oree, occurred to Christopher Shaw as the most
secret fastness within their reach. This spot lay some twenty miles
westward of Ramsay's, accessible by roads but little known, and
surrounded by a district which grew more wild and rugged the nearer it
approached the defile.

Here it was supposed the party might arrive by daylight the next
morning, and remain for a few days at small risk of discovery; and
thither, accordingly, it was resolved they should repair.

This being settled, Horse Shoe now procured a supply of provisions from
Mistress Ramsay, and then proceeded to arm himself with the sword and
pistols of the ensign, whilst Christopher suspended across his body the
sword of Goliath, as the sergeant called the brand he had snatched up at
Blackstock's, and also took possession of one of the captured muskets.

"If it don't go against your conscience, Mistress Ramsay," said Horse
Shoe, when the preparations for the journey were completed, "I would
take it as a favor, in case any interlopers mought happen to pop in upon
you, if you would just drop a hint that you have hearn that Sumpter's
people had been seen about these parts. It would have an amazing good
bearing on the Tories. Besides making them wary how they strayed about
the woods it would be sure to put the bloodhounds on a wrong scent, if
they should chance to be sarching for the young ensign. I know you women
are a little ticklish about a fib, but then it's an honest trick of the
war sometimes. And, to make you easy about it, it will be no more than
the truth to say you did hear it--for, you obsarve, I tell you so now."

"But," replied the scrupulous matron, "if they should ask me who told
me, what should I answer?"

"Why," said the sergeant, hesitating, "just out with it--tell 'em you
heard it from one Horse Shoe Robinson; that'll not make the news the
worse in point of credit. And be sure, good woman, above all things, to
remind David, when he gets back to night, that the rank and file, in our
prison yonder, are not to be turned loose before three o'clock in the
morning."

This last caution was repeated to Andy, who still performed the duty of
a sentinel at the door of the out-house. All things being now arranged
for their departure, Ensign St. Jermyn was brought from the chamber
where he had been confined, and was invited to join the sergeant and
Christopher at supper before they set out. This meal was ably and
rapidly discussed by the stout yeomen, an