opinions of the women as 
 well as the swords of the men of Carolina?" 
 
 "No, madam, far from it; but those opinions sharpen those 
 swords " 
 
 " 1 am proud, my lord, to think, and hear you acknowledge 
 that such is the case !" 
 
 " I had not thought, madam, to have hearkened to this lan 
 guage from your lips. The protection you have enjoyed 
 your immunities from the confiscation which has usually followed 
 disloyalty should, I think, have prompted a degree of grati 
 tude for his majesty s government, which would have saved his 
 representative from such an answer." 
 
 "You mistake, my lord, in some important particulars. My 
 immunities are not due to his majesty s government. If thev 
 are to be spoken of as due anywhere, they must be ascribed to 
 that sense, of manliness in the soldiers of both sides in this 
 bloody warfare, all of whom, it seems to me, would have blushed 
 the color of your scarlet, my lord, at doing hurt to two lone 
 women in the wilderm 
 
 Kawdon did blush with vexation at the retort, a.- he answered 
 it with a strong effort at gentlemanly composure. 
 
 i have snrelv mistaken me. Mrs. MiddletOD. Mv purpose 
 
 was simply to intimate that his majesty s officers have been at 
 
 6 pains, more than is customary in a country which has been 
 
 mpletely covered with contending armies, to preserve from 
 
 detriment and hurt your possessions and interests." 
 
 " I confess, my lord, the amount of what you now say 
 to me to differ little from what was said before. You have for 
 borne to sei/e my own and my child s property, though we havo 
 been bold enough to think that you had no right to seize it; and 
 
M.MY. 
 
 for this \ on demand mir gratitude. Mv lord, I underMand, 
 though you have m-t .spoken, tin- real purpo M which you 
 unwilling to declare. 1 ran very well comprehend tin- diili- 
 culiies under which his maj< . I know 
 
 that their MI;>; .y where cut oJV; and that they 
 
 t" what arc eallea forced loans to enalile them to prosecute 
 
 the \\ar." 
 
 You are well informed, I perceive, madam. Am I to undei- 
 stand that the relnd Siunter has heen recently your 
 
 Within ten days, my lord ; and my opin; _ Mieh as 
 
 they are, I placed in his hands, for the use of my country, the 
 entire plate of the Middleton barony, and every jewel of value 
 whicli belonged to myself and child. The ::s which 
 
 d our board to-night, and the howl in which our children 
 have been baptised from immemorial time, are all that \ 
 kept back from the free gift which my feelings made to my 
 friends. These, my lord " 
 
 "Of these, madam, the cause of my king does not make it 
 thai 1 -hould deprive you," replied Ilawdon, with a 
 
 ltd dignity which left nothing to be complained of. " \ 
 plate would have lu-en important to u>. Mrs. Middleton; ami 
 
 will do us the justice to believe that, knowing as we did its 
 
 intrinsic value, we did not make this requisition until the 
 
 iioiir, and then only in obedience to : I which none 
 
 but . madam, though 1 
 
 . .hat disappointed, it is a pain spared me, which I would 
 
 felt, in depriving you of this family treasure. N..r can I 
 
 :tr >..eial attachments with that 
 
 yielded it to the hands of those \\-ho will make use of 
 
 dust me. I muM i an without it. Let me 
 
 not lo.-i- your etteem, my deal madam, 1 
 
 lion, which you will a! , bidieve was not 
 
 h H jiainiul than unavoidai I 
 The 
 
 and the venerable old lad\ \\ i;h a kind 
 
 . 
 
 1 old woman!" >aid his lo:d>hip, during thb 
 Iriei interval in which he 
 
^50 TIIK SCOUT. 
 
 monstrous subsidy to Greene, which will keep him on his legs a 
 while, and perhaps trip ours; and yet 1 can not be angry with 
 her. The stock is a good one; one would almost wish a inothei 
 or a daughter of such a nohle heart and so fearless a temper 
 Ah, (Jray, I ve been locking for you. When did you get ovei 
 from the Wateree ?" 
 
 " I left there yesterday morning. I rode all night, and had 
 to make more than two turns between the Hills and the Conga- 
 ree, to get out of the way of Marion s men, who seem to me to 
 be thicker than ever. Your lordship s for Ninety-Six?" 
 
 3; can you tell me anything about it ? These rascally 
 horse of Lee and Conway have, I fear, cut off all my messeiu 
 to Cruger, as they certainly have cut off everything, hi the shape 
 of intelligence, from me." 
 
 11 Ninety-Six is dreadful hard pressed, your lordship ; that s all 
 I know, and that was my knowledge three days ago." 
 
 " 1 fear I shall be too late," said llawdon. "But you wished 
 to see me on other business. What is it ?" 
 
 " Does your lordship know that Colonel Conway, with all his 
 troop, has been here within the last hour? Your coming scared 
 him from his roost." 
 
 " Indeed, so lately !" said his lordship. " Then he can not 
 D now be far. We must send Major Banks after him ;" 
 and his lordship was about to summon a messenger. 
 
 "If 1 might venture to counsel your lordship, you will d; 
 nothing to-night. It will be only to send your detachment inte 
 an ambush. This is what Conway expects, and what he will 
 prepare for." 
 
 " Hut we can not suffer him to lie or loiter about our cne.-iinp- 
 ment ; we must brush him off at the risk of a sting." 
 
 .your lordship; but a double guard and extra videttes 
 will M-rve all necessary purposes, and, with the dawn. Major 
 Hanks can he, in moti-m. Now, however, Conway is in p. 
 
 ..f bis own ground, all of which he knows, while Maj.-r 
 Hanks will be moving to danger with a blind across his < 
 
 "You are right ; an 1 what has Conway been doing here, and 
 where is his brother- our desperado of the (Jongaree ?" 
 
- 1 
 
 " II.. then . " 
 
 V.-ii will see bim shbrjly, my ! in had . 
 
 .Mul they have blOOghl 
 
 : in afraid. There has heen 
 them, ami the captain is very much hurt. It 
 ; ul if he ever gets over it." 
 
 . 1 ha> goefl he scot 
 
 iihl think not, however; for, know 
 iiiin, aini liow man j 
 
 . :llin him, ho wouhl run all ri>ks of his own life to make 
 : the other. Hi> condition makes me think that the 
 it his hurts can n; 
 
 "II . ymi thi-. 
 
 -ally fellow, Kmni-ter. utln -ujt- 
 
 : ( "lonel CniLTer s hlack 
 : The culonel o 
 
 , 1 I thou^lit I hail him 
 a Tartar. Ji 
 
 ,11 feel in all my 1 
 month : 
 
 ;i}ition of the \\hich his 
 
 -hip s niUM les relaxed intiniteK .-.1 to 
 
 tails which led him to the snhje 
 < )n ill-- beat) i: \\ 
 : 
 
 MI. 
 
 "tild ]" .in from ; : 
 
 \ IP . .small f;i 
 
 with the ! . e i 
 
 with 
 
THE SCOD1. 
 
 ton, herself, will, I think, see to that, if on the score of his c m- 
 nections only. I will provide the guard fur Captain .Morton, and 
 you can take with you his troop, which is under the command 
 of Lieutenant Stockton, a lirave man and a good oilicer. They 
 are pretty strong, and the greatest daredevils under the sir.. 
 You ll get good service out of them, and wiJl need then; 
 my lord, if, as I suspect, you are somewhat short of cavalrv." 
 
 " You think rightly, Gray ; and your plans are good. 1 will 
 leave a surgeon s assistant with Morton, which is all that 1 can 
 do ; but my own surgeon will see to his hurts before he goes." 
 
 "Your lordship will be so good as to remember that Captain 
 Morton is no more than Mr. Con way here." 
 
 " Ay, ay ; but what noise is that below ?" 
 
 " The captain s body, I reckon. Will your lordship look at 
 him ?" 
 
 "Is he sensible conscious?" 
 
 " I think not yet, my lord. He was in a swoon when 1 left 
 him, in consequence of loss of blood." 
 
 " It will not need then. I will send Mr. Coppinger to exam 
 ine his hurts, and as I am to know nothing about him, you must 
 take your own course to get him domiciled among the ladies." 
 
 " That is easily done, your lordship," said Gray, retiring ; " I 
 have your lordship s permission to make the necessary arrange 
 ments." 
 
 " You have ; send me Lieutenant Farrington, who waits with 
 out," said Rawdon, as the other left the room. 
 
 It scarcely need be said that the wily Gray succeeded in all 
 his present purposes. His opinions were e.stri-n.rd to IK- suili- 
 cioaitly sound, by his lordship, to be followed implicitly. Lieu 
 tenant Stockton was relieved from the care of his captain, and 
 ordered to place himself, with his whole, tp.mj,. under the, com 
 inand of Major Hanks, of the British cavalry ; and the bare inti 
 mation of Edward Conway s situation, to the ladies of the bar 
 ony, secured f<>r the wounded man one, oi the, most comfortable 
 chambers in the mansion. \or did \Yat.son Gray neglect the 
 forlorn and outcast damsel whom .John Bannister had commended 
 to his care. An adjoining apartment was readily procured for 
 her in the same spacious dwelling, and the surgeon s aid wa* 
 
\ KIDNIGH1 H80MHL 
 
 : < i- tlu- p,,,.;- \ii-tiin ;i been bestowed 
 
 layer. \Ve leave Edward (V>nway in the 
 6 with Flora Middlcton hut as j -t u terly nnomsi-ions -f 
 aii-i near neighborhn ml-- while we jniiMie tho 
 taken by his l>n>tli<T. 
 
 < II A PTBB XXIII. 
 
 A .MIl>M<;HT ATTACK A PRISON KK. 
 
 CI.AUI AM; CONWAY was not far distant from the Hritibh 
 
 , ami was soon found by John liannister, after the 1 
 had taken his leave cf Watson (I ray. The partisan had already 
 reached hi* troop, and got it in partial readiness for immediate 
 FCC wa> little more than that of a captain s 
 _ : I ^hty-tive men all told ; hut. i\ 
 
 lion, his rejrinu iit mi- ht he made complete. Such lin-tn- 
 atio;. -Mstant in the American army; and were inevitably 
 
 juriit to the miserable sy>te>a then prevalent in regard to 
 militia st-rvice. .Maiion s brigade has been knwn I 
 from eighty to ciirht hundred men; n.r was this dillerence, in 
 ely any ease, the. re.Milt of disa>ter. The volunteers came 
 and \vent. ;(. nlin^ t o circum>tance> ot nmiv r l( 
 and rometimo as it suited their inclination^. 
 
 iming laxi 
 
 ell becau-e of the picture of a far sii] 
 
 a> in the exhausted condition of the country of ( arolina ; \s ! 
 nearly t\\> \ - ,ny kind had ! 
 
 planted; and it ! Bit to im ji..>-.ilh- to tind food and 
 
 .c body of men and hoi>e. for any on. 
 
 time to-rther. i \ ice was of a sort, also, to render small 
 
 bodi ,-t ul than jrrnnd an 
 
 to be p. .Jit i roin 
 
 such detachm the \ery la.st importam 
 
 riling to the i I uf the ber\ke, VfM in half 
 
TIIK Scut/I. 
 
 a dozen hands; SuniU i had a portion of it at this very uv : 
 en the Santeo ; Marion on the IVdee ; while Greene exerc 
 .he remaining divi.si.-ns as Conway, employed the. small b<x 
 hrs immediate command in cutting on" supplies, ii:i 
 messengers, overawing the disaffected, and hanging upon 
 skirts of the enemy wliile they marched, as in the case of Ua\v 
 don s army, at this very time, in a body too large for any more 
 bold procedure. 
 
 Bannister found his leader well prepared for movement, and 
 anxiously awaiting him. The former told his story in a feu- 
 words, not entirely omitting the ludicrous pai . liich had 
 taken place between himself and Gray. As the connection 
 between this latter person and Edward Morton was very well 
 known to Clarence, the mind of the latter was rendered rather 
 more easy on the subject of his brother, lie knew that Morton 
 was of sufficient importance to the British army, to make hi* 
 restoration the particular charge of Rawdon ; but his satisfac 
 tion on this subject was somewhat qualified when he remem 
 bered that the patient would, necessarily, become, an occupant 
 of the same dwelling with Flora Middleton. His anxi, 
 such as are natural enough to the lover, who, in such cases, will 
 always be apt to fancv and to fear a thousand evil influences. 
 lie had no doubts of the firmness and fidelity of Flora ; but, 
 knowing the evil connections of Morton, he dreaded lest the 
 latter should find some means to abuse the hospitality which he 
 well knew would be accorded him. These thoughts 
 troublesome enough to render activity desirable by way of 
 relief; and after a brief space given to consultation with his 
 favorite scout, and little, private meditation, he determined to 
 beat up the quarters of Rawdon before morning. 
 
 It was midnight when Bannister began to be.stir himse . 
 his comrades for this purpo.se. The troop had been sutl ered to 
 snatch a few hours of rep<. S e on the : a little I 
 
 stretched itself nearlv to the river bank on one hand, and to 
 the main road of the country on the other; in such a position 
 
 curity, and under Mich .i^ood watch, that no appivhen 
 could be excited for their safety. A dense thicket covered their 
 front; beyond, and lying between the Miickct and the barony, 
 
A MIIN!i;ilT \ 1 
 
 
 >wth heing kept d 
 
 . still hai-hanm-sly coi. tinned in tin- smith, 
 - annually m the opemiig "f the spring. Tlii 
 .-.1 liy the s. nuts of Conway, who saw tlio 
 ::eed videtto <.f tin British, without snflerhr. 
 
 ,i, and gradually receded as the latter continued t ap- 
 h ; still, h..v,. ;.:ng a keen eye upon the st.v 
 
 \ rrally aunied. 
 ( Mi thr CCaaion, following the - 
 
 nl Ivawdon had doiihleil his >entriev, and increased the 
 ! nunihrr of v uh-ttes. Ili> ni>t was well guarded, tlnni.Lrh 
 imtl : have Keen more idle than the fear, that a : 
 
 such as he r..i<unanded could he st-eurely annoyed hy any of the 
 roving S(|iiadv >,\ i rse which the Aniericans had 
 ahout the countrv. P>ui, at this time, the timidity nf the British 
 im-reaM-d hourly in dr.. with the inciea^ed audacity ! 
 
 bant. There was too much at stake t-> sr.iVer any 
 liritish command .-r to ,in:t any of the usual safeguards of an 
 army; and their plans and performances, from this period, sh..w 
 a (h scrujiulous caution, which at certain jieri i 
 
 : them in their situation -- may, with 
 iisidered imherility. To ila>h 1 or a nioinei,: 
 the c;;mj) of the liritish, and cany otV a ^r>up of caj.- 
 
 :ho i.nlinary ; ilieiiovrl c.tntidence which tin- 
 
 had acquired ,.f their own pmwess, during th- 
 
 was not the man to do anything rashly at 
 ! ;ution w. the British, pru- 
 
 liMi." W*B a! : i virtue, at this particular juncture, with 
 
 th,. , irward, he determined 
 
 amp hin: with 
 
 tw. irenl f i ward for 
 :,way pursued the 
 ^t in front, w 1 
 j ar.-.llel ; mail, whic 1 
 
 -ut two hours, and. 
 
 luii t e!) -i:uh iu the camps 
 
 At ; 
 
250 TI IK SCOUT. 
 
 report enabled then: in determine upon the course which the, 
 were to take. 
 
 They had satisfied themselves of the true position of t:.j 
 British army, and discovered, that while the sentries u 
 doubled on the path to which it was advancing, tliey had not 
 conceived it necessary to place more than an ordinary watch on 
 that which they had passed over during the dav. By making 
 a small circuit of a mile and a half along a negro footpath, 
 which carried them through a swamp on the right, Conwav 
 lound that he could get into the British rear, and probably u>e 
 the sabre to advantage on the edge of the encampment. This 
 was to be done with the main body of the troop, while a feint 
 was to be made with the residue along the better guarded 
 British line in front. 
 
 It was near two o clock in the morning when the prepara- 
 tii.ns of the partisans were completed ; and John Bannister bad 
 already gathered together the division which had been assigned 
 him, when his sleeve was plucked by a soldier whose person he 
 could not distinguish in the shadows where they stood. This 
 person called him aside for a moment, and Bannister then dis 
 covered him to be the father of poor Mary Clarkson. This 
 man was a sullen, dark, solitary, but unsubdued spirit who 
 said nothing, felt nothing, asked for nothing, complained of 
 nothing, and had but one desire in the world. John Bani: 
 had missed sight of Clarkson for some time till now; and, per 
 haps bad rather avoided him since his return from the B< 
 in which his unlucky arm inflicted the unintentional injury upon 
 his unhappy dan-liter. Jle now shrunk to look upon the miser 
 able old man ; and when he spoke, to him, it was with a feeling 
 of compunctious sorrow, almost as great ax he would have felt 
 had h,\ himself inflicted upon the unhappy lather the vital injury 
 which was due to Edward Morton only. 
 
 : ha n t spoke to me about going with you, Jack Bannis 
 ter, said Clarkson, with some irritation in his tones; but 1 m 
 going with you jest the same." 
 
 , Jake, you re to keep with Lieutenant Peyton s party, 
 that s to make a i eint here in front. He ll call you up, the 
 moment we set off." 
 
\ M I DM i 111 ATTACK. * PR] 
 
 "I .It. n t stay with him, .lack: I n " ith you 
 
 I." said the man, doggedly. 
 .: \\liy. .Jake. why W -n t yon stay ?" 
 
 ;oing to strike at the camp, ain t you? You ll ride 
 the lummy, perhaps . " 
 
 Q S i, there s no telliu yet." 
 
 That s why 1 want to go with yon or tin; colonel." 
 \\Y11 now .lake, I ll mueh rather you d May with t! 
 
 lit." 
 
 It - .If." *aid Clarkaon, obstinately, k yon, 
 
 Jack I annistcr, I ilon t take it as friendly, that you didn t tell 
 tell me that Ned Conway was at the barony." 
 
 do you know? who told y>u . " demanded the. wood 
 man in some astonishment. 
 
 yon mind. I know that yon saw him there ; and 
 wha; 1 know that the colonel fou t with him, and s hurt 
 
 liini mightily. Hut 1 know he s not got wh li him; 
 
 and I ll g<> win-re there s any chance to do it." 
 
 "Lo; We ll not g.-t nigher to the 
 
 camp than the outposts, and if we can carry <-iV a tew ..utskairt- 
 
 :1 we look for. Xed (Jonway is at t! . kon, 
 
 Biiug in his hed, with more than a thousand men close round 
 
 him. . no chance for yon to reach him." 
 
 44 i reckon 1 can work through all of them, John Hanjii- 
 
 ^ what * my IniMiiess. I must TM with y..u m- the C"lmel, 
 no n 
 
 i>ter knew his man knew Imw idle was everything like 
 filiation ; and though he also well knew that such a d. 
 iniiiatii-n as ( Mark- idy likely to in.Mire his 1 
 
 knocked on the head sooner than any of th< that 
 
 \\as only a chance < f war among military philosopher^ he h-t 
 him have his own vay,anl ijuietly enn.lled him with the n 
 
 It would have heen a study for the painter to have >een the 
 
 . 1 man reload hi- rii!-. pick the (nuchlnde. put in . 
 pi-inu ng. and turn the hullet in lie wrapped, it in 
 
 i .dd of lnu-k.skiu of wh udi . 
 
 . 1 frlh. w !" n, tO hiniM-lf as : 
 
 operations, I m thinking he 
 
*2o8 THK SCOUT. 
 
 time lie chooses a bullet; I m sure lie does whenever he s 
 grinding his knife." 
 
 It was with some reluctance that Clarkson was persuaded ro 
 gird a sabre at his side. The instrument was new to his hand, 
 hut he clutched it with sufficient familiarity when Bannister to] 1 
 him it was heavy and sharp enough to cleave a man throng/ 1 
 from his -boulder to his thigh. 
 
 All heing now in readiness , Conway gave instructions to Lieu 
 tenant Peyton to make no movement on the front, until suili- 
 cient time had been allowed him for getting into the rear of the 
 encampment; and then to give the alarm, and heat up the 
 my s quarters, with all the clamor he could command. By two 
 and two, he led his troops forward, each man on foot and guiding 
 his steed with shortened rein, until they had passed the narrow 
 open neck of high land on which the public road ran, and which 
 separated the one bay, which he had lately occupied, from another 
 to which he now bent his steps. A British vidette was stationed 
 not more than a hundred yards from the point of passage, and 
 great indeed were the anxieties of Clarence and of all, "until the 
 horses ceased to traverse the highland,, and entered upon the 
 mucky unresounding footing of the swamp. 
 
 But they t- scaped without notice. The British sentinel was 
 in his drowsiest mood drunk perhaps and suffered the pas 
 to be effected without alarm. Die last t\vo file* \\vru 
 now entirely beyond his hearing, and Conway, throwing oil the 
 difficult restraint which his impatience felt as a curb and bit, 
 gave orders to his followers to mount and follow him at as >wilt 
 a pace as possible, through the negro trail which they now trav- 
 !. Then, a silence as awful as that of the grave desrende.i 
 upon the forest which he had left, and prevailed over the u g 
 for a space of nearly two hours more; when Lieutenant Peyt"i, 
 prepared to make the feint which was to divert the attention of 
 the British camp from the, point which was more certninly 
 threatened. With twenty men, judiciously scattered alon- the 
 front, so as to present an object i.f eijual alarm to the whole line 
 of the enemy s si-nti ie>, he slowly advanced, ami having thai 
 vantage which arise* from a perfect knowledge of his ground, bin 
 approach remained unseen and unsuspected unt l it was almost 
 
A MIDMi.il , 
 
 bullet In-! to tell iijiiui its separate \irtim. 
 
 prevailed over that vast hive 
 
 of human hearts which was then heating within the immediate 
 
 i,e harony. Sleep had : . the great lody >f 
 
 :. mates. KxhauMion had done its work T .1 marches 
 
 . stimulated as they had hcen hy the fear of 
 
 of his government, tugi-thei 
 
 uith its hrave and numerous garrison, had severely te-ted the 
 
 -pirit of his troops, and deep was the let) 
 
 to whom the privilege of sleep had heeii accorded. 
 
 -e to whom >leep had heen exp. :iied, in a 
 
 . of much more ahility and consciousness. The -enti- 
 
 . though .-trictly cautioned, had suli ered th- per- 
 
 ed that there could he no danger in a region in which they 
 
 well knew th< 00 enemy imhodied in sutVicient 1 orce to 
 
 mak ared l.y their own ; and if they had not formally 
 
 d them.selve.s up to .-deep u]on their places of watch, they 
 
 U elVort to 9K grateful influei 
 
 and were im I w.mld have heen in a time 
 
 of danger. Throughout the aveinie. and ranged along the 
 
 of the park which lay heside it, two thousand men, in 
 
 ,y upon their arms, in happy slumher, uncovered to the 
 
 hile. in the silvery glances of the 
 
 .light, \s!. i.tly from his >teel cap and pol- 
 
 . the drowsy sentinel performed his weary round 
 uh; or, leaning in half consciousness only, against the 
 ancient oak, yielded himself, in ininen- 
 to dream of t 1 i>!and or the heat; 
 
 .ml.- "f li MI home. 
 
 In tii,- .uan^ion \vher. wdon had taken uj his ai 
 
 led, hut not the same degree of apathy. 
 
 < ring forms, were wakeful i: 
 Kawdon him : hut, in the apartment 
 
 asoig : the lilai :. : " (} ray was an 
 
 : and dressed the 
 
 woumU ot thf I lined to 
 
 Conwayha.l losl much blood, and this, Gray 
 
2GO THE SCOUT. 
 
 very well knew, was rather favorable than otherwise to his condition. 
 The patient lay, not sl.-eping. perhaps, Lut \\ith his eye- closed and 
 hi- 1 :.inirly unobservant. An occasional groan reaped him. 
 
 a< if unconsciously. Exhaustion, rather than repose, was signified 
 by his quiescence. 
 
 In another part of the house lay his sutt ering victim. The mind 
 
 of Mary Clarkson wandered in all the misdirected lieat of delirium. 
 
 iiie result equally of mental and physical pain. By her side -at 
 Flora Middleton. The sex of the poor victim had been made kno\\ n 
 to the mistress of the mansion, through the medium of the servants. 
 by the timely management of Watson (iray: hut that wily associate 
 of the outlaw chief, had not omitted the opportunity which it af 
 forded him of turning the event to favorable account in behalf of the 
 man he served so faithfully. 
 
 It s a poor girl," he said to the servant to whom his information 
 was intrusted, "that followed Colonel Conway from the Congarec. 
 and when he and his brother fought by the vault, which they did 
 about your young mistress, the poor girl jumped between them to 
 save the colonel, and got her hurts that way. She is only dre>--ed in 
 boy s clothes that she mightn t be known among the troop." 
 
 The falsehood found its way to the ears for which it was intended: 
 and the proud heart of Flora Middleton COM in indignation AS she 
 heard it. 
 
 " But the wretched woman is yet a woman, and she s suiTeriiiL ," 
 
 the humane sentiment with which she silenced the communicat 
 ive iienro. " She is a woman, whatever may be her vices, and I will 
 
 If." 
 
 And \\ln-n she beheld her, she could no longer scorn the frail 
 victim of a misplace d affection and a reckless ]IM. 
 
 iaU d and wan, the miserable girl sang and gibbered 
 with all the unconcern of tin- confirmed maniac ; and prated at 
 intervals of the childish follies which are usually the prime >ou: 
 of pleasure to the child. She spoke of girli.xh wanls and -irlish 
 Hires, and ran on in a manner of inconsiderate merriment, 
 winch was of all things the most mournful and heart .sickening 
 to contemplate. But sh- >eemcd neither to see nor hear. It 
 onlv when the surgeon pressed his hand upon the wounded skull 
 
A Min.Mi.iri ATTACK \ PRISON BB. 261 
 
 that si. :i\v:iy into utter sjlem -. which was accompanied 
 
 b\ a vacant -laic upon ilic operator. io hideous in tlic deathlike 
 :ity which it exproM-d. U t> make Fl.ua shudder and 
 turn away with a ^-ickcnin^ horror that took from her all ti 
 
 to assjM. It was only when the Mir-reon had finished 
 the .. pcralioiis \\hich he deemed DeOCMtry, th.-: 1 ,ld re 
 
 sume strength t.. return to the hamher, and the patient then 
 lay in a condition of stup <r that secured her ertVctual silence for 
 the time. 
 
 Not a word now e.-eaped her lips; hut a choking >.>!> oeea- 
 siunally heaved her h-.s-mi as if with rwnvuNion; ;.nd amply d- 
 the "perilotU stutV" which lay thick and deadly about her 
 heart. Flora Middle!.. u .-at beside her. with one female t 
 in attendance, when all the rest had retired. Her personal 
 pnaence was not necessary, but she could not lleep on account 
 of the troublesome and liuiniliatin.ir fancies which pos-essed h<-r, 
 on the subject of the story which she had heard in iv-ard to 
 Clarence Conway. That .-he should have -uriendcred her best 
 atTections to one who could thus abu-e and degrade the warmest, 
 if not the luftiest !evotii)ii of her indeed, a subject of 
 
 humiliatini: consideration to a spirit -,, proud as hers; and it was 
 with a feelinir of relief that the sudden sharp shut ,,f th r M s- 
 sault, and the wild rin.irin.ir f the nddni-ht trumpet, while 
 it denoted the approach of unexpected conflict, disturbed tin- 
 train of painful thought into which her mind had unavoidably 
 fallen. 
 
 The tumult \\ithout was as wild and terrible as it had be. n 
 
 sudden. A moment of the deepest midni-ht stillness had been suc 
 ceeded by one of the fiercest uproar. F\eited. rather than alarm, d. 
 she hurried from the chamber, and encountered at the head of the 
 stairway the person of Lord Kawdon. \\lio WM join, d a m 
 after by Wtfaoa Ormy, Hi> l.,rd-l. : a smile, whidi 
 
 wasscarcely one of i:ood naiuie. o\ er-pread his count, 
 
 :ir reb.-l OOkNMl ll 1 M Middleton: he is a 
 
 bold fellow, but will pay for his ra-hn. - 
 
 " I told your lordship that you \\ould soon find him. but he is 
 I than I thou-ht him." \\ a s t] u - reply 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 of the maiden, who, at the moment, had forgotten everything thai 
 she had ever heard to her lover s disadvantage, and now glowed -with 
 all the natural pride of one who joyed in the courage of lu-r count ry- 
 inan. 
 
 " 1 trust that he will wait to receive my acknowledgments for his 
 early attentions;" was the answer of his lordship, uttered through hi* 
 closed teeth, as lie hurried down the steps. 
 
 But the wisli of his lordship was not gratified. The alarm 
 was not of long continuance, though, in the brief space of time 
 which it had occupied, it had been sharp in equal degree, and 
 the surprise of the camp had been made with as much success 
 as iis audacity deserved. The sentries had been hewn down at 
 their posts, one patrol entirely cut off, and a party of the assailants, 
 penetrating to the head of the avenue, had cut in pieces a half 
 score of Hessians before they had well started from their slumbers. 
 The whole affair had been the work of a few moments only, and 
 when the British were in condition to meet the invader, there 
 was no enemy to be found. They had dissipated with the llexibil- 
 ity of the atmosphere, in the obscure haze of which they com 
 pletely vanished from the eyes of the pursuing and vengeance-breath 
 ing soldiery. 
 
 In the lower hall of the mansion, Lord Rawdon received the 
 report of the officers of the night, to whom, it may be supposed. 
 his countenance was in no respect gracious. Naturally stern of 
 temper, the annoyance was calculated to increase its severity, 
 and add to the habitual harshness of his manner. He stood 
 the chimney place, as the several officers in commaiul 
 made their appearance, and his keen eyes examined them with 
 frowning expression from beneath the thick bushy brows, which were 
 now contracte.d into one overhanging roof, and almost concealed the 
 orbs in turn from the sight of those whom they surveyed. 
 Sharp, indeed, was the examination which followed, and bitter, 
 though brief, were the various comments which his lordship made on 
 the several event* of the evening as they were reported in his hear- 
 in-. 
 
 " Majoribanks," >aid he. "you were in charge of the camp 
 appointments for the night. You will make your full returns at 
 morning of the officers on duty; and let them report to you the 
 
imp 
 
 Mirer whom 1. 
 ! -r your lordship now," plaei- 
 
 ; In- killed 
 which arc found. It will IK cd an inspection of the 
 
 lit." 
 
 prompt and ready. I \\ I 
 of the nii;ht had known ell." And with th: 
 
 " Humph " 1: ho read " Can it 
 
 . .n ouiriuht; trood fdlou .;>on their 
 
 man; drunk, or 
 
 IK- memorandum i" lu < hand<. and. utterly nnahle 
 
 
 
 hew ami think pi 
 
 :inc will b for 
 
 hai n ill In- thoUL lit 
 ,,dl I mal - OOdud to our 
 
 of tlie hall ; l ; A ith do\\ : 
 
 lid not OD4 
 
 " 
 
 \\ ord-hip 
 
 Indeed - !> . <>h : this Jv 
 
 11 ni^ht, same 
 
THK srorr. 
 
 terms, "and his lordship laughed outright in very chagrin and 
 bitten, 
 
 " Ardour prisoner ;" continued Majoribanks. 
 
 " Ah: one prisoner ! Well, you hung him, did you . " 
 
 No, your lordship : we did not hang him ;" was the cold but 
 respectful answer of Majoribanks. " \Ve kne\v not that Mich a pro 
 eeeding would be cither proper or doirable." 
 
 Hawdon s eyes gleamed with a savage keenness of glance on the 
 speaker, a< he implied 
 
 " Ila ! you did not. eh . Well, let it be done instantly ! I will 
 answer for its propriety. (Jray." lie continued, turning to the scout. 
 who stood at the entrance, " see to it. You shall be our provost for 
 the occasion. Find out the nearest tree not in sight of the dwel 
 ling, mark me and let the rope be a good one. Let him be hung 
 with due propriety." 
 
 Majoribanks turned away to conceal his emotion, while Cray 
 replied 
 
 Mav it please your lordship, it might be advisable to examine 
 the person before hanging him. lie can probably give you 
 some valuable intelligence something, perhaps, about Ninety- 
 Six. - 
 
 "True, true ! it does please me. Bring him before u>. I will 
 examine him myself." 
 
 An oilieer disappeared, and a few moments only had elap-ed 
 when, conducted by a tile of soldiers, our old associate John Bannis 
 ter was placed before the British commander. 
 
A BBPBIJ . ALLOWS 
 
 en \i Ti:i; \\i\- 
 
 -NIK QALLOU & 
 
 -turdy boatman of tin < u a- in no ways daunted 
 
 when dragged into that imposing presence. (hi the contrary, 
 
 med to have risen in elevation and acquired new 
 
 in defiance of the cords which secured his arms, and 
 
 I itc of an evident halt in his walk, the consequence of some 
 
 injury which he had probably sustained in the melee which had 
 
 just taken place. An easy but not offensive smile was upon his 
 
 countenance as he entered, and though erect and manly, there 
 
 was nothing in-olrnt or ostentatious in his carriage. lie bowed 
 
 hU ln-ad regretfully, tir-t to his lordship and then to the sur 
 
 rounding ollieer-. and having advanced almost to the eniter of 
 
 loom. pau<"d in waitinir and without ;i word. Kawdon sur- 
 
 - .n with litllt- int-Tcsi, .-md was evi<lently annoyed l>y 
 
 the deliberation, and ron-riim- dignity of the woodman s 
 
 :iL r . 
 "Who an you. fellow . " he den anded. 
 
 yiMir lonUhip. I m a sort of 
 
 When I m in the woods, for Col. (\m\\:i\ ^ ri-iment; 
 but with my hand- hitrhed behind me. j,-t now, 1 don t feel as if I 
 
 :i!l\ liody. 
 
 : in-i-nilicanee i- more likely to ! 1 than 
 
 diminished, follow .; >: " ( 1 l U us what you know. Your 
 
 Where i- hi- ii" 
 
 " \\ell. your lord>hij>. if I ve li-htly larn-d my < ate< \i\^i\, he - 
 lookim: down upon u . 1 li>tenin - i: to .-V.T\ \\.rd that s 
 
 md wind. i ; , \\ don hastily, 
 
 !i - put hi- hand up >i\ hi- BWOfd, while hi- 
 turned to tin- windows of tin- apartment: " \\lio knows bu f 
 
TIIK 
 . 
 
 may have another vi-it fr->m Ihis auua? ions rebel. lie has had every 
 encouragement to come again." 
 
 A silent chuckle of the ited his satisfaction ;ii tl: 
 
 take into which lie had led his ca})tor, in consequence of hi-, pt euliar 
 inodfs of sp: ech and thinking. 
 
 What dors the fellow mean by this insolence : Speak, sirrah, 
 
 \ou to the halbir.K: " 
 
 And if your lordship did, I reckon I should speak pretty 
 much as I do now. Your lordship asked me when- my ma 
 is; ; >nd as 1 know no ma-ter but God Almighty, 1 wk.n 1 
 answered no more than rightly, when I said he was looking. 
 this very moment, down upon our proceeding. By the cateehis 
 I was always taught that, he was pretty much here, thar, and every 
 whar; a soil of scout for the whole univarse, that don t want for 
 anj sleep, and never made a fal<e count of the number sent out 
 
 gin him " 
 
 " Is the fellow mad . " demanded Kawdon, with impatience, inter 
 rupt in u - the woodnnn, who seemed very well disposed to expati- te 
 loniier ui)on this eMpious subject. " Who knows anythini: of this 
 fellow f" 
 
 "I do, your lordship," whispered Watson Gray, but in loues 
 that reached the ears of Bannister. "He s the same person thai I 
 told you of to-night he s the famous scout that Col. Cru.irer ottered 
 twenty guineas for, i or stealing Ins horse." 
 
 Th<- last words awakened all BannMer s indignation, which he 
 expressed without heeding the presence in which he stood. 
 
 "Look you, \Va1>on Gray," said he. " that s not so genteel, all 
 things considerin ; and I ll look to you tn answer it some day. The 
 horse wa> a fair pri/.e, taken from the enemy s quarter* at the resk of 
 my neck - 
 
 "That risk is not over, scoundrel; and that you may be made 
 justly sensible of it, let the provost take him hence to a tree. 
 Let it be done at once. \Ve shall save Crngi-r his twenty 
 gum* 
 
 If.---.- \V;:t<o;i Gray again whNpered in tl f hi< lord- 
 
 ship. 
 
 " Ah, true," said the lalt -r: " then addr- mister, he asked 
 
 in accents of unusual mildness: 
 
A REPB1 
 
 !i. your ! 
 
 live or to .!! ; ili,,-. 
 
 I illicit have M di:l 
 < 1 1 - . for anything I k n <,\\ 
 
 : . sirrah. Hear me: you can SaVfl your 
 
 lif( ] . v I 1 lie truth to all 
 
 the a-k you, and r.o prevarication." 
 
 " I ll try. your ; quietly. a< lie tur: 
 
 obacco in his mouth and voided it behind him >n liie 
 with a .-.liich did not lessen hi* lonUhip s indi 
 
 " IIo\v many men were with your color,,-! in \\i\< a-suilt to- 
 olght?" 
 
 II, alx.ut thirty men. I reckon which wa n t more than 
 half hi* force: t other half played with the nntfof 
 
 "Thirty 11.. heard the like Thirty men to beat up 
 
 the quarter- o f a HrilMi p-m-ral. and ride over a who]. two 
 
 ilmu-aii.1 ;, 
 
 . in a \vh! 
 
 metlinei h.-, :!U .nt an<i i 
 
 H n him \\ith le<s than a liundred." 
 
 " Hai, found in i >m r 
 
 aim.-d R| 
 
 f V 1 " l"rd-hip I.. tfa i;,ii-jn L: 
 
 in preference to hitu n, : ,r l i,-. ]j|-,.| v V( , u -|i 
 
 thar. U sno 
 
 in- 1" hind y..u tli D ,, ,|,,. 
 
 
 lit. and llk a in : tl, ( . n thi-n- s l-ut 
 
 :th at all 
 Ji, to sp . . <h that there s no 
 
2G8 THE SCOUT. 
 
 denying, I ain t very willing to tell your lordship anything 
 about the consarns of the troop. I m jub ous ef that ain t treason 
 able." 
 
 "You are very scrupulous all at once, my tine fellow but, 
 whether you are believed or not, we shall still hear what you have to 
 siy. Docs the iramson at Ninety-Six hold out . " 
 
 " I reckon not now. It did yesterday morning, but twas 
 mighty hard pushed then; and as we caught all your messengers. 
 and got all your letters to Colonel Cruger, I m thinking he - Driven 
 in, seeing there was no sort of chance of your lordship com 
 ing." 
 
 " D nation! I sent two messengers since Sunday." 
 
 " I reckon your lordship s count ain t altogether right; for I 
 myself caught three. I choked one chap till he emptied his 
 throat of a mighty small scrap of intelligence that he Lad curled 
 up like a piece of honest pigtail in his jaws; and we physicked 
 another before he surrendered the screw-bullet that he swal 
 lowed. The third one gin up his paper like a good fellow, 
 j ined our troop, and helped us powerful well in the little brush 
 we made in the avenue to-night. He s a big fellow, a Dutch 
 man by birth, that come out of the forks of Edisto. His name s 
 a mighty hard one to spell, and I can t say that I altogether 
 remember it; but he showed us five guineas that your lordship 
 gin him to go to Ninety-Six, and I reckon he d ha gone if we 
 hadn t caught him. He fou t powerful well to-night, for I watched 
 him." 
 
 John Bannister was evidently not the person from whom 
 much intelligence could be extracted, though he was quite lib 
 eral iu yielding that which it gave his lordship little pleasure to 
 hear. Every word which he uttered seemed to be peculiarly 
 chosen to mortify his captors. Not that the worthy scout Lad 
 any such intention, for he well knew the danger to himself of 
 any such proceeding; and, as we have said before, his manner, 
 though loftier than usual, was unobtrusive, and certainly never 
 intended anything like insolence. His free -p-eeh came from 
 his frank nature, which poured forth the honest feelings of his 
 mind without much restraint, and utterly regardless of the situ 
 ation in which liesto<.,l. He was just sufficiently cautious to 
 
A R! M I II i -A 1.1 n\\ 8. 
 
 bailie his examiner* on -v r\ lubject, the truth of which mii:ht aflVct 
 unfavorably the troop and the service in which it 
 Kawdon soon discerned the character of the person with whom lie 
 had to deal ; and, provoked beyond patience by tin- annoying detail 
 tin- scout had Driven of the capture of hi- three me--en;rer-. he thus 
 summarily cut short the confen -nee: 
 
 lit. .lolm Banni-ter. and your !<><-. I have no 
 
 iloubt, will be severely felt by your leader. I n-v. -t, take him to 
 the cml of the lane, givo him three minutes for pray r. and then 
 hanir him to the tallest tree in front of the avenue. Let him ham, 
 till daylight, that the Irish regiments may see and take warning from 
 the spectacle. It may cure a few of them of the disease of desertion, 
 which Is so apt to afflict so many. Go, my good Bannister, my provost 
 will see to your remaining wants. I think your colonel will feel your 
 loss very much. 
 
 "I m jest now of the same opinion, your lordship." replied the 
 scout, composedly ; but I m not thinking he s so nigh losing me alto 
 gether. I don t think my neck in so much danger yet. bean 
 reckon your lord-hip won t be so venti;: to hang up a pris 
 
 oner-of-war. takiMi in an honest scrimmage." 
 
 "Ah! that is //" // opinion. We di tier! Take him hence. ! 
 and do as I bid you. I.et it be done ;r A -hort shrift - 
 
 many unpleasant reflections." 
 
 Such was the OOOl, .-tern decision of his lord-hip, to whose 
 haughty mind the *<mg froid of Bannister wa- eminently in 
 sulting. 
 
 " I would jest like to let your lordship know before I 
 
 " was the beginning of another : Bannister s, which the 
 
 angry gesture of Hawdon did not sutler him to lini-h. The pi 
 and his attendants sei/ed on the prisoner, in obedience to the lifted 
 tinker of his lord-hip, ami \\cre about to hurry him, still speakim:, 
 from the apartment, when they were stopped at the door by the sud 
 den entrance of Kl -ra Middleton. 
 
 \.-laimed. addressing the oflicer " stj.y. till , nave 
 spoken with his lordship." 
 
 Ion -tarted buck at beholdimr her. and could not refrain from 
 -urpri.se at her presence. 
 
THI: SCOTT. 
 
 " At this time of the ni-ht. Mi.-.* Middleton. and he: 
 
 improper conduct, your lordship would intimate, for ;i 
 ; but the ( ircunistances must 
 
 . in behalf of this poor num. 
 
 bom I uiiiii IU arc ;;!>out to < violation of the 
 
 iiy, and, a< I believe, the laws of \\ 
 
 vidently annoyed. 
 
 Y..I: have eho-en :i very unnecevsary labor, Miss Middleton, and 
 pardon me if I think a very unbecoming one. I may be permitted, 
 sun ly. to know what the laws of war require, . pet that 
 
 ?Iiss Middleton cannot believe me sulHeiently \vell informed i: I 
 to those of humanii 
 
 rdon me, my lord, if. in my excited emotions, my words 
 should happen to oi- erd. I do not mean oUVnce. I would not in 
 trude upon a scene lik" this, and cannot think that my interposition 
 life, and to prevent murder, can properly be called an unbe 
 coming interfer- 
 
 "Murder!" muttered his lordship throuirh hi* closed teeth, while 
 as if to prevent his frowns from addressing themselves to the fair 
 intruder he was compelled to avert his | 
 
 -. my lord, murder ; for I know this man to be a- \vorthy 
 
 and honest a citi rer lived on the < He has always 
 
 been my friend and the friend of the family, lie has never 
 
 i his loyalty to the kiiii: never taken i>rotection : but, from 
 
 .ha- been in arms, under either r Sumter. in oj>- 
 
 ;i to his maje>ty. The fate of war throws him into your 
 
 hands " 
 
 "And lie mu>t abide it, lady. lie lias been such a c, moisten? 
 rebel, according to youi- own showing, that he well deserve his fate. 
 Provo>t . do } our duty! " 
 
 " My lord, my lord, can it be that you will not irrant my prayer 
 that you will not spare him?" 
 
 " It would ^ive in pleasure to .irrant any application to one so fair 
 
 and fri>-nilly, but " 
 
 <)h, deal not in this vain laniruaire at such a time my 
 
 lord. I>o not this ,r military j-ride 
 
 you into an inhumanity \\ hioh you will remember in after 
 
 i:h dread and sorrow. Already they charge you with 
 
A Bl -.; 1 
 
 nt. mly s 1 
 
 : 111:111 :ind tin- 
 li-y alike. P.m. ! 
 
 fn.in me in anger ] 1 would not wish to 
 
 ;.-h. too much : M inunuurc.l Majoril>ank- 
 
 ni and | iptain. He \\.-ll ; 
 
 . 
 
 allu-i. re liad ipoi] : all. 
 
 is in vain. 
 
 
 jit midnight." 
 
 intle.xili! him : on my kn. > 
 
 ""I 1 - :ylirl. I have known him long, and always worthily ; 
 
 h- ix my friend, and a noblc-hcartcd - h a 
 
 f* 11 " ruffian, the murderer, th spy, but 
 
 iiy ir.an like t! 
 
 i. witliout 
 mortal." 
 
 ml it, then : " -.\\i- c .\cl;i 
 he Hoor. 
 " Imp The man inu-t di 
 
 1 fr"in h : led him \\r 
 
 l..lin IJann: 
 
 : r remained uuin.-vr.l. I: 
 
 lioiii the thnatcnin 
 fr. ii i only Btl .,,,,1 
 
 1I( - ""^ lanoeof bittoroen and urief. \\hih- a smile 
 
 min- ly ujM.n 1. ;i llir 
 
 !llrn> . : :md I m 
 
 in this 
 
 .ny hurl. 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 iiii l if his lordship had only listened to me a leetle while longei 
 at first, he d ha boon able to have said the handsome thing, and 
 consented to all yon axed him. Look here, my lord, twon t do 
 to hang me, unless you d like to lose a better man in the bar 
 gain." 
 
 A look of inquiry was all that his lordship deigned tho 
 speaker, who, turning to the provost, begged him to take his 
 grasp from his shoulder. 
 
 " I can t run, you sec, cf I wanted to, and somehow I never 
 could talk to my own liking, when I had the feel of an ineir.v , 
 hand upon me." 
 
 " Speak up, fellow," said Majoribanks, who saw the increas 
 ing vexation of Rawdon, " and tell his lordship what you mean." 
 
 "Well, the long and short of the matter s this, your lordbhip. 
 If you look at your roll, I reckon you ll find n handsome young 
 cappin, or mou t-bc a major, among your missing. 1 made him 
 a prisoner myself, at the head of the avenue, on the \ery iirst 
 charge to-night, and I know they ve got him safe among my 
 people ; and his neck must be a sort of make-weight agin mine 
 J ain t of much count anyhow, but the Congaree Blues has a 
 sort of liking for me, and they can find any quantity of rope and 
 tree ivhcii there s a need for it. If you hang me, they ll hang 
 him, and your lordship can tell best whether he s v.orih l"(ik:iig 
 after or not. It s a thing for calculation only." 
 
 "Is this the case? Is there any oflicer missing?" demanded 
 Rawdon, with a tone of suppressed but bitter feeling. 
 
 "Two, your lordship," replied the lieutenant of the night 
 Major Penfield and Captain Withers." 
 
 " They should hang ! They deserve it !" exclaimed Rawdon ; 
 but an audible murmur from the bottom of the ball, warned him 
 of the danger of trying experiments upon the temper of troops 
 who had just effected a painful forced march, and bad hefnrv 
 them a continuation of the same, and even severer duties. 
 
 "Take the prisoner away, and let him be well guarded," s;.i-.! 
 his lordship. 
 
 Flora Mlddleton, relieved by tb..-> order, g-ive but a sinrie 
 glance of satisfaction to the woodman, as she glided out <>f the 
 apart men* 
 
\ i;i.ri.i i.v 1. 1 I;M 1 11 1. \ i.i- ( 
 
 With the dawn of day the British army was under arm-, and 
 preparing t" depart. (Mir heroine. \\ho had enjoyed IM. 
 during the night, and had felt no desire for it, under the nui 
 fill feelings which filled lit r heart, 
 
 her station in the balcony, where she could witness all their 
 movements. And no more imposing array h:.d ev r gratified 
 her eves. L<>rd Uawd. ii was then in command of the very "!: 
 the British army. The hardy and well-tried provincial loyalist* 
 formed the nucleus of the efficient force of near three thou- 
 men. which he commanded; and thoe. many of them well 
 mounted, and employed as dragoons and ritlemen at pleasure, 
 in reality, the chief reliance of his government. The 
 EleniaiM had been well thinned by the harassing warfare of two 
 >ns, and were neither numerous nor daring ; but nothing 
 could exceed the splendid appearance of the principal 1 
 which he brought with him from Charleston, consisting of three 
 full ; . fresh from Ireland, with all the glow of European 
 
 health upon their cheeks, full-framed, strong and active : martial 
 in their carriage, bold in action, and quite as full of vivaci 
 courage. 
 
 i Middleton beheld them as they marched forward be 
 neath her eyes, with mingling sentiments of pity and admiration. 
 Poor fellows! They were destined to be terribly thinned and 
 humbled by the sabre of the cavalry, the deadly aim of the ritle, 
 and that more crushing enemy of all, the pestilential malaria of 
 the southern swamps. H<>w many of that glowing and nume 
 rous cavalcade were destined to leave their bones along the 
 banks of tin; Wateree and Santee, in their long ami arduous 
 marching- and counter -marchings, and in the painful and peril 
 ous flight which followed to the Kutaws and from the Eul 
 to Chariest,, n. On this flight, scarce two months aftei. fifty of 
 these l.rave fellows dropped down dead in th- 
 
 ; the victims of fatigue, heat, and a climate which m. 
 equally their mu-clr. their courage and vivacity ; and which 
 not even the natives at that -easmi could endure without j 
 The brave and genen>u> Maj.ribanks himself- the most h 
 able and valiant of enemies -- little did Flora Middleton fancy. 
 as he pa s\vi.rd point t ^ salute, 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 and smiled his farewell, while inarching at the head of his bat 
 talion beneath the balcony, that h 1 , too. wa> wl" 
 Should find hi:- grave along tlie highways of Carolina, i r.u 
 ately alter the ablest of his achievements at Eutaw, when 1 i<- 
 him, in particular, was due the rescue of the British lion tYoir 
 the claws of the now triumphant eagle. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 MNKTY-SIX A FLIGHT BY MGHT. 
 
 CLAKKM r, CO.XWAV, with a single exception, had every rea 
 son to be satisfied with the result of his expedition. He had 
 lost but one man slain ; and but two were missing. ( )ne of these. 
 as we. have seen, was .John Bannister; the other was the un 
 happy lather of Mary Clarkson. The reader is already ap 
 prized of the situation of the firmer; of the latter neither party 
 had any present knowledge. Conway wns utterly ignorant, 
 and very anxious about the fate of his trusty agent. The loss 
 of John Uannister could not lie compensated to him, by any suc- 
 . whether as a soldier or a man. He was incomparable 
 as a scout ; almost as much so in personal conJlict; superior in 
 judgment in most matters relating to partisan warfare; but, over 
 all, he was the friend, the ever-faithful, the fond; having an 
 affection for his leader like that of .Jonathan of old, siirj 
 the love of woman. 
 
 Clarence Conway did full justice to this affection. He loitered 
 and lingered long that night before leaving the Held of conflict, 
 in the hope to Bee the fusty fellow reappear; and slow indeed 
 were his parting footsteps when, at the dawn of day, he set hi.- 
 little band in motion for the Saluda. This measure w 
 
 -tern necessity. He had done all that could ! 
 required of him, and much more than had been expected. h 
 was i:l >upp.M d {hat with a force so small as his lie could po> 
 iibly oceasiitn mi) ii-terniptl-m or delay in the progress ( ;! 
 
NINI 276 
 
 army \.i\\y 
 
 \\ liail : 
 
 dom -,id Marion n tin- !,*. 
 
 Kve: 
 
 cut otV; and, while havin.r 
 
 inand of the latter j 
 ear? B t the lati. 
 
 uririn^ the former to hold out. had been invari.v 
 
 1. Nor 
 
 van limited to these small duties only. lie had, in 
 with Colonel r.utler, a lam"i;-> nan.e amon^ tin- xvhi^s ( ,f Xi? 
 
 . u marv t- 
 
 :am, in whirh tin- troop nf the latter \\a^ utterly aunihi- 
 
 . and tlu ir 1. tin- ileetness 
 
 of an inimitable steed.. 1 , eventfi t to our 
 
 With a sad heart, hut no dimiuuti< i or sriirit, 
 
 Colonel Cunway tuuk uj the lijic ( inarrli for the Saluda, with 
 
 the purpose oi joii and Greene I ; or, 
 
 in t: .if that j.h-u-e 1-ei. :i of the 
 
 ii-ans of extending bifl march to\van! t!a- mountains, where 
 
 \va> al><>nt to operate 
 .ns. 
 Hut though coin] ,,f the 
 
 di ai-my in liis rear, h: | a ili^ht. II: 
 
 th hanil was s- comjiact, ai .! aeijnainti-d with the 
 
 of the country, that he conld HIMVI- at leisure in front of th. 
 
 pliortunity for cutting off 8\ 
 : -atin^ t! 
 every jiu. British, \\hicl 
 
 -chmeut - ;i. Such j ur 
 
 ami sue:.. 
 Hut Cin \ -ih!e nf th. 
 
 ven with th" inf. !r\ of tl:-- 
 
 In point of nun 
 
 i"r to tli. /.liich 
 
 had tak ,nt the 1 . , had, to 
 
 he -rrat RUTpme of tl : v in 
 
276 THE scour. 
 
 this particular, which was equally injurious to their hopes and 
 unexpected by their apprehensions. The march of the British, 
 though urged forward with due diligence by their stern com 
 mander, was, at the same time, distinguished by such a degree 
 aution as effectually to discourage Conway in his attempts 
 :.p<>u it, The onslaught of the previous night justified the pru- 
 .i.-iR-e of this wary general. The audacity of the Americans 
 v, as, at this period, everywhere felt and acknowledged, and b} 
 none more readily than Rawdon. His advanced guard was sent 
 forward in treble force: his provincial riflemen skirted the 
 woods on the roadside while his main army defiled between, and 
 his cavalry scoured the neighboring thickets wherever it was 
 possible for them to hide a foe. Conway was compelled to con- 
 : ole himself with the profitless compliment which this vigilance 
 paid to his spirit and address ; and, after hovering for the best 
 part of a day s march around the path of the advancing enemy, 
 without an opportunity to inflict a WOAV, he reluctantly pressed 
 forward with increased speed for Ninety-Six, to prepare General 
 Greene for the coming of the new enemy. Our course is thither 
 also. 
 
 The post of Ninety-Six was situated on the crown of a gentle 
 but commanding eminence, and included within its limits the vil 
 lage of the same name. This name was that of the county, or 
 district, of which it was the county-town. Its derivation is 
 doubtful ; but most probably it came from its being ninety-six 
 miles from Prince George, at the period of its erection the fron 
 tier post of the colony. Its history is one of great local interest. 
 Originally a mere stockade for the defence of the settlers against 
 Indian incursion, it at length became the scene of the first con 
 flicts in the southern country, and perhaps in the revolutionary 
 war. It was here that, early in 1775, the fierce domestic strife 
 lirst began between the whigs and tories of this region; a re 
 gion beautiful and rich by nature, and made valuable by art, 
 which, before the war was ended, was turned into something 
 worse than a howling wilderness. The old stockade remained 
 at tho beginning of the Revolution, and when the British overran 
 the state, they garrisoned the place, and it became one of the 
 most valuable of that cordon of posts which they established 
 
SIMTY-MX A ri.ICHT I:Y NKMIT. -77 
 
 round and within it. Its protection and security were of the last 
 importance to their interests. It enabled them to maintain * 
 communication with the Cherokecs and other Indians; and to 
 keep in check the whig settlements on the west of it, while it 
 protected those ** f the loyalists, north, south, and oast. The 
 most advanced post which they occupied, its position served to 
 strengthen their influence in Camden and Augusta, and assisted 
 them to overawe the population of Georgia and North Carolina 
 It was also, for a long period, the chief depot of recruits ; and 
 drew, hut too successfully, the disaffected youth of the neighbor 
 hood into the royal embrace. 
 
 The defences of this place had hcen greatly strengthened on 
 the advance of the American army. Cclonel Crager, an Ameri 
 can loyalist, who was intrusted with the command, was an offi 
 cer of energy and talents, and proved himself equally adequate 
 and faithful to the trust which was reposed in him. Calling in 
 the aid of the neighboring slaves, he soon completed a ditch 
 around his stockade, throwing the earth parapet height upon it, 
 and securing it within, by culverts and traverses to facilitate 
 the communication in safety between his various points of de 
 fence. His ditch was further secured by an abattis ; and, at 
 convenient distances within the stockade, he erected strong 
 block-houses of logs. 
 
 But the central and most important point in bis position, hvj 
 in a work of considerable strength which the curious in anti 
 quarian research and history may see to this day in a state < 
 comparative perfectness called the "Star Battery." It stool 
 ou the southeast of the village which it effectually commanded, 
 was in shape of a star, having sixteen salient and returning an 
 gles, and communicated by lilies with the stockade. In this 
 \\vre served three pi, :tillery, which, for more ready 
 
 ition to any point of danger, were worked on wheel cai 
 
 ( >n the north side of the village arses a copious fountain, of 
 
 ral eyes, which flows through a valley. From this rivulet 
 
 the garrison obtained its supplies of water. The county p: 
 
 lying contiguous to this valley and commanding it, was also t orti- 
 
 Etsl; as v % i another 8 ockado fort, lying on the opposite side of 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 the valley, of considerable strength, ami Laving within it n 
 
 couple of Mock-houses which assisted in covering the comn 
 cation with the spring. A covert way led from the town to the 
 rivulet ; and the whole, including the village, was enclosed by 
 lines of considerable extent and height. To defend his position, 
 Oruger had a select force of six hundred men, many of them rifle- 
 men of the first quality, and not a few of them lighting, as they 
 nell knew, with halters about their necks. 
 
 Greene commenced the siege under very inauspicious circum 
 stances and with a force quite inadequate to his object. This 
 formed one of the most animated and critical occurrences 
 during the southern war, and had already lasted near a month, 
 when Colonel Conway joined his little troop to the force of the 
 oniniander-in-chief. The available army of Greene scarcely 
 exceeded that ot Cruger. lie had no battering cannon; and 
 ieie was no mode of succeeding against this "Star" redoubt, 
 which was the chief point of defence, but in getting over or 
 under it. Both modes were resolved upon. Regular approaches 
 were made, and, on the completion of the first parallel, a mine was 
 begun under cover of a battery erected on the enemy s right. 
 
 This work was prosecuted day and night. No interval wat 
 permitted. One party labored, while a second slept, and a thin: 
 guarded both. The sallies of the besieged were constant and 
 desperate ; not a night passed without the loss of life on both 
 sides ; but the work of the Americans steadily advanced. The 
 :nl parallel was at length completed, the enemy summoned 
 to surrender, and a defiance returned to the demand. The third 
 del was then begun, and its confpletion greatly facilitated 
 by the, invention of a temporary structure of logs, which) froir 
 the h:\entors name, were called the " Mahain towers." The.-e, 
 , in fact, nothing more than block-houses, constructed of 
 . v timbers, raided to a height superior to that of the belea 
 guered fort, and filled with riflemen. These sharp-shooton 
 ceeded, in a little time, in driving the artillerists of the garrison 
 from their guns. Hot shot were tried to destroy the towers, but 
 th greenness nf the wood, in June, rendered the efl on un;i\ ail 
 ing. TIu; artillery of the "Star" could no longer be used by 
 daylight, and by night it was little to be dreaded 
 
! A FLIC IIT i: 1 ) 
 
 . Their pro! 
 
 fa>t failing tin in ; they COttld :ure f..r \\atei 
 
 ulet. "W ..ployed for tliis pi. 
 
 I mer in won., -u s clothing; and hy night they reo 
 1p of naked i Other m 
 
 : conveyai, e. Burning ar: B slit in: 
 
 .ptly threw oil tl. 
 
 AM attempt \\ . <y tlie ahatti.x by lire, hut <ln-u- 
 
 th mi every one of the daring fellows who ath inj.led 
 
 Maham t<\\ eiv.," mu 1 of which was within thirty 
 
 ditch, the he ..-lal 
 
 . and 
 
 v.itliin one hundred and forty yards of the "Star," 80 com- 
 ly commanded it, that it hecanie ne ( 
 
 tdevation. 1) i f,, r 
 
 Through tin left lor the use of 
 
 al of the sand-bag.* hy hL 
 
 . for the use of the artillery. Pdoody and deadlv was the 
 for ten days, hetween the comhatants. Dur- 
 l not a man could show himself, on either 
 w ti- -ving a shot. A> the conflict aj.jiroached its 
 
 termination it .seemed to acquire increased rancor; and an 
 -tion, under diflerent motives, appeared to govern 
 both par: 
 
 <>uld not he sustained long ; and the fall of the ga 
 it h.md. still held out in the : 
 
 . his commamici. He i,a i .-uiiicieiit 
 :ural courage which the good soldier 
 ..iking him defend hi 
 
 whom no in- 
 
 <lul r , tors men whose 
 
 Bloody ,leels had 
 
 ii are allow. per with 
 
 But th, - and 
 
 the iv.soluti-.s. ^npply ti.- 
 
 r which ; ( ) M ly 1( 
 
 werr 
 gallantly LWo u . iln . 
 
28U THE SCOUT. 
 
 portance for good or evil to the two parties. In this period the 
 American commander was apprized of the circumstances which 
 rendered it necessary that the place should be earned by assault 
 or the siege raised. The arrival of Conway announced the ap 
 proach of Rawdon, and the same night furnished the same im 
 portant intelligence to Cruger. But for this intelligence that 
 very night must have witnessed the surrender of the post. 
 
 The circumspection and close watch which had been maintain 
 ed so long and so well by the American general and his able 
 subordinates, and which had kept the garrison in utter ignorance 
 of the march of Rawdon from Charleston, was defeated at the 
 last and most important moment from a quarter which had ex 
 cited no suspicions. The circumstance has in it no small portion 
 of romance. A young lady, said to be beautiful, and certainly 
 bold the daughter of one tried patriot and the sister of an 
 other had formed in secret a matrimonial connection with a 
 British officer, who was one of the besieged. Her residence 
 was in the neighborhood, and she was countenanced, in visiting 
 the camp with a flag, on some pretence of little moment. She 
 was received with civility and dined at the general s table. 
 Permitted the freedom of the encampment, she was probably 
 distinguished by her lover from the redoubt, and contrived to 
 convey by signs the desire which she entertained to make some 
 communication to the besieged. The ardor of the lover and 
 the soldier united to infuse a degree of audacity into his bosom, 
 which prompted him to an act of daring equally bold and suc 
 cessful. He acknowledged her signal, darted from the redoubt, 
 received her verbal communication, and returned in safety 
 amidst a shower of bullets from the baffled and astonished sen 
 tinels. Such is the story told by tradition. It differs little 
 from that which history relates, and in no substantial particular; 
 v, hat is obscure in the tale, but increases what is romantic. The 
 Jcu dc joie of the besieged and their loud huzzas apprized the 
 American general of their new hopes; and too plainly assured 
 him that his labor was taken in vain. 
 
 Colonel Conway was admitted that night to the tent of the 
 general, where a council of war was to be held as to the course 
 uow to be pursued. Gitttmc necessarily presided. Unmoved 
 
V M JIIT. 28] 
 
 by disappointment, unembarrassed by the probable defeat of bis 
 
 bopcs and purposes, this cheerful and brave soldier li>. 
 around him witli a smile of good humor upon his military family 
 while he s.-licitpd the:. opinions. His line manly face, 
 
 bronzed hy tho fierce -Inures of the southern sun, and he , 
 ened hy ar. -ye ! eijual spirit and benevolence, wore : 
 that dark di- and sulh ii ferocity, the sure token -i 
 
 vindictive and had feelings, which scowled in the whole vi 
 of his aide opponent, Rawdon. A slight obliquity of vision, 
 tlie re-ult of small-pox in his youth, did not impair the s\s eel 
 of his glance, though it was sufficiently obvious in the 
 which it affected. Conway had seen him more than once be 
 fore, but never to so much advantage us now, when a defeat feo 
 is as that which threatened his hopes, and rendered ne- 
 ry tin 1 measure of consultation then in hand. lie looked 
 for the signs of peevishness and vexation but he saw none 
 tiling of anxiety may have clouded the brow of the com 
 mander but such an expression only serves to ennoble the coun 
 tenance of the man whose pursuits are elevated and wh".-e p< r- 
 formances .ire worthy. Anxiety makes the human countenance 
 only the more thoroughly and sacredly human. It i> the sign 
 of care, and thought, and labor, and hope of all the moral 
 attributes which betoken the mind at work, and most usually at 
 its legitimate employments. 
 
 ( >n the right hand of Greene sat one who divided between 
 himself and theeommander-in-chief the attention of the ardent 
 
 you: in. This was the celebrated polish patriot K 
 
 ciuxko. He had served throughout the siege as chief engii 
 
 , under his guidance, the several approaches had been made. 
 HU tall, erect, military form, pale, thin and melancholy features, 
 light brown hair, already thinned above his lofty brow, together 
 with the s.l t blue eye which lightened them up at momenta 
 with alnm.st girlish animation, seemed to the mind of O>nway 
 ibly touching. The. fate and name of Ko.-ciuxko were 
 so intimately connected with those of his, country, that the eye 
 of the ; ; beheld the mifteriei . f Poland in the sad 
 
 features of its melancholy exile. lli> ITOlds, few, and sweet- 
 toed *B it were by the ii. i .n^lish in which thoy were 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 l, riveted tin- attention of all, and were considered with 
 marked deference by the commander, to whom they were ad- 
 Iressed. 
 
 There were many other brave men at that council-board, 
 some of whom Clarence Con way now beheld for the first time, 
 whose deeds and reputation had reached hi> vars, and whose 
 us lie now examined with momently-growing inter. 
 
 There was Lee of the legion, whom Greene emphatic-ally styled 
 the eye and wing of his army; Campbell of the Virginians, who 
 subsequently fell at the Eutaw, while bravely leading on his . 
 mand ; Kirkwood of the. Delaware*, happily designated as the 
 continental Diomed, a soldier of delightful daring; Howard oi 
 Mary landers ; Rudolph of the legion, Armstrong, and Benson, 
 and others, whose presence would enlighten any council-board, 
 as their valor had done honor to every field in which ; 
 fought. Our hero had enough to do, after conveying to ih 
 council all his intelligence, to note and study the feature 
 his associates to weigh the words which they uttered and to 
 endeavor, for himself, to judge in what degree they several! v 
 deserved the high reputations which they bore, lie wa> 
 disposed or prepared, perhaps, to offer any suggestions himself. 
 He was better pleased to study and to listen. 
 
 The consultation was brief. The, points to be discussed weie 
 few. 
 
 "You perceive, gentlemen," said Greene, opening th> 
 jeedings, "that our toils appear to have been all taken in vain. 
 Apprized of Lord Rawdon s approach, the garrison will now 
 hold out until the junction is cii ccted, and for that \v 
 wait; we are in no condition to meet Lord Rawdon sill 
 handed. Colonel Conway, wh- ms merit my waime>t 
 
 acknowledgments, represents his force as ijuite too formidable 
 for anything that we can oppose to him. lie brings with him 
 three fresh regiments from Ireland, the remains of the regiment 
 of P.oxe, near six hundred loyalists whom he has mounted as 
 lea Coffin s dragoons in all, an army little short 
 of three thousand men. To this we can oppose scarce, eight 
 hundred in camp raid fit for duty ; Marlon an i Sumter a/e too 
 far, ;u;d Ion lui>y In-low, to lcu\ 
 
NINETY-SIX- -A i i.h, in u\ ( 
 
 rion lef- :hin striking < and the 
 
 of bis lordship in H .ch force will Iring i.ut Cunningham 
 
 ami Harrison, With all their loyalists, \\]\n will give suth cient 
 
 :>d Washington above, Ii. I 
 
 (lines absolutely . ; I.ut shall our lahors here for the 
 
 la>t month he thrown away. Sh:.!l IT6 give up Xinet\ 
 without a struggle? Shall we not make the effort t-. 
 the po.-t. and In-hind its walls prepare tor the rcccpti- D 
 
 ,,!,/" 
 
 The unanimous opinion of the council tallied with the wishes 
 ot the commander. Tin* assault was resolved upon. The 
 
 given out that night, and the army 
 all in ivadines^ on the morning of the iMh of June to make the 
 
 i attempt. The forlorn hope was led, on the American . 
 against the Star hattery, hy I.ieutei:;Mi!s Seld-m and DuvaL 
 Close In-hind them followed a party furnished with hook- : 
 
 particular duty it was to pull down the 
 hags which the enemy had raised upon their parapet. 
 
 1 < \t advanced to the assault at the 
 
 the tir.xt Maryland and Virginian re- These all marched 
 
 under cover of the approach, -, until they came within a 
 
 - of the enemy s ditch. Major Rudolph commanded the 
 forlorn hope on the American right again-t I sup- 
 
 1 hy the legion infantry, and Kirk\v- 
 . the rifle-towers, and all the American w 
 and prepared to -weep the enemy s parapet, juvvior 
 
 : "lining party. Duval and 
 the ahattis and occupy the opposite curtain, then, dr: 
 
 .. wen- to open the way for the \\"rkmen. 
 
 sand-lags pullr I .iown, Camphell was to make the attack, avail- 
 himself of the : r aid in clamleriug up the para; 
 
 ! the assault upon the stockades, of which, 
 
 niply to keep possession . 
 eve: 
 
 : 
 
 which was followed hy the prompt movement of the storming 
 parties. An uninterrupted Maze of artillery a; .ring 
 
 ove; f the forlorn 1 M it* 
 
84 Tin; BCOl r. 
 
 shadowing smokes, this gallant little band leaped the ditch and com 
 menced the work of destruction. 
 
 But the besieged who had so bravely and for so long a ti un 
 defended their ramparts, and whom the approach of Lord Raw- 
 don had inspired with fresh confidence and courage, was prepared 
 for their reception. They met the attack with equal cool 
 ness and determination. The assailants were encountered by 
 bristling bayonets and leveled pikes, which lined the para 
 pet, while a stream of fire, poured forth from intervals between 
 the sand-bags, was productive of dreadful havoc among them. 
 The form of the redoubt gave to the besieged complete command 
 over the ditch, and subjected the besiegers to a cross 
 fire, which the gradual removal of the abattis only tended 
 to increase. 
 
 For the details of this action, the reader will look to other his 
 tories. Enough if, in dealing with this (to us) purely episodical 
 matter, we give the result. The attempt was desperate ; but so was 
 the hope. The Americans fought well, but on the most unfortunate 
 terms of eombat. This is not the place to criticise the transaction ; 
 but some day, the military critic will find it instructive to review 
 this, among other great actions of our revolutionary war, and will be 
 able to point out clearly the miserable mistakes, the result of 
 equal ignorance and imbecility, by which the native valor of 
 the people were continually set at naught. There were mistakes 
 enough in this siege and assault of Ninety Six, to decide 
 the latter before it was begun. Knou.irh now, that the day 
 -I almost M^ soon a> heirun. The hope of the assailants, small 
 at the beginning, was very soon utterly dissipated ; and 
 mortified and pained, less at being battled than at the loss of 
 so many brave men, Greene gave the orders which discontinued the 
 
 Yet, for near three-quarters of an hour, did these brave fel 
 lows persist, notwithstanding the fall of tv.o-thirds of their num 
 ber and both their leaders. This daring and enduring courage 
 enabled them to occupy the curtain, and maintain, hand to hand, 
 the conflict witli the garrison. They yielded at length, rather 
 to the summons of their commander than to their own fear of 
 danger. The greater part of their men were killed or wounded 
 
NINETY-SIX- - \ PLIGHT r^ N IOB r. 
 
 but the latter wen- brought oil amid tin- htUM I m- of the 
 garrison. 
 
 The misfortunes of Greene did not end here. The British general 
 was at hand, and tlu- dead being buried, the American (nmiander 
 struck his tents and commenced the retreat which carried Clap 
 Conway still further from a re-ion in which all hN feelinjs and aiix- 
 I were now deeply and doubly interested. \Ve will not attempt 
 to pursue his tlight. but, retrar-invr our steps in a quarter to which he 
 d-ire not turn, we will resume our mareh ah-mr wilh that of tl:e Brit 
 ish army, when they left the Middleton barony to advance upon 
 Ninety 
 
 But, in goiiiLT i, a ,.k to Brier Park, it is not our purpose at this time 
 totr< in upon its inmates. \Ve .hall simply join company 
 
 with our ancient friend, John Bannister, and traee his progress, as a 
 prisoner, in the train of his captors. 
 
 Watson (iray -having been intrusted by vdon with 
 
 tin- exclusive disposition of this business in con-eouenee. of the 
 
 ions which the latter had made him the niiiiit 1" 
 had very naturally assigned the cu-tody of tlie x-oiit to tin- 
 Black Riders of whom, under a roving conumV-ion, (Jray ranked 
 a> an inferior otlicer. lie had every n-n-mi for believing the 
 charge to lie a secure one. Bannister had IOIILT been an ol 
 of dislike and apprehension to this troop, a^ he had on several . 
 ^ions di-<-overed their in and beaten up 
 
 their quarters Hi- ^kill in the woods was proverbial, and 
 dreaded by all hi< enemies accordingly ; and the recent display 
 which he had made in the case of (iray himself, of that readi- 
 MH .f reSOOrM which hail rendered him famous, was very well 
 cjilcuiated to mortify the latter, and make him dedTOCH of sub 
 :ng his own captor to all the annoyance likely to follow 
 
 captivity. 
 
 Whatever may have been the moti\e^ by which l.< 
 rued in this proceeding, i was very -.id iit that Supple 
 ! could not have been put into 1, -x> indulgent eu-tody. But 
 circum-tanee- batllc tl, in spite of all p:veaut : 
 
 events which are utterly beyond human foresight suili ; 
 
 nfoiMul all the ealeulations ,,f the euiinin^. -.b.1111 Bam. 
 found a friend among the Black Uiders wlim he little 
 
Tin 
 
 one. When the enemy came to a halt that night, which 
 till a tolerably late hour, their : on tin- northern 
 
 . f ihc Little Saluda, just within the line of the present 
 diMrict of IMgd ald: a eoirma;i<!ing spot was chosen for the 
 bivouac, and every precaution taken to se< live ii from distnrbanee 
 for the ni_ 
 
 Tlie preparation- l"i.r supper produced tin- customary stir and 
 excitement for a while; but the supper itself \va- BOOB discu-- 
 
 fatigue had lessened appetite, and sleep was alone 
 
 :;ible to the : which had been pressed forward to 
 
 the utmoM of thiir marching powers, from the \i-ry ili>t moment 
 
 ef their leaving Charles. -n. The Intense heat of the climate, 
 
 at that sea::, mode this tusk an inappreciably severe 
 
 Iry liail been, if possible, still m< 
 
 than those of the infantry: compelled. R8 th<y cor.M.-mtly W< 
 \n make continual and large cir< :g_h the country, 
 
 ; ;;d the 15 : ch of the army, in order to defeat the 
 
 dual ambuscades of the Americans, who, in small parties, 
 hovend about the march, and made frequent dashes, w 1 ich -were 
 ahijo-t as suece>vfu! as frequent, whenever (i>portunily. or 
 
 of the enemy seemed to invite adventure. For the 
 
 lime, for a long period, the cireum- the campaign 
 
 med to promise impunity t- I, ^i h a 
 
 ])!easant feelii;g of relief, the British tr- ind to make 
 
 1 of their scc-.irili. 
 
 the only obj.-r Ire; and tl:e Bcveral groups ccouched 
 
 il beneath the forest trees; without much pause or ch- 
 siiikii:.-.-- down simply in th upon the (Try leave-, with 
 
 ! about them. 
 
 T . , -k Riders v.ere stationed lu-si.!.- a grove which skirted 
 one of the forks of the Litile Saluda, and were not the het 1o 
 
 | 
 
 entire In op, her 
 
 .-,, .up being fastentd 
 
 : eh slidteied their 
 
 rider . in order that they miirht " ;u! . v :lt ll:lll(1 in !lll . v SI: 
 
 iads lay John U- 
 
NINETY-SIX A FLItii. 
 
 bound hand ami foot ; tlie bandages upon the latter mem 
 oers being only put on for sleeping purposes, to lie withdrawn 
 when the march was resumed. A few rods distant, paced a 
 sturdy sentinel, to whom the douMe duty was entrusted of k 
 ing oijual watch upon the horses ami the prisoner. With this 
 . . :mister was almost the only person whose eyes 
 ealed by slumber in the encampment of the dragoons. 
 11 I -...iki -t ul through anxiety and thought ; for, though one 
 of the m :ul and elaMic creatures breathing, he had toe 
 
 many subjects of serious apprehension, to suffer him to enjoy 
 that ivpose which his body absolutely needed. There was yet 
 :ier reason to keep him wakeful. He was very far from 
 being resigned to his fate. He had no taste for the condition of 
 the prisoner; and the moment that found him a captive found 
 him meditating schemes for his own deliverance. His plans had 
 to himself entirely. He was one of those self depend 
 ent people, who never care to look abroad for those rrxnirces 
 which may be, found within; and, closing h: . .here he 
 
 la> , and affecting the sleep which he could not obtain, he wea 
 ried himself with the examination of a hundred different plans 
 for escaping from his predicament. 
 
 While he lay in this position he heard some one approach ami 
 k to the sentinel. A brief dialogue ensued between them, 
 carried on in teims ijuite too low to be distinguished by him ; 
 but the tonef of the stranger - \ familiar to the 
 
 of the listener. Bannister opened his eyes and discerned the 
 two persons; but, in consequence of the umbrage of the t 
 between, he could only see their lower limbs; after a while one 
 of th> 1, and fancying that it was the stranger, and 
 
 that the sentinel would again resume his duties, the 
 again shut his eyes ami tried to ICM; train of meditati.i. 
 
 which the intrusion had disturbed. He had not long been thus* 
 when he was .startle ! by the low accents of some one 
 
 iid the trunk ..f the tree against which his !. 
 was leaned, and addressing him by name. 
 
 Wh :ithe same whispering tone* 
 
 io which hi- had been addressed 
 ^ friend." 
 
288 THE SCOUT. 
 
 "Who?" 
 " Muggs." 
 "What, Isaacs?" 
 "The same." 
 
 " Ah, you varmint ! after I convarted you, you ll still follow the 
 British." 
 
 "Hush!" whispered the other, with some trepidation in his 
 tones. "For God s sake, not so loud. Stockton and Darcy and two 
 more are just under the oaks to the left, arid I m jub ous they re half 
 awake now." 
 
 " But how come you here, Muggs ?" 
 
 " Why, nateral enough. 1 hearn the army was on its march, and 
 I reckoned there was guineas to be got by way in exchange fr rum 
 and sugar; so I hitched horse and wagon together, and turned 
 sutler for the troop as I used to; and mighty glad are they to 
 me: and mighty glad I am to see you, Jack Bannister, and 
 to try and give you a help out of your hitch." 
 
 "I m jub ous of you, Isaac Muggs. I m afeard you ain t had 
 a full convarsion." 
 
 " Don t you be afeard. Trust to me." 
 
 "How? Trust to you for what? Will you loose me git 
 me a horse and a broadsword hey? Can you do this for the 
 good cauM-. Isaac and prove your convarsion ?" 
 
 "Don t talk, but turn on your side a leetle, so that I can feel 
 where your hands are tied. Be quick I hain t much time to 
 spare. Ben CJeiger, who is your sentry, is gone to my wagon to 
 get a drink, and will be back pretty soon, and I m keeping watch 
 for him, and a mighty good watch I ll keep*" 
 
 "There cut, Muggs, and let me git up ; but you must cut 
 the legs loose too. They ve hitched me under and over, as ef I 
 was a whole team by myself." 
 
 "And so you are, John Bannister; but you mustn t git up 
 when 1 cut you loose." 
 
 "Thunder! and why not, Muggs? What s the UM- of losing 
 foot and liir_ r < i -, if one s not to use them 
 
 "Not jest yet; because that ll lie getting lien (Ji-iger into a 
 scrape, and me at the back of it. V ni must, wait till he\ 
 changed for another sentry, and till I gives the signal. I ll 
 
, \ II. K, in Bl NTGHf, 280 
 
 whittle for you the old boat horn tune that s carried you many 
 night along the < you remember? Well when 
 
 yu hear that you may know that the sentry - changed. Then 
 watch the time, and when the t other sentinel draws oil to\\anl 
 you can crawl through them gum buahefl on all fours 
 and git into the hay. As for the horse. I m jub oits tin . 
 liettin.u They ll make too much trampling. Hut I ll 
 
 . "U on t other side of the bay, and brim: voii a pi.-tol, or 
 sword, or whatever I can tind." 
 
 Well, \\ell You bring the sword and pistol. It ll bo 
 mighty hard, where there s so many, if I can t find tl 
 myself." 
 
 " Work your hands." <-,i\<\ the landlord. 
 
 "They re free! they re free:" \v: S - the exulting response of 
 
 it. alimxl too loudly expressed for prudence. 
 
 " Ilu-h. for <;.,d s snke! and don t halloo until you re out of 
 i-h. Take the knife now in your own hands, and cut 
 your feet. IJut you mu-t lie (jiiiet. and let the roj 
 jr-t \\heiv they are. Make li lieve you re : ^leep till you hear 
 my whistle, and then crawl olT as if you wen- all bell 
 
 - quiet as a lilack-nakc. I must leave ymi now. 
 mod lime for Hen Geiger to get back." 
 
 The scout did no await a second suggestion to apply the keen 
 edge of the hunter s knife, which the landlord furnished him, to 
 the c.ir.N \\hi--h fastened his feet. Tlu-e he drew up n; 
 with the satisfaction of one who i< pleaded to exercise and enjov 
 the unexrwM ted liberty \\hieh lie receives; but the 
 of the landlord, which were certainly thove of common sense, 
 i him to limit the*,- BXerdM*, and nMrain his impatient 
 members, till the time should arrive for u-ing them with advan 
 l:iii- II" aeeordiiiL-l;. compoM-d liim>.-lf and them, in Mich a 
 manner n- to pn-rrve the appearance of iv-traint; arranu r -l the 
 of tin- ropes above his ankles, and tucked in the 
 - vend end D and In-low. Then. |a->inir hi- hand- be 
 
 hind him. I he lay on hi- back (mt-trelched v.-ith ;l ll the 
 
 commendable patien> - ie philo-oj.her awaiting the rpera 
 
 !" that fate with which he holds it folly if not impertinence 
 to interfere. 
 
 M 
 
JIM) T1IK SCOTT. 
 
 The landlord, meanwhile, had resumed the duties of th< 
 . and was pacing the measured ground with the regularity 
 
 ran, and the linn step of one who is conscious of no 
 failure of duty. The scout s e\ es naturally turned up.ni him 
 with an expression of greatly increase;! regard. 
 
 \\ell." said he. in a mental soliloquy, "I was half jub ous 
 
 ;.) lick Muirgs over agin, before he could he b 
 
 way of thinking. I was mightily afeard th:: ; 
 had half an understanding of the truth when I gin him thai 
 hoist on the YVater-.-e; but it s a (Jod s providence that orders 
 all tilings, in his blessed mercy, for the best, and lets one licking 
 answer for a stout man s convarsion. I m jub ous, if MI; 
 had nt ha lost one arm in the wars, if he would have ondeistood 
 the liberties we re righting for hal so easily. Liberty s a dilli- 
 eul? thing to l)e 1,1. at first. It takes mighty hard knocks 
 
 and a h^ap of thinking, to make it stand out (Tar in the day 
 light; and then it s never half so (Tar, or half so sweet, as when 
 there s some danger that we re going to lose it for ever, for good 
 and all. If ever I wanted to teach a friend of mine how to be 
 lieve in the reason of liberty, I d jis lock him up in a good strong 
 jail for three months, or mou t be six, put on a hitch of plough- 
 line on hands and legs, and then argy with him to i 
 <;<>d made a mighty great mistake when he gin a man a pair of 
 feet and a pair of hands, when he might see for hims. If that he 
 could sleep in the stumps at both ends and never feel the want 
 of em. Hut there conies Hen (Jeiger, 1 suppose, and I must lie- 
 as if my legs were stumps only. Lord! I ll show em another 
 
 of argyment as soon as Isaac gi\vs that old Coin 
 whistle. It s only some twenty steps to the wood, and 1 reckon 
 it can t be much more to the bay, lor the airth looks B8 if it 
 wanted to sink mighty sudden. Thc^r chaps round me snort 
 very loud that s a sign; I ve always hcarn, of sound sleep 
 ing. I don t much mind the resk of getting oil to the bay; bill 
 J ni gettil i about the ribs to valk ftloDg Wayin this hot 
 
 weath ] . i i no Qoise, 1 mu-t pick "Ut one of them I 
 
 for the fourney. Let em snort. 1 don t much, mind pistol-lml- 
 leta when they tly by night at a running hoi>eman. Tl< 
 lik" them that shoot em. They make a ureat bellowing. I" -" 
 
tin \ 
 It ll 
 
 
 wall. Jhat 
 
 pment. T\vi I M!! i. 
 
 i la; 
 
 ; for tin :: hand. B 
 
 wailing n-.ic, BUCll !an- 
 
 ih" tman, ta i 
 
 rapid, rushing riv, r 
 
 and y that h:\ : nun 
 
 which 1,: : ;ely free. He nil 
 
 .Mid yawned aiidilily whi un 
 
 the I catdi li. : 
 
 it to tl. 
 
 I>ut not nee- itidi-ncc t 
 
 a t. HUH r, : t, and s > adroit a BO >Ut. ! 
 
 had 
 
 ipon bistnareh; and .uivin.;- xiillicit nt tii. 
 MIC their own pared his::- 
 
 for }i\^ in. 
 
 !. \\hich \vould ha ; Miportanee. and 
 
 %ituation. 
 
 really of lit!!. \\ ill, il K . ; |,j s 
 
 hands a:. :: t dillicully a> fully at an 
 
 The ri-U i.f pistol-l] .iilo. 
 
 |iiy 
 
 in \\hich -Ahirh In- had in- 
 
 cnrr. ,1 a hundred : 
 
 ( >n! i ; tin- Indian tl in 
 
 the thick hay which 
 him 
 
 . all, it uas mi ti, 
 
TTII: SCOUT. 
 
 the cluster that were attached to the swinging limbs of the adja 
 cent oaks. He felt that, with the opportunity before him, and wiih 
 choice allowed, it was incumbent upon him to choose with reference 
 to his reputation no less than to his escape. To choose an inferior 
 brute, having the pick of the best, would have argued greatly 
 against the understanding of the scout, and would have filled his 
 soul with a bitter sense of mortification. But hear him, as he 
 deliberates, and you will be satisfied that lie is not the person to 
 throw away a good chance, and disregard the value of a proper 
 choice. 
 
 "There s a dark bay, I m thinking, that, as well as I can 
 make out in the moonlight, is about the best. The black is a 
 monstrous stout animal, but too high and heavy for the sand 
 roads. The gray. is a little too showy for a scout that ought to 
 love the shade better than the sunshine. I reckon I ll resk the 
 bay. He ain t too heavy, and he ain t too low. He has legs 
 enough for his body, and his body looks well on his legs. He ll 
 do, and if I could only take the saddle from the black and clap it on 
 the bay, I d be a made horseman. It s a prime English saddle, and 
 1 reckon the holsters don t want for tilling. It s mighty tempting, 
 but " 
 
 A favorable opportunity for making a movement now suggest 
 ing itself, his soliloquy was cut short. The scout had his e\ es 
 all around him. The sentinel s bark was toward him, and he 
 commenced his progress. To the citizen, uninformed in the ar 
 tifices of Indian warfare, the mod ; of operations adopted and 
 pursued by our scout, would have been one of curious contem 
 plation :md study. It is probable that such a person, though 
 looking directly at the obj.-rt, would have been slow to discern 
 its movement-, so sly, M> unimposing, so shadowy as they were. 
 "\Vith the flexibility of a snake the body of our scout seemed to 
 slide away almost without the awisiaiirr of hands and feet. No 
 obvious motion betrayed his progress, not Hie slightest rustling 
 in the gTMB, i:r tbe faintest crumpling of the withered leaf of 
 the previous autumn. His escape was favored by the gray gar 
 ments which he wore, which mixed readily with the misty 
 shadows \>f the night and fore.-t. Amid their curtaining um 
 brage it was now impossible for the sentinel to perceive him 
 
ira , PLIGHT r,\ NK.UT. 293 
 
 While pi.: , ,1 behind 
 
 the encampment. anl -M-nti;, 
 ftih which he had lra\< r-cd. II 
 
 . 
 
 1 i- nliulit VTBfl -liahd !,ack fn>m nun? th:.n 
 
 p and morion, which betrayed the proximity of tin- 
 
 kton. and Darcy. and tin- iv<t of that 
 
 1 nid wh<. ; in i,!,,,.d along MIC 
 
 and Saluda. Mure Mian CHIC <f the MS- the 
 
 :f had falh-n l.y Micir felon hands. \Vcll ini-lif .lack I .an: 
 
 . ! Ihcni. !l"\\- ca.--y, with 
 
 their .wn lr. at little li:i/anl t 
 
 ivd lu-ck^ and shoulders spouting with their 
 
 : itural to tin- man. but for an in-tatit only. 
 ! i! with a -hu.ider; and turnini: warily in an- 
 f diivcti,.!!. he i to put in execution i 
 
 tp, fur Mi-- pnr|o-e of making 
 hiin>elf. . v t,, hi< eiienii; 
 
 ::.ed to favor him, but i lore- 
 
 ; <-a.uti(>n. lie j.rocetded with suMii -ient p-ntleness. and 
 
 re di~;..r! .UK eamoiiL tlu- animals than they habitually 
 
 H -illation into their 
 
 confirmed the judgment which ho had 
 
 while watching them from a distance. Tiu- dark bav 
 and lie succeeded with 
 :.!nir him from the boii,i;h to which lie 
 aed, 
 
 him forth from the -roiip. -o as to throw tin 
 
 miners line of sight, was a task not 
 much Hi-ire di!licii!i ; ami but little n 
 
 II sc.-ut to lead him down the hilUidc into the 
 -cs of the bay, in the -hade of which he could mount him 
 without exposure, at:d dart of! with every probability of , 
 
 :ipt to p:- . iacitv 
 
 i" the ( : a man of much BXp 
 
 which i 
 
Til i 
 
 carried by tin- Mack. Dropping the bridle- of his buy. therefore 
 over a slender hickory shoot, in- - o the group, and pro 
 
 ceeded to strip the black of liis app I m. \\heiher the 
 
 animal hud sonic suspicions that all was not right iii this n<xti. 
 proceeding, or was indignant at the preference which the scout liad 
 i in favor of his companion over himself, it i-- certain that he 
 :itcd tlie liberties taken by the intruder in a manner that th; 
 ened to Ite more fatal to the fugitive than all the pistols of the en 
 campment. He proceeded by kicking and biting to prove his jeal 
 ousy and dislike, and this so effectually, as to make it a somewhat 
 diilic-ult matter for the scout to ell ect his extrication from the group, 
 all of whom were more or less restiff , and prepared to retort. >. 
 the black the sundry assaults which, in his random fury, lie had in- 
 ilicted upon them. 
 
 This led to a commotion which attracted the attention of the senti 
 nel : and his challenge, and evident approach, compelled Hannister 
 to discard his caution and betake himself with all expedition to the 
 steed which lie had captured. He darted forward accordingly, and 
 the ;diarp bam: of the pistol followed his appearance en the back of 
 the steed. This, though it awakened only the merriment of the : 
 live, aroused the whole eneai:.;>ment. There was no time for i 
 templation none for the expected conference with the landlord, 
 liannister knew this. He cast an instinctive uun.e to the northern 
 heavens, as if seeking for their guiding star, then pricking 
 with the point of his knr : away with a hurry-scurry 
 
 through the woods that, defied their intricacies, at.d seemed to 1 
 a! the vain shout- ami clamor of the lilac!; Riders, who were seeking 
 indue to order, with the view to pursuit, their now unmanage 
 able hor.-i 
 
 The circumstance that had led to the discovery of IJannisicr - 
 Hi-lit, availed somewhat to diminish tiie daiigT* of the < ha-e. 
 
 re the refractory steeds "i.uld be quieted, and tin- dr.r. 
 on the track of his llight, the tread of his 1). l".-t 
 
 entireh t.) their hearing. They scattered themselve-. nev. rthe- 
 leflC, aiiionu- tiie wood>, but \\erc soon recalled froiii a pursuit 
 which promised }o be fruitless ; while P,;i:.nisier. dr.-.wi:m- u|> his 
 ,1 uh,.,, IK- i,<> longer heard the ( lamor> t>! lii> pui>u< r< 
 
T1IK 81 
 
 ! for a \\hile to deK !i the cm . of his 
 
 arri\e at 
 
 more tickling his lior>c > Hanks with the point .f 
 buried h: lit in the d of the 
 
 OHAPTBB XXVI, 
 
 BHADOWfl AM. STRAWS rr>\ Tin: SURFACE. 
 
 .! a! the Middleton barony \\.-i 
 
 aim; ln;t not its iiMial calm. It I, ail i:.\v other tenants 
 than thox,- ^ hose quulity aii i KX had maintained 
 
 -\illi its purity. The chief of the ouila\\>. atieiid< d . 
 faithful adh.reiil. \VaN,n G -lill it> inina!- 
 
 r, in the pei-M.n Oi 
 
 ;!it, to \\li.-m I!a\vdon hud -;\(ii the woumlcd 
 man in rha: I ntleman\\a- nam d HiUinuiM-. He 
 
 Mjft in liis prof.-ion. II.- could take off a lei; 
 twinkling of an eye; lui lie wn one ,if that unfortunate 
 ;iart you- g \\lio aim at universal <!. 
 
 MO .l.jiet tOO liiirh for hi- ambition, and. unhappily. 
 .. He philo>ophi/ed \\heii philo-ophy \va< on the tapis, 
 and 
 
 " Hear him hut n-ns<,n in divin. 
 
 you \voul! have fancied the liriti-h camp \\a> the verv h 
 
 :id th- a :ient of the 
 
 l io\ idem . He talked po(lr\ 1 iy the . 
 If on the e.|Ual tatr \\ith which : 
 
 tin- ami: i 
 
 . 
 and to s< c him in this JH i f"! i.iai, 
 
 niahd. ii truly 
 
 rful. Armed \\ith the ihicad in one hand, and 
 
Till- SCOTT. 
 
 the needle in tin- other his lips working the while with singular 
 ii:defatigablen< ss his left foot firmly planted in the foreground. 
 his right thown bark, and p.>i<ed upon the toe; and he laughed 
 to scorn the ditliculty which the doubtful eye of the needle 
 seemed to oll cr to his own. I Us genius, though universal. 
 lay eminently this way. He had the most m:ir\ icoty 
 
 of finger in threading needles that ever w;i- POSM-.-MM! by mortal. 
 rnhapiily, he- was not satisfied with a distinrt-ion so notable. 
 He was a universal genius, and aimed at all BOrta of distinction. 
 He would discourse of war, and mameuvre armies, so te to 
 confound Hannibal and circumvent Sripio ; and, while in-i- 
 upon his paramount excellence US a surgeon, was yet perpetually 
 deploring that sacrifice of his better uses and endowments, 
 which the profession required him to make. ( (.mention 
 had done something toward other developments and de-ires of 
 our subject. He was a gallant, no less than a genius was 
 ambitious of the reputation of a r</<\ and, according to his own 
 account, had achieved -oine of the most wonderful conquests 
 among the sex. in spite of the mo-: eminent rivals. His eomplai- 
 ance was prodigious, in ivepect to the tender gender; and when he 
 considered how hopeless it was, in one man, to attejnpt to render 
 all happy, he deplored the fate which had mudcftim irresistible, and 
 regretted that but a single life was allowed to execute all the 
 desires even of universal genius. How he pitied the fair, frail 
 rvnturrs who \\ere eomp"llcd to hunger hopelessly. lie \\ould 
 willingly have had himself cut up in little for their sakes. could the 
 ubiquitous attributes of his mind have availed for the several Bttb 
 divisions of his body ; but . as this could not well be done, he could 
 only sigh for their privations. 
 
 Fancy, with such complaisance, the person of the uglic-t 
 "Great head" in existence a man, with a short neck, head 
 round as a bullet, eyes lik, and a DO8C us sharp as a 
 
 penknife; a mouth which could hold a pippin, ami was constantly 
 ,11 the stretch ;i- if desiring one. Fancy, yet farther, such a 
 >n in the IIOIM- with a woman like Flora Middleton, smirk 
 ing indulgently upon that dam-el, and readily mistaking the 
 cool contempt with which she regarded him. MS only a natural 
 impiession of that wonder which hi- pretence must naturally 
 
in a country -girl and it will ni.t In- diilicult to anticipate 
 :tune of the gallant to IK- thrown into company with the 
 
 maiden. 
 
 .Mr. Ilillhou-e was to provident of time in all mat! 
 suffer any of his talents to rem -.in unemployed, when h- 
 
 it. otlu TV. 5-i . Love-maki] 
 
 t with liiiu a mar inu-n!. 
 
 Be bad work. It was -imply as au 
 
 -.lent, and a.x an pli-hmeiits, 
 
 :ided to smile upon the Fair, and to confer those 
 
 affections which he otherwise afTec i.-ii. lie himself had 
 
 lions perhnp* lUCh a creature never 1: 
 
 in that earnestness of character without wl:i< -li the sciisihilities 
 :ither ilrui sulxtanccs the which 
 
 only delude, and never satisfy the the mind. He had 
 
 : >ra Middli-toii lcfon- IP- had plan::, 
 .iminiiii: the wounds of Morton, in connection 
 v. ith l . mind, and 
 
 framing tl:-- " r that salutation vhieh ! < wot to : 
 
 on th- . l niu r lady. It many hours 
 
 after ! . .rture, l>cfore he commenced hi- 
 
 Tin lin-akfa-t- .al le \\ ,i> hc BCCOe. M r -. .M M llrt, ;ii. ^vliom the 
 
 1 alann< of the ni^ht had 
 and, ]. ; and unhappy. Flor: took her seat at the 
 
 and Mr. llillh-.-. red at the tir-t 
 
 summon-, though the latter dil n..t MM-III CO that the 
 
 room | ed with any .tli.-r presence than hi- own, and 
 
 with whom 1, ended to <-. inverse. V. 
 
 1 u 1 "li-e, -miled, t,,.,U liis st-at. al 
 
 iird of PM ; .;. Hut the 
 
 . heil a i> -rioil in life, when it him a 
 
 duty to di-plav companions of hi-, ability 
 
 to hri: 
 
 floii " ^ m:-Ue 
 
 and .M in hi- 1 
 
 inmeuled on lh- l.y the remark 
 
TIII: scour. 
 
 only thing that In- can not help doing." Hut neither 
 served to restrain a vanity whose chullitions were habitual; and 
 the youug surgeon began to prattle, as soon as tin- l.< 
 her appearance. The events of the night, the military 
 of the da .vn, and the heauty of the morn which succeeded, fur 
 nislied him with ample topics, lie was in hope that the "spirit- 
 stirring drum and ear-piercing tife," and so forth, had not vexed too 
 greatly the slumbers of Miss Middleton; a wish that the 
 
 red with a grave nod, and an assurance which lier 
 countenance belied, that she never felt better in ail her life. The 
 weather, the never-failing topic, enabled him to dilate copiously 
 from the poets Milton being the first at hand with an almost 
 literal description. 
 
 " A most lovely morning, Mi-s Middlcton ! In this beautiful 
 e nmtry, you may be said to reali/.e the truth of Milton s description 
 of another region." Hemming thrice, to relieve himself from an 
 obstruction in the throat which he did not feel, he proceeded, 
 :1 of chant, to give the beautiful address i>f Kve to Adam 
 beginning : - 
 
 "Sweet is the lnvuth <>! morn, her rising sweet. 
 With charm <>! earliest birds." ,V<-., \e. 
 
 Hut nothing could exceed the unction of his look and gesture, when, 
 approaching the conclusion of the pas-age, he b"t rayed by his look, 
 tone, and action, the true reason why the selection had been 
 made, and the application which he sought to give to its closing 
 
 sentence 
 
 "But neither breath of morn, when she : i-cnd8 
 With eharm of earliest binis; nor rising sun, 
 On this (leiijj-lnl ii! la ml ; nor herb, t ;.!, t lower, 
 (ili-ieniii . : witli de\v; imr fr.-"Ti-;inee after showers ; 
 Nor "TMteful e\-eiiiiiir mil 1 ; nor silent ni-_ r l)t 
 NN itli this hep solemn bird : nor walk by moon 
 Or glittering starlight, u-itlmut ///- 
 
 AVomen very SOOD discern when they ha\e to deal with a 
 fool. At another time, and under other circumstances, Flora 
 might have amused herself with the harmless monster ; but she 
 forebore, and quietly replied : 
 
SHADOW! pox TII 
 
 "In tnr The de- 
 
 ;im at this v,. a .on of the day and year, i- very correct, 
 when applied I intry. One would aim 
 
 that Mi! thinking of us. At lea>t, our 
 
 6 liberty of applying hi- I 
 , d-> tell nu- how your patient I. M 
 
 This was all said with tlic most indifferent, matter-of-fact 
 net in the world. Tin- answer to the inquiry was lost in 
 the ; d knowledge which enveloped it. A long scien 
 
 tific f wounds in general; then 
 
 followed an analysis of the several kinds of wounds gun-shot, 
 yonct, hill, bludgeon wounds in the head and 
 the hip. the shoulder and the leg. the neck and the abdomen. 
 
 of al! wounds, Mix- Middleton, I feel at this 11. 
 more than over convinced that the most fatal are those which 
 are inflicted upon the human heart." 
 
 This Wtia followed l>y a glance of the most inimitable tender- 
 
 ! upon the region, the 
 "f whi-h were alleged tol.e so paramount. 
 
 - tid the young lady, with becoming 
 nlirmed by all that I ever heard on th. subject. 
 r. who is an excellent judge in such mat- 
 : one time the only butcher in Charl< 
 
 ; i the lieart always, in prefer. 
 
 to . -iiat while death is certain to follow 
 
 hurt in the one region, it is a very frequent circumstance 
 that the hardne of the other renders it impenetrable to the 
 bul] be very od and the distance 
 
 tO be the best judge of tin 
 
 :;ion." 
 
 1 -iderable elTort to suppress the 
 
 >age. The scout p. i 
 the latent .sarcasm in the reply of the 
 was innocent of any unnecessary 
 und -rstandiiiL . with pr 
 
 hat her * m\ 
 fatuity. 
 "Veiily," he thought hU i- a ! ; she 
 
300 THE SCOUT. 
 
 has seen nothing of the world; lived always in a state of pure 
 simplicity; totally unsophisticated. I shall have but little trouble 
 with her." 
 
 AVith this reflection he proceeded with great dignity to ofTe; 
 objections to the opinion of the overseer, to all of which Flora JUid- 
 dleton assented with the air of one who is anxious to get rid of a 
 wearisome person or subject. 
 
 But the surgeon was not to be shaken off so easily; and 
 question which she found it necessary to propose, however sim 
 ple or little calculated to provoke dilation, only had tin- el t eet 
 of bringing about the same results. The same jargon tilled her 
 ears the same inflated style of compliment olTended her taste 
 and, in answer to the third or fourth inquiry as to the condition 
 of his patient, he assured her that " Wounds were either fatal 
 or they were not. Death might follow the prick of a needle 
 while a man has been known 1o survive even a puncture of the 
 heart itself;" here followed another significant glance at the 
 lady; "but, lie continued, with the air of a man who declares 
 the law, while there is life there is hope. Hope, as we are 
 told by our little poet of Twickenham, hope springs eternal in 
 the human breast; and the last person, Miss Middle-ton, whom 
 hope should ever desert, should be the surgeon. So many hav-- 
 been the marvellous cures which the art of man has effected 
 that he should despair of nothing. Nothing, you know, is im 
 possible with Providence perhaps I should say with art; for 
 many have been its successes, which ignorance has falsely and 
 foolishly attributed to miraculous interposition. Miracles. Miss 
 Middleton, are not common things. I am of opinion, though 1 
 would not have you suppose me skeptical or irreligious, that a 
 great many events are represented as miraculous which owe 
 their occurrence to natural and ordinary laws. Then- WM an 
 instance it came; under my own observation in the island of 
 
 Jamaica " 
 
 "Pardon me. sir, if you please, but if your patient can i 
 spare your presence, mine can not. I am to understand you. Hi- 
 of opinion thai Mr. Conway CAD only survive by what is ordinarily 
 considered a miracle; but which. I am to believe, will be then wholly 
 a>< i il)able to your professional skill? " 
 
SHADOW 301 
 
 "I r. M Middleton, said \V:it.n (Jray, ri in- from 
 
 tin- table " that Mr. Conwa\ -.MM! cli 
 
 . uirly cuts, l.ui lie ha>n t much 
 . ami 1 don t think any of the wounds touch the vital j.-. 
 
 : a good many woise hurts in my tinu-, and though Tin 
 no d I think ht: l! get over it liy good nur-in-_ r and 
 
 watching." 
 
 Mr. IIillhou>e wa^ greatly confounded by this interposition. His 
 rated aa Watson (Jray went on, and he permit 
 
 ted himself to exhibit ju>t sullicient interest in the interruption 
 
 as to wheel his chair half round, and take a cool contemptuous 
 
 The latter did not wait for reply or refutation; 
 
 and the simp!- what he said wail suflioiently conc-lu- 
 
 me t - Flora, who rox f . al-o, and the gentlemen having linMied 
 kfast prepared to leave the room. lint Mr. Hillhouse was not 
 willing to sulTer this movement. lie had still more knowled^j- 
 to display. 
 
 not be deceived bythi-> pev-dii. Mi-- Middleton a very 
 D, certainly, not waiitin. ;tni>tion- \n-r- 
 
 I Bhoold tm to be the .f whom you have. 
 
 . -n." 
 
 No. sir; I only know hi- ol the friends . .\ay." 
 
 "Ah: a friend of Mr. I onu-ay --a ver\ election. There 
 
 i^ nothinc about which ^cntU-men .-liould lie BO careful as the 
 
 ! friends. A friend is a man " 
 
 ;r. -but may I be- your attention, at your < 
 
 ire, in the chamber of the yoang woman? Her deliri . 
 
 It will trivc me pleasure to obey \oiir n-(|uisition>. 
 in; nut let me warn yT)ii | . . idgmenl 
 
 the Mibj"ct of Mr. ConwajT*! ,,iidilion, from the 
 
 I doubt not i 
 
 lent butcher. Mi Midd!et<>n; 1ml. Mirely it i- c.bvious in you 
 irt of taking life, and that of savin 
 
 uld tell very nearly, as w< U 
 
 lid be l)eces<:iry to u-e ill 
 
 felling a bullock, hut the ijur-stion how o brim: the same bull... 
 life again " 
 
 
302 THE SCOUT. 
 
 "Is surely one that is better answered by yourself, and I should 
 consult you, sir, were it ever necessary, in preference to everybody 
 else." 
 
 The surgeon bowed at the compliment, and with undiminished 
 earnestness, and more directness than usual, returned to his subject, if 
 subject he may have said to have who amalgamated all subjec; 
 happily together. 
 
 " Mr. Oonway, Miss Middleton, is not so bad as be might be, 
 and is a great deal worse, I am disposed to think, than lie wishes him 
 self to be. His wounds are not deadly, though he may die of them; 
 yet, though life itself be but a jest. I must consider them serious. 
 This overseer of yours is right in some things; though, I suspect, 
 he only reports my own remark* to Lord llnwdon, made this morn 
 ing, ere his lordship took his departure. I told his lordship that I 
 considered the case doubtful, as all maladies must be considered: 
 for you know that there is no certainty in life, hut. death. He has 
 fever, and that is unfavorable; but as he has little fever, that is 
 favorable. In short, if he does not suffer a great change for the 
 worse, I trust that he will get better. Xay, I may admit that I 
 have hopes of it, though no certainties The surgeon who sj 
 of certainties, in such matters i- pardon me. Miss Middleton 
 little better than a fool." 
 
 "I thank you, sir; you have really enlightened me on many sub 
 jects. I am very mudi obliged to you. You must have seen a great 
 deal of the world, sir." 
 
 This was said with an air of very great simplicity. It completely 
 deceived the complacent surge. m. 
 
 "The world! Miss Middleton, I have sounded it everywhere. I 
 have basked on the banks of the Niger; I have medita ed at the foot 
 of tin; pyramids; have taken my chibouque with a pacha, and eaten 
 sandwiches with the queen of Hungary. I have travelled far, 
 toiled much; spent five years in India, a< many in th(*\Ve<t li: 
 two in South Anvrica; and yet, you see m-- In-re in Smith ( 
 lina, still nothing more than second -s.irp-i.n to a little army of 
 iian live thousand men, commanded by a general who 
 but no matter! Lord Hawdon is a good Mis, Middleton 
 
 U ihe world goes but, burn me! a very poor judge of good 
 associates." 
 
MI 303 
 
 V ; very early 
 
 have trai ;eh." 
 
 Apron ri ftened into " maternal ties," <lid not offend 
 
 tlie | 
 
 A i, . M>< MM .leton; hut it is surprising lio\v rap 
 
 idly a per.- ii acquires knowledge, who starts early in pursuit 
 
 veiling itself is a delight a great delight 
 
 it would do y.ni good to travel. Perhaps, were you to go 
 
 BAT, you \vouM feel less surprised at the 
 
 my ;u-q 
 
 1 ., do you really think .- 
 
 1 lo pun my honor I do. Your plaee here is a very fino 
 
 Y..U have, 1 understand, some ten thousand acres in this 
 
 < )ld r.ar.-ny it s called slaves in sufficient num- 
 
 . and really everything remarkably attra< 
 
 and , 1 can \ery well understand how it is that you 
 
 ^hould not care to leave it even fur a sea^m : out if you only 
 knew what a joy travelling is to go here and go then --- W 
 this rhing and that he a.-kcd to tliistVte and that palace 
 and know that the wh< lor your presence 
 
 and dependiiiL : nly k:;- 
 
 up your i your slave.-, your h;. 
 
 rhink them all flat, stale, and Unprofitable 
 you d 
 
 " ( )] . me. VMU eloquent. If I remain 
 
 longer, I shall he jsersuaded to go ; and I must . 
 
 tin. Good morning, sir. I trn>t that you will di . 
 l leisure to the poor young woman." 
 
 The BUTgeon hent and howeil almost to the ground, while ins 
 hand wa - to his lips with the tpiisite refinement 
 
 1 that perio.!. I he dandy is clearly human 
 All ages have possessed the creature U:P 
 
 lioman, the (ireek. t!.e Ivjypiian. the Ilelirew, all the 
 i !-h, and the ] 1 home testimony 
 
 In tl, iiaps, there i> m* dandy hr.h 
 
 in h: Cheroki Nature and art 
 
 ho h dec! . Ill hif 
 
 point of vie.w common sense can ur^: jecliomj to 
 
$04 THE SCOUT. 
 
 He clearly lias an allotted place in life ; and like the wriggling 
 worm that puts on a purple jacket and golden wings, though 
 we may wonder at the seeming waste of so much wealth, we 
 can not deny its distribution, and must suppose that the insect 
 has its uses, however unapparent. The exquisite may stand in 
 the same relation to the human species as the jay or the peacock 
 among the birds. These teach the vanity of their costume while 
 displaying it : as the man of sense learns to avoid the folly, 
 even in degree, which is yet the glory of the fool. 
 
 " Charming creature !" exclaimed the dandy, yaw.ning, and 
 throwing himself backward on the cushions of the huge sofa, 
 which stood temptingly contiguous "Charming creature ! She 
 deserves some painstaking. Her person is not fine, but her 
 lands are ; her beauties are few, but her slaves are many. She 
 is rather simple, perhaps ; but, gad, my soul ! ne is hard indeed 
 to satisfy whom these fine grounds, excellent mansion, good 
 lands, charming groves, and balmy atmosphere would not recon 
 cile to any sacrifices. We must make it, some day or other, all 
 - ; and though, Augustus llillhouse, be them not too nice ! 
 Already hast them suffered many a choice fleshly dainty to slip 
 through thy fingers because of thy fastidious stomach. Beware 
 Thou art wasting time which is precious. Age will come upon 
 thee ! Age ! ah !" with a shiver " it will need fine mansion, 
 and noble park, and goodly income, to reconcile that to thy phi 
 losophy. In the days of thy youth, saith the proverb. 1 will 
 counsel of it in season. The damsel s worth some pains 
 taking, and the sacrifice is not without its reward. But such a 
 gown and stomacher as she wears ! I must amend all that, 
 { here is also an absence of finish in the manner, which too de 
 cidedly betrays the rustic. Her voice, too, has a twang a 
 certain peasant-like sharpness, which grates harshly upon the 
 
 But these things may be amended! yes, they ma 
 amended. I must amend them, certainly, before 1 can commit 
 myself among my friends; for what would Lady Bell, who is a 
 belle no longer, say to such a bodice, such : i stomacher, and, 
 above all, to a carriage, which -hows a degree of vigor so utterly 
 foreign to good breeding. I must teach her languor, and that 
 mil be tho worst task of all/for it will require exertion, She 
 
BHA1 
 
 -nust learn to lounge with with a faint- 1 
 
 IUMI her cvtv- it them, 
 
 when sin :D let lie. tlpfl of 
 
 her lips as if .-he were striving all - f ive 
 
 them in. Ah, c!. -11 ! BWC< 
 
 1 thou, de ""Id 
 
 :hi> harony-g: 
 
 v inueh lovelier were she than all of ye ! Y<> are, 
 laud . ami there! - 
 
 acre> weigh heavily Rgainsl your charms. Augustus flilllr 
 
 .,!i>h in thy f. x 1 th<- fruits wbicll the 
 
 .piarrel not with the inuut\ 
 
 I flu- (00 much red upon the. apple. It ; . the 
 
 red may ho reconcile. I, in tin.- BCOming <lol- 
 
 riie^lamly ^oliln^ui/c.l at greater len-lh, hut nei: 
 phuism nor hia philosophy finds much favor in our si-ht. 
 are not of that cla^s of writers who delight in such detail, and 
 
 hall not, accordingly and this omission may surpri.- 
 fashionable readei furnish the usual inventory of Mr. Jlill- 
 hou- and wardrohe. Ki!..ngh that it was ample , 
 
 for his purposes, and enahled him to provide a change, and a 
 ditVereiit color, for every day in the ir.<>nth. 1I-- had his purple 
 and his violet, his green and his omhre, the 01 
 of his valor, the other for his sentiment, the third for \>.\< 
 sadness, and the fourth for his feeling of univc .vnl melancholy. 
 We shall only say, that his violet was worn at his first inter 
 with Flora MMdK- 
 
 While his head ran upon h a<ure which he 
 
 had now c.-rtainly re.-dved up<>n, it j>ied with 
 
 tain incidental and equally imjiortaiit topics, suvl 
 which should be worn on such occasion for t! 
 marriage was tin 1 onlv da}- he had I 
 and the sul.se, jiu-nt d;- ; md, chat; 
 
 he was to tal. -\<m of with his wife. Stretched 
 
 upon the thrown H\T an an 
 
 and the otln ; 
 
 pillows, which had heen drawn from 1 this 
 
 purpose 1,1- -hut in dronn.; hil lip 
 
800 :: SCOUT. 
 
 gently moving as lie whispered over the several heads of topic* 
 which engaged his reflection ; ho was suddenly aroused by hear 
 ing the fall of a light footstep behind him. At first he fancied 
 that it might he one of the servants, hut a negro is usually a 
 heavy-heeled personage, who makes his importance felt upon 
 *.he floor, if nowhere else ; and when, in the next moment, Mr 
 Augustus Hillht ii-e remembered this peculiarity in his n.v 
 he fancied that the intruder could he n<> other than the fair rus 
 tic. whose acres he was then disposing of with the most me; 
 tile facility. Nothing could he more natural than that she should 
 \ery soon iiiul her way hack to the spot where it was possiMe 
 to find him. 
 
 Under this impression, he started to his feet with an air of 
 well-practised confusion; and having heen at some pains t< 
 throw into his countenance an excess of sweetness and sensibil- 
 itv, he turned his eves, as he fancied, upon the fair intruder, t.i 
 meet not the, lady of his h>ve, nor one of the gentler sex at 
 all hut a man, and such a man ! 
 
 Never was creature so wofully confounded as our young gal 
 lant. The perron who encountered his glance, though hut f<i 
 a. i instant onlv, was the verv picture of terror gaunt terror 
 lean misery, dark and cold ferocity. Clothed in the meanest 
 homespun of the country, and that in tatters, the tall, skeleton 
 form of a man, stood in the doorway, evidently receding from 
 the apartment. In his eyes there was the expression of a 
 vacant anger something of disappointment and dislike a look 
 of surprise, and dissatisfaction. In his hand, at the moment of 
 his disappearance, Mr. llillhouse. fancied that ho saw the sudden 
 shine, of steel. But he was so completely confounded hy the 
 apparition that he was for a few moments utterly incapable of 
 speech ; and when he did speak, the spectre disappeared. 
 
 ""Who are you, and what do you want?" was the shivering 
 inquiry which he made. A savage grin was the only answer of 
 the, stranger, and the next instant the surgeon stood alone 
 
 "The devil, to he sine!" he, exclaimed; hut, recovering his 
 
 coinage, he, darted after his strange visitor. He rushed into the 
 
 \vay out into the porch ran -iown the steps, looked 
 
 -t into the : cotni hut in vain. li> .M- nobody. K\er 
 
ACE. 807 
 
 , he km 
 
 <!,dra\vn ; Mini n<> 
 than a lame ; f vision that 
 
 .\itliiuit. Hi- be house, more than erer satii 
 
 igit !V"i:i a personage whose 
 
 intim.icv iinj 1 -! and other COmbustlblofl ; and a sud 
 
 den resolution t . it once iut.-i the 
 
 condition i"in he liejran to think he had too 
 
 supernatural visitation. 
 
 his rare \\:i> the person of the outlaw 
 
 rior claims, or worse condition, but simply 
 Stated to eiu-oiinter the 
 
 vmiu^ lady in wh il was nere.^arv t {.r.-u-ti>e that 
 
 and delii .-ci-ion nf tone and manner, lan^ua^e and 
 
 . -.\liii-li form tl,< (Mitials of smves^ful - 
 
 ment, in all ages, \\lim dealing \\ith the sex. Regarding "W 
 ninistance in a lar^c eollectioo of dejien- 
 
 n^-})(5nt, a mom/ 
 . -ii-d relational, J u . had 
 
 i-xliiliitiiiL I Ql in his j : and 
 
 l:e jioured forth to the co.,h r and more rational scout the intelli- 
 f which he \ 
 
 . as a fool, hut had n< 
 
 sujiji^isc that In- was a liar. He saw m> reason to doiiht that lu> 
 
 had v, rind concluded that his alarm had s>;newh:ir 
 
 rora of what he -;iu. 15nt his n of 
 
 B and particnhr, 
 
 he wcdl knew that neither the fears nor the follies of the 
 led hi> invent!. >. i of it; and, with graver 
 
 louks than he hi; fiided instantly to 
 
 the lo\\ , 
 
 There he found the sentinels, each r.t and thev 
 
 from tin f, I ll . 
 
 tn think more lightly of th= . hut 
 
 fliei :!! soim-thin^ in M which had been 
 
 :. him that he iVoiu his > 
 
 searched the immediate neighborhood of the premises, hut with- 
 
 inything >ns, ll> 
 
308 THE SCOUT. 
 
 nothir.g; but a keen watchful eye followed It in progress, ever, 
 step which he made, along the avenue. 
 
 The father of Mary Clarkson had survived the conflict of thf 
 preceding night. It was his spectre which had so fearfully 
 alarmed the contemplative surgeon. lie had good reason foi 
 his alarm. His sudden movement alone, which enabled the vin 
 dictive old man to discern the slight popinjay person of the sur- 
 . saved him from the sharp edge of the uplifted knife. The 
 ami run tic clmw of the woodman an instrument not unlike 
 the modern bowie-knife had, at one moment, nearly finished 
 the daydreams of Mr. Ilillhouse and his life together. 
 
 Finding nothing in his search like the, object described, Ww- 
 son Gray was disposed to think that the surgeon had seen one 
 of the soldiers on duty, who had probably found his way into 
 the mansion with the view of employing his eyes or his fin.. 
 
 j or the moral sense of the invading army, officers and soldiers, 
 
 does not seem to have been very high ; but this idea was com 
 bated by the fact that Ilillhouse had been for many y 
 himself, ;: member of the British army, and knew, as well as 
 anybody, the costume of its several commands. The nervous 
 excitement of the surgeon, which Avas not overcome when < . 
 returned to the chamber, was another argument against this no 
 tion. But a new light broke in upon Watson Gray when he 
 remembered the ancient superstition along the Congarec. 
 
 " You ve seen the ghost of the eassiqne," he said, with a con 
 clusive shake of the head; "old Middleton walks, they say 
 I ve heard it a hundred times. He used to wear homespun and 
 a hunting-shirt though I never heard it was ragged and the 
 big knife and rifle were never out of his handi-. The Congaree 
 Indians used to call him King Big Knife, and, sure enough, he 
 made it work among the red skins whenever they came about 
 hi.s quarters and didn t carry themselves rightly. He was a 
 m^t famous hunter ; and, between the hears and the savages, 
 the knife and rifle had very little rest with him. I reckon it s 
 him you ve seen, though it s something strange for a ghost to 
 
 alk in broad daytime." 
 The 8-urgeon was not entirely satisfied with this explanation ; 
 
8HAI; u\ Till: SUKPACB. 
 
 :iable, but simply because it 
 clashed with his habitual philosophy 
 
 "Ah. my oo<l friend." !;iimed patronizingly, "I sec 
 
 I ine very vulgar errors. The belief in ghosts 
 
 with. Ghosts, like continental money, 
 
 their val... the people had their credulity. 
 
 you d.uibt, the ghoMs disappear, and the money is 
 
 ; ;t mly among a simple people and 
 
 tll early As philoiphv divine not 
 
 :;ill fools supp.-e u philosophy began to shed 
 
 her beauiN UJK.U lie world" &c. 
 
 had already ceased to listen, and we may as 
 well follow his example. Talking still, however, while working 
 about the wounds f \n< patient, the surgeon at length awakened 
 nnother \ 1 the faint, but coherent words of the outlaw. 
 
 . Mined the scout to his bed-.; 
 " Where .mi I ? what does all this mean, Gray?" 
 
 SOU interfered, and for live minutes expatiated 
 - langer t- a patient situated as he was, in using his 
 
 >wn. any but his professional attendant. 
 
 :hing, my good sir. can be more injurious to the nervous 
 em, particularly where there is any tendency upward any 
 mounting of the blood to the brain! I have known numbe; 
 
 re the results have been fatal, even of the most 
 
 Into: Cation. Once in India, a colonel of cavalry, as 
 
 I ever lived Monckton a noble fellow 
 
 ed like a prince won every woman he looked at, and 
 
 happy in never being made to marry any he suffered from 
 
 I pi-rate charge which he made at 
 
 h< l ad of i got, upon the native troops. The rajah 
 
 il and my poor friend Mnm-kton " 
 
 feebly exclaimed the outlaw, but with an emjJhasia 
 ;:nd manrer sufficiently marked to be offen 
 
 " Psh.-iw ! p.xhaw ! sir do you mean pshaw! sir, an epithet 
 
 of contempt or " 
 
 1 lie wounded n.,m interrupted him 
 Pftj moment, while I 
 
 rhai. my friend saj>. Come hither, Gray." 
 
Tin: SCOUT. 
 
 "I warn you, sir I wash .my hands of tin- responsibility! 
 exclaimed the now indignant surgeon, Pshaw! pshaw! audio 
 me! " 
 
 "Gray, can t you turn that fool fellow from tin- room?" said 
 Morton, in a tone which was only i;;:ii;dible to Ilillhouse from the 
 feebleness of the speaker. Hut no such s .eps were necessary. The 
 indignant surgeon availed himself of the moment to obey the requisi 
 tion of Miss Middleton, and visit his other patient: and the outlaw 
 and his subordinate wuv left undisturbed to a long, and, to them, not 
 an uninteresting conference. 
 
 This conference had relation to many events and interests which 
 do not alTect the progress of this narrative, and do not accordi: 
 demand our attention; but we may add, that no portion of the intelli- 
 which Watson Gray brought his commander was of half the 
 interest, in his mind, as those events wliieh we have prcviou-1. 
 lated, in the occurrences of Brier Park, after the moment of Kdward 
 Morton s insensibility. 
 
 "That 1 live ,-t all is almost miraculous," was the remark of 
 the outlaw; "lor I had goaded him " meaning his brother - 
 "almost to desperation, and when my hand failed me I looked for 
 death." 
 
 lint why do this?" was the earnest inquiry <>f Gray; "why, 
 when so much wa* at stake? I thought you had made it your chief 
 care, and believed it your correct policy, particularly as eonce! us Mi- 
 Flora, to keep him in the dark. Why tell him ail why goad him 
 with this knowledge? " 
 
 it was mv policy, and >< 1 had iv>olved; but the devil and 
 my own pa-ions drove me to it ; and v,me other feeling.^ wliieh 1 
 could not well account for. Hate, hate, hale! was at the bottom of 
 all, and 1 suppose I needed blood letting." 
 Y..II have had it enough of it." 
 
 "^y. but I live in spite of it, Watson Gray, and 1 feel that I 
 shall still live. I shall not die thN bout not while 1 am here 
 here in the same house with / r. and while all things I, 
 are, as you tell me, ripe and favorable. This alone is enough 
 to cure wounds thrive as numerous and thrice a* deep as mine. I 
 am here with her. and let me but use these limbs once more, and 
 the victory and the pri/.e are mine. 1 will wear them, \Y 
 
\i> STJLI 
 
 . with a y \\hieh -hall lind triunii.h in a thc.i: 
 
 feeling which confer anything but Joy, 
 
 diall know what it is to have felt with feeling radl 
 mine." 
 
 outlaw sank backward from exhaustion, and V. 
 found it neee-sary to en! the sur- 
 
 !:IMHI the speaker that restraint which his 
 
 W8al -i-d to b,- more th:i: .. Thi- w :( - a dilli- 
 
 eu.lt ta>k , the outlaw beinj: impatient to he.nr particulars, and 
 ililatc upon hopes and pas-ions, which filled all the secret avem; 
 -.ul with joy ! It wax only by warnin.ir him of the dai; 
 
 viTythin.ir by taskin.i: his ]io\\cr- prematurely, that he 
 i :cd to silence : Init lis lips still worked with hi< d 
 and while he lay with shut eyes upon his couch, alnio-t 
 fainting with exhau-tion, his heart h--aved with the exult- 
 in. i: imaires which fancy had already array-d bef<.re his 
 mind, in preparin eniplated triumph. That triumph in 
 
 cluded i: Ion of Flc.ra Middleton, and his escape with her. 
 
 ami .th-r trea-ure-. only less valuables in his own estimation, and 
 r value in that of his confederate. Aln-ady he was 
 I in tin- \Ve*t Indian Mands ; of Teat 
 
 from the and of ti. on of those eh 
 
 which had equally warmed his mind and hi- pa i 
 
 slept ; and \VaNon (Iray availed himself of hi- , h a 
 
 biief hour of oblivion from tne same auspicious iiillueiice. 
 
THE SCOTT. 
 
 ( II APT Mil \ XVII. 
 
 CTILT, AND ITS VICTIM. 
 
 THE course of the surgeon, when lie left the chamber of the out 
 law, was taken, as we have seeu, to the apartment of his other 
 patient. The indignation which he felt at the conduct of .Mor 
 ton, in rejecting, in terms of such contempt, his counsel to silence ; 
 expedited his movements, and, muttering while he went, the di- 
 comtiture which lie felt, lie found himself in the presence of 
 Miss Middleton before he had entirely smoothed his milled front 
 for such a meeting. Hut Mr. Hillhousc prided himself on his 
 eadoo of all tho>e nice requisites which coi^titute, jxir excel 
 lence, the essentials of ladies-men. Among these nay be 
 rockoued a countenance \\hich no unruly pa>-ions could ever 
 decompose. He started, with an air of studied, theatrical modeMy. 
 when, at the entrance of the chamber, he saw the young 
 l a ,l v t _ passed his kerchief once over his face, and the magic 
 consequences of such a proceeding, were instantly apparent. 
 The wrinkles and frowns had all disappeared, and sweet senti 
 ment and deliberate love alone appeared upon that territory 
 which they had unbecomingly usurped. The surgeon approached 
 trippingly, and in a half whisper to Flora, communicated his 
 
 apoloj 
 
 I Mil! tremble. Miss Middleton, for I had almost ventured into 
 your pres< nee with -in angry visage. The truth is, I am sometimes 
 eptible of anger. My patient in the opposite apartment pTOVei to 
 be unruly. He ha- annoy. 1 me. He rejects good counsel, and he 
 who rejects counsel need not take physic. Coun-el. Mi>s Middl 
 \\n< beer, happily designated the physic of the soul, and should ne\er 
 
 jectcd " 
 
 perhap-, when given as physic, sir ; but will you look 
 at this p;.or young woman. I am afraid you can do but little for her. 
 She gro\\ very moment." 
 
GUILT, A N " tT8 vi< TI M. 
 
 A hem 1 The limit to human art has not yet been 1 
 Middleton. The patient has frequently 1 .<d fr<>m 
 
 the very lin_:c!^ of death. My own ,M;< 
 
 been nunuTou.s and remarkable. I rciiirinbcr once in 
 Ceylon. >ometime in the autumn of 177 J, I had a COM "f lliis 
 very sort, and a younir woman too. E ured her skull by 
 
 falling from a window, in an effort to reach her lover, 
 affair OQ BOt a linl- D at the time. Ti. 
 
 . -thiiiLT more than respectable on all 4 an un- 
 
 ; ierable aversion to her lover which her father entertained 
 threatened to defeat their de-ires. You need not be told. 
 Middleton, that where a yonn-r woman lOYefi, -In- will 
 thin. "f her attachment. 1!> -rthy 
 
 of Iier. He was an Irishman, his name Macartney and cer 
 tainly, for that day, hail tin- mci-t inimitable 1aMe in the ar 
 rangement of his cravat, of any man I ever knew. He could 
 make a pendant to it, a sort of //./ // GOT . hich I would 
 
 defy the prettiest tin.irers in the world to unravel. The knot 
 
 aivd like a ball, a single irlohe. from which hung tWO lap- 
 beinir tin- open ends of the kerchief. S ular iiiL r e- 
 
 nuity, he would alter the det to leave but one lappet, and 
 
 then.it mi^ht be liken. wilh a tail su h 1 
 
 is. in ITU .i. I doubt if you were then quite old cn-Mi-h to 
 have 8660 that comet, but you may have heard of ii. It had a I 
 prodi-ious tail fully sixt\ 1. n.-rth. as emnpi;-. 
 
 It WU w: .ountin.ir to losl 
 
 that I lura .Middleton lixti-m-d to tin- >\\i\ i of the voluble exqi: 
 
 ]M.ured fortli all the while that he pursued his examination into 
 
 the hurts ,,| his pati-nt. [1 1 -hoi-kin^ that one eould 
 \ at MK-h a momen:. ..M ar.y Mil.ject but Midi . 
 
 -ltd j>erf, | lak in hail.! he 
 
 sliould enlar-e on -ucli wretched follies, \\itli -o much sufferiii: 
 
 her -till 1ll"! e !H! HlUiaf- 
 
 ural. 
 
 It will 1..- remem HMvd .1,1 |- i.. r:l Middleton I untry- 
 
 ^irl, to whom t!i Miploynu nts of th 
 
 tional worlil of fa-hi-n. W< 
 
814 THK SCCfiT 
 
 > 
 
 from books , mid if she heard anything of suck . xtravagaucie* 
 in thorn, they were very likely to ho thrown hy, as too silly foi 
 perusal, and too idle for holief. The plaintive moans and oe 
 casional ejaculations of the poor girl offered the only intori -p- 
 tion to the garrulity of the surgeon, but did not seem to awaken 
 any fooling. lie commented on this Insensibility, by a quota 
 tion from Shakspoare, which served for the time to divert 
 entirely from the subject. 
 
 " II.iw use doth breed a habit in a man ! 1 do believe, M .-- 
 Middloton, though I should think just as much of her as 1 vfon> 
 and feel just as desirous of doing her a service, that I could 
 take off the leg of my grandmother with as much composure and 
 indifference, as perform on the most indiiV-M-ent sp-angcr. Did 
 you ever have a tooth drawn, Miss Mi Mieton /" 
 
 He urged this question with great gravity, btt did not wait 
 e or the answer. 
 
 "A painful operation to the patient, decidedly, and the only 
 surgical operation which I have any reluctance to perform, M v 
 obje r tkn arose from a very rational circumstance. When in 
 m> tP. r ;iis. and a student a time as 3-011 perceive not very 
 remote, Miss Biiddleton, though my worldly experience lias been 
 80 extensive ami so rapid I was called upon to extract a tooth 
 from the mouth of a young lady, the daughter of a s->,^5n^ 
 master in Bath. She was very nervous, and gave me a great 
 deal of trouble to get her to submit. But I had scarcely got 
 my finger into her mouth being about to use the lancet - 
 when look what a mark ! showing his finger it will last 
 me to my grave, and, as you so;-, disfigures terribly the entire 
 member! She closed her jaw upon me, and ah! I feel the 
 thrll of horror even now, whkh seemed to run through my 
 whole, system. Nay, by my faith, would you think it not 
 content with taking hold, she seemed no way disposed to let go 
 ;i;:aiu, and it was only by main force that tihe was persuaded to 
 Meet that my finger had no real or natural connection with 
 her incisors. Young ladies are said to keep pmses^ior of their 
 favorites with a tenacity peculiar to themselves, but a i.io.lo like 
 bia, Miss MidtUetnn, you will readily admit, was neither loving 
 
QUILT, ii.M. 
 
 As she looked a;. toibear the 
 
 exclamation of "i. " while tin- reflection wliich hai 
 
 occurred to every mind which 1 rved and thought. 
 
 sug- _r identity which exists between the 
 
 Minis and euld nature, and that in which levity 
 semis a leading characteristic. The extremes inevitably : 
 Tlie hear can dance, and the monkey, which is one of the I 
 
 ive, it not the most formidable, is one of the most malignant 
 .e wild tribes of t! A frivolous people is apt : 
 
 md the i. fate Indian warriors p 
 
 the looking-gUuM worn about their necks to any other ornament. 
 
 While the sin L prating in this fashion, he 
 
 ing - m the poor girl whose hurts he examined without 
 
 iii- to he conscious of the pain he gave; and the ii. 
 which he mination as that which had so much 
 
 .cl iVnin the jaws of the lady of Hath was stained with the 
 9OH hues from the fractured skull which he had been feel- 
 Mr. HUlhonse was coiihidcrcd a good surgeon in the Urit 
 :iny ; and, it may be, tl nt the very ealhMty which shucked 
 M.ilities of Flora Middleton. w..uld not only commei.d 
 him to the rough soldier, who acquires IVoin his daily practice a:i 
 habitual sc..rn of the m :ing humanities, but was, indeed. 
 
 ing an excellent operator. His skill, how- 
 * vail nothing in behalf of his female patient ; 
 Alien, at length, after a thousand ej Flora obtained 
 
 from him his final opinion, though it said nothing, it signified 
 much. 
 
 The mournful presentiments of t: :rl, expressed to her 
 
 yer but ft, promised to reali/ed. 
 
 Hrr wounds, mental and bodily, were mortal. Her min-i 
 
 . 11. i : The seat of n 
 
 u.-u;j and delirium raved with unabashed 
 
 front and unabashed j the abandoned empn 
 
 thought. Wild and wretched were the strange and incoherent 
 
 Of whirh fell : lips. > 
 
 childliooil, now of her father; and when k of him, hei 
 
 eyes would u: J a hasty ^Ift] 
 
 few momenta around the chaml . ting the ga/e ot 1 
 
516 THE 
 
 Middleton, they would suddenly turn aside, jr fold themselves 
 up again, as if anxious to exclude a painful object from their 
 survey. 
 
 But there was one name which, like the keynote in an elab 
 orate strain of artificial music, sounded ever prcclusive to the 
 rest; and the keen ear of Flora heard with surprise 4 tin ireijue!;, 
 iteration, in tones of the most touching tenderness and entreat v. 
 of the name of Edward. Never once did the listener conjecture 
 to whom this name applied. It was the name of the father, 
 perhaps the brother, the dear friend; but never once did 
 fancy the true relation which made it dear, and fatal as it was 
 dear, to the unhappy victim. Could ohe have guessed the truth 
 could she have drt-amed, or in any way been led to a presci 
 ence of the truth how would that suffering, but proud heart, 
 have melted at the stern cruelty which its injustice was mo 
 mently doing to the faithful but absent lover ! Her meditations 
 were those of the unsophisticated and pure-souled woman. 
 
 " 1 will not let her suffer," she murmured to herself, while she 
 sat beside the dying creature. " 1 will not let her suffer, though, 
 poor victim, she little fancies how much suffering her pres 
 brings to me. tier miserable fall, and wretched fortunes, shall 
 not make her hateful in my sight. God keep me from such 
 cruel feelings, and strengthen me against temptation. Let me 
 treat her kindly, and not remember to her detriment that Clar 
 ence Conway has been her destroyer. 0, Clarence, Clarence ! 
 You, of whom I thought such pure and noble thoughts you, 
 who seemed to me so like a man in excellence as man was 
 when he spoke unabashed in the presence of the angels how 
 could you stoop to this baseness, and riot on the poor victim, 
 abusing the fond attachment which proved her only weakness, 
 and which, 5u I lie eye, of him she loved, should have been lie; 
 chief security and strength." 
 
 Had Flora 3Ii<idleton lived more in the world, and in tl e 
 great cities thereof, she might have been less severe in examin 
 ing the supposed conduct of her lover. Her soliloquy might 
 have been softened, as she reflected upon the numbers among 
 her sex, vicious and artful, who save the betrayer some of his 
 toils, and are caught a -i icnines in their artifices; but of thi* 
 
, - norm. . ;i 
 
 class ol | !,e had n< knowledge, and did not even con- 
 
 i eture their existence, She took it for granted that Clarence 
 
 the one who was v holly guilty his victim 
 >nly weak through the strength of IKT attachment. Th< 
 :f her own regards for her lover enahled her to form a corrci: 
 
 cf that overpowering measure wliieli liad been the : 
 - destruction; and thinking thus, she had no indulgence foi 
 , whom she regarded as one recklessly, ai.d without qu 
 cation, wicked. 
 
 But the truth , even Kdward Morton, tlie real wrouj 
 
 not, in this case, deserved entirely this reproach. There 
 some, truth in the sarcasm which he uttered to Mary CMark- 
 n, when he told her that her own vanity had had considerable 
 part in her overthrow. She felt the partial truth ^f the arusa- 
 and her own reproaches followed on her lips. It would he 
 g injustice to the outlaw, were we to describe him as indif 
 ferent to her situation. There was still something human in his 
 nature some portion of his heart not utterly os.Mfied l>y the 
 
 U which ,roved its chief characteristic. lit the 
 and i -rsation which followed, between him and his 
 
 confidante in his chamber after the exclusion of th- he 
 
 had asked and received all the information which could l,e, given 
 on the subject of the events which had i v Clark- 
 
 victim to a like misfortune, and in consequence of the same cir 
 cumstances, with himself. He did not know- the fact, nor could 
 
 m him, that she receive ! her hurt.- 
 
 ,f tin- leehle attempt which slic made to c nv to his relief. 
 all the circuiii-taniT.-, led to this convict!-. n, ami ^!,rii i: 
 
 ed the ground over which he had g<-ne, and her um 
 ing deVOtedllOSfl through tJje h.ng and perilous period, 
 and danger, which had marked lii^ 
 
 red how many had hecn her B*crifi< 
 her faith the only one true, amid the n*iny : 
 douhtful, an<l only seemed hy purchase; w ! 
 of r.houglu r-minded him that, for all th 
 
 and DO li . 0, fron 
 
 alonr lied, and who inonoj.oli/ed, without km- 
 
 to film-, all the h>\ e of \vi 
 
318 TMI-: B< OUT. 
 
 possibly for the in his life, that the cold and keen re 
 
 proaches of remorse touched 1: 
 
 "I have done the poor creature wrong I .. d her 
 
 as she deserve. See to her, Gray, for God s sake, and let not 
 that fool of a surgeon, if he can do anything 
 forts. If she survives I will make amends to her. I will treat 
 her more kindly; for never has poor creatu; re faithful; 
 
 and I m inclined to think that she mu.st have been hurt i;: 
 idle attempt to come to my succor. You say you found her on 
 the same spot ? " 
 
 "Very nearly." 
 
 "Surely, Clarence C onway could not have drawn weapon 
 upon her ! " 
 
 "You forget. She was diessed in men s clothes, and in the dark 
 ness of the evening." 
 
 "Yes, yes but still a mere boy in appearance, and there 
 never was a brighter moonlight. Nobody would have used deadly 
 weapon upon one "whose form was so diminutive and evidently 
 feeble. She was. sick, too she told me so; but I had heard her 
 Complain SO often, that I gave her no credit far sincerity,;! 
 her back to watch those d d plotting scoundrels in the swamp. 
 Would the fiends had them !" 
 
 W-- nerd not pursue this dialogue farther. .The exhaustion 
 of the outlaw left him temporarily oblivious on the subject f 
 the girl; but, towards cvenim. -, Parting up from a brief uneasy 
 slumber, his first inquiry was into her condition. When told that 
 her skull was fractured, that she w;is raging with fever and de 
 lirium, the outlaw sank baek, shut his eyes, and, th"uirh 
 lay in a rigid silence, which sin > wed the still ;< Mce of 
 
 better feelings of which it was his misfortune !> i 
 but few, and those loo fVebli; for etlieieiit and beneficial service. 
 
 their effect, may i : from the 
 
 the means wnployc l by Wat divert his min-; 
 
 the gloomy jit into which i 1 1 > have fallen. That 
 
 vicious ndhrrei" the inonvnt to inform him of th> 
 
 he had taken to lay th- ne her i; 
 
 of ri::rencr (onwav, and to COOVey this impre--.;: m to Flora 
 MMdlolo;j. The exultation of a selfish hope came in to 
 
r,c virii.M 
 
 .mil the outla 
 Till;.: 
 
 ca that, ami it can do ]">(>r Mary no harm now; 
 h-oks Flora since >he heard it? Have yu stM-n her 
 
 Yes: .she looks twice as tall, and ten times as haughty M 
 
 " l- l -ra Middletou to the life ! The Semiramis or Xenohin ot 
 As proud as either of those dark, downing 
 antiquity. She fancied that you were pitying her 
 win Turned upon her face, and after that her 
 
 t was to make herself semi as insensihle and indi tier- 
 she never had a heart. Ah ! Gray, my ^ood fellow, 
 Rawdon is compelled to 
 not carry the proud damsel oil from all 
 
 of them, i all futur as well as all the 
 
 pro! part. Keep that f.-.l fellow of a snrireon from 
 
 pro! imply that he may use his instrument aihl tin. 
 
 and let him only do what you th: . I 
 
 can t well helievc t|jat such a < that can 
 
 , >ly he, of anv D , t to wind silk, or tend upon 
 
 and would sooner have yuur doctoring than that of 
 vhole tri! y limhs a.irain, and the rcsl 
 
 What wa* that re.-t . What \\ < hopes which 
 
 such a tone of exultation to the voice and lan^rua^e of the 
 wounded man . We Deed QOl anticipate. The conjecti; 
 onl\ . What should t! : rin:in: in such a rank 
 
 and horn of such seed as hi> criminal hands had planted ] 
 k, deep, and reckless, was the determination of his - 
 wily, in the highest dr. :. derate to whose aid in 
 
 ut nn w.-i . vt this moment 
 
 it need only he said that, in the mind of the conspirators, noth- 
 . to LMlle their desires hut the condition of their 
 :. All tiling- . ! !: foriu:ie they impl 
 
 the liend they served, the appetite which prompted, ami the 
 
 i \ it nt. \\ ere all i; 
 
 ho, of all. \\ | hv tlieii he 
 
 Well mi^l.i he , 
 
320 THE SCOUT. 
 
 the folly which had brought him to his present state, r.nd de 
 nounce the feebleness which delayed the last and crowning 
 ach ; evenient on which his hopes and desires were now set. His 
 soul chafed with impatience. He had no re-sources from thought 
 and contemplation. He could curse, but he could not pray ; 
 and curses, as the Arabian proverb truly describes them, are like 
 chickens, that invariably come home to roost. They brought 
 IK it her peace nor profit to the sick bed of the invalid, and the} 
 kept refreshing slumbers from his pillow. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 PHILOSOPHICAL DOUBTS AND INQUIRIES. 
 
 angry feelings which the conduct of the outlaw had 
 produced in the bosom of Mr. Surgeon Hjllhouse, had driven, 
 for the time, another affair from his recollection about which he 
 was particularly desirous to speak with Miss Middleton or hei 
 grandmother. A ramble in the woods that same morning en 
 abled him to recover his temper and, with it, his recollection ; 
 and when the dinner things were removed that day, he fairly 
 conducted the old lady to the sofa, placed himself beside her, 
 and with looks big with the sagacious thought, and busy spec 
 ulation, he propounded himself as follows in a language some 
 what new to him, of sententious inquiry. 
 
 ".Mrs. Middleton madam pray oblige me by letting me 
 know what sort of a looking person was your grandfather!" 
 
 My grandfather, sir my grandfather!" 
 
 Yes, madam, your grandfather how did lie look how 
 did he dress was he tall r short stout >r slender. Did he 
 wear breeches of blue homespun, a tattered hunting shirt of the 
 same color and bluff; and was his cuutniu. Jc C/IUM as long af 
 my arm ?" 
 
 My giandfather, sir ! Why, sir, what do you mean?" 
 
pun, 
 
 harm, no ofi ence, It-!!. 
 
 contrary, my ipu .siimi is prompted liy p av> and dif 
 
 ficulties, and. possibly, dangers! No idle or impertinent curi 
 
 ng it. Philosophy is seri";; _ in your 
 
 "My grandfather, sir why In- has : : these hundred 
 
 I do not think I . : saw him." 
 I >ead a hundred years ! Impossible ! Kh ! HM\V can that 
 
 demanded tin- surgeon In astonishment scarcely less than 
 that which the old lady hcr>elf had manifested at the beginning, 
 "dead a hundred \ Really, Mrs. Middleton there 
 
 l.c some mistake." 
 
 >ir then it is yours, not mine. My grandfather 
 has hern dead mure than a hundred years, lie died in France 
 somewhere in 1GSO or 81 - " 
 
 "Oh he died in France, did he? You arc right, ma-lam, there 
 is a mistake, and it is mine. To he sure it was not y<>ur grand- 
 lather if he died in France about whom 1 wished t k:. 
 
 it was .17- Mi . in a graudfath* 
 
 .My hii>haii the "Id lady bridling with dij 
 
 while her keen uray oyea ilashed with all the vivarity of girl- 
 "iijectured the utterance <>j .-icnt 
 
 fV-m her companion. Tin- ra ll his dilemma. 
 
 a- hu.-haiid, ^ir.-. Middleton," he stammered "Can it 
 
 be? Mi>s Middleti ji s grandfather your In-.- 
 
 1 why not, sii honor to be her grand 
 
 mother r 
 
 "True, true, most true, madam, hut - " 
 
 41 It ihtcs not alter the IMM very materially, sir, so far 
 
 me intere.-tc !. ymr right is j : I inquire into the 
 
 private history of A^r grandfaUx mine, 1 r. 
 
 u think, so much dej M it 
 
 tired country people, it is tine, Mr. Milllmuse - " 
 " llillhouse, madam AnuuMi;- Hilllu.use, of his majesty .- 
 r..;don me, sir Mr. Ilillh-.u-e I ; ;- abonl to 
 
 em--- i that, though 
 
 retireii and ra >till not utterly . . the 
 
 banks of the (_ <>. the rlaima of philosophy. I trust 
 
822 THE SCOUT. 
 
 to see tier schools established here before 1 .lie,* and may, pon 
 nibly, have the pleasure of hearing you, yourself, expounding 
 from one or other of her sacred chairs." 
 
 The surgeon bowed low at the unexpected compliment with 
 out perceiving the smile of irony by which it was accompanied. 
 
 "Ah, madam, you do me too much honor. I am but poorly 
 fitted for the high station which you speak of. It is true, I am 
 not indifferently read ; I have seen the world a fair proportion 
 of it at least ; and am considered very generally as a man fond 
 of serious and severe investigations in the kindred temples of 
 science and of nature, but " 
 
 " Oh, sir, I have no sort of doubt that you will do well in any 
 of the departments, and if ever we should be so fortunate as to 
 obtain our liberties again, I have no doubt you will be thought 
 of for some such situation." 
 
 " Ahem ! ahem ! Liberties ! ah ! ahem ! " 
 
 The termination of the sentence, which intimated a hope of 
 British expulsion, was scarcely palatable to the surgeon. 
 
 "But, sir, on the subject of Miss Middlemen s grandfather 
 my husband the late General Middleton what would you 
 please to know ?" 
 
 "Ahem why, madam, the case presents itself in an aspect 
 of increased difliculty. I had somehow confused it at first, and 
 fancied when I spoke that ] was addressing you <m the subject 
 jf a very ancient relation. The connection being so close " 
 
 " Makes no sort of difference, sir, if your question conveys 
 nothing disrespectful." 
 
 The reply of the old lady bewildered the surgeon yet further. 
 lie was not sure that something disrespectful might not be 
 veyed to a very sensitive and jealous mind, in any loim ol the 
 question, which was to solve his difficulties. In this state of be 
 wilderment, with something of desperation in his air, he ] ro- 
 posed another inquiry, seemingly so foreign to the previous topic 
 
 * A hope which the veneral-le lady in question lived to realize. The Collegf 
 f South Carolina, at Columbia, has 1-eeri Ion - -<\i\ oj.rnition. ami l:ai 
 
 the good fortune to have sent forth some of i - ..i:irs and aMest states 
 
 men in the Union. lu im i ~jierit\ induces the confidei : 
 
 iLftt it will long continue a < . inurh usefulness H nd i;ood. 
 
PHILOXH HIC.U. t>0 :IE8. 
 
 that Mrs. Middleton began to tliink liiin insane as well HI 
 -illy." 
 
 " Mrs. lOddletOH, do you believe in ghosts t" 
 (Jh.-sts, sir! a very singular (question." 
 " I - . madam, but it is a part of the subject." 
 
 " Indeed, sir!" 
 
 . ma am, and I should be really very grateful if \... 
 1 say whether you do or do not believe in that supcrnatu 
 1 ! rtral visitation that independent emho.ii. 
 
 incut, iu shape of limbs. sinews and substance, of tbe immortal 
 > which is vulgarly entitled an apparition, or ghost ? Pro. 
 iially, madam, as a surgeon, I m not prepared to look fur- 
 hor than the physical organization for the governing powers of 
 f he human form. A soul is a something that has eluded hit! 
 all the search of the anatomist, and the only authority which 
 : such an agent, seems to me to be derived from testi 
 monials, more or less authenticated, of the presence and i 
 pearance of those whom we have considered dead, and no longer 
 
 nd purposes, the feelings and the de.- 
 
 of ordinary life. Now, madam, something of mv fn>t inquiry 
 depends upon my la-t. Pray oblige me, then, by saying whether 
 r do not believe in this marvellous anomaly. Do you 
 believe in ghosts r not . " 
 
 41 Well, sir, to oblige you. though I am at a loss to see the 
 
 connection between the one question and the other " 
 
 It s there there is a connection, believe me." 
 
 " Well, sir, under your assurance, or without it, 1 can have no 
 
 -ay that I am very doubtful what to believe on 
 
 sueh a Mibject. So much has been said on both sides and I 
 
 have heard M many wonderful stories about such things, fmm 
 
 > of Mich excellent credit, that " 
 
 :gh. madam ; 1 . are not altogether in 
 
 credulous Now tell me, madam, did you ever yourself see a 
 ghost ?" 
 
 sir." 
 
 Never! nor any thing, shape, substance, or person, that 
 "d like one. or looked like n,, thing else but one, or (hat 
 you bad reason to MtppQAQ WM One, 01 that WOmbled any de 
 
324 "*: SCOUT. 
 
 parted friend, relative, tie, connection, dependence in short, 
 did you never see anything that a suspicious mind might not 
 have readily taken for a ghost ?" 
 
 " Never, sir, to my recollection." 
 
 " Well, madam." continued the surgeon, taking courage from 
 >wn motion, "on your answer will depend the very impor 
 tant doubt whether I, Augustus Ilillhouse, second surgeon in his 
 majesty s S7th regiment of foot, have not been favored by the 
 visitation of the late General Middleton " 
 
 " Sir!" exclaimed the old lady, rising with a most queenly air 
 of dignity and pride. 
 
 " Yes, madam, that s it !" replied the surgeon, rising also, and 
 rubbing his hands together earnestly. "Here, while I lay on 
 this very sofa, tin s very morning, after the breakfast was over, 
 and Alias Middleton had gone here, alone, I was favored by 
 the sudden presence of one who might have risen from the floor, 
 and, as far as I could see, sunk into it; who might have been, 
 nay, as I have heard, must have been; but on this head 1 
 would have your testimony, and for this reason did 1 desire 
 to learn from you in what costume it was usually the cus 
 tom for General Middleton to appear? Oblige me, my dear 
 madam, by a clear and particular description of his dress, his 
 weapons, his height, breadth, general appearance, the length of 
 his nose, and of his hunting-knife " 
 
 " Sir, this freedom this scandalous freedom !" exclaimed the 
 venerable matron. 
 
 "Do not be offended, Mrs. Middleton. I am governed, my 
 dear madam, by no motives but those of the philosopher. I 
 would thank yon, then " 
 
 " Sir, I must leave you. You trespass, sir, beyond your priv 
 ilege. The subject is a sacred one with the widow. Let mo 
 hear no more of it." 
 
 " But, my dear madam one question only : was he a tall 
 person, slender, rather scant of frame such a person as is vul 
 garly called raw-boned " 
 
 " No more, Mr. Ilillhouse, if you please." 
 " But his dress, madam and his nose." 
 44 Good morning, sir 
 
norms AND INQUIRIES. 325 
 
 44 His knife was it b-ng, very long long as my am 
 Tin- matron : retiring, with a stern glance 
 
 of her gray eye, which would have confounded an} person hut 
 one so thoroughly absorbed in his philosophical follies as to be 
 ittei y incapable of observation. II pursued her to tin- foot of 
 the stairs with a decree of impetuous eagerness, which almost 
 made the old lady fancy that he purposely sought to offend and 
 annoy her a conjecture which hy no moans served to le m 
 the hauteur of her retiring movements. 
 
 " Hut, my dear madam, one won! only" implored the sur- 
 
 D in an agony of entreaty "touching his costume ; (inly say 
 
 wl, .-thcr it was of hlue hoinespnn, rather lightish in line ; were 
 
 his smallclothes rather scantish, and of the same color ; and 
 
 his hunting frock was it not a little tattered and torn about 
 
 the skirt-, and on the shoulder? and 
 
 I, uiitl rnnkctj no sign ! " 
 
 the sad ((notation from Shakspore, with which be concluded 
 and which fitly described the inflexible silence in which the 
 matron effected her departure. 
 
 " P -vilish strange animal is woman ! Here now is a question 
 materially affecting the great e.-t mystery in onr spiritual nature ; 
 which a w.rd of that old lady might enable me to solve, and she 
 will not speak that word. And why? Clearly, she was quite 
 as anxious for the truth, at the beginning, as I was myself. Hut 
 the that her pride stood in the w-y. Pride is half the 
 
 in favor of philosophy. Had her husband, instead of ap- 
 ng in the ordinary guise d one of the natives which must 
 DO ( to be a very wretched taste but put scarlet 
 
 tin rc!;<- on his gho.st, the old woman would have been willing 
 to acknowledge him. Hat she was ashamed of a ghost even 
 though it were her own husband who should reappear in dingv 
 blue homespun. And she was right. What ghost could l,..j.- 
 to find faith, or respect, wh" paid so little attention to his personal 
 appearance ? It M6IDI to m.-, if 1 should ever have anv d. 
 to revisit the glimpses of the moon, and the favor were afforded 
 me, I should be at (juite as much trouble in making up my toilet 
 as I am now; nay, more, for the task would IK; accompanied 
 by increased diiiiculty. The complexion of a ghost would ro 
 
826 THE BCOUT. 
 
 quire a very nice selection of shades iu costume. Whether 111^ 
 violet would not be the most suitable 1 TCeally, the question in 
 creases in interest. I shall certainly study it carefully. The 
 delicacy of the violet is an argument in its favor, but some def 
 erence must be shown to the universal judgment of ages, which 
 represents ghosts as commonly appearing in white. To this, the 
 case of Hamlet s father and General Middleton furnish the only 
 exceptions that I remember. How then should a ghost be hab 
 ited? How should / be habited, appearing as a ghost? The 
 query is one of delicate interest. I must consult with myself, 
 my pocket mirror, and the lovely Flora Middleton !" 
 
 This dialogue, and these grave reflections, resulted in the 
 temporary exhaustion of the surgeon. He yawned listlessly, 
 and once more threw himself upon the sofa where he had been 
 favored with his ghostly visitation ; but, on this occasion, he 
 took special care that his face should front the entrance. HI- re 
 he surrendered himself for a while to those dreaming fancies 
 with which the self-complacent are fortunately enabled to recom 
 pense themselves for the absence of better company ; and pas 
 sing, with the rapidity of insect nature, from flower to flower, 
 his mind soon lost, in the hues which it borrowed as it went, 
 every trace of that subject to which it had been seemingly 
 devoted with so much earnestness. 
 
 Meanwhile Mrs. Middleton joined her grand-daughter in the 
 chamber of poor Mary Clarkson. It needed not the verdict of 
 the surgeon to declare that she must die ; and all his professional 
 jargon could not have persuaded the spectator, who gazed up>n 
 her pale and wretched features, to believe that she could by any 
 possibility survive. The eternal iiut had gone forth. The mes 
 senger of mercy for such, happily, was the angel of death to 
 her was on his way. She might sink in a few hours, she 
 might live as many days, but she was evidently dying. JJut 
 there was a strange life and brightness in her eyes. The vital 
 ity of her glance was heightened by delirium into intense spiritu 
 ality. She keenly surveyed the persons in attendance with a 
 jealous and suspicious glance, the cause of which they could 
 only ascribe to the mind s wandering. Her eyes turned evei 
 from them to the entrance of the apartment; and once, when 
 
PHli, ID i\gt:iaiB8. 
 
 to place an additional pillow beneath hef 
 
 i hand comu: ; : il murmured with 
 
 tlir ; 
 
 "Take liini not i roin me not yet not till I am dead, and 
 in the odd, cold -rav- ! Why will you take him from me? 1 
 M did you harm !" 
 
 y much .-hocked. Flora shuddered, but replied 
 
 ; o U . my p. ,or girl / what would you have 
 me d 
 
 ( )t wh. in . of him! Surely y..u know/ of Conwav ! 
 Take him not from me not not till I am in the gr, 
 Then oh then ! it will not need then : No ! ; 
 
 I " inten ate was brief, but how painful to the listen 
 
 ing maiden ! 
 
 r nothing!" said Flora, somewhat proudly. " God for 
 bid that I should rob you of any of your rights." 
 
 ! but you can not help it! you can not help it !" cried 
 
 lofferer, "I know I know what it is to love and to 
 
 Miller lor it ! Hut, will you not let me see him let me go to 
 
 him or bid them brin- him here to me ! lean not die till I 
 
 have seen him !" 
 
 "That can not be. my poor -ir! ; he is not here. He is gone. 
 I tni-t that (;..d will enable you to live to see hi: 
 
 "He is gone! ftm mean that 1 1] Hal can it be 
 
 that. 1 did not come in time! I saw them light! I heard 
 them swear and strike hard heavy blows, with .sharp >teel ! 
 Oh, Cod! that brothers should light, and B6ek to 
 other! I called to them to Mop; but 1 saw their heavv h! 
 and when I ran to part them 1 iell, and Mich a pain ! .M v 
 
 I""" head ! He killed us both the cruel brother! he 
 
 killed us bnth with h:> II.MVV bl<> 
 
 : make younelf i 
 
 with this mistake. llelieve \\hat I tell you. Mr. (Ma: 
 
 ii in no danger] he escaped The only i 
 
 Edward ( . .ho is hurt. He li,-> in the - 
 
 The WOldfl of the >peal. , ,f t ], n 
 
 i maniac. SuccesMVe screams of a 
 
 i .-motion a something of delight and agony in he utter- 
 
328 THE SCOUT. 
 
 ance followed the communication of Flora Middleton, and were 
 followed by a desperate effort of the poor girl to rise from the 
 bed and rush from the apartment. It required all the strength 
 of an able-bodied female slave, who watched with her young 
 mistress in the apartment, to keep her in the bed ; and the re 
 straint to which she was subjected only served to increase her 
 madness, and render her screams more piercing and intolerable 
 than ever. Her wild, anguished words filled the intenals 
 between each successive scream. But these were no longer 
 coherent. When she became quieted at length, it was only 
 through the exhaustion of all the strength which .sustained her 
 during the paroxysm. Strong aromatics and strengthening 
 liquors were employed to restore her to consciousness; and the 
 scientific exquisite from below, startled from his dreaming mood 
 by the summons of the servant, was sufficiently impressed by 
 the painful character of the spectacle he witnessed, to apply 
 himself in earnest to the task of restoring her, without offending 
 the good taste of the ladies by the exercise of his customary 
 garrulity. She was brought back to life, and the keen scrutiny 
 of Flora Middleton discovered, as she fancied, that her senses 
 were also restored. 
 
 There was an air of cunning in the occasionally upturned 
 glance of her half-shut eye, which forced this conviction upon 
 the spectator. When Flora changed her position, the eye of 
 the sufferer followed her movements with an expression of curi 
 osity, which is one of the most natural forms of intelliiM me. 
 She had also become, on a sudden, excessively watchful. 1C very 
 sound that was heard from without aroused her regards; and, 
 when she saw that she was noticed by those around her, her 
 own glance was suddenly averted from the observer, with au 
 air of natural confusion. 
 
 These were signs that warned Flora of the necessity of giving 
 her *he most patient and scrupulous attention. It was obvious 
 to all that she could not survive that night. The surgeon, rub 
 bing his hands at nightfall, gave his ultimatum to this effect ; 
 and yielded up his charge as hopeless ; and the gloomy feelings 
 of Flora Middleton were somewhat modified when she reflected 
 that death could not possibly be a misfortune to one to whom 
 
TH: XD. 329 
 
 lifo seemed to have 1 onie only th< >f in,.,,ixed evil 
 
 What should >ho live for ? More neglect more shame more 
 sorrow ! the Mow that forces the victim to the dust, and mocks 
 at his writhings ihere. Mary Clnrkson had surely endured 
 enough of this already. It could not he the prayer of friendship 
 which would desire her to live only for its sad continuance; and 
 to live at all, must be, in the case of that hapless creatui 
 incur this agoni/.ing penalty. But Flora Middlcton could still 
 p:ay t -r the victim. Forgiveness might he won for her errors, 
 and. Miivls-, when- the penalties of folly and of sin are already 
 .vat in life, the mercy of Heaven will not be too rigorously 
 withhold. This was her hope, and it may well be ours. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 THK AVE.XUER BAFFLED. 
 
 THE screams of the maddened victim of his lust and selfish- 
 
 , had reached the ears of Edward Morton in his chamber. 
 
 They had startled him from slumbers, which no doubt, had their 
 
 images of terror, such as thronged about the couch of Richard, 
 
 and *at heavy upon his soul. The piercing agony of those 
 
 shrieks mn>t have strangely tallied with his dreams, for he 
 
 d in h!> couch, his BJOfl wild and staring, his 
 
 broken, thick, and incoherent. 
 
 Unit, Watson (iray, who had bei-n a faithful watcher 
 1 h> r. uch, ran to him, and pressed him gently back ujmn 
 (he pillows, n>ing such Ian- jicied might ^<.othe t-, 
 
 juiet h:> iicrvdis exritat mn ; but, a< the shrirks were continued, 
 and set-moil to acquire greater vi>lumo with each I 
 utterance, th- -till an inlhience, boynd his j 
 
 the guilty and wounded man in a 
 agitation. 
 
 " \Vhai mean the>e hid r - Ml "> 
 
 if in my chamber before they began ? Did 
 Ihe.y take nobody in-nce ip-w, now but now /" 
 
830 sco in. 
 
 "No! you li;, In-Mining only. YOU are fe\ eri.sh. I5o 
 
 quiet on your keeping quiet depends everything." 
 
 " So it does ; but can t you silence those noises ? I should 
 know those tones. Can it be are they Mary s? Is she 
 -lying?" 
 
 The question was put by the outlaw in low, husky tones, 
 u hich were scarcely audible. The answer w -arily ut- 
 
 [ red in the affirmative, though Gray was reluctant to speak 
 the truth, and would have readily availed himself of a : 
 hood, had a plausible one that moment suggested itself to his 
 mind. 
 
 " They are operating upon her, perhaps ?" continued Morton ; 
 
 " that d d fellow of a surgeon ! he cares not what pain he 
 
 gives her." 
 
 "No, captain, there is no operation necessary. The doctoi 
 says it ll be all over with her soon. He s given her hurts the 
 last dressing that she ll ever need." 
 
 " Ila ! she will then die ! She told me of this ! I remember; 
 but I did not believe ! I would to God she might be saved, 
 3 ray ! Can nothing still be done ? See the surgeon ; let him 
 do his best. I m afraid you ve let her suffer." 
 
 " N, every thing s been done. Old Mrs. Middleton and Miss 
 t"lora have been nursing and watching her the best part of the 
 time themselves." 
 
 "And there is then no hope? Po"br Mary! Could she be 
 brought up again, I should be more kind to her, Gray. I have 
 been more of a savage to that poor, loving creature, than to any 
 other human b^ing ; and J know not why, unless it was that >he 
 loved me better than all others. What a strange nature is that 
 
 of man mine, at least How d nably perverse has my spirit 
 
 been throughout ; actually, and always, at issue with its own 
 blessing. Ah ! that shriek ! shut it out, Gray close the door 
 it goes like a .-harp, keen arrow ti my brain!" 
 
 Under the momentary goadings of remorse, the outlaw buried 
 his face in the bed-clothes, an. I strove to exclude from hearing 
 the, piercing utterance of that wo which was horn of his wicked 
 ness. But, for a time, the effort WHS in vain. The heart-rending 
 accents pursued him, penetrated the thin barriers which would 
 
ni: \FFLKD. 331 
 
 M 1 roused 
 
 him finally to a >:at.e ! excitement which WatMMi (Jraymcv 
 aded would drive him to a condition of delirium 
 berg, Hut, suddenly, tlie cries of terror ee;. 
 ;ddenly, that the outlaw started with a shudder at the uuex 
 d and heavy silei. 
 
 It is all over with her. She IB dead. Go you and see, 
 and tell me. Pour Mary! I could have 
 >t to her had her claims hcen it [can not he 
 
 is dead. No! no! not yet ; ?liu;_rh mico 1 was 
 _h to wish it. Forgive me! God forgive me, 
 that 
 
 The voice of the outlaw subsided to a whimper. A cold shud- 
 od through hia frame, !! i wi:h terror. 
 
 He fancied that the treed spirit of the woman whom he siipj 
 
 ere it took its final departure. Kven 
 
 the whispering accents which followed from his lips hmke forth 
 in sp ejaculations. 
 
 me, Mary; forgive! for^ivi 1 ! I >huhl have love- 
 you 1 have l.cen a wretcli a col . 
 
 1 ki:i-w K-it your worth your value ami now. 
 II \\h" i> there. who. all. l>y me; 
 
 lake my hand in yours. Well, she is p lic M 
 
 :;mcii his place ly the 
 
 i.f the tri ii:!j!iiii; criminal M ed. lli> approach startled 
 
 HAH with a thrilling C mlirmatioii .f the ;. 
 which had l.efore him. 
 
 t dead. Her pnroxysm 
 , will only waken when : 
 
 on." 
 
 \h ! what a fi 16 hut now. i 
 
 : I conid have sworn 1 beard her 
 
 ain. Kememler how much depend* 
 ttin^ \v tdl. We h. ..t deal to do, 
 
 know." 
 
 I will tn 
 
332 THE SCOUT. 
 
 to sleep, but those dreams those hideous dreams. Keep be 
 side me, Gray do not leave me." 
 
 The slight reference which Gray had made to his worldly 
 schemes and grosser passions, recalled the outlaw to his habitual 
 self. He i .rned his head upon the pillow, while Gray took one 
 of his hanns quietly within his own. Sitting thus beside him 
 it w-.r- not long before he discovered that the outlaw had suid- 
 into a regular slumber ; and, releasing his hold, he laid him 
 self down at the foot of the bed, under the influence of a natural 
 exhaustion, which soon brought a deeper sleep upon his seiisoy 
 than that which possessed those of his superior. 
 
 Night meanwhile stole onward with noiseless foot&tep, and a 
 deep silence overspread the whole barony. The sleep of the 
 outlaw was long, deep and refreshing. It indicated a favorable 
 condition of his wounds, such as Watson Gray had predicted. 
 The poor victim in the neighboring chamber seemed to sleep 
 also, but her repose promised no such agreeable results. The 
 lamp of life was flickering with uncertain light. The oil of the 
 vessel was nearly exhausted. Flora Middleton approached her 
 about midnight, and so still was her seeming sleep, so breath 
 lessly deep did her slumbers appear, so composed her features, 
 and so rigid her position, that the maiden was struck with the 
 thought that the last sad change had already taken place. But, 
 as she stooped over the face of the sleeper, her silken ringlets 
 were slightly shaken by the faint breathing from her half-closed 
 lips, which still betrayed the presence of the reluctant aiid lin 
 Bering life. She appeared to sleep so sweetly and soundly that 
 Flora determined to snatch a few moments of repose also. She 
 needed such indulgence. She had robbed herself of many 
 hours of accustomel sleep, in watching and waiting upon the 
 wakeful sufferings of her involuntary guest. Calling in the 
 servant whose own slumbers never suffered impediment or in 
 terruption in any situation, she resigned the invalid to her care, 
 giving her special instructions to keep a good watch, and to 
 summon her instantly when any change in the patient was at 
 hand. 
 
 Mira, the negro woman to whom this trust was given, was one of 
 the staid family servants such as are to be found in every ancient 
 
Mil A\ U-Tl.EH 333 
 
 southern household, who ^ Tin a necessary part of the establish 
 ment, and arc, substantially, members, from long use and habit, 
 of tho family itself. The children p-ow up under their watchful 
 yes, and learn to love them as if they were mothers, or at least 
 rrandmothers. maiden aunts, or aiVectionate anti i^e Cousins, who 
 ivin their aft .- j hrinirin^ bon-noi>s in tht fi pockets, and 
 
 oin thorn in all their noisy -ames They rebuke t/ie mo 
 )f the youiiLr. follow their steps in iheir errant |il 
 them oi danger, and jitit them to hed at ni- ht. Mira was one of 
 valuable retainers, who had watched the childhood of 
 ft, and received from the latter all the kindness which she 
 :.ly deserved. 
 
 "Now, Manma," said Flora, at leaving her, 4t don teep, 
 
 You ve slept all the evening, and can surely keep wakeful till J 
 come. Call me the moment the poor girl wakens, or if you see 
 any different* 
 
 Mira promised everything, took her seat beside the couch of 
 the patient, and really set out with a serious determination to 
 keep hei eyes open to the last. Pmt when did a lie- P. evet 
 resist that most persuasive, seduct;ve, and persevering of all in 
 fluences in the South, particularly in the lalmy month of June? 
 When did sleep deijrn to solicit, that he was not only too happy 
 ibrace . Mira soon felt the deep and solemn stillness of the 
 scene. The events of the few days previous had exdti-d her 
 along with the rest ; and the exhaustion of her facultie- 
 lion, which is always a rapid atfair in a 1 ! the individuals of her 
 
 :ly made her more than i-v. 
 
 .Co do her all justice, hov, . n.ade the most strei. 
 
 efforts to resist the di-.wsy influence. Si .avo 
 
 Dfl with lierself, hut in an uiul"r-toiu , on the ocriirn 
 of the week. She di.-cussed tlu 1 nieri*.s of the sundry pnnium-nt 
 persons she had seen Itawil-m and the < not fo, 
 
 the assistant surgeon, whon, 
 
 a "pour hurkrufi" in his own coun ry, hut which ami a 
 interval lay hetween sne md -jj 1 .uuk-vtake to say. Hut the 
 lamp burned dimly :: ne neaith the shadows that flitted 
 apon the walls, in oiTespondence, with its tlii-keri:!.;- li^ht, in- 
 ireaaed the gloom-^ the patient beside her in ink 
 
HIE BCOUl. 
 
 in the deepest Clumber, and it was in vain f< r tin- poor negro \r 
 contend \\ith tin- magnetic, influence. Her head was gradually 
 bent forv. ard, and, at length, lay upon the liedside. It was nol 
 alter this when she slept quite as soundly as if this blessing 
 had never before been vouchsafed her. 
 
 When she slept, the, patient ceased to do so. With that tun 
 ning which is said to mark most kind- of delirium, ^he had 
 feigned the slumbers which she was never .more to know She 
 perceived that she was watched she knew thai sli. 
 strained; and, saw "n one subject only, she had employed the 
 little sense that suffering had left her in deceiving her keepers. 
 From the moment when she was told that Edward Morton occu 
 pied a neighboring chamber, the only desire which remained in 
 her in life was to sic him before she died. For this had .->lui 
 raved h, her paroxysm, but they did not comprehend her: and 
 the htrong leading desire of her mind had so far brought back 
 her capacities of thought and caution, as to enable her to eft eei 
 her object. When she. saw Flora Middleton leave the chamber, 
 her hopes .xtrenglhcned ; and, when the negro slept beside her, 
 she ro>e from the conch, stealthily, and with a singular strength, 
 which could only lie ascribed to the fever in her system, and the 
 intense desire a fever in itself which filled her mind. With 
 a deliberation such as the somnambulist is supposed to exhibit, 
 and with very much the appearance of one, she. lifted the little 
 lamp which was burning within the chimney, a::d treading firmly, 
 but with light footstep, passed out of the apartment into the 
 great pa.ssage-way of the. mansion, without disturbing the fast- 
 .sleeping negro who had been set to watch beside her. 
 
 Meanwhile, her miserable and scarcely mure sane lather, was 
 inhabiting the neighboring woods, and prowling about the prem 
 ises of Brier Park, as the gaunt, wolf hovers for his pr< 
 .ing, around the camp of the wet-tern squatter. The w 
 formed a convenient and accustomed shell*-), and but little wat 
 required to satisfy his wants. He had but one, large, leading 
 appetite remaining, and food was only de.-.iraide as it mi-lit sup 
 ply the necessary .strength for the. gratification of that appetite 
 AiiHnul food did not often pass his lips ardent spirits nevei 
 L ho stimulus derived from the one desire of bin soul was enough 
 
\FKT.ED. 
 
 f r ! and sucli stray 
 
 coul< .Itliily furnished |.y the nei( 
 
 slave, from the cornfield or the potato-patch, had be 
 
 Ailing of lution, ll: ".cc of al; 
 
 "poo: ut." 
 
 A- one of these, Clarksoi) m-w found it easy to obtain the 
 
 adequate suj . uts, while in tho neii: 
 
 i ner Pa>-k. IK- s<"n ili.i-nvrivil iii:it !; could ajpr- 
 tin* . kitchen, and finally, the i: 
 
 without incurring mach, if any risk. Tin- soldiers \vln II.M! 
 
 i-hiii l, imiuinally ti }ir)tcct tlu l:ulit 
 
 tlip woir.nlc.l outl;t\v. \\MI I .nmi tf:e:r \- 
 
 :ifl juilii-it-usly and nuinsolK d f.irn.-.-i!y \>\ V 
 
 no raiiM- i l.r apprehension ; and conjfi-tnrcd 
 that . ird " \vnlf," iu or <lMi 1;" 
 
 1I< cautioned and tin* liu-ia, fur he ! 
 
 i- had to dt-al with ; hut as MMHI as ! 
 
 !xs in die wood, Avi. 
 
 11 it!i a grt-asy pack _amUed ;i 
 
 their ^ix| \\ ith all the p 
 
 Inch marks tin- vulgar natnic. 
 
 found out their haunt.-, ua .chcd them as they 
 thither, and then ti-a\er>ed the jd.int ition at hi- lei 
 In this manner he had .^ecrtained all tin- secret* that hr d( 
 it nece^ary : his whole thought was ad ii - 
 
 DOr heard, the infonii:!- 
 tion which c- iu-criird any other. To km w \\ lic.c Kdward 
 
 tin- n:ily k i.\\le.l-- which he dr-!rrd : ami thi- 
 .nalion he -ained l ..f the li< .ut-. II. 
 
 chaml.er, 1m- 
 
 .iii-l Mr. Hill- 
 i him tliat the hour oi 
 d. 
 
 That ni^ht, hov, i-ver. ..f which W( 
 \ icious to his ohject. The si, 
 
 A -y li^ht i tie extent 
 
 The iu d \vli< r 
 
 the, sentinels found th;ir i 
 
THK SCOUT. 
 
 -"-"mug quiet, llioy stole away to an outhouse, ami were SOOL 
 Swallowed up in the absorbing interests of Jamaica r.-.m MM| 
 "old sledge." Clarkson looked in upon them as lie went f r- 
 ward to the hoii^e ; but he took no interest in them or their 
 proceedings, when they were once out of his w:iy. lie pene 
 trated to the house without interruption, ascended the stairs, ami 
 d with impunity into the very chamber of the outlaw. 
 
 .imp was nearly extinguished in the chimney. A laint 
 was thrown around the apartment, nut sutlicieni to pene 
 trate the gloom at the remoter ends of it, and it h-;d 1 
 tieularly placed in such a manner as to prevent it from playing 
 upon the lace of the suffering man. In consequence of this 
 arrangement, the greater part of the couch lay entirely ;: 
 shadow ; and while Clarkson was looking about him in doubt 
 which way to proceed, he distinguished the person of \V 
 Gray, lying almost at his feet upon the floor. 
 
 A glance at his face suiliced to show that he was not the man 
 he sought; and, passing around the body of the sleeper, he cau 
 tiously approached the bed, and drawing the curtain* on oi.e 
 side, was aware, from the deep breathing, and the occasional 
 sigh which reached his ears, that the man for whom he had bei n 
 so long in pursuit of was lying before, him. Hi.- heart had lo;,^ 
 been full of the desire for vengeance, and hi.- knife was r 
 in his hand. It wanted but suilicient light to show him uhere 
 to strike with fatal effect, and the blow would have been given. 
 He had but to feel for the bieusi of his enemy, and the rest was 
 . lie was about to do so, when the light in the apartment 
 was suddenly increased. He looked up with momentary appre 
 hension. The Opposite curtail! was drawn aside in the >amo 
 moment, and he beheld, with terror, what he believed to he the 
 apparition of his long-perished dau-hter. 
 
 ( itainly, no spectre could have worn a more pallid or awi i.l 
 countenance no glance from eyes that hud once been mortal, 
 fcould have ."-hone with more supernatural lustre. The light of 
 delirium and fever was there and !i.e wild, spirilual ;: < 
 which looks out, in fitful spasm.-, I i .m the holl.,\v -ochets <>! 
 H ini: The glance.- of father and (laughter m; ! in t le san.. 
 
Til: Ell BAFFLED 
 
 rtant, nnd what a life >f mutual wo, and terror, and ile>olat ...n. 
 did they each convey ! 
 
 A .shriek from both was the re.-ult of that Iffllooked-for on 
 counter. The light dropped from the hands of the dying gill 
 :ipon tho IHM!, and was extinguUhed ; the dagger fell harmh 
 from his. beside the ho.soiu it was meant to stab. Her hollow 
 nded in his ears, and the words she >poko confirmed all 
 . i-ors. 
 
 My father! Oh! my father!" was the exclamation forced 
 from her by the suddenly recovered memory of the painful p;>. t 
 and a> he heard it, he darted away, in headlong Hight, hee- 
 of the body of Watson Gray, upon which, in his terrors, lie 
 trampled, without a consciousness of having done so. 
 
 -pirtral form of the girl darted after him. He saw hei 
 white garment s, as lie bounded down the stair-flights, and the 
 glimpse lent vigor to his limbs. He heard her voice, faint and 
 !-, like the moaning whi>per of the dying bree/.e in autumn, 
 imploring him to ,tav ; and it sounded more terribly in hi- 
 than the last trumpet. A painful fonsrion>ne>s 
 
 iMeltv. driven the poor girl to the desperate deed of 
 destruction, haunted his mind; and her appearance seemed to 
 him that of one armed with all the terrors of the Avenger. It 
 will not be thought wonderful by those who are at all coi. 
 sant with the nature of the human intellect, and with the sti 
 spiritual touches that move it to and fro at will, to state that the 
 { <f her father s pre.-ence had suddenly restored his daugh- 
 At least, she knew that it was her father 
 
 whom she pursued >he knew that he had spurned her from hi- 
 . and her prevent con-ciousin-x 1,-d her to implor-. 
 ; ;id to die. She knew that the hand of death 
 
 of her situat! her the requi.-ite Mrength t . th., 1 m-.>nit. 
 
 before her pathway r- iihi be traced. h liad followed Ilia 
 into the. neighboring forest 
 
 u 
 
339 THE SCOUT. 
 
 CIIAI TKU XXX. 
 
 TIIK FATI1KU AND II I > CHILD. 
 
 CLAKK-OX, with all the terrors of superstitious fright 
 him, yet with all the insiinet of a scout, sumln shelter in the 
 woods from all pursuit, wheth. . ; upcrnatural or human. He tied 
 with the speed of the hunted deer, and had soon left far behind him 
 the fainting form of his shadow, pursuer. But of this he K 
 nothing. lie looked not once after him upon leaving the lmn>e. 
 Buried in the woods, lie was nil! pre--hii: his way forward, v. he n 
 a voice which, at another time, would have heen familiar 
 friendly in his eai ed him, and summoned him 10 si<:p. 
 
 But. under the ptwailiir: apprehension of his heart, lie faneird 
 it the same voice of terror which had risen from the grave to 
 rehuk.- him, and this conviction increased the terror and rapidity 
 of his lli-h.t. A fool- his own now joined in the 
 
 pursuit. He heard the <j;,iek tread hehind, and finally 1" 
 him, and. de.-perate with the feeling that he was overtaken. 
 turned wildly to confront hi- pursuer. A hand ->i l!c-!i and 
 Mood v.-;is laitl ujton his s :oulder a! the same moment, and the 
 voice of our old friend John Bannister ivas-uird him, aw} recon 
 ciled him In d. 
 
 "By jingsf" exclaimed th- woodman, "if I didn t know you to 
 have tin- real i, .Jake Clarkson, I would think you \vas 
 
 :n: to he rather timur-ome in your old a^e. What s the matter, 
 man? -\vha! < llunj: you 
 
 :. John ! i^ tliat yon?" and the frii: tene.l man grappled 
 the liand of the n^w-comer with ii Hirers that \ver- ct.ld and clammy 
 with I 1 - i" ! ;is heart . 
 
 [ , hi 1:\ l!ii- lime, that 
 
 R 
 
 ,nc. here and ther their iiian h- 
 
 
 
help 
 
 I m think!;)-, uitli and hrin-in.:: with 
 
 ,mp]e of I :. 
 as i from the Philistines lie- in ih ; r 
 
 in my eapli 
 :ind look at tie 
 . John, I m so [ .11. S;;ind by me and 
 
 \Vhy. -A-h. -hat s 
 
 to hurt ; i v The 
 
 en all n.und the harony, and tl half 
 
 lk and half asleep in an old 
 
 m do no hurt, I tell you." 
 tin-in. .John you don t think I mind them? But. . 
 
 Hi- voice -link to a hoarse whisper, and 
 h- l.."ked behind him. over the path i \vith undimin; 
 
 rf" 
 
 Mair hild! 
 
 if-! ii : " 
 
 : no I !,,! gboet II- : -i-ei-it ! It wall John 
 
 to kill 
 11 i i in th" hoi;. been 
 
 : :i-h went. I -. 
 
 hilu 
 
 till to iii^ht. ] 
 [couldn t 
 
 !:iiu the ( uilain dra\\ ed up on on, 
 
 r than the diiven 
 liuht. di, ! lio\v dreadful \\hi! 
 
 . 
 
 then, it ..,,! I ,--,. 
 
JUG THK SCOUT. 
 
 walk ; she seemed to c:/i::e wit], the air; and to fly between tLe 
 f rees " 
 
 "What! you didn t Bee her after yon left llie house, did 
 
 " ? " 
 
 " Yes I oh yes? She fie\v after me into the wds." 
 
 The wo xlinai) struck his head with his palm, as, readily con 
 ceiving ill,- true ground ; or Olarkson s terrors, he tluught of the 
 wounded and dying girl in a paroxysm of delirium, flying into 
 the ragged forest a( midnight. 
 
 " Stay here, stay awhile, Jake, while I go!" said he. 
 
 l),,i) { -o don t leave me!" implored the old man. "It s 
 I that killed her, John, l.y my cruelty. I driv her away from 
 the house, and she went mad and drowned herself in the Cou- 
 garee ; and she haunts me for it. She s here near us now, 
 watching for you to go. Don t go, John ; don t leave me now. 
 If YOU do, I ll run to the river. I ll drown myself after her." 
 
 Bannister found some difficulty in soothing the superstitions 
 terrors of the old man, hut he at length succeeded in doing so 
 in sufficient degree to persuade him to remain where he was, in 
 waiting, till lie went forward toward the mansion. 
 
 " I ll whistle to you the old whistle," said the woodman, " ae 
 I m coming hack. But don t you he scared at anything you 
 see. I m sure there s no ghost, that ain t a nateral one. J ve 
 never known the story of a ghost yet that it didn t turn out to 
 lie. a curtain in the- wind, a white sheet hung out to dry, or nu.ut 
 1 )( . sich things will scare some people a large moss-beard 
 hanging down upon a green oak s branches. If a man s to bo 
 scared by a ghost, Jake Clarkson, I give him up for a scout., or 
 e\ ( n for a soldier. lie won t do for the woods. There s not an 
 owl in an old tree that ain t his master there s not a piece of 
 rotten wood shining in the bottom, that air/t a, devil ready to 
 nm off with him. The squirrel that jumps in the hush, and the 
 li/.ard that runs upon the dry leaves, is a little sort of a com- 
 mg-to-ca;ch-me, for sich a person ; and, God help hiin, i- i pine- 
 burr should drop on his head when he ain t thinking. If his 
 heart don t jump out of his mouth, quicker than ever A green 
 frog jumped out of a black snake s hollow, then I m no man tc 
 know anything about scouting. No, no ! Jake Clarkson, t won* 
 
THK rATHKIl AND HI- .. "I! !!.!>. . Ml 
 
 !( for yon that s heeu counted a strong n..,n, who didn t ! < if 
 the devil nor the tories. to ho taking frig] t at a something that s 
 more, like i dream than anything s-rious. It s ncAhir.g hut 
 what s nateral that s scared you, P thinking, ard jist you k-cp 
 [tiiet till I ^o liaek and see. They can t bcare me with their 
 hluo .lights and burning eyes. My mother was a woman, with 
 the soul of a man, that had the real grit in her. I was only 
 scared once in my lite, and thru she licked t\ie scare out of me, 
 inpleto that that one licking s lasted me agin any scare that 
 ever happened since." 
 
 " Hut my child my poor child the child that I killed, John 
 Hanni>ter," said the father in reproachful accents. 
 
 - Well, there s something in that, Jake Clarkson, I in willing 
 
 to admit. AN* hen a man s done a WJV.ST thing, if anything s 
 
 right tii scare him, it s that. But though you was cross, and too 
 
 I told you, (<> poor Mary, yet it s not reasonable to 
 
 think you killed her: and I ll lay my life on it, if you saw 
 
 y Clarkson to-night you saw the real Mary, and no make 
 
 h lievc no ghost! But I ll go and see, and if there s any 
 
 t at. trust me to pick it up somewhere along the 
 
 track. Krt p you quiet here, and mind to an.Mver my whistle." 
 
 The woodman hurried auav, witluut waiting to answer the 
 
 inquiries of the unhappy father, wh->m the words of the former 
 
 had led to new ideas. The su^irestion. thrown out hy Hau- 
 
 i, that Mary Clarkson mi^ht he yet alive, was intended hy 
 
 the - prepare the mind of the former for a pr- l>al>le 
 
 Mi himself and his child. lie left kirn COIIMMJ:^ 
 
 : impatient agitation, whirli was far more 
 
 the phvHcal man, than woul.l have hern th? rn- 
 ((untrr .f a in hatth- ; and, with ;i feehleness ^liicli 
 iooki-(l lii the f >nas of paralvsis, and had its cfect for 
 a time, tin- old man sank upon the ground at the foot of a tree, 
 
 .-roani-d with the very pain of imhecility. 
 
 H.-miiiMer, meanwhile, took his way hark in the direction of 
 the mansion, and as near! - :hlo ah.ng the rov 
 
 whiili he supposed hi> (mpar.i.m t< have run. His judgment 
 proved correct in this, as in mo>t particulars. He had harcly 
 ernerir- from th.c thicker wood-, and got upon the edge of thr 
 
342 THE SCOUT. 
 
 immediate enclosure which circumscribetj the area of the house 
 hoM, when his eye was caught by a white heap which lay 
 within thirty yards of the woods. lie approached it, and found 
 it to l.i. i the object of his search. 
 
 Tl<." povr girl A\ r ns stretclied upon the ground Immovable, 
 lie Mi.ai! deo-reo of &!renth with which the momentary par- 
 ojysm had inspired h<-r, had passed away, and she lay supine ; 
 her r-ves wen? opened and watching the woods to which her 
 fatb< v li.-id il. d. .Her hand? i^ew sketched outward ill the same 
 direction. Deal a .-as upon her, but the weight of his hand 
 w\^ rot ho;ivy. and hin sting did not seem to be felt. A shght 
 moaning sound es-aped her lips, but it was rather the utterance 
 <>! the vailing b:va h !:n:i of any sensation of pain which she 
 experienced. John Bannister knelt down beside her. The 
 stout man once more found himself a boy. 
 
 "This then, was the thought which filled his brain "this 
 then, is the sweet little girl whom 1 once loved so much !" 
 
 She knew him. A faint smile covered her features, and al 
 most the last eil ort of her strength, enabled her to point to the 
 woods, and to exclaim : 
 
 " My father ! my father ! There ! Bear me to him, John." 
 The hand fell suddenly, the voice was silent, the lips were 
 closed. A >hiver shook the limbs of the strong man. 
 "Mary! Mary!" he called huskily. 
 
 Her eyes unclosed. She was not dead. There was still life, 
 and there might be time to place her in the arms of her fathet 
 :.- it was utterly gone. A noise in the direction of th" 
 mansion, and the appearance of lights in rhe avenue, .letennined 
 the prompt .woodman. He wound his arms tenderly about her. 
 i-a ; .,(-! her to his bosom, laid her head on hi* shoulder, and as if 
 she had been a mere infant in his grasp, darted forward into the 
 cover of the woods. The alarm had evidently been given at 
 the mansion, he heard the voices of the household, and the sud 
 den clamors of the half-sober and half-sleeping soldiery. Hut 
 he def fd pursuit and search, as, bounding olV, m the well 
 known route, he BOOH placed his burden at the toot of her 
 father. 
 
 " Here, f Markson, here is your daughter. Here is pool .Mary 
 
FATIIKK 
 
 not long to live. She Be ,jui- . 
 
 talk Boftlj I* 1 
 
 Clarkson bounded ;- his : 1 with convul.si-e. tin 
 
 tlio pale, silent form before him, tliei:, \vith the .shriek of a 
 miserable joy, he clasped her in his KOOB. II. -r 
 opened upon him. He held l u . r iVuin him that ho migl,: 
 
 lllt t t! - died, thre ,,ard upon 
 
 his hivist, and was l.uried within bj In a wild in- 
 
 i-li, of mixed tenderness and n preach, he poured 
 
 . the emotions of hi> heart the pan._ the j 
 
 enf the chiding of his own cruelty, and her 
 
 misdeeds. But she answered nothing she. heard nothing. 
 
 nor Maine could touch or penetrate the dull, cold 
 
 . at rest 
 
 lear Mary. Only tell me that you forgive me 
 all, as John Bannister can tell you I have forgiven v< ; 
 
 will never speak again, Jacoli. It s all over. She s 
 : the pain, ami the trouble, and the vexation of this life ; 
 
 mure in 
 
 ell U I, that she s had a gnat deal more than her 
 Bliar< 
 
 Vou don t dead ?" said Clarl^on huskily. 
 
 " Well, except f>r the pain of it, j : dead a long time, 
 
 ihe d.,n t hear you, I reckon, and she don t feel 
 UTID8, th-.u-h you hold her so , potl. (Jive her to 
 
 II into the hav. The 
 lights from the hou>e ;ire eomil . and they mav find u> 
 
 "Let "em COmel who cares? 1 :: t w.int hr ; 
 
 .she s dead !" 
 
 N : Lilt they may want //.v, .lacol.." 
 " Let them want, and let them leefc \Ve > ie r 
 l .U r ht, I u.-i-e .dutclic-d tog 
 
 -till within th- 
 
 we ll ii^ : , " iiut not here, ;.: 
 
 ne put her ..ut of the ;. . I 
 where she. is not in her presence, as I may say." 
 
-44 TEE SCOUT. 
 
 " True, true." replied the other faintly ; " but I U carry her, 
 John." 
 
 Bannister did not ohject, but led the way to the thicket, while 
 the father followed with his burden. There, the woodman drew 
 forth his matchbox and struck a light, and the two sat down to 
 survey the pale spiritual features of one who had certainly held 
 51 deep place in the affections of both. It was a curious survev. 
 Their place of retreat was one of those dense sombre masses of 
 the forest where, even in midday, the wholesome daylight never 
 thoroughly came. The demi-obscure alone 
 
 "The little glooming- light most, like a shade," 
 
 declared the meridian hour; while at midnight the place was 
 dark as Erebus. The broad circumferences of oaks, the lofty 
 stretch of ever-moaning pines, gathered close and solemnly 
 around as if in secret council ; while vines and leaves, massed 
 together in the intervals above, effectually roofed in the spot 
 with a dread cathedral vastncss and magnificence. The spot had 
 been freely used before by the outlyers, and more than one com 
 fortable bed of dried leaves might be discovered under the oaks. 
 On one of these the body of the girl was laid. A few paces 
 distant from her feet, in a depression of the earth, John Bannis 
 ter had gathered his splinters and kindled a little lire, jus* suffi 
 cient to enable them to behold one another, and p^iaps make 
 them more than ever feel the deep and gloomy density of the 
 place. The adjuncts of the scene wen- all calculated to make 
 them feel its sadness. No fitter spot c-ould have been chosen I m 1 
 gloomy thoughts ; none which could more completely harmo 
 nize with the pallid presence of the dead. The head of the 
 girl rested in the lap of the father. John Bannister sat behind 
 the old man. A sense of delicacy made him reserved. He did 
 not wish to obtrude at such a moment. 
 
 Years had elapsed since the father had been persuaded that 
 liis child had been lost to him, irrevocably, by death ; and this 
 conviction w*s embittered by the further belief that his own vio- 
 bnce had driven her to a desperate end. In that convict ion. 
 deep, and keen, and bitter, were the pangs of his soul ; pangs 
 <rHch he cr -d only blunt by the endeavor, hitherto futile. ** 
 
T.U-: . ITflXB \M> HIS CHILD. 345 
 
 rinding, and inflict;, once upon, her betrayer. Dark bad 
 
 been liis s Mil, darker it- . us. At length lie finds 
 
 her alive, whom lie had fancied IK- had destroyed. He finds her 
 living, <>idy to see her die. His thoughts may be conjectured, 
 not traced, nor described, as he watched the pale countenance, 
 still beautiful, which Ir.y before him in the iminoveable ice of 
 :. He watched her long in silence. Not a word was spoken 
 by himself; and John Hanni>ter felt too sincerely, on his own 
 ;nt, for idle and unnecessary remark. But the stifled na 
 ture at length broke it> bonds. The heart of the father heaved 
 with the accumulating emotions. Deep groans burst from his 
 iden Hood of relieving tears gushed from his eye* 
 R-mnister felt easier as he perceived the change. 
 
 Mi s for the he>f." said he, with a plain homespun effort at 
 
 lation. "It s best that she s gone, Jake Clarkson ; and 
 
 her jest long enough to bring you to- 
 
 T that you might exi-han-.-! j-.-.i don. You was a little 
 
 was a little ra-K u Go], he knows, you ve both 
 
 :;i5;^ht\- bad roughing i< I*; j*. * si.icc. Poor thing, she s 
 
 ,tr c-irngi": . me. I m not jub ous 
 
 about it. ; sinner like the best, but if she wa n t 
 
 for it. from the b- rf-.m of her heart, then sinner never was 
 
 . J oor Mary, if ^he hadn t looked a little too high, she 
 
 In t ha fallen s<> low. She d ha been an honest man s 
 
 : bnl what -- the use to talk of that now. It only makes 
 
 6 more." 
 
 1, John. It sort o* softens a man !" 
 
 " Not too much. A man oughtn t to be too soft about the 
 heart, in a world i: . full of rascals that need the kimck- 
 
 "f a hard and h^avy hand. Yet, ef a man ought t- 
 
 \v, that man s me. It s a sad truth, 
 , the ] lint <>f axing you and Mary ! I 
 was; fr I JiJ h>\ 1 ha n t seer woman to I 
 
 biy to this; -ind but for Eh\ard ( nway! " 
 
 " i! loody villain! That thief that murderer! Ha 
 111! Hut I will have him yt.John Haunister ! I WM a t-M.1 to 
 be &7gbtened !ia! my hand at his throat, and 
 
 nothing to stop me. There In- lay, fctill and ready for the knife! 
 
846 THE SCOUT. 
 
 IIo ! Johu,jist there! J think I sec him now Stretched out, 
 his eyes shut, his n, and uohody looking on " 
 
 " Stop, Jacob riarkson, God was a looking on all the time 
 and Mary Clarkson was a looking on ? and what sent her thai 
 jot at that moment ? Who hut God ! And what did he send 
 her thai 1 for, hut to stop you from doing a wrong thing? Look 
 yon, Jake Clarkson, yi . know I don t often stop to think or to 
 feel \\hen lighting s going on. I m as quick to kill as the quick 
 est dragoon in all Tarletou s hrigade. That is, I m quick to kill 
 when it s the time for killing. But there s a time for all things, 
 and 1 ain t quick to kill a man that s a-sleeping, and him too, so 
 cut up already, that it s a chance ef he. ain t got enough to hnry 
 him. I m a-tlnnking, Jacoh Clarkson, that God has jest given 
 you a good warning, that you must do your killing in fair 
 fight, and not by stealing to a man s bedside when he s sleep 
 ing, and hu pretty well chopped up already. I reckon you ll 
 be the man to kill Ned Con way yet, ef what he s got don t 
 finish him; and ef it does, you ve only to thank God for tak 
 ing an ugly business off your hands. When I look upon 
 Mary, thar, it puts me out of the idea of killing altogether. 
 I m sure I wish peace was everywhere. Lord save us from 
 a time like this, when a poor child like that runs into the 
 way of hard blows and bloody we pons. It makes my heart 
 sort o wither up within me only to think of it." 
 
 But Clarkson was not much impressed by the grave opin 
 ions of his companion. He had always respected the straight 
 forward character and manly judgment of the woodman; and 
 there was something very plausible,to the superstitious mind, 
 in the case presented at the outset of the woodman s speech. 
 
 " Sure enough! sure enough!" said the old man; "how 
 could she come, jest at the moment I was going to kill him, 
 if God didn t mean that I shouldn t do it jest then! But 
 if lie gets well again, John Bannister " 
 
 " Kill him then I m cl ar for that! I ll kill him myself 
 then ef nobody comes before me with a better right. 
 You ve got a sort of claim to the preference." 
 
 We need not pursue the conference. One question which 
 went to the heart of John Bannister, and which he evaded, 
 
!1!1.I>. 
 
 i the un- 
 
 ,::iir. he felt tin-in (!:uiiiuy \viiii hei Mood. 
 The revelation of her physieal in; 
 
 11 Oh, (I..,!, . hurt. 
 
 ! di ln t mind the banda _" 
 
 death. The cruel villain has killed her. II- 
 :! killed 
 
 laimcd ti: J.-itinn 
 
 of voice and liicli be! : t pangs. 
 
 ! t<> hurt anybody. I n ekon I m si:;- 
 irot liurt by accident. I ll answer for it, the man th 
 
 ! cut hi- ri-ht hand < !T tbaO 
 lit y I m accident !" 
 
 How went 
 
 and sVi-pt like a child as h- thought ovi-r the "\vn 
 
 heavy h; ; 
 
 . uit ihe truth, whicl 
 
 r all. Hut how could I tell Jake ( lurk 
 the hand of .John I hut shed the 
 
 woful cnouizh t > feel it." 
 
 To bury thi dead from hi> -iirlit lec-iinc the last duly of the 
 father. John P>anni>ler was for ;he liody to the family 
 
 vaidt of the .Middletons and layin.ir ii tin re by dawn of day. Hut to 
 this Clark -i.n in-iatilly dissented. 
 
 :d ii" ; " ihe JMidillt ! the Clark- 
 
 mixed \\ith em in life, 
 iiould mix in death." 
 
 But you don t know Mi Flora, .l.-.eob ( larkson." 
 I don t want to know her." 
 
 <1. Mie d le _irlud. I m -un . if wr \\.-i-. t.. j.ut her 
 there. >he -. bf.-ii tending if sin- 
 
 I b- li> I 
 
 John. Hut, aftl r li> P, and shut 
 
 out of tlie vault when 
 there to when I v. 
 
 . e H put 
 
 :v, and there s root;. 
 
348 THE SCOUT 
 
 She was bom in the Congaree, and she ll sleep sweetly beside 
 it. If you live after me, John, put me there with her. It s a 
 little smooth hill that always looks fresh with grass, as if God 
 smiled upon the spot and n good angel lighted there in the 
 night time. Go, John, and try and find a shovel in the fields 
 somewhers. We ve got no coffin, but we ll wrap the child up 
 in pine bark and m)gs, and she won t feel it any colder. Go, 
 and let me sit down with her by ourselves. It s a long time, 
 you know, since I talked ,iith her, and then I talked cross and 
 haiv.h. I ll say nothing to vex her now. Go, get the shov< 1, 
 if you can, and when you come back, we ll take her, and I ll 
 show you where to dig. By that time we ll have day to help 
 us. 
 
 Bannister departed withou a word, and left the father with 
 his dead. We will not intruds upon his sorrows; but, when 
 the whole history of the humble pair is considered, no sight 
 could be more mournful than to behold the two there, in 
 that lonely and darksome maze of forest at midnight the 
 flickering firelight cast upon the pallid features, almost trans 
 parent, of the fair, dead girl, while the father looked on, and 
 talked, and wept, as if his tears could be seen, and his excuses 
 and self-reproaches heard, by the poor child that had loved so 
 warmly, and had been so hardly dealt with by all whom she 
 had ever loved. Conway had ruined her peace and happiness; 
 her lather had driven her from her home; and he, who had 
 never wilfully meant, or said, her wron^, had inflicted the fatal 
 blow which had deprived her of life perhaps, the stroke of 
 mercy and relief to a crushed and wounded spirit such as hers ! 
 Truly, there was the hand of a fate in this that fate that 
 surely follows the sad lapses of the wilful heart! Hers was 
 rather weak than wilful ; but weakness is more commonly the 
 cause of vice than wilfulness ; and firmness is one of tho.se 
 moral securities, of inappreciable value, without which there is 
 little virtue. 
 
AN INTKi:vii;\\ SCOUTS. 349 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 AN i. \TKIIVIK\V i:r.T\vi:i;\ THI; TWO SCUUTS. 
 
 MKA.NWH i.r., the alarm had IMM-II given at Brier I ;i. 
 tin* whole house was in commotion. Wat.s n (ir,, . 
 
 <;nil>le up, and into cnn^ciou>iu-ss. upon tlie flight of Mary 
 Clarkson; simply hccause he had Keen fortunate enough t- 
 the full force of the flying footsteps of her father. ]\i\t st", eral 
 moments had elapsed after her departure, hefore the diM-ovcry 
 of the fact was made, and the. pursuit, which was then niY.-rcd, 
 appears to have taken a wrng direction. (Vrtaii ily, they did 
 not liml the place of her concealment, nor the trace.-, of her 
 (light. 
 
 Yet no pains were spared to do so. The circumstances were 
 mysterious and exciting; to Flora Middleton, particular!; 
 She reproached herself, though, certainly, without justice, fr 
 having left the poor girl in the cu.st>d\ ; 
 
 and her self-chidin^s were, hy no means learned when tin- 
 minds of all at the harony appeared iown in th<- l.clirf 
 
 that, in her delirium, the poor girl had wandered <>lY to the rivi-r 
 hanks and cast herself into its waters. Thus, a second time, 
 the innocent ( ..ngaree made to hear the repriaeli of p-irti- 
 cipating in, and promoting, the de>trurt!</n < -l the same unhappy 
 life. 
 
 In the. chamher of the. outlaw, the feelings, if ! 
 tender, were surely not h ! 
 
 ., the mere death of the pour victim of hi 
 would have heen of \CY\ small importaii -e. Perhaps, \\i- 
 he would have felt that it wa> a ht-nelit a . 
 toward the more pert l his principal. But tlioo 
 
 some circuin.staner- that compelled hi 
 Who had Keen in the rhai-iln-r \N~ha lid 
 
350 TIIK RCODT. 
 
 vhat trampled upon him? awl why was that strange and 
 formidable knife resti ig beside the- person of the outlaw] 
 
 That somebody, fi un the, apaviment of Mary Clarkson, had 
 been in that of Edward Conway, was MUMI apparent from the 
 discovery of the little lamp which the former had carried, and 
 which had fallen from her hands upon the couch of the lat 
 ter, in the moment when she saw her father s face. This had 
 been recognized by the servants, and the fact made known in 
 the confusion of the search. But, though Gray felt certain 
 that Mary had been in the room, he felt equally certain that 
 there had been another also. It was possible that, in her de 
 lirium, the poor girl may have carried the knife as well as 
 the light, and that she may have meditated the death of her 
 betrayer: all that was natural enough; but Gray felt sure 
 that a heavier foot had trampled upon his neck and breast. 
 Naturally of a suspicious temper, his fe;ws were confirmed, 
 when, issuing from the house, at the lirst alarm, lie found his 
 guards either withdrawn, or straggling toward their posts in al 
 most helpless inebriety. Their condition led him to recall the 
 story of the surgeon. The description which the latter gave of 
 the stranger who had penetrated to the breakfast-room his 
 garments of blue homespun, ;uid the huge knife which he ear 
 ned tended, in considerable degree, to enlighten him on the 
 subject. He called the attention of the surgeon to the knife 
 which had been found on the. bed, and the latter, so far con 
 firmed the identity of it with the one which the supposed ghost 
 was seen to carry, as to say that the one was equally large of 
 with the other; but the former was incomparably more 
 bright, lie handled, with exceeding caution, the daik and 
 v instrument, and re-delivere.u 1 it, with lingers that seemed 
 
 lieved from the unpleasant contact. 
 
 Ing the surprise of the r.cont at Mich seeming apprehen- 
 , he begun a long discourse about contagion, injection, 
 instinctive dread which lie had of ail cutanecus disorder.-, , 
 11 of which (Jray turned a I l-af car, and a wandering eve. 
 The outlaw had been wakened by the unavoidable n>>is.- of the 
 search, and had heard with some <urpri>e and interest the cir 
 cumstances which weie detailed to him by Gray 
 
AN r A I;KT\VI-:I;\ TUK iwo SCOUTS. 851 
 
 "II u know I had the 
 
 p. in which I dreamed that Mary ami myself were 
 walking over the old rice-dam on the Santee, and 1 began to 
 :<>i her ju-t u I frit then, when I fir>t knew her, and she 
 seemed twice as lively, and twice as intelligent. How strange !" 
 had judiciously suppressed some of the circumstances 
 connected with t! of the evening. He had concealed 
 
 the knife entirely, and forbore Mating to him, as well HB to 
 . erything which related to the Mipp..sed intru 
 sion of some stranger into the hou-ehold. 
 
 "You have found her. said the outlaw, when the 
 
 former returned from the search. 
 
 No! she is nowhere in the ground-." 
 " Indeed ! could she have wandered to the river?" 
 " That is what they all think." 
 " Hut you?" 
 
 " 1 know not what to think." 
 " Why should you not think with them ?" 
 
 " I should, but she did not seem to me to have strength 
 enough for that. The river is a mile off; and she was evidently 
 sinking fast when I saw her this evening." 
 " Where, then, do you think In 
 
 "Somewhere at hand. In some outhouse, or some hole 01 
 tat or. poihly. in s<.me ditch, oi ch.se nest of bushes, 
 
 t find her hy 
 "Good God! and she ha^ jTohahly perished there and 
 
 as silent, and the outlaw felt the returning pangs of 
 . Inch mod prnhal ly would have remained unfelt 
 , t during the proent period ,,f his own inability. 
 
 Ifiry, I would, Gray, that I could live ovei 
 SMine thin-- - ine ni..mcnt> of the pail 
 
 I afllict you so much. It can t be helped, anc 
 
 re coinniiin enough." 
 
 ommon enoiiirli. indeed. Nothing m.re commuii than 
 nuI11Hn I: iinoii than the human guilt 
 
 which cau-e- it. And lm\v i-oolly d ^ nu<>ime8S 
 
 of both, by R vonciling our souls to their recunv 
 
352 riifi SCOUT. 
 
 The philosophy of Watson Gray is, unhappily, of a veiy com 
 mon description. 
 
 " Yes, yes. But such a catastrophe ! You have been look 
 ing for her?" 
 
 " Yes, for tlie last two hours." 
 
 " Hut you will go again. You must, Gray." 
 
 " With the daylight, I intend to do so." 
 
 "That s well. See to her, for God s sake, Gray, and if she 
 lives, h>t her last inoment> he easy. If all s over, see her care 
 fully huried . . . It s an ugly business. Would I were free i>f 
 that ! 1 know not any blood that I would sooner wish to wash 
 from my hands than hers." 
 
 "That should be the wish of Clarence Conway, not yours," 
 said Gray, taking the literal sense of the outlaw s expression. 
 
 " Ah, Gray, the blow, the mere blow, is a small matter. If I 
 were free from the rest, I think nothing more would trouble me. 
 The last drop ran the cup over but who filled it to the brim 1 
 who drugged it with misery ? who made the poor wretch drink 
 it, persuading her that it was sweet and pure ? Ah, Gray, I 
 fear I have been a bad fellow, and if there were another world 
 hereafter a world of puni^nments and rewards!" 
 
 "Your situation would be then changed, perhaps," was the 
 brutal sneer of Gray, "and every privilege which you had in 
 this life would then be given up to her. Perhaps you d better 
 sleep, captain ; sickness and want of sleep are not good helps to 
 a reasonable way of thinking." 
 
 "Gray, 1 suspect you re a worse fellow than myself," re 
 sponded the outlaw, with a feeble effort at a laugh. "Ten to 
 one, the women have more to complain of at your Lands than 
 they ever had at mine." 
 
 " I don t know. Perhaps. But I think not. The little I 
 know of them makes me fancy that they re a sort of plaything 
 for grown people. As long as they amuse, well and good, and 
 when they cease to do so, the sooner y>u g t rid of them the 
 bettor. When I was a young man, 1 th -ught .liflVrently. T I.-U 
 is, I didn t think at all. I had a faith in bye. 1 had a yir-il.-n 
 faith in sweetmeats and Bngar-pluiUS. I liked girls and eonfec 
 iionery ; and perhaps you never knew the fact before I 
 
A\ 
 m:irri-l one V..IHIL: woman not very much unlike your Mary Clark- 
 
 " The devil y<>u did ! " exclaimed the outlaw. 
 
 "The devil I did i : turned the oth- r, gravely. 
 
 4fl of truth and han 
 
 . il to UK*. 1 tru-te.l her, like a fool a- I fftt, and she abu-ed me. 
 ranofT \\ilh i: In comany with an Indian trader, 
 
 whom I lock into my cabin, fed and physicked, i 
 opportunity after he :rot well, to empty my house and rell 
 
 ibles. Hut I didn t see the matter in il- true liu nt. I 
 :i t thankful. I gave Chaw, and ir.t my hor-e hack that 
 iiiiiL r . p.-rh:ip< just after they had left Au.iruMa." 
 
 1 you let tin- woman &*. eh . " 
 
 " I left IHT with him, v.heiv I f.-und them: and they liked the 
 
 M) well, that I think any curi- hat would seek, miixht 
 
 find them there to this day. I ha 1 . to lu-licve that >h- 
 
 more quiet with him than she with me. 1 don t 
 
 er quarrelled, and when she was my wfl n at 
 
 fly." 
 
 ,; re a famoii> fellow, (Jray " exclaimed (he outlaw, a- he 
 IMened to a narrative of crime which was only remarkable, p-ji 
 from the eoi.lue.^ with which the chief actor r. !a!t<l it. 
 
 "No, captain, not famous. To he fan i thin^ 
 
 that I desin ; ami I m thinking you don t much can- about it. 
 Hut you d belter >l.-ep DOW. Take all the n-t \oii can, and don t 
 
 mind an jthing you hear. v.u ll want all your Btren 
 
 as soon as \n\\ can _. -t it. if you \\ ish to - t \\ ha! you aim at." 
 
 doubt. I ll do as x after the poor girl by 
 
 daylight" 
 
 11 take all the wire that* needful," was . 
 
 DM. 
 
 : hi- -uperior. <Jr;iy had taken a way 
 of i. -nicl one that v I, The i 
 
 mind 
 which d. ouudcil prim I] 
 
 many gooil purp- parried : !! w 
 
o THE SCOUT. 
 
 :na.iy clever minds have faltered in a noble aim by the, saicasnt 
 v-f the witling and the worldling! How difficult is it for the, 
 young to withstand the curling lip, and the malignant. half-*nile 
 f the audacious and the vain ! Gray knew his man ; and, in 
 narration, he had probably shown a degree of contumelious 
 iiriiJlbivnco to the character of woman, and the ties of love, 
 which lie did not altogether feel. It served his turn, and this 
 all that he. desired of any ageat nt any time. He, turned 
 from gazing on the outlaw, with siK-h ;. smile, as showed, how 
 ever ho might, be disposed to toil in his behalf, he was still able 
 to perceive, and to despise, what seemed to him to be the weak- 
 of the latter. 
 
 heaving the chamber, he descended to the area in I K.M t 
 the dwelling, and drew together, without noise, the file of sol 
 diers that had been left with him by Rawdon. These wen* 
 now tolerably sobered ; and, having taken pains to see that 
 their arms were in good condition, for it may be said here 
 that the smallest part of Gray s purpose and care was to find 
 the girl whom it was his avowed object to seek, he led them 
 forth into the adjoining thicket about an hour batbre the dawn 
 of day. 
 
 Of the reputation of Gray as a woodsman we have b i en 
 already more than once informed, and the suspicions which he 
 entertained were such as to make, him address all his capacity 
 to the contemplated search. His little stjuad were cautioned with 
 respect to every movement; and, divided into three parties of 
 four men each, were sent forward to certain points, with the 
 view to a corresponding advance of all, at the same momen.. 
 upon such portions of the wonds as seemed most likely to harboj 
 an enemy. Spreading themselves so as to cover the gr-ates 
 extent of surface, yet riot be s> remote, from ea<-h ol 
 prevent co-operation, they went forward under the eirenm- 
 conduct of their leader, with sure steps, and eyes ib 1 "ft i"> 
 Biispici us spot unexamined on their route. 
 
 The day was just begun. The sun, rising through the 
 vapory haze that usually hangs about iiiiii at the, begun. i"g oi 
 
 pathway in early summer, shed a soi x, faint beauty tip 
 gentle headland that jutted out upon the Conirareu ami c "~i 
 
pelled iu currents to turn .1 
 
 f like tli- 
 
 tliirty steps In the liack^roui: 1 WM a rluni]> ..f ma.-^ive I 
 the principal of which \\ere oak and 
 around on* 1 eminent pine that :-t 
 
 this tree, 
 
 aiid under the < ; the oaks, John Han; 
 
 in tlirov rth lor tin- >pot chn.M-u 1-y 
 
 for h at a little di>tai. 
 
 the hack-iound, in his lap. The 1. 
 
 , anni>ter had heeii .,uld n.-t MiiVer the <dd 
 
 man him. The earth \\a> ripd. and the innuinei 
 
 - of the contiguous trees traversed, in e\-ery direetion, tlio 
 cliost-n : rave. 1 ortunately the stmit \vood.-inan 
 
 had ,111 axe a- v, ell as a >h.\ id, and th< ; his 
 
 arm at length succeeded in the : 
 
 To remedy, a> f.ir :iin, the worthy 
 
 }>}ed the rails from the nei;;-hlx.rin- : I he 
 
 now 1 to line, \\ith them, the Imttmn aip; : the 
 
 were in turn lined with j.lne hark ai 
 
 and the couch ,,f death was spread with as much care ;IM: 
 derness, under t! dlh had 
 
 ijpmjrht r ,:d art had yie! :.i<us 
 
 in compli.ui.-e with the re<iui>iti<ns of worldly 
 Hanni-te; , making the 
 
 when ^^" ,anc d upon the j-artv. 
 
 !d (Mark- >!i the task had heen ,!ch. 
 
 It was phy-ieally im;. .\hihj 
 
 p l.uried and toilin- in the earth. The old ma;. 
 much ahsorl.ed in contemplating the p;de featurt liild, 
 
 and too full of the >trife \\ithin his heart, to heed th. 
 from uit . autious had heen the app; 
 
 . that they were r. : .uld 
 
 from his t 
 from his hurt! 
 
 It wa< fbrtUJ tliat, hei, 
 
 : in s at the tii. low the .- it! , and 
 
 it the f;... 
 
S56 THE SCOUT. 
 
 hearing strange voir as, lie immediately conjectured the approach 
 of enemies, ami cautiously peering above the grave, beheld at a 
 glance the danger which threatened him. He saw Watson Gray, 
 conspicuous, and standing directly above the person of Clarkson, 
 whose daughter s head still lay in his lap. One of his handn 
 was pressed upon her bosom, as if he felt some apprehension 
 that she would be taken from him. On cither hand of Gray he 
 beheld a group of soldiers, and a glance still further, to the right 
 and left, showed that they were so placed as to present them 
 selves on every side between him and the forest. His flight 
 seemed entirely cut off. But the coolness and courage of the 
 woodman did not leave him in the emergency. He had already 
 resolved upon his course, and rising rapidly to the surface, he 
 became visible to his enemies. The voice of Watson Gray was 
 heard at the same instant, calling to him to surrender. 
 
 "Good quarter, Supple Jack ! be quiet and take it. You 
 can t get off. You re surrounded." 
 
 The tone of exultation in which the rival scout addressed him, 
 made it a point of honor with Bannister to reject his offer, even 
 if he had no reason to suppose that the assurance of safety 
 meant nothing. He well knew, in those days, what the value 
 of such an assurance was ; for Tarleton, Rawdon, and Corn- 
 wallis, had long since shown themselves singularly reckless of 
 all pledges made to "the poor bodies who were out" in the re 
 bellion of 70. 
 
 "Make terms when you ve got me, Watson Gray," was the 
 scornful answer of the scout. " The only quarters I ax for is my 
 own, and I ll save them when I ve got em." 
 
 " If you run, I shoot !" cried Gray threateningly. " Look ; my 
 ;;re all around you." 
 
 44 I reckon then I ll find ern in the bottom of the Congaree ;" 
 ^as the fearless answer, as the scout leaped for the river bank 
 rv ith the speed of an antelope. 
 
 "Shoot!" cried Gray "Shoot him as he runs! Fire 
 Fire!" 
 
 The volleys rang on every side, but the fugitive remained 
 erect. He had reached the river bank. He seemed unhurt, 
 His enemies pressed forward in pursuit ; and the sc^ut clapping 
 
AN IXIKUVIKW BE - SCOUTS. 357 
 
 plunged boldly into the 
 ,;ht. 
 
 HamiiMn could swim like an otter, and with head under wa 
 ter aimOBl as l- flir. Hut once he rose to breathe, and his em- 
 t r his re-appearamv. with muskrts c"ek(-d, 
 threw away tlu-ir lire in tin 1 haMe with which they strove 
 
 WIuMi In- next became visible, 
 
 ii tin- opj -.d hade them defiance. A hit- 
 
 ter lau.uh .in-werrd to their shout as In- turned away slowly and 
 
 ;;ied in the di.-tant thickets. 
 
 had lo>t Ids mvy a sco-ini time, and he turned, with no 
 . humor, to the jirismu-r with whom he had been more suc- 
 ,;d. 
 " Wlm are you what s your name?" 
 
 Jacuh Clarkson !" 
 Ha ! you are then the lather of this girl?" 
 
 ! " wu I O ()t ^ 1C ( ^ man as his head sank 
 
 upon his li. 
 
 . know t!: " demanded Gray, showing the 
 
 which had heen found at the hedside of Morton. 
 
 it is mj 
 
 " Where did you lose, or leave it?" 
 
 " 1 know not. I dropped it somewhere last night." 
 
 M \vi, t . lv at the house of Mrs. Mi.ldlcton ?" 
 
 " It may ! 1 irafl there !" 
 
 " You Were in the chamlM-r of Captain Morton!" 
 
 "Not that I know on," was the reply. 
 
 1 You cannot deceive me. You stood beside life 
 You u-ent there to m;n !.T him. v <,:ii e.-> the truth: did 
 voit ; 
 
 !" cried the old man, starting to his feet. " I did <;. there 
 lo murder a man, hut God forbid it. I couldn t, though he was 
 laying there bef oie me. She come, between. She made me 
 v. .h-d him in another moment. Hut it was Ed 
 ward (. onway that 1 would have killed. I know nothing about 
 Captain Morton." 
 
 Hi! [ See tt Hithe. .t Ho/man. Tie this fellow s 
 
 behind him. 
 
358 TllK SCOUT. 
 
 " Iland.s i.fV!" cried the old man. with a sudden sliow of figh. 
 " Hands off, 1 toll you ! I must first put her in the. ground." 
 
 "(Jive yourself i;> trouble about that. We ll see it done," 
 said Gray. 
 
 " I must see it too," said the old man resolutely. 
 
 The resolution lie expressed would have been idle, enough had 
 (Iray been disposed to enforce hi- wi.shes ; but a few moments 
 reflection induced him, as no evil consequence could possibly (Mi- 
 sue from the indulgence, to yield in this respect to the prisoner. 
 
 "The old rascal!" he exclaimed "let him stay. It s per 
 haps only natural that he should wish to see it ; and as they have 
 got the grave ready, put her in at once." 
 
 " Stay !" said the father, as they were about to lift the body. 
 Slav ! > : ly for a minute!" and while, the soldiers, more in 
 dulgent perhaps than their leader, gave back at his solicitation, 
 the father sank to the ground beside her, and the tones of his 
 muttered farewell, mingled with his prayer though the words 
 were undistinguishable were, yet audible to the bystanders. 
 
 "Now, I m readv," said he, rising to his feet. "Lay her 
 down, and you may tie me- as so<m after as you pl< . 
 
 The burial was shortly over. Xo other prayer was said. 
 Old Clarkson Matched the Millen ceremonial to its completion, 
 and was finally, without struggle or sign of discontent, home 
 iway a prisoner by his inflexible captor. 
 
UUM1 NTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 GLIMrSES OP - 
 
 THK out] . i dc.-ith with : 
 
 Annie emotior j 
 soon shook himself free from : 
 
 10111 danger from the hands of |J 
 
 imeet. d with his proceeding, Watson Gra; 
 liis principal to know anything. His main ohje 
 
 .tient up and on his legs again, lurcsccii:^- that a 
 ipproaching, when- a Kirk ln-d cunld lio no scruritv fi.rrr u*r 
 i. i a region to he so shortly winn..\ved witli th< 
 
 ills scouts occasionally arrived, hrin^in^ liim re- 
 !:di .i )!i of the country: if the pr .-j 
 
 - army, and of the several smaller hodics under Greene, 
 ter, Ma-i.m, and I ickens. 
 
 onns^lled him t make all speed. He did not 
 Outlaw .^ith the intelligence \\hich he thus ,,1, tailed, 
 mi^ht he to increase his anxiety, and 
 t ,.!i pi-Mmote his cure. To this one 
 
 . en, without stint or interruption, 
 1 ; : I IT10 taken, and every mea>nre ad 
 
 his patient mi- ht I ;. N<. : 
 
 -n m.)i-e devoted, no phy>ician nmre ciicurn^ 
 
 wati-hful. The late attempts of (Mark^.n ha.l 
 .aean opinion of the regulars who lia.i ! r 
 the l-arony ; and to \vatch I irk- 
 
 B, yet necessary duty, which he had nndertak* n. Hi, 
 
 to his tasks cheerfully, and, with this spirit, a strong man 
 
 y thing. 
 
 i ln- tidings whirl; \veiv initted to n-acli tl. 
 
 I Plow M ; -dleton, u ere of no incon-idera) S 
 
30C : SCOUT. 
 
 maiden Slu- Luard frequently of Clarence Conway, and ahv. % % 
 favorably. Xo\v lie. was harassing the tones on the upper Sa- 
 ludii, and now driving them before him into the meshes of Pick 
 ens among the Unacaya mountains. The las^tidings in respect 
 to him which reached her ears, were, also made known to Wat 
 son Gray by one of his runners; and were of more particuhu 
 importance tc 1 th of then, thai; they v, ere then fully aware of 
 It was .reported that a severe fight had taken place hetween 
 iilr.es an-! the Black Riders. The latter were l>e- 
 hit" an ami rsa which Conway had devised, after the ur- 
 ;y Indi; . In the form of a triangle, in which t \ven- 
 
 !.rec of the Black Eiders were sal reft, ami the rest dispersed. 
 y did hot greatly regret this disaster. He was now anxious 
 fo be free of the connection, and, perhaps, he conceived this 
 : .e of getting rid of them, to be quite as eligible, and, cei- 
 
 . , as effectual as any other. 
 
 " That fellow, Stockton, with his sly second, Darcy, are the 
 only chaps that might trouble us. They suspect us ; ;! 
 
 .thing, perhaps; and if Conway has only cut them up, 
 along with the twenty-three, we shall count him as goou an al 
 ly as the best." 
 
 Such was his only reflection as he communicated tiiis news to 
 the outlaw, his principal. 
 
 " Ay," replied the latter, " hut why was there no lucky 1 ulle 
 to reward the conqueror. That hopeful liotber of mi. 
 to own a charmed life, indeed. J know that he 9P into the 
 thick of it always, yet lie seldom gets even his win.*, -rs sit: 
 The devil takes care of him surely. He has proper L i.-.id;. MI 
 that quarter." 
 
 " We needn t care for him, captain, so long as R:.wd">n lie.-, 
 between us. If you were only up now, and able, we coaK wlr p 
 off the lady, and every hair of a negro, and take shipping be 
 fore they could say Jack Robinson, or guess what we are dri 
 vinir at." 
 
 "Ay, if I were only up!" groaned the outlaw writhing upon 
 his couch. "But that if is the all and everything." 
 
 "But you are better. You ar<> much stronger. I think thih 
 last week has done wonders for you ; and. but for the weakness 
 
1 without 
 ibhiug the 
 
 \". : v < mely, in* (louht : they will rably, 
 
 you not think 1)1 -y iinprov-- nderfullv 
 
 The:. i l.itterness ill the aflected iinlitV. 
 
 with which the outlaw made "his comment. The other made no 
 it ply. and did not appear t: .eed the tone of complaint. 
 
 me th. inned the outlaw. 
 
 He o :!ic mirror was put into his hands, and he 
 
 rutiny. 
 
 BT all. My mouth is something 
 
 . hut that will ; :i:y musical ahility. I shall le 
 
 r aiilc to sing lhiil Hritamiia, iu his majesty s i.-l;;i d o{ 
 
 .lea. i-i- the . .M liernnmthrs, 1 to one or other of 
 
 cur way. 1 !-. of 
 
 the tui.:/, wl. : c-nrc ? _I shall he no longer in the mar- 
 
 ^ife is in duty hound to think me comely. Kli, 
 y ?" 
 
 A .! .-- Middle-ton don t seem to be 
 
 .i t y-u l-dieve it, M:ay. She s a woman liki 
 
 \ looks. Bmootb flowing locks, I- L:, lm>hv \ 
 kcis, and a 1 old, de;ith-deiying face \\ill do much ann-: 
 ment of women. I ve known many a M-iiMhle woman 
 I mean for the sex seek a fool simply ; 
 
 unapproachable 
 
 thei: . l.y no me; 
 
 . 
 
 t il :is likely to attend {].> 
 . -. if it 1 e iMiipled \\ith a goi..! v - 
 audacity.* 1 
 
 " The notion is mcou; 
 Komrihini: in it though I ne\cr th" 
 
 ,i truth founded up..- i 
 ity and i! , 
 
 " Yes : the snake wus a>: I -old and subtle as he was \ 
 
 if 
 
TIU-: 
 
 am! subtleness, reconciled th.- 
 once reconciled, to behold without loa*lm> j 
 a hi-.-siity in his very ugliness. If TO handsom", thnvfniv 
 hide -Mil wish to succeed witi- vcTnan the nii-re hide 
 
 -he wit and audacity not being wanting) the more like! 
 ".cressful. The game wen .-ire if, to the wit anc. 
 
 boldness, you c-.,uld add some > wealth or n .- 
 
 liility l >r example. A title, itself, > a thing of very great beauty. 
 Now were I a lord or baronet r marquis you n. 
 
 .-dash my cheeks with half a sco-t, n.oie, of such gashes as t! 
 and they would, in no degree, a;!e .: :r.y fortune with tin 1 fail 
 In that is my hope. I must buy a t -on as I \\s\\\ 
 
 [>ri/e, and then all objections will disupptr.r. Still, I could ha.-* 
 wished that that d d spiteful brotbe.i \" -rinc 1;"(1 subi- 
 to no such necessity. He might have i-.l-: 1 -- : in -n- . : 
 gratified himself <juite as much in thoM.- (juai LVS. 
 "Let us carry out our project, and you have you. 
 "Av, and there s consolation in that for worse liun- 
 tliese. Hut hear you nothing yet fn D lelor: / What from 
 1 ete I If the boats fail us at the pn ^er lir. .e, we shall be in 
 an ugly fix." 
 
 "They will not fail us. Everything now depends on you. If 
 
 you can stir when the time comes 
 
 "Stir I can stir now. I mean to try my limbs before the 
 week s out, for, as the fair Flora forbears to come and see 
 I shall certainly make an effort to go and see her. Has the 
 n touched, think you ( Does she feel it does she, bc- 
 i< ?" 
 I k< ( ~tlaw referred to the slander which Gray had insinuated 
 
 1 onway. 
 
 doubt. She s so proud that there s no telling where it 
 hurts Li - ami she ll never tell herself; but I know from the 
 (lashii r -i li.- . I said what I did about Colonel Con 
 
 way and Mary Clark on, that she believed and felt it. Besides 
 .in. 1 must tell y- i, that she s asked after you more kiudlj 
 ^.id more frequently of \-u-. She al\\ a\"> ask> " 
 : Ha! that s a goo*] Big ; ; well . " 
 44 1 yaid you were m.ue K\ I ppy than sick. That you d got 
 
363 
 
 arts, I had no dotiht. But then, I told her what 
 A ful tiling to fight with one s hro her, and how m\\z\i you 
 felt // 
 
 - I la I Well, and thru . ; " 
 
 - She >;;J;ed, hut said nothing more, and soon after went > il 
 
 m." 
 
 ell planted. I shall cultivate the plant care, 
 fullv. I fancy I can manage tl 
 
 "," >aid (i ray, interrupting him 
 Mr. IlilllxMiM- appeared at the entrance. 
 .on had .. ven, the slight to which 
 
 :;ljected him. He wa not a p< 
 
 In rei < :m;ii!stance which might he likely to disj^ir- 
 
 liiin in hi> own esteem ! -ides, his head was now runnrig 
 upon a project which made him disposed to smile upon all D 
 kind. We will allow him to explain his own f aiu :- 
 
 Mi. d morning. 1 trust you feel hetter. 
 
 es show it, and your color is warming; 
 ;ir Idood is beginning to circulate e<|iially tlimngh 
 your >ystem. - me (<> examine your pu: 
 
 I trust to get fairly out of my 
 lair in a week. 1 shall mak --rate attempt to d" 
 
 "You (in hetter. >ir ; hut do nothing rashly. A week may 
 j>rM<: :Its. There are hut seven days in a week, Mr 
 
 Conway hut a poor seven days yet how many event 
 -how many d< ood and evil, lie in that 
 
 time. All! I ha\ ;v this from the hottom 
 
 A week here, sir, at this harony, has changed the 
 who!< ! my life." A sigli followed this speech. 
 
 " li \nd how so. p. 
 
 in m<>. Mr. Conway, a man who has lived a 
 
 pace of tiling In the language of the ancient 
 Ovid, it is my life is to l,e told hy events, and n< 
 
 It is a hi...k criiw-led \\ith events. 1 have 
 
 iii-iiugh all tl.- . long life in Kun-pe. 
 
 t . I have ate and drank, marched and foughi 
 
 p man of j md the man of In: 
 
 in my fri. my own ; saved 
 
3G4 TIN: SCOUT. 
 
 life, taken life; and practised, suffered and enjoyed all thin. 
 thoughts and performances, Which are usually /only to be known t<> 
 various men in various situations. But, >ir, one humbling accident 
 the trying event Which usually occurs to every other man at ;ui 
 early period of his life, has hitherto, by the special favor of a beniirn 
 providence, been withheld from mine !" 
 
 "Ah, sir, and what may that In- ? " demanded the outlaw. 
 
 " I have never loved, sir till $ow. Never known the pan."- :.nd 
 the prostration the hope and the fear the doubt and the desire- 
 till the fates cast me upon the banks of the ( ongaive ! Melancholy 
 conviction! that he who has survived the charms of Ki;r<>pe and 
 India who has passed through the temptations of the noble and the 
 beautiful, the wealthy and the vain, of th >>c brguili; 
 should here be overtaken and overcome by the enemy in the wild 
 woods of America." 
 
 Indeed ! It is indeed a most dreadful catastrophe : (I ray. hand 
 the doctor a chair, a glass of water, and if you have any .Jamaica 
 
 " No, no ! I thank you, no ! - 1 will take tin- chair only." 
 
 "And pray, sir, "said the outlaw with a mock interest in the sub 
 ject " when did you suffer from the first attack, and who do you 
 
 suspect of bewitching you ?" 
 
 "Suspect of bewitching me!-- -a good phrase th:,i . I like it. 
 My suspicions, sir, as well as yours, should naturally lie strong that 
 I am the victim of a sort of witchcraft ; for, how else should a man 
 fall so suddenly and strangely in a strange land, who has stc 
 shaken by such affections, through such a life a^ mine ?" 
 
 " Very true ! a very natural r< lied ion sir. Hut you have n< 
 who you su-ped. of this cruel busin< 
 
 " Ah, sir, who but the fair damsel of this very house. What wo 
 man is there like unto her in all the land ? " 
 
 " Ha ! Is it pu^iblc !" 
 
 "Possible! why not possible?" demanded the BUrgi 
 she not young, and fair, and rich in goods and cluti.-ls, and who so 
 likely to practice son 
 
 "True, true! but doctor, are you auare that you a: 
 
Ihr only victi; : with perhaps ^reater ni 
 
 filler-." 
 
 11 Indeed ! Tell inc. I pray you Mr : " 
 kk fr ni 1: 
 
 : 
 
 I must n-fcr y< 11 to him. (Iray, taken ramble with Mr. Ilill- 
 if you cannot match his witchcra! 
 
 . than his o\vr.. ami sprinirini: from the 
 
 fruitf il - :ii<chief. Let him >ec i hat he dur^ not lack 
 
 npathy." 
 
 U the hint, ami th- r--alily aee plel i: 
 
 vitation to a walk, in ^hieh the former i-.ntinunl 1 
 
 , succinct account of the duel bet \ve.n tin- 
 
 brothi]-.. and tin n! Mij jio^ed to ] existing between 
 
 Clarence and Flora. The artful confederate of the outlaw, 
 taking it for granted that a person BO suj^reinely vain and silly 
 :i, miirlit l>e made to believe anything, and < 
 
 .hat lie lieard. arraii^. d his materials 
 
 ;eh a way as to make il appi-ar that the ,i-ht between the 
 
 Cruel I lm-nt which 
 
 n had r- the haiuU of the yoini ji r. A 
 
 :!.iinous motive led the eld. : in;,, tliedif- 
 
 Ity. 
 
 NIr. Conway, your patient, as soon a- he heard that 
 
 -el Comvay \\a^ ciujrtii. iMdleton. pursued liim, only 
 
 ; hi- breach f promise the | Mire. 
 
 niach of -ouldn t bear that, and 
 
 flrew npi ii Mr and wounded him in th- 
 
 ; put him-elf in preparation. Ti. \\ ho had 
 
 i l oi!o\\ i u .r |] u . cul, ,ncl. e\cry\\ here, in 
 ;i them, and di-ath, tli< re s no t-l!in.r bj 
 
 i 
 
 . 
 
 the i: tweeo him a i unlos 
 
 1 her mind tl u - 
 
 :V." 
 
 Mr ^;i!-m Gray. I m | , , u are a 
 
3G6 Tin: SCOUT. 
 
 man <[ sense. I thank you sir I thank you very niueli. Sup- 
 e return to the mansion. I am anxious 1o change those 
 garments." 
 
 " Change them, sir! What, your il: 
 
 The blunt mfnd of Gray couldn t perceive tin- association of ideas 
 taking place in the 1 bruin of his companion. 
 
 Yes, I wish to put on a dove-colored suit. The divss which I 
 now wear, docs not suit the day, the circumstances, nor my pivsi-nt 
 feelings." 
 
 "AYhat, sir ? " demanded (Jray in feigned astonisliment. " I lave 
 you got a change for every day in the week ? I have but cue change 
 in all. 
 
 The surgeon turned upon the sneaker with a look which plainly 
 said : 
 
 "Impertinent fellow, to venture upon such an offensive com 
 parison." 
 
 He contented himself, however, with remarking: 
 
 " The wants of men, my good friend, differ according to 1!i. ir 
 moral natures, the moods, and changes of mind by which they 
 are governed. I have no doubt that two sui .s will he ample 
 enough for your purposes; bnt lor me, I have always striven to 
 make my costume correspond with the particular feeling which 
 affects me. My feelings are classed under different heads and 
 orders, which have their subdivisions in turn, according to the 
 . quality and strength of my several sensibilities. Of the 
 first orders there are l\vo pleasure and pain; under these* 
 heads COHie cheerfulness and sadness; 1he-e in turn have their 
 -- and qualities- under the tirst is hope, under the second, 
 fear then there are boijbts and dexiivs which follow these; 
 and after all, I have omitted many still nicer divisions which 1 doubt 
 If you could well appreciate. 1 have not spoken of love ami hat< 
 nor indeed of any of the more positive and emph;; - but 
 
 for all of which I have been Ion- provided with a suitalr 
 
 costume." 
 
 
 
 "Ton don t mean to say tint -t a change suitable 
 
 for every on*- of these?* 1 said the woodman with some astonish 
 ment 
 
 "You inquire, Mr. Gray, with the lone of one who will not 
 
BffT 
 
 ^ing 
 
 this 
 
 it of mental occupation, with whicli I relieve 
 
 i. l had weather, and unpleasant ant! 
 
 i In 1 f f -t mo in this examination. We 
 
 /nay pn-l ;.er from it SOIMO useful and 1 will -n- 
 
 plain. what is at present very imperfectly under- 
 
 prineiples. You shall he 
 
 u have heard my explanation, to know, from the 
 what particular condition I am in that dav. A 
 man s c.vtum. it of pulse for his t-m- 
 
 : I *e, und.-r the influence of on, 
 
 [ pat on a meditation costume. I am in a In-own 
 
 That shows that, when I put it on, I was in 
 
 wha- .ily called a 1-rown study. Circumstances, the 
 
 ;nl of which ymi can not, perhaps, conjecture, prompt me 
 
 >-k and < for one of a dove color. You may 
 
 perhaps comprehend the meaning of this hereafter. 
 
 ftbont love, that dove odm. 
 IIP! h.\v al\\ . 
 
 quick. You are naturally an intelligent p 
 You will comprehend sooner than I expected. Hut 
 
 " This f ">1 will do us excellent ser\ ice," said the outlaw, when, 
 
 at his return. V -ted tlie event- .f tlie intorviow. 
 
 tO Fl"i-a Middleton in his dovt -colore.i sniall- 
 
 l" f "t lettiiiL r her know what a scamp 
 
 iid what a martyr 1 hare l-een to the 
 
 Innocence hetrayed. Von did not lr; .at 1 
 
 h;ul ;i hai kerii: j 
 
 I jii.-t let him kn . .f ;!,,. truth to lie 
 
 do an immei p irh the 
 
 1 a truth." 
 
 \Vrl1 mis- 
 ! 
 f"- Mm kill ( ( niiwav oil in her estr 
 
 If not the tl.i:i; tn he afraid of. Hut 
 really count h 
 
Tin: -. OUT, 
 
 " No, God help me ! I shook myself free from him as soor 
 as I could. IM as soon pry among the petticoats of my grand- 
 mothers. But he hail an enormous quantity. I reckon lie s u*oi 
 up all his pay, ever since ho began, in this sort of childishness." 
 
 The conjectures of the outlaw, as respects the course of the 
 lisite, were .-non realised. But a few clays had elapsed 
 when he availed himself of an opportunity to pursue Flora RF 
 jaw her taking her way through the grounds in the direction 
 of the river. His toilet, however, was not completed when h<- 
 caught a glimpse of her person through the window ; and the, 
 task of completing it always one of considerable pains and 
 duration enabled her to get considerably the start of him. 
 She had passed the sentinels, who were sauntering at their sta 
 tions, and had reached the lonely vault whore her ancestors 
 reposed. The solemn shadows of the wood by which it was 
 encircled pleased her fancy ; and the united murmurs of the 
 pine-tops and the waters of the Congaree, as they hurried on at 
 a little distance below, beguiled her thoughts into the sweet 
 p.bodes of youthful meditation. 
 
 Flora Middlcton was, as we have endeavored to show, a 
 maiden of deeper character and firm or <[ual : ti, than usually 
 distinguish her age; perhaps, indeed, these characteristics are 
 not often possessed in equal degree among her sex. Firmness 
 haractcr usually implies a largo share of cheerfulness and 
 elasticity ; and these also won attributes of her mind. Her 
 life, so far, had been free from much trial. She had seldom 
 been doomed to suffering. Now, for almost the first time, the 
 f the. Invirt gathered around her, making her feet to 
 falter, and bringing the tears into her eyes. The supposed 
 infidelity of (.Marence ( onway bad touched her deeply more 
 deeply than even she hail at first apprehended. When she 
 first beard the accusation against him, and saw the wretched 
 ri Mi of the poor girl whom she believed to be destroyed hy 
 his profligacy, she said, in the fervor of virtuous indignation 
 which prevailed in her mind: 
 
 "I will shake him of. for ever, and forgot that I ever knew 
 him !" 
 
 But the resolution was more easily taken than kept. Each 
 
OHM 
 
 tin- dilliculties <.f such a rcsolu- 
 
 : be 
 
 Perhaps, but f "i- 
 
 iia\ . ! 
 
 il>t, mist: 
 -who dare not rej.-ct t: 
 
 U) love. 
 
 n frit tiir vain ..f tin sacrifice the nv 
 ju Mice of the iOUVlCtkm, wHdl her }>r ; - cip:. 
 up< : t it mii.^t yet bo made. CcuM 
 
 \\itli her jjr nle and her jri -ciMlos, slie would net 1: , the 
 
 late. 
 
 N : in- niiinui.rr l to hcrticlf, as all th 
 
 of I ..navrd before !:.-rby tlic aiVectid)" " . 
 
 th -u-h it kill me to say the words, yet I v 
 
 . we arc .-; idert i II 
 
 ini--ht have borne much, and wit 
 but not this. Thi- 
 
 ,r." 
 She \va> suddenly ftai tli-tl fr-i::: "iatj iis by a slight 
 
 lr at a little tli-tance. This was 1^11,. wed ny 
 i t> the gentle suinmons that demanded her attcn- 
 
 D the thicket on the river-bank- inrnnl in 
 
 tion of the ^PMU:. . ; r injtel 
 
 to fly ; br.- mind em 1 
 
 advance . the sjxit whence the sun;:. 
 
 hed, a head, and then I 
 (it n : f from th 
 
 ; and a p] .-.iximatioii proved thr to be an 
 
 ".lolin ! 
 
 "V---. M .-- PI i,.. i what s left of him." 
 
 left of him, Jolm ! Why, what s the 
 
 matt- u hurt I" 
 
1/0 THE SCOUT. 
 
 11 Ni. u>, Miss Flora I say what 1 .- leii >1 ne . ] y *ot 
 cause, you sec, I don 1 : I .-.in ali<>gother .-, 
 
 when I have to dodge ami >hirk ah-nit, not able to i;m : 
 friends, und always in a sort of scatteraHon of limbs, for 
 that my enemies will find inc. I am pretty veil to do in 1; 
 at tlim present thanks he to G-d f-r all hks rnarcies ; tin 
 \vlicj. you saw me last, I reckon you thought I was m r i h.-m 
 fi* i3iit I give Yin the slip handsomely in-: -.SPO Ml!T -\v;i 
 
 iii coming oft". 
 
 "How was it, Bannister? . . . But come 
 ng rather uncomfortably there." 
 
 .-.It , thank ye. T).3re s t lr- lei me 
 
 a;,. .\ ; I ve <>;,!" a \VOIM < r t ,vo *.f. say. T Ptedr. : t,it up ; t r.v 
 liigiij-. ;<> s.-y it." 
 
 " Well, as y<>i> please; hr.t VK \v ci-.i you nake your escaj t- 
 
 IH : : .ritish, John ?" 
 
 " .\ii th.ti o ;\ long story ]\Iiss Flora, and there s no needces- 
 bi:y I M ti .ling M, .my how. 3 r .n? other time, when the war s 
 over, ;-j,:l vvi i v \-e a hit. without danger, I ll let. 
 
 you kii .. . it jest 7iow, what I come for 
 
 i.-- ; ^;iv yo \-.-- .. -.*. ." . . got a sly rascal as ever lived in 
 your house, at tlrs presem, t,.-it never yet w;is in any one place. 
 
 so long without ;tr. -g mischief one Watx.n Cray " 
 
 " Why, he s attending on Mr. On way." 
 
 " It s a pair on em, I tell you. That Wat><m (Iray s aftei 
 mischief, and it s a mischief that has you in it. Hut don t 
 scared. I want to let you know that there s one, friend alv, 
 at your sarvice, and nigh enough to have a hand in any hns! 
 that coiksarns his friends. If anything happens, do yon see. jest 
 you hang a slip of white, stuff any old rag of a dress or hand 
 kerchief on this hlufl* here, jest where you see me. standing, 
 and I ll see it hefore you ve gone fur, or I m no scout lit for the 
 Congaree. Kf there s danger to you, there s help too; and. 
 far as the help of a good rille and a strong arm can go and 
 I may say, Miss Flora, without familiarity, a good friend 
 lang my btlttOllfl ef you sha n t have it." 
 
 " Hut, .John, from what quarter is this danger to come / What 
 to it f how will it COMH J l" 
 
371 
 
 ^ 
 
 HIII ti i hat s 
 
 hrn In- ti" carry oft" i.uu-li : 
 
 u or the 
 (! >. about my 1 .-ft. but 
 
 ut fiiaji. joor f,d- 
 ! W, you can trust him. Kf 
 . Hi In then 
 
 . tL :"-\l lie Seems tO he Wolk- 
 
 in him. Yen 
 ; lan, I tea him to a 
 
 ; of the truth of lit t I had to mal 
 
 turn elieve. We had two _ 
 
 : 1 ut I tiiiow d liiin the Insl time, ami 
 the tr;;th cvrr snu-c. ! Lfl him thai 
 hcljic l i.*,. out of the liritish clutches t other day. Hut 
 
 t talk of that. Only you je>t helieve him, and han^ out 
 the white* ihi, here under the hlufT, ef rvi-r you need a friend . 
 
 " v md and confuse me only,, I. dm Hanni>ter, hy what 
 
 . I !. elieve that you mean me well, and that 
 t link the. iger; and I am willing to tru.st you. liut 
 
 i t like tbk half-confidence. Sj.eak out jilainly. What am 
 1 am a woman, it s true, hut I am imt a coward. I 
 think I can hear the very worst, and think ah., u t it with toler- 
 t 1 ! 1 I ward ; i ,\ what, j.erhaj.s, in J 
 
 " ! - ! love y. .11. M; to t(dl you the litthv 
 
 * "" that niak. it know when he .s .,n 
 
 "fan in .iuy, you d mout-he only lau^h. You wouldn t he- 
 il ln t on.lerstaml. No. QO| jetl you keep 
 h f..r tl.i 
 i! know there u ,,, Ul .l, , 
 
 B anything onderhand ^oin^ "M scouts run- 
 ;ts running that, and \Y the 
 
 : ; dl .:!; bo*} -then yon may kn-.w hrimstom s ^ 
 
 irn. and g 
 
 " ;tlnr ^ hi;n afon- all. llr > a running 
 
372 >UT. 
 
 lit tli .t knows !;"W to hide under a green Lu:,h, aad iuuk 
 the \ allow How i tL a b lungs to it" 
 
 V , said something about Mr. Conwa;, Mr. Kdwud Coil- 
 . -John /" 
 
 He .-, another sarpent. Bu* " 
 
 The head of tlu-. .scout sank below the bank. He had disap- 
 |K a; were, in the liolti.r.i of the river; and uhile Flora 
 
 MiddletOll trembled from a] o 1 ., lest he had Mink 
 
 the, stream, she, was relieved by the accents of a voice n s.);ie 
 littli- distance behind her, as of one Approaching -.Tom the L. 
 She turned to encountei ^\Ir. Surgeon KillLouse, now, in Lis 
 dove-colored small-clothes. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 THK KKTIK.\ OF THE BLACK RIDERS. 
 
 THK reader is already familiar with the business of the sur 
 geon, and has probably conjectured the sort of answer which he 
 :ved from the heiress of Middleton Harony. His d \ - 
 colored garments, and rose-colur address, availed him little ; 
 though, it may be added, such was the fortunate self-eomplai- 
 JC of the suitor, that, when he retired from the field, he was 
 r^ill in considerable doubt of the nature of the answer which In- 
 had received. It was still a question in his mind whether he 
 li.-i l I. ci-ii refused or not. 
 
 According to his usual modes of thinking, his doubts were 
 reasonable enough. He had taken more than ordinary pains to 
 perfect liimxdf in the form of application which he intended to 
 Jlis line sayings had Keen conned with great circumspec 
 tion, and got by rote with the persevering diligence of a school 
 boy or a parrot. lie had prepared himself to say a hundred 
 handsome phrases. The colors of the rainbow, and the various 
 odors of the. ilowers, had been made to mingle in a delicate 
 adaptation to his particular parts of speech, in all the best graces 
 
Till LCI KII KKS. 373 
 
 Mat Euphuism i,f which, aiimn- nis own clique, he had 
 
 . as tlu> perfect master, He knew that Lady 
 
 PTOttld have turned up her gyefl to V.. a ven, in new-horn 
 
 liad lie l.m spoken iiis ] rchis to her; and 
 
 .f I.adx Grace would have he, (rill tears of a siini- 
 
 lar delight. ]I..\\ -could lie hring hi,,isc If to believe that they 
 
 :. thrown away on the unpra ditories of the maid 
 
 The n. .re he a>ked L :estion, the more difficult 
 
 me hi> helief, and hy tl aehed his cl.ai. 
 
 * >nviiu-el th,,- ;r.ost, he had only sufl ered an 
 
 b an DTI lar.dies are a])t to j.r-ctisc upon 
 
 their tailors, when they ftYoid, \vith. -ut refusing, paynu.nt siudi 
 :i as ;l c-unn ir. i might practise, upon her lover, 
 
 1(>>t a tl> " Bidden ! might clicapen the value of hei 
 
 ch*nng. this new conviction, that he deter 
 
 mined, in ,lisi-ai-d : 11()t to p ut on 
 
 ll > " N he called In, i Qcy" or " | 
 
 "PI" d a dark orange-tinted garment 
 
 " [ - ; nly expressive of min- 
 
 ibt, than any other color. Tlie serious exami- 
 
 his mind, and of his wardrol.e, h. 
 
 W detennine, 1 . .nri.illy, to sustain his 
 
 .I ilities under the .shock A\hich they had neces : - ; . u l v siifi ered. 
 iugly pensive, and his (d<(;uence was 
 enlivened hy an occanoiia! . U1 ,l lon^-iirawn siu;h. 
 MiddleU-n did not sutler this " Mo M -a" to aftlict her 
 Naturally of a M-rious an! Wnetl character, she had 
 f disquietude which eflectually l.anished so light 
 a her contemplation; and iM.thir^ could so c 
 
 the Mir-eon, a& the calm, unmoved, and 
 
 lt l) ttl Manner with which .slur ma iv i)-e usual inqui- 
 
 Ie. 
 
 Mill house? Is it sweet 
 
 d.l all thin-s were equally so, Mi^s M iiieton. We 
 
 reel in the coffee, could we escape 
 fn.in the hitti-i- of life." 
 
374 THK SCOUT. 
 
 "I should liiiuk, sir, Uft&t you had imt been compelled to drink 
 much of it ; or you have swallowed the draught with wonderful 
 resignation." 
 
 " Alas ! have I not " and he shook his smooth, sleek locks 
 mournfully, fi-oi.i side to S dc, as if nobody had ever known such 
 a long continued c.ise of heart ache as his own. But Flora did 
 not laugh. She w^c ir. no mood for it ; and though the frequent 
 niaiseries cf the eurgeori might have provoked her unbounded 
 merriment at another t : ~.t,, V.er heart was too full of her own 
 doubts and diificultiw no-: to deprive her, most effectually, of 
 any such disposition now. 
 
 The next dsy slie was *ooiewLat startled at the sudden arri 
 val of a man at the barony, wLorn SLO instantly recognised as 
 the person meant by John Bannister when he spoke to her tin- 
 day before. His frame was large and muscular, like that of 
 Bannister, but he was deficient in one of hla arms. She fancied, 
 too, that lie watched her with a good dftal of interest, as he 
 passed her on the staircase, making his way to the apartment of 
 the invalid, and his attendant, Gray. It was evide.-t *!-:it Ban 
 nister had some intimate knowledge cf what was going on 
 among her inmates, and this was another reason why her own 
 anxieties should increase-, as she remembered the warnings to 
 watchfulness which the worthy scout had given her. SVf was 
 well disposed to confide in hi .a. St.. .inge to say, though she 
 knew him chiefly as the friend of Clarence Conway, and had 
 every present; reason co believe in the faithlessness and unwor- 
 thiness of the latter, her confidence in, and esteem for, John 
 Bannister, remained entirely unimpaired. The wonder was that 
 Conway should iiave so entirely secured the affections of such a 
 creature. This wonder struck Flora Middleton, but she ha-i 
 heard of such ineUncea, :tnd it does not seem unnatural that 
 there should be. scill some on<% or more, who, in the generaJ 
 belief in our unworthmees, should still doubt and linger on, an : 
 love to the ve/y last. We are all unwilling to be disappoint < : . 
 in our friends, not lec-au&c they are so, but because it is < i 
 judgment which V*H made them so. Bewildered, and \, A\ a 
 heavy heart, that se.^r -;\\ ci-^.< ij.proarhing evil, Mora 
 
 retired to her chamber v/il. r. hhvf !:ead. wh le our old ac 
 
Tin: Ki:n !:\ OF THK KI.ACK unn.. 375 
 
 .jnaintam-e. Is,-,.-,,- Mu- - llic landlord, was kept in bu>y o.nsul- 
 latimi with tlio outlaw and his confidant. 
 
 W- pan over all such portions of the cnnfVi- JO not 
 
 promise to assist us in our narrative ; and the render may : 
 
 Mmself the long ejaculations which the landlord uttrivd, M 
 finding his old associate and captain reduced to his present con 
 dition ; ejaculations, which were increased in length and li 
 brownest, in due proportion with the treachery which M 
 meditated, and of which he had already hoen gui v 
 
 " Knough, enough of your sorrow, good Isaac," said the out 
 law with some impatience : tl ;s ami sorrows will do 
 t"i- a time when we have nlnre leisure, and B little need "i thrni. 
 
 PMM! news in as iew words as possible. Y"iir 
 wi>hes I can readily understand without your speaking the; 
 
 -"d his readiness to answer, and \Y.v 
 icted the iiKjuiry ; Morton, assisting only at iiDinents, when 
 
 y a particular anxiety upon some particular point. 
 Did you meet Ilrydonc hctore you separated from Uawdon B 
 arm;. 
 
 V- s; he joined us at Ninety-Six." 
 
 - !!. t..ld you the plan." 
 
 "Y< 
 
 "Yon are willing? You ve got the boats?" 
 
 " 1 ean get them." 
 
 When in what time?" 
 
 " Well, in four days, I reckon, if need be." 
 
 B you si:. 
 
 " I reckon, I may | | , j, n . tt v sartin." 
 
 11 :i turned up (in the couch, an<l half raised him.se!! 
 
 from it. 
 
 - Look yon. Mu-gs, you speak with only half a heart. V,.,, 
 
 :ed at something. What s the matter with yon, man . 
 are yon not will : ng?" 
 
 "Yes, cap in, I m will _ Why shouldn t 1 he Mil 
 
 ling? I ll do all that yon . 
 
 " Tll;it is y" 11 11 P t H... bo ti in rea.linesfi. /, -r,-. ;a tho land 
 ing, within four days ; l.e.r, air y.,,, willing to dy ^oonelfl You 
 IT! not f.,,,1 iMiongli to fam-y that th- rehrN u 
 
276 THE SCOUT. 
 
 here when the army s gone, to enjoy wlia* you ve despoiled 
 ihem of." 
 
 " No great deal, cap in, I reckon." 
 
 " Ay, hut there is Muggs ! You cannot deceive me, though 
 you may the rest. I know your gains, and a word of mine 
 .\ mild send them flying much more rapidly than they were ever 
 niught together. Do not provoke me, man, to speak that 
 word." 
 
 " Well, cap in, I dont want to provoke you. Don t I tell you 
 that I ll do all you wish," 
 
 " Ay, but you seem d d lukewarm about it, Muggs ; and 
 
 you have not said whether you are Trilling to join our fortunes 
 or not. Now, you join us, heart and soul, body and substance, 
 one and all, or we cut loose from you at once. You are in our 
 power, HuggSj and we can destroy you at a moment s warning. 
 Hut it s neither our policy nor wish to do so. You can help us 
 materially, and we arc willing to help you in return. Bounty 
 lands await you in the AVest Indies. You will live with old 
 friends and neighbors, and with your guineas " 
 
 " Mighty few of them, I reckon, cap in," said Muggs. 
 
 " Few or many, you can only save them by flight. Are you 
 ready ? Beware, how yon answer ! Beware ! You must go 
 with us entirely, or not at all." 
 
 An acute observer might have seen, while the outlaw was 
 .peaking, an expression of snllenness, if not resistance, in the 
 face of tin- landlord, which did not argue the utmost deference for 
 the speaker, and seemed to threaten an outbreak of defiance, lint 
 it Mugjrs frit any such mood, he adopted the wiser policy of 
 Mippressing it for the present. 
 
 " Su omuls, cap in," he exclaimed, with more earnestness than 
 In- had before shown in the interview "You talk as if you was 
 jub ous of me, as if I worn t your best friend from the begin 
 ning. I m willing to go with you, I m sure, wherever you think 
 it safest ; but you re, mistaken if you think I ve got so much to 
 1-is; 1 , an 1 so much to carry away. Mighty little, it wonld be, if 
 lh . rebels did find every guinea and shilling in my keeping." 
 
 " Pshaw, Mnggs, you cannot blind me with that nonsense 
 lic your guineas few or many, it is enough that you know where 
 
Tin: !ii:rn:\ OP HU 
 
 to curry (Iiein, and h.\v to keep (hem in safety. And now, wha* 
 of Rawd"n . Where did you leave him?" 
 
 " At Nil i 
 
 " He had beaten Greene ?" 
 
 " Run him oil from tlie siege only." 
 
 " Well : what next. D.n-s Rawdon leave a garrison at Xirip- 
 ty-Six ?" 
 
 " I reckon not. There was some talk that he u. arvo 
 
 it as he .-arveo. Camden. Burn the town and tear up the stock- 
 
 "Al I thought. That s, certainly, his proper policy. Well ! 
 the troop still with Rawdon ?" 
 
 N-- : they were gone after Conway, somewhere above upon 
 the Ennoree." 
 
 May they find him, and batter out each other s brains at the 
 meeting," was the pious and fraternal wish of the outlaw. 
 
 And now, Muggs," he continued, " the sooner you take, 
 your departure the better. Get your boats ready, yourseli and 
 guineas, and be at the landing here, at midnight, four days 
 hem 
 
 So soon !" said Gray. " Do you think, captain, you ll be 
 nhle by that time?" 
 
 Vy ! able for anything. I must be able. This flight of 
 Etawdon will render mine necessary, with as little delay as 
 possible." 
 
 11 But he has not fled yet !" 
 
 " Pooh ! p.x.h ! A ivhvat in bis condition, is only another w.nl 
 for a flight. But if h.- I yet fly, he will have to ,] 
 
 before very 1 ng. He is pr.-parin.: f..r it now, and I have 
 some time pa.-t been aware nf the approaching D6C68fiity. 
 must not descend the count. I do. th 
 
 if 1 i - :!itee in ! 
 
 1 (if Conp, 
 
 The important object is to teeOTC laithfnl bnatnu ii ; and 
 y>u, Mugj-, and a few others, upon whom I can relv, 1 1 
 no doubts, and no apprehen 
 
 The, landlord wa ! up..n his si-art mission. v > 
 
 Gray conducted him fed -.ks of the river, where 
 
378 THE SCOUT. 
 
 identical boat in which our friend John Bannister had approached 
 the shore in seeking the interview with Flora Middleton. It 
 was huddled up in the green sedge and bushes at the edge of 
 the river swamp, and thus concealed from the eyes of the pas 
 sing spectator. Before parting, Gray gave his final instructions 
 to the landlord, in which he contemplated every matter essen 
 tial to the journey, and, perhaps, conducted the affair with less 
 offence to the feelings of the latter than had been the case on 
 the part of the outlaw. Scarcely had Watson Gray gone fnun 
 sight, before Bannister emerged from the swamp thicket and 
 joined the other. 
 
 "He s a cute chap, that same Watson Gray, as ever beat 
 about a thicket without getting into the paws of a black bear at 
 rutting season. I m a thinking ef the man was decent honest, I d 
 sooner have him in a troop ot mine, than any man I knows on. 
 He s a raal keener for a sarch. I d reckon now, Isaac Muggs, 
 from the way he slobber d you over in talking, that he \vas a 
 meaning to swallow you when all was done. It s the way w^th 
 the big snakes, when the mouthful is a leetle big at the begin 
 ning." 
 
 "I reckon that s his meaning, Supple Jack, I m jub ous 
 that s what both he and the cap in are a conjuring." 
 
 "And I am thinking, Muirirs, that he was a trying to ease off 
 something that he said to you before, which went agin the grain, 
 and made the teeth grit." 
 
 " Twan t him that said it twas the cap in." 
 
 " A pair on em both sarpents, mou t-be, different kinds 
 of sarpent ; but the bite of a rattle or a viper, is, after all, the 
 bite of a sarpent ; and it don t matter much which a man dies 
 of, when both can kill. Hut what made the captain graze agin 
 your feelings?" 
 
 " Why, he s a trying to make a scare of me about staying 
 hi re, when he s gone. He says there s no safety for me among 
 the n-bcls." 
 
 " I reckon, Isaac Mu^rjrs. there s an easy answer for all that. 
 You ve jest <rot to p int to me, ami say, That ere man convart- 
 ed me by strong arjrymeiit, and I reckon nobody ll bo BO hold 
 t* to touch you after that." 
 
THI; Ki.ii I:N UIDKKS. 879 
 
 Mr threat nod i mi I t" he the first to advise him 
 
 ,,p !" 
 I m mighty i ever gin him such advice, Isaac," 
 
 aaid Han: -ikingly. 
 
 Vi - : i tit though he made b lieve that lie was angry, and all 
 that, now, to-night, ho tells me how he s been getting ready a 
 
 tiiui 1 lor a start." 
 
 "I b lieve him ! Indeed. 1 knows as much ! Well, I m wil 
 ling that he should get away, [MUM MUJ.LTS without any hurt to 
 ; c. For, though lie desarves hanging and quartering 
 irved it, yet lie s come of the same 
 
 i, halfway, with Clarence ( onway; ami for his sake, I m 
 
 will: Ned Conway get clear of the hanging. I shouldn t 
 
 be so miiihtv anxious to help him out of the way of a hnllet. for 
 
 that s the hi a soldier, to die by shot or steel, and it 
 
 don t disgrace him, though it s hurtful to his feelings. I d help 
 
 to find the boat f-r him myself, and send him on his way. ef he 
 
 content to git oft with his own hide in safety. Hut when 
 
 r his villany to the last when I know that he wants 
 
 otY another < gal, and, this time, agin her 
 
 will 1" 
 
 : a-thinking, Supple, that you re clean mistaken in that 
 Neither hii ij >aid a word about it." 
 
 They d ha been but small sodgers if 
 had. NO! no] They know d that twa n t the way t 
 their business done, to make it more ditlicult. They were rather 
 nb ous of you, yon ^ay yourself, though all they pretended to 
 to carry ofT the eap in. Would it ha 
 to tell you that they wanted you to help to 
 v off the young woman from her friends and family . and, ,v j 
 I m thin!-. top also in their way down and clean the plan 
 
 tation of his father s widow of all it s niggers? 
 
 v know how to play the game better than that. They tell 
 vou they pl.-iv f>r high and low, only ; but watch them well, 
 they ll makfl their .1 lek tOO, and try mighty hard to count 
 up g; it, the game s in our hands now, EflUtO; at least, 
 
 I m a-thinking so. A.s f.-r you ;md ycm guineas I don t ai 
 /ou how man} you \e got hut ; do ns I tell you, and 
 
580 
 
 THE SCODT. 
 
 I ll answer for their safety. We ll get the boats and the hands 
 between us, and we ll have em all ready when the time comes, 
 and if the gal is to be whipped off.it won t make it less pleasant 
 to us to have the handling of her. Do you cross the river now, 
 and be sure and put the boat high up in the creek. I ll keep 
 on this side a leetle longer. I have a leetle matter of business 
 here." 
 
 " You re mighty ventersome, Supple." 
 
 " It s a sort o natur , Isaac. I always was so. A leetle 
 dance on the very edge of the dangerous place, is a sort of 
 strong drink to me, and makes my blood warm and a-ivrali!. 
 I ll jest scout about the woodg here and see who s waking and 
 who s sleeping; and who s a tween sleeping and waking like 
 myself." 
 
 The first attentions of Jack Bannister were paid to the sleep 
 ing. He watched the progress of his comrade, until his little 
 barge had disappeared from sight in the distance, then made his 
 way with the intensity of a natural affection, to the lonely spot 
 where his hands had dug the grave for Mary Clarkson, and 
 where her body had been laid. Here he paused a few moments 
 in silent meditation, then proceeded to the dense thicket to 
 which, on the night when /she fled from the barony, he bore her 
 inanimate person. 
 
 When he reached the spot, he kindled his light, and drew 
 from a hollow tree a hatchet and rude saw which had been 
 formed from an old sabre, the teeth of which had been made by 
 hacking it upon some harder edge than its own. He then pro 
 duced from another place of concealment sundry pieces of tim 
 ber, upon which he had already spent some labor, and to which 
 his labor was again addressed. Gradually, a long, slender, and 
 not ungracefully wrought shaft of white wood appeared beneath 
 his hands, into which he morticed the arms of a cross, with a 
 degree of neatness, and symmetry, which would have done no 
 discredit to the toils of a better artist, under the more certain 
 guidance of the daylight. This little memento, he was evidently 
 preparing, in silence and seclusion, and with that solemnity 
 which belongs to the pure and earnest affection, for tho lonely 
 grave which he had just visited. With a fond toil, which with 
 
381 
 
 and spared IP. ciV-.rt, lie now led hia more 
 
 lini^hed to a Jim-lion of his work which, pri 
 ll fatiLMini: of all the labors of love which he 
 hid imposed upon himspif. This \ as to cut into tlio wood UJP 
 1" initials of the ; for whom the memorial was in- 
 
 Our worthy woodn.-.p was no architect, and the I 
 
 I which his knife dug hit< the wood, may perhap< 
 ha\. be frequent smile of the irrev- 
 
 r. He possibly anticipated the ciitiei^ns <> r 
 for\\ he murrrai- -d, while, sw rating 
 
 ih.irs 
 
 all chance for 1 arning that .Tail 
 i tlie Congaree ; hut it s the best that I can .1 
 Mary, and I d ha been willing to give her the be 
 the beginning. But twa n t ordered so by Provid* .1 .nd 
 
 for further talk about it. If I hadn t 
 n uj><>n her, I d be a-mighty deal more easv now, 1m; 
 
 t wasn t meant for her twasn t any how from the he..rt 
 and twas nateral that a man should strike, hard ami quick, 
 when he finds another jumping out upon him from the 1 
 Who d ha thought to find a gal in man s clothes, jest thei 
 in the thick of the fighting? But the Lord s over all, and he 
 
 it for the best. That sorrow s done with, or ought t 
 done with ; and the sensible person ought to be satisfied to ! 
 
 :d prepare only for them that s yet t-> Come. This board 
 i- a sort of line between them old times and the coming < 
 and these two letters shall say to Jack Bannister, nothing more 
 than Look for a d, Jack; there s no use in looking back! 
 Vet < i make em out, though thev may read quite 
 
 another lesson. They ll laugh, may be at such printing. It - 
 iiad enough, sartin ; but it s the 1 - I , -.Id do. Tl <M. 
 mighty ugly lean about that M., jest as if it was a turn 1 
 f-.r a d upon the ( . yet I thought I had got the t\vo rm 
 pp tty even together. W-ll, there s no helping it now. 
 inu.-t stand till the time comes when I can pay the stonecutter 
 
 Me." 
 
 i his horn, he filled with powder the lines which 1. 
 cut in the wood, and then ignited it. The blackene 
 
THK SCOtJt, 
 
 made the simple inscription sunlcieiitly distinct, and the good 
 fellow, shouldering his rude monument, bore it to the grave, and 
 drove it down at the head of the inmate. 
 
 He had not well finished this work, before he fancied that he 
 heard foreign sounds mingling suddenly with the murmurs of 
 the Congaree, as it plied its incessant way below. He listened, 
 and the murmurs deepened. He went forward, cautiously, 
 through the wood, and it was not long before he discerned the 
 advance of a body of men, all well mounted, whom, upon a 
 nearer approach, he discerned to be the Black Riders. 
 
 John Bannister was not a man to be alanned easily ; but ho 
 retreated, and stole into the cover of a bay, the thicket of which 
 he knew was not penetrable by cavalry. Here he crouched in 
 silence, and the formidable band of outlaws slowly wound along 
 in silence, through the forest, and on the very edgr o" th 
 thicket in which he lay concealed. 
 
 A new care filled his bosom, as he beheld their progress in 
 the direction of the barony. He had no means of contending 
 with such a force, and where was Clarence Conway ? Feeling 
 for his commander, and sympathizing with his affections, the 
 first thought of Bannister had reference to the new dangers 
 which beset the path of Flora Middleton. He was surprised, 
 however, to perceive that the banditti came to a halt but a little 
 distance from him. They alighted, the words of command were 
 passed along in whispers, and in ten minutes they prepared to 
 bivouac. 
 
MKSHKR 388 
 
 CH A I TKR XXX IV 
 MB8H88, 
 
 " WKI.F., it s mighty strange, i :. that they <lm t gr 
 
 forV :. They re a- caution -in . now, as ef the whole of 
 
 Sm,.- They re after some new 
 
 hief thai --; more in want of a night covering than any 
 tin 1 ) do-,ie hef-.re. Y- ll, ut ll s -o ! There s Watson 
 
 > with his c<>r]mr;n ~ . rani at the house; and hero s the 
 HlacK K d- r.s h-re ; And i: :tie tWO git together, it s pree n>n> 
 little Ji.-i an do, with the help of I>aac ^\ 
 
 and he wills one hand only, lit ! o>u:<l work poor .lake (Mark- 
 out of their r 1 :iak<- a third, and no small help 
 he d give us in a .. . aiirht i o/ a d, np and down fight. Int. I m 
 inh oii:; 1 a hail chance in the grip of Watvi: (Iray. 
 rlt I COnld tf\ Mind now to the harony. anl slmw reason to 
 m to slip tT ;., the river. I wo ildn t wait for Ned Con- 
 i-nt I d i.i e ii -r aua / in the Congaree, where the 
 rp-l ix liin;seli con m i t find her Jut then there s no hope 
 >f th;it. i hen- s a inking among young 
 en that s never had tn hles>ing / a hnshand, as ef it 
 cent and i ucate tc -.ru>t a single man under 
 sue ; bty foolish! Hut something 
 niu>t he done, and John U.innv.Vr must IIP in the way of doing 
 lie WMihi ,ily lend (Marenoe now, with 
 fty . the.-* hloody hlack refugee 
 
 i h- COtli iL lits may he traced jj, 
 
 li-- . !t the ditliculties of his 
 
 prehension for 
 
 ,ind ; the only one which awakened 
 "id called forth little consideration. T rr 
 Flora Miitdleton wa> lie km-w the . 
 
 "mway for th;,t inaillcil, and naturally conclu.ie 1 thn? 
 
M THK SCOUT. 
 
 J.ic arrival of his troop would j;ive him the power to accomplish 
 his wishes, even by violence, if necessary. It was therefore a 
 reasonable occasion for surprise and conjecture, when he found 
 the outlaws taking their halt and supper on the skirts of the 
 barony, and in profound silence and secrecy. That they should 
 keep aloof from their captain, when nothing lay in the way to 
 prevent or retard their reunion with him, was naturally calculated 
 to mystify the scout. He little knew the character and extent 
 of those malign influences, which provided among that wild and 
 savage body, unfavorable to their ancient leader. 
 
 It was with increasing concern and interest that Bannister, in 
 following and watching the movements of the outlaws, found 
 them about to throw a line of sentinels between the grounds of 
 the barony and the river landing. This treasure denoted certain 
 suspicions which they entertained, as he fancied, of the practices 
 in which he had been recently engaged; and it became ncces 
 sary that he should find means to apr>riso his comrade, Mugg% 
 on the other side of the Congarea. of the danger that awaited 
 any undue exposure of his person in his future crossings to and fro 
 " A long swim !" muttered the faithful sccut, with a .slight, 
 shiver, as he surveyed the river; " ard rather a coir* c-.vim. too, 
 at midnight; but I ll have to do it. If I do"? ., vhey U riddle 
 poor Isaac s belly with bullets, when ne >r i/jinking of nothing 
 worse to put in it than his breakfast. Tkit I must dodge about 
 the house first and see what s a-going on in that quarter. It 
 s.-cins mighty strange that they shouldn t have made themselves 
 known to their captain. What r, j be afeard of? But rogue., 
 is always a myster ous and jnbVus sort of things. A ra 
 
 r goes straight to his bunirir, s. If he has to shake hands 
 with you he does it with a nvrt CL twist, and a twirl, and somr- 
 a squint, that looks every which way but the right one 
 N \v, it s reasonable that a good scout should shy off, and dodge, 
 and make himself as squat and small, under a bush, as he nater- 
 ally can, and as a big body will let him. But when the game s 
 a Btraight-for a d one when there s no dangers nor no inimy, 
 
 only one s own affairs to see after it s a sign of a rogue 
 ;.!! over that he shirks. It shows that he shirks from the lova 
 of the thinir, ai:-l not because it s a ncedecssity/ 
 
BBS. 
 
 John Bannister did not sutler his m.. phy to ke- p 
 
 him inactivo. Id- wa< OD bf those w: phizc ye 1 
 
 .id a race of which the world ! .ratively few. In 
 
 once tn his determination, ;le 
 
 through the ways which had hcvn snmciently traverse- .1 hy his 
 
 to he familiar, \\ ! him, without , to the 
 
 i:ds immediately alnnit the mansion. At tin- front door of 
 
 .wellinir. wh cli was cl sentinel mi duty. 
 
 I .iit he yawned, emphatically ftnd loud, more than once while 
 
 the so-lit watched him; and hy his listless movement 
 
 evidently weary en. -ugh of his post to leave it to itself at the 
 
 Millions. The most perfect military sul>ordi- 
 
 nati"ii was n->t preserved hy him as In- paced to and fro along 
 
 JOUlt lie sang, and whistled, and soliloqui/ed ; and, not 
 
 unfreiptently. the dull measured 
 
 the indulgence of such a gavotte <is I lug I>ritish BO] 
 
 of the "prince s own" might he sujiposed capahle of displa; 
 in that peritnl oi huckram movement. 
 
 He d i r and dance a ml ter," mur 
 
 mured .John Hanni^ier, a-, lie helield the " signi"r of the night" 
 iu t: nly on the lihort\ 
 
 . Ee gitS 8 shilling a day, and a full helly ; hut he 
 
 ; after all. Hive me a sup; 
 
 L iled m unli iled, iu the Santee BWamp, before all his hot hr- 
 I m a-lighting for can t give na- a letter 1 
 to dance than that. I,rd ! he can no nmro shake a leg with 
 
 Hlu.-s than he can sight a rifle !" 
 
 Contenting himself with this comparison, and : urvey 
 
 v/hieli had induceii it. he turned a\\ay. and. the >i-t- 
 
 tlen to the out-house in which, once 1 . 
 
 the guard husy in their gaming practices. A light glim- 
 Hg through the log chinks appri/.ed him of the 
 tliep rupant ; and, approaching cautiously, 
 
 through an aperture in the rear of the mud structm. 
 Jit of an ol.jcct, to him. ol 
 
 T;.;- - ned with 
 
 . \\!,ich coiiiiiie.i l,i,th his hands and I 
 The old man leaned, rather than sat, against the wall 
 
386 THK SCOUT. 
 
 section of the building. A dull composure, which seemed thai 
 of a mortal apathy, overspread the poor fellow countenance 
 His eyes were half closed, hi? mouth drawn down, yet open, and 
 the listlessness of death, if not its entire unconsciousness, pve 
 vailed in the expression of all his features. 
 
 Four of the British soldiers were present in the apartment, 
 two of them stretched at length upon the floor, seemingly ad 
 and the other two, busy to themselves, playing languidly at 
 their favorite game, which they relieved l>y a dialogue carried 
 on sufficiently loud to enahle Bannister to learn its purport. 
 From this he gathered enough to know that the improvement 
 of Edward Conway was such as to promise them a change, ! . 
 which they pined, from the dull monotonous recurrence of the 
 same unexciting duties, to the adventures of the march, and all 
 those circumstances of perpetual transition, Avhich compensate 
 the rover for all the privations which he must necessarily un 
 dergo in leaving his early homestead. 
 
 But the eyes and thoughts of Bannister were fixed on the 
 prisoner only. The pressure of surrounding foes onlv made him 
 the more anxious to gather together and secure his friends; and 
 thinking of poor Mary was also calculated to make him eagerly 
 desirous to recover her father. This desire grew more keen and 
 irresistible the more he watched and reflected, and it was with 
 some difficulty that he restrained his lips from the impetuous 
 .tion of his determination to release him from his bonds or 
 perish. This resolve, though not expressed aloud, was still the 
 occasion of a brief soliloquy. 
 
 "Dang my buttons, ef I don t try it! If there s time it can 
 be done, and there s no harm in trying. A riile in .lake s bands 
 is a something that acts as well as speaks ; and if so be, \\ 
 to have trouble, a bullet from a twisted burr is a mighty good 
 argyment in clearing the track for the, truth. It s a sort of a.v- 
 strvke, leading the way for the. grubbing-hor." 
 
 Ten minutes after, and Jake, Clarkson was roused from b^ 
 ntupor by the slight prick of a sharp instrument from he!: 
 flim. The nervous sensibility of the old man had been prett\ 
 well blunted by time, trial, and misfortune; and he neither 
 t*arted nor showed the silliest symptom of excitement. P>" 
 
MESI 887 
 
 , his mind was I nmjrlit hark l>> the world 
 in which still, and a lively apprehe: 
 
 awaken. -d within him, lest tin- gamhling S"Mirrs Bhool 
 
 . the hand that he now felt was luisy in the . \tri 
 
 him from his honds. He did not dan- to ^tir or look ; hut 
 
 v.scious that the nmtwu <lc r/m.\.\c of the v. 
 ma:.. to a long >tiek, had heen thrust through the . 
 
 of the logs, and was husily plied in sawing asunder tlu 
 
 ; his arms. These had heen tied hehind thu 
 
 nor, and he prudently kept them in that position, even 
 
 though, in a few moments alter, he felt that their ligatures had 
 
 ied to the knife. 
 
 workman ceased from without. His ta.-k. 90 tai 
 
 :>y him, seemed to he ended ; hut the feet of 
 the pi -is,, Her were .still The friendly assistant seemed 
 
 to ha d. A full half hour elap.-ed and Jake 1. 
 
 nothing. The soldiers still kept at their game, and the priM-ner, 
 1 with the excitement of h.s new hope, leaned once 
 !;e wall. 
 
 tin frit the sharp prick of the knife-point. 
 
 Cautiously, hut with nerves that tremhled for the first time, he 
 availed himxdf i.f one of his freed hands to j 
 
 iiment ; which now, .separated from the handle, had 
 
 : for the farther heneh t of the pri 
 
 ll e clutched it with strange delight. The momentary impulse 
 
 film- . him to spring to his feet, and hound upon the 
 
 1 with the moM murderous determination. lint the pnn .- 
 
 nd s course from without, was not wa>ted upon him, 
 and he contented himself with quietly securing the knife hehiud 
 him, ; ids hands in the same position in which his < 
 
 had previously .secured them, and, with new h >pes in 1. 
 preparin_ : when he might saiVU 
 
 to finish the work of his emancipation. 
 
 .ad done all that he could, at this time, f..i 
 the rescue < f (Maik-on, the hack to the i 
 
 the hanks of which he ascended a few hundred yanl>, and thei., 
 without reluctance, committed hiniM-lf to the stream. Hall * 
 t -ross, the rocks afforded him a inmnentaiy roti 
 
388 THE SCOUT. 
 
 which lie surveyed, with a mournful satisfaction, the white cross 
 which his hands, but a little while before, had reared upon the 
 grave of Mary Clarkson. It stood conspicuous in sight for several 
 miles along the river. 
 
 The still hours of the night were speeding on ; and the mur 
 mur of the river began to be coupled with the sudden notes of 
 birds, along its banks, anticipating the approach of the morning 
 A sense of weariness for the first time began to oppress the 
 limbs of the woodman, and it needed a strong and resolute men 
 tal effort to prevent him from yielding to sleep upon the slippery 
 black rock which gave him a temporary resting-place in the 
 bosom of the stream. Plunging off anew, he reached the op 
 posite banks, fatigued but not dispirited. Here, he soon trans 
 ferred the duties of the watch to his comrade. To the landlord 
 he briefly communicated the events of the evening, and bestowed 
 upon him the necessary advice for caution. 
 
 Meanwhile, a spirit equally anxious and busy, pervaded the 
 breasts of some few in the encampment of the Black Riders. 
 The watches had been set, the guards duly placed, and the 
 sentinels, being made to form a complete cordon around the 
 barony, Lieutenant Stockton, acting as captain, went aside, in 
 consultation with his apt coadjutor, Ensign Darcy. The tone 
 and language of the former were now much more elevated, 
 more confident and exulting, than usual. The realization of 
 liis desires was at hand. He had met the approbation of Lord 
 Rawdon, in the conduct which he had displayed in the manage 
 ment of his troop during the late march, and nothing seemed 
 wanting to his; wishes but that his immediate superior should l>e 
 no longer in his way. To supersede him, however, was not 
 easy, since the personal grounds of hostility which Stockton felt 
 could not be expressed to their mutual superior; and these wrre 
 Biich as to lead the former to desire something beyond the mere 
 command of the troop which he had in charge. 
 
 It was necessary not merely to degrade but to destroy hia 
 principal. The humiliating secret which Edward Morton pos 
 cd, to his detriment, was equally an occasion for his hate 
 and fear; and all his aits had been exercised to find some pre 
 text for putting out of his way a person whose continued life 
 
MESHES. 889 
 
 i him with constant and humiliating exposure. Cir 
 i-umstances ha .ted with the desiies of the conspirators. 
 
 The secret of Kdward Morton had been betrayed. Jt was 
 known that he desir.-d to escape from the tioop ; that lie wan 
 planning a sceret flight to the city ; that he had already 
 otV considerable treasure; and, that he awaited nothing hut a 
 partial recovery of his strength, and the arrival of certain boat* 
 b had In ed t him by the landlord, Muggs, to put 
 
 ject in execution. 
 
 In thus proceeding, he had violated the laws of the confede- 
 
 rt ul oath which hound the outlaws together 
 
 an oath taken in Mood; and the violation of which incurred all 
 
 the penalties of Mood. No wonder that Stockton exulted. His 
 
 DOW all legitimate. His hate had a justiliahlc 
 
 sanction, according to the tei.ets of his victim, equally with him- 
 
 M-lt . It was the law of the troop. It was now indeed his duty 
 
 to prosecute to the death the traitor who would surrender all of 
 
 them to destruction; and the only remaining security loft to 
 
 Morton was the rigid trial to which his hand was sworn. The 
 
 iy doom which his treachery incurrc i, MTU to he in! 1 . , 
 only after the fullest proofs that it was justly merited. In ting 
 lay his only chance < : ami this chance re.^tcd upon a 
 
 slender foundation. One of his .special and most trusted agents 
 had heen hought over hy the machinatioifs of I )arcy, and had 
 him. lie had involved another of the hand in his 
 
 , and this other had confessed. Two witi.> 
 concurring against him and the proof was held to he conclusive; 
 and two witnesses Stockton was now secure. 
 
 But other .it m us were involved in the deliherati 
 
 the parties. Edward Morton they knew to he a desperate man. 
 Wat wa> a man to he feared as well as hated. T 
 
 were in ; of a strong brick dwelling, with probably 
 
 dozen musketeers under arms, and commanded by Uawdon to 
 
 y them in iticular. 
 
 It was no part of the pol : -kton. to come to blows 
 
 under such drM\mstances. v to etYect 
 
 his , iiers out of the way, to halm- I 
 
 tail secure posse- , ; itn, \\as ;lr 
 
HIE SCOUT. 
 
 they had resolved upon, and tlii.s required o.nsi.leraMe manage 
 ment, and excessive caution in tht.ii approach. Besides, <me r>f 
 their witnesses was absent on a scout, and to declare their pur- 
 pose, until he was present to maintain it by his oath, would have 
 been premature and imprudent. It was also their object to 
 capture the landlord, Muggs, whose proposed agency in securing 
 the boats for the flight of Edward Morton was known to the 
 conspiiators through the individual who had first betrayed his 
 employer to his enemies. Hence the watch which had been set 
 upon the river-landing, and which had compelled Bannister to 
 swim the stream that night. 
 
 These matters formed the subjects of deliberation between 
 the two conspirators. Their successes, so far, made them san 
 guine of the future ; and the rich rewards which it promised 
 them, made them equally joyful. The treasures of their captain 
 were to be equally divided between themselves, and we find 
 them accordingly quite as busy in counting, as in securing their 
 chickens. 
 
 " Pete Flagg has charge of the negroes, over two hundred 
 already, and there are those from the place of his stepmother, 
 which he planned to take off with him in these boats of Muggs. 
 I know where to go for his guineas ay, to lay my hands upon 
 the vault ; but we must get the memorandum acknowledgment 
 which I reckon he* has about him, from John Wagner, who 
 keeps his money. There must be three thousand guineas at the 
 least." 
 
 " We share equally," said Stockton, with eager eyes. " That 
 of course is understood." 
 
 " Yes : but there should be a private paper between us," sai* 
 Darcy. 
 
 " What need ? we know each other." 
 
 " Ay, but the best friends can not be too cautious. I have 
 drawn out a little memorandum which we can both sign to 
 morrow." 
 
 "Agreed ; I m willing. But no witnesses, Darcy that would 
 ruin all." 
 
 "Yes that s the d- 1. Let the troop once know what we 
 
HE8. -J91 
 
 . M p,,n unil our chance would IK- as had, r even worse 
 than liis. We should hang with him !" 
 
 " Him w have Him we have! I wouhl Brydone WGXt 
 here. 1 1> ni: for the moment to wind up our long account of 
 hate. It will he the sweetest moment of my life when I com 
 mand them to drag him to the t 
 
 " He patient don t let your hate risk our gains. We can 
 get nothing lv working rashly. T lit or ten soldiers 
 
 that he has here would make desperate light. That scoundrel, 
 (irav, must lave su>pected us when he asked Uawdon for 
 then 
 
 " Well, well he ll have his turn also." 
 
 " 1 douht we ll have to tix him along with the, captain, lie s 
 a hird out of the same nest." 
 
 " I shall lie willing. 1 have i;o love for him." 
 
 " Did \.iii iell Brydone when to meet you here?" 
 
 Yes! that s all arranged !" 
 
 " liv that time we ought to ha\ LOU of the captain." 
 
 vv. then or never. We mu>! have him and all things in 
 rea<, time Hrydone comes. Are you sure of the 
 
 there n. >ne douhtful /" 
 
 None. ! . e\v milk-hearted fellows only, hut they re 
 
 of n .rt. i hey ll oiler no opposition when they tint! so 
 
 many against them." 
 
 " I 1 ,. : them, al.so, if you can. I d even give something 
 
 ake all Mire. Then- must he no hungling at the last mo- 
 
 . If there is, and he has any chance to talk, he is so d d 
 
 artful of tongue, that he d work courage into the most cowardly 
 
 1 fear him still." 
 
 1 do not. I know t/n-m, and I know him." replied the 
 subordinate. " 11 done, lie ha>i; t the Ml 
 
 them that he had of old, and the late profits have en! 
 ; them considcrahly on the manage- 
 
 "Yes. those iruineaa were BMOti 1 think." 
 
 FanMMif, r.ut tii. ; . ttei h..wn. i: 
 
 the hest. I.et them hut k -ly that his ] 
 
 to give them up, break ihr law. ani leav tliem 
 
sroUT. 
 
 betray them into Sumter s clutches ami there will be but one 
 voice among them, and that will be, Death to the traitor! " 
 
 " So be it. To-morrow night we have him, and with the rise 
 of another sun he dies." 
 
 " Yes, if Brydone comes in time for the trial." 
 
 " Brydone or not, Darcy he dies." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 BAGATELLE BEFORE BUSINESS. 
 
 THIS will suffice to show the policy of the confederates 
 Their plans of treachery were nearly complete, and they were 
 weaving them with the silent industry and circumspection of the 
 spider, who already sees and has chosen his victim. 
 
 Little did Edward Morton fancy, at this moment, the web 
 that environed and the dangers which threatened him. lie, 
 himself was busy in his own plans of similar treachery. Ilia 
 wounds were healing fast, his strength returning, and with his 
 strength came back the old passions of evil which had hereto 
 fore inflamed his heart to its own debasement. The mournful 
 fate of the poor Mary Clarks.m had already passed from his 
 thought, and almost from his memory; and, if remembered at 
 all, it was only in connection with the new feeling of freedom 
 which he felt in her absence. Her deatli he now regarded as a 
 sort of Providential interference, by which he was relieved of a 
 burden at the auspicious moment when it must have become 
 more burdensome than ever. 
 
 Circumstances seemed to favor him on every hand ; and tiie 
 influence of mind upon matter was never more favorably shown 
 than in the improvement of his health and strength, under the 
 agreeable sensations which he experienced from a review of all 
 the promising results which seemed to await only his recovery. 
 In a few days his bark, richly freighted, was to bear him away 
 to a region of security and peace, in which, free from all haras 
 
BA<;ATKLLK BEFOEE B 3CS 
 
 sing dangers which had so long attended his progress, he \s a* 
 to enjoy tin- fruit of his toil*, and taste the luxuries of a fresh 
 and long .:. II.- would shake himself free from 
 
 his old connections a wi>h long since entertained ; he would 
 tly with the woman whom he lvcd, from the foes whom he 
 feared and hated to the peace for which he had yearned, 
 and to that afiluence winch a mercerary appetite for gain had 
 
 , ly accumulated in alumdai; 
 
 X.i wonder, then, that, revelling in these convictions, he 
 laughed ami sang at intervals, as Watson Gray and himself 
 discussed their mutual plans and glowing expectations. The 
 skit - fined to look down more propitiously bright than 
 
 upon their joint wishes and performances; and even Watson 
 Giay, habitually stern and composed in his bearing and de 
 meanor, condescended to join in his principal s merriment, and to 
 minister to his mirthful mood, by a relation of such of the par 
 ticulars of the surgeon * wooing as had come to his knowledge. 
 
 We ! > Been the share which Gray had in promoting the 
 
 objects of Ilillhou- . H. knew, of course, that Flora Middle- 
 
 >rn such a suitor. He had already beheld the 
 
 indifference to call the feeling by its most innocent epithet 
 
 with \\hich she regarded him ; and he, as well as the outlaw, 
 
 knew D] -smaii. or rather woman nature, to be sure that 
 
 the result of his application would be at once amusing and 
 
 Unsuccessful. Gray recounted, for the benefit of his superior, 
 
 the i : ls which Hillhouse bad undergone at his toi- 
 
 -- partly in his pre.-ence in determining upon the colors of 
 
 his suit, the style and pattern >f his dress, and the manner, 
 
 audacioii> or subdued, in which he should make his first ap- 
 
 In choosing his costume, he Deemed disposed to 
 
 realise the pictorial .-atirr with which the ancient artists i^ed to 
 
 : .::glishman in putting on his 
 : 
 
 . -I ll on Engli*hni:u . 1 I stand IK 
 
 M ii: _ :. . t I shall u 
 
 Q wrni tin-, :i-i.l now I li;i!i 
 And now 1 shall w. u I in nut ti-11 what." 
 
 The reader : that the do>e-colored suit wa.- triumph- 
 
394 THE SCOUT. 
 
 ant; but lie does not so well know the peculiar air u hid 
 marked the carriage of the suitor. Watson Gray had seen him 
 depart, and had beheld him on his return. We know, that by 
 the time Ilillhouse got back to the house, he had fairly con- 
 xinced himself that the unqualified rejection of Flora Middleton 
 had been, in reality, nothing more than that ordinarv mode of 
 evasion among the sex, of the uses of which none of them are 
 wholly ignorant, and with which they simply mean to heighten 
 the value of their subsequent concessions. 
 
 Thus assured, his countenance wore nothing of discomfiture 
 in its expression. Nay, so perfectly triumphant did it seem, 
 that Gray, who could not altogether believe that the world 
 p>si ssi d any instance of such thoroughly self-blinding vanity, 
 began to tremble lest Flora, with that weakness of the >ex 
 which makes them miracles of caprice upon occasion, had, ii. 
 her unhappy moments, been over-persuaded and had yielded. 
 Staggered for an instant by this apprehension, he was left hut a 
 little while in doubt. When Ilillhouse gave the tenor of her 
 answer, Gray laughed outright, and hurried away to share the 
 pleasure with his superior. The surgeon followed him to the 
 chamber of the outlaw, as soon as he had succeeded in adopting 
 the symbol of a fitting sentiment for the new change which he 
 contemplated in his garments; and, without intending any such 
 favor, he delighted the invalid by a candid revelation of the 
 events which had just taken place, and which he deemed to be 
 so favorable to his desires. 
 
 "May you always be so fortunate!" was the generous wish 
 of the outlaw, as the surgeon concluded his narrative. 
 
 "Thank you. You are too good. I doubt not J shall he. 
 But, in truth, is it not wonderful that a country girl a mere, 
 rustic, as she is should be able to practise those arts which 
 belong only to i ashionable life?" 
 
 "An instinct an instinct, my dear sir." 
 
 "Well, p un my afiections, I think so." 
 
 "They re all alike, Mr. Ilillhouse high and low, rich am: 
 poor, city-bred and country-bred they all know how to baffle 
 the ardent, and stimulate by haflHng." 
 
 " It will somewhat reconcile me t.-> the event," said the si:r 
 
:. " I had my :i}i|i!vli .ring 
 
 1 bringing 
 
 tin- upper circles the ODBClphutlulted damsel of the v, 
 
 -: ; Init now " 
 
 -:iiK-t of the sex will usually supply the want of 
 -ng it will save you every annoyance ; 1 iit, even w< 
 
 . Mi. ir.llh. iise, how chinning would it have heen to 
 wn her in the line world as the lieautifu! from 
 
 I never thought of that." 
 An ahorigiual princess." 
 
 " Like PowkerliOTOntftf I Ay, 1 have heard of that prii.< 
 She was a Virginian princess. My old friend. Sir Marmaduke 
 Mim-ing. tol.l me all her history how she had fought her 
 fatlu . the captain what was his name . Hut no 
 
 matter It was something very low ami vulgar. She, married 
 him ; and Sir Marmaduke, who had seen her. said she had 
 reallv a very human countenance, and was quite like a woman ; 
 but" lifting his hands in horror "her feet. They I 
 
 Thev were four feet, rather than tw. H <( , ha! 
 fou: feet ! !>.. you take me with you, Captain Conway , K.-M. 
 feet lather than t\\ 
 
 "Ha! ha! ha !" roared Gray; and Coins ay also echoed 
 laughter of the surgeon, hut it was rather at himself than hi 
 
 " lint ihe feet of your princess here, Mi>-^ Middleton, are realK 
 vei\ good, and rather small fee?. Mr. Hill/i-mse They wil 
 
 .rht !" 
 
 Ul, tmO, .jiiite respectahle as feet ijuile resjieetahl. 1 ! She 
 will do; and your idea, sir, that site would he 
 {raring in the character of Id In-lit- xmini^f. reconciles all ol 
 
 ,il\-. 1 think much hetter of the \" 
 Man : :ly." 
 
 " .V> .:..ui.t you should ; Li: 1 M.. EUllhoUM mt t intei I Upt 
 
 let me remark that wai 
 
 camjiing gr-.und huig. as tl,- 
 
 iten employ the i 
 
 iwa\ the o .her. You. >ir, ha\ e little time t \ u 
 
 itware tin: 
 
396 THE SCOUT. 
 
 " Retreat from what ?" 
 
 " The enemy the rebels. He has been compelled to evaco 
 ate Ninety- Six." 
 
 "Evacuate ! what an unpleasant word !" 
 
 " You ll find it so, unless you proceed in your attack with in 
 creased vigor. You will soon be compelled to evacuate Brici 
 Park, leaving hi Idle sauvagc to the care of other savages not 
 so beautiful, and possibly something more dangerous." 
 
 " You discompose my nerves, Captain Conway. May I loam 
 if all this be true be certain?" 
 
 " Too true : ask Mr. Gray. He brings me the intelligence. 
 He has just received it." 
 
 44 Sure as a gun," said Gray. 
 
 44 And with quite as startling a report," continued the outlaw. 
 4 What you do will need to be done quickly. You must press 
 the siege." 
 
 " Night and day," added Watson Gray. 
 
 44 You can t stop for regular approaches," continued Morton. 
 " Remember you have nothing but field-works to contend 
 with " 
 
 44 And, for " added the surgeon, rubbing his hands with a 
 
 gentle eagerness. 
 
 44 Sap and storm at the same moment, Mr. Hillhouse. You 
 must go through and over the works both ; or expect to raise 
 the siege very shortly. I doubt if you have three days left you. 
 Lord Rawdon will be on his way for the Eutaw before that 
 time." 
 
 " My dear friend ! you rejoice while you alarm me. I will 
 not suffer any delay. But haste is so vulgar." 
 
 44 Except in flight." 
 
 44 Ah ! even there ; one can not dispose his garments well, an i 
 the face is flushed, and the manner is flurried. But there are 
 cases of necessity " 
 
 44 Imperative necessity !" 
 
 44 Yes ; when we have to dispense with ordinary rules of con 
 duct." 
 
 44 All active movements are of this sort, whether they contem 
 plate flight or assault. Your affair coir bines both. You must 
 
BAGA1I! 39 l 
 
 make your attack .shortly, for i,<>u, retreat must soon follow tbat 
 of his lordship." 
 
 "True, mo.xt tru. 
 
 "And how honorable is it to cany off a prisoner even in 
 
 fight r 
 
 It softens the necessity it takes the sbaine from defeat." 
 
 It redeems it," said the outlaw; "and such a prisoner, too! 
 Ab ! Mr. llillhouse, you are certainly a man to be ei.v 
 
 "My dear captain, you do iin>*t certainly flatter me. But I 
 
 !iorn under a fortunate star. I have been thus fort:. 
 nlwavs, and particularly among the 861. Remind me to i< 
 .11 .some curiou.x M; hich 1 haye had. But not : 
 
 1 must leave you now. Forgive me that 1 am thus abrupt. But 
 1 go in obedience to your counsel. I go to prepare for the war. 
 B\ the way, those metaphors of your> were well carried on. I 
 shall endeavor to recall them at the f:r>t leisure; those, in v, : 
 you sp"kr of the prosecution of my present purpose, by sap and 
 storm, and so forth. I BUBpect, captain, that you, too, 1. 
 rather a fortunate person, in your own expr. long the 
 
 women. But, ynur field has not been a difficult One, W 
 are very ;u-< oxil.le in America, though I certainly do not agree 
 with my old friend, but present enemy, the Marquis de Cbas- 
 tellux,* \\liM >ays that a Frenchman may do anything with the 
 women of your country." 
 
 "Doe> he >.iy that . the .scoundrel !" exclaimed the outlaw, 
 with a hur.st of provincial indignation. 
 
 N m, n c"iitinued the surge. .n. "had he said Englishman for 
 Frenchman, there would have been son, in it ; though 
 
 i t evrrv 1 ;ian, either, of whom such a thing might 
 
 be said." 
 
 1 outlaw and his comrade both looked serious. The reply 
 ot the former was made with some effort at composure, ami the 
 wreathed smile" upon his lips was the roult of some struggle 
 with his .strrnrr passions. 
 
 1 No, oir ; the in.xtanees are not frequent, I su>j--ct. But the 
 
 * fur what tho Marqui dors say, * l.i " Tr:ivt-l in .N w 
 
 p. 260. The sample of cumpluisiince if vi-r> KtcucL and amu 
 
THE scon. 
 
 opinion may naturally be entertained in its full extent by out 
 who lia.s been, and is destined to be, so uniformly successful 
 everywhere." 
 
 " Thank you, captain you are too flattering. But I confer 
 
 1 hurt had my successes I have, Heaven knows!" with 
 
 ir <>l profound humility, as he bowed himself out of the 
 apartment. " Heaven knows, I have had successes which might 
 well turn the heads of wiser men than myself." 
 
 "The ape! the monstrous ape !" exclaimed Morton, " wa. 
 there ever such an ape !" 
 
 .V long-eared ass!" muttered his more rude companion ; "a 
 long-eared ass, if ever there was one ! If JMiss Flora don t pull 
 his ears, it won t be because she don t sec em." 
 
 " Xo ! It s devilish strange that such a fellow should pre 
 serve his follies amidst all his changes, and while pursuing a life 
 which, more than any other, would be likeh to lop oil tin.- alVee- 
 iations and conceits of boyhood. 
 
 " Well, I reckon," said Gray, " he s just like a great many 
 others, who know they can t pass for wise men, and are deter 
 mined to pass anyhow. A fool would rather you d sec him as a 
 fool than not see him at all." 
 
 " Egad !" exclaimed Morton, with all the enthusiasm of a new 
 idea, "Egad! I think I ll see this fellow at his follies. I ll 
 make an effort, Gray, to get down stairs this very afternoon." 
 
 "Don t think of siu-h a thing." said Gray. 
 
 "Ay, but 1 will! 1 i oel strong enough for it, and a change 
 >f objects will do me good. 1 iong to least niv eyes, also, ujmn 
 the charms of the. fail Flora. Zounds! had it bo-n (Ma;. 
 Conway, who lay .sick and wounded in her duelling, \\ hat a dif 
 ference! She ll have deigned him a glance before thi> ! She d 
 Lave sat beside his bed, and her hand would have, been in his, 
 and she, would have played with his hair, and her long locks 
 would have floated urTon his cheek ! Damnation ! that f< rt inft 
 should thus smile upon one, and blast the other always I Thus 
 ha* it been from our cradle. Ily heaven?, Gray, I tell y >u, thai 
 man boy and man ay, when lie was but a brat of ai- imam 
 
 a squeaking, squalling, unconscious brat of an infant this 
 jilting Jexebel, ;alled Fortune, sjiov ered her gold and jewels 
 
H.\(i 
 
 ; to Iiiin . ith a 
 
 aney hardly evt-r known .All ;i. 
 
 ftjcmed to toil in l:is Lehalf, eve: ytliin- tended in hi- 
 
 ay, . compell 
 
 curse tin- vain lul.mr winch D only to his nxul ! and T_." 
 
 : vo hat! -aid flr.v. 
 
 condolingly. 
 
 " Have I !" cried the other, da>hin^ the mirror, upon which hr 
 had l.n.ki-,1 at that moment, into fragment.- at his feet ; " lia 
 
 I nm.st read it in the.-e -M>lie>, then I I must 1 eel it 
 in this feehlene.-s; in tliex- wniind> \\hicli letter .nv activity 
 
 i-ythin--, depends upon my 
 tnl N .!.-! (.ray ; my -Mod i ortunr i> yet 
 
 
 I t di.->trn>t I t.-rtiiiie, captain. I m think 
 
 your tViend <jnite as much as his. 6he s helpeil him in - 
 tilings, perhaps; hut lio\v is ho any the. letter (W diem . A 
 
 1 lora cluing lor him what she wouldn t do ior v ii. that s 
 
 nil in my eye. 1 reckon that she h.nks on him now a little 
 
 hlacker than .-he ever l.x.ked, or e\or will look, on yon. Well, 
 
 . all his { "itunate goltinp:, where is ho . Ami 
 
 after all ymir mi>fortunL S, wlu-i. | / Why, he s jit.st on 
 
 tlu- l.rii.k of lonng everything, and just that nigh to 
 
 ill that hi- IUM>, and ]erha} 
 
 \v,.ui(i it ire : would l \. . }>ut, c. 
 
 v (liiuht>. 1 that 
 
 ul tiul, than when it v. 
 
 We h 
 
 drau hack in a man s 
 viiai iild that ielluw, Mu^ r s, now tail us wit! 
 
 11- uill not fail." 
 And Fh.ra [ G : rt iihl 1 i 
 
 Ai: i Ifhat fl to hindi-r . 1 he OQ ttDSWen I -T th- 
 Vy, not much to li mder, if \\ e u-e violence. .M.iin force 
 ta/iy carry her .lV. and shall, 1:1. ul J 
 
 If that I m \\rth half of all mj 
 hut t- -y." 
 
100 THE SCOUT. 
 
 " What, captain, you re not getting mealy-mouthed in the 
 business. Your conscience ain t troubling you, sure ?" 
 
 " No ! It s not that I have any scruples ; but I would enjoy 
 the blessing of a willing prize, Gray ! That, that is every 
 thing!" 
 
 " Lord knows," rejoined the other with a yawn, " you had a 
 willing prize enough in Mary Clarkson." 
 
 " Speak not of her. Gray," said the other in half-faltering 
 accents " not now ! not now ! 
 
 " She was a willing prize, and one you were willing enough 
 to get rid of. Give me the prize that don t consent in a hurry 
 that gives me some trouble to overcome. I wouldn t give a 
 shilling for a wagon-load of that fruit that drops into the mouth 
 the moment it opens for it." 
 
 "Nor I. Nor is that what I mean, Gray; I mean. only that 
 I should like to forbear absolute violence. I do not object to 
 the opposition or the difficulty, if I could icin, by my own wit, 
 wisdom, attractions win through her sympathies, and not by 
 strife. And I must still try for this. I will see Flora this 
 very evening. I will get down to the supper-table. I am 
 strong enough for it ; and I will sec for myself how she manages 
 this silly witling. The truth is, Gray, I m not altogether satis 
 fied that she will feel that scorn for the fellow that we feel. 
 We judge of a man according to his own manliness; but this is 
 not the mode of judging among women. They look at the 
 streamers of the ship, and her gaudy paint ; while men look to 
 see if her timbers are good; if she follows the helm, if she u 
 taut, and trim, and steady upon the wave. I believe that whi-rc 
 it depends upon a woman s heart where her affections arc 
 firmly enlisted she will be true to the death, and in sjiiti- <>i 
 death ; but, when the matter is referable only to the jud^im .{, 
 I lose all confidence in her. She is then to be watched iru 
 rowly, and guided cautiously, and kept from the brea] 
 among which she otherwise would be sure, to run. Now, 1 lma 
 Middleton is a woman whose mind will take a lariiv share in her 
 affections. She ll hardly sutler her feelings to jM eulir/ ly be 
 jrond the control of ln-r judgment; and it may l>e. advi<-i 1- 
 tbnt I should assist, at her next conference with thi^ i:- 
 
order to help him somewhat in the e. \p--sure of his more rnlicn 
 
 "It don t need, v-aptain. I reckon she s seen em all for hrr 
 M-lf, lohg bel not go tlo\\li. Better i. 
 
 all your strength r Or the time when you ll need it all." 
 
 "What! man Do you think I could fail ///</ Impos 
 sible! N" ! QO! (.irav. fou re getting quite too timid to he a 
 
 ir, and I m resolved to have a glance at Flora 
 Middlcton this evening, though I die for it. I think the sight 
 of her will give me length fjul s] 
 
 time that 1 should try my ..-nt upon her. If you 
 
 light it she bcli. e Conway has been doing 
 
 i evil deeds which I need not acknowledge, and h.is di>n. 
 
 him for ever from he. then this is the. very th; 
 
 my claims and he successful. Personally, there is very 
 
 little dilTerencc to the eye between us ; unless these d a 
 
 I : ila 1 . lidn t you lei her know that they wen- gt light- 
 ing with Clarence in defence of injured innocence, and all that ! 
 If so, they will not seem so very uncomely. The 
 
 I ciicum.-tane , (I ray : I flatter myself that the. contrast 
 
 .cen myself and her present suitor, the si: von in his 
 
 Jove-colored will hardly he against me. Is not that 
 
 r alv 1; t > things something ? If I cnn 
 
 tuud her, we diminish some of our labor, and several of our 
 
 hd that must he tried first. I must play the i 
 as well as I can, before I play the conqueror. I must won my 
 
 . before I resort to the last mode of winning her." 
 You d letter keep your bed two days Ion, 
 IV: I wish I had the 
 
 pick of the Mirgeon s wardrobe, for, of a truth, (I ray. I have 
 but little choice of my own. I suspect my small clot!., 
 ill color:-, with the blood and du>t "f that la.-t biush; but, no 
 matter about the stains here and there; if you can o]. 
 tolerably trim. 1 should rather be as unlike my popinjay 
 as possible, on .such an occasion." 
 
 The outlaw kept his resolution, i: : all the exhortations 
 
 of his comrade; and t! ing, surprised the family. a.d the 
 
 inrgeon, Ilillhouse, not the least, by his sudden entry into lh 
 mile a m 
 
402 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 A V,.-|.n\ ? . 
 
 KI\VAI:D MORTON, could he have, always kept liis !]. 
 
 ; ance, would have made a first-rate p ditieian. 
 superior cunning, but lie had, at t!i me, too mud; 
 
 He yielded him.M lf quite too much up to his sui 
 lie could ii"t tamper and tritle with it. His impetr 
 feated his caution; and, in every respect in which he I liled. 
 he could reproach himself only as the true, cau-e . 
 The stuff which he had expre.-sed iu coiiversar ;.ii : 
 dray, ahout the influence of fortune, did not deeeiv.- himself. 
 
 lie knew hetter. whenever he permitted himself to think g: 
 
 1\-, and speak honestly; hut nn-n get into a hahit ol deceiving 
 ihemsrlvo while seekini; 1 to deceive others; and fortune Ins 
 ;d\\;i Compelled ! bear ii ! -- whining repreache.- of : 
 
 kino! whenever their own v i-blonderjng. J^ri.i 
 
 them uinvilling to admit the fault to he in themselves, and I m- 
 tune i-natnre i damsel, , :.i regents the imputa 
 
 (ions cast u]>on her. They clamor accordingly, ami without 
 . at her exjieii-r ; ami grow familiar with the language <f 
 Unprofitable ;u)d unintended declamation. It scarcely needs thai 
 we .^hould remark how imfrequeiitly they make acknowii 
 incuts of her hounty. When BUC it i.- their own excellent 
 
 art, audacious courage, admirable skill, and manly accomplish 
 ment, th.;f achiev ihe finnpuist ; and the smile, which denotes 
 their satisfaction with flll the world. In-trays first the gratifying 
 conviction that they themselves are gn>d a^aim-l all the world. 
 
 Kdwnrd Morton w;t> \<\ no means ignorant of his own defect 
 Df character. He knew his impetuosity of Mood, and he feaieo 
 it. It W88 CCfl .MX to .;:iard particularly against l/idl, in all 
 his inteii" r~e witli Flora Ml dd let OD. ( )f this he had jireviou* 
 . . .! int Ilect. The -.- \ 
 
simplicity of h< r . 
 
 silinr fr:i: ln-r ti-ni|-- :ur\vliat ilil .ieiilt to 
 
 him. Thi- 
 
 .iddiii"!). lli:.: 
 
 I 
 
 I elial led illforillMtioli of the 
 
 : their mutual i 
 
 ill amount of knowledge \\-\\\ch 
 
 he ] bich In- eUrrlained 
 
 ;iiiL r ht kii .vv much or little, 
 llf ; .-l:iy 
 
 in tin? fruitful : 
 
 si .n t,> ))lant \vithiu IHT mind. If t! 
 
 iftl a ps the difficulty would nol M.-ike 
 
 In-r t! . hi^ liroth 
 
 natural --and ..it will i. <! to 
 
 . 
 
 huii . . word one ineau- 
 
 \\,,\ ^ ],,]< ;uii] h.-r sliai i. \^ : 
 
 I r. \V: l 
 
 I my 1, . 
 
 :;>on \vhieli lie 
 
 per- 
 
 Of the :].!. ! wi 
 
 Ion. Ii . 1 
 
 He 
 
 I 
 
 le 
 
104 THK SCOUT. 
 
 picii-us than Morton, that she had no hostile feeling 
 at work against him. 
 
 The inquiries of both were kind and considerate. Ho wax 
 requested to occupy the sofa entirely, and to place himself at 
 upon it ; a permission which had the effect of transferring 
 the reluctant person of the surgeon to a contiguous chair. Tin 
 deportment of this person had been productive of far more sur 
 prise to the ladies, than the appearance of the outlaw. Flora 
 Middleton had informed her grandmother of the snit which she 
 had rejected ; and it was, therefore, greatly to the wonder of the 
 one, and the consternation of the other, that they were com 
 pelled to witness, in his deportment, the language of confident 
 assurance; of a success and exultation, in tone and manner, 
 as unequivocal as ever betrayed themselves in the action of a 
 triumphal lover. His smirkings were not to be mistaken ; and 
 the old lady looked to the young one, and the young one re 
 turned the glance with equal vexation and bewilderment. 
 
 The. arris al of Morton had the effect of bringing some relief 
 to the females of the party, and possibly to diminish, in some 
 decree, the impertinent self-complaisance of the surgeon. For 
 this, the ladies were grateful to the outlaw ; and hence, perhaps, 
 the greater benignity of the reception which they bestowed upon 
 the latter. But still there was quite enough of pleased impu 
 dence manifest in the visage of Hillhouse, even after the com 
 ing of Morton ; and when the first courtesies which followed his 
 entrance were fairly ended, he took occasion to say something 
 on the subject to this happy person. 
 
 " Really, Mr. Hillhotise, I am surprised at the unusual degree 
 of happiness which your countenance exhibits this evening. 
 What is it makes you so peculiarly happy. Have you good 
 neu s from the army ? Is his lordship about to relieve you. Do 
 you think of Charleston and the next Meschianza ?" 
 
 The surgeon simpered, smiled anew, and looked with most 
 provoking tv//y/> >.\ cimnt at Flora Middleton. Before he could 
 frame the intricate and exquisite reply which he was meditating, 
 that young lady availed herself of the occasion, to prove, as wel! 
 she might, that she was no willing party to the peculiar happi- 
 which his countenance expressed 
 
L VISION. 405 
 
 M I thank v M far tlui | :i\v;iy I was aboti* 
 
 to make the same inquiry ; for, really, I never saw a gentleman 
 
 nut on so suddenly the appearance of so much joy. I fancied 
 
 that Mr. Ilillhouse must have had a fairy gift, as, you know, 
 
 happens to us all in cluhVnxxl ; and then again, I douhted, for 
 
 there are reasons against such a notion. Rut, in truth, I knew 
 
 not what to think, unless it l,e that it is surely no earthly joy 
 
 which lias produced, or could pioduce, so complete an expres- 
 
 f delight in the human face. I declare, Mr. Ilillhou I 
 
 M l.e glad for mamma s sake if for the sake of no one 
 
 \\ would let us know what it is that makes you so 
 
 supremely happy. There s nothing pleases old people so much. 
 
 know, as the innocent pleasures of young ones." 
 
 "Ah. Mis.x Flora, do i/<>u then ask? It is, indeed, no earthly 
 joy which has made me happy." 
 
 ;i are then really happy?" said Conway. 
 
 K.-ally, and in truth, I may say so. A dream " 
 
 " What ! and is it a dream only? Well, I thought as much," 
 xclaimed Flora. 
 
 " Nay. M;>> Middleton, life itself, for that matter, is a sort of 
 ;;i. Hut, in ordinary speech, mine is not a dream. I have 
 had a vision " 
 
 A vision!" exclaimed Conway. 
 
 " A vision, sir !" said the old lady, putting on her spectacle*, 
 and looking around the room. 
 
 "A vision! Do you see it now, Mr. Ilillhouse? Where? 
 What was it like?" The demand of Flora was made with all 
 the girlish eagenie>s of one who really l.elicved in the prophetic 
 faculty of the pn-sen seer. 
 
 . what was i, ike, Mr. Hillhouse ?" asked the outlaw."! 
 am very curious to hear! a vision!" 
 
 "Like!" exclaimed the surgeon, "like! like an opening of 
 hea\en upon me. A Midden revelation of delight, a cloud of 
 *lory and the shape within was that of a woman!" 
 
 Dear me! only a woman!" exclaimed Morton, aftectedly. 
 
 "Only a w.-man, sir!" cried the mrgtOB, \\ith an air of pro- 
 . ounde.st galhii.jry; "and what lovelier ol.jrct can one see in 
 **his visihle creation upon thr Mirth or in the sky " 
 
406 THK SCOUT. 
 
 "Or the waters under the earth." 
 
 "Nay, I m not so deep in the world, Mr. Conway," said the 
 surgeon; "hut when you ejaculate in wonder, sir, because my 
 vision of unspeakable delight takes the shape of a young and 
 beautiful woman " 
 
 "What s the color of her eyes and hair, Mr. Hillhouse?" 
 was the interruption of Conway. "Give us now a just descrip- 
 .itm, that we may judge, for ourselves what sort of taste you 
 .lave in matters of beauty." 
 
 Hillhouse looked to Flora Middleton with an expression 
 which said, as plainly as a look could say "Behold with me ! 
 The vision is again before us!" 
 
 Flora Middleton rose from her chair. She seemed to antici 
 pate the words ; and the scorn and vexation Which overspread 
 her features, became evident to all persons in the room, except, 
 perhaps, the single obtuse individual who had provoked them. 
 She was about to leave the apartment, when the sudden and 
 hurried words of Edward Morton arrested her, with a new occa 
 sion of wonder, more legitimate than that which the surgeor 
 entertained. 
 
 " By heavens, Mr. Hillhouse, I too have a vision, and one fa> 
 
 lovely, I think, than yours. Pray, look to that door, if you 
 
 please. There was a strange visage at it but a moment ago 
 
 Look! look! a man, not a woman; and one not from heaven 
 
 I should think, though it may be " 
 
 lief ire the surgeon could reach the door, or Morton could fin 
 ish the sentence, a dark figure entered the room, confronted the 
 party, and taking from his face a black mask, with which if wa> 
 covered displayed to the anxious g^ze of the outlaw his own late 
 lieutenant, and always bitter enemy, Captain Stockton. The 
 latter had heard what Morton said, and concluded his speech 
 perhaps, in the most fitting manner. 
 
 " From hell, you would say, would you ! and you are right, 
 uir. I came from hell, and I am come for you. You are pre 
 pared for travel, I trust !" 
 
 The behavior of Morton was equally fearless and dignified. 
 He had a game to play in the eyes of Flora, and a diflicult part 
 to act in more eyes than hers. His agitation had not been COD 
 
A VISION. 407 
 
 cealed, at th. : U M i exhibition wi. had ma ,l fl 
 
 l)f " is but, when 
 
 t!lt int11 ibtfol, his finiiiu .ss came ba 
 
 him; and no f t i ic p r( . r jpj c(>i t . ou i,i J,. IVL . 
 
 looked down with more imlinVreiiee than !,-, up.,i, i rs a\vi ul 
 II.- raised himself with composure from the sofa, ;m ,l 
 dw* of Storkton to the ladies, calmly remarked 
 
 " W1 i may be, and whatever your pur] 
 
 man, reiuemher where you are, and be civil to the ladi< 
 
 He was an.xwered l,y a grin, and yell of mingled exnltation 
 and mal 
 
 I will remember. Don t suppose I shall ever for- 
 
 ur V"- reo that i)5nk-lookin- -entlcman in 
 
 ni( r - wll() n< --etly, and looks so frightened. Ha 
 
 . you ever know the devil to forget any of his flock. 
 
 B, yon know me, or you should. You will know mo 
 
 I am old Nick, himself, you may he sure of that, 
 
 veral nan,,-. My most ini. e IS \<n- 
 
 familiar to yon. 1 am the captain of the Black 
 
 Riders. Do you dcmj (hat /" he demanded, at the close, turning 
 
 Ml ard Morton. 
 
 It did not need that die latter should answer this inquiry, for 
 thr alarm which this hold annunciation produced, prevented his 
 words from lu-in- j lt . ;u ,i i )y any wn , )Ut those (>f { ^ intni( j en 
 
 the devil himself, for anything I know or 
 
 ! ! yon are hold. Hut we shall see. You will find me 
 
 a W * l! with, perhap>. Y.. u are my prim 
 
 her that." 
 
 "I know n,t that!" exclaim,-! Morton, rimng with evident 
 P uin ; |u,n which he had sunk but a ininut. 
 
 and looking the defiance which he had no mean 
 atitude was, however, threatening j and dra-. 
 
 iV. in his belt, the intruding outlaw h-velled it full at the he.; 
 
 :5d not shrink. 1 
 
 was undaunted. \, lt a muscle of hi, 
 that inatanl WWOO Qray Middenly entered tl:- 
 strode between them, and confronted Stockton with a weapon 
 
408 THE SCOUT. 
 
 like bis own. At the same time lie thrust another into the 
 hands of Morton. 
 
 " There are two to play at this game, Stockton " was the cool 
 remark of Gray. " Ladies, leave the room, if you please. We 
 need no witnesses : and you, sir, unless you can kill as well as 
 cure, you may as well follow the ladies." 
 
 This was addressed to the surgeon. 
 
 " I have no weapon," was his answer. 
 
 " Pshaw ! look to the fireplace. A brave man never wants a 
 weapon." 
 
 Hillhouse possessed himself of the poker with sufficient reso 
 lution ; but he evidently looked with great dissatisfaction upon 
 the prospect before him, of soiling his dove-colored suit in an 
 unexpected melee. Meanwhile the ladies had disappeared, and 
 the only social influence which might have prevented bloodshed 
 was necessarily removed in their departure. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 A PARLEY. 
 
 "WHAT does all this mean, Stockton?" demanded Gray. 
 
 " What you see. The meaning s plain enough, Watson Gray," 
 was the insolent r^ply. 
 
 " Ay, I see well enough that you are disposed to murder your 
 superior; but on what pretence? IIo\v will you answer to 
 Lord Rawdon for this insubordination this mutiny? for it is no 
 less. Captain Morton has the commission of Sir Henry Clinton. 
 lie is your commander." 
 
 " Yes, but he is the property of the troop, also." 
 
 "Well, what then suppose we allow that?" 
 
 "Thftt is enough. He is a traitor to them." 
 
 "Ha! a traitor!" 
 
 "Yes! a base, dishonest traitor." 
 
 * How ? in what way is he a traitor V 
 
A PARI.KY. 409 
 
 H-- ; tu be true to them." 
 
 W to h-d in tlieir Battles is to bo tnie to 
 
 them, lie certainly has a long time." 
 
 ""Mangled in ///,/, battles !" quoth the other, with a 
 
 MI. Ha-i he b.-en lighting their hattles, with 
 : ! to his own. he would have escaped his mangling. 
 Tell that to the marines. We know Letter. \Ve kno^r that 
 !: is a traitor t.. his comrades. He has sold them for a price, 
 and has abandoned them to their enemies. His life is forfeit by 
 his own lav. 
 
 " This is ;i mere fetch. Stockton. There is no ground f or 
 
 Mich pretence. You are the enemy of Captain Morton. We 
 
 all know that of old. You are contriving it against him to 
 
 >y him. Beware ! You know me quite as well as I know 
 
 I t.dl you, that if you go one inch on either hand from 
 
 .u ht. your neck stretches on the gallows in the sight of all 
 
 ( ha: 
 
 You don t hope to frighten me at 
 
 this time of day with your big words. I know what I m about. 
 lin M.-rton is a traitor to the troop, and we ll prove it. He 
 to his oath, aiul will be made to answer all its penalties." 
 "ThatV well enough; but what gives you the right, till the 
 t!l " ! ;- - to lift pistol to his head?" 
 
 " The thing s proved already." 
 " What! without a trial . " * 
 " We ve tv .. witne.-se.s against him." 
 
 n they / nVV/ hear them not you. You are a 
 little too fast." 
 
 " Y..II -hall hear them both. You shall hear me too. I a m 
 now the captain of tin- They have made me so by their 
 
 - nothing DOW, but one of us a 
 
 . and waiting tor his senten. 
 ekfon : I m better 04*1 to acting than talking. 
 I know you of nld. and I see. you re bent to kill your capt, 
 whether or no. Fou re hir 
 
 nt y.-u pull trigger on him, that moment I pul 
 c ; n } : your ch 
 
410 IHK SCOUT. 
 
 "Two (o one, indeed ! Look at the windows, man, and you ll 
 see tit-oily to one/ was the triumphant response of Stockton. 
 
 Gray looked as he was bidden, so did the surgeon IIillhoi.se, 
 but Morton kept his eyes fixed upon those of his lieutenant. 
 
 11 Well, do you see? are you satisfied? There is no chance 
 tor you," said the latter. 
 
 " I see only what I expected to see," was the answer of 
 Gray. " I did not look to see you venture here without good 
 I ai-king. I knew you too well for thai. These twenty men 
 i iior.gh to cat us up. But, he fore you can get help from 
 them, we ll make mince-meat of you. You are a fool if you 
 think otherwise." 
 
 Stockton looked upon his destined victim with equal rage am? 
 disappointment. 
 
 " What ! you refuse, then, to surrender him to me ?" 
 
 " We do." 
 
 " Well, we shall see what we can do with a few more pistols, 
 replied the ruHian, and with these words he prepared to leave 
 the room. But Gray placed himw K between him and the 
 entrance. 
 
 "Stay," said he " nol so fast. Youve got into the cant- 
 brake, with the bear. You must ask permission when you WAU! 
 to leave it." 
 
 * What ! do you mean to keep me, . " 
 
 "Yes; you shall be a hostage for the rest. We must hav- 
 (erms between us, Itichard Storkton, before we let you off." 
 
 " What terms . " demanded the other, angrily. 
 
 Where s our guard ?" 
 
 "Fastened up in the loghousc, where they re all drunk." 
 
 "They must be released ; and you must answer to Lord Raw 
 lor making his soldiers drunk and incapable, while on duty 
 British military post. 
 
 " Who says t made them drunk?" 
 
 " I 
 
 i can not prove it." 
 
 Yon shall see. 1! I an prove that one of your troopers 
 lid it, it will be necessary for you to show that you did not 
 employ that trooper in doing it " 
 
n, 
 
 W :,:> . .M (Jray, I \\ ill 
 
 " All in -rood time, Stockton. You don t suppose that I m 
 
 MI a difficulty with you or any man ? But it i 
 
 i to ride HIT path. By tlw 
 
 man. I ll tilt you into the ditch in tin 1 twinkle of a 
 
 V -.1 talk ImMlv; hut lot me tell you that you re not alto- 
 Morton. You re suspected 
 ason to the troop, as well a 
 
 " Tsha, tsha, tsha ! Catch old oirds with chaff! Look you, 
 kton : don t yon suppose you can carry this matt 
 
 < B Of shot. We re up to you any how. 
 N..W, look you : if you think that either Captain Morton or 
 
 -ape from trial, you re mistaken. But we ll 
 lb trial, or none at all." 
 \Yell, e him a fair trial (" 
 
 : not if you hejrin it with the pistol." 
 I only want to make him a prisoner." 
 Well, you .-ha n t have your wishes in that not while I 
 
 ready with such a muzzle as this close upon y 
 . hear me. Give orders to KUM^U Parcy, whose little eyes 
 B dancing at that jrlass there, and who s at the Lottom of all 
 your mischief uive him orders to let our men loose from the 
 lo^house, ami send them here ; and, in the mean time, let him 
 :nen off from the house. When that s dune, we ll 
 vnn< ahout the trial." 
 
 ber, and he made a new iimvi inent as 
 
 hi> .lei, arture, hut the wily (ira\ was still on tlse 
 
 alert 
 
 no! my good fellow! You mi; 
 
 :, til the matter s all arranged. You - 
 y from whne y\\ staml through the pane as well as if 
 your arm wa* round his neck." 
 
 M may lie imagined. ! vain- 
 
 He \\ ai c- ;;ipelled to Mihmit. 
 sum: i would n-d, with his men ioll,<injr, hut 
 
 .. ned him, that, if : 
 .d -ne. he M-ouhl hrin^r io\\ n on the la-ad of his c< : 
 
lli THI. 
 
 the millets of himself and Morton. Sharing the chagrin of his 
 superior, Darcy, accordingly, made lus appearance alone, and 
 received his instructions, 
 
 When he had drawn off his followers, and disappeared him 
 self, Gray persuaded MorUn to retire to his chamber with the 
 assistance of the surgeon. This measure had, perhaps, becou:o, 
 absolutely necessary to the former. The efforts which he Ind 
 inad to sustain himself, as well in the interview with the ladi- 1 ;:. 
 as in that unexpected one which foll.iwed it; and the 03 
 incut which the latter necessarily occasioned, had nearly 
 hausted him. Nothing but the moral stimulus derived from his 
 lu md its hate, scorn, defiance sustained him KO far from faint 
 ing on the spot ; and this support did not maintain him much 
 longer. He did faint when he reached his own apartment. 
 
 "And now, Stockton," said Gray, when they were alone to 
 gether "what s all this d d nonsense stuff about Captain 
 Morton s treachery and mine 1 Out with it, man, that we may 
 know the game." 
 
 "No nonsense stuff, I assure you. The proof is strong 
 enough against him, and brushes your skirts also." 
 
 " Proof indeed. You see, I don t stop to let you know, lieu 
 tenant, that I look upon you as a man that will contrive, wher 
 ever you can, against the captain, J know that you hate him 
 you can t deny it, though it s the strangest thing to me why 
 you should hate a man who has never given you any cause for 
 hate, and has always treated you well and kindly." 
 
 "Indeed! Do you really think so!" exclaimed the other 
 hittwly. "Well, I shall understand, that, to knock a man over 
 with the butt of your pistol, and send him afterward under 
 guard to prison, with a recommendation for the halbirds, is a 
 way to treat well arid kindly." 
 
 * Pshaw ! Is that all V 
 
 411 ! ay, and enough too !" 
 
 " My good fellow, you ought tj be grateful that he didn t set 
 you a swinging from the first tree. I heard of that affair, and 
 was scrry for it; but you deserved all you got, and something 
 more. He might have hung you without trial, or shot you down 
 where you stood. You were in absolute- mutiny 
 
113 
 
 " We ll I ; -lit that. \ . ,i,l hi a 
 
 chance, and I ll have mm.- ,r from i: 
 
 Btufl which is against liiin, the proof of his treachery : 
 noonday." 
 
 Well, prove it, and he. must stand his fate. All lit* 1 
 and all that J ask, is a fair trial. But what is the sort of tr< 
 
 hat lie s been di>ii_ 
 " Making arrangements to fly and leave the troop in the }\- 
 
 I TO carry oil the plate, and m gTOCfl from >. 
 bai<>ny and _ether pla< ;{ Idling the troop cumc 
 
 share. You can t deny .hat s death by our lav, . and 
 
 bullet !" 
 
 iited : but, again, I ask you, win-re s the proof {" 
 "Hrydone! II a ! you start, do you . You didn t expect 
 that ?" 
 
 " Start ! a man may well start at lu-aiing of such a false 
 hood from the lips of a fellow like Brydonc, who was always 
 counted one of the truest fellows we ever had." 
 " fei ; you didn t think /- </ desert y<>u, -h 
 "Desert ! Look you, Stockton, I don t believe that Bry- 
 
 I Midi a word. Did you hear him yourseh 
 " fat 1 did." 
 
 " Where is he ? Bring him before me." 
 
 "Time enough. IJ.- > QO< here with us at ]>resent. But he ll 
 be here sooner than you wish." 
 
 " Ah!" and the scout paused, while his brow gatln 
 deep, dark i ..bis which indicate. 1 the pressure of accumulating 
 thoughts. He suddenly recovered hi> composure, and tun 
 with a (jiiiet smile upon Irs m.>re biu;,! c.-mpaniu. he 
 
 ; : 
 
 "Stnekton, 1 M y-.ur game. 1 ne 
 now convinced that you have no laeb proof, Uld . 
 
 : t..bl y..u anything bortftl] 
 you know that he was f. I r trial / Wi 
 
 B nly Wli .nd did not you alvo know, 
 
 the law.s, no one could be 1 Mund guiltv l)lit liv :n uitiu-.^ses? 
 
 , you only .speak of <ne " 
 
 Av, ay ! but the. .ay. Don t suppose 
 
41-1 IT. 
 
 I got so far ahead in tliis business as to 
 
 blc in that matter. No ! no ! I hate Ned Morton too much 
 
 oo thoroughly and 1 itterly to leave my desire for revenge to 
 
 a doubtful chance. The whole matter was cut and dry before 
 
 ;ime down from Ninety-Six. We have Iwo witnesses of 
 
 lilt." 
 
 " Well, who s the other?" asked Gray witi seeming indiffer 
 ence. 
 
 aac Muggs !" 
 
 " What Isaac, the one-armed ! But you d)n t call him a man, 
 surdy he s only part of a man !" 
 
 " You don t mean to stand for such an argument as that ?" 
 demanded Stockton gravely. 
 
 " Oh, no !" responded the other with a laugh. "Let him go 
 
 for what he s worth. But " here his indifference of man 
 
 ner M-enied to increase, as, yawning, he inquired 
 
 "But when are these witnesses to be hfire ? When may we 
 confront them ?" 
 
 " Sooner than you wish," was the reply. " We look for Bry 
 done to-morrow, by the dawn ; and as for Isaac Muggs, we ex 
 pect to catch him very soon after, if not before. We hope to 
 be in readiness along the river banks, to see whether he brings 
 up the boats which are fit to carry such a valuable cargo, as 
 you ve got ready here to put in them." 
 
 " Ah ! so \ ou ve got the Cougaree under guard, have you ?" 
 demanded the other with the same seeming indifference ol 
 manner. 
 
 It will lie somewhat difficult for him to find ijim without 
 finding //.v," replied Sf.K-ktnn with a chuckling sort of tii- 
 itnph. 
 
 much for Isaac, then. 1 suppose he brings Bry.lom- 
 
 - with him . " was the carele-sly expressed inquiry ot diay. 
 
 " No ! no ! lie will be more, c< rtain to arrive, and conic* UMIC 
 
 ;gly. Ilawdon despatch* 1 I niin below with a letter to C olo- 
 
 Mrwart. at Fairlawn, and he will be here too soon i or your 
 
 II" COD 68 bv the roa.l. Do not think we ventured up- 
 
 mi t :is business without preparation. We made nice calcula- 
 
 and timed everything to the proper i:i"i"ent. Brydon 
 
A PARL 416 
 
 sleeps to-night at Maifi: may expect him hero 
 
 l.v Minriso. We ll IT TO f T the trial by 
 
 l"ck to-morrow. At 1- m take his testimony 
 
 ami wait for M But! calculate on ln.th hefore that time." 
 
 Watson Q mod for a inonioiit lost in thought. His 
 
 dark hushy 1" E bent down almost to the concealment of 
 
 It >eom> to \\orrv you !" said Stockton with a sneer. 
 " Worry me ! No! not 8 Ye only worrying your- 
 
 thinking of a very different matter," replied the 
 other will ailo. 
 
 Wdl, d ; ll be ready for the trial then?" 
 
 "We re read} >/o>r ; ready always fur fair play. But you 
 
 your troop." 
 
 well. I have no objection to that, fur I can draw em 
 en again at a moment s warning. If you don t keep faith you ll 
 t for it. I m agreed to anything that don t prevent the 
 tiial. Where shall it be here P 
 
 11 , ( lli, in- ! T> have your sixty men rushing upon us 
 at close mu//.le-(|iiarters! No, no ! We ll have it in the w. 
 iH-ar the river, where my half-^ -:-kets may he COTered 
 
 i nd he something <>f a match for your troop. 
 the women, you k: 
 
 Well, I m willing. There > a clayey bluff just above, facing 
 the i I s something of an opening, and I reckon 
 
 graveyard. I sre a i there and a cross 
 
 upon it. Let tin- trial be there." 
 
 " A iieu -rave and a ci it !" mused the other. "That 
 mu>t be Mar. t the cross ! All! perhaps 
 Flora had that dott< a good girl! Widl, I m 
 r l, r there just at the turning of the sun at noon." 
 K .-p your woi,: ,rst enemy of Ned Mor 
 ton " 
 
 "Yourself!" 
 
 "The same! His worst enemy can ask nothing more. If 
 
 w<3 don t convict him " 
 
 44 You ll swallow the ( 
 
 "Ton may laugh m.\\ . bul 1 doubt if you will to-morrow ; 
 
Till-; SCOUT. 
 
 and I know that Ned Morton will be in no humor to laugh, un 
 less he does so because he likes dancing in air much better than 
 most people." 
 
 " Well, well, Stockton; we shall soon see enough. To-mor 
 row s never a day far off, and here comes Darcy to relieve you. 
 But as for your hanging Ned .Morton, why, man, your own troop 
 will hardly suffer it." 
 
 "Ha! will they not? Is that your hope ?" said Stockton, 
 with an exulting snet-r. 
 
 " Perhaps !" replied the the other, with a smile. 
 
 The entrance of Darcy arrested the conference. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 A WITNESS SILENCED. 
 
 THE business of the two had reached its close before the 
 return of Darcy with the British guard which he had released. 
 Some other matters were adjusted between them, and Lieuten 
 ant Stockton was at length permitted to depart, while Waist. n 
 dray, at the same moment, received from Darcy the still half 
 drunken soldiery. It may be supposed that neither Stockton 
 nor Darcy was altogether so well satisfied with the result of 
 their expedition. The game was fairly in their hands; but the 
 Citation of Stockton, arising from a too great feeling of 
 security, and a desire to exult over his threatened victim, led to 
 that exposure of his own person of which Watson Gray so read 
 ily availed himself. The reproaches of the subordinate were not 
 spared. 
 
 " But it comes to the same thing," said Stockton. " He is 
 o:i!I mirs. He is pledged to appear at the, trial." 
 
 " Ay, but suppose he does not come ?" 
 
 "Then the delay follows, and no worse evil. We have men 
 enough, surely, to pull thr old ],,.usc. about his ears." 
 
417 
 
 " Wi:h : : halt .f them! A lrat bargain," i pliec, 
 
 Lne I lieutenant. 
 
 id either. We can starve them out in three lay:-. 
 Hut. thei. ar that Gray will not keep his word, i 
 
 will eomf to the trial. They Hatter th- hall 
 
 M DggS, W horn the\ away, ami I 
 
 thl them of tin other witness than Brydone. I said nothing of 
 that skulk, Joe Tanner, lie and 1 i ydi.ne arc enough, and 
 knowing the M -, they ll o>me boldly on 
 
 ground, and walk headlong into the trap we ve set lor t:. 
 
 well you ve had that eaution, S:...-ktuii ; for, of a truih 
 have so far played yi.nr cards mO8\ rashly. We ve got 
 rate men to deal with, and tlia, Wa 1 :norc 
 
 in one little linger than yon carry in your whole 1 
 
 That s not so civil, Mr. Iany. 
 
 ! hut it s true ; and when you re trifling with the garno 
 of h.ith of us, it s nec-. ssary to jerk you up suddenly with a sharp 
 truth now and then, hy way of a curh to your paces. Th 
 another .matter that your proceeding has spoiled. Stock: 
 
 What was tha: 
 
 " The gutting of the house." 
 
 " < )h ! that follows, of course. 
 
 " A hird in the hand, you know. They may have time uow 
 to hide away the val.r-iMes." 
 
 "It will he a clo36 hole that our hoy.-, can t creep into 
 Wh- we CUM full" MO doubt, 
 
 Pun-y. t .ven uji on c : ..h-.l u>. 
 
 only putting morrow v.-hat :nigh; havi 1 heen doi. 
 
 day. < )ur ;t; 11 l-e o?ily M- much the ki-.Mie: 
 
 lelay. Did \ . 
 
 " Ay did I n<v. j" replied 
 stipulate : , . : -vallow all r 
 
 nge, riches .-in-! still yearn j-r i.eauty. Si >. >-) to 
 
 my B] 
 
 " Vonr> ! Pooh, I<...<\! what should give you a 
 tooth / Don t think of it. 
 npon her. !; > a part of my r 
 
 Burned Ned M liead it . .e bin bif-reher 
 
 is 
 
II s Tin: 
 
 lit at made me blunder and mili Sf I show liitn that slie, too, is 
 -it my mercy, my triumph will 1m only half complete." 
 
 Darcy muttered something about the- " lion .s .share," and his 
 ring reminded Stockton that he was too valuable an a- 
 
 trifled with. 
 
 " 1 shau !" he exclaimed, " let us not squabble about a w 
 1 i\i} i care a shilling about her. Hut she s common stock, 
 k.nnv. It inn-it be according to the will of the troop." 
 
 We forbear listening to other heads of their private arrange 
 ments. They proceeded to rejoin their men and to see about 
 flie disposition of their sentinels, in secrecy, along the bank 
 tic- river, wherever they thought it probable that a boat could 
 : a landing. They did not bestow a very close watch along 
 the, land .-ide. or in the immediate neighborhood of the hou^e, t -n 
 they well knew that Morton could not escape-, in his present 
 condition of feebleness, by any but a water conveyance, lie 
 heir chief object, and they regarded his fate as now una- 
 roidable. 
 
 ^ifety of the landlord, Muggs, it has been already seen, 
 secured by the persevering and sleepless efforts of his new 
 comrade, John Bannister. When the latter had swam the river, 
 and joined him on the other side, the two l.iid themselves quietly 
 down to sleep in a place of security, having resolved to get up 
 a: ;ui early hour, before dawn, and, urging their boat up stream 
 \\5tli united paddles, keep on the sa^ie side of the river until 
 they could, v. ithoat detection, cro.:s to ih i. on which the enemv 
 lay. Their aim u as to reach a poll I .he usual landing 
 
 places of the barony, and out of the leach, accordingly, of the 
 line .; r-r,i:ini l>, each of which John Bam. st- ,- had beheld \\hen 
 be was placed. 
 
 The worthy scout was ivolv.-d to do all th;.f he might, at any 
 ri ,!<. for the safety of Flora, and for her r> m the nil! 
 
 villfiiiM by whom her house was su.-i"in>.ded. He did not cmi- 
 :ate of affairs bet . u-r captain of the 
 
 and his troop; and d!d r.ut fancy that there \vai 
 any cause of apprehension for the fate of Kdward Conway, 
 though such a conviction would have given him but little un- 
 ess, 
 
A \VIT\i 
 
 At tin- < k 
 
 f II,-. the Hint of \vhieh he carci ully 62 
 
 saving jiiit h - inditio;, f<>r a 
 
 mi. 
 
 Tlu- \vik i lt - ! !" 
 
 , until tl \v th the lu- 1 
 
 tin- , .:id the- j ...Hand where slept lit 
 
 ircely pulled i. 
 
 human t; 
 m <-i \\hicli, ami ft] 
 
 (I liai-k iV !n the 
 
 shore, but tlu- frii-mil^ I i Mm. 
 
 Hi- al drunlv . the 
 
 . ilinu^li h,.w that liail 1- . .out, lie cnuM tell 
 
 hut little. Ti. tln-ir cup.-, !sa.i evidently 
 
 .iin with tin- they ; m:ii-hf>! him v/ith a 
 
 portion of tin- this ho drank nothing, 
 
 and the COBSequei 
 
 
 to the spot wheie his i!au-h: 
 
 II, .ination ; nor did 1 anni ftCI an- 
 
 iiiin on t!. B Qt with li 
 
 of a stout lellow. \ dly, and win- : 
 
 to secure hi^ ritlo fn>ni luss in all his i:ii>ehanr s. i hia 
 
 :,is arm, and IJaunister contented lii . 
 with instnu-tiu^: him to -; i; in i 
 
 Sre. to the tlint ;. . .lake, for the time s 
 
 :.iiu wln-n I \\oul you mi- }ole- 
 
 It* tl. M g the 
 
 ouila\\s in tbl 
 
 . and an.\ .< 
 with ilillerri! 
 
 \,hich tl.- 
 
 ladies of tin that wild and fearful i 
 
 niji 1 iiing 
 
 ,. But, in tin . .!<! Morton, a more Bteru 
 
 ; 
 
120 
 
 the gloom of liis midnight watch, and to darken the aspect! of 
 the two wlio sat there in solemn ( (inference. 
 
 Watson Gray, though he naturally strove to infuse a feeling 
 
 of confidence into the mind of his superior, could not, ncverthe- 
 
 uthvly divest his thoughts of the sombre tinge which they 
 
 -sarily tr.uk from his feelings, in considering the events 
 
 h the coming day was to bring forth. There was some- 
 
 tfn| rively humbling to a manlike Edward Morton, in 
 
 of cv6r being tried for treachery by those whom he had 
 
 BO i .I 1 ! en l.-d ; and to be placed for judgment before one whom 
 
 ^ so heartily despised as Stockton, was no small part of the 
 
 annoyance.. The assurances which Watson Gray gave him did 
 
 i;-)t touch this part of his disquietude. The simple assurance 01 
 
 his ultimate release could not materially lessen the pang which 
 
 he felt at what he conceived to be the disgrace of such a 
 
 situation. 
 
 " Life or death, Gray," he said, "is after all a trifling matter. 
 I haw the one here," touching the hilt of a dirk which he had 
 just placed within his bosom, " or here," and his fingers rested 
 on ihe handle of the pistol which lay beside him on the bed. 
 
 " Either of these will secure me from the indignity which this 
 base scoundrel would delight to fasten upon me; and, as for 
 liiV, I believe I love it no more than any other soldier who 
 knows the condition of the game he plays and the value of the 
 fctake he, iay.s down. But, to be hauled up and called to an 
 swer to such a scamp, for such a crime, is, really, a most shock 
 ing iH-ces-.ity. Can t v/e, mend the matter no way? Can t we 
 tamper \vith some of the men? There are a few whom you 
 could rnana-re.. There s Butts, both the Maybins, Joe Sutton, 
 Peters, and half a dozen more that were always devoted to me* 
 though, perhaps, among the more timid of the herd. If you 
 could manage these ; if you could persuade them to join us here., 
 with your bull-head Briiish allies, we should be able to make 
 fight, and finish tin-, copartnership in that manlier way. By 
 llrawn, I m stirred up with the notion! You must try it! I 
 shall be strong enough for anything when the time comes; and 
 I feel, that in actual conflict with that villain Stockton, I could 
 not help but hew him to pieces. Bring us to this point, Gray! 
 
A w 421 
 
 Work, work, man. if you love me ! If ymir wits sleep, wake 
 tin-in. XM\V .11- never! I..t t 1 mo from this d nable 
 
 situation and bitter >h:r 
 
 Tin- c..nfed rate >hook liis head despondingly. 
 
 "X .,],] ^ ( .t a t these fellows, or any lialf dozen 
 
 in tl :i, y might lie bought over or pc-rsuaded in some 
 
 *vay iliat the difficulty is in 
 
 ting at thrin I Wen- I to ventUI J them. I should be 
 
 1 Stockton to-night. I should he ham- 
 
 i hand and font, with no such chance of making terms of 
 
 - he had. Xo/ captain. I see no way to avoid the trial. 
 
 must make up your mind to flat. But I don t see that 
 
 sill have anyt! . : g more to apprehend. Muggs is out of the 
 
 way, and won t In- : k in three ilays. He s safe. One wit- 
 
 :^h, ;!.nl as for Brydone " 
 
 1 I) n him ! D n him! The douhlo-dyod traitor! And 
 paid so well too !" 
 
 ihe iiiistako, I m thinking. He got too much for 
 
 that last hu.-iuess. He considered it the last job that you d 
 
 him. and he immediately cast ahout for a new cm- 
 
 1-1"\ . him, hut I do not think he ll keep him long." 
 
 May the\ cut each other s throats!" was the devout prayer 
 
 of the outlaw, to which Gray responded with a deliberate 
 
 " Al: 
 
 What was further said between the two that night, was of the 
 
 fiame temper and concerned the same business. Their hopes 
 
 and frars. plans and purp< r as Watson Grav deemed 
 
 ntial that his principal should know them, underwent, ae 
 
 isral they >lnmbl. a ju olon^ed examination. I n-.t Gray 
 
 hat the outlaw would need all hi> >trengtli for whatever 
 
 ight follow, and determined, therefore. ujnn leaving 
 
 him Besides, he had some - "ikin^inhis 
 
 mind, whii-h he did DOl and which it 
 
 iry that he sbonh! , ntirely to himself. 
 
 He had already taki-n care that of men, by this time 
 
 quit- . -liould be strictly cautioned on the subject of their 
 
 i for the night, an . within the dwelling, as to baffle 
 
 itten pt at surjiri.-- It fr-.m without. The 
 
422 TIM 
 
 did not now need much exhoi tation to vigilance. They had 
 already had some taste of the fruits of misbehavior, as in their 
 boa.-tly incapability ot resentment, the outlaws had an; 
 themselves with a rough pastime at their expense, in which 
 cuffs and kicks were the most gentle courtesies to which the 
 victims were subjected. 
 
 Having exhorted them, with every possible counsel and argu 
 ment, Gray summoned the surgeon, Hillhouse, to a brief eonfer- 
 Ynee, and assigned to him o-rrain duties of the watch also. 
 Though a frivolous, foolish person, lie was temperate, and the 
 chief object of Gray was to keep the soldiers from any es 
 during an absence which, it seems, he meditated, but which he 
 did not declare to them, or to his associate, Morton. It was only 
 necessary to intimate to Mr. Ilillhouse what havoc the lilack 
 Riders would make if they could once lay hands upon his varie 
 gated wardrobe, to secure all the future vigilance of that 
 tleman. 
 
 All matters being arranged to his satisfaction, Gray stole forth 
 at midnight from the mansion, none knowing and none su-pect- 
 ing his departure ; and, with the practised arts of a veteran M-out, 
 he contrived to take from the stables the fleetest horse which 
 they contained. Him he led, as quietly as lie could, into th<. 
 woods which lay to the west, and remote equally from the en 
 campment and sentinels of the Hlack Riders. Their watch was 
 maintained with strictness, but only on the river >ide ; and, un 
 interrupted, Gray soon succeeded in placing himself iii full c 
 of the forests, and out of the neighborhood of the enemy s sen 
 tinels. He kepi within the cover of the woods only so ho. 
 sufficed for safety ; then, hurrying into the main road, he pur 
 sued his way down the country, at a rapid canter. 
 
 The. object of Watson Gray, in part, may be conjectured, by 
 a recurrence to that portion of the dialogue which he had with 
 Stockton, in which the latter accounted for the alienee of Hry- 
 done, the most important witness whom he could arrav against 
 the fidelity of Captain Morton. He determined to go forth, 
 meet Brydone, and bribe, or dissuade him from his meditated 
 treachery. lie had. if the reader will remember, wormed out 
 of the les>- acute and subtle Stockton, the cause of llrydone y ab- 
 

 vhicli lie \v..uM .-,!,],. 
 
 is arrival in the morni))-. To keep him back from tl;. 
 pn.achim fiial he helieved to he I,,M,V important than lie ali 
 t" ipl" .-!!- t.. Morton. H,. knew that their enen, 
 |l(< al 1(> tbc landlord, u 
 
 fin- .-.Hotted tiin.-, even if they succeeded, finally, in secnri; . 
 
 and he did 
 
 with some other witness. of wh,m lie said nothing. j,, , 
 
 etu.-illy to dehule the defendant into the field. Tlii> 
 
 . < already >een from the confer- 
 
 t kton and his more >nl.tle coniederatc, Darcv. 
 
 "At all events." s..lil l , ( |ui/ed tlu> st-out, "at all events, it will 
 
 ;. Li keep r.ry.h.ne ..sit of the way. I must 
 
 him on another jnurn.-y. If, | ^lartin s ta 
 
 Afnrtii. ui-ft-en miles. lie car 
 
 at a do U --ti-,,t in three hours. II.- will j.r.d.aldv >?art at 
 
 . ralenlate to take his hrral. ,e haronv. That 
 
 :iV cah-ul;itio 1 i. I mi^t LaihY him. liry.lmie* mn>t put 
 atiiiL that hreakf.v 
 
 utinue hi- 
 
 whirh he started. II,- dren uj . ftftei tte firsl ! . and 
 
 :vd him to trot and walk alternately. He had not 
 OH, when day hn.ke np,,r; the f,,ri >ts, and the 
 -lit w.-re the: ^ ur . 
 
 ! n]M)n \\hich he travcllcil. P,y the time the 
 
 he intended. It wa- ut a part 
 
 " I - pollCJ tO he 8660 at Martin s tavern; 1 all. hy 
 
 ; ". v the fact hereafter that he ; 
 
 i which I :,.,}. 
 
 . ahle U) . .iml provide , 
 
 con;: i, ;; 
 
 h-nlation of i 1 all( ] 
 
 He .ji;:etly turned into th ) H .,1 
 
 a thicket which promised him sullicient concealment for his pur- 
 
 ll ( i 1 he iv ( xamined his pistols, which were h-aded, 
 
 Bach, with a hrace of hull. ,i,,Lr with his 
 
 the tiin: . with the horn handle of his 
 
 knife, and adjusted the in his hell 1 . age 
 
124 THE SCOUT. 
 
 IK did not dismount from his saddle, but took care to place him. 
 self in such ,1 position, on the upper edge of the thicket, as to 
 i-cmain unseen from below ; while, at tho same time, the path 
 was so unobstructed from above as to permit him to emerge 
 suddenly, without obstruction from the undergrowth, at any mcv 
 mi-lit, into the main track. 
 
 In this position lie was compelled to wait something longei 
 than he had expected. But Watson Gray, in the way of busi- 
 ne>s. was as patient as the grave, lie was never trembled with 
 that fidgety peevishness which afilicts small people, and puts 
 them into a lever, unless the winds rise from the right quarter 
 at the very moment when they are desired to blow. He could 
 wait, not only without complaint or querulousness ; but In- 
 pared himself 1 to icait, just as certainly as to perform. To suf 
 fer and to endure, be bad sufficient c>mmon sense philosophy to 
 perceive, was equally the allotment of life. 
 
 His patience was sufficiently tested on the present or 
 lie vail r;l fully two hours, and with no greater sign of disci -u- 
 tent, than could be conjectured from his occasionally transferring 
 bis right and then his left leg from the stirrup to the pommel . f 
 his saddh 1 . simply to rest the members, as they happened to be 
 more or less stiffened by the want of exercise. All the while, 
 his eyes kc.-nly pien-ed the. thicket below him, and his ears 
 pricked up, like his steed s, wliii h he also cautiously watched, 
 with the habitual readiness of a practised woodman. At length 
 the tedium of his situation was relieved. The tramp of a horse 
 heard at a small distance, and as the traveller came up to 
 the thicket, Watson Gray quietly rode out beside him. 
 
 "Ha! ^vVatsmi Gray!" exclaimed the new-comer, who was 
 the person expected. 
 
 "The same, Joe Brydone," was the answer of Gray, in tones 
 which were gentle, quiet, and evidently intended to soothe the 
 alarm of the other; an alarm which was clearly conveyed in 
 his faltering accents, and in the. sudden movement of his bridle 
 hand, by which his steed was made to swerve away to the op 
 posite side of the road. 
 
 If bis object was flight, it did not promise to be successful 
 Tor the powerful and fleet ai inial bestrode by Gray left him in 
 
1 -") 
 unwelcome comp;r 
 
 Tlii- by the friend 
 
 lv with him 
 
 at the same pace which lie M ing when they enCOtfflb 
 
 Uut his 1 let He hal all the misgiving* 
 
 tis traitor, apprehensive for his troasonal 
 On this head (iray did i, long in d 
 
 r\ c be< ;. look) 
 
 "Ah! why what s the matter?" 
 
 N.iv, nothing much, I reckon, only you re expected at the 
 
 :iy." 
 " I know : I m on my way there now " 
 
 BCtfl von !" 
 Who : the captain ?" with some surprise. 
 
 B charge is made against him by that scoundrel 
 aid he wants you to disprove it." 
 What > that . " demanded the other. 
 
 Why, i; cither more nor le>s, than that the captain has been 
 making pu-parati. I vl the troop, in violation of his oath." 
 
 11. hut Gray, tliat .s the truth, yon k: .ydone 
 
 with more confidence. 
 
 ll<>w! I know! I know nothing about it." 
 Whv. jrefl von do. Didn t you send me yourself to Isaac 
 id tell me what to say ami 
 
 "JJry done, you re f"ii;>h. If 1 >ei:t y..-.-. didn t I ; 
 
 . "injr; and isn t it a part <f mr hu.-i .uv^ that you si. 
 
 . t it you keep the mo;, 
 
 and got paid t<>r ke.-j ! ; ami n.w we e.\ 
 
 y.u to n-,i up and jirove this fellow Stockton to bo a liar and ail 
 
 1 can t d- it, (Jray." said the other, dogfredly. 
 
 \ud why ii"t \"i :icas to be got w! 
 
 the la-t ( ;.me trom." 
 
 I don t know thai, wu the u-ply. 
 
 ill see. 1 iruincas, if you 
 
 ith, M 1 tell it t.. you, mi this trial." 
 
 Id the truth Stock- 
 
 U-n re than him." 
 
426 
 
 you were linger a Iliistak fellow 
 
 Don t 1)0. foolish now. You will only l,e making n lasting enemy 
 
 .ptain Morton, who has always been your friend, and who 
 
 will never forget your treachery, if you appear in this business 
 
 ,: ; m." 
 
 "His enmity won t count for much when they ve tried him, 
 Gray. lie must swing." 
 
 " But mine will count for something. Would you be making 
 an enemy if me, also? If you go forward and swear against 
 him, ye;; swear against me too." 
 
 "I can t hclji it -it * the truth." 
 
 "Hut where s t!,e necessity of telling the truth at this time 
 <; day . What s the use of beginning a new business so late 
 in life? You ve told Stockton, it seems; go forward then, and 
 tiownface him that you never told him a word on the subject, 
 and 1 will be your security for twenty guineas." 
 
 " I can t ; I told Lieutenant Darcy also, and several others." 
 
 44 Ah ! that s bad that s very bad. ]\Iy dear Brydone, that s 
 unfortunate for all of us." 
 
 44 1 don t se how it s unfortunate for more than him," said 
 Brydone, with recovered coolness. 
 
 " Why yes, it s a loss to you ; a loss of money, and, perhaps, 
 something as valuable. But there s yet a way by which you 
 may mend it, and prevent the loss. You shall have the twenty 
 guineas, if you ll just take the back track down the country, 
 and be gone for five days. I don t care where you go, or what 
 you do in the meantime, so that you don t come within twenty 
 miles of the barony." 
 
 " I can t think of it," said the other obstinately. 
 
 Watson Gray regarded him earnestly, for a fe\v moments, be 
 fore he continued. 
 
 H.iw a fellow of good sense will sometimes trifle with his 
 good fortune, and risk everything on a blind change J<-e Bry 
 done, what s got into you, that you can f road that s 
 safest and must profitable?" 
 
 " IVrhaps I do," replied the other with a grin of ib& c. olest 
 self-complaisance. 
 
 He was answered by a smile of Gray, one of that sinister 
 
A WITNESS SILKN*rr.I>. 127 
 
 kind : observing man would shudder to behold in the 
 
 f a dark and determined one. 
 
 i i:ie counsel the 
 
 You re in the .vay of dan- 
 
 11 he liot fighting there 
 
 n t stand by and see liim 
 
 ly >c.imp like Stockton. You can 
 
 -haiv of money besides, by 
 
 taki: .ind riding down the road." 
 
 1 but win-re then would be my 
 : .irony ?" 
 Th< : a foid, perhaps who>e lingers are made use of 
 
 in the I m-." 
 
 : -Ml than yourself, Watson Gray ; and let me tell 
 if as well as the captain. There s more 
 ne in preparation." 
 
 "Ah. ;died Gray, coolly, as the other 
 
 jerkeil uj> the hiidle of liis horse and prepared to ride forward 
 
 ::1 I warn you that you had better tak- i dn>rn 
 
 the c-ounny. rather than me. Your chance isn t so much better 
 
 than that of Ned Morton, that you can stand by and see him 
 
 uthout ninninir a narrow clianc -;n^ your neck 
 
 ake my wonl, for what I m telling you 
 
 ;ne what y.m call jrood advice; I ll give you some 
 
 i.i return. DM ju>t what yon wanted me to do. Turn your 
 
 own the country, and don t trust yourself 
 
 \. By hard pushing, you ll p t 
 
 !;i it iu s in . while I ll ride for a d and take 
 
 
 
 ite, Joe very. But I don t despair 
 i of the twenty guineas. Gold 
 a metal, that a handful of it persuades where all 
 .rgument will fail; and I think, that by givi: 
 
 Hi will stop fa] 
 
 "ii with this cruel btuineSS, Y<-u certainly can t find 
 
 hung ; and when it s to 
 
 tiiat they should < must be the worst 
 
 i ward." 
 
428 THI-: sroiT. 
 
 "You may put it up. I won t look. I ll tell you what, 
 Watscn Gray I know very well what s locked up iu Middle- 
 ton barony. I should be a pretty fool to take twenty guineas, 
 when I can get two hundred." 
 
 Meantime, under the pretence of taking the money from las 
 bosom, Gray had taken a pistol from his belt. This he held in 
 readiness, and within a couple of feet from the head of Bry<; 
 The latter had pushed his horse a little in the advance, while 
 Gray had naturally kept his steed in while extricating 
 pistol. 
 
 "Be persuad^l, Brydone," continued Gray, with all tl. 
 tleness of one who was simply bent to conciliate; "only 
 your eyes round upon this metal, and you will he convinced. 
 It is a sight which usually proves very convincing." 
 
 But the fellow doggedly refused to turn his head, which he 
 continued to shake negatively. 
 
 "No, no!" he answered; "it can t convince, me, AY 
 Gray. You needn t to pull out your purse and waste your 
 words. Put up your money. I should be a blasted fool to give 
 up my chance at Middleton barony, and Ned Morton s share, 
 for so poor a sum as twenty guineas." 
 
 "Fool!" exclaimed Gray, "then die in your folly! Take 
 lead, since gold won t suit you :" and, with the words, he pulled 
 trigger, and drove a brace of bullets through the skull of his 
 wilful companion. Brydone tumbled from his horse without a 
 groan. 
 
 "I would have saved the ass if he would have let ma" eaia 
 Gray, dismounting leisurely; and, fastening his own and th 
 horse of the murdered man in the thicket, he pn>c< rde-1 [., lift 
 the carcass upon his shoulder. He carried it into the dee] 
 part of the woods, a hundred yards or more from the roadside 
 and, having first emptied the pockets, cast it d 
 channel of a little creek, the watery ooze of which did rot 
 fice to cover it. The face was downward, but the ha. 
 head, mangled and shattered by the bullets, remained npwaid 
 and visible through the water. Fnun the garments of Brydone 
 he gleaned an amount in gold almost as jjreat as that which he 
 had tendered him; and, with characteristic philosophy, he thus 
 
* !-jr< 
 
 solil.i.jui. lie conn- .inferred it to hia 
 
 f forty guineas to the fnoRsh fellow. This is 
 all the work of avarice. Now, if his heart hadn t heen set upon 
 ting the harony. he d have 1660 the reason of everul 
 
 in. HeM hare seen that it was a short matt, 
 and death between VLB. Him or me! Me or him ! Turn it 
 u will, like 00, * it s still the same. I don t likr 
 :llet> when ether arguments will do: hut twas m< 
 
 :lic matter as there is pretty 
 
 much in all matter-. He mis/i f to listen to arguments this 
 1 ; .im. He \\a> a p. .id runner and 
 
 that s as much as could ho said of him hut a most conceited 
 . . . Well, our reckoning s over. lle > p.t his pay and dis- 
 Btockton a u fearful I d have 
 
 to shoot him, when I set out. The fuolish fellow! lie wouldn t 
 ved it if I had told him. AVith such a per.son, feeding 
 i> the only sort of helieving : a Imllet s the only thing to COD 
 viuce a hard head. lie s got it, and no more can bo said." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. \ 
 
 I. TM AN KVIL DKF.D. 
 
 
 THK ]>rohahle and ultimate task which W (Jray h.nd 
 to himself for performance, mi quitting the harony 
 
 hut the murderer, hv that 
 
 P lii Mtion, did not entirely conclude the Idoody 
 
 li he had thus unsrru] uliusly he-:ni. I! 
 
 . is that they make a clean 
 
 ; . of the joh.and leave hehiml them no telltale and unn. 
 
 
 I on ritli.-r M.|I , Ug- 
 
 "" <>f " [: 
 
 
 
 A :; Tin-tit lor ii- ,,. fnutid in the 
 
 . liilu-ii li.in- ulii.-h it li.ul in tin- Ki vui!.:. _ g l c . 
 
4oO THE SCOUT. 
 
 chip* which they might readily put out of >ight. Ho had 
 no scruples in pm-ketiug the money whicli he. had taken froin 
 the garments of lirydone; hut he knew that the horse >f 
 murdered man could he identified ; and accordingly, though with 
 much more reluctance than he had manifested in the case of his 
 master, he decreed to the animal the same fate. lie. brought 
 him to the, spot where he had thrown the hody, and despatched 
 him in like manner, hy putting a hrace of hullets through his 
 head. Then, with all the coolness of the veteran rufiian, he 
 reloaded his weapons where he >tmd, and, having don-- 
 returned quietly to the spot where, his own steed had heeu 
 fastened. 
 
 I .ut the " fat 1-" aht.ut whicli Watson Gray had soliloquized, 
 alter the usual fashion of the ruilian, was disposed to he. partic 
 ularly husy that day and in that neighborhood. The gratuitous 
 killing of the horse, though designed to increase the securities 
 of the murderer, helped really to diminish them. The report 
 of his last pit-till had awakened other echoes than such as were 
 altogether desirable ; and he, who had so lately sent his fellow- 
 ereature to his sudden and fe:;ifv,l account, was soon aroused to 
 the necessity of M-eking measures for his own life and s,. 
 
 lie had left the plain which he had made memorahle hy his 
 evil deed, not more than half a mile hehind him, when lie WM 
 staitled hy the. mellow note of a bugle in his rear. A faint 
 answer was returned from ahove, and he now began to fear that 
 his path was heset hy cavalry. Could it he that Stockton had 
 got some intimation of his departure from the harony, and, 
 sii-pecting his ohject. had set off in pursuit? This was the 
 more obvious interpretation of the sounds which alarmed him. 
 This was the most natural suspicion of his mind. 
 
 He. stopped his horse for a few seconds on the edge of the 
 .and partly in the COV6T of the WOOd, undetermined whether 
 to dismount and take, the hushes, or holdly dash forward and 
 trust to the fleetness of his .^teed. Hut for the ditlicnlty >f 
 Sliding the animal, the former would have he.en t! 
 He cho.se a mid. lie course and nde "ff to the left, into the f- 
 at as easv a pace. a> was possible. V>\\i lie had m-. him- 
 
 dred yards before he espied the imperfect outlines of three 
 
431 
 
 ning. ! 
 
 !y, perceive him 
 turned ;i! 
 
 If in 
 
 e : but, in 
 men. 
 
 afforded liim of these men 
 were iu,i. it il nl n<<* 
 
 . 
 
 I ho pale-yellow cre>eent which gleamed upon 
 their iVlt .r i ur, and their blue uniforms, apprized him 
 
 ami 
 
 .vild shout which t tg him, too plainly told 
 
 the > b which ti heir 
 
 Iiis teeth in tin; bitterness of his disapp 
 A h-d iii Lud soliloquy, a> he drove the. sjMir> 
 .n<l sent him hea-llon^r throu-h the v, 
 
 "Hell s* ,-iu-h luck. Here* when all -h.uM 
 
 the track. It will he too late to p-t hack 
 plain !" 
 
 me, the apprehennonj of \ ; . seemed en- 
 
 ..n t.) his superior. The idea of his own escape ! 
 douUful, did his mind. UP looked up to 
 
 -mi, which \\;t cding rapidly onward to his meridi- 
 
 ,d muttered, 
 
 il miles yet, and how many twists and turns he- 
 , the d 1 only knv.> ! Would to I. ;ton 
 
 ito the \vods no\v. There Could he no i. 
 
 08, than : and 
 
 h other s hrains. Where the 
 
 m , H- :on, thatv clear : hut 
 
 \\hat hrou^ht him hd- .ner 
 
 in all last week, to tell us ai;yth:;!u r no wonder that we knock 
 our skulls against the pinr l: 
 
 Sue!, innrmu!!. e galloped forward, Tl. 
 
 ii with ^rreat spirit, 1 : I tho 
 
 naiii \\ hich ( I ra v had not 
 
 ed, and which now began to awake: :;sions for h ; b 
 
\-\ 2 THE SCOUT. 
 
 own safety. He was evidently environed by his foes. There 
 had been an effort made to surround him. This, he quickly 
 conjectured to have been in consequence of the alarm which he 
 himself had Driven, by the use of firearms, in his late performances. 
 
 " So much for firing that la<t pistol. It was not needful. 
 What did I care if they did find the horse afterward. Nobody 
 could trouble me with the matter. But it s too late for wisdom 
 1 must do the bo>t. 1 don t think they ve closed me in quite." 
 
 Hut they had. The very first pistol-shot had been reported 
 to Conway by one of bis scouts, and t*Iic troop had been scat 
 tered instantly, with orders to take a wide circuit, and contract 
 to a common centre, around the spot whence the alarm had aris 
 en. The second shot quickened their movements, and their ob 
 ject was facilitated by the delay to which Gray was subjected 
 in the removal of the body of Brydone, and in the search which 
 he afterward made of the pockets of his victim. lie soon saw 
 the fruits of his error of that which is scarcely an error in a 
 sagacious scout that Indian caution which secures and smooths 
 everything behind him, even to the obliteration of his own foot 
 steps. 
 
 He had ridden but a few hundred yards farther, when he dis 
 covered that the foe was still in front of him. Two of the " Con- 
 garec Blues," well mounted and armed, were planted directly in 
 his track, and within twenty paces of each other. Both were 
 stationary, and seemed quietly awaiting his approach. 
 
 A desperate fight, or a passive sunender was only to be avoid 
 ed by a ru.sc dc guerre. The chances of the two former seem 
 ed equally dubious. Watson Gray was a man of brawn, of great 
 activity and muscle. He would not have thought it a doubtful 
 banco, by any means, to have grappled with either of the foes 
 before him. lie would have laughed, perhaps, at the absurdii.y 
 of any apprehensions which might be entertained in his behalf, 
 in such a conflict. But with the two, the case was somewhat 
 different. The one v.-.Mild be able to delay him sufficiently hmjs 
 to permit the other to shoot, or cut him down, at leisure, and 
 without haxard. Surrender was an expedient scarcely move 
 promising. The Black Riders had long since been out of the 
 pale :f mercy along the (Jongaroe ; and the appeal for quarter. 
 
A SI .vN ,-.\ IL I ! 
 
 on tii heir uniform, would h. 
 
 .1 shrift and sure cord. 
 Hut t] hich he might pr;. i t- which 
 
 : s. He les>e:;ed the rapid! 
 
 his motion, af 1 \inghimself 1 ; B leh-nd him, that 
 
 he n ieraldy in advance of the. rear pur." . H 
 
 .iently nigh to those in front to hear t . 
 They charged him to surremler as he approached; nru\ witli a 
 motion studiously intended for them to see, he retained th< 
 tol ; it, which hefore he had kept ready in his hand. 
 
 This was a p Q, and his reply to the challenge continu 
 
 ed it> apj 
 
 d terms good quarter and I ll surrender," was his 
 <ply. 
 
 ! you shall have terms enough," was the answer ; 
 .ind the young dragoon laughed aloud at the semiing RDli 
 with which the fugitive appeared to insist upon the ten. 
 
 . (I ray muttvivi between his teeth 
 
 " lie means gooil mpe ; hut he shall laugh t oth- f his 
 
 mouth, the raseal !" 
 
 Maintaining an api -ilic, and. 
 
 .:! -lance hehiiid him, ii 1 l.y tn 
 
 tool; (special care to carry his horse, to the right ha:. 
 
 trooper, who \\ a> placed on the right of his coin: 
 6 twenty paces from him. \\\ 
 movement he contrived to throw out one of ; 
 . r, the otU-r In-ill.;- 1 ef.veen \Vatson (iray 
 Caching this one he began drawing up his steed, hut W 
 -t nj), and whi-n the dragoon 1, Hiked momentarily to see him 
 dismount, he dashed th- :dy into the anim.. 
 
 him free rein, and adding to his impetus hy tin 
 halloo of which his hi: capable, he si nt the 
 
 StCCu, with irresistihle imj.ulse, full I 
 and horseman. The sword of the tr 
 
 only while himself and hi-r.-e were tumlding to the ground. A 
 . and W.v nrnt 
 
 \\ith a houn-i I it the interruption \\:\>. 
 
 *t> a ruhh oilers to tin ; 
 
-"JP <( M TX 
 
 w prosper! of strife opened hef..^ his path alm-s: 
 the .t rfter. One and another of G troop appeal 
 
 ed . , v. ry interval in tlie forest. The pursuing partv 
 
 wer" passing forward with wihl shouts of rage and encou: 
 me; ! fa i.. behind, and a darker feeling, and far more solemn 
 com <ti r . of evil, now filled the mind of the outlaw. 
 
 y a life, after all. It s what we all have : 
 one clay or another. I don t think I shortened Joe Bryd< 
 very much, and if the time s come to shorten mine. 1 reck 
 wouldn t be very far off any how. As for the captain, lie don t 
 know, and he ll he hhnmng me, hut I ve d -ne lln- hest for him. 
 It .s only on h a in this hohhle. { c.>uhl easily have 
 
 managed Stockton on \n\ own. Well, neither of us knows \\ 
 o he first ; but the game looks as if twas nearly up for me. It 
 .von t lie the rope though, I reck >n, No! no! I m prettv 
 >n that score." 
 
 The dark impressions of his mind found their utterance, in 
 his form, in the few brief moment* that elapsed after the dis- 
 jovery of his new eiu>mie< They did not seem disposed to 
 await his coming forward, as had been the ease with the dra- 
 [] whom he had foih-d .-uid overthrow u. They were advan 
 cing briskly upon him from every side, lie w->uhl willingly have 
 awaited them without an} movement, hut for the rapidly sound 
 ing hoofs in the rear. These drove him forward ; and he de 
 rived a new stimulus of daring, as he di>r<i\vred among the ad 
 vancing horsemen the person of Clarence Conway himself. 
 
 Watson (Jray had imbibed from his leader some portion oi 
 the hate which the latter entertained, to a degree, so mortaj, f -r 
 his more, honorable, and fortunate brother. X<>t that he w:;- a 
 man to entertain much malice. But he had learned to svmpa- 
 thi/e so much with his confederate in crime, that he gradually 
 shared his hates and prejudices, even though he lacked the [ 
 fiery passions which would have provoked their 
 himself. The sight of Clarence ( onuay aroused in him some 
 thing more than the mere desire of escape. Of escape, in- 
 lie did not now think .so much. But the desire : 
 with him into the embrace of death an object of so much H 
 Rty and hale, and fivjuci.t vexation, ua-. its,. If ; , delight ; 
 
ed himself. ! 
 
 : i Icatii kl 
 : ni.-ts \vl. 
 l.nth pistols iron. 
 
 i-k. and :ave him 
 
 (pur. 
 
 md him. 
 
 " tlu- man is despei 
 11. hiMself di<l not seem to value tlio caution which he ei 
 
 He dashed forward to encounter the 
 an, his hroad.sword waving a! OV6 his head, and I ori: 
 inlilem of his follov, art, \Vh : 
 
 vps ; lnit the splendid 
 ,, hich t onwa\ . allowed them no chance of in- 
 
 .aimr. and reckless advain 
 d his lifr. It drew the p 
 
 ,:iin. 1 he hnllet 
 
 .ulette upon ( .-li-.rdder, a; 
 
 the tle>h, hut - to inllict a wound. i u-e 
 
 henchiiian of Con. np, and 
 
 ^hi\ hand wlii. d it l.y a >lmt. .-.liimM >ent at 
 
 iid small pistol which i . In an- 
 
 othe. . ".JMIII 
 
 the ting thi Mi-h the frail >- of 
 
 .in;: the ]i. 
 
 -d wildly for an inMant the lip- and 
 
 :Iy muriniire.l. an.! then the in.-ensihln frame fell lie. 
 
 ed in the silent eml>: ith. 
 
 ily .-hoit 
 and that which th- BT ha i inllicti-l up. MI I .ry . 
 
 - upon that person, may justify us ir. 
 which fell from the lip> of < 
 
 he, " a had fello\v, In: 1 
 
 like him on 
 
436 THE SCOUT. 
 
 gaiee. l>ut he was a wretch a bad, jloodv wretch; heV 
 
 gone to a i: .adful and terrible account. Cover him up, men, as 
 soo!. have searclied him. Lieutenant M.nk, attend to 
 
 thi.s man s burial, and join me, la-low. We must see what he 
 luio ueen about there. You say two pistol shots were heard?" 
 
 " Two, sir, about ten minutes apart. 
 
 " Such a man as Watson Gray, never uses firearms without 
 1 cause we must search and see." 
 
 Dividing his little force, Comvay gave the order to " trot, 1 
 and the troop was soon under quick motion, going over the 
 ground which they so recently traversed. The search was k 
 and, as we may suppose, successful. The body of Brydone and 
 that of his horse were found, but, as he was unknown, it excited 
 little interest. That he was a Black Rider, and an enemy, was 
 obvious from his dress ; and the only subject of marvel was, why 
 Watson Gray should murder one of his own fraternity. It was 
 midday before Clarence Conway took up the line of march f<-r 
 MiddletOl] barony, and this mental inquiry was one for which he 
 could find no plausible solution until some time after he had r.r- 
 rived there. Let us not anticipate his arrival. 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 BUCKLING ON ARMOR. 
 
 IT may readily be supposed that the disappearance of Watson 
 Gray caused some uneasiness in the mind of his principal; but 
 when, hour after hour elapsed, yet brought neither sign nor word 
 which could account for his absence, or remedy its evil CO! 
 
 res, the uneasiness of the outlaw naturally and propor- 
 ally increased. The fearful hour was speeding onward to 
 its c isis, as it seemed, with more than the wonted rapidity of 
 lime. The aspect of events looked black and threateninir. 
 Wounded and feeble,, wanting in that agent who, in his own 
 prostration, was the eye, and the wing, and the arm, of his re 
 solves, Edward Morton could not shake off the gathering clouds 
 
BUCKLING ON UUfOR. 487 
 
 ii which IP <;]. II,- had 
 
 risen at the first Muslim.: of tin 1 day, and, with tlio assistant 
 
 :vant. contrived to put on his garments. The sword which 
 
 he !% able to wield cortainly, witli no efficiency 
 
 hucklrd to his side; hut his chief reliance, in the event of 
 
 i ! jle, lay in his pistols, of which an extra pair hail 
 
 t*>n (Iray, the moment he, discovered the 
 
 81 of his superior. 
 
 A tl and Gray did not appear, the, outlaw 
 
 :;-y to make those preparations, the chief dntv of 
 which now promised to devolve upon him; and with some diffi 
 culty, iin-r to the lower story of the hoii>e. he proceeded 
 to drill his men in anticipation of the worst, lie had alreadv 
 ved not to go further, unless Gray made his appeaiance in 
 n and counselled the measure. lie had, from the first, heen 
 opposed to the trial; though he could not hut acknowledge that 
 the arrangement had heen most favuraMe, at the time, which 
 his confederate could hope to make. He was now more thor- 
 :ned than ever in his determination to keep his 
 :vert the mansion house into a stronghold, 
 which he would surrender only with his life. 
 
 The surgeon, IIillh"iise, was present, with a double share of 
 lution, to second his resolve. The picture which Watson 
 
 had judiciously presented to his mind, the night ! 
 tlu : i is various wardrobe, by the sable mutineers, had 
 
 ihjeet of sleepless meditation to him the whole night, 
 and had imbued him with a hitter disposition, to kill and de>? 
 
 g levellers of taste and fortune as should cross his 
 
 path or come within shooting distance from the windows. Hi, 
 
 .ted witli more than usual care and fastidious- 
 
 that morning. He wore a rich crimson trunk, that shone 
 
 :i in the darkened apartments. Thi- 
 
 J test lilac; and the golden 1 uckles 
 
 which glittered upon his shoes, 1 to bring "a strange 
 
 l)1 r ; -hady place." Hi< COmt, worn for the first 
 
 tllll( ilied the barony, was of the rich uniform 
 
 f t! >rds Altogether, IHlhotise in his 
 
 inipiiu ii: , a most imposing figure. His per 
 
438 THE SCOUT. 
 
 son was not bad, though Ins face was monstrous ugly ; and 
 he possessed a leg which was symmetry itself. He measured 
 at annual periods, the knee, the calf, and the ankle, ami by a 
 comparison with every other handsome leg 1 in the army, lie had 
 heen able to satisfy himself that his was the perfect standard. 
 It did not lessen the military effect of his appearance, though 
 somewhat incongruous with his display in other respects, that 
 he, wore a common belt of sable strapped about his waist, in 
 which were stuck half a dozen pistols of all sixes. lie had a 
 taste in this weapon, and had accumulated a moderate assort- 
 IIM nt, most of which were richly wrought and inlaid with bits 
 of c!.. -cd plate, of gold and silver; carvings and decorations 
 which took the shapes of bird, beast, and flower, according to 
 the caprice or fancy of their owner; or, it may be, the artist 
 himself. The more serious and stern outlaw met this display 
 with a look of scorn which he did not seek to suppress, but 
 which the fortunate self-complaisance of the other did not suffer 
 him to see. 
 
 " You don t seem, Mr. Hillhouse," he observed, as they met. 
 to anticipate much trouble or danger in this morning s work." 
 
 "Ah sir! and why do you think so ?" demanded the othei 
 with some curiosity. 
 
 " Your garments seem better adapted for the ball-room and 
 the dance, than for a field of blood and battle. You may be 
 shot, and scalped, or hung, sir, in the course of the morning." 
 
 " True, sir, and for that reason, I have dressed myself in this 
 fashion. The idea of this extreme danger, alone, sir, prompted 
 me to this display. For this reason I made my toilet with ex 
 treme care. I consumed, in my ablutions, an entire section of 
 rny famous Chinese soap. You perceive, sir, in the language 
 of the divine Shakspere" stroking his chin complacently a> 
 he spoke " I have reaped the stubble field also my chin 
 was never smoother; and, in the conviction, sir, that I might 
 be called upon this day, to make my last public appearance, 1 
 have been at special pains to prepare my person to the best ad 
 vantage, for the inspection of the fortunate persons who will 
 make the final disposition of it. To die with dignity, and to 
 appear after deatl with grace, has been the reflection which h;u 
 
. MX , ON" ARMOR. 
 mind thi- ;,.(. Mv , m>( |. 
 
 f;it y of a melancholy complexion. If: 
 
 inherit my wardrobe, let me make as mucli u* 
 <>f it ai I c-an. I may probably secure this suit to myself by 
 dying in it like a man." 
 
 .lively heard the>e forcible certainly 
 
 he did not listen t them. II,- irai aliea.ly l.usy in d 
 t > the be>t advantage, of his half score of muskets. The 1 
 -lie of comparatively great strength. It was of Ml 
 
 :nl had been more tlian once defended against the 
 .Its <f the f With an adequate force it might 
 
 BO held against any a-sailants, unless they biv.ught ar 
 tillery. But the little squad of Edward Morton W( 
 inadequate U) its defence, even a-ainst the small force < 
 
 It required all of his skill, courage, and ingenuity, to : 
 .eral.ly secure. He u,,w m..re than ever felt the ai 
 ^ atson (jray. The readiness of resource which that wily ruf- 
 fi ;ul ^ould, no douht, have been productive of | 
 
 iin l ll)1 t;l1 " Kven if the ga: uld hold out 
 
 .It, they could not hope to do so against famine. 
 provisions of the plantation were already at the ; 
 i iack Riders. 
 
 The outlaw surveyed his prospers with sufficient : 
 They were deplorable and discouraging enough. But he :. 
 th.Might of faltering. His soul felt nothing but deli;; 
 Hi- nroidl breathe<l nothing but confidence .v 
 
 D laughed with scorn when Hi!!!. 
 somrthing of a caj)itulatii.n and terms. 
 
 Terms sir! ay, we ll givi- and take terms such ten 
 
 the point of these bayonets, and can be in, from 
 
 the mu/./.le of ,r lir . ,.,,,,1 pist.,1 TVOU, ind,-cl ! Wh;, 
 talk of terms, sir. u hen we can beat and slay th- 
 of them in twenty minute^ L,. t them appp 
 mark at all, and wh.yL chance can they have, with the: 
 only, again>t theM DUldu tl I; lh M H .: 
 tleman of high rank in his majeMy s army, I . 
 
 hould hold such ! !: 
 
 you are at libeiiy to leave the h.Mi.s,- tl,i> . 
 
440 THE SCOUT. 
 
 to /i place of safety, if you can find it ; or make your own terms 
 tvith our enemies, as you or they please. Try it, and you ll find 
 that your fine clothes will be one of the best arguments for 
 hanging you to the first tree; the JMack Riders have long 
 since learned that the finest bird is to be first plucked. We 
 shall remain where we are, and probably inherit your wardrobe" 
 after all." 
 
 The surgeon was abashed and confounded for the moment 
 lie had not often been compelled to listen to such language; 
 ii n- did the outlaw intend it so much for the ears of the person 
 whom he addressed as for those who listened around him. He 
 knew the value of big words and bluster, in a time of doubt and 
 danger, to the uninformed and vulgar mind. He felt that 
 :ng could be hoped for, at the hands of his small party, if 
 ; HJ "f them were suffered to flinch or falter. 1L knew the 
 importance of all that he himself said ; but the surgeon did not 
 once suspect it. He recovered from his astonishment, and, after 
 a brief delay, his wounded pride found utterance. 
 
 ally, sir Mr. Conway your language is exceedingly 
 objectionable. I shall be constrained to notice it, sir ; and to 
 look for redress at your hands at the earliest opportunity." 
 
 "Any time, sir now when you please only don t afllict 
 i::i- with your apprehensions. If you can not see, what is clear 
 -.gli to the blindest mole that ever ploughed up a plain field, 
 that these scoundrels stand no sort of chance against us, in open 
 .:ilt no words of mine, or of any man, can make you wiser, 
 hike Rnuely, you would surrender, I suppose, at the enforce 
 ment of a pine log." 
 
 A hearty laugh of the soldiers attested the inspiriting influences 
 which they had imbibed from the confident bearing and words 
 i nton, and their familiarity with an anecdote which, but a 
 little time before, had provoked much mirth in both parties at 
 the expense of a provincial officer, in the British army, served 
 to increase their confidence.* It may be supposed that this 
 
 * Joloric! Hugely had command of a British stockade near CumdcM, whit h 
 
 waa garrisoned l>y ar hundred inuu. It was summoned hy Colonri William 
 
 i. igton. Washington was without artillrry ; hul a pine log, which w/u 
 
 iously hewn and arranged HO an to >*emule a field-piece, enforced, to the 
 
BDCKLINU <>N A!, 441 
 
 Imrst of merriment did not diminish tlio anger of Ilillhouve ; but 
 he contented liimsclf with saying that lie shotihl " bide his time." 
 V u arc right, sir, in this said Morton, "we have 
 
 neither of us any time i<>r private squabbles. Do jour duty man- 
 full\ Mr. Ilillli .use. and if we survive it, I shall be ready 
 
 t.> a] T give you whatever satisfaction 
 
 will please you best. But now to work. These shutters must 
 
 ed in ami secured." 
 The :? completely closed up by this prnce> 
 
 of solid oak, were fastened within, and, asce<; 
 to the u: ., Morton disposed his men in the different 
 
 apartments, with strict warning to preserve the 
 tVoin the windows, at every point of approach. Having com 
 pleted his disposition of the defences, he requested an inter-, 
 with the ladies of the house, which was readily granted. The 
 outlaw and surgeon were accordingly ushered into an r.ntecham- 
 in which, amidst the stir and bustle of tl; iroing on 
 
 ,v, the ladies had taken refuge. The gentb 
 
 :tli kindness. At such moments in< den 
 
 peiil and unexpected alarm the human :t their B 
 
 ver the forms of society and the peculiar i 
 
 n. through the medium of our fears ; and even the i 
 
 which the ladies might have had, touching the character of 
 
 ward Morton whom they knew only as Kdward Conway 
 
 and the contempt which they felt for the fopperies <*f 1 1 5111. 
 
 ore the pressing and mutual i-.- 
 which prevailed to the probable danger "! the whole. 
 
 I .ut, in truth, the appearance of the outlaw, at that m 
 of his own superior peril, W9A well calculated to command 
 admiration even of those wl:o lo\-ed him not. Man never 1 
 KM i fcei iliiily with the 
 
 when, aware of all it> wnr.-t ciir.racf- t goes for 
 
 the encounter, with a stern deliberate purp-iM , which 
 
 rommnndor of th^ post, thf pmprii tv f>f nut thr first mmm 
 
 tin- Ami-ri -* hannlcss pii-o of tir: ; nrn 
 
 the earth, was inv<-sto>l by tl.i- :ip;>i< ii> :niHa 
 
 ble power, that t ul t tin<l 
 
 <ulniiiioti."- Ifulory 87. 
 
 IM 
 
442 THE SCOUT. 
 
 liim unshrinking to the last, and suffers him, at no moment, to 
 seem palsied, weak, or indecisive. Edward Morton wore the as 
 pect of tliis firmness, in the presence of the ladies. They knew 
 that he was the destined victim whom the Black Riders professed 
 t: seek, and seek only ; they knew not exactly why but their 
 conjecture, naturally enough, in the absence of more certain 
 (;:s,ins assumed it to be in consequence of his Americanism. 
 
 Whatever might be the cause, to be the foe of the Black 
 Riders was, in all likelihood, to be the friend of virtue and the 
 right ; and as he stood before them, erect for the iirst time after 
 weeks of painful sickness and prostration more erect than 
 ever with a demeanor that did not presume in consequence <>f 
 his situation nor challenge, bv doubtful looks and tremulous 
 tones, that sympathy which might well be asked for, but never 
 by, "the brave man struggling with the storms of fate;" he, 
 insensibly rose in the estimation of both, as his person seemed 
 to rise nobly and commandingly in their sight. 
 
 His voice was gentle and mournful in this, perhaps, he did 
 not forbear the exercise of some of his habitual hvpocrisv. lie 
 did not forget for a moment that the keen glances of Flora Mid- 
 dleton were upon him ; and like most men of the world, he 
 never forgot that policy which casts about it those seeds which, 
 as they ripen into fruit whatever the degree of probability 
 the same hand may gather which has sown. 
 
 " Ladies, I am sorry to tell you that my presence has br.mgln 
 danger to your house." 
 
 The venerable lady replied, promptly: 
 
 " I trust, Mr. Conway, that, with the assistance of your fol 
 lowers, you will be able to keep the danger from it." 
 
 " Alas, madam, I must not disguise from you the truth : we 
 
 one to ten only ; we may slay many of the assailants, but 
 
 if they are led by ordinary courage, they may eat through these 
 
 trails in our spite. I have one hope that Watson Gray, who 
 
 house last night, will return in season, with a sullu-ienf 
 
 > baffle them in their attempts. All that can be done 
 
 now will be to keep ofi the nmiHMit of danger to parry for a 
 
 while, and protract as long as we. can, the storm which wil ! 
 
 come at last." 
 
i t:-; 
 
 44 Mr. Couv, :ld not disparage your judgment or \ 
 
 :; l)iit the late (itneial Middleton, when scarcely at your 
 
 i* off throe hundred Gongareei from tlio very threshold 
 
 .veiling." 
 
 outlaw modestly replied, with a how of the he.id : 
 \\V will do wliat we can do, Mrs. Middleton; but we have 
 iad of ten men in all, not including Mr. Ilillhouso and 
 myself. I have no douht Mr. Hilllmuse will do his duty as 
 
 es him " 
 
 A- bftCOmefl a gentleman fighting in the presence of the 
 
 fairest lady " 
 
 Morton continued his speech in season to interrupt some stilt 
 isli common-place of the surgeon, which could only have bed) 
 -ting to the 1:; 
 
 It , you know my condition. I can die I need 
 lit t, I trust, say that, no man could feel it hard to do so, under 
 such cireum>: prevail over us at present but I have 
 
 little strength to make my death expensive to our enemies. 
 one tiling, Mrs. Middleton, that I have deferred speak 
 ing to the last." 
 
 He he.-itatt-d, and his eyes were fixed sadly for a moment 
 npon the. fan- of Flora, then, as he met her glance, they were 
 
 :ly aver 
 
 " What is that, sir ?" !p: -.;.n-0 l t! e 
 
 11 It is thi-, mada- : ere is o: _ by which it is 
 
 idling tl.c t:t.-ifc Ahifl: v\ill 
 
 1 In G? V<* nv: -. it be resorted to 
 
 if it be proper, onl . 1 ioru, 
 
 . upon ti,.- ther 
 
 "Ort;iiul; - .child." ws a and 
 
 ill this 
 
 !. i an, <-tim 
 
 <\ Were 
 ( in tlu-ir 
 
 tfl . -i h "t think KM meanly of u>y 
 
444 TI1K SCOUT. 
 
 lyother and myself," was the hasty interruption of Flora Middle- 
 ton, "as to fancy that we could be pleased at your giving up 
 any security, however partial, such as our house affords vmi. 
 because of the possible annoyance to which we might be sub 
 jected on account of this banditti. I trust that you will be 
 able to defend the house, and I hope that you will do so to 
 the last," 
 
 The outlaw seemed to catch fire at the manner of the gen 
 erous girl. ITcr own flashing eyes were full of a flame to 
 impart enthusiasm to the dullest spirit; and he exclaimed, with 
 a more genuine feeling of zeal than was usual with him : 
 
 " And, by heavens, 1 will ! You have stifled the only doubts 
 which I had of the propriety of making your house niv ca>lle. 
 I need not say to you that the hostility of these scoundrels to me 
 is, perhaps, little more than a pretence. Even were I given up to 
 them, and in their hands, they would probably sack your d wel 
 ling. They arc just now, I suspect, released from nearly all 
 restraint and subjection, and about to fly the country. L<>nl 
 Rawdon has gone, or is on his way below, by another route, 
 with all his forces; and the men of Sumter, Lee, and Marion, 
 are pressing at the heels of his lordship. Perhaps I speak with 
 literal accuracy when I say t T :?,t your safety depends on mine. 
 If I fail to make good the house against these Black Riders 
 JIM ah eady know their character I t. err, Me for you! Your 
 safety shall be no less in my thoughts, eurrng tr.ie conflict, than 
 my own; and I repeat, once more, rr-y readinesi to die before 
 outrage and violence shall cross your threshold. 
 
 "We thank you, sir from the bottom of ;"r hearts, ?e 
 thank you, Mr. Conway " 
 
 Morton bowed, as he interrupted tVs strain of feminine ac 
 knowledgment : 
 
 " Let me now beg you to seek the gmvt ; there you will be 
 in tolerable safety. If we do not again irret, <1" me the justice 
 to believe that I spared neither limb nor life in your behalf. I 
 may fall, but I will not falter." 
 
 "God be with you, Mr. Cmvay ! 1TM the ejaculation of 
 both ladies. A bluf-b linked the rlir.-k i.f thr Mitlaw a trem 
 ulous emotion pasp Ml through hi> veins. "When, before, had 
 
-i.i\; ON ARMOR. 44.*i 
 
 t >\m\ of the pi irteiva such an invocation ir: 
 
 : omen of IV such was his reflection "that 
 it i< sj.>ken, as it w r, in the last moment of 
 
 I ihauk you, Mrs. Mnldleton ; I thank you" to Flora, 1 i;1 
 id not speak her name. Tiie direction of his eye indicated 
 I lu- person to whom ho spoke. His look and air were not 
 droit. He .still remembered 1 i^ policy; and Flora Midi! 1 
 n she turned awny. t" ,,1 not oft< 
 
 bier-looking penon ntra-t between himself and Mr 
 
 Hillh :i ->>. pn-haps, help. -.! t- streMirthen this impres-ion. A 
 
 ,< mi.nkey is, of all uhjrcts, tl:e most lugubrious, and the 
 
 i the outlay/ had suddenly made the surgeon 
 
 Hr reilly did not imagine that thin.. ; M BO 
 
 deplorable a condition. Thinking over them rendered him fur- 
 
 .! of his fine I md the attempt which he ma ] , 
 
 tin--. address to the 1 . 
 
 :idicr,i.-:;s wit: 1 elahoratc and strained \\itli- 
 
 f d. Wnen they had gone, Mr. Hilll 
 
 y tongue, and once more began to int ; 
 t jn-Mpriety of terms and a M?g of truce. 
 
 In India, once, an affair of the Sepoys very much like the 
 
 M of mutiny and insr.r.wtion 
 " N m m f this nonsense," said Morton, with the. old habit 
 
 ininand which belonged to the captain of the nY. 
 ditti by wliich he was now threatened. It s rime, Mr. Ilill- 
 
 I man, if you ever hope to bo like one. I 
 bear that trumpet, sir ? It is a summons it opens the bu-i- 
 fotl talk of terms and overtures how do vmi like (he 
 
 of making them from the balcony of yonder porch . ; AV 
 
 ; f Y-t it must be d-me. M;- I 
 idows ! Cover the approach to (lie j.oivh, and B\ 
 t-i l see tiiat no man (uues within pi>tol-shot. I, mysolf, 
 with these scoun. .. 
 
 .-liich divided the d\veb 
 
 :!iios\n ,.peu. and (lie .mtlaw p- iui- 
 
 i^e lilack : wlio had 
 
1 ! I m: ><"(TT. 
 
 assembled, some thirty or fort^ h. detached 
 
 about fifty yards t n.in tin- buihliug. A yvil of f< 
 
 ti-jii hailed his appearance from b<-low, and 
 
 feelings of malicious liate with which they had bv i \ 
 
 upon to regard their ancient leader. 
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 
 THK SIFGE AND STORM. 
 
 A SMILK of mixed bitterness and aeiision pasMMi ^vcr t.hi lips 
 of the outlaw, as he hearkened to the rade but mighty :!pr.:ii. 
 
 "Dogs!" he muttered, " th^re was a time when I v 
 made you crouch beneath the lash to your proper aUituur--. . 
 and I may do so yet. I am not wholly pr.werh 
 
 As they shouted, an involuntary movement waft . 
 several among them. They rushed toward him, as if \ 
 purpose had been to approach him with determined violen.v. 
 Several of them were dismounted, and these, waving their pis 
 tols aloft, were evidently disposed to bring themselves within 
 the necessary distance which should permit of the certain use 
 of their weapon. But Morton, in the intervals of their clamor, 
 suffered them to hear his brief, stern command to the musket. 
 whom they might behold at the windows, to be in readiness and 
 watchful. 
 
 " Shoot down the first scoundrel that advances with arms. 
 Take good aim and spare none, unless I bid ye." 
 
 This order produced a pause in their career. Some i: 
 tude seemed to prevail among them, and, at length. Morton 
 distinguished, benr-ath a tree in the distance, the pi 
 Stockton, Darcy, and two others, who were evident Iv l-usy in 
 the work of consultation. He himself quietly took his 
 upon one of the benches in the balcony, an 1 pniieii ly ^-nited 
 the result of this deliberation. His pistols, broad-inm. :.-. mJ 
 long, of the heaviest raliluv, ueiv ready i 
 and all well loaded with a brace of balls. 
 
Tin: 117 
 
 Meanwhile, hi- ;1 manner, and the 
 
 "ii disp! 
 
 . munition :iinin^ the crowd. They 
 
 evidenth themselves into fury, as docs tin- hull 
 
 when he desir. iiict for which he is not \ et BU 
 
 blinded ami maddened. Cries of various kinds, but all intended 
 iniulate their hostility to him, wore studiously repeated by 
 the emissaries of 1. N the least influential 
 
 lilated upon the spoils to he gathered from 
 contemplated sack of the ban-ny an argument which had 
 most probably been mmv potent than any other in seducing 
 them away from their fealty to the insubordinate < < 
 
 .ton. 
 
 M<>rton watched all those exhibitions without apprehension, 
 though not without anxiety ; and when he turned, and gave a 
 glance to his few followers within the house drilled men, stub 
 born and inflexible, who could easier die, under the command 
 to d<> s. than obey the impulse to flight without hearini: 
 
 sounded, but who had no other resources of mind and 
 cha: "lid the do^ ed resolution tnujrht by their ir.il/ 
 
 his heart n :i. He felt what he himself iiii^ht 
 
 ID command of the Hlaek Iii>!ers airainst such defende: 
 he then po>s- ::d he did not deceive him the 
 
 pri i lit. One hope yet remained. It was that V 
 
 MC where busy in his behalf. 1 1 
 vond the park, in the direction of the hi^h road, in 
 the vain Impe to see his confederate, with some hastily-gathered 
 marching to ! .-. At that very moment (Jray 
 
 |uiverinjr in the few brief a^oiii. th, which lie 
 
 endured under the sabre of Clarence ( on 
 
 The deliberat . -- -ckton and hi were 80011 
 
 :i end, and with them the doul outlaw. Stockton 
 
 Irmself made his appearance in the foreground, bearing a white 
 h-ndkerchief fast. !injr. II:- 
 
 . spread out upon the earth. :Voni 
 
 when he came fairly into si^ht. !! . hich 
 
 ;.<led to inspire confidence in hii Ilv 
 
 lictatcil by 1 . 
 
448 THE SCOUT. 
 
 "They must see tliat you re as bold as Ned Mort -n. He 
 comes out in full front, and you must do no less. You must go 
 to meet him. It will look well among the, men." 
 
 Tli ere were some misgivings in Stockton s mind as to the 
 probable risk which he incurred; nor was Darcy himself en 
 tirely without them. Morton they knew to be desperate ; and 
 if he could conjecture their intentions toward him, they could 
 very well understand how gladly he would avail himself of fche. 
 appearance of Stockton to extinguish the feud in his blood. 
 The idea, in fact, crossed the mind of Morton himself. 
 
 "That scoundrel!" he/muttered as Stockton approached 
 him " is the cause of all. Were he out of the way and a 
 single shot does it ! but, no ! no ! he has put down his arms ; 
 and then there s that base scoundrel Darcy in the background. 
 Were I to shoot Stockton, he would bring out another of these 
 blood-hounds to fill his place. I should gain nothing by it. 
 Patience ! Patience ! I must bide my time, and wait for the 
 turn of the die." 
 
 Meanwhile, Stockton advanced, waving aloft his symbol of 
 peace. Morton rose at his approach, and went forward to the 
 railing of the balcony. 
 
 " Well," he demanded " for what purpose does Lieutenant 
 Stockton come?" 
 
 " Captain Stockton, if you please. He comes to know if you 
 are ready to deliver yourself up for trial by the troop, as was 
 agreed upon by Watson Gray yesterday." 
 
 " Let Watson Gray answer for himself, Captain or Lieutenant 
 kton. He will probably be upon your hacks with Coffin s 
 .Iry in twenty minutes. For me, sirrah hear the only an 
 swer 1 make. I bid you defiance ; and warn you now to get 
 to your covert with all expedition. You shall have five minute* 
 to return to your confederates; if you linger after that time 
 ay, or any of your crew you shall die like dogs. Away !" 
 
 The retort of Stockton was that of unmeasured abuse. A 
 volume of oaths and execrations burst from his lips ; but Morton 
 resuming his seat, cried to the, musketeers 
 
 "Attention make ready-r-take aim!" 
 
 Kwwgh was effected, without making necessary the final 
 
Tii: -H! 
 
 command, to " fnv 
 
 iiified retreat ; and, stumhli ; 
 
 : tin- wood, fell, head at full 
 
 _:h along the earth, to t 1 .cut of s<> 
 
 tion of others a .uong hi- comrades. 
 
 Tlie fury of nt 5 id 
 
 he proceeded, with due dilig I ; 
 
 j were suddenly commanded to disappear from : 
 ..id; and vard Morton saw them again, t! 
 
 in detached parties, preserving DOTt 11 as they could, 
 
 along thr : the park, the avenue, a small thicket of 
 
 thai lay along the northern skirt- of the man 
 sion-house, a:- : .l such of the outhouses and dome 
 could hrir,;: them iie.-.r enough to act upon the. defenders without 
 
 ::re of themselves. 
 
 The 1 ody thus distrihuted was formidahly minien-us when 
 i-.iTiip !i that of Morton. His estimate maoje them little 
 
 than sixty men. Immediately in front, though heyon ; 
 sure reach of musketry, Stockton, himself, prepared to take his 
 stand, surrounded hy some half dozen of his troop; and among 
 these, to the. increased annoyance of Morton, he saw one 
 unslung a rifle from his shoulder. At this sight lie ./5th- 
 
 divw from the halc- iiy, secured tho door, and comma: 
 musketeers to sink from sight, and avoid unnecessary 
 
 warning was just in season. In the. very instant while he 
 spoke tip - shattered ahove his own head, and the sharp, 
 
 ch-ar sound which accompanied the event attested the peculiar 
 utterance of the rifle. 
 
 A little too much powder, or a young hand," said ? 
 COoDj me your musket, one of \ 
 
 He took his place at the window, detached the hayonet from 
 the inu/xle of the gun, and handed it hack to the soldier. 
 
 f..r the steel" meaning the hayonet "the smooth 
 would he a child s pla\ tiling against that riile. But I have, 
 made a musket tell at a hundred yards, and m,v \Ye 
 
 must mux/le that rille if we can." 
 
 The 
 \i6 dull, heavy, roar was heard, auakening all the t the 
 
} r >0 THE SCOUT. 
 
 surrounding woods. The men rushed to the window, and as the 
 smoke lifted, they perceived that the party of Stockton was dis 
 persed, while one man stood, leaning, as if in an attitude of suf 
 fering, against a tree. The rifle, however, appeared in another 
 hand at some little distance off. Morton shook his head with 
 dissatisfaction, as he recollected that while there were fifty men 
 in the ranks of the enemy, to whom the rifle was a familiar 
 non, to disarm one, or a dozen, was to do little or nothing 
 for his own and for the safety of his party. In a few moment.s 
 after, sudden cries and a discharge of firearms from the opp 
 quarter of the building betrayed the beginning of the strife 
 where Mr. Hillhouse commanded. 
 
 "Keep as well covered as you can, men ; but watch well 
 that they do not close in with you. You are but twelve feet 
 above them, and at that distance a pistol is quite as dangerous 
 as a musket. I leave you for an instant only, to look at the 
 rear." 
 
 There, he found Hillhouse, doing his duty as bravely as if he 
 had no fine uniform at hazard. 
 
 " You take a needless risk," said Morton, as he beheld him 
 flashing one of his pretty, but trifling weapons, at the invaders, 
 and exposing, the while, his entire person to their aim. "There 
 will be time enough for that when they are pressing through 
 the breach." 
 
 "They are at it now," said the other, with a momentary for- 
 getfulness of all his circuitous phraseologies. " They ve 
 ladders, and are trying to mount." 
 
 "Indeed!" cried the outlaw, drawing his sabre from the 
 sheath, and pushing Hillhouse aside, with a seeming forget ful 
 ness of his own wounds and infirmities, lie approached the 
 window, and saw the truth of the surgeon s representations. A 
 squad of the Black Riders had, indeed, pressed forward to the 
 wall sufficiently nigh to plant against it. the. rack, which thev 
 had taken from the stables; and which furni.-hed them a solid 
 and sufficient ladder to cany up two men abreast. Hillhouse. 
 in his haste had suffered the four musketeers who had been al 
 lowed him, for the defence of the, rear, to fire simultaneously, 
 and, in the interval required by them to n-].:ad their pieces, the 
 
;<1 li.-ilf a were al 
 
 
 
 !{<! 
 y.-nr . -tols for close conflict, Mr. Ilillhouse they an- lit 
 
 cool, obst : law, receded a moment from the 
 
 :<>w. while .ill without, shivered the 
 
 -I this discharge, only, to advance, and with 
 
 f pistols at t 1 moment. 
 
 :st when the ladder was most darkened, and 
 
 ling, with their l >: 
 
 Of the forem< :;ts, when the broad muzzles met their 
 
 lutely forward up the ladder. 
 
 ullet through his brain and tumbled headlong | ;u -kward ; 
 wliile the other, with less audacity, endeavoring t 
 
 :i\vard by tliose behind him. lie had t: ative 
 
 ; r.rowing himseli over, which he did at the risk of a 
 
 broken neck; and the bullets of the remaining pistol, which 
 
 .rawn from his belt, W< Led upon the reM 
 
 whom tli 
 
 This discharge h.i-.l the eii rrt of ch-aring th- 
 instant; . ;nnding two of the musketi 
 
 had now reloaded, to keep the 
 
 ii from an adjoining v. :. with the a: 
 
 the remaining two, t-. draw the ladder up, and into the window 
 fflSt which it r-.-tO i. H-.it the weight of the i: frame 
 
 .:gth ; and the outlaw cont. 
 
 liich formed its Mejis, 
 Id reach. He had QO! iin- 
 Mimmoned to the front. Theiv. 
 !.-d in drawing the fire of th- 
 
 a jiermam-nt 1.. .gment beneath 
 
 ; w 
 
 en most 
 
 tnally ^ieltereil f: :!t fiom ftl :Ma j n 
 
 they th. ther- 
 
 ..any of them ! 
 could not by the soldiers. Tiieir -onjec-ture, 
 
452 THE SCOUT. 
 
 represented it at ten at least a force fully equal to that which 
 was engaged in the defence. 
 
 The brow of Morton grew darker as he discovered this cir 
 cumstance. The. net of the fates was evidently closing around 
 him fast ; and, for a moment, he gazed anxiously over the dis 
 tant stretch of the road, in the fond hope to see Watson Grav 
 riding in to his succor. But he turned away in hopelessness at 
 last. His despondency did not, however, lead to any relaxation 
 of his courage, or of that desperate determination, which he en 
 tertained, to make the fight as terrible to his foes as their hos 
 tility threatened to he terrible to him. A momentary cessation 
 of the strife appeared to have taken place. The outlaws, who 
 were beneath the balcony, remained perfectly quiescent. 
 
 " They can do nothing there, unless we let them. Now, men, 
 do you keep your arms ready. Throw away no shot at the 
 cracking of a pistol. What should it matter to yon if the fo/ls 
 snap their puppies all day at a distance of fifty yards. Let no 
 more of them join these below the porch, if you can help it 
 let none of these get away if bullets can stop their flight ; but 
 do not all of you fire at once. Keep one half of your muskets 
 always in reserve for the worst." 
 
 While giving these instructions, Morton was prepared in get 
 ting his own weapons in readiness. The strife once begun, with 
 the loss of men to the assailants, could not, he well knew, come 
 to an indefinite or sudden conclusion. There was to be more uf 
 it, and his chief apprehensions now arose from the party which 
 had found lodgment under the portico below. To the lower 
 story he despatched one of his soldiers, whom he instructed to 
 remain quiet, in the under passages of the house, in order to 
 make an early report of any movements which might take place 
 in that quarter. 
 
 lie had scarcely adopted this precaution before the clamors of 
 battle were again renewed in the part where Hillhouse was sta 
 tioned. Twenty shots were fired on both sides, without inter 
 mission, in as many seconds, and, in the midst of all, a deep 
 groan and the fall of a heavy body in the adjoining room, struck 
 cold to the heart of Morton. He could ill afl ord to lose any one 
 of his small array lie hurried tc the scene of operations, anJ 
 
THK SIK<;K AND STORM 468 
 
 found i nat one of .he li;ul f,ilrn. He still lived, but 
 
 the wound was in his bosom ; and a hurried inspection showed 
 
 it to b from the fatal rifle. The ragged orifice, wrought by the 
 
 lutions of the deadly twist, was largo enough to 
 
 have received a -mall fowl egg. The dying man looked up to 
 
 the outlaw, as if to a>k if there was any hope. So Morton un- 
 
 the appealing inquiry in hi vl he answered it 
 
 with soldierly frank: 
 
 11 Make v>ur p.-aee wi li ( Jod, my good fellow; it s all over 
 yWL You ll he dead in five, miir 
 
 , -liivered fearfully, then turned upon 
 His arm- WGK once stretched out his lingers en 
 . Ted to grasp the lloor, then relaxed, then stiffened, and lie 
 lay unconscious of the rest. He was dead. Morton stepped 
 >ver his l.ndy and took a hurried glance at the window. 
 We have shot three of them," said Hilllionse. 
 Would it were thirty ! Hut all will not do. Are you loaded, 
 men. am! 
 
 Ye- !" was the answer of all. 
 
 "Then keep ready, hut keep out of sight. Wait till they 
 mount the ladder, expend no more shot, hut rely on the push of 
 the bayonet. There are four of you, and they have but the out 
 bidder. The rifle can not he used while they are on it, and at 
 
 lier time need you show yourselves." 
 
 Such were the hurried directions of the outlaw, which were 
 interrupted by the renewal of the conflict. Once more they 
 i the ladder, but, this time, the clamors arose also in 
 front. The attack was simultaneous in both quarters. 
 
 "Oh, for twenty muskets, but twenty," cried the now thor- 
 
 ly aroused Morton, as he made his wny once more to the 
 
 little s(juad which he had left in front "and dearly should they 
 
 for this audacity! Nay, if I only had my own strength !" 
 
 .urmured. as he leaned, half fainting, against the door-lintel 
 
 in the : 
 
 A new assault from another quarter, aroused him to the coil- 
 
 Miereasing dangers, and stimulated him anew 
 
 wit! Mgth to meet it. The thunders of an axe were 
 
 h"ar the L.wer door of the entrance, and from the por- 
 
 tico \\here the paity had previously found a lodirment. 
 
4M THE SCOUT. 
 
 This A an what 1 K ared ! The trial, the danger, is 1 ; , 
 
 But the game i--- < ;ie at which Loth of us may do mischief. 
 i-iust he there to meet them. Heaven send that Stockton 
 Muiy be the first to liml entrance!" 
 
 The soldier now appeared from below giving him the infor 
 mal ion, which he no longer needed, of the dangers that threat- 
 ! from that quarter. The cheering reply of Morton sent 
 him down again. 
 
 "Ay, ay, back to your post! You shall have help enough 
 before they get in before you need it." 
 
 From the upper part of the house he drew all tl 
 with the exception of three. One of these kept his place in the 
 front, the other two in the rear, where the attempt had ! 
 r. .ade to force an entrance by means of the ladder. These sta 
 tions were left under the direction of the surgeon. The greater 
 danger was now below. He considered the efforts of th<;>e 
 
 O 
 
 above to be feints simply. 
 
 " Mr. Hillhouse, you have only to be wary. Your two bay- 
 .i.ets, with your own pistols, will keep down all your enemies. 
 But, should you apprehend otherwise, draw the musket from 
 the front of the house to your assistance. There, is perhap- 
 likelihood of assault from that quarter. Below the stn: 
 must be made hand to hand. The passage is narrow, ami 
 Mont men maybe able to keep it against twenty. Farewell, sir 
 he firm I may never see you again." 
 
 The surgeon had some tender philosophy, gleaned from his 
 usual vocabulary of common-places, to spend, even at such a 
 moment, and Morton left him speaking it. 
 
 He hurried down stairs with the six soldiers, whom he sta 
 tioned in the passage-way, but a little in the hack-ground, in 
 older that they should not only escape any hurt from the flying 
 fragments of the open door as it should be hewn asunder, hut 
 that a sufficient number of the banditti might be allowed to pen 
 etrate and crowd the opening. Meanwhile the. strok- 
 axe. continued with little interval. The door was one of th< se 
 ancient, solid structures of oak, double.! and plated with ribs 
 which, in our day, might almost be employed for beams and 
 rafters. It had been eonstiuc ed wi;h some reference; to a siege 
 
\.vn STORM. 
 
 -1 no artillery ; and its did 
 
 not bailie. yet breathed i. 
 
 il application of tin- I B, A : . - . 
 tlew around tin-in, Morton wiped the heavy and (dam 
 i min his forehead. ("old chills were upon him, and \et he frit 
 that their was a burning fever in his hrain. The excite: 
 Ltj the transition from the l>ed of wounds 
 sick: :..u.st \vork the most fatal effects even i r IK 
 
 lUtt the solemn conviction had i 
 
 read id that he was nut to survive. The awful Pitl 
 
 had touched his innate mind, that, in a lew hours, he mu>t he a 
 
 ;;e va>t, the infinite, the strange eternity. 
 Iy ! 1 >hall not find it hard !" was the audihle B] 
 which this conviction forced from him. lie started at the sound 
 . Thought was painful and torturing. The 
 pau>e \\liich had heen allowed him, left him only to agony ; and 
 , for the coming m of the strife, and the reckle-s con 
 flict, to relieve him hy their terrilde excitements, from tlnm.. 
 and feelings still nire. terrihle. 
 
 relief, dreadful as it ihreatened to he, was now at hand. 
 The holts which secured the frame-work of the 
 
 Some of the panels were driven in and the 
 soldier were preparing to lunge away, through the o|M iiing>. at 
 the hearts of the assailants. Hut this, M>rt"n p. MtiveK forhid. 
 In a whisper, he commanded them to keep silent and in the 
 background. Their muskets were levelled, under his direction. 
 rather under hreast height, and presented at the entrance; and, 
 n this portion, he awaited, with a stillness like that \\hicli j. re 
 in, for that mment when he mi^ht command all 
 
 1 with the unerring certainty of fate. 
 
 M"im-nts now hore \\ith them the awfi.l the 
 
 murmurs deepened from without; the strokes of the 
 .eeanie redoiihled ; and the groaning timhers, yieldi: 
 
 B already a wreck. Another hlow, and tin- 
 work wasd.j,, -.ful i-,>rta: ,eil ujion 
 
 them ere the e! :nplete a will cl 
 
 >dU abo 1 -the ru -h of hurrying : the shrieki 
 
 uiiil the sh"t announced to the gloomy outlaw, below, the 
 
4.^6 THE SCOUT. 
 
 ~urrence of sonic new disaster. His defence* were driven in 
 abovr ! 
 
 A troop of the outlaws had, in fact already effected their en 
 trance. They had literally clambered up the slender columns 
 of the portico in front the sentinel placed in that quarter hav 
 ing hern just hefore withdrawn to the rear hv Hillhousc, who 
 defined that he would be more useful there, and under his t 
 mand. This, with a vanity natural to such a person, lie desired 
 to make as respectable as possible. Lifting one of the sashes, 
 without bring heard in the din which prevailed below, they had 
 found their way silently into the apartment. Stealing cautiously 
 along the passage, they had come upon the Mirgeon, while him 
 self and little, squad were most busy with the assailants from 
 without. The skirmish between them had brcn short. The 
 first notice that Ilillhouse had of his danger, was from the pistol- 
 shot by which he was stricken down. His men turned to meet 
 their new enemies, and in the brief interval that ensued, other 
 f"i-s dashed up the ladder, through the window, into the apart 
 ment, and put the finishing stroke to the conflict there. 
 
 Ilillhouse. was not so much hurt as not to be conscious, before 
 sinking into insensibility, that the outlaws were already stripping 
 him of his gorgeous apparel. His scarlet coat had already passed 
 into the hands of a new owner. 
 
 Meanwhile the work was going on below. Morton, when he 
 heard the uproar above, readily divined the extent of his mis 
 fortune. But he was not suffered to muse upon it long. His 
 own trial was at hand. The door was finally driven from all 
 its fastenings, there was no longer any obstruction, and the liv 
 ing tide poured in, as Morton fancied they would, in tumultuous 
 masses. Then came the awful order from his lips to "fire!" 
 It was obeyed by the first file of three men, kneeling; the re 
 maining three followed the example a moment after; and yells 
 of anguish ensued, and mingled with the first wild shouts of tri 
 umph of the assailants ! 
 
 It was a moment of mixed pain and terror ! Perhaps, if they 
 could have recoiled, they would have, done, so. But this was 
 now a physical impossibility. The crowd in the rear piv 
 forward and wedged their comrades who were in the foreground ; 
 
Tin: b 
 
 while tl .< : plied 1.-: :!iem. Hut what couh. 
 
 l>i done, in that way, by >i x men in a hand to haml conflict with 
 six times tlu ir number. The Mrife was dreadful, hut short 
 Man after man <>f (he -utlaws. was spiked upon tin 1 dripping 
 1 ; hut tho nia>-s, unahle to retreat, were driven forward, mad 
 and foaming, under the feeling of desperation which now fdled 
 their hearts. They had now ceased to think or fear, and rushed 
 like the wild hull upon the ready b.;_ 
 
 ; under the sheer pressure of their crowding 
 
 k Aiders darted amngand over them, searching each li 
 
 >cpaiMel v with their knives; and the only strife which now re 
 mained was from the unavoidable conflict among theniM-h 
 their jostling and conflicting forms. The hoarse aecen 
 
 kton were now heard, pre-eminent above the uproar, giving 
 his final orders. 
 
 ke Ned Morton rJlve, my merry fellows. lie owes a life 
 to the cord and timber Save him for it if you can." 
 Morton had reserved, himself for this moment. 
 " Ye have tracked the tiger to his den !" he muttered, in the 
 Ladow of tin* btairwav, where he had taken his position, partly 
 concealed in [lie nhscurity of the passage. The eri>is of hi- 
 
 it. hand. The party from above were now heard hurrying 
 downward, .o mingle in the wAr heh>\v ; and In- 
 
 Is aim -i g the crowd in the direction of 8tOfktc;. 
 and lired and not without etlect. He was : rate 
 
 to thro\v av.ay liis bullets. One ol them passed through the 
 dioulder of his in\eterate enemy, who was in 
 -\hile the other prostrated in death one of his : 
 id fulliiu . 
 
 . with mingled pain and fury, and with 
 ; upon his ! .-. iY.ddy .. nth 
 MI also lifted his sword, v 1 
 be-ide him for greater < nl adv.- .: 
 
 Inntly to meet the rutlian. 
 
 . 
 
 :-m. Hut tiie ta-k> thmuj; 1 . whicdi h. 
 bad . 1 lie lii.ib feb 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 cir tin- MMW of Stockton de.scendnd. lie had sunk down in uttei 
 insensibility at (lie fret of ins opponent. 
 
 Tin* conflict was ended. The pledge made to tl 
 the mansion had heen fully redeemed l>y its defenders. \..| 
 ! them remained unhurt; and the greater number were 
 already stiffened in the unrclazhlg grasp of deatli. r rhe out- 
 lav, s had paid dearly for their victory. No le>s than sixteen of 
 (lie assailants had been slain ; and the arts of Stockton, which 
 had originally won them over to his designs, and made them 
 h >:ih- to their ancient leader, now derived additional support 
 iVcin the sanguinary feeling which had been induced hy the 
 hi.., i. ly struggle in their minds. They were now reconciled to 
 that decree, which determined that Morton should be their vic 
 tim. They needed no more persuasion to resolve that he should 
 die upon the gallows. 
 
 The first impulse of Stockton, as he straddled the inanimate 
 body of the man whom he so much feared and hated, was tn 
 spurn it with his foot the next to make his fate certain by a 
 free use of his sword upon it ; but the cold malignity of his char 
 acter prevailed to prolong the life and the trial of his enemy. 
 The utter impotence of Morton to do further harm, suggested to 
 Stockton the forbearance which he would not otherwise have 
 displayed. It was with some pains only, and a show of resolu 
 tion such as Morton had usually employed to hold them in sub 
 jection, that he wa> enabled to keep back his followers, who, in 
 their blind rage^were pressing forward witli the same murderous 
 purpose which he had temporarily arrested in his own bosom. 
 With a more decided malignity of mood, he gave a new direc 
 tion to their bloody impulses. 
 
 "Away!" he cried, " get a hurdle, or something that will 
 rake hi-i oat without much shaking! He has life enough in 
 Vu I yet to- fr e allows !" 
 
 A rhou. s cond- d with approbation the dark suggestion, and 
 croml rush*. uvay to procure the necessary conveyance. 
 A. door, turn i l -m K ".thouse, answered this purpose; and the 
 ui)l breathing, hm motionless form of Edward Morton, was lifted 
 dpon it. Unhappily, he wakened to consciousness in a lew mo 
 after ioavin.; the tiueMiold of the dwelling. The purer 
 
TH M. 
 
 Atmosphere 1 JKMIC<! to on 
 
 counter the : ;fnd the igniting triumph, of the 
 
 he had BO lately rule-!. Hi Ban 1TCW filled with ilio 
 his 1.1. ..-ily resistance had stiinn- 
 
 teinper. 
 
 tter pang went keenlv thrOOgb his heart ; hnt he had still 
 pe. He had kept ..ne hope in ie<ei\e fur Mmo such occa- 
 
 -. when he first commenced tliat dark c; 
 me, the cruel fruits, of which he was about to reaj>. he had 
 : leil himself with a da--rr a small, Mmit. hut slmrt instru 
 ment which he hid within his l.(.*,,in. r i"\\\s instrument he 
 ted to i: irticular ]urposo of taking his own life. 
 
 HI- had decreed that it should In- sacred n<t to employ lan- 
 :nat(dy to the ne work of suicide, only. 
 he had almo.st violated his resolve. The - 
 in-trument he had proftered to ]>oor Mary Oarkson, in a mood, 
 and at a moment of mockery, scarcely le>s hitter than had fallen 
 to his own Int. The rememhrance of the circumstance touched 
 him at this in>tant, and humhled, in some degree, the exulting 
 leeliisg \\hicii w.- t s rising in his ilection oi 
 
 nee. Hut he did exult, neverthele . !! felt that the 
 
 ts ^till ahout him, hidden within the folds of his \ 
 and, with thi* knowle/t-e, he was better able to meet the vin 
 dictive glance of his f.e, who walked beside the litter on which 
 the mitl.iw.s were hearing him to the \\ 
 
 " liring him to the Park !" commanded St.ckton. " lie wil 
 
 hang there more conspicaooslj, as a warning for other trait 
 
 - ! not there!" said 1 ).ircy, interposing, " the ladies 
 e him fi-Din the In 
 
 \V.-1I, and a very good sight it is, too !" replied the other 
 ily; "tl. n him often enough dancing mi the earth 
 
 i fancy ; it may he an agreeable change to behold him dai. 
 . a\\ iiile." 
 
 ITOrdft, however, whispered in his ear> bv Daicv, 
 tiled wit: .;,- in hi> i -du- 
 
 :i of the 
 
 iicampment of :!.,- I d,. 
 
 luiil l.eei he crowning scene 
 
 of hate and pimi.shmciit should take 
 
4(30 THE SCOU i 
 
 CHAPTER XLJI. 
 
 HATE BAFFLED BY JUSTICK. 
 
 MEANWHILE, what had been the condition of mind of the 
 in the dwelling? They had heard the greater part of 
 the bloody struggle going on below the shots, the shouts, tin- 
 groans and shrieks, and all the infernal clamors of that strife .! 
 moral feelings and physical passions, in which man, alone, of .- .11 
 the animals, is permitted to indulge. The rending of bolt and 
 bar had also been audible, and they readily conjectured all the 
 rest. They finally knew that the barriers were forced ; and 
 when the first rush of the strife was over, and the silence of 
 death prevailed for the first time below, then did they feel as 
 sured that death himself was there, surrounded by all his melan 
 choly trophies. 
 
 How terrible was then that silence ! For the first time during 
 Jie whole period of their suspense, did Flora Middlcton yield 
 herself up to prayer. Before, she could not kneel. While the 
 storm raged below, her soul seemed to be in it; she could not 
 divert it to that calmer, holier contemplation, which invests the 
 purpose with purity, and lifts the eye of the worshipping spirit 
 to the serene courts of Heaven. Her father s spirit was then 
 her own, and she felt all its stimulating strength. She, felt that 
 she too could strike, should there be occasion ; and when, at one 
 moment, the clamor seemed to be approaching, her eye. kindled 
 with keener fire, as it looked round the dim attic in which they 
 had sought refuge, as if in search of some weapon which might 
 defend it. 
 
 "It s all over!" at length she exclaimed, when the silence, 
 had continued the space of half an hour. " They have left the 
 house, mother." 
 
 44 Do not trist to go out yet, my child," was the answer of the 
 
HATH r.\!-TLK!> 15 V Jl I -l 
 
 grandmother. "I fea -r ; for wh\ 
 
 should they leave us undisturbed, 
 
 Bark] mother! there is a m>ise helow." 
 Yes; I think BO . I hear it !" 
 "A footstep! I should know that footstep! A voice! It 
 
 the voice of Clarence Conway." 
 The keei. : the interested heart had not dccc n cd the 
 
 6DCC Coiiwav was, indeed, within the dwe! 
 With liinhs that tremlded, and a heart that shuddered I 
 
 in YOUHL: commander trod tin 1 avenues of the dwelling 
 
 re such lil h ;;t every f...,tstej). .if the fearl ul 
 
 flic! which we have faintly endeavored to d- The 
 
 vict!: all unknown to him, and their uniforms, 
 
 .\\y of the British and the handitti, did not awaken in him 
 pathy in their liehalf. On the contrarv, it would seem 
 alone had fallen, and the inference was natural 
 :i:li that they had fallen hy the hands <>f those who i 
 
 the country. 
 
 Hut how should the patriots have assailed the enemy in tin 
 .!inu r which, hitherto, aimu:r all the Americans, had heen 
 : di red sacred ? Kven though it had heen made their };la-e 
 .: and refuse, sui-li. he would ha\ e preferred it to re 
 main, sooner than its peaceful and pure sanctuary .should have 
 . dishonored hy surh unholy tokens. Hut the more serious 
 concern which tnmhled him. ar s ( . t roin his apprehension! 
 r loia and her grandmother. lie hurried through the several 
 rhaml.ei>. calling on their names. Well miirht his v.iice thicken 
 with a hu-ky Imrror. a> he heard the re>poiises nulv of tl. 
 
 ited ajiartments, in -o manv DlOclung echoes. At h ; 
 when he was mo.-t miserahle, ami whi-n, in his further search in 
 Hie upper chamhers, he dreaded le-t he should happen 
 I heir mangled r- . he fancied, 
 
 
 . 
 
 he 
 
 | etitio], ,,1 tin 
 he hal . . ft] he attic 
 
THE SCOUT. 
 
 thrown t.piM in the next instant, and tin- \ ! of tlic maiden 
 summoned liini to her presence. 
 
 lie clasped her in his arms with a fervor which could not he 
 put aside; which no mere looks of reserve COuld disCOUTftg 
 repulse ; nay, under circumstance s of relief to the maiden which 
 wrought in her mind a momentary forget fulness of his supposed 
 perfidy. 
 
 "Thank God, you are. safe!" was his fervent ejaculation; 
 hut tell me, dear Flora, what means the horrible carnage which 
 has taken place below ?" 
 
 "Oh, riaronce your brother! Is he not there is he not 
 among the slain ?" 
 
 "No! he. i>. not among them what of him ? I see n- .ne 
 iinong the slain hut British and sworn enemies." 
 
 " Then they have made him prisoner the Black R 
 they made the assault upon the house hecause he was in it ; 
 their avowed purpose being to execute death upon him as a 
 rebel." 
 
 A -ad smile passed over the lips of Clarence, as ho heard 
 words, and his head was shaken with a mournful doubt. 
 
 " He has nothing to fear from Mr///, Flora !" he replied, " but 
 where are they . How long is it since this dreadful affair 
 place." 
 
 " Scarce an hour. The, horrible strife I seem to hear now 
 To my senses it is scarcely ended." 
 
 "Enough! I must believe you then. J must fall upon these 
 bloodhounds if I can. Farewell, dear Flora farewell, for a 
 little while." 
 
 " Imt your brother remember, (.Vh.m l Conway, that he i* 
 your brothel 1 !" 
 
 11 Coh iH l ( (inway I" ex-claimed the young soldier, with a sur- 
 that, was greatly increased as he beheld the looks of the 
 .-jieaker, now suddenly (; 1! an.l fin/.- 
 
 " There is some: I live ; and it all 
 
 iome.s from tLr.t SHIT..- p \ "U r. - 
 
 uixious 
 
 i it. I3ut I v. .u, ii ! i 
 
 he may bo in danger. Those bloody wieich^H vould 71 t 
 
Ml 
 
 vo of 
 i plunder. Hut r .-n I 
 
 you won! JM. 1 IP 1 runway, 
 
 in ! l l<ra Middletou, T . <-u ! 
 .ied to tli inderer. There m <-.\ 
 
 . 
 
 "There sh.ill be, but (ly now, if yon w.ulil be >! 
 
 i would hv-.M n the difficulties .-.f that explanation," 
 
 " ! . :t will li isty 
 
 uii ii ti- i i.i yi iu- Mi ;.n\\ liilc, 
 
 .fat, 
 till you lienr my voice. F-n rwi-ll." 
 
 F.ururi! !" -the word . .ra with cinplKitic 
 
 trr\ ; her heart >he wished him, oi all "thei- 
 
 well ! She looket! with a lunging. 111 his IK. Me 
 
 form, so connnan<!ing, >o distin^nishcd in all . 
 
 -, uy the --nvern:. jth of a hi^h an I learle>^ 
 
 within. 
 
 " Can .-uch a ire.-e::fe conceal such h.i>eiies> !" ^he nmiimned, 
 
 . .c returned to ihe attic. " Can it he, dear mother {" was 
 
 apparently unmeaning e\{i;c.s>;(,n which fell involuntarily 
 
 iV"in her lins, as ^h i.nried her lace in hitter anguish in the 
 
 , of the maternal lady. 
 
 invay in.: his tn .ji in motion. Ilr 
 
 in a-lvai, :it of 
 
 , he ha-! of intelli^- iice which could 
 
 lack Ixi ! him 
 
 iiei^hhor!, v ; an indi\idual was o l.r 
 
 around the dwellinj;. : the jla: 
 
 .ich of the conflict, took Ili-ht to the swamp-thickets ; and 
 in these they would remain until hn^ after the storm had 
 blown. 
 
 Co: .ed forward : 
 
 !! 
 
 Men llighl of the 
 banditti from the mansion house befon- t! n.k(l it. The 
 
464 THE SCOUT. 
 
 idea that Edward Conway had anything really to fear from 
 those whom he too -,voll knew to be his confederates, was some 
 thing of an ahsr.:.lity, which he found little difficulty in dismis 
 sing from hi;- mi,/l. He rejoiced, at the first moment of receiv 
 ing the intelligence, that his brother lived that he had survived 
 .in li. rcer c:>nllict which had taken place between them. 
 
 Jnit, an instant aft>r, and he almost regretted that such was 
 tlic case. It was liis duty to pursue him as a public enemy, 
 and one. <;f a cast so atrocious that, he well knew, if taken, his 
 life would probably be required by the hands of the summarv 
 avenger. The storn justice wliich in those days required blood 
 for blind, had long since selected the fierce, chief of the Black 
 Kiders as a conspicuous victim for the gallows; and Clarence 
 Conway, as a means to avoid this cruel pos\s : ]-ility, issued the 
 sanguinary orders to his troop to show no quarter. The tcn- 
 dcrest form of justice called for their extermination in the short 
 est possible manner. 
 
 This resolve was made and the command given, after he had 
 been advised by the scouts that the enemy were collected in 
 force upon an open ground on the river bluff, a short mile and a 
 half above. The scouts reported that a good deal of confusion 
 appeared among them, but they could not approach sufficiently 
 nigh to ascertain its particular occasion ; having returned, in 
 obedience to orders, .-" toon as they had traced out the enemy s 
 place of retreat. They als< 1 to Conway the further in- 
 
 ti-Jlig-eiKie that they might have, gone much nearer with impu- 
 nitv that the foe, so far from forming an ambush, had not, in 
 fact, taken the. usual precautions against attack had not thrown 
 -.lit any sentinels, and might be surprised with little difficulty. 
 
 Upm hearing this, Clarence Conway gave orders for a divis 
 ion of hi.--, force into three equal parties; one of which was de 
 spatched to make :. -Mcuit, and gain a point above them on the 
 river; a see..:;.-! wan ordered to traverse the river banks from 
 below ; while he, hiv,-e.!f, leading on the third division, was to 
 burst suddenly upon them from the forest the nearest, point 
 from which the attack could be made. 
 
 had ;-c;;rcely been given, before the sound of a 
 rifle was heard, in tin- iiicction of the *pot where the outlaw! 
 
HATI: i;\rn.i:i> r.v J 
 
 were assembled, ami this was followed hy a confused cl 
 oi iK What 
 
 meaning "f that si. 
 
 I thrv apprized uf his approach I ( "iiway, in all 
 
 tares, maile no >>rt of approach to tin* real natr,; 
 that cm rille-shot, ami yet it wa importance to him and 
 
 .iiiirs. It rendered a portion of his ta.-dc less irksome, 
 and far less difficult. 
 
 Si h-.l the way for his division m>t a hu-le -..umled 
 
 ,-iive a wind was spoken, ami the parties separated on their 
 
 :al courses, with no more noise than was unavoidable, from 
 
 tin- regular ami heavy tread of their hr i tu- 
 
 :hem, perhaps, that the. hamlitti which lhe\ 
 only too hnsy in their own purposes to hi-, hee.lful ..f their 
 !:til it was too late. Hut let n> not antic;; 
 
 The lilack K ulers had hornc their victim, with slow steps. 
 
 , his litter, to the spot which had l.ecn ch>>en for his last 
 
 involuntary act of expiation. Their advance, was p-irceded hy 
 
 that ofi iirohl friend, the .watchful scout, .John Hanni.sti-r. Anx 
 
 . to the, last decree, for the safety of the ladies of the 
 ony, he had tracked the steps of the outlaws to the as:-ault upon 
 the , welling following as rlnsely upon thei: rould he 
 
 prudential regard to his own safety. He had he- 
 heli! ro nuch of the conllict as could he compre!, one 
 
 who war; c-mipclli distant covert 
 
 ii- ti. The, cause of the fight, . in d the pr.il es to it, were 
 
 equally inscr . and this, too, added not a little to 
 
 the anxiety which f.lnd his min !. This anxiety - 
 when he discr-vorcd that the de.fences of t : 
 broken down, and the house in the iitti. 
 
 I Kl-ra U n was in their . : he was ina- 
 
 t t. >ei -\- bor, His anguish was truly indescriba 
 
 ble, as it was nearly ID 
 
 IJut ho wa -od from _;<:nce, when he 
 
 heheld t . 
 
 ill W Inch he !.;..i mr\dn 
 
 liis hiding-place. It 1 .lie 
 
 the place v. h re !;e had left his canoe ii: the con- 
 
400 TTIK SCOUT. 
 
 tody } tin.- landlord and Jacob Clarkson, lie was souu-what surprised 
 to lind that they eontimud to follow in his footsteps. Somewhat 
 wondering at this, and at their brief delay in the dwelling which 
 they had entered alter so ohsjinaie ;. contlict. he ordered M;. 
 put himself , Clarkson and the canoe into close cover, while he, ad 
 vancing somewhat upon the higher grounds before them, could, from 
 a place of concealment, observe the conduct of the enemy, and 
 prescribe, the farther conduct of his own attendants. 
 
 He had not Ion- to wait. The Black Riders brought their pris- 
 -pot where the body of .Mary C larkson lav buried. 
 The fainting form of the outlav\ leaned against the head 
 
 board which the devoted 1 aimiskr ;. ; to her memory; and 
 
 as the anguish following the- transfer of his body to the ground from 
 the door on which it had been borne, caused Morton lo open h. 
 and rc-torcd him to consciousness, the letters " M. C." inel his first 
 glance; but their import remained uneonjeetured . He had not much 
 time allowed him for conjectures of any kind. His implaeai . 
 Stockton, stood IK -I -, ire him with looks of hate and triumph which tiie 
 e man found it dillicult to endure, but utterly impossible to 
 avoid . 
 
 " It is all over with you. Ned Morton," said the other. " Will 
 you beg for your life will you supplicate me for mercy?" 
 mile of scorn pa<*e<l over the lips of the outlaw. 
 
 " My life i< n,,t in your hands," he replied: "and, if i< \\< 
 should be thrice forfeit before I should acknowledge your power and 
 a^k your mercy . I bid you defiance to the last. 1 look upon you 
 without fear, though with unsuppressed loathing, a> I quit the world, 
 
 and. in this way, do I baffl r malice." 
 
 AJB he Bpoke thou words, he drew the little stiletto suddenly 
 from hi- IMI.M.UI, and plunged it desperately, and with an eil or. 
 ngth, full at his own heart. Hut tin- blow was batlled 
 hand of Dun ey, who had placed hiiiis\f bHiind Morton without 1m 
 knowledge, was extended at the moment, and gra-ped the arm which 
 impelled til" W; apoM . 
 
 fast : " cried SUx ktori. I It d the d 
 
!, and 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 . u|>oM the little hill ><-k which ( 
 (li-1 he at !l. 
 rarily found n ; 
 i with hiii. Ill cheat the 
 
 handitti. raided the fainting 
 
 ,\v iipi-n thrir >h"tiM( r<. \\lii - 
 
 ated 
 
 : 
 
 . 5-tiin. a jM-rtii-n of thrir fm. 
 
 :h. n,- lev k< .1 ( ;: .1 apon ilu-m \\ ; - 
 
 ;ui l all t! 
 
 nil (f life and dcliai;c<-, am: 
 II !i! uf da: 
 
 "11. 
 
 I !( !! dii 
 
 :i/.c<l 1 In- t - Kdward ( di\\ a\ . i 
 
 ruth and t<> comprehend the Hr< .\liich \\{.-n- i 
 
 11-11 dii 
 
 I, Hut i: 
 fain 1 name, and he s ill- 1 l>li d l-.i; 
 
 : vidcnt 
 
 if.i- 
 
 .id, after In- had drawn hi- n the 
 
SCOTT, 
 
 tlu- man to do it. lie s got a sort of right to NY.i ( on Way * life. 
 .lake : .lake !" 
 
 I!.- railed up the desolate old man, who, on the lower ground by 
 Mir river, had not seen these proceed 
 
 ".lake ! " lie said " is your ritle loaded ? 
 
 "Ye 
 
 "Then look, man ! there s your enemy there s "Xed ( on way 
 It s him that they re a-lifting up among them there. I spoae they 
 want to do liim some partie lar kind of honor, but it s jrst over poor 
 Clary s grave ! " 
 
 The words were electric ! The old man grasped and raised his 
 v.vapon. Hi- saw not the purpose of the crowd, nor did he pause to 
 ask what was the soil of honor which they were disposed to confer 
 upon the outlaw. lie saw Jiini! 7//.s- face only ! TI<t lie knew, 
 and that was enough. A moment elapsed but one ! and the report 
 of the ritle rantr sharply along the river banks. In the same moment 
 the men who were lifting Edward Morton to the tree dropped the 
 bodv to the ground. The work of death was already done ! Their 
 efforts were no longer necessary, as their design was unavailing. 
 The bullet had penetrated the forehead of the outlaw and his blond 
 streamed from the orifice upon the still fresh mould which covered 
 the victim of his passions. The Black Riders turned In the quarter 
 whence the shot had come, but the boat of John Bannister, bearing 
 himself and his associates, was already at some distance from the 
 shore, 
 
LtTSIOK, 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 THK rage of Stockton at being thus defrauded of his prey at 
 last, though violent, was of no effort. He discharged his own 
 pistol at the boat which contained the fugitives; an idle act. 
 which was followed by a like discharge from some twenty of his 
 followers. They might as well have aimed their bullets at the moon. 
 John Bannister an^uered them with a shout which, to their con 
 sternation, found an echo from twenty voices in the woods behind 
 them. They turned to confront an unexpected enemy. Clarence 
 Conway was already upon them. His little band, in advance of 
 km two divi>ions. began the fray as soon as it had reached 
 within striking di-tance: and the sudden effect of the surprise 
 compensated well for the inadequacy of the asssailing party. The 
 broadsword wa^ doing fearful execution among the scattered ban 
 ditti, before Stockton well knew in what direction to turn to me< t 
 hi> en. my. 
 
 But the power which he had thus so lately gained wa> too 
 and had called for too much toil and danger to be yielded 
 without u violent struggle; and, if men- brute courage could have 
 : for hi- safety, the outlaw might Mill 1, .,1 the 
 
 88 of his indiscretion. He rallied his men with prompt 
 ness, enforced their courage by the exhibition of his own; ami his 
 numbers, being still superior to the small force which had followed 
 Conway through the woods, the rflVet of his MM onslaught was 
 measurably neutralized, and the Nsuu of the conllict soon grew 
 doubtful. 
 
 Hut it did not long remain so. Tin division from below soon 
 struck in. and the outlaw- gave way. They broke at length, and 
 endeavored to find -atVty by thin- up the banks of the river; but 
 lien- they were met by a third division of 
 
470 THE SCu 
 
 and their retreat entirely cut off. Hemmed in on every side, 
 assured that no quarter would be given them, they asked for none, 
 but fought and died upon the ground to which they had been 
 forced. 
 
 It was the fortune of Stockton to fall under the sabre of Clarence 
 Con way; while Darcy, leaping into the river, perished beneath a 
 blow from the clubbed rifle of John Bannister, whose boat, a moment 
 after, touched the shore. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the rapturous expressions of his wild 
 whoop of joy at this unlooked-for meeting. Meeting witli his 
 friend and leader, in a moment of such complete victory, amply 
 atoned to him for all the trials, risks and anxieties to which he had 
 been exposed from the night of their separation. Not one of the 
 Black Riders escaped the conflict. The greater number fell beneath 
 the swords of their conquerors; but some few, in their desperation, 
 leapt into the Congaree, which finally engulfed them all. Clarence 
 Conway, after the close of the conflict, devoted a few painful 
 moments to the examination of the bloody field. But John Bannis 
 ter threw himself between his commander and one of the victims 
 of the day. The eye of Clarence searchingly fell on that of 
 his follower; and he at once divined the meaning of the interrup 
 tion. 
 
 "It s here, then, that he lies, John? How did he die?" 
 
 "Yes, Clarence, there he is; a rifle bullet kept off a worse 
 eending. He died like a brave man, though it mou t be he didn t 
 live like a good one. Leave the rest to me, Clarence. I ll see that 
 he s put decently out of sight. But you d better push up and see 
 Miss Flora and the old lady. I reckon they ve had a mighty scary 
 time of it." 
 
 "I thank you, John. I will look but once on the son of my 
 father, and leave the rest to you." 
 
 "It s a ragged hole that a rifle bullet works in a white fore 
 head, Clarence, and you ll hardly know it; "said the scout as he 
 reluctantly gave way before Hie approach of his superior. 
 Clarence Conway gazed in silence for a space upon the inani 
 mate and bloody form before him; a big tear gathered slowly 
 in his eyes; but he brushed away the intruder with a hasty 
 band, while he turned once more to meet his followers who were 
 
LU8IOH, 471 
 
 slowlj gathering in the back ground. He felt, even at that mo- 
 incut, a din-nnir .M-n^ition, :is In- knew that his brother had fal 
 len liy another hand than his. That pang, at least, was spared 
 him ; and for the rest, the cause of sorrow was comparativelj 
 slight. 
 
 11 He could have lived," he murmured as he turned away from the 
 bloody spectacle " He could have lived only as a dishonored and a 
 suspected man. His path would have been stained with crime, and 
 dogged by enemies. It is better that it is thus! May God have 
 mercy on his soul !" 
 
 Our story is on the threshold of conclusion. We have little more 
 to say. Flora Middleton and her lover were soon reconciled, 
 and the misunderstanding between them easily and promptly 
 explained. Jacob Clarkson and John Bannister were living 
 and suflicient witnesses to save Clarence Conway the necessity 
 of answering for himself, and of denouncing his late kinsman. 
 Between unsophisticated and sensible people, such as we have 
 sought to make our lovers appear, there could be no possibility 
 of a protract :i of doubts, misgivings, shynesses and 
 
 MpicioiftB, which a frank heart and a generous spirit, could 
 not breathe under for a day, but which an ingenious novelist 
 could protract through a term of years, and half a dozen vol 
 umes. In the course of a brief year following these events the 
 British wire beaten from the country, and Clarence and Flora 
 united in the holy bonds of matrimony. The last was an event 
 which nobody ever supposed was regretted by either. John 
 Bannister lived with them at the barony, from the time of their 
 marriage, through the pleasant seasons of a protracted life. Many 
 of our readers may remember to have seen the white-headed old 
 man who, in his latter days, exchanged his soubriquet of Supple 
 Jack, for one more dignified, though, possibly, less popular among 
 the other sex. He was called "Bachelor Bannister." toward the 
 closing years of his life, and. when in the presence of the ladies, 
 did not quarrel with the designation. His long stories about the 
 Revolution, of his own feats and those of Clarence Conway. were 
 remembered and repeated by him. with little variation, to the last. 
 In this he differed considerably from ordinary chroniclers of the 
 
472 THE SCOUT. 
 
 old scnool, simply, perhaps, because his stories were originally more 
 truthful, and his memory, in spite of his years, which were "frosty 
 yet kindly," was singularly tenacious to the end. Our narrative has 
 been compiled from particulars chiefly gained, though at second-hand, 
 from this veracious source. 
 
 John Bannister lived long enough to see the eldest son of Clarence 
 Conway almost as good a marksman with the rifle, and as supple 
 a forester, as he himself had been in his better days; and his 
 dying moments were consoled, by the affectionate offices of those, 
 whom, with a paternal wisdom, he had chosen for his friends from 
 the beginning. It may be stated, en pctMnnl, that our exquisite, 
 Mr. Surgeon Hillhouse, neither lost his life nor his wardrobe in the 
 conflict at Middleton Barony. He survived his wounds and saved 
 his luggage. His self-esteem was also preserved, strange to - 
 spite of all his failures with the sex. He was one whom Providence 
 had wondrously blessed in this particular. Of self-esteem he had 
 quite as many garments, if not more, than were allotted to his person. 
 He certainly had a full and fresh suit for every day in the year. 
 
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