lk in, sir, won't
you? There's always a good supper at this house--kept it when King
George's troops were about--only four shillin', sir," the landlord
continued, bowing and motioning his hand. But the stranger shook his
head negatively, drew a cigar from his pocket and politely requested the
landlord to give him a light. And when he had lighted his cigar, he drew
a Spanish dollar from his pocket, and slipped it into the man's hand,
saying it would pay for both their suppers, and he would take his when
they returned. He, at the same time, begged the landlord to give himself
no concern about him, but to proceed to his supper, which he knew from
his appearance he would enjoy.

"Seein' how you're a gentleman," said the landlord, bowing obsequiously,
"there's three shillin' more for the horse--that squares it."

"Certainly--I forgot the horse," replied the stranger, drawing a
half-dollar piece from his pocket and giving it to the landlord.

"There's a shillin' comin' to you," returned the landlord, putting the
money into one pocket, and feeling in the other, "Never mind the
shilling," said the stranger, "we will settle that another time."

"Travellers always find a good bed at my house, and enough on the table.
That's more than the fellow who keeps the house further on can say,"
continued the landlord, again bowing and proceeding to his supper.

The stranger now paced quickly and impatiently up and down the little
veranda, pausing every few minutes and looking out in the direction of
the wagon, as if it contained something he was guarding with scrupulous
care. In short, the object of his solicitude was a stout, leathern
valise, in the wagon, and which was so heavy that it required the
strength of two ordinary men to handle it easily.

Twenty minutes passed and the driver again made his appearance, wiping
his lips and buttoning up his coat unconcernedly. "Sorry to have
detained you," he said, flapping his hat on. "Landlord says you've
settled the shot--won't be long getting there now." In another minute
they were in their seats and on the road to Tarrytown.

It was nearly eight o'clock when they reached the old ferry, and found
it deserted for the night. The boatmen had ceased their regular
crossings nearly an hour before, and were quietly smoking their pipes at
home. The moon was up, stars shone brightly in the serene sky, and not a
sail specked the unruffled surface of the Tappan Zee. Lights twinkled on
the opposite