e friendly to the liberty of his
country."

"Stop, sir!" said the sentinel. "This is not the place to talk upon
questions that might make us angry with each other. It is a name still
friendly to the liberty of his country; that liberty that supports the
king and laws, and punishes treason."

"I cannot debate with you," replied Butler; "I am your prisoner."

"I am a man," said the soldier, firmly, "and would not take advantage of
him that cannot take his own part; but these questions, sir, are best
dropped--they have made all the provinces mad. However, I do not blame
you, sir; I will not deny that there are good men on your side."

"And on yours, doubtless," returned Butler.

"We have many bad ones, sir," returned the soldier; "and as you have
spoken like a well-tempered gentleman to me, I will give you a friendly
hint." Here the sentinel spoke in a lowered tone. "Have your eyes about
you; these men are none of the best, and would think but little of
taking from you anything of value. As you slept, just now, I saw a
golden trinket hanging by a ribbon in your bosom. You are a young man,
sir, and a soldier, I hear; this may be some present from your lady, as
I guess you have one. If others had seen it, as I saw it, you might have
been the loser. That's all."

"Thank you, honest friend! from my heart, I thank you!" replied Butler
eagerly. "Oh, God! that bauble is a consolation to me that in this hour
I would not part with--no, no! Thank you, friend, a thousand times!"

"Have done," said the soldier, "and in future be more careful. The
relief is coming this way."

And the sentinel, taking up his rifle, repaired to his post. In a few
moments the guard was changed, and those lately on duty were marched to
the dwelling-house.

When night came on the immediate guard around Butler's person was
doubled. Some few comforts were added to his forlorn prison by the
kindness of the soldier Bruce, and he was left to pass the weary hours
of darkness in communion with his own thoughts, or in the enjoyment of
such repose as his unhappy state of thraldom allowed. If the agitation
of his spirit had permitted sleep, there were but few moments of the
night when it might have been indulged. The outbursts of revelry, the
loud and boisterous laugh, and still louder oaths of the party who
occupied the dwelling-house near at hand, showed that they had plunged
into their usual debauch, and now caroused over their frequently filled
cups; a