!" and at the same time making
signals with his whip as he lashed his horse. Poor Mrs Twigg was
holding on to the carriage, expecting every moment to be thrown out; but
Mr Ferris, an experienced driver, kept a tight hand on the rein. Old
Martin came dashing after him, standing up lashing his horse, and
shrieking out at the top of his voice, "On! on! old nagger; no tumble
down on oo knees!" while still farther off Jack Pemberton, Archie, and
the other horsemen were seen acting as a rearguard, they, even if so
inclined, not considering it respectful to pass the carriages. Ellen,
on hearing her father's shouts, again applied her whip to her horse's
flanks and galloped forward, much to the lieutenant's satisfaction. The
major and Fanny could only dimly be seen amid the cloud of dust in the
road, here darkened by overhanging trees.

"We cannot be very far, I trust, from Bellevue," said Ellen; "my horse
appears to be flagging."

"The animal is but little accustomed to move at this rate with any one
on its back. Be ready to check it should it stumble," answered the
lieutenant; "but with your light weight there is very little chance of
that. We have, I believe, but two miles to go, and we shall soon cover
that ground. Don't spare the whip, Miss Ferris; you must think of your
own safety more than the feelings of your steed."

Following Lieutenant Belt's advice, Ellen made her horse spring forward,
and they at length again overtook Major Malcolm and Fanny. Just then a
party of blacks were seen ahead, coming along the road towards them.
Fanny was about to check her horse, fearing that they had evil
intentions.

"If they are rebels we must dash by them--it is our best chance of
escape," cried the major, drawing his sword. "I will defend you with my
life, Miss Pemberton. Only keep up your courage and ride straight
forward; they'll not dare to come within arm's length of us."
Lieutenant Belt imitated the major's example, and said something of the
same tenour to Ellen.

"But my father--they will attack him and Mrs Twigg!" she exclaimed.

"He has pistols in the carriage, and a shot or two will soon send the
black fellows to the right-about," answered the major. They galloped
forward, and their anxiety was quickly relieved on discovering that the
blacks were headed by one of the book-keepers, who had been met by Mr
Twigg and despatched along the road to render any assistance which might
be required.

"All's safe at t