Page:The Partisan (revised).djvu/60

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50
THE PARTISAN.

Swamp, where they shelter; and if there be no tory among us to show them the track, I defy all Proctor's garrison to find us out."

"We must be among them to-morrow. But the evening wears, and the breeze freshens up from the river: it is sweet and fresh from the sea—and how different, too, from that of the forests! But come—I must go back, and have my horse in readiness for this ride to 'The Oaks,' where you must attend me."

"Your horse! Where is he?" asked the other quickly.

"In your father's stable."

"He must not be suffered to stay there; if he is, you will not have him long. We must hide him out, or that black-hearted tory, Huck, will be on his quarters before three days: he's beating about the country now for horses as well as men."

"See to it, then, for I must run no such risk. Let us return at once," said Singleton.

"Yes; but we take different roads: we must not know each other. Can you find the way back alone, major?"

"Yes—I doubt not."

"To the left now—round that water; keep straight up from the river for a hundred yards, and you fall into the track. Your horse shall be ready in an hour, and I will meet you at supper."

They parted—Singleton on his way as directed, and Humphries burying himself still deeper in the copse.