e," said Henry, eagerly, "and Steve and I
had the Rangers on this field to-night. I would undertake to command a
picket with any man here!"

To Horse Shoe these were familiar scenes, and he could not comprehend
the source of that sudden interest which had so vividly aroused the
admiration of his companions; but asking the guide to conduct them
immediately to General Marion, he followed the soldier across the whole
extent of the bivouac, until they halted beneath a large tree, near
which a few officers were assembled. One of this group was seated on the
ground; and close by him, planted in the soil, a blazing pine-faggot
flung a broad light upon a saddle, the flap of which the officer had
converted, for the occasion, into a writing-desk.

"Make way for a squad of travellers picked up on the road to-night,"
said the scout in a loud voice. "They wish to see General Marion."

In a moment our party was surrounded by the officers; and Horse Shoe,
unceremoniously dismounting, addressed the person nearest to him:--

"A lady, sir, from Virginia, that I started with from her father's
house, to fetch to Carolina; but who has been most audaciously unhoused
and unbedded in the very middle of the night by a hellish pack of
Tories."

"My name is Lindsay, sir," said Henry, riding to the front; "my sister
and myself were travelling south, and have been obliged to fly,
to-night, before a detachment of horse-stealers."

"From Bob Wingate's," said Horse Shoe, "as I should judge, some six
miles back. I want to report to General Marion: the lady, likewise, is
tired, as she has good right to be."

The officer to whom this was addressed, directed a soldier to seek
General Marion, and then approaching Mildred, said:

"Madam, we can promise but little accommodation suitable to a lady: the
greenwood tree is but an uncouth resting-place: but what we can supply
shall be heartily at your service."

"I feel sufficiently thankful," replied Mildred, "to know that I am in
the hands of friends."

"Sister, alight," said Henry, who now stood beside her stirrup, and
offered his hand: and in a moment Mildred was on her feet.

The officer then conducted her to a bank, upon which a few blankets were
thrown by some of the soldiers in attendance. "If this strange place
does not alarm you," he said, "you may perhaps find needful repose upon
a couch even as rough as this."

"You are very kind," replied Mildred, seating herself. "Brother, do not
quit