stion at a time. In the first place,
sister Mildred is as well as any girl can be, that has a whole bushel of
crosses to keep her out of spirits. Poor thing, she frets so, about you
and my father. In the second place, she received your letter a week ago,
and has had me patrolling this ridge every day since, just to keep a
look-out for you; and, for the sake of company, I have had Stephen
Foster hunting here all the time--more for an excuse than anything else,
because on this side of the river the drives are not the best for
deer--a man might be here a fortnight and not get a shot. Sister Mildred
wanted me, if I should see you first, just to whisper to you that it is
impossible to do anything with my father, especially at this time, for
he has one of these English officers staying at the Dove Cote now, who,
I am afraid, and so is sister Mildred, has come to do some mischief.
Mildred says I must make some appointment with you to see her privately.
I thought of Mrs. Dimock's, but this Englishman has a servant staying
over there, and may be it wouldn't do. So, major, you will have to ride
down to the big chestnut, on the bank of the river, just under the rock
that we call the Fawn's Tower--you know where that is? it isn't more
than two miles from here."

"I know it well, Henry, I will wait there patiently," replied Butler, as
he now returned to his horse.

"Haven't we been in luck," said Henry, "to get so fine a buck at last?
This fellow has eight branches. It is Stephen's rifle that has done it."

The woodman, during this conversation, had taken possession of his
spoil, and was now busily engaged with his knife in cutting open and
preparing the animal for transportation, according to the usages of
woodcraft, whilst Robinson stood by, admiring the dexterity with which
this office was performed. When the buck was, at last, thrown by Stephen
across his horse, Henry gave him orders to ride forward.

"You will carry our game to your own house, Stephen; and don't forget,
to-morrow, to let us have the saddle at the Dove Cote. And Stephen, you
need not say that we have found any acquaintances upon the road, you
understand!"

The man bowed his head, in token of obedience, and getting upon his
long-backed steed, behind the buck, was soon lost to view in the
windings of the hill.

"Sister Mildred is sometimes downright melancholy," said the young
hunter, after he had remounted, and now rode beside Butler. "She is
troubled abou