rd," said Mary. "Does not my
hand feel cold?"

"Your lips are warm, Mary," replied John, kissing her, "and your heart
is warm. Now, never flag when it comes to the trial. Everything depends
upon you. We shall be very happy, by-and-by, to talk this thing all
over. How many soldiers are on Macdonald's guard? Have none left you
since I saw you yesterday?"

"None," said Mary: "one man left the mill two days since. I think I
heard them say he was going to Ninety-six, on business for the
lieutenant."

"Well, well, it makes but little odds how many are there, so they but
sleep soundly. Our business is more to run than to fight. Mary, my girl,
step across to my father's to-morrow, and he will tell you what has
become of me. We must get the Major out of this country of wolf-traps as
fast as we can."

"I forgot to ask you," said the maiden, "if you had some coarse clothes
ready for the Major. He must not seem to be what he is."

"Trust me for that," replied the trooper. "Christopher has given me a
bundle with as fine a dusty suit in it as any miller's boy ever wore;
and besides that, I have a meal bag to throw across the Major's saddle:
and as for myself, Mary, there's ploughman in my very looks. We shall
cheat all the Tories betwixt this and Catawba."

"Now, John, before I leave you, I have one favor to ask."

"And what is that?" inquired the generous-hearted soldier, "you know, if
I can, I will grant it before it is named."

"I would ask as a favor to me," said Mary, with earnestness, "that you
will not be too venturesome: the Major is a wiser man than you, so be
governed by him. Remember, John, if any ill were to happen to you, it
would break my heart."

"I am not so foolhardy, my girl," replied Ramsay, "but, that when
there's occasion for it, I can show as clean a pair of heels as any man:
and so, for your sake, you kitten," he said, as he put his hands upon
her cheeks, and again snatched a kiss, "I will run to-morrow like a
whole troop of devils. And now, Mary, good night, and God bless you
girl! it is time you were at home. Yet upon second thoughts, I will walk
part of the way with you. So, take my arm and let us begin the retreat."

"John, I do so fear you may be hurt," said the maiden, as they pursued
their way along the path, her whole thoughts being absorbed with the
danger of the enterprise. "Be careful when you come near the sentinel to
wait until his back is turned. This moon shines bright, and you may
e