out two files to look for the bodies, and to bring in the stray horse
if they can find him. A pretty night's work! to lose two good pieces of
stuff for a brace of black-hearted whigs!"

The two files were detailed for the duty required, and immediately set
out, on foot, towards the scene of the late fray. The rest of the troop
were dismissed from the line.

"I would venture to ask, sir," said Butler, addressing the captain, "for
a cup of water: I am much hurt."

"Silence, and be d----d to you!" said Habershaw gruffly, "silence, and
know your place, sir. You are a prisoner, and a traitor to boot."

"Don't you hear the gentleman say he is hurt?" interposed Robinson.
"It's onnatural, and more like a beast than a man to deny a prisoner a
little water."

"By my sword, villain, I will cleave your brain for you, if you open
that rebel mouth of yours again!"

"Pshaw, pshaw! Captain Habershaw, this will never do," said Peppercorn;
"men are men, and must have food and drink. Here, Gideon Blake, give me
your flask of liquor and bring me some water from the river. It is my
duty, captain, to look after the prisoners."

Gideon Blake, who was a man of less savage temper than most of his
associates, obeyed this command with alacrity, and even added a few
words of kindness, as he assisted in administering refreshment to the
prisoners. This evidence of a gentler nature did not escape the comment
of the ruffian captain, who still remembered his old grudge against the
trooper.

"Away, sir," he said in a peremptory and angry tone, "away and attend to
your own duty. You are ever fond of obliging these beggarly whigs. Hark
you, Peppercorn," he added, speaking apart to the dragoon, "take care
how you trust this skulking vagabond: he will take bribes from the
rebels, and turn his coat whenever there is money in the way. I have my
eye upon him."

"If I chose to speak," said Gideon Blake.

"Hold your peace, you grey fox," cried the captain. "Not a word! I know
your doublings. Remember you are under martial law, and blast me, if I
don't make you feel it! There are more than myself suspect you."

"I should like to know," said Butler, "why I and my companion are
molested on our journey. Have we fallen amongst banditti, or do you bear
a lawful commission? If you do, sir, let me tell you, you have disgraced
it by outrage and violence exercised towards unoffending men, and shall
answer for it when the occasion serves. On what pretence ha