ention this circumstance this day, may strive to have him restored to
society."

We need scarcely assure our readers that Woodward pledged himself in
accordance with her wishes, after which he went home and prepared such a
mask for his face, and such a disguise of dress for his person, as, when
assumed, rendered it impossible for any one to recognize him. Such was
the spirit in which he kept his promise to Miss Riddle, and such the
honor of every word that proceeded from his hypocritical lips.

In the meantime the preparations for the chase were made with the most
extraordinary energy and caution. Woodward had other persons engaged in
it, on whom he had now made up his mind to devolve the consequences of
the whole proceedings. The sheriff and the _posse comitatas_, together
with assistance from other quarters, had all been engaged; and as some
vague intelligence of _Shawn-na-Midoque's_ retreat had been obtained,
Woodward proceeded in complete disguise before daybreak with a party,
not one of whom was able to recognize him, well armed, to have what was,
in those days, called a tory-hunt.

The next morning was dark and gloomy. Gray, heavy mists lay upon the
mountain-tops, from which, as the light of the rising sun fell upon
them, they retreated in broken masses to the valleys and lower grounds
beneath them. A cold, chilly aspect lay upon the surface of the earth,
and the white mists that had descended from the mountain-tops, or were
drawn up from the ground by the influence of the sun, were, although
more condensed, beginning to get a warmer look.

Notwithstanding the secrecy with which this enterprise was projected it
had taken wind, and many of those who had suffered by the depredations
of the tories were found joining the band of pursuers, and many others
who were friendly to them, or who had relations among them, also made
their appearance, but contrived to keep somewhat aloof from the main
body, though not at such a distance as might seem to render them
suspected; their object being to afford whatever assistance they
could, with safety to themselves and without incurring any suspicion of
affinity to the unfortunate tories.

The country was of intricate passage and full of thick woods. At this
distance of time, now that it is cleared and cultivated, our readers
could form no conception of its appearance then. In the fastnesses and
close brakes of those woods lay the hiding-places and retreats of the
tories--"the