storm of heavy
blows on him with a great stick. Down clattered Mrs Spurrell, asking
if he wished to kill his sister-in-law?

"A good thing too--a traitor in one's house," he burst out, with more
raging words and fresh blows on poor John, who never cried out through
all; but his mother rushed down the next moment, crying out that she
would not have her son mauled and beaten, and laying fast hold of the
stick.

It was turning into a fight between husband and wife, and Mrs Spurrell,
who had more of her senses about her than any one else, called out, "Off
with you, John Hewlett! I'll tackle 'em!"

Poor Johnnie had no choice but to obey her. Bruised, worn out, hungry,
uncertain of everything, and miserable about his aunt, he could only
wander slowly away, feeling himself a traitor. He found his way to the
workshop, and had just thrown himself down in the wood-shed, when he
heard his master's voice calling out--

"Who's there?"

"Me! Johnny! Father's in a mortal rage with me for telling the
captain, but I never thought as how all the soldiers would come."

"And a very good thing they did, to put a stop to such doings as never
was," said Mrs Hewlett's voice. "Bless me, the dear children and the
ladies might have been burnt in their beds!"

"Come in, Johnnie, and have a bit of supper," said George Hewlett.

"And tell us all about it," said his wife. "We'll give you a shake-down
for the night if you can't go home."

John was thankful, and Mrs Hewlett set before him a good meal of bread,
cheese, cold bacon, and beer; but he was too dull and dejected, as well
as much too tired, to be able to talk, and scarcely could remember all
that had happened. He knew it was not manners to put his head down on
his arms on the table, but he really could not hold it up, and he had
dozed off almost with the food in his mouth.

"Poor chap! He's fair worn out," said the elder George. "Make his bed
ready, mother."

And when it was ready, the younger George absolutely kicked him into
being awake enough to tumble into it. Even then his sleep was for a
good while tossing, dreamy, and restless; but, by-and-by, it grew
sounder, and he lay so still in the morning that his kind hostess
hindered her boys from disturbing him. He had not long been awake, and
had only said his prayers, and washed at the pump, when horses' feet
were heard, and Cousin George called to him to come out and speak to the
captain. He came, with hair wring