o his great joy, he
was encountered by a look-out party of Williams's regiment. Our fugitive
had some difficulty in making himself known to his friends, and escaping
the salutation which an enemy was likely to obtain at their hands; but
when he surrendered to them, and made them acquainted with the cause of
his disguise, the party instantly turned about with him, and proceeded
in quest of the sergeant and his prisoner.

It was not long before they fell in with the small detachment of
Connelly's troopers,--as the late masters of the meadow turned out to
be--who were leisurely returning from their recent exploit. These,
finding themselves in the presence of superior numbers, turned to
flight. Not far behind them Ramsay and his new companions encountered
Horse Shoe; and the whole party proceeded without delay to Williams's
camp.

Colonel Williams had reached the Block-house on the preceding evening
with a force of two hundred cavalry. Clarke and Shelby happened, at this
juncture, to be with him; and these three gallant partisans were now
anxiously employed in arranging measures for that organized resistance
to the Tory Dominion which fills so striking a chapter in the history of
the Southern war, and which it had been the special object of Butler's
mission to promote. Horse Shoe was enabled to communicate to Williams
and his confederates the general purpose of this mission, and the
disasters which had befallen Butler in his attempt to reach those with
whom he was to co-operate. This intelligence created a lively interest
in behalf of the captive, and it was instantly determined to make some
strenuous effort for his deliverance. Whilst these matters were brought
into consultation by the leaders, Horse Shoe and John Ramsay mingled
amongst the soldiers, in the enjoyment of that fellowship which forms
the most agreeable feature in the associations of the camp.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

BUTLER'S DIFFICULTIES INCREASE.--INNIS FINDS OCCASION TO THINK OF THE
ADAGE--"THERE'S MANY A SLIP BETWIXT THE CUP AND THE LIP."

When Arthur Butler was conducted back to his place of confinement, after
his trial, orders were given that no one should be allowed to approach
him, except the officer to whom was intrusted his safe custody. The
intercourse of this person with him was short; and concerned only with
the scant accommodation which his condition required. He was, therefore,
deprived of all chance of becoming acquainted with the extrao