the thick shrubbery that shot up above them, before the headmost
files of the cavalry appeared descending the opposite hill.

As the column came gradually into his view upon the road which wound
down into the valley, it disclosed a troop of some twenty men, whose
green uniform sufficiently indicated the presence of a part of
Tarleton's command. He heard them call a halt upon the bank, and after a
few moments' rest, he saw them ride into the stream, and pass in files
around the base of the rock.

The passage of the brook occupied some time; for the thirsty horses were
successively given a slack rein as they entered the ford, and were
allowed to drink. This delay separated the platoons, and those who first
passed over had advanced a considerable distance before the stragglers
of the rear had quitted the stream. For some minutes that stir and noise
prevailed which, in a military party, generally attends the attempt to
restore order amongst confused or broken ranks. The frequent commands of
officers summoning the loiterers and chiding their delay, were given
from front to rear in loud tones, and the swift gallop of those who had
lingered in the stream, as they obeyed the order and hastened forward to
their places, sent forth a quick and spirited evidence of bustle, that
broke sharply upon the silence of the surrounding forest. These
indications of activity unfortunately pricked with a sudden astonishment
the ear of one who has heretofore figured, not without renown, in this
history--the lusty and faithful Captain Peter; who, not sufficiently
alive to the distinction between friend and foe, now began to snuff, and
paw the ground, and then with a long and clear note of recognition, to
express his feelings of good fellowship towards the unseen strangers.
Another moment, and the gay and thoughtless steed reared, plunged broke
his bridle, and bounded through the woods, with a frolicsome speed that
brought him into the midst of the troop, where he wheeled up and took
his place, like a disciplined charger, on the flank of one of the
platoons.

This incident caused the officer in command of the party to come again
to a halt, and to despatch a portion of his men to seek the owner of the
horse. An eager search commenced, which was almost immediately
terminated by the wary sergeant presenting himself to the view of the
troop, on a prominent and exposed point of the rock, where he seemed to
be busily and unconcernedly engaged with h