nd rode to their own
quarters.

A few hours were passed by the prisoner, after his sentence was
received, in the bosom of his family.

Dunwoodie, from an unwillingness to encounter the distress of Henry's
friends, and a dread of trusting himself within its influence, had
spent the time walking by himself, in keen anxiety, at a short
distance from the dwelling. To him the rules of service were familiar,
and he was more accustomed to consider his general in the capacity of
a ruler than as exhibiting the characteristics of the individual.

While pacing with hurried step through the orchard, laboring under
these constantly recurring doubts, Dunwoodie saw the courier
approaching; leaping the fence, he stood before the trooper.

"What news?" cried the major, the moment the soldier stopped his
horse.

"Good!" exclaimed the man; and feeling no hesitation to trust an
officer so well known as Major Dunwoodie, he placed the paper in his
hands, as he added: "But you can read it, sir, for yourself."

Dunwoodie paused not to read, but flew, with the elastic spring of
joy, to the chamber of the prisoner. The sentinel knew him, and he was
suffered to pass without question.

"O Peyton," cried Frances, as he entered the apartments, "you look
like a messenger from heaven. Bring you tidings of mercy?"

"Here, Frances--here, Henry--here, dear cousin Jeanette," cried the
youth, as with trembling hands he broke the seal; "here is the letter
itself, directed to the captain of the guard. But listen!"

All did listen with intense anxiety; and the pang of blasted hope was
added to their misery, as they saw the glow of delight which had
beamed on the countenance of the major give place to a look of horror.
The paper contained the sentence of the court, and underneath was
written these simple words:

"_Approved--Geo. Washington._"

"He's lost, he's lost!" cried Frances, sinking into the arms of her
aunt.

"My son, my son!" sobbed the father, "there is mercy in heaven, if
there is none on earth. May Washington never want that mercy he thus
denies to my innocent child!"

"There is yet time to see Washington again," said Miss Peyton, moving
towards the door; and then, speaking with extreme dignity, she
continued: "I will go myself; surely he must listen to a woman from
his own colony; and we are in some degree connected with his family."

"Why not apply to Mr. Harper?" said Frances, recollecting the parting
words