ger, and flew over
the obstacle in safety.

The triumphant hurrah of the men, and the thundering tread of the
horse, too plainly assured the peddler of the emergency[62] of his
danger. He was nearly exhausted, and his fate no longer seemed
doubtful.

[Footnote 62: It was a danger demanding immediate action.]

"Stop, or die!" was uttered above his head, and in fearful proximity
to his ears.

Harvey stole a glance over his shoulder, and saw, within a bound of
him, the man he most dreaded. By the light of the stars he beheld the
uplifted arm and the threatening sabre. Fear, exhaustion, and despair
seized his heart, and the intended victim fell at the feet of the
dragoon. The horse of Lawton struck the prostrate peddler, and both
steed and rider came violently to the earth.

As quick as thought Birch was on his feet again, with the sword of the
discomfited dragoon in his hand. All the wrongs of the peddler shone
on his brain with a dazzling brightness. For a moment the demon within
him prevailed, and Birch brandished the powerful weapon in the air; in
the next it fell harmless on the reviving but helpless trooper. The
peddler vanished up the side of the friendly rock.

"Help Captain Lawton, there!" cried Mason, as he rode up, followed by
a dozen of his men; "and some of you dismount with me and search
these rocks; the villain lies here concealed."

"Hold!" roared the discomfited captain, raising himself with
difficulty on his feet; "if one of you dismount, he dies. Tom, my good
fellow, you will help me to straddle Roanoke again."

The astonished subaltern complied in silence, while the wondering
dragoons remained as fixed in their saddles as if they composed a part
of the animals they rode.

Lawton and Mason rode on in silence, the latter ruminating[63] on the
wonderful change produced in his commander by his fall, when they
arrived opposite to the gate before the residence of Mr. Wharton. The
troop continued its march, but the captain and his lieutenant
dismounted, and, followed by the servant of the former, they proceeded
slowly to the door of the cottage.

[Footnote 63: thinking quietly.]

A few words from Mason explained the nature and manner of his
captain's hurts, and Miss Peyton cheerfully accorded the required
accommodations. While the room intended for the trooper was getting
ready, and the doctor was giving certain portentous[64] orders, the
captain was invited to rest himself in the parlo