Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/347

Rh passed his house; with a seeming air of stupid indifference the man answered in the negative, and then quickly placed refreshments, such as came within his reach, before his guests, urging them to partake with a zeal even greater than common hospitality demanded: his importunities, however, were in vain.

Captain Curtis, who had fixed a penetrating eye on his host, did not let pass unobserved the constrained look and air accompanying his words and actions, nor the sullen shade that passed his brow on their refusing his offered fare.

Unable to prevail on them to taste anything, the farmer next solicited them to repose, "having upstairs a room", he said, "at their service, containing a couple of beds."

"That I cannot accept under the present circumstances" said the General; "but, booted and spurred as I am, I will sit here on this bench within doors, provided that you," addressing himself to his aid-de-camp, "keep watch without, and give me the signal the moment the detachment appears in sight. May Heaven grant that the man speaks truth! delay in such a case is more to be desired than precipitation; ere one hour revolves I shall know better on what to decide. I am thirsty," added he, "and will even quaff of