once placed before them.

"I say, I wonder whether the old fellow hasn't got something more
substantial than this?" exclaimed Billy. "Some beef steaks and mutton
chops, with a supply of vegetables, would be more to the purpose."

All the signs they made, however, produced nothing but a further supply
of the same fare, which they despatched with a rapidity calculated to
astonish their host, who was seen looking round at each of them and
apparently calculating how much he should charge.

After their repast, they strolled out into the garden behind the house,
containing arbours, miniature ponds filled with fish, canals crossed by
bamboo bridges, and beds of tulips with other gay flowers. As there
were no other visitors, they made themselves at home, lighted their
cigars and took possession of the arbours, while Billy amused himself by
trying to catch the fish with his hands as they swam up to gaze at the
strange creature looking down upon them.

"This is really very jolly," said Desmond. "We will patronise our
friend again if we come this way, although I wish I could make him
understand that we want something better than cakes and tea."

They had been resting for some time, two or three of the party dropping
off to sleep, when the sound of distant shouts and cries reached their
ears. The noises grew louder and louder. Presently their host appeared
at the door, gesticulating wildly, and pointing to the way they had
come. Some straggling shots were heard.

"The place must be taken by the rebels, and as it is not our business to
fight them, the best thing we can do is to make ourselves scarce,"
exclaimed Archie Gordon.

"We shall all be knocked on the head if we don't," cried Charley Roy,
starting up. "Come, lads, the sooner we are on horseback the better."

Tom, shouting to his companions, led the way towards the house. The
host had vanished, but they again caught sight of him hurrying off with
a bundle under one arm, a box under the other, and a basket at his back.
The doors were open, so they quickly rushed through the house towards
the stables. The grooms had fled, fortunately not carrying off the
steeds, which were munching away at their hay. To slip on the bridles
and tighten up the girths did not take long.

"Now, boys," cried Tom, "discretion in this case is the best part of
valour."

"We shall get preciously wigged by the first lieutenant if we lose our
heads, for coming where we have no business