ed Henry, urging his
beast with the aid of the bridle, at the same time that Harvey aided
his efforts by applying the lash of a heavy riding-whip he carried;
"he will never stand it for half a mile farther."

"A quarter will do; a quarter will do," said the peddler; "a single
quarter will save us, if you follow my directions."

Somewhat cheered by the cool and confident manner of his companion,
Henry continued silently urging his horse forward. Soon the captain
again proposed to leave their horses and dash into the thicket.

"Not yet, not yet," said Birch in a low voice; "the road falls from
the top of this hill as steep as it rises; first let us gain the top."
While speaking, they reached the desired summit, and both threw
themselves from their horses, Henry plunging into the thick underwood,
which covered the side of the mountain for some distance above them.
Harvey stopped to give each of their beasts a few severe blows of his
whip, that drove them headlong down the path on the other side of the
eminence, and then followed his example.

The peddler entered the thicket with a little caution, and avoided, as
much as possible, rustling or breaking the branches in his way. There
was but time only to shelter his person from view, when a dragoon led
up the ascent, and on reaching the height, he cried aloud:

"I saw one of their horses turning the hill this minute!"

"Drive on; spur forward, my lads," shouted Mason; "give the Englishman
quarter, but cut the peddler down, and make an end of him."

"Now," said the peddler, rising from the cover to reconnoitre, and
standing for a moment in suspense, "all that we gain is clear gain;
for, as we go up, they go down. Let us be stirring."

"But will they not follow us, and surround the mountain?" said Henry
rising, and imitating the labored but rapid progress of his companion;
"remember they have foot as well as horse, and, at any rate, we shall
starve in the hills."

"Fear nothing, Captain Wharton," returned the peddler with confidence;
"this is not the mountain that I would be on, but necessity has made
me a dexterous pilot among these hills. I will lead you where no man
will dare to follow."

CHAPTER XXI.

FRANCES REMINDS MR. HARPER OF HIS PROMISE.

Frances could no longer doubt that the figure she had seen on the hill
was Birch, and she felt certain that, instead of flying to the
friendly forces below, her brother would be taken to the mysterious
hut to p