family of the name of Drummond resided at no great distance from the
scene of the late encounter, and that, by bearing the body to this
place, they might secure for it a decent burial. The remains of the
trooper were accordingly laid upon a rude litter, and his mourning
comrades slowly and sorrowfully wended their way through the forest to
the designated habitation. Here they arrived about noon, having
traversed a space of more than two miles to gain this asylum.

Drummond was a woodman, and occupied a rude cabin, with a small clearing
around it, in the depths of the wilderness, so remote from the highway
as to promise as much security from the quest of the enemy, as might be
expected from any portion of the region in which he lived. He received
his guests with kindness; and as he was himself acquainted with the
family of the deceased, he exhibited a lively sympathy with the mourners
around the body.

When Butler now made known his purpose to set out immediately for the
habitation of David Ramsay, Winter asked permission to accompany him,
but the woodman interposed, and recommended that he alone should be
permitted to perform that errand, leaving the others to remain with the
corpse until his return.

"It is, before all others, my duty," said Butler; "and come what may, I
will perform it."

"Then we will go together," added the proprietor of the cabin. "It will
be wise to wait until the day is a little more spent, and return in the
darkness of the night. David Ramsay will come back with us. He would
like to see his son before we put him in the ground."

"That shall be as you please, friend," said Butler. "I will be under
your guidance."

An hour or two before sundown, Butler and his new companion left the
cabin, and took their route across the woods towards Ramsay's dwelling,
leaving the dead body in charge of the woodman's family and the three
soldiers. The distance they had to travel did not exceed eight miles.
The repulse of the Tory party in the skirmish of the morning seemed to
have induced a belief, on the part of the enemy, that the fugitives had
made a successful retreat which was now beyond pursuit, and there were,
in consequence, no parties on the road to molest the travellers. Under
these circumstances, it was still daylight when they came in view of
David Ramsay's homestead.

CHAPTER XLV.

Great agitation prevailed at Macdonald's post, when the morning
disclosed the escape of Butler. The li