of the
Ennoree, whilst the route to be pursued by the others crossed the river
and extended thence southwards to the Saluda. The young miller turned
his horse's head homewards, with some reluctance at parting with his
friends in a moment of such interest, and bore with him many messages of
comfort and courage to those whom he was about to rejoin--and more
particularly from the sergeant to Butler, in case Christopher should
have the good fortune to be able to deliver them. At the same time,
Horse Shoe and John Ramsay, with the prisoner, forded the Ennoree, and
plunged into the deep forest that lay upon its further bank.

For several hours they travelled with the greatest circumspection,
avoiding the frequented roads and the chance of meeting such wayfarers
as might be abroad on their route. It was a time of great anxiety and
suspense, but the habitual indifference of military life gave an air of
unconcern to the conduct of the soldiers, and scarcely affected, in any
visible degree, the cheerfulness of their demeanor.

They reached, at length, the confines of a cultivated country--a region
which was known to be inhabited by several Tory families. To avoid the
risk of exposure to persons who might be unfriendly to their purpose,
they thought it prudent to delay entering upon this open district until
after sunset, that they might continue their journey through the night.
The difficulty of ascertaining their road in the dark, and the danger of
seeking information from the few families whose habitations occurred to
their view, necessarily rendered their progress slow. The time was,
therefore, passed in weary silence and persevering labor, in the anxious
contemplation of the probability of encountering some of the enemy's
scouts.

At the break of day they stopped to refresh themselves; and the contents
of Horse Shoe's wallet, unhappily reduced to a slender supply of
provisions, were distributed amongst the party. During this halt, John
Ramsay commanded the ensign to exchange his dress with him; and our
faithful ally was converted, by this traffic, for the nonce, into a
spruce, well-looking, and gay young officer of the enemy's line.

The most hazardous portion of their journey now lay before them. They
were within a few miles of the Saluda, from whence, at its nearest
point, it was some six or seven more down the stream to the
Block-house--the appointed rendezvous, where it was yet a matter of
uncertainty whether Williams