my
dear, and don't be ashamed of it, for I'll warrant he is a brave fellow,
and deserves a pretty girl with a true heart, for his love to his
country."

"That he does!" replied Mary, "for his greatest fault is that he
ventures too much. If you should see him, sir, I would like you just to
drop him a hint that he ought to take more care of himself. He would
mind it from you, but he puts me off with a laugh when I tell him so."

"If I have the schooling of him, he shall be more cautious, for your
sake. But the current of true love never did run smooth, Mary; remember
that."

"I must go into the house, my aunt Peggy calls me," interrupted the
maiden. "I will keep the secret, sir," she added, as she retired from
the porch to the household service where her presence was demanded.

"Simple, innocent, and confiding girl," ejaculated Butler, as he now
strolled forth under the starlit canopy of night; "how are you
contrasted with the rough and savage natures around you! I wear but a
thin disguise, when this unpractised country girl is able so soon to
penetrate it. And this miniature, too! Oh, Mildred! that the very
talisman I bear about me to guard me from evil, should betray me! Well,
this discovery admonishes me that I should wear that image nearer to my
heart. There," he continued, as he buttoned his waistcoat across his
breast; "lie closer and more concealed. I doubt this double-faced
woodman, and almost believe in the seeming frivolous dotings of the
crone at his fire-side. Now, God defend us from treachery and
ambuscade!"

Robinson, at this moment, being on his way to the stable, was met by
Butler, who half whispered, "Good sergeant, keep your eyes about you,
and, mark me, do not omit to take our weapons to our chamber. I have
reasons for this caution. I would not trust these people too far."

"Wat dare not play us a trick, major," replied the sergeant. "He knows
I would shake the life out of his carcase if I saw him take one step of
a traitor. Besides, in this here war time, it's a part of my discipline
to be always ready for stolen marches. As you say, major, we will stack
arms where we sleep. There is no trust in this dubious country that
isn't something the surer with powder and ball to back it."

With this intimation the sergeant continued his walk, and Butler,
retiring to the family group, seated himself near the fire.

Wat Adair and his crony, Michael Lynch, had each lighted a pipe, and
were now in close c