. It was only when he had fairly ended
that one began to ask what had been the provocation to so much warmth,
and whether the thought to which we had listened was legitimately the
growth of previous suggestions. But I was in no mood to listen to the
stranger, or to analyze what he said. I found my situation quite too
mortifying--a mortification which was not lessened, when I perceived
that neither of the two damsels said a word against my proposed
departure. Had they shown but the slightest solicitude, I might have
been reconciled to my temporary obscuration. But no! they suffered me
to rise and declare my purpose, and made no sign. A cold courtesy from
them, and a stately and polite bow from Col. Nelson, acknowledged my
parting salutation, and Squire Owens attended me to the threshold, and
lingered with me till my horse was got in readiness. As I dashed
through the gateway, I could hear the rich voice of Emmeline swelling
exultingly with the tones of her piano, and my fancy presented me with
the images of Col. Nelson, hanging over her on one hand, while the meek
Susannah on the other, was casting those oblique glances upon him which
had so frequently been addressed to me. "Ah! pestilent jades," I
exclaimed in the bitterness of a boyish heart; "this then is the love
of woman."

CHAPTER IV

Chewing such bitter cud as this, I had probably ridden a good mile,
when suddenly I heard the sound of human voices, and looking up,
discovered three men, mounted, and just in front of me. They had
hauled up, and were seemingly awaiting my approach. A buzzing
conversation was going on among them. "That's he!" said one. "Sure?"
was the question of another. A whistle at my very side caused me to
turn my head, and as I did so, my horse was caught by the bridle, and I
received a severe blow from a club above my ears, which brought me
down, almost unconscious, upon the ground. In an instant, two stout
fellows were upon me, and busy in the praiseworthy toil of roping me,
hands and feet, where I lay. Hurt, stung, and utterly confounded by
the surprise, I was not prepared to suffer this indignity with
patience. I made manful struggle, and for a moment succeeded in
shaking off both assailants. But another blow, taking effect upon my
temples, and dealt with no moderate appliance of hickory, left me
insensible. When I recovered consciousness, I found myself in a cart,
my hands tied behind me, my head bandaged with a red cot