"Simple, innocent, and confiding girl," ejaculated Butler, as he now strolled forth under the starlit canopy of night; "how are you contrasted with the rough and savage natures around you! I wear but a thin disguise, when this unpractised country girl is able so soon to penetrate it. And this miniature, too! Oh, Mildred! that the very talisman I bear about me to guard me from evil, should betray me! Well, this discovery admonishes me that I should wear that image nearer to my heart. There," he continued, as he buttoned his waistcoat across his breast; "lie closer and more concealed. I doubt this double-faced woodman, and almost believe in the seeming frivolous dotings of the crone at his fire-side. Now, God defend us from treachery and ambuscade!" Robinson, at this moment, being on his way to the stable, was met by Butler, who half whispered, "Good sergeant, keep your eyes about you, and, mark me, do not omit to take our weapons to our chamber. I have reasons for this caution. I would not trust these people too far." "Wat dare not play us a trick, major," replied the sergeant. "He knows I would shake the life out of his carcase if I saw him take one step of a traitor. Besides, in this here war time, it's a part of my discipline to be always ready for stolen marches. As you say, major, we will stack arms where we sleep. There is no trust in this dubious country that isn't something the surer with powder and ball to back it." With this intimation the sergeant continued his walk, and Butler, retiring to the family group, seated himself near the fire. Wat Adair and his crony, Michael Lynch, had each lighted a pipe, and were now in close conference under the cover of their own smoke, amidst the combined din of romping children and of the noisy spinning-wheel of the wife, which gave life and occupation to the apartment. "How far do you expect to travel to-morrow?" asked the host, as Butler drew a chair near him. "That will depend very much," replied Butler, "upon the advice you may give us." "You wish to get across here into Georgia?" continued Wat. "By the route least liable to molestation," added the major. "Let me see, Michael, Grindall's Ford is the best point to make: then there's Christie's, about three miles beyont." "Just so," replied Lynch; "that will make about twenty-seven and three are thirty miles: an easy day's journey." "In that case," said Adair, "if you know the road--doesn't Horse Shoe know it, sir?" "I rather think not," answered Butler. "Well, it's a little tangled, to be sure; but if you will wait in the morning until I look at my wolf trap, which is only a step off, I will go with you part of the way, just to see you through one or two cross paths: after that all is clear enough. You will have a long day before you, and, with good horses, not much to do." "Are we likely to meet parties on the road?" asked Butler.