Fallock, second lieutenant of the Iris, to take charge of the foraging
party in my place. I earnestly advised him to use the same precautions
I had on the previous day, assuring him, from the experience I had had
in the numerous expeditions I had commanded in America, that the people
would never attack a force if well prepared for resistance, and that the
wise principle the people adopted was only to fight when they could
obtain some material advantage. Fallock smiled scornfully. I found
that Lieutenant Brown of the marines had been talking to him and telling
him of my over-cautious and tedious way of retreating, as he called it.
I found afterwards that Brown had advised him to take only forty marines
as amply sufficient to defeat any number of the enemy likely to assemble
to attack them. The officers who had accompanied me had also told him
that, as we had not seen more than twenty rebels in arms at a time, he
was not at all likely to encounter more than that number, though it was
improbable that any would venture to attack him. Having urged the point
as strongly as I could, I proceeded on my mission while Fallock and his
party prepared for their expedition.

"Don't be afraid, Hurry," said Brown, whom I met as I went down the
side, "we shall return in whole skins, and bring you back a good supply
of beef and mutton."

I hired a horse and proceeded as before, without any particular
adventure, to Hampton. Having delivered my message to the proper
authorities I went to the Langtons.

I own that as I approached the house my heart beat many times quicker
than usual, for I could not help persuading myself that Madeline might
have gone there. When the door was opened by the black servant I tried
to discover by his countenance whether my hopes were likely to be
realised.

"Is there anybody here?" I asked with a trembling voice.

"Oh, yes; dere be all do young ladies and Madame Langton all at home.
Glad see you, sare," was the answer I got.

I did not venture to ask more. The drawing-room door was opened. I
held my breath. Her likeness was there, but she was not. I dared not
ask for her, and I too soon found that my hopes were vain.

I found myself, however, received by the family as an old friend. They
had heard from Madeline. She had, with the wisdom which I felt sure
belonged to her, not mentioned having seen me. They had, however, from
other sources heard of the expedition up the Nansimond river, and