a body.

The excitement, which had given the sick man strength, soon vanished;
and the peddler, lifting him in his arms, reconveyed him to his bed.
The reaction of the system hastened to close the scene. The glazed eye
of the father was fixed upon the son; his lips moved, but his voice
was unheard. Harvey bent down, and, with the parting breath of his
parent, received the parting benediction.

The Skinners had fled precipitately to the wood, which was near the
house of Birch, and once safely sheltered within its shades, they
halted, and mustered their panic-stricken forces.

CHAPTER X.

A COLONIAL REPAST.

The family at the Locusts had slept, or watched, through all the
disturbances at the cottage of Birch, in perfect ignorance of their
occurrence. Additional duties had drawn the ladies from their pillows
at an hour somewhat earlier than usual.

Henry Wharton awoke from a sleep in which he had dreamt of suffering
amputation; and Dr. Sitgreaves pronounced that he would be a well man
within a fortnight. Colonel Wellmere did not make his appearance; he
breakfasted in his own room, and the surgeon was free to go to the
bedside of Captain Singleton, where he had watched during the night
without once closing his eyes. Captain Lawton had been received with
many courteous inquiries after the state of his health.

A single horse chaise was seen approaching the gate. Miss Peyton
advanced to receive their guest. She was young, and of a light and
graceful form, but of exquisite proportions. As Dr. Sitgreaves
supported her from the chaise, she turned an expressive look at the
face of the practitioner.

"Your brother is out of danger, and wishes to see you, Miss
Singleton," said the surgeon.

By the time the afternoon sun had travelled a two hours' journey from
the meridian, the formal procession from the kitchen to the parlor
commenced, under the auspices of Caesar, who led the van, supporting a
turkey on the palms of his withered hands with the dexterity of a
balance-master.

Next followed the servant of Captain Lawton, bearing, as he marched
stiffly, a ham of true Virginian flavor, a present from the spinster's
brother in Accomac. The supporter of this savory dish kept his eye on
his trust with military precision; and it might be difficult to say
which contained the most juice, his own mouth or the bacon.

Third in the line was to be seen the valet of Colonel Wellmere, who
carried in either hand chickens fri