und upon which they were soon to be brought to action. The knoll, I
have described, furnished a favorable position for this observation, and
thither they had already repaired.

I turn from the graver and more important matters which may be supposed
to have occupied the thoughts of the leaders, as they were grouped
together on the broad rock, to a subject which was, at this moment,
brought to their notice by the unexpected appearance of two females on
horseback, on the road, a full half mile in the rear of the army, and
who were now approaching at a steady pace. They were attended by a man
who, even thus far off, showed the sedateness of age; and, a short space
behind them, rode a few files of troopers in military array.

It was with mingled feelings of surprise and admiration at the courage
which could have prompted her, at such a time, to visit the army, that
the party recognised Mildred Lindsay and her attendants, in the
approaching cavalcade. These emotions were expressed by them in the
rough and hearty phrase of their habitual and familiar intercourse.

"Let me beg, gentlemen," said Campbell, interrupting them, "that you
speak kindly and considerately of yonder lady. By my honor, I have never
seen man or woman with a more devoted or braver heart. Poor girl!--she
has nobly followed Butler through his afflictions, and taken her share
of suffering with a spirit that should bring us all to shame. Horse Shoe
Robinson, who has squired her to our camp, even from her father's house,
speaks of a secret between her and our captive friend, that tells
plainly enough to my mind of sworn faith and long-tried love. As men and
soldiers, we should reverence it. Williams, look carefully to her
comfort and safety. Go, man, at once, and meet her on the road. God
grant that this day may bring an end to her grief!"

Williams departed on his mission, and when he met the lady her brother
and the sergeant were already in her train.

Allen Musgrove explained the cause of this unlooked-for apparition. The
party, in obedience to Mildred's urgent wish, and scarcely less to the
content of all the others, had quitted their secluded position at
Gilbert-town on the preceding morning; and learning in the course of the
day from persons on the road, that Ferguson had moved northwards, the
miller had taken a direction across the country which enabled him to
intercept the army at its present post, with little more than half the
travel which the circ