nd whilst he paused a moment, as
with a purpose to apologize for the seeming intrusion, Butler was struck
with the air of refined breeding of the individual before him.

"Major Butler, I understand, of the Continental army?" said the
stranger. "The unpleasant nature of the circumstances in which you are
placed, I hope will excuse the trespass I have committed upon your
privacy. Captain St. Jermyn, of his Majesty's army, and lately an
aide-de-camp of Lord Rawdon."

Butler bowed coldly, as he replied:

"To meet a gentleman, as your rank and name both import, is a privilege
that has not been allowed me of late. Without knowing wherefore, I have
been waylaid and outraged by bravoes and ruffians. You, perhaps, sir,
may be able to afford me some insight into the causes of this
maltreatment."

"Even if it were proper for me to hold discourse with you on such a
subject, I could only speak from common report," replied the officer. "I
know nothing of your seizure, except that, by the common chances of war,
you have fallen into the hands of the ruling authorities of the
province, and you will, doubtless, as a soldier, appreciate my motives
for declining any reference to the circumstances in which you have been
found. My visit is stimulated by other considerations, amongst which is
foremost a desire to mitigate the peculiarly uncomfortable captivity to
which I am sorry to learn you have been subjected."

"I thank you," replied Butler, "for the intention with which your good
offices are proffered; but you can render me no service that I should
value so much as that of informing me why I have been brought hither, at
whose suggestion, and for what purpose."

"I will be plain with you, Major Butler. Your situation demands
sympathy, however inexorably the present posture of our affairs may
require the decrees of stern justice, in respect to yourself, to be
executed. I feel for you, and would gladly aid you to any extent which
my duty might allow, in averting the possible calamity that may hang
over you. You are known as a gentleman of consideration and influence in
the colonies. I may further add, as a brave and venturesome soldier. You
are believed to have, more boldly than wisely, enterprised the
accomplishment of certain schemes against the safety of his majesty's
acknowledged government in this province; besides having committed other
acts in violation of a faith plighted for you by those who had full
authority to bind you, t