The Diamond state., 1855-07-20

4 nc intTcy TIIIU DC sn0Wm his ffiendsr
He also knew enough of the character
ofthe Major, to suspect that some strong
personal mstive had led to the planning
Of so distant an expedition, when there
we're others nearer home. He accord
ingy set himself to discover from his
hall inebriated companion the truth
Nor was he long before success crowned
his adroit cross-examinalion.
"Why, you see' said the host, ~ be-
lievelthere's little revenge for slight
received from these fellows sister, mixed
up with the Majors desire 10 catch the
Bunkers. The girl is very pretty, they
say, and the Major, when she was down
hereion visit last year--before the war
wanted TO marry her. but she would
have nothing to do with him. Ever since,
he has vowed 10 make her rue the day.
You may depend upon it, he will have
her on his own terms now. Thank Heav-
en- there's no law any longer to pre-
vent an honest royalist from doing as he
pleases to these rascally rebels. But
yonder is the Major now" suddenly said
the host, starting up. II will introdu ce
you to him at oace-a merry fellow you
will find him. Lord love you, he's as
brave as lion"
David, though Mortified at the diabol-
ical plot he had heard, saw the necessi-
ty of assembling in order to hear more
of the tory's plans, and find means, il
possible, to circumvent them. He arose,
therefore, and shook the Majors hand
warmly; pledged him Immediately in a
bumper, and so contrived to make the
loyalist believe that he was anxious TO
join troop, and take part against the
rebels. This induced the Major to be
unusually civil, for he wished to secure
so athletic recruit himself 1t was not
long before bargain was concluded be-
tween the two. DavidGefused, however,
to sign The agreement that night. He
pretended that several others of his
friends wese dissatisfied, and desirous Of
joining the royalists and his object, he
said, was TO secure commission for
himself by inducing them 10 join. This
tempting bait took the Major promised
command in his troop in case OF sue
cess, and David signifed his intention
of setting forth after he had taken few
hours rest, in order TO lose no time in
gathering together his recruits.
The dread of discovery had been con-
stantly before our hero during the arrange
ment of bis negotiation, for his person was
well known to many of the Majors troops ;
and if any of them had come up, his feign-
ed name would not protect him fIom de-
lection. He wished to get off that night,
as he proposed; but to this neither his host
nor the Major would hear, and he was
forced to remain till morning. What was
his anguish to hear that the Major had
been gone some hours, and was already on
his way to the Bunkers with his troops.
Dissembling his anxiety, David partook
of hnsty breakfast, ard mounting his
horse, rode slowly away. But when ont
of sight of the house, he struck into a
fierce gallop, which continued till he came
/ in sight of a cross road, where was tav-
ern Hero he stopped, and learning that
the royalists had taken the high road, he
turned into more narrow and more cir
cuitous by-road. .
'lt is my only chance to avoid them, !"
he said, again dashing into gallop. 81
pray God | may reach the settlement in