"What money there is about my person," replied Butler, "may be given to the soldiers who are compelled to execute this harsh and unjust sentence on my person; but I have a trinket," he said, drawing from his bosom a miniature, which was suspended by a ribbon, "it is the gift of one,"--here, for the first time, a tear started into Butler's eye, and his power of utterance failed him. "I understand, sir," said St. Jermyn, eagerly reaching out his hand to take the picture, "I will seek the lady, at whatever hazard"-- "No," answered the unfortunate officer, "it must be buried with me. It has dwelt here," he added with emotion, as he placed his hand upon his heart, "and here it must sleep in death." "On the honor of a soldier," said St. Jermyn, "I promise you its rest shall not be violated." "You will attend me?" "I will." "Lead on," said the prisoner, stepping to the place assigned him in the ranks. "I seek no further delay." "March down the river, half a mile below the camp," said Innis, who now came up, as the escort had begun its progress towards the place of execution. And the soldiers moved slowly, with the customary funeral observances, in a direction that led across the whole extent of the plain. When this little detachment had disappeared on the further side of the field, a sudden commotion arose at head-quarters by the hasty arrival of a mounted patrol-- "We are followed!" cried the leading horseman, in great perturbation. "They will be here in an instant! We have been pressed by them for the last two miles." "Of whom do you speak?" inquired Innis, eagerly. "The enemy! the enemy!" vociferated several voices. At the same moment a cloud of dust was seen rising above the trees, in the direction of the road leading up the Ennoree. "To arms--to arms!" ejaculated the commander. "Gentlemen, spring to your horses, and sound the alarm through the camp--we are set upon by Sumpter--it can be no other. Curry, take a few dragoons--follow the prisoner--mount him behind one of your men, and retreat with him instantly to Blackstock's!" Having given these hasty orders, Innis, with the several officers who happened to be at hand, ran to their horses, mounted, and pushed forward to the camp. They had scarcely left their quarters before two dragoons, in advance of a party of twenty or thirty men, rushed up to the door. "Sarch the house!" shouted the leading soldier. "Three or four of you dismount and sarch the house! Make sure of Major Butler, if he is there! The rest of you forward with me!" The delay before head-quarters scarcely occupied a moment, and in the meantime the number of the assailants was increased by the squadrons that poured in from the rear. These were led by a young officer of great activity and courage, who, seeing the disordered condition of the royalists, waved his sword in the air as he beckoned his men to follow him in a charge upon the camp.