uneven ground and among the decayed branches and
other obstacles that beset their path. Their rude companions, too, with
the exception of Rawbon, who walked moodily apart, seemed solicitous to
assist her with their rough attentions. To add to the disagreeable
nature of their situation, the rain began to fall in torrents before
they had accomplished one half of the distance. They were then in the
midst of a tract of wooded land that was almost impassable for a lady in
the darkness, on account of the yielding nature of the soil, and the
numerous ruts and hollows that were soon transformed into miniature
pools and streams. Oriana strove to treat the adventure as a theme for
laughter, and for awhile chatted gaily with her companions; but it was
evident that she was fast becoming weary, and that her thin-shod feet
were wounded by constant contact with the twigs and sharp stones that it
was impossible to avoid in the darkness. Her dress was torn, and heavy
with mud and moisture, and the two young men were pained to perceive
that, in spite of her efforts and their watchful care, she stumbled
frequently with exhaustion, and leaned heavily on their arms as she
labored through the miry soil.

One of the party opportunely remembered a charcoal-burner's hut in the
vicinity, that would at least afford a rude shelter from the driving
storm. Several of the men hastened in search of it, and soon a halloo
not far distant indicated that the cabin, such as it was, had been
discovered. As they approached, they were surprised to observe rays of
light streaming through the cracks and crevices, as if a fire were
blazing within. It was an uninviting structure, hastily constructed of
unhewn logs, and upon ordinary occasions Oriana would have hesitated to
pass the threshold; but wet and weary as she was, she was glad to
obtain the shelter of even so poor a hovel.

"There's a runaway in thar, I reckon," said one of the party. He threw
open the door, and several of the men entered. A fire of logs was
burning on the earthen floor, and beside it was stretched a negro's
form, wrapped in a tattered blanket. He started up as his unwelcome
visitors entered, and looked frightened and bewildered, as if suddenly
awakened from a sound sleep. However, he had no sooner laid eyes upon
Seth Rawbon than, with a yell of fear, he sprang with a powerful leap
through the doorway, leaving his blanket in the hands of those who
sought to grasp him.

"That's my nigg