h which he soon commenced about the village collected a
crowd whose clamors, not less than his own, had occasioned the uproar,
which concluded the conference between Miss Colleton and Guy Rivers, as
narrated in a previous chapter.

The mob, approaching the residence of Colonel Colleton, as a place which
might probably have been resorted to by the fugitive, brought the noise
more imperiously to the ears of Rivers, and compelled his departure. He
sallied forth, and in a little while ascertained the cause of the
disorder. By this time the dwelling of Colonel Colleton had undergone
the closest scrutiny. It was evident to the crowd, that, so far from
harboring the youth, they were not conscious of the escape; but of this
Rivers was not so certain. He was satisfied in his own mind that the
stern refusal of Edith to accept his overtures for the rescue, arose
only from the belief that they could do without him. More than ever
irritated by this idea, the outlaw was bold enough, relying upon his
disguise, to come forward, and while all was indecisive in the
multitude, to lay plans for a pursuit. He did not scruple to instruct
the jailer as to what course should be taken for the recovery of the
fugitive; and by his cool, strong sense and confidence of expression, he
infused new hope into that much-bewildered person. Nobody knew who he
was, but as the village was full of strangers, who had never been seen
there before, this fact occasioned neither surprise nor inquiry.

His advice was taken, and a couple of the Georgia guard, who were on
station in the village, now making their appearance, he suggested the
course which they should pursue, and in few words gave the reasons which
induced the choice. Familiar himself with all the various routes of the
surrounding country, he did not doubt that the fugitive, under whatever
guidance, for as yet he knew nothing of Munro's agency in the business,
would take the most direct course to the Indian nation.

All this was done, on his part, with an excited spirit, the result of
that malignant mood which now began to apprehend the chance of being
deprived of all its victims. Had this not been the case--had he not been
present--the probability is, that, in the variety of counsel, there
would have been a far greater delay in the pursuit; but such must always
be the influence of a strong and leading mind in a time of trial and
popular excitement. Such a mind concentrates and makes effective the
po