disturbance I had heard. I accordingly went back to the front door,
which was obligingly opened by our friend the negro, who seemed by his
manner to have long-expected me. With many bows he led me into a
handsome dining-hall, when what was my surprise to find O'Driscoll and
another officer seated at a table with an abundance of viands spread
before them, and wine of various sorts sparkling in decanters by their
side.

"Really, these rebels treat us very well," said O'Driscoll as I entered.
"When we caught that old gentleman he told us that supper was all
ready, and that he had been ordered to invite us in to partake of it,
and to beg us to remain as long as we felt inclined."

"I do not doubt it, Mr O'Driscoll," I answered sternly. "But, sir, we
have duties to perform, and our orders were to proceed up the river as
far as we could go. Now I have discovered that there are several
vessels at Suffolk, four miles above this. We must go and try to cut
them out. Thank the owners of the house for their hospitality, but we
cannot stay to benefit by it," said I to the negro, giving him a dollar.
"Keep that for yourself, and remember that all Englishmen are not
cannibals and savages."

Having directed O'Driscoll to call in the rest of the other parties
guarding the approaches to the house, we quickly assembled at the
rendezvous I had appointed outside the gates, whence we set off as fast
as we could for the boats. I could not help having some dread lest they
should have been attacked during our absence, and if so, I knew that we
should at once be made prisoners. I did not, however, express my fears
to any one. The way to the boats appeared very long. I thought more
than once that we must have mistaken our road. Great was my relief
therefore, when I found that we had at length reached the spot where
they lay concealed. I now called the other lieutenants round me, and
briefly explained to them the information I had obtained. I did not
think it necessary to say whence I had obtained it. They unanimously
concurred with me that we had done all that could be required of us, and
that our only proper course was at once to proceed down the river, and
to endeavour to pass our enemies before they could expect us, or were
prepared to impede our progress.

"Well, gentlemen, to our boats without delay," I said--not speaking,
however, above a whisper, for I thought it very likely that we might
have listeners in ambush. "Rap