ound
where they had left her.

After five or ten minutes had elapsed, it was with a sensation of some
little concern that she descried, upon the road, a stranger mounted on
horseback, and coming at a brisk trot to the spot where she had halted.
The appearance of the individual was that of one of the irregular
soldiers who had accompanied Gates's array; his dress was rustic, and
his weapon, according to the almost universal fashion of the country
troops, the long rifle. The condition of his sturdy steed showed long
and fatiguing service; whilst the bold and manly person of the rider
left little room to suppose that he was to be classed amongst the many
who had fled in panic from the field of action. As soon as the stranger
became aware of the presence of the lady, he slackened his speed and
approached with a respectful salutation.

"If I mought be so bold, ma'am, how far mought it be to a river they
call the Rockfish?"

"It is scarce two miles away, sir," replied Mildred.

"And there, if I don't disremember," said the traveller, "is a house
kept by the widow Dimock; the Blue Ball, I think?"

"There is, sir."

"And no forks in the road betwixt this and the widow's?"

"It is a plain road," replied Mildred.

"And about two miles beyont--is squire Lindsay's, at a place they call
the Dove Cote?"

"Does your business take you there?" asked Mildred, with interest; "are
you from the army?--whence come you?"

"Beg pardon, ma'am," replied the stranger, smiling, "but I am an old
sodger, and rather warry about answering questions that consarn myself.
I suppose it is likely I mought see Mr. Lindsay?"

"Pray, sir, tell me what brings you here, and who you are? I have
special reasons for presuming so far upon your kindness. I myself live
at the Dove Cote, and"--

"Then, mayhap, you mought have hearn of one Major Arthur Butler?"

"Oh yes, sir,--if you have any news of him, speak it to me quickly,"
exclaimed Mildred, with much agitation.

"By that sparkling of your eye, ma'am, it is no fool's guess that you
are the identical particular lady that I have rode nigh on to five
hundred miles to see. You have hearn the Major tell of Horse Shoe
Robinson?"

"And Arthur Butler."

"He is well, madam, and in good heart, excepting some trifling drawbacks
that don't come to much account."

"Thank God, thank God, for this news!"

"I have brought two letters, Miss Lindsay, from the Major, for you; they
will tell you, I believe,