All the horsemen uncovered to the ladies, as they were introduced, and Howe uttered an admiring epithet as his eyes fixed on the girl.  “The Queen of Hearts scores, and the game is won,” he cried, bowing low to Janice.  “Ho, Charles, art as hot for the rebels as thou wert a moment since?”

“I still think the light horse had best be pushed, and should be properly supported by the grenadiers.”

“Nay, wait till Knyphausen comes up, and then we’ll—­”

“’T is no time to play a waiting game.”

“Tush!  Lord Cornwallis,” replied Sir William, irritably.  “The infantry have done their twenty miles to-day.  I’ll not jade my troops into the runaway state of the rebels.  What use to kill our men, when the rebellion is collapsing of itself?” During all his argument the commander-in-chief kept his eyes fixed on Janice.

“I can’t but think—­” began the earl.

“Come, come, man,” interjected Howe, “we must n’t let the Whigs beat us by starvation.  Must we, eh, Mr. Meredith?”

“’T would be a sad end to all our hopes,” assented the squire.  “And while we have to do with the rebels, let me point out to ye the two most malignant in this town.  There stand the precious pair who have done more to foment disloyalty than any other two men in the county.”  It is needless to say that Mr. Meredith was pointing at Squire Hennion and Bagby, who, more curiously than wisely, had lingered at the tavern.

“He lies!” and “’T ain’t so! shrieked Bagby and Hennion in unison, and each began protestations of loyalty, which were cut short by Sir William, who turned to Cornwallis and ordered the two under arrest, pending further information.

“Now we’ll see justice,” chuckled the master of Greenwood, gleefully.  “If ye’ll not pay interest on your debts, I’ll pay interest on mine—­ay, and with a hangman’s cord belike.”

“But I signed a submission and oath, and here ’s my pardon,” protested Bagby, producing the paper, an example that Hennion imitated.

“Damn Campbell’s carelessness!” swore Howe.  “He deals pardons as he would cards at piquet, by twos, without so much as a look at their faces.  A glance at either would have shown both to be rapscallion Whigs.  However, ’t is done, and not to be undone.  Release them, but keep eye on each, and if they give the slightest cause, to the guardhouse with them.  Now, Mr. Meredith.”

“I must ask your Excellency’s assistance to horse my coach, and his Majesty owes me a pair not easy to match, stole by your troops this very morning.”

“Make note of it, Mr. Commissary, and see to it that Mr. Meredith has the two returned, with proper compensation.  And, Charles, if the theft can be fixed, let the men have a hundred stripes apiece.  Unless a stop can be put to this plundering and raping, we’ll have a second rebellion on our hands.”

Cornwallis shrugged his shoulders and issued the necessary orders.  Then horses being secured for the carriage, the squire and dames, accompanied by the generals, set out for Greenwood.