e rather than be returned to the
dungeon.

Drawing a revolver from his pocket, with which he had prudently prepared
himself before his interview with Jaspar, he proceeded on his way.

On a nearer approach, the men appeared to be strangers to him. They
might, however, be in the employ of Jaspar. They might be engaged in
watching over his captivity.

He approached nearer. He had never seen either of them before. They did
not look like men whom Jaspar would have been likely to select for such
a purpose as he apprehended. Still, he took the precaution to examine
the caps upon his pistol, and have his bowie-knife in a convenient place
for immediate use.

Dalhousie was the first to speak.

"Your business here?" demanded he, regardless of the courtesy to which
he had been all his life accustomed.

"The fact on 'tis," replied one of the strangers, a little startled by
the rude manner of Dalhousie, "the fact on 'tis, we are lookin' arter
the mansion of a Mr. Dumont. Perhaps you will oblige us by tellin' us
which way to go."

"He lives in yonder house," replied Dalhousie, pointing it out.

The simplicity of the speaker dissipated his apprehensions, and his
curiosity was excited.

"You know him, do you?" continued he.

"Well, no--I can't say I do."

"But you have business with him?"

"Not particularly with him,--the Lord forbid!" replied the stranger,
devoutly.

"Devil a bit with him, at all," added his companion.

"Since no one else resides under the same roof with him, may I ask the
reason of your visit there, if I am not too bold?" said Dalhousie.

"Sure, it's only to see the counthry, about here, we've come," replied
the Irish stranger.

"No, Partrick, you know that is not the truth. Never tell a lie for
anything, Partrick. Our business an't with him, but it consarns him. We
don't care about mentioning it to everybody."

"I do not mean to be impertinent," said Dalhousie; "but perhaps I may be
able to serve you. The man you seek is a villain!"

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan,--for we presume it is
unnecessary to _tell_ the reader that it was he,--"I know _that_."

"Indeed, then you have some knowledge of him?"

"Sartain! but do you know a minister in these parts by the name of
Faxon?"

"I do; he lives close by."

"Do you belong in this part of this country, Mister?" asked Uncle
Nathan, who seemed to make the question a prelude to other inquiries.

"I do. But I must leave you now. I am the