out food or raiment into the wilderness,
and political vengeance seemed to gorge itself to gluttony upon its own
rapine.

The thoughts of Robinson had been, for some days past, running upon the
probable difficulties that might attend the guise in which he was now
about to return to his native province. This was a subject of some
concern, since he ran a risk of being compelled either to desert his
charge, or to bring his companions into jeopardy, amongst the many
persons of both armies who were, at least by report, acquainted with his
name and his military connexions. He had explained to Mildred the
necessity of his appearing in some definite character, associated with
the object of her journey, and of which, upon emergency, he might claim
the benefit to retain his post near her. This matter was summarily
settled by Henry.

"In general, Mr. Horse Shoe, you can call yourself Stephen Foster: you
know Steve; and you can say that you are Mr. Philip Lindsay's gardener.
Isaac, here, can let you enough into the craft to pass muster, if any of
them should take it into their heads to examine you. Mind that, Isaac:
and recollect, old fellow, you are only sister Mildred's waiting man."

"Sartainly, master," replied Isaac.

"And sergeant, I'll tell you all about Steve; so that you can get your
lesson by heart. You have a wife and five children--remember that. I'll
give you all their names by-and-by."

"Thanks to the marcies of God, that ar'n't my misfortune yet," said
Horse Shoe, laughing; "but, Mr. Henry, I have got conscience enough now
for any lie that can be invented. The major and me talked that thing
over, and he's of opinion that lying, in an enemy's country, is not
forbidden in the scriptures. And I have hearn the preacher say that
Rahab, who was not a woman of good fame no how, yet she was excused by
the Lord for telling the king of Jericho a most thumping lie, consarning
her not knowing what had become of the two men that Joshua, the judge of
Israel, who was a general besides, had sent into the town to
reconnoitre; which was a strong case, Mister Henry, seeing that Rahab,
the harlot, was a taking of sides against her own people. So, I like
your plan and I'll stick by it."

This being agreed upon, it became one of the amusements of the road-side
to put the sergeant through his catechism, which was designed to make
him familiar with the traits of private history relating to the Dove
Cote and its appurtenances, that he