There was no difficulty in this, and the leader was soon provided.  He selected two from among the applicants for this distinction, upon whose capacities he thought he could best rely, and led them away from the party into the recess of the wood, where he gave them their directions, and then returned to the main body.  He now proceeded to the division, into small parties, of his whole force—­placing them under guides rather than leaders, and reserving to himself the instruction and command of the whole.  There was still something to be done, and conceiving this to be a good opportunity for employing a test, already determined upon, he approached Ralph Colleton, who surveyed the whole affair with intense curiosity.

“And now, young ’squire, you see what we’re driving at, and as our present business wo’nt permit of neutrality, let us hear on which side you stand.  Are you for us or against us?”

The question was one rather of command than solicitation, but the manner of the speaker was sufficiently deferential.

“I see not why you should ask the question, sir.  I have no concern in your controversy—­I know not its merits, and propose simply to content myself with the position of a spectator.  I presume there is nothing offensive in such a station.”

“There may be, sir; and you know that when people’s blood’s up, they don’t stand on trifles.  They are not quick to discriminate between foes and neutrals; and, to speak the truth, we are apt, in this part of the country, to look upon the two, at such moments, as the same.  You will judge, therefore, for yourself, of the risk you run.”

“I always do, Mr. Munro,” said the youth.  “I can not see that the risk is very considerable at this moment, for I am at a loss to perceive the policy of your making an enemy of me, when you have already a sufficient number to contend with in yonder barricade.  Should your men, in their folly, determine to do so, I am not unprepared, and I think not unwilling, to defend myself.”

“Ay, ay—­I forgot, sir, you are from Carolina, where they make nothing of swallowing Uncle Sam for a lunch.  It is very well, sir; you take your risk, and will abide the consequences though I look not to find you when the fray begins.”

“You shall not provoke me, sir, by your sneer; and may assure yourself, if it will satisfy you, that though I will not fight for you, I shall have no scruple of putting a bullet through the scull of the first ruffian who gives me the least occasion to do so.”

The youth spoke indignantly, but the landlord appeared not to regard the retort.  Turning to the troop, which had been decorously attentive, he bade them follow, saying

“Come on, boys—­we shall have to do without the stranger; he does not fight, it seems, for the fun of the thing.  If Pippin was here, doubtless, we should have arguments enough from the pair to keep them in whole bones, at least, if nobody else.”