of
claim these times; so excuse me for sitting down."

"You are welcome, again; your name, sir?" said Musgrove.

"Have I guessed yours?" inquired Horse Shoe.

"You have."

"Then you must guess mine; for it isn't convenient to tell it."

"Some poor Whig soldier," said Christopher Shaw privately to Musgrove.
"It isn't right to make him betray himself. You are hungry, friend,"
added Christopher; "and we will first get you something to eat, and then
you may talk all the better for it."

"That's a good word," said Horse Shoe, "and a brave word, as things go;
for it isn't every man has the courage to feed an enemy in these days,
though I made the devils do it for me this morning, ha, ha, ha! Some
water, Mr. Musgrove, and it will not come badly to my hand if you can
tangle it somewhat."

The refreshment asked for was produced by Christopher Shaw; and Horse
Shoe, taking the brimming cup in his hand, stood up, and with a rather
awkward courtesy, pledged the draught with "Your health, good mistress,
and luck to the little ones! for we grown-up babies are out of the days
of luck, except the luck of escaping twisted hemp, or drum-head law,
which for to-night, I believe, is mine;" and he swallowed the mixture at
a draught; then, with a long sigh, placed the cup upon the table and
resumed his seat. "That there spirit, Mr. Musgrove," he added, "is a
special good friend in need, preach against it who will!"

"You say you have ridden far to-day," remarked the miller: "you must be
tired."

"I am not apt to get tired," replied the sergeant, turning his
sword-belt over his head, and flinging the weapon upon a bench; "but I
am often hungry."

"My wife," said Musgrove, smiling, "has taken that hint before you spoke
it; she has already ordered something for you to eat."

"That's an excellent woman!" exclaimed Horse Shoe. "You see, Allen
Musgrove, I don't stand much upon making myself free of your house. I
have hearn of you often before I saw you, man; and I know all about you.
You are obliged to keep fair weather with these Tories--who have no
consideration for decent, orderly people--but your heart is with the
boys that go for liberty. You see I know you, and am not afeard to trust
you. Perchance, you mought have hearn tell of one Horse Shoe Robinson,
who lived over here at the Waxhaws?"

"I have heard many stories about that man," replied the miller.

"Well, I won't tell you that he is in your house to-night, for fear the
T