had soon died away, and our wanderers
pursued their solitary road in darkness, ignorant of the country through
which they passed, and uncertain of the point to which they tended. A
full hour had gone by in this state of suspense, and Robinson had once
more resolved to make a halt, and encamp his party in the woods. Before,
however, he could put this design into execution, he was unexpectedly
challenged, from the road-side, with the military demand of--"Who goes
there?"

"Travellers," was the reply.

"Where do you come from, and where are you going?"

"The first question I can answer," said Horse Shoe, "and that is, from
Old Virginny, a fortnight ago, but, to-night, from a tolerable snug
lodging, where some onmannerly fellows troubled our sleep. But as to
where we're going, it's more likely you can tell that for us."

"You are saucy, sir."

"It's more than I meant to be," replied the sergeant. "Mayhap you mought
have hearn of a man they call Bloody Spur?"

"He has pricked your pillows for you--has he? Dick Peyton is good at
that," said a second questioner.

"Aha, comrades, I understand you now," said Horse Shoe, with alacrity.
"Dick Peyton and Bob Wingate both belong to your party. Am I right? We
are friends to Marion."

"And therefore friends to us," said the patrole. "Your name, sir, and
the number you have in company?"

"Take us to the general, and we will answer that," replied Horse Shoe.
"The Tories have set upon Wingate's house and burnt it to the ground.
It's like we may be able to tell something worth hearing at
head-quarters. Your man Bloody Spur gave us in charge to report him, and
to say that he would soon follow upon our track. I wonder that he isn't
here before now."

"I will remain," said one of the soldiers to his companion; "you shall
take charge of the travellers."

The trooper accordingly turned his horse's head and commanded Horse Shoe
and his party to follow.

The scout conducted our adventurers along a by-road that led round the
head of a marsh, and through several thickets which, in the darkness of
the night, were penetrated with great difficulty; during this ride he
interrogated Horse Shoe as to the events of the late inroad of the
Tories. He and his comrade had been stationed upon the path where the
sergeant encountered them, to direct the out-riding parties of his corps
to the spot of Marion's encampment, the policy of this wary officer
being to shift his station so frequently as