Hillocks, woods, rocks, fences, and houses flew
by him with the rapidity of lightning, and the black had just begun to
think whither and on what business he was riding in this headlong
manner, when he reached the place where the roads met, and the "Hotel
Flanagan" stood before him in its dilapidated simplicity. The sight of a
cheerful fire first told the negro that he had reached the habitation of
man, and with it came all his dread of the bloody Virginians; his duty
must, however, be done, and, dismounting, he fastened the foaming animal
to a fence, and approached the window with cautious steps, to
reconnoiter.
Before a blazing fire sat Sergeant Hollister and Betty Flanagan,
enjoying themselves over a liberal potation.
"I tell ye, sargeant dear," said Betty, removing the mug from her mouth,
"'tis no r'asonable to think it was more than the piddler himself; sure
now, where was the smell of sulphur, and the wings, and the tail, and
the cloven foot? Besides, sargeant, it's no dacent to tell a lone famale
that she had Beelzeboob for a bedfellow."
"It matters but little, Mrs. Flanagan, provided you escape his talons
and fangs hereafter," returned the veteran, following the remark by a
heavy draft.
Caesar heard enough to convince him that little danger from this pair
was to be apprehended.
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