I could
hear them cursing the little Dutchman----"

"I suppose that vas me," smiled the good-natured Carl.

"And the 'pig-headed captain' who had gone off with him."

"The pig-headed captain is this indiwidual"--indicating Sprowl. "But it
is wery unjust to be cursing him, for it vas not his fault. It vas my
legs and Toby's that conweyed him; and he had a handkersheaf over his
face for a wail."

"I suspected how it was, even before I met Penn and learned what had
happened. I am sorry to see this fellow in this place,"--Pomp turned a
frowning look at the corner where Lysander lay,--"but now that he is
here, he must stay."

Carl, upon whom the only noticeable effect produced by his exciting
adventure was a lively disposition to talk, quite unusual with him,
entered upon a full explanation of the circumstances which had led to
Lysander's capture. His narrative was altogether so simple, so honest,
so droll, that even the bitter Salina had to smile at it, while all the
rest, the old clergyman included, joined in a hearty laugh of admiring
approval at its conclusion.

"I don't see but that you did the best that could be done," said Pomp.
"At all events, the villains seem to have been completely baffled. The
last I saw of them they were retreating through the burned woods, as if
afraid to have daylight find them on the mountain."

The daylight had now come; and Penn, who went out to take an
observation, could discover no trace of the vanished rebels. The eastern
sky was like a sheet of diaphanous silver, faintly crimsoned above the
edges of the hills with streaks of the brightening dawn. All the valley
below was inundated by a lake of level mist, whose subtle wave made
islands of the hills, and shining inlets of the intervales. Above this
sea of white silence rose the mountain ranges, inexpressibly calm and
beautiful, fresh from their bath of starlight and dew, and empurpled
with softest tints of the early morning.

Penn heard a footstep, and felt a touch on his arm. Was it the beauty of
the earth and sky that made him shiver with so sudden and sweet a
thrill? or was it the lovely presence at his side, in whom was
incarnated, for him, all the beauty, all the light, all the joy of the
universe?

It was Virginia, who leaned so gently on his arm, that not the slight
pressure of her weight, but rather the impalpable shock of bliss her
very nearness brought, made him aware of her approach. Toby followed,
supporting her