ck conclusion to which she came was, that, in all probability,
the woman did not know any thing about her father as favouring the whig
cause; but, even if she did, a suspicion of the errand upon which she
was going was not likely to cross either her own mind or that of her
husband.

"Not John Geiger's daughter!" exclaimed the woman.

Emily forced an indifferent smile and replied--

"Yes."

"I've heard of him often enough as a bitter enemy to the royalists. Is
it possible you have ridden all the way from home to-day?"

Before Emily replied, the husband of the woman came in.

"Would you think it," said the latter, "this is John's Geiger's
daughter, of whom we have so often heard."

"Indeed! Well, if she were the daughter of my bitterest enemy, she
should have food and shelter to-night. No wonder your horse is tired,"
he added, addressing Emily, "if you have ridden from home to-day. And,
no doubt, you are yourself hungry as well as tired; so wife, if it is
all ready, suppose we have supper."

The movement to the supper-table gave Emily time for reflection and
self-possession. No more pointed questions were asked her during the
meal; and after it was completed, she said to the woman that she felt
much fatigued, and, if she would permit her to do so, would retire for
the night.

The young girl's reflections were by no means pleasant when alone. She
thought seriously of the position in which she was placed. Her father
was known as an active whig; and she was in the house of a tory, who
might suspect her errand and prevent its consummation. After retiring
to bed, she mused for a long time as to the course to be taken, in case
efforts were made to detain her, when, overwearied nature, claiming its
due repose, locked all her senses in sleep.

Nearly two hours after Emily had gone to her chamber, and just as the
man and woman who had given her a shelter for the night, were about
retiring, the sound of a horse's feet were heard rapidly approaching
the house. On going to the door, a young man rode up and called out in
a familiar way--

"Hallo, Preston! Have you seen anything of a stray young girl in these
parts?"

"Bill Mink!" returned the farmer. "What in the world brings you here at
this time of night?"

"On a fool's errand, it may be. I received a letter from Loire, about
an hour ago, stating that Geiger's daughter had volunteered to carry
important despatches to General Sumter; that she had been on the
journey