with a good
grace, lest, peradventure, I might happen to blow out your brains."

"Silence, fellows! You carrion crows!" roared Habershaw. "Remember the
discipline I taught you. No disorder, nor confusion, but take the
prisoners, since you hav'n't the heart to strike; take them to the
rendezvous. And do it quietly--do you hear? Secure the baggage; and
about it quickly, you hounds!"

Butler was now lifted from the ground, and, with his companion, was
taken into the custody of Blake and one or two of his companions, who
seemed to share in his desire to prevent the shedding of blood. The
prisoners were each mounted behind one of the troopers, and in this
condition conducted across the river. The saddle and other equipments
were stripped from the major's dead steed; and Robinson's horse, Captain
Peter, was burdened with the load of two wounded men, whose own horses
had escaped from them in the fray. In this guise the band of
freebooters, with their prisoners and spoils, slowly and confusedly made
their way to the appointed place of re-assembling. In a few moments they
were ranged beneath the chestnut, waiting for orders from their
self-important and vain commander.

CHAPTER XVII.

SCENE IN THE BIVOUAC.

"Bustle, my lads--bustle! These are stirring times," exclaimed
Habershaw, riding with an air of great personal consequence into the
midst of the troop, as they were gathered, still on horseback, under the
chestnut. "We have made a fine night's work of it, and, considering that
we fought in the dark against men ready armed for us, this has not been
such a light affair. To be sure, in point of numbers, it is a trifle;
but the plan, Peppercorn--the plan, and the despatch, and the neatness
of the thing--that's what I say I am entitled to credit for. Bless your
soul, Peppercorn, these fellows were sure to fall into my trap--there
was no getting off. That's the effect of my generalship, you see,
Peppercorn. Study it, boy! We could have managed about twenty more of
the filthy rebels handsomely; but this will do--this will do. I took, as
a commanding officer ought always to do, the full responsibility of the
measure, and a good share of the fight. Did I not, Peppercorn? Wasn't I,
in your opinion, about the first man in the river?"

"I'll bear witness, valiant and victorious captain," answered the
dragoon, "that you fired the first shot; and I am almost willing to make
oath that I saw you within at least twenty paces o