d if ever you should
be put to the trial, you will find friends enough to vouch for your
honesty."

"When I got away from Tarleton it wasn't long before I reached my own
cabin. There I mustered my horse and gun, and some decent clothes; and
after a good sleep, and a belly full of food, I started for the north,
as fast as I could, with my letter. I put it into your own hands, and
you know the rest."

"This will be a good tale for a winter night," said Butler, "to be told
hereafter, in a snug chimney corner, to your wife and children, when
peace, as I trust it may, will make you happy in the possession of both.
Your embassy has had marvellous good luck so far. I hope it may prove a
happy omen for our future enterprise. Now it is my turn, Galbraith, to
tell you something of our plans. Colonel Pinckney has apprised me of the
state of things in the upper country. Our good friend Clarke there
meditates an attempt to regain Augusta and Ninety-six; and we have
reason to believe that some levies will be made by our confederates in
Virginia and elsewhere. My business is to co-operate in this
undertaking; and as it was essential I should have the guidance of some
man acquainted with that country--some good soldier, true and
trusty--the colonel has selected you to accompany me. These red coats
have already got possession of all the strongholds; and the tories, you
know, swarm in the country, like the locusts of Egypt. I stand in need,
sergeant, of a friend with a discreet head and a strong arm. I could not
have picked out of the army a better man than Sergeant Galbraith
Robinson. Besides, Horse Shoe," he added, putting his hand gently upon
the sergeant's shoulder, "old acquaintance has bred an affection between
us."

"I am a man that can eat my allowance, major," said Robinson, with an
awkward diffidence at hearing the encomium just passed upon him, "and
that's a matter that doesn't turn to much profit in an empty country.
But I think I may make bold to promise, that you are not like to suffer,
if a word or a blow from me would do you any good."

"Your belt may be serviceable in two ways in this expedition, Horse
Shoe: it may be buckled closer in scant times, and will carry a sword in
dangerous ones."

"May I ask, major," inquired Horse Shoe, "since you have got to talking
of our business, what has brought us so high up the country, along here?
It seems to me that the lower road would have been nearer."

"Suppose I say, Gal