further than a word upon occasion, and that's an
old-fashioned way of telling your thoughts, that was found out before
pen and ink."

"Well, Horse Shoe, you are a man after your own sort," replied Ramsay,
laughing. "Come, Mary, take the letter; our horses are at the door."

"Good bye t'ye, David," said Horse Shoe, shaking Ramsay's hand; "it may
be some days before we see each other again. Kit and me will be off with
this young ensign before you get back. Don't forget the prisoners at
three o'clock. And, a word, David--where had we best take this young
sparrow, the ensign, to keep him out of the way of these fellows that
are scouring the country?"

"Leave that to Christopher Shaw," replied Ramsay; "he knows every nook
in the country. So, now, friend Robinson, good night, and luck go with
you!"

It was a clear starlit night, and every tree and pool sent forth a
thousand notes from the busy insects and reptiles that animate the
summer hours of darkness, when David Ramsay set out with Mary Musgrove
for her father's house.

CHAPTER XXIV.

NEW DIFFICULTIES OPEN UPON BUTLER.

With the last notes of the reveillee everything was stirring in Innis's
camp. It was a beautiful, fresh morning; a cool breeze swept across the
plain, and each spray and every blade of grass sparkled with the dew;
whilst above, an unclouded firmament gave promise of a rich and
brilliant mid-summer's day. The surrounding forest was alive with the
twittering of birds; and the neighing of horses showed that this portion
of the animal creation partook of the hilarity of the season. From every
little shed or woodland lair, crept forth parties of soldiers, who
betook themselves to their several posts to answer at the rollcall; and
by the time the sun had risen, officers, on horseback and on foot, were
seen moving hurriedly across the open plain, to join the groups of
infantry and cavalry, which were now forming in various quarters for the
purposes of the morning drill. Companies were seen in motion, passing
through the rapid evolutions of the march, the retreat, and the many
exercises of service. Drums were beating, and fifes were piercing the
air with their high notes, and, ever and anon, the trumpet brayed from
the further extremities of the field. Picquet-guards were seen mustering
on the edge of the camp--wearied and night-worn: salutes were exchanged
by the small detachments on service; and, here and there, sentinels
might be descried, sta