Page:The Partisan (revised).djvu/57

 "Well, you must guide me there to-night, if possible; I know nothing of the place, and but little of the country. Years have passed since I last went over it."

"What! have you never been at 'The Oaks,' major? I was told you had."

"Yes, when a boy; but I have no distinct memory on the subject, except of the noble trees, the thick white moss and the dreamy quiet of all things around. The place, I know, is beautiful."

"You may well say so, major; a finer don't happen often in the low country, and the look at it from the river is well worth a journey."

'Ah! I have never seen it from that quarter. But you said my uncle was well, and"&mdash;here the voice faltered a little&mdash;"and my cousin Katharine&mdash;they are all well?"

"All well, sir. The old squire is rather down in the mouth, you see, for he's taken a protection, and he can't help seeing the troubles of the county. It's this that makes his trouble; and though he used of old time to be a dashing, hearty, lively, talkative gentleman, always pleasant and good-humoured, yet now he says nothing; and if he happens to smile at all, he catches himself up a minute after, and looks mighty sorry for it. Ah, major, these cursed protections&mdash;they've made many a good heart sore in this neighbourhood, and the worst is to come yet, or I'm mistaken."

"A sore subject, Humphries, and not very necessary to speak on. But what news&mdash;what stirring, and how get on our recruits?"

"Slowly enough, major; but that is to be expected while the country is overrun with the red-coats. The folk are afraid to move, and our poor swamp-boys can't put their noses out yet&mdash;not until the enemy turns his back on them for a while, and gives them chance for a little skirmish, without the risk of the rope. But things would change, I'm certain, if the great general you spoke of, with the continentals, would only come south. Our people only want an opportunity."

"And they shall have it. But what intelligence here from the city?"

"None, sir, or little. You heard the proclamation?"

"Yes, with joy&mdash;with positive delight. The movement is a