ion had so far
supplied energy, that he was able to press on faster, when suddenly
a twinkling light through the gloom apprised him that he was near the
little way-side inn.

"Get me some wine, Wylie, and be quick!" cried he, as they reached the
door.

"You had better get off, and rest a few moments, sir," said the other.

"Rest!--I'll never rest," shouted he, with an infamous oath, "till I see
that fellow waving from the gallows! Some wine this instant!"

To the loud summons of Wylie no answer was returned, and the light that
shone so brightly a moment before was now extinguished.

"Break open the door! B----t you! what do you delay about?" shouted
Hemsworth. "There are some rebel tricks at work here."

At the same instant the light re-appeared, and Mary's voice was heard
from within--

"Who's that, at this hour of the night, making such a noise?"

"Open the door, and be d-----d to you!" cried Hemsworth, who, having got
off his horse, was now endeavouring with his foot to force the strong
door.

"It will take a better man than you to stave that pannel in," said Mary,
who, although recognizing the voice, affected not to know the speaker.
And she said truly, the door once made part of the rudder of an
Indiaman, and was strong oak belted with iron.

"Put a light in the thatch! Snap your pistol, Wylie, and set fire to
it!" cried Hemsworth, savagely; for any opposition to him at this moment
called forth all the malignity of his nature.

"Oh, is it you, captain?" said Mary, with a voice of well-affected
respect; "the Lord pardon me for keeping you out in the cold!" and with
that she opened the door, and with many a low curtsey saluted her guest.

Rudely pushing her aside, and muttering an oath, Hemsworth entered the
cabin, followed by the others.

"Why was the light put out," said he, "when you heard us knocking at the
door?"

"I did not hear the knocking," said Mary. "I was in the little room
there, and goin' to bed. The saints be good to me!--since the soldiers
were here, the hearing is knocked out of me--the noise and the
ballyragging they went on with, from mornin' till night!--and now that
they are gone--thanks to your honour, that ordered them away two days
ago up to 'the Lodge'--I do be thinking, they are here still."

"Bring us some wine," said Hemsworth, "and the best in your house. You
need not spare the tap to-night, for it's the last you will ever draw
beneath this roof. There;--don't look surp