f disagreeable
images, the noise of footsteps in the adjoining room. In another instant
she recognised the sound of voices conversing in a half whisper.

"Michael," said the first voice; "Damn it, man, will you never awake?
Rouse yourself; it is time to be stirring."

"Wat!" exclaimed the second voice, with a loud yawn, whilst at the same
moment the creaking of the bedstead and a sullen sound upon the floor
showed that the speaker had risen from his couch. "Is it you? I have
hardly gone to bed, before you are here to rouse me up. What o'clock is
it?"

"It is nearly one," replied Wat Adair. "And let me tell you, you have no
time to lose. Hugh Habershaw is good ten miles off, and you must be back
by daylight."

"You might have given me another hour, I think, if it was only to
consider over the right way of setting about this thing. Always look
before you leap, that's common sense."

"You were always a heavy-headed devil," said Adair; "and take as much
spurring as a spavined horse. What have you to do with considering?
Isn't all fixed? Jog, man, jog. You have a beautiful starlight: and I
had the crop-ear put up in the stable last night, that no time might be
lost; so up, and saddle, and away!"

"Well, you needn't be so d----d busy; don't you see that I am getting
ready?"

"Quiet, Mike; you talk too loud. Take your shoes in your hand, you can
put them on when you get into the porch."

"There, give me my coat, Wat; and I think I should have no objection to
a drop before I set out. It's raw riding of a morning. Now tell me
exactly what I am to say to Hugh Habershaw."

"Tell him," replied Wat, "that we have got Horse Shoe Robinson and Major
Butler of the Continental army, as snug as a pair of foxes in a bag, and
that I will let them run exactly at seven; and--"

"Not to interrupt you, Wat," said the other, "let me ask you a question
before you go on. Suppose this shouldn't be the man? Are you sure of it?
It would be a d----d unchristian job to give over any other human being
to such a set of bloodhounds as Hugh Habershaw and his gang."

"Shaw, Mike; you are a fool! Who, in the name of all the imps, could it
be, but Major Butler! Weren't we expecting him along with Horse Shoe,
and just at this time?"

"It looks likely enough," replied Lynch. "So go on."

"Tell Hugh to be ready at the Dogwood Spring, at the latest, by eight
o'clock. I'll give him a game to play that will supple his joints for
him. And mind me Mi