own extrication from the gang by the perilous
exploit which he then meditated. It is no doubt apparent to the reader,
that the favor which saved the lives of the prisoners was won from the
captors by the address of Robinson, and that whatever good will was
kindled up amongst them, was appropriated principally to the sergeant,
Butler having elicited but little consideration from the band, beyond
that interest which the roughest men are apt to take in the fortunes of
a young and enterprising soldier. Neither the major's manners nor temper
were adapted to conciliate any special regard from such natures.

The escape of the sergeant, therefore, although it added nothing to the
perils of Butler's situation, still operated in some degree to his
present inconvenience. It caused him to be more rigorously guarded than
before, and consequently to be more restricted in his personal comfort.
He was hurried forward at a rough and uneasy pace; and both from
Habershaw and Curry, and those more immediately of their party, he
experienced a surly indifference to the pain that this occasioned him.
They seemed to have no regard either to his wants or feelings, and in
the passing remarks that fell from them he could gather harsh surmises
as to the manner in which he was now likely to be disposed of.

"It is their own fault," said one of them to his companion, as Butler
overheard the conversation; "if every prisoner is strung up and shot
now-a-days. He makes no more of hanging out people than so many wolves;
and there was Captain Huck--will any man say that Sumpter hadn't him
murdered in cold blood?"

"Yes," added the other, "let a Tory be caught over yonder amongst the
Iredell Whigs, on t'other side of the line, or in Tryon, or down here at
the Waxhaws, why, a grey fox in a barn yard with forty dogs would have
as good a chance for his life. So, for my share, I am glad to see our
folks break up that blasted breed, root and branch."

"Innis has got as keen a nose for a Whig as a bloodhound," said the
first speaker, "and won't stop long to consider what's right to be done,
if he gets this chap in his clutches; so it is of no great account that
we didn't make short work of it this morning."

Such remarks produced a gloomy effect upon Butler's mind. He had
witnessed enough, in the scenes of the morning, to convince him that
Habershaw had been employed to waylay him and take his life, and that
the latter purpose had only failed by the lucky c