ing, as he looked
down the road upon the approaching cavalcade, manifest signs of
consternation. After a brief glance, he was seen to retreat across the
yard to the door of the mansion-house, where he fell to beating at it
with as much earnestness as if giving an alarm of fire, shouting at the
same time, "Lord bless us, mistress! here is a whole rigiment of sodgers
coming to turn everything topsy-turvy. Get up, get up--open the door!"

"Stop your bawling, you stunted black-jack!" said Robinson, who had
galloped up to the spot, "and none of your lies. Is the lady of the
house at home?"

A window was thrown up, at the same moment, in an upper story, and a
female head, decorated with a nightcap, was thrust out, whilst a voice,
tremulous with affright, inquired what was the cause of this
disturbance; but before an answer could be given the head was withdrawn,
and the door opening discovered a youth scarcely in appearance over
sixteen, with a loose robe thrown around his person and a pistol in his
hand.

"Who comes here, and with what purpose?" was the question firmly put by
the young man.

"Friends," said Horse Shoe--"sent to the good lady by General Marion.
Sorry, sir, to be the occasion of such a rumpus. But this here young
lady has travelled all night and is 'most dead with hardships."

Mildred, who with the rest of the company had now arrived near the door,
was about to speak, when the questioner retired, calling the negro after
him into the house. In a moment the servant returned with Mrs. Markham's
compliments to the party, and a request that they would alight.

"Then all's well," said Horse Shoe, dismounting, and immediately
afterwards lifting Mildred from her saddle, "a friend in need, madam, is
the greatest of God's blessings. I make no doubt you will find this as
snug a nest as you ever flew into in your life."

"And, good sergeant, most specially welcome," replied Mildred, smiling
in the midst of all her pain, "for in truth I never was so weary."

The guide, having now performed his duty, announced that he must return
to his corps; and, after a few cheering words of kind remembrance from
Mildred, coupled with a message of thanks to Marion, he wheeled about
and galloped back towards the river. Mildred and Henry entered the
house: and the sergeant, taking command of Isaac, followed the horses
towards the stable.

The brother and sister were ushered into an ample parlor, comfortably
furnished according to