"Take ye this man back to the tavern, and we shall see about his removal to the church later, when Dr. Burnet hath had chance to attend him," he ordered.
It was a hard task to carry the heavy, inert form up the sliding gravel which formed the river bank; but at last it was accomplished. When, finally, their slow steps had died away in the darkness, when both Captain Littell and Captain Camp had stooped to feel and prod with inquisitive fingers the precious saddlebags, the former straightened himself and turned to Sally, who had been standing silently by.
"Young mistress," he said, in a low voice, "I do indeed cry abject pardon! Some day ye will understand my rude hesitation and unkind suspicion o' ye—not now, for ye be both young and angry!—but some day! And then ye will forgive mine apparent iniquity!"
Sally had the quick, generous temperament which ever seems to accompany the flaming color of her hair. "Indeed," she said, extending her hand impulsively, "I do forgive ye now, sir! I know 'tis war!" And the next instant she blushed brightly, for in the dark her hand had been raised respectfully to the lips of as noble a gentleman as ever wore Jersey Blue.
It was a weary wait there by the river until a small detachment of militia, sent back by Captain
