onference under the cover of their own smoke, amidst
the combined din of romping children and of the noisy spinning-wheel of
the wife, which gave life and occupation to the apartment.

"How far do you expect to travel to-morrow?" asked the host, as Butler
drew a chair near him.

"That will depend very much," replied Butler, "upon the advice you may
give us."

"You wish to get across here into Georgia?" continued Wat.

"By the route least liable to molestation," added the major.

"Let me see, Michael, Grindall's Ford is the best point to make: then
there's Christie's, about three miles beyont."

"Just so," replied Lynch; "that will make about twenty-seven and three
are thirty miles: an easy day's journey."

"In that case," said Adair, "if you know the road--doesn't Horse Shoe
know it, sir?"

"I rather think not," answered Butler.

"Well, it's a little tangled, to be sure; but if you will wait in the
morning until I look at my wolf trap, which is only a step off, I will
go with you part of the way, just to see you through one or two cross
paths: after that all is clear enough. You will have a long day before
you, and, with good horses, not much to do."

"Are we likely to meet parties on the road?" asked Butler.

"Oh, Lord, sir, no chance of it," replied the woodman; "everything is
drawing so to a head down below at Camden 'twixt Cornwallis and Gates,
that we have hardly anything but old women left to keep the country free
of Indians."

"And how have you escaped the levy?" inquired the major.

"He, he, he!" chuckled our host; "there's a trick in that. They call me
a man of doubtful principles, and neither side are willing to own me,"
he added, with a tone that seemed to indicate a sense of his own
cleverness. "But, bless you, sir, if I chose to speak out, there
wouldn't be much doubt in the case. Would there, Michael?"

"Not if you was to be plain in declaring your sentiments," answered
Lynch, sedately puffing out a huge cloud of smoke.

"Betwixt you and me, sir," continued Wat, putting his hand up to his
mouth, and winking an eye at Butler, "the thing's clear enough. But
these are ticklish times, Mr. Butler, and the wise man keepeth his own
counsel, as the Scripture says. You understand me, I dare say."

"Perhaps, I do," returned Butler. And here the conversation dropped, Wat
and his companion gravely pouring forth volumes of tobacco-fumes in
silence, until the sergeant, having made his visit to the sta