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340 this pure beverage," pouring water from an earthen pitcher that stood on the table.

The glass was raised to his lips; but before he tasted its contents it was grasped from his hand.

"'Tis poisoned, General; beware!" whispered his aid-de-camp; "we are under the roof, or I am greatly mistaken, of a most notorious rebel. Examine the jug; it contains a sediment truly suspicious."

Not wishing to entertain private discourse, under the persuasion that it would be better to avoid showing mistrust, the General, turning hastily aside, fixed a searching eye on his host, in whose aspect nought appeared that might in any way dispel his doubts; but seeing no reason, whilst in expectation of the arrival of the troops, under Major Harrold, against taking a short repose, he followed his conductor into an adjoining room.

Accoutred as he was, with hat and sword, he sat himself down, the host having closed the door after him on retiring. Harassed in mind by the non-arrival of the troops, his thoughts were far too busily engaged to slumber; every moment irksome to him, he was on the point of suddenly rising, had not his impatience been diverted for an interval by the movements of his host. Feigning sleep, which his recumbent posture favoured, he had seen his