Year: 1876

| and then, with show Of cOrdlallty and
hospitality he did not naturally possess,
| bade him welcome in the Kings name,
said he was happy to make his aequaint
ance, and hoped he would consider the
house and all it contained as his own SO
long as he might see proper to honor il
with his presence.


This generous response made young
Dean little uneasy. He knew, from
the appearance Of the man, it was not
sincerely meant, and he felt it was good
deal overdone. He appeared to be high
ly gratifed with his reception, however
but took care. when he entered, to lay


his rifle upon some hooks overhead, and
to take his seat exactly under it. Be
sides this weapon, he had large sheath
knife in his belt, aid pair of pistols
concealed in his dress, where he could
put his hand upon them at moment 8
| notice, which made him confident of de-
Tending himself against the open assault
of any one individual, and, so far as he
had discovered, there was only one man
| at least present. There were three 9TH
er persons. howsver-the woman of the
house, girl of sixteen, lad of ten or
| twelve. The woman was tall, thin, and
austere-looking the boy appeared
about as boys in general, but the girl
was really beautiful, had sweet but
| sad expression, and particularly attract
ed his attention.


Beyond his first tsuspicious ideas, young
Dean found nothing for some time to in
crease his apprehensions. The woman
and girl proceeded to prepare warm
supp ar for hin-the man entered into
conversation, asking several questions,
but always appearing satisfied with his
answers-and the boy apparently divid-
ed his time between listening and play
ing with kitten. At length his supper
was announced as ready, and the hostess
| for almost the first time, directly ad
dressed him


"I have something, Mr.. Barton, that
I'm sure you'll ike-and which the reb-
els, confound the rascally set don't
| have much of lately good cup of tea. :"
Dean partly turned to thank her, and
express his feigned qualification, and
caught the eye Of the girl standing just
behind her mother. She gave him a
look of such fearful meaning that he felt
his blood run cold, put her finger over
hoy c1,v rI I,
ed away. Our hero was an individual
of great natural presence of mind, or he
would never have undertaken his pres
ent perilous enterprise and SO, with no
apparent hesitation, and no perceivable
change OF countenance, although he felt
convinced his life was in danger, he re-
piled, with polite bow:


Madam, am sorry you have put
yourself to so much trouble on my ac-
count but really don't drink tea
"'Don't drink tea - cried the dame !;
"and you good subject of KingGeorge!
Why, you ought to drink it, if only to
spite the rebels-we do"


"Weli, come, sit down with me-I
shall be very happy to see you drink my
share - returned Dean, looking her
straight in the eye.


"I've been to support" she replied,
turning hastily away with what he fan
cied was telltale flush.


As he took his seat at the table, he
glanced over the victuals, and then at
the girl, as if to ask her if anything else
was drugged or poisoned, as he believed
the tea to be. As soon as she could do
so unpreceived by any one else, she
made the motion of carrying food to her
mouth, and at once fell to e.ting. Be
ing very hungry, and not knowing how
much he might possibly need food be-
fore he should get another meal, he eat
heartily, and as fast as manners would
permit. Just as he was about finishing,
he again caught the eye of the girl. She
gave him singular look, glanced at his
rife and then at the door, and made
slight motion with her finger in that di-
rection. He understood this as hint
for him to be off, end he at once resolv-
ed to go, even should he not be able to
find any reasonable excuse for taking
down his weapon and leaving the house.
There was evidently danger for him,
where he was but whether from the
fact Of the family being regular murder
ers and robbers, or because he himself
was suspected, or known. to be spy,
he could not tell


He had just finished bis supper and
pushing back from the table, and was
thinking about getting up and taking
down his rife and walking deliberately
out of the house, when the door sudden
~ opened, and in stalked huge savage
hideously painted. dressed and armed,
as if for the war-path. No one seemed
surprised to see him, and the host nod
ded good evening. With an answering
nod and a grunt, he advanced into the
centre of the room, and then stopped
and stared fiercely at our hero.


''That is gentleman you must know,
| Wungela, said the host, with mean
ing look, che is the important British
agent that you and 7 have heard so much
shout lately as travelling around the
| country among our friends. Some say
he Is spy; but should hardly suppose
in that case, he would have dared to
come into the lions den."


| Imagine the feelings of Dean at hear
ing this | He knew now that he was
suspected, if not detected his oorainy