ense interest to the sergeant, who kept his eyes
steadily fixed upon the movements of Clopper, as that individual
lingered behind his comrades in the equipment of his horse. This
solicitude did not, however, arrest his seeming mirth, as he joined in
the rude jests of the company and added some sallies of his own.

"Give me that cup," he said at length, to one of the men, as he pointed
to a gourd on a table; "before we start I have a notion to try the
strength of a little cold water, just by way of physic, after all the
liquor we have been drinking," and, having got the implement in his
hand, he walked deliberately to the draw-well, where he dipped up a
draught from the bucket that stood on its brink. As he put the water to
his lips and turned his back upon the company, he was enabled to take a
survey of the horses that were attached to the rack near him: then,
suddenly throwing the gourd from him, he sprang towards his own trusty
steed, leaped into his saddle at one bound, and sped, like an arrow from
a bow, upon the highway. This exploit was so promptly achieved that no
one was aware of the sergeant's purpose until he was some twenty paces
upon his journey. As soon as the alarm of his flight was spread, some
three or four rifles were fired after him in rapid succession, during
which he was seen ducking his head and moving it from side to side with
a view to baffle the aim of the marksmen. The confusion of the moment in
which the volley was given rendered it ineffectual, and the sergeant was
already past the first danger of his escape.

"To horse and follow!" resounded from all sides.

"Look to the other prisoner!" roared out Habershaw; "if he raises his
head blow out his brains! Follow, boys, follow!"

"Two or three of you come with me," cried Curry, and a couple of files
hastened with the dragoon to their horses. Upon arriving at the rack it
was discovered that the bridles of the greater part of the troop were
tied in hard knots in such a manner as to connect each two or three
horses together.

A short delay took place whilst the horsemen were disentangling their
reins, and Curry, being the first to extricate his steed, mounted and
set off in rapid pursuit. He was immediately followed by two others.

At the end of half an hour the two privates returned and reported that
they had been unable to obtain a view of the sergeant or even of Curry.
Shortly afterwards the dragoon himself was descried retracing his steps