e and rider gained the margin, where Tyrrel awaited
them! The vigor of the animal, as well as the practised hand that held
the rein, was shown in the boldness of the attempt to climb the steep
bank and break through the briers and bushes that here guarded it. As
soon as Curry reached the level ground, he dismounted.

"In God's name, man, what is the matter with your face?" asked Tyrrel.

"It is of that, amongst other things, that I came to speak to you," was
the reply; "I have news for you."

"Speak, without prelude. Tell me."

"Major Butler slept last night at Mrs. Dimock's."

"And is there still?"

"No, sir. He started at early dawn this morning."

"To join Gates?"

"I think not. He talked of going to Ninety-Six--perhaps to Georgia."

"So, ho! The hawk hovers over that field! Does he travel alone?"

"He has a giant in his company, a great ploughman by the name of Horse
Shoe Robinson. A quarrelsome rascal; he would needs pick a quarrel with
me last night. And in the skirmish I got this face."

"Did I not command you to bear yourself peaceably? Fool! will you risk
our lives with your infernal broils? Now, I would wager you told the
fellow your name."

"Little need of that, sir. He told it to me: said he knew me before. The
fellow, for all his rough coat, is a regular trained soldier in the
rebel service, and has met me somewhere--Heaven knows!--I don't remember
him; yet he isn't a man to see once and forget again."

"And me, did he speak of me?"

"He knew that I was in the employ of an English gentleman who was here
at the Dove Cote. I have nothing especial to complain of in the man. He
speaks soldierly enough; he said he would take no advantage of me for
being here as long as our visit was peaceable."

"Humph! And you believed him. And you must fight with him, like a
brawling knave. When will you get an ounce of wit into that fool's head!
What time of day was it when this Butler arrived?"

"Long after night-fall."

"Did you understand any thing of the purpose of his visit?"

"He talked much with Mistress Dimock, and I think their conversation
related to the lady at the Dove Cote. I could hear but a few scattered
words."

"Away.--Here (throwing his purse to the horseman), pay up your score at
the inn, and at your greatest haste attend me on the river bank,
immediately below Mr. Lindsay's house. Ask Mrs. Dimock to have a
breakfast prepared for me.--Away, I will expect you in half an hour."

Curry