y; this did not escape his friend's notice, and after
commenting on the attractions of the little room--Lester said: "You seem
oppressed in spirits, Eugene: can any thing have chanced to disturb you,
beyond, at least, these alarms which are enough to agitate the nerves of
the hardiest of us?"

"No," said Aram; "I had no sleep last night, and my health is easily
affected, and with my health my mind; but let us go to Madeline; the
sight of her will revive me."

They then strolled down to the Manor-house, and met by the way a band
of the younger heroes of the village, who had volunteered to act as
a patrole, and who were now marshalled by Peter Dealtry, in a fit of
heroic enthusiasm.

Although it was broad daylight, and, consequently, there was little
cause of immediate alarm, the worthy publican carried on his shoulder
a musket on full cock; and each moment he kept peeping about, as if not
only every bush, but every blade of grass contained an ambuscade, ready
to spring up the instant he was off his guard. By his side the redoubted
Jacobina, who had transferred to her new master, the attachment she had
originally possessed for the Corporal, trotted peeringly along, her
tail perpendicularly cocked, and her ears moving to and fro, with a most
incomparable air of vigilant sagacity. The cautious Peter every now
and then checked her ardour, as she was about to quicken her step, and
enliven the march by the gambols better adapted to serener times.

"Soho, Jacobina, soho! gently, girl, gently; thou little knowest the
dangers that may beset thee. Come up, my good fellows, come to the
Spotted Dog; I will tap a barrel on purpose for you; and we will settle
the plan of defence for the night. Jacobina, come in, I say, come in,--

"'Lest, like a lion, they thee tear,
And rend in pieces small;
While there is none to succour thee,
And rid thee out of thrall.'

What ho, there! Oh! I beg your honour's pardon! Your servant, Mr. Aram."

"What, patroling already?" said the squire; "your men will be tired
before they are wanted; reserve their ardour for the night."

"Oh, your Honour, I have only been beating up for recruits; and we are
going to consult a bit at home. Ah! what a pity the Corporal isn't
here: he would have been a tower of strength unto the righteous. But
howsomever, I do my best to supply his place--Jacobina, child, be still:
I can't say as I knows the musket-sarvice, your honour; but I f