prayer for direction and forgiveness.

Meantime the patrole had set out, and, after the lapse of a short time,
returned, when the officer reported that before his arrival, the person
they had gone in quest of had left the place, and, in the darkness of
the night, they had no clue to follow him. This was scarcely announced
before the same whistle was heard, at the same remote point where it had
first attracted Mary's notice.

"It is as our young mistress has said," muttered Macdonald, "some
bumpkin, too shy to be caught, and not worth the catching. We have sat
it out to-night long enough, friend Musgrove, so let's to bed."

In a few moments the party betook themselves to their several places of
rest.

As Mary prepared herself for her couch, the anxious events of the night
busied her thoughts, and the image of John Ramsay was summoned up
alternately to be reproved and applauded. "If he is foolhardy," she
said, as she laid her head on the pillow, "no one will say he isn't wise
besides. And if he will be thrusting his head into danger, he knows
right well how to get it out again. So God bless him, for a proper man
as he is!" And thus, in a better temper with her lover, the maiden fell
asleep.

In order to avert all suspicion of disloyalty from the miller's family,
Christopher Shaw had offered his services to Macdonald, to do duty as
one of the detachment, during the period of Butler's detention in the
house. The offer had been accepted, and Christopher was appointed to
serve in the character of a quarter-master, or purveyor for the little
garrison,--a post, whose duties did not materially interfere with his
daily occupation at the mill.

Mary was in the habit of communicating to Christopher all her secrets,
and of enlisting his aid in her plans whenever it was necessary. And
now, soon after the morning broke, the maiden arose and went to the
mill, where she communicated to Christopher all the perplexities of the
preceding night.

"The thing must be managed to-day," said the young man, after he had
heard the whole story. "I have provisions to collect from the
neighborhood; and what is to hinder you, Mary, from riding out with
me,--if it should only be to buy some eggs?--and then, what is to hinder
us from popping in upon David Ramsay, and there fixing the whole
matter?"

"Will not the lieutenant be sending some of his own men with you?"
inquired the maid.

"He doesn't suspect us," answered Christopher, as cautiou