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a minute after the Spanish woman finished, nobody in the mill-house spoke. Her tale had impressed both Ben and the major deeply, and they looked with cold contempt at the two regulars who had so disgraced the uniform they wore.

"This is a fine doings, truly," said Major Morris, at length. "I wonder what your commander will say when he hears of it."

"If you please, they have deserted the American army," put in the woman. "They said as much while they were drinking my husband's wine."

"It ain't so! " burst out the older regular, fiercely. "And that woman has told you a string of—"

"Shut up!" interrupted the major, sternly. "I will take this lady's word against yours every time—after what I have witnessed of both of you. Your name, please?"