Ferguson found it necessary to keep in almost constant motion, with a
view to hover about the supposed direction of Clarke's retreat, and,
conformably to this purpose, to advance into South Carolina, and again
to fall back towards his present position, yet he had established a
guard at Gilbert-town which, during all these operations, remained
stationary with the prisoners, apparently waiting some fit opportunity
to march them off to Cornwallis's army, that was now making its way
northwards. That opportunity did not present itself. The communications
between this post and the commander-in-chief were, by a fatal error,
neglected; and in a short time from the date of the present events, as
will be seen in the sequel, a web was woven which was strong enough to
ensnare and bind up the limbs of the giant who had, during the last five
months, erected and maintained the Tory Ascendency in Carolina.

CHAPTER LI.

MILDRED TURNS HER STEPS HOMEWARDS.

I have seen a generous and brave boy defied to some enterprise of
terror,--such as, peradventure, to clamber in the dark night, alone, up
many a winding bout of stair-case to the garret,--and he has undertaken
the achievement, although sore afraid of goblins, and gone forth upon
his adventure with a lusty step and with a bold tardiness, whistling or
singing on his way--his eyes and ears all the time fearfully open to all
household sights and sounds, now magnified out of their natural
proportions; and when he had reached the furthest term of his travel, I
have known him to turn quickly about and come down three steps at a
leap, feeling all the way as if some spectre tracked his flight and hung
upon his rear. Calling up such a venture to my mind, I am enabled, by
comparison with the speed and anxiety of the boy, to show my reader with
what emotions Mildred, her mission being done, now turned herself upon
her homeward route. The excitement occasioned by her knowledge of the
critical circumstances of Butler, and the pain she had suffered in the
belief that upon the courageous performance of her duty depended even
his life, had nerved her resolution to the perilous and hardy exploit in
which we have seen her. But now, when matters had taken such a suddenly
auspicious turn, and she was assured of her lover's safety, not even the
abrupt joy which poured in upon her heart was sufficient to stifle her
sense of uneasiness at her present exposed condition, and she eagerly
prepared to