re an immediate retreat. During the
day, they seldom left their concealment, confining all their out-door
operations to the night.

A consultation was held in David Ramsay's cabin,--the letters were
produced and delivered to Horse Shoe, and the instructions intended for
him by Butler were carefully read. It was resolved that Horse Shoe
should set out for the Dove Cote without delay, taking the route through
the mountain country of North Carolina, as that least likely to be
interrupted by the British troops. John Ramsay, for the present, was to
return to the Fair Forest camp, to inform Williams of the state of
affairs; and he was hereafter to act as occasion might suggest.
Christopher Shaw and Mary were to attend upon Butler, and communicate
whatever might transpire of interest to David Ramsay, who promised to
find means of intercourse with Williams or Sumpter, as circumstances
should allow.

These matters being arranged, Mary and Christopher Shaw took their
leaves of Ramsay's family, and went about the ostensible object of their
expedition.

Horse Shoe's plan of travel during the first and most perilous stages of
his journey towards Virginia, was to avail himself of the darkness of
the night; and he accordingly resolved to set out as soon as this day
should draw to a close. His immediate cares were, therefore, directed to
making all the necessary preparations for his departure. Captain Peter
was carefully tended, and supplied with a double allowance of provender;
provisions were stowed away, both for himself and his trusty beast: his
pistols were put in order: his rifle cleaned out, and a supply of
ammunition provided; and, finally, the letters were sewed up in a
leather pouch, and buckled around his body by a strap, inside of his
clothes. It was no inconsiderable item in the sergeant's preparation for
his expedition, to sit down and eat a meal, which, from the quantity
bestowed, and the vigor with which the assault upon it was made, might
have betokened a full week's starvation.

The day waned, and the night came a welcome visitor to the sergeant;
and, at that hour which old chroniclers designate as "inter canem et
lupum," Captain Peter was brought to the door, ready dight for travel.
Ramsay's family stood around,--and whilst Andy, with boyish affection,
held Horse Shoe's rifle in his hand, the sergeant feelingly spoke the
words of parting to his friends;--then, with a jaunty air of careless
mirth, springing into