ser's Highlanders, and commanding him
to halt, I advanced, pistol in hand, and recognized Nairn.

"You are my prisoner, sir," I declared, covering him as I spake,
and then, the drollery of the situation coming over me, I dropped
my arm and said, "It seems I am in for settling accounts to-night,
Captain Nairn. You were good enough to remind me of some indebtedness
on the field to-day, though what it was I am at a loss to determine.
Perhaps it was my refusal of your handsome offer to me in Louisbourg
that I should turn traitor. No? 'Pon my soul, you are strangely
quiet in private for a gentleman who was so insistent in company!

"Come, draw the sword which you flourished to so little purpose
to-day, and you will find I can pay in the only coin a soldier
should demand or take.

"What! Not ready yet? Would you have me produce my commission as
an officer, or establish my right to arms, before you can cross
swords with me? By God, sir! I will stand no more of your precious
fooling. Do you think you are going to roar out at me in public
like some scurvy shopkeeper, and then stand like a stock-fish when
I do you the honour to ask your pleasure? Draw, sir, draw, before
I am forced to strike you like a coward!"

To my amazement, instead of answering my words as they deserved,
he threw up his hands with a weak cry and covered his face.

[Illustration: "He threw up his hands with a weak cry and
covered his face."]

Supposing him to be wounded, I melted in a moment, and, stepping
forward, held out my hand to him.

"Come, sir, come! You are unnerved. Tell me, are you hit?"

As I spake I still advanced to support him, and was surprised beyond
measure when the supposed officer retreated before me and cried,
in a voice of intense womanish entreaty, "No, no; do not touch me!"

I burst out laughing. "'Pon my soul, madam! you came near being
somewhat late, with your embargo, and you have betrayed me into an
exhibition of the vilest humour, for which I most humbly apologise."

She seemed somewhat uncertain how to take my drolling, whereupon
I changed my tone, and asked, with every appearance of curiosity,
"May I inquire how I can be of service to you?"

"Am I within the French lines?"

"No; you are on what may still be considered debatable ground. But
I cannot give information to a lady whose masquerade is at least
suspicious."

"I only ask, sir, to be taken within your lines. Will you do this
for me?"

"I doubt it, madam