Nockelles, a
hardy backwoodsman, leading. Soon I caught sight of a couple of blacks,
and a white man with a pistol in his hand standing before them, while
two of the blood-hounds lay dead at his feet. The blacks held their
rifles ready for action. On seeing the white man, our captain,
refraining from firing as I thought he would do, shouted out--

"Who are you?"

"A friend!" answered the stranger, stepping forward, when what was my
surprise to recognise Rochford, though no longer in hunter's guise, but
dressed as he was when staying at Roseville. The blacks had in the
meantime lowered their weapons, but showed no inclination to follow
their leader.

"What brought you here, my fine fellow?" exclaimed the militia captain,
looking hard at Rochford.

"I was on my way to Roseville, with my two attendants; and if you mean
to return there soon, I shall be very glad to accompany you," answered
Rochford.

"You cannot expect us to believe that story," cried the captain; "but
whether you do or do not, you and your black fellows must go back with
us to Roseville, and we shall then find out who you and they are. My
idea is that they are runaway slaves, and that you are the Britisher
who, it is said, has been encouraging them."

As he said this, he turned round and ordered some of his men to arrest
the blacks, who suddenly sprung back, and disappeared behind a thicket.

"Tell those fellows to stop," cried the captain to Rochford.

"They are free agents, and I cannot interfere with their movements,"
answered the latter.

"What should you say if we were to hang you on the next tree for
refusing?" exclaimed the captain. "Call them back, I say, or take the
consequences."

"Even though I wished to do so, I have no right to exercise any
influence over them. If you hang me you will be guilty of murder. I am
perfectly ready to go with you, and will give you my word of honour that
I will do so without attempting to escape," replied our friend calmly.

The captain, notwithstanding what Rochford had said, became more
violent; and fearing that he would proceed to extremities, I thought it
time to interfere, so stepping forward, I said--

"I know this gentleman, and I am very sure that he has no intention of
committing any illegal act. Judge Shurtleff is also well acquainted
with him; as is Captain Norton, to whom he is related."

"All very fine, Mr. Kearney; but people don't go about the country with
a troop of black