erhanging foliage--the woods having the
air of luxury and bloom which belonged to them at such a season, and the
prospect, varied throughout by the wholesome undulations of valley and
hill, which strongly marked the face of the country, greatly enlivened
the ride to the eye of our young traveller. Everything contributed to
impart a cheering influence to his senses; and with spirits and a frame
newly braced and invigorated, he felt the bounding motion of the steed
beneath him with an animal exultation, which took from his countenance
that look of melancholy which had hitherto clouded it.

As our two friends proceeded on their way, successive and frequent
groups crossed their route, or fell into it from other roads--some
capriciously taking the by-paths and Indian tracks through the woods,
but all having the same object in view, and bending to the same point of
assemblage. Here gayly pranced on a small cluster of the young of both
sexes, laughing with unqualified glee at the jest of some of their
companions--while in the rear, the more staid, the antiques and those
rapidly becoming so, with more measured gait, paced on in suite. On the
road-side, striding on foot with step almost as rapid as that of the
riders, came at intervals, and one after the other, the now
trimly-dressed slaves of this or that plantation--all devoutly bent on
the place of meeting. Some of the whites carried their double-barrelled
guns, some their rifles--it being deemed politic, at that time, to
prepare for all contingencies, for the Indian or for the buck, as well
as for the more direct object of the journey.

At length, in a rapidly approaching group, a bright but timid glance met
that of Colleton, and curbing in the impetuous animal which he rode, in
a few moments he found himself side by side with Miss Munro, who
answered his prettiest introductory compliment with a smile and speech,
uttered with a natural grace, and with the spirit of a dame of chivalry.

"We have a like object to-day, I presume," was, after a few
complimentary sentences, the language of Ralph--"yet," he continued, "I
fear me, that our several impulses at this time scarcely so far resemble
each other as to make it not discreditable to yours to permit of the
comparison."

"I know not what may be the motive which impels you, sir to the course
you take; but I will not pretend to urge that, even in my own thoughts,
my route is any more the result of a settled conviction of its h