r
accent on the penultimate of this favorite adjective, which he was
accustomed to use as expressive of strong reprobation. "So he is cleared
out at last! Well, I'm glad on't, for he was the only fellow in these
hills I was afeard would give you trouble, Galbraith."

"Superfluous or not," replied the sergeant, pronouncing the word in the
same manner as the woodman, and equally ignorant of its meaning, "it
will be a bad day for Tom Eskridge, the rank, obstropolous Tory, when he
meets me, Wat Adair. I have reason to think that he tried to clap some
of Tarleton's dragoons on my back over here at the Waxhaws. There's hemp
growing for that scape-grace at this very time."

"You heard of no red coats about the Tiger?" asked Adair.

"Not one," replied Lynch; "the nearest post is Cruger's, in Ninety-Six."

"Then your way, Mr. Robinson, is tolerable for to-day," added Adair:
"but war is war, and there is always some risk to be run when men are
parading with their rifles in their hands. But see! it is hard upon
sunrise. Let us go and give some directions about breakfast. I will send
out some of the boys to hunt up the horses; they will be ready by the
time we have had something to eat."

Without further delay, Adair strode rapidly up the hill to the
dwelling-house, the sergeant and Lynch following as soon as the latter
had put his jaded beast in the stable. By the time these were assembled
in the porch the family began to show signs of life, and it was a little
after sunrise when Butler came forth ready for the prosecution of his
journey. A few words were exchanged in private between Lynch and the
woodman, and after much idle talk and contrived delay, two lazy and
loitering negro boys were sent off in quest of the travellers' horses.
Not long after this the animals were seen coursing from one part of the
distant field to another, defying all attempts to get them into a
corner, or to compel them to pass through the place that had been opened
in order to drive them towards the stable.

There was an air of concern and silent bewilderment visible upon
Butler's features, and an occasional expression of impatience escaped
his lips as he watched from the porch the ineffectual efforts of the
negroes to force the truant steeds towards the house.

"All in good time," said Adair, answering the thoughts and looks of
Butler, rather than his words, "all in good time; they must have their
play out. It is a good sign, sir, to see a travell