the offer of
such services, as their situation permitted. This the lady graciously
acknowledged in a few words, but seemed more inclined to indulge in
her own private thoughts than to encourage any conversation. They all
left the house together, and, when in the open air, were committed to
the special guard of half a dozen of the party, who composed the
centre; and, in this order, led by Spikeman, the cavalcade commenced
their march. They had proceeded at a slow pace, on account of the
females, and in silence, broken only by an occasional question and
answer, for perhaps half an hour, when one of the men observed that
either the moon had risen or the morning was breaking.

"There is no moon, Cowlson," said a soldier; "nor, according to my
reckoning, can it be much past midnight. The light ye see comes from
the North; and, an' it were winter, I should think it was the shooting
of the Northern lights."

"These be no Northern lights, nor Southern, nor moon, nor morning,"
said another. "An' it be not a fire, my name is not Job Bloyce."

"How can it be a fire?" said Ephraim Pike, who had contrived to join
the band without his absence being noticed, after accomplishing his
purpose. "There is nothing in that direction but the house we just
left, and sure it cannot be that."

"I know not," said Spikeman. "It may be the work of the desperate man
whom we failed to take, and who has done the deed, in order to throw
disgrace in some sort on us."

"That is a strange supposition," said Lieutenant Venn. "A man would
hardly be likely to destroy his own property."

"Not without some malicious design, I grant ye; but that were motive
sufficient with Sir Christopher. Besides, what is it he would burn up
but a heap of old logs, whose whole value could scarcely exceed ten
pounds?"

By this time the fire had gained such an ascendancy over the building,
as to throw a light which could no longer be mistaken, and all were
satisfied that it must proceed from the habitation of the Knight. The
majority of the men adopted, without reflection, the idea thrown out
by the wily Assistant, but there were others who were unable to
satisfy themselves as easily.

CHAPTER XXVII.

When the King of Tars saw that sight,
Wood he was for wrath aplight:
In hand he hent a spear,
And to the Soudan he rode full right;
With a dunt of much might,
Adown he gan him bear.

OLD ENGLISH METRICAL ROMANCE.

Only the acciden