with the most painful sensations. There was
just enough of truth in it to make the tale plausible; and the falsehood
related to points which, as they were affirmed upon hearsay, he could
not repel by proof. There was a common expression of opinion amongst the
bystanders--who in general were inclined to take the side of the
prisoner in reference to the charge which was supposed to affect his
life--that this accusation of Butler's acting the part of a spy was
sustained by the proof. In vain did he protest against the injustice of
being condemned on what was alleged to have been said by some of Adair's
family; in vain did he deny that he had offered a bribe to Adair for
information respecting the Tories; and equally in vain did he affirm
that he had asked of Adair nothing more than the common hospitality due
to a traveller, and for which he had made him a moderate requital--the
only money the woodman had received from him. The current was now
setting violently against him, and it seemed impossible to stem it.

"It is but due," said Captain St. Jermyn, a second time interposing in
behalf of the prisoner, "to the rank and character of Major Butler,
since a portion of this testimony is second-hand, to take his own
examination on these alleged facts. With permission, therefore, I would
ask him a few questions."

"The court will not object," said Innis, who throughout affected the air
of an impartial judge.

"It is true, Major Butler, that you were at Adair's on the night of the
twelfth?" said the volunteer advocate of the prisoner.

"I was, sir."

"And you made no concealment of your name or rank?"

"I will not say that," replied Butler.

"You were under a feigned name then, sir?" inquired Innis, as St. Jermyn
seemed a little confounded by the answer he had received.

"I was called Mr. Butler, sir; my rank or station was not communicated."

"Your dress?"

"Was an assumed one, to avoid inquiry."

"This man, Horse Shoe Robinson," said St. Jermyn, "was known to Adair as
a whig soldier?"

"Well known," replied Butler; "and I was also represented as belonging
to that party. Adair himself led us to believe that he was friendly to
our cause."

Here several members of the court smiled.

"Had you met any parties of loyalists," inquired Innis, "in your journey
between Catawba and Broad?"

"We had--more than one."

"How did you escape them?"

"By assuming feigned characters and names."

"Your purpose was to join C