" The peddler vanished from the sight of the bewildered trio, with
a rapidity that left them uncertain whither he had fled.
On hearing the voice of an old friend, Caesar emerged from his corner,
and fearlessly advanced to the spot where Betty had resolutely
maintained her ground, though in a state of utter mental confusion.
"I wish Harvey stop," said the black. "If he ride down a road, I should
like he company; I don't t'ink Johnny Birch hurt he own son."
"Poor, ignorant wretch!" exclaimed the veteran, recovering his voice
with a long-drawn breath; "think you that figure was made of flesh
and blood?"
"Harvey ain't fleshy," replied the black, "but he berry clebber man."
"Pooh! sargeant dear," exclaimed the washerwoman, "talk r'ason for once,
and mind what the knowing one tells ye; call out the boys and ride a bit
after Captain Jack; remimber, darling, that he told ye, the day, to be
in readiness to mount at a moment's warning."
"Aye, but not at a summons from the foul fiend. Let Captain Lawton, or
Lieutenant Mason, or Cornet Skipwith, say the word, and who is quicker
in the saddle than I?"
"Well, sargeant, how often is it that ye've boasted to myself that the
corps wasn't a bit afeard to face the divil?"
"No more are we, in battle array, and by daylight; but it's foolhardy
and irreverent to tempt Satan, and on such a night as this.
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