“Yes, repoht to me, as youh officeh, suh.”

“Oh, I fought yoh meant to repawt em wif a revolvah, sah.”

“I suppose, gentlemen, you will let my sehvant go, when I say I deplohe his foolish mistake, and apologize foh his insolence?

“To be shure, sir,” replied the guard; “give the man his horse, Annerew.”

Maguffin remounted, and, receiving more minute instructions from his master, returned to his patrol duty.

“We’re just coming in to help the Squire, and me to look after my childer, Tryphena and Tryphosa and Baby Rufus.  When the Baby didn’t come back this mornin’, I said to his mother, ‘Persis’ says I, ’I must go and see the boy.’  So here I am.  My name is Hill, sir, Henry Cooke Hill, and this is my neighbour, and some day, perhaps, Rufus’s father-in law, Annerew Hislop”—­then in an undertone—­“a very dacent man, sir, though a Sesayder.”

“Is that the case?” asked the colonel with eagerness, advancing towards Andrew.  “Were you on ouah side, suh, in the wahah?”

“Naw, naw, surr, I’m no sodjer, but a humble maimber o’ the pure gospel Secession kirk.  As the fufty-fufth parryphrase says:—­

     With heevenly wappons I have focht
     The baittles o’ the Lord.”

“Ah yes, pahdon me my mistake.  Come in, gentlemen; the Squiah will be happy to see you.”

Maguffin’s captors entered, were warmly greeted by their friends in hall and kitchen, partook of a hasty supper, and were ready for the engagement of the night.

Perrowne, who was a good rider, soon made his appearance, reporting that the Richards were only too glad to make the desired repulse of the evil crew from their neighbourhood, and, as members formerly of a volunteer company, understood something of military tactics.  The parson also reported that he had nearly fallen in with the advancing attacking force of, he should say, twenty men; but, sighting them ahead, he advanced slowly until he saw them move solidly to his left into the fields, with the evident intention of coming at the house through the strip of bush.  The villains could not be far off.  “Now, Squiah,” said the colonel, “hasten, suh, to join Mr. Tehhy; a few minutes make all the diffehence in case of an attack.”

The Squire had now nine men under his command, including his father-in-law, for Ben and Timotheus were safely back, having passed the formidable Maguffin.  The other six were Sylvanus and Rufus, Messrs. Hill, Hislop, Perrowne, and Coristine.  All were armed with loaded guns and rifles; the carbine and the blunderbuss remained to guard the house.  Rapidly they reached the bush which hid them from view, and rejoiced the veteran’s heart with their array.

“Now, grandfather,” said Carruthers, “you must get us all into shape.”