that time they may be ready to receive you."

Spinks promised in the interval to get the horses and servants prepared
for the journey.

A frugal and somewhat hurried meal over, I set out with Captain Douglas.
A ride of upwards of a mile over exceedingly rugged ground brought us
to a hamlet of log huts. I remarked on the way the inaccessible nature
of the ground, and saw the wisdom of Washington in holding it. I made
no remark in reference to this, but we talked freely on various topics
not immediately connected with the war. My heart beat quick as my
companion pointed out a long low hut, and remarked--

"There lies poor Hallet, and I fear that he will never leave the place
alive."

The walls of the building consisted of long rough trunks of trees piled
one on the other, the ends fitting at the angles together, and a scoop
made in the lower log to admit the convex part of the upper one. Not
that I remarked this at the time; all my thoughts were occupied with
what was to occur. Douglas went to the door. It was opened by a
soldier. After a minute's delay he beckoned to me to follow him. In a
small roughly-boarded room sat Mrs Tarleton and her niece. They rose,
and the former took me cordially by the hand--

"Again I must thank you for enabling me to reach my poor brother in time
to find him alive," she said in a mournful voice.

I of course expressed my satisfaction of being of use, and looked to see
what Madeline would say. I had taken her hand. She forgot to withdraw
it.

"Indeed, indeed we are grateful," she uttered in a low voice.

She could not trust herself to say more. I would have given much to
have been alone with her, but I saw no chance of this. Perhaps it was
better as it was. What she herself wished I could not tell. Mrs
Tarleton showed no intention of leaving the room. I longed to say a
great deal, but I felt tongue-tied. Captain Douglas had but little time
to spare. He looked at his watch. I saw that I could no longer delay.
I bade farewell to Mrs Tarleton. Madeline came to the door of the hut.
I took her hand--it trembled in mine:--

"Oh! Mr Hurry," she said in a low, faltering voice, "I will never,
never forget you."

Douglas had thrown himself on his horse. I leaped on mine and had to
follow him at a gallop. Madeline was still standing at the door of the
hut when a rocky height hid it from my view. Spinks was in readiness
for a start with Caractacus and Sambo. We soon