them ready in his hand. "Can we have lost ourselves? Should we not have reached the Pacolet before this?"
"I have seen no road that could take us astray," replied Robinson, "and, by what we were told just before sundown, I should guess that we couldn't be far off the ford. We haven't then quite three miles to Christie's. Well, courage, major! supper and bed were never spoiled by the trouble of getting to them."
"Wat Adair, I think, directed us to Christie's?" said Butler.
"He did; and I had a mind to propose to you, since we caught him in a trick this morning, to make for some other house, if such a thing was possible, or else to spend the night in the woods."
"Perhaps it would be wise, sergeant; and if you think so still, I will be ruled by you."
"If we once got by the riverside, where our horses mought have water, I almost think I should advise a halt there. Although I have made one observation, Major Butler that running water is lean fare for a hungry man. Howsever, it won't hurt us, and if you say the word we will stop there."
"Then, sergeant, I do say the word."
"Isn't that the glimmering of a light yonder in the bushes?" inquired Horseshoe, as he turned his gaze in the direction of the bivouac, "or is it these here lightning bugs that keep so busy shooting about?"
"I thought I saw the light you speak of, Galbraith; but it has disappeared."
"It is there again, major; and I hear the rushing of the river we are near the ford. Perhaps this light comes from some cabin on the bank."
"God send that it should turn out so, Galbraith! for I am very weary."
"There is some devilment going on in these woods, major.
