“Nebber!—­nebber see dat, Plin, in a rebbleushun.  Dis got to be a rebbleushun; and when dat begin in ’arnest, gib up all idee of ’mendment.  Rebbleushuns look all one way—­nebber see two side, any more dan coloured man see two side in a red-skin.”

As we have not been able to trace the thought to antiquity, this expression may have been the original of the celebrated axiom of Napoleon, which tells us that “revolutions never go backwards.”  At all events, such was the notion of Pliny Willoughby, Sen., as the namesake of the great Roman styled himself; and it was greatly admired by Pliny Willoughby, Jun., to say nothing of the opinions of Big Smash and Little Smash, both of whom were listeners to the discourse.

“Well, I wish a colonel Beekman”—­To this name the fellow gave the true Doric sound of Bakeman—­“I wish a colonel Beekman only corprul in king’s troops, for Miss Beuly’s sake.  Better be sarjun dere, dan briggerdeer-ginral in ’Merikan company; dat I know.”

“What a briggerdeer mean, Plin?” inquired Little Smash, with interest.  “Who he keep company wid, and what he do?  Tell a body, do—­so many officer in ’e army, one nebber know all he name.”

“’Mericans can’t hab ’em.  Too poor for dat.  Briggerdeer great gentleum, and wear a red coat.  Ole time, see ’em in hundreds, come to visit Masser, and Missus, and play wid Masser Bob.  Oh! no rebbleushun in dem days; but ebbery body know he own business, and do it, too.”

This will serve to show the political sentiments of the Plinys, and may also indicate the bias that the Smashes were likely to imbibe in such company.  As a matter of course, the major was gladly welcomed by these devoted admirers; and when Maud again whispered to them the necessity of secresy, each shut his mouth, no trifling operation in itself, as if it were to be henceforth hermetically sealed.

The assistants were now dismissed, and the major was left alone with his family.  Again and again Mrs. Willoughby embraced her son; nor had her new ties at all lessened Beulah’s interest in her brother.  Even the captain kissed his boy anew, while Mr. Woods shook hands once more with his old pupil, and blessed him.  Maud alone was passive in this scene of feeling and joy.

“Now, Bob, let us to business,” said the captain, as soon as tranquillity was a little restored.  “You have not made this difficult and perilous journey without an object; and, as we are somewhat critically situated ourselves, the sooner we know what it is, the less will be the danger of its not producing its proper effect.”

“Heaven send, dear sir, that it fail not in its effect, indeed,” answered the son.  “But is not this movement in the valley pressing, and have I not come opportunely to take a part in the defence of the house?”

“That will be seen a few hours later, perhaps.  Everything is quiet now, and will probably so remain until near morning; or Indian tactics have undergone a change.  The fellows have lighted camp-fires on their rocks, and seem disposed to rest for the present, at least.  Nor do I know that they are bent on war at all.  We have no Indians near us, who would be likely to dig up the hatchet; and these fellows profess peace, by a messenger they have sent me.”