fulness of her heart, "besides, Mister Henry Lindsay, what trouble
would it give to Sergeant Robinson, and all the rest of them, if you
should get lost scampering about the hills, and they shouldn't know
where to find you? It would take up so much of their precious time in
looking for you: and, I am sure, they hav'n't much to spare!"

"You are as valiant as a mouse," replied Henry, laughing, "and monstrous
wise, Mary Musgrove. Do you take care of my sister, and speak a word now
and then to keep up her spirits--that is, if your tongue doesn't grow
too thick with fright. Your teeth chatter now. A kiss, Mildred. There:
God bless you! I must get to my post."

With these words, Henry bounded off towards the valley to rejoin his
comrades. Half way, he met Allen Musgrove, who was now on his return to
the top of the hill, whence he had withdrawn for a brief space to hold
some converse with Robinson.

"A word," said Allen to Henry, as they met; "you are but a stripling.
Remember that this day's work is to be wrought by men of might--those
who are keen of eye and steady of foot. In the tempest of battle your
weight, Mister Henry, would be but as a feather in the gale. Yet in this
fight none might be crushed whose fall would bring more anguish than
yours. Let me beg you, as a rash and thoughtless youth, to think of
that. The good lady, your sister--"

"I cannot stay to hear you," interrupted Henry; "the column is beginning
to move."

And in a moment he was at the foot of the hill.

CHAPTER LVII.

THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.

They closed full fast on every side,
No slackness there was found
And many a gallant gentleman
Lay gasping on the ground.

O dread! it was a grief to see,
And likewise for to hear
The cries of men lying in their gore
And scattered here and there.--_Chevy Chase._

Every corps was now in motion, and the two flanking divisions were soon
lost to view in the intervening forest. An incident of some interest to
our story makes it necessary that we should, for a moment, follow the
track of Cleveland in his march upon the left side of the mountain.

The principal road of travel northwards extended along the valley on
this side; and upon this road Cleveland and Williams conducted their
men, until they arrived at a point sufficiently remote to enable them,
by ascending the height, to place themselves in Ferguson's rear. They
had just reached this point when they