s to assist the ladies to dismount.

"I am glad to welcome you and your niece to my house under any
circumstances, Mrs Tarleton," said he, as he led them up the steps.
"But you find us somewhat in marshal array just now, and I am afraid may
be put to some inconvenience. The enemy's troops have crossed the
river, and it has been considered necessary to fortify this post."

"I can never complain of any inconvenience in our noble cause," said
Mrs Tarleton.

I knew well that not only would she cheerfully bear any inconvenience,
but would glory in any suffering or hardship she might be called on to
endure on account of it.

The public rooms, as we passed along, were, I perceived, filled with a
number of persons, some in military uniforms, and others in the dresses
of civilians. I was formally introduced, and though at first I was
received with some restraint, in a little time the manner of the host
and his numerous guests became as cordial as if I was an old friend,
instead of belonging to the party of their enemies. There were no
ladies or any females left of the family. They had all been sent off to
another house some way into the interior, to which it was believed the
enemy were not likely to penetrate.

From what I could learn, it was not at all improbable that the house,
which commanded a reach of the river, might be attacked before long, and
I was therefore very anxious to get my friends across it, and once more
on their journey towards head-quarters. Mrs Tarleton, however, seemed
to think that she might wait safely till the next morning, and, as no
news of the British troops had been brought in, I hoped that the delay
would not bring them into any danger. Supper was over, and the officers
of the little garrison not on guard had retired to their rooms. I had
one allotted to me, looking out on the river, which shone with a silvery
hue from the light of an almost full moon, while the swill of the
stream, as it rushed by, had a pleasing and soothing effect. I could
hear, ever and anon, the distant bark of a dog, the tramp and challenge
of the sentries, and the voices of some of the men of a militia regiment
quartered in the out-houses and in some hastily-constructed huts within
the courtyard.

My mind was occupied with too many thoughts to allow me to sleep. After
several attempts I gave it up. My companions in the room were much in
the same condition, and as they rose and resumed their outer clothing, I