ained the summit brought them
between Ferguson's line and the dragoons, who, it was soon perceived,
were the party charged with the custody of Butler, and who had been thus
detached in the rear for the more safe guardianship of the prisoner.
Horse Shoe's manoeuvre had completely cut them off from their friends
in front, and they had no resource but to defend themselves against the
threatened assault, or fly towards the parties who were at this moment
engaged with the flanking divisions of the Whigs. They were taken by
surprise--and Horse Shoe, perceiving the importance of an immediate
attack, dashed onwards along the ridge of the mountain with precipitate
speed, calling out to his companions to follow. In a moment the dragoons
were engaged in a desperate pell-mell with the Rangers.

"Upon them, Stephen! Upon them bravely, my lads! Huzza for Major Butler!
Fling the major across your saddle--the first that reaches him," shouted
the sergeant with a voice that was heard above all the uproar of battle.
"What ho--James Curry!" he cried out, as soon as he detected the
presence of his old acquaintance in this throng; "stand your ground, if
you are a man!"

The person to whom this challenge was directed had made an effort to
escape towards a party of his friends, whom he was about summoning to
his aid; and in the attempt had already ridden some distance into the
wood, whither the sergeant had eagerly followed him.

"Ah ha, old Truepenny, are you there?" exclaimed Curry, turning short
upon his pursuer, and affecting to laugh as if in scorn. "Horse Shoe
Robinson, well met!" he added sternly, "I have not seen a better sight
to-day than that fool's head of yours upon this hill. No, not even when
just now Patrick Ferguson sent your yelping curs back to hide themselves
behind the trees."

"Come on, James!" cried Horse Shoe, "I have no time to talk. We have an
old reckoning to settle, which, perhaps, you mought remember. I am a man
of my word; and, besides, I have set my eye upon Major Butler," he
added, with a tone and look that were both impressed with the fierce
passion of the scene around him.

"The devil blast you, and Major Butler to boot!" exclaimed Curry, roused
by Horse Shoe's air of defiance. "To it, bully! It shall be short work
between us, and bloody," he shouted, as he discharged a pistol-shot at
the sergeant's breast; which failing to take effect, he flung the weapon
upon the ground, brandished his sword, and spurred