t's the reason I came along with him," exclaimed Spinks,
who was excessively indignant at our statement being doubted.

The mention of New York reminded me of the narrow escape I had had of my
life on the day to which Spinks alluded, and I thought I recognised in
the man before me the officer in charge of the party of Hessians who so
nearly finished Simeon and me when General Pigot came up to our rescue.
I asked the colonel if he recollected the circumstance. He smiled
grimly.

"I think I recollect the circumstance," said he; "but what has that to
do with the matter?"

"Simply that you thought I was a rebel then, and you found that you were
mistaken, and in the same way that you will find you are mistaken now if
you molest me."

Scarcely had I ceased speaking when a shriek resounded through the wood.
I knew too well whence it proceeded. I wheeled round my horse, and,
putting my spurs into his side, was in a moment at the spot where I had
left the two ladies and their attendants. I found them surrounded by
Hessian soldiers, some of whom were attempting to catch hold of their
horses' heads and to drag them from their saddles. I drew a sword from
the scabbard of the first man I reached, and before he could look round
I had dashed in among the miscreants, cutting at them right and left. I
felt maddened with rage, and thought not of the consequences. Madeline
saw me coming, and held out her hands to implore my aid. I reached her
just as a soldier had succeeded in catching the bridle of her horse and
had almost dragged her to the ground. With a blow of my sword I sent
the fellow reeling backwards, and placed her in her saddle. Mrs
Tarleton had managed hitherto to elude the soldiers; but in another
instant they would have closed in on her, when Spinks, followed by the
Hessian colonel, galloped up.

The appearance of the latter prevented the soldiers from attacking her.
He ordered them back into their ranks. I pointed to the pale and
terrified ladies, and asked him if this was the way Germans behaved
towards helpless women. He looked ashamed and attempted to apologise.
I saw my advantage and pushed it to the utmost.

"They are anxious to visit a wounded, perhaps a dying, relation, and you
threaten to delay them," said I.

"We cannot allow people to wander about, and perhaps give notice of our
expedition," replied the colonel.

"As to that, colonel, depend on it, every step you take is well known to
General