onjuncture of
circumstances which led to the mutiny. He was aware, too, that Curry was
the prime conductor of the scheme, and drove matters, by a secret
influence, as far as he could towards its accomplishment, whilst with a
professional hardihood and most hypocritical bearing he affected to be
indifferent to the issue. This fellow's malice was the more venomous
from his address, and the gay, swaggering, remorseless levity with which
he could mask the most atrocious designs: nothing could baffle his
equanimity; and he seemed to be provided, at all times, with a present
expedient to meet the emergency of his condition.

The most perplexing feature in this man's present position was his
recent connexion with Tyrrel; a fact that recurred to Butler with many
alarming doubts. All the other circumstances accompanying Butler's
condition, at this moment, were subjects of distressful uncertainty.
Ignorant of the place to which he was to be taken, into whose hands he
was to be delivered, how he was to be disposed of, he could only
anticipate the worst. It was obvious that his journey was an expected
one, and that the gang who held him were employed by persons in
authority, set on, no doubt, by the agency of Tyrrel: but where was
he--and who was he?--and what influence could he bring to bear against
his, Butler's life, now that he had failed in his bloody purpose of
lying in wait; and that it was resolved by these ruffians, who had in
part only obeyed his behests, to deliver their prisoner up to the
regular authorities of the British army? The mention of the name of
Innis by one of the troopers was not calculated to allay his inquietude.
This person he knew to have been an active confederate and eager adviser
of the new court, lately established at Charleston, to promote the
confiscation of the estates of the inhabitants of Carolina disaffected
to the royal cause. He was, besides, a zealous Tory partisan, and,
having lately joined the army, was now in command of a detachment of
loyalists on the Ennoree.

Then, again, there was abundant cause of anxiety to the unfortunate
officer in the question whether Robinson could be kept acquainted with
his condition, or even of the place to which he might be removed--and if
acquainted with these particulars, whether, in the disturbed state of
the country, he could render any service. These thoughts all contributed
to sink his spirits.

Notwithstanding the usual assumed levity of Curry, he