ighter than the one they have got, and that will tell in a long
chase; you _must_ take me to show you the way, Muster Fairlegh."

"Well, come along, then. Mr. Frampton, I'll bring you your niece in
safety, or this is the last time we shall meet, for I never will return
without her."

~449~~ "Umph! eh? I'll go with you, Frank; I'll go with you."

"I would advise you not, sir," replied I; "it will be a fatiguing, if
not _a dangerous_ expedition."

"Ain't I her uncle, sir? umph!" was the reply. "I tell you I will go.
Danger, indeed! why, boy, I've travelled more miles in my life, than you
have inches."

"As you please, sir," replied I; "only let us lose no time." And taking
his arm I hurried him away.

Glancing at Mr. Vernor as we left the library, I perceived that he still
remained motionless in the same attitude. As we reached the hall-door, I
was glad to find that Peter's exertions had procured four stout horses,
and that the finishing stroke was being put to their harness as we came
up.

"Who is that?" inquired I, as my eye caught the figure of a horseman,
followed by a second, apparently a groom, riding rapidly across the
park.

"That's Mr. Fleming, sir," replied one of the helpers; "he came down to
the stable, and ordered out his saddle-horses in a great hurry; I think
he's gone after Mr. Cumberland."

"What are we waiting for?" exclaimed I, in an agony of impatience.
"Peter!--Where's Peter Barnett?"

"Here, sir," he exclaimed; making his appearance the moment after I had
first observed his absence. "It ain't no use to start on a march without
arms and baggage," he added, flinging a wrapping greatcoat (out of the
pocket of which the butts of a large pair of cavalry pistols protruded)
into the rumble, and climbing up after it.

"Now, sir," exclaimed I; and half-lifting, half-pushing Mr. Frampton
into the carriage, I bounded in after him: the door was slammed to, and,
with a sudden jerk, which must have tried the strength of the traces
pretty thoroughly, the horses dashed forward, old Peter directing the
postboys which road they were to follow. The rocking motion of the
carriage (as, owing to the rapid pace at which we proceeded, it swung
violently from side to side) prevented anything like conversation,
while, for some time, a burning desire to get on seemed to paralyse
my every faculty, and to render thought impossible. Trees, fields and
hedges flew past in one interminable, bewildering, ever-moving pan