"Have you more of the lace, Mr. Birch?"

The desired article was produced, and Frances became a purchaser also.

"So it is thought that Colonel Tarleton has worsted General Sumpter?"
said Mr. Wharton.

"I believe they think so at Morrisania," said Birch, dryly.

"Have you any other news, friend?" asked Captain Wharton, venturing to
thrust his face without the curtains.

"Have you heard that Major Andre[23] has been hanged?"

[Footnote 23: British spy, captured near Tarrytown, and
hanged near Tappan.]

Captain Wharton started, and for a moment glances of great
significance[24] were exchanged between him and the trader, when he
observed, with affected indifference, "that it must have been some
weeks ago."

[Footnote 24: The glances conveyed a hidden meaning.]

"Is there any probability of movements below, my friend, that will
make travelling dangerous?" asked Harper, looking steadily at the
other in expectation of his reply.

Some bunches of ribbon fell from the hands of Birch; his countenance
changed instantly, losing its keen expression in intent meaning, as he
answered slowly: "It is some time since the rig'lar cavalry were out,
and I saw some of DeLancey's[25] men cleaning their arms as I passed
their quarters; it would be no wonder if they took the scent soon, for
the Virginia horse are low in the county."

[Footnote 25: DeLancey was a British officer in command of
the Cow-Boys (see note, p. 30).]

"Are they in much force?" asked Mr. Wharton.

"I did not count them."

Frances was the only observer of the change in the manner of Birch,
and on turning to Harper, he had resumed his book in silence. She
said, blushing with a color that suffused[26] her neck:

[Footnote 26: overspread.]

"I thought the Southern horse had marched towards the Delaware."

"It may be so," said Birch; "I passed the troop at a distance."

Caesar had now selected a piece of calico, in which the gaudy colors of
yellow and red were contrasted on a white ground, and, after admiring
it for several minutes, he laid it down with a sigh, as he exclaimed:
"Berry pretty calico."

* * * * *

The party sat in silence for many minutes after the peddler had
withdrawn, when the stranger suddenly broke it by saying:

"If any apprehensions[27] of me induce Captain Wharton to maintain his
disguise, I wish him to be undeceived; had I motives for betraying
him, they could not o