ituation, but
ruin stared them in the face, and unless something decisive was soon
accomplished, the game would be lost.

"Did you have a pleasant ride up the river, Katharine?" asked her
father.

"Very, sir," she answered, blushing violently and looking involuntarily
at Seymour, who matched her blush with his own.

There was a painful pause, which Seymour broke, coming to the rescue
with a counter question.

"Did you notice that small sloop creeping up under the west bank of the
river, colonel, this evening? I should think she must be opposite the
house now, if the wind has held."

"Why, when did you see her, Mr. Seymour? I thought you were looking
at--at--" She broke off in confusion, under her father's searching
gaze. He smiled, and said,--

"Ah, Katharine, trained eyes see all things unusual about them,
although they are apparently bent persistently upon one spot. Yes,
Seymour, I did notice it; if we were farther down the river, we might
suspect it of being an enemy, but up here I fancy even Dunmore's
malevolence would scarcely dare to follow."

Katharine looked up in alarm. "Oh, father, do you think it is quite
safe? Chloe told me that Phoebus told her that the raiders had visited
Major Lithcomb's plantation, and you know that is not more than fifty
miles down the river from us. Would it not be well to take some
precaution?"

"Tut, tut, child! gossip of the negro servants!" The colonel waved it
aside carelessly. "I hardly think we have anything to fear at present;
though what his lordship may do in the end, unless he is checked, I
hardly like to imagine."

"But, father," persisted Katharine, "they said that Johnson was in
command of the party, and you know he hates you. You remember he said
he would get even with you if it cost him his life, when you had him
turned out of the club at Williamsburg."

"Pshaw, Katharine, the wretch would not dare. It is a cowardly
blackguard, Seymour, whom I saw cheating at cards at the Assembly Club
at the capital. I had him expelled from the society of gentlemen,
where, indeed, he had no right of admittance, and I scarcely know how
he got there originally. He made some threats against me, to which I
naturally paid no attention. But what did you think of the vessel?"

"I confess I saw nothing suspicious about her, sir," replied Seymour.
"She seemed very much like the packets which ply on the river; I only
spoke idly of the subject."

"But, father, the