“Captain Woodburn!” exclaimed the clear, animated voice of one coming out of the door of the honored tavern before described, in the village of Manchester, as the person thus addressed, who had just arrived with those escorting the prisoners, was describing the capture to a crowd gathered round him in the yard--“Captain Woodburn, your most obedient! I am glad my patience in waiting for your arrival is rewarded by the good news which Powell, our landlord here, has just told us you bring. But come, sir, a word in your ear, if you please.” Woodburn turned and confronted the bright and smiling countenance of Ira Allen, who was beckoning him from the crowd. “Certainly, Mr. Allen; but why honor me with that appellation?” responded the former, stepping aside with the ardent young secretary. “Because I have the warrant for so doing in my pocket--a captain's commission for you, my dear sir, if you will believe me.” “Indeed!” “Yes, we have done something in the council at last worth talking about--voted to raise a regiment of Rangers forthwith, and appointed all the commissioned officers, Samuel Herrick heading the list as colonel.” “A gallant fellow, who will honor the post. But how about the means of paying and supporting such a force? You lately held taxing the people, without their consent, too bold a measure, I thought.” “We did, but have nevertheless adopted a bolder one.” “What is it?” “Decreed the confiscation of the estates of the tories, appointed the necessary officers to execute the decree, and despatched messengers to them with commissions, instructions, and with orders to put the machine immediately into motion. By to-morrow nigh many of those on our black list will--” “Your black list?” “Yes, already mostly made out for operations. But what is there to startle you in that?” “Nothing; and yet I cannot forbear asking if that list includes one in whose family you may guess I feel some interest.” “I fear so, and regret that the proofs are so strong as to require it.” “Could not action in that case be deferred? An angel is pleading with him to remain neutral.” “If she were a whig angel, Woodburn, I know not----” “She is, she is--firmly, devotedly.” “Indeed! Well, for your sake, Woodburn, I am glad of it. And as the political hue of petticoats has already been permitted to have an influence, in some instances of the kind, in making up the list, it may have in this case. But the old man's enmity to our cause is so notorious, that I fear his estate must go, though the daughter, if she prove true, will not be forgotten on the question of a future restoration of her share of the property. But I am neglecting my chief business with you. We have fixed your present destination for the other side of the mountain, where among your old acquaintances, it was thought, you could raise a company most expeditiously.”