Wharton."
"Then there I halt for the night, Tom. These rude times must abridge
ceremony; besides, you may remember the old gentleman professed a
kinsman's regard for the corps. I can never think of passing so good a
friend without a halt."
"And I will lead the troop to the Four Corners; if we all halt there, we
shall breed a famine in the land."
"A condition I never desire to be placed in. The idea of that graceful
spinster's cakes is no bad solace for twenty-four hours in the
hospital."
"Oh! you won't die if you can think of eating," said Mason, with a
laugh.
"I should surely die if I could not," observed the captain, gravely.
"Captain Lawton," said the orderly of his troop, riding to the side of
his commanding officer, "we are now passing the house of the peddler
spy; is it your pleasure that we burn it?"
"No!" roared the captain, in a voice that startled the disappointed
sergeant. "Are you an incendiary? Would you burn a house in cold blood?
Let but a spark approach, and the hand that carries it will never
light another."
"Zounds!" muttered the sleepy cornet in the rear, as he was nodding on
his horse, "there is life in the captain, notwithstanding his tumble."
Lawton and Mason rode on in silence, the latter ruminating on the
wonderful change produced in his commander by his fall, when they
arrived opposite to the gate before the residence of Mr.
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