n.

At sight of these the old hunter doffed his cap and fell upon his knees
with hands uplifted to pour out his zealot's soul in the awful sentences
of the Psalmist's imprecation.

"'Let God arise, and let His inimies be scattered; let them also that
hate Him flee before Him. Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou
drive them away; and like as the wax melteth at the fire, so let the
ungodly perish at the presence of God....'"

XXXI

IN WHICH WE MAKE A FORCED MARCH

It could have been but little short of midnight when we came down into
the Great Trace near the ambush ground where we had set our trap for the
peace men.

The night had cleared most beautifully, and overhead the stars were
burning like points of white fire in the black dome of the heavens. As
often happens after a shower, the night shrillings of the forest were in
fullest tide; and a whip-will's-widow, disturbed by our approach,
fluttered to a higher perch and set up his plaintive protest.

At our turning eastward on the trace, the old hunter massed our little
company as compactly as the path allowed, and giving us the word to
follow cautiously, tossed his bridle rein to the Catawba and went on
ahead to feel out the way.

This rearrangement set me to ride abreast with Margery; and for the
first time since that fateful night in the upper room at Appleby Hundred
we were together and measurably alone.

Since death might be lying in wait for us at any turn in the winding
bridle-path, I had no mind to break the strained silence. But,
womanlike, she would not miss the chance to thrust at me.

"Are you not afire with shame, Captain Ireton?" she said, bitterly; and
then: "How you must despise me!"

I knew not what she meant; but being most anxious for her safety, I
begged her not to talk, putting it all upon the risk we ran in passing
the outlet of the sunken valley. Now, as you have long since learned, my
tongue was but a skilless servant; and though I sought to make the
command the gentlest plea, she took instant umbrage and struck back
smartly.

"You need not make the danger an excuse. I will be still; and when I
speak to you again, you will be willing enough to hear me, I promise
you!"

"Nay, then, dear lady; you must not take it so!" I protested. "'Tis my
misfortune to be ever blundering."

But to this she gave me no answer at all; and barring a word or two of
heartening for her serving woman, she never opened her lips again
throu