and he would remain, even if he
had to stay alone. Squire Walker had to be home for an engagement early
in the morning; the two clergymen had to prepare for Wednesday evening's
duty, and had pastoral work before them; the colonel could not leave the
man who had saved his life. The doctor and the dominie were
incapacitated; Ben Toner was worse than useless over Serlizer; Pierre
dreaded his beloved Angelique's ire if he remained away over night; and
Sullivan's folks might be kinder anxious about him. Messrs. Hill and
Hislop also thought they had better be going. Thus the army melted away.
Everybody insisted on the Squire going home, and getting a good night's
rest. When, with difficulty, persuaded to do so, he offered to leave
Timotheus as his substitute, if that worthy were willing. Timotheus
consented, whereupon Sylvanus and Rufus volunteered, it being understood
that Ben Toner and Maguffin would do their work about the kitchen and
stables, while Serlizer helped the Bridesdale maids. Two other
volunteers were Mr. Terry and the lawyer; and two of the Richards
offered to watch with Mr. Bigglethorpe on the lake shore. Thereupon, the
three members of that gallant family withdrew to the lake, and, while
one boarded the scow and helped his father and younger brother, under
the Captain's directions, to paddle home, the others hailed the
fisherman and asked if he was going to remain. "I'm here for the night,
boys," replied the man of the rod. "I'll turn up that skiff against the
wind and dew, light a fire by the water, and, early in the morning, have
the loveliest bass fishing I've had for many a day. Oh yes, I'm here.
D'ye see my gun lying about anywhere?" Mr. Bigglethorpe's gun was found,
and deposited in the skiff. While this was going on below, Ben Toner
harnessed up a team, hitched them to a waggon, for which he found seats
by depriving other waggons of their boxes, and prepared to take the
wounded dominie, his affectionate friend, the colonel, with Serlizer and
the woman Flower, to Bridesdale. The last named person insisted upon
going at once to see the dead body of Harding. The two stone-cutters
also asked to be allowed to accompany the two props of the encampment
boarding house. Mr. Hill rode the colonel's horse, and the Squire, that
of the detective. Along the once masked, but now unmasked, road, the
procession of waggon, horsemen, and footmen, passed, waving a farewell
to the allies of Mr. Bangs who held the fort. It sh