“No one would mistrust you were there,” he said, as he allowed the undergrowth to resume its natural position, “I can’t see you, I swear.” “But aren’t you going to remain?” she asked uneasily, as he seemed about to move away. “No; keep perfectly still until I return, and above all don’t get alarmed. I am going out to salute ’em fellows. They are almost here, too, I’m going to play on ’em. Just to keep up my reputation.” Before Mara could speak he stepped boldly out from the growth into the path of the oncoming horsemen. Parting the bushes so that she had a good view of the scene Mara saw the troops, half a dozen in number, dash into sight. To her dismay the Wizard Scout went coolly forward to meet them, crying as they swept down upon him. “Hold up there, boys! would ye ride right over an old man?” CHAPTER XIX. A BOLD GAME. “Fire and furies!” cried the leader startled by the sudden appearance of the man, “whom have we here? Whoa, Ned!” “Only me,” replied the strange scout, meekly. “Don’t ride over me, Mister Sojers, and I’ll get out of the way as soon as I can.” “Who are you? and where do you come from, old man, at this hour?” “My name is Moses, sir! am going to my darter’s, Ann Mayhesters. P’raps you know Ann Mayhesters?” “Hang you and Ann Mayhesters. Get out of my way, old graybeard, or I’ll ride right over you.” “Don’t, Mister Sojers; have respect for these gray hairs. Whither do you ride so fast?” “Ride over the old fool,” exclaimed one of the horsemen. “Say, old man, have you seen any one on your journey to-night?” “Seen any one, my young friend, truly I have not, barring one and I would hardly think of naming her.” “Then you have seen one--a woman, too!” cried the other, eagerly. “Boys, she is our game.” “Ten to one!” “Where did you see her, old covey?” “Oh, way back here, heap of a ways. She hid when I kem ’long, and I didn’t let on thet I see’d her.” “She’s the one. Old man, we are sent out to capture that woman. She’s a spy. Can you show us where you saw her?” “She a spy,” grasped the disguised scout. “Can you guide us to her?” asked the officer, growing impatient. “Can I? O’ coorse I can. The way is as plain as the road to Ann Mayhesters’. You----” “Then lead us to her if you value your life, old man.” “Yes--yes!” mumbled the other; “only it’s a heap of a road, and I’m not very fast. Can’t I jess get a lift ’hind one of you fellers?” “Let him get up behind you, Landaff.” With what assistance the other could lend, the scout climbed up on the horse’s back behind the rider. “Don’t go fast,” he muttered, “or you’ll throw me off. Keep straight ahead till I tell you to stop.” Mara was an anxious spectator of this scene, and as she saw the little cavalcade ride away bearing in its midst the scout she was at a loss to account for his singular course. She could not think that it was to work her harm. What then could be his object? The road followed by the horsemen led toward the mountains.