ll drum. There were some who, having put
on their military equipments, thronged the table of the common room of
the house, where spirits and water had been set out for their
accommodation, and rude jokes, laughter, and oaths, were mingled
together in deafening clamor.

"Move out the prisoner," shouted Habershaw; "he goes with the infantry
afoot. I'll never trust another of the tribe with a horse."

"Follow, sir," said one of the sentinels near Butler's person, as he
faced to the right with his musket at an "advance," and led the way to
the door.

Butler rose, and, before he placed himself in the position required,
asked:

"Where is it you purpose to conduct me?"

"Silence!" said Habershaw sternly. "Obey orders, sir, and march where
you are directed."

Butler folded his arms and looked scornfully at the uncouth savage
before him as he replied:

"I am a prisoner, sir, and therefore bound to submit to the force that
constrains me. But there will be a day of reckoning, both for you and
your master. It will not be the lighter to him for having hired such a
ruffian to do the business in which he is ashamed to appear himself."

"Devil's leavings!" screamed Habershaw, almost choked with choler, "dare
you speak to me so? By my heart, I have a mind to cleave your skull for
you! My master, sir! You will find out, before long, who is master, when
Hugh Habershaw has tied the knot that is to fit your neck."

"Peace, villain!" exclaimed Butler; "I cannot come too soon into the
presence of those who claim to direct your motions."

Here James Curry interposed to draw off the incensed captain, and
Butler, having received another order from the officer of the guard,
moved out upon the road and took the place that was assigned him,
between two platoons of the foot soldiers.

The troopers being mounted and formed into column of march with
Habershaw and his trumpeter at the head and Curry in the rear, now moved
forward at a slow gait, followed by the detachment of infantry who had
the prisoner under their especial charge.

It was near noon when the party took up the line of march, and they
prosecuted their journey southward with such expedition as to tax
Butler's powers to the utmost to keep even pace with them over roads
that were in many places rendered miry by the late rain. Towards
evening, however, the sun had sufficiently dried the soil to make the
travel less fatiguing; and by that hour when the light of day only
linge