beside himself when he found the contempt with which his authority was treated, and he so far forgot his natural cowardice that under the protection of his guards' horses he prepared, by a circuitous route, to demand in person the respect due to his rank. One horse was shot down in performing this service, and Mr. Robberson arrived among the picturesque group of combatants quite out of breath and in a high state of excitement, if not in absolute terror. As soon as he recovered himself, he singled out Dodge, of whom he had some previous knowledge, and addressing him by name he required to know who had dared to send such an insulting answer to his demand.
"I sent the reply," said Dodge; "but I see no great daring in the act. To be plain with you, squire, you are out of place here: go home."
"I shall represent your conduct, sir, to the authorities. It is unsafe to give men like you licences for land. You are a rebel, sir, and quite unfit to be engaged in a service of this kind. I hereby take upon myself the command. Now, men, advance and capture those villains in the hut."
"Bravo!" cried Dodge; "hooray! You are the sort of fellow for this work: active (Mr. R. was grown more corpulent than ever), energetic, bustin with dignity, and choke full of spirit and pluck.—You are the sort:—now then, show us the nearest way to the door yonder," and Dodge jostled Mr. R. from the tree, behind which, however, he again quickly retreated.
"Now really, my men," Mr. R. appealed to those who were witnesses of the scene, "this is too bad; you allow a fellow, who is no better than a low degraded outlaw, who at this moment ought to be in a jail, to insult your sovereign as represented in my person." After delivering himself thus, amidst the
