With that he left us, trusting that his wife would know what measures to take in the house while he looked after the farm.

Mrs. Mummer at once secreted all the silver in one of the vaults and raised the Turkey carpets. Costly hangings and paintings were put away, and in a short time the place was dismantled of everything of value that could be hidden.

On the farm the horses and cows were driven into the woods to a place where 't was hoped they would not be found, and we did what we could to prepare for what surely would come to us unless all reports of depredations and outrages committed by the British forces were false. But we had scarce finished the half of what we had planned, when one of the darky boys tore in with a blanched face, crying that the redcoats were on the road.

Ten minutes later, as I was about to go upstairs to my room for something, there was a galloping of horses, and then a thundering knock on the door.

"Is it the custom also to furnish horses?" the rougher of the two sneered; "because I must on to Philadelphia, and the nag I have is foundered."

"Most of our horses are gone," I answered; "we have but two or three in the stable; I will do what I can, though the best I have may not suit you."

"It needs must suit," he replied. "Have it up at once, for I cannot even stay to eat."

A black stable-boy named Charley had come within ear-shot, and, at a nod from me, went off to get a horse. We stood waiting on the portico till he should return, for I was glad to speed so churlish a man on his way; and while we were there Mrs. Mummer appeared and took in the situation at a glance.

"Well," she said, addressing the officers, "Mummer says, 'what can't be cured must be endured,' so I suppose you 've come to stay?"

"Aye, my good woman," said the first officer, with a patronizing air; "if you will look after the

men-"

"Nay," Mrs. Mummer cut in, her hands on her

CHAPTER XIX

I MAKE AN ENEMY

I SCARCE can tell why, but for a full minute I stood as one palsied. Then came another tremendous knock and shout.

"Open in the name of the King!" and with that there sounded a pattering of small feet along the passage. It was Peggy, and glad was I to see her, as if she had been a giant come to protect me.

"Cu-cu-come on, Bu-Bu-Bee!" she cried; "I'll help you to fi-fi-fight the Bub-Bub-British!" and she took my hand and together we opened the door.

Before us stood a number of officers, and behind them on the lawn were many soldiers. All looked dusty, tired, and hungry, and the private soldiers eyed the place, wondering, no doubt, what they would find to fill their empty stomachs. One of the officers doffed his hat as we came out, and, half apologetically, and in a most pleasant voice, spoke:

"I am come to ask if you will give us food and lodging for the night."

"And mayhap for some time to come," another snarled; "why ask when you can take?" he added.

"Strangers are never turned away from Denewood," I answered, as coolly as I could for a beating heart. "T is the custom in this household to give food willingly to those who ask."

is Mrs. Mummer, and I'll be glad, sir, if you 'll remember it. As for your men, forsooth, they'll have to work for their keep. You 've scared nigh all the servants from the place, and there 's wood to carry and water to draw, and I know not how much else to do, to feed that lot of hungry soldiers."

I feared the officer would resent Mrs. Mummer's words, they seemed over-bold to me, yet he but laughed.

"Your pardon, Mrs. Mummer," he returned; "by all means make them work. They'll be glad enough to do it, I warrant, if it brings their dinners to them the sooner."

By this time Charley had come with a saddled horse for the other officer. Where he had found it I know not, for so forlorn and dismal-looking a beast never lived at Denewood. I was for making some protest, but Charley caught my eye, and I saw a twinkle of mischief in his, and held my peace. And I was like to laugh outright at the contrast between the sorry animal and the gorgeously dressed man who was to ride it. He, on seeing it, turned on me angrily. "Now what's this?" he demanded loudly. "T-t-t is a ho-ho-horse!" cried Peggy, at the top of her small voice. "C-ca-can't you see it 's fu-fu-funny legs?"

Whereat there was an explosion of laughter from all the officers about us.

"Gad, Blundell," cried one of them, "did you think it was a bu-bu-bu-bear?"

The man at first fumed and then smiled rather

sourly. I saw that he was really vexed, and ere long would take it out on some one, so I wanted to be rid of him.

"'Deed, Miss Bee," he said, touching his cap, "he's a fine horse, 'deed he is. I 'low he ain't got much style, but he 's spry, Miss Bee, he suttenly am spry. You don't think I'd bring nothin' but de best we has for dese British gemmens?"

straightway bounded in the air, throwing up its head in a most violent manner, and coming again to earth with all four legs stiff as boards. This it did again and again, so that a good horseman would have had difficulty to keep his seat; and Blundell was far from a good horseman, as

"Did n't you hear the boy say he was spry," cut in an officer. Blundell shook his head doubtfully. "If that's the best you have, put the saddle back on my own horse," he commanded Charley; and I saw the boy's face fall.

"Sink me!" said another of the officers, "I'll wager Blundell 's afraid to ride the beast."

It was said in a tantalizing way; it hit the mark. "Fetch me the horse," said Blundell to Charley, angrily, "and I'll show you whether I can ride it or not!" And with that he strode, down and prepared to mount. We watched eagerly, for all were curious to see him seated on that sorry nag. VOL. XXXIX.-105-106.

Now I, too, laughed-no one could have helped it-and it was plain that the man was not hurt, for he leaped to his feet, the picture of fury.

"You rebel vixen!" he cried, venting all his spleen on me; "'t is a trick you and that black rascal have put upon me! I would that I had time to catch him now, but I promise you he 'll be well beaten when I return. There was a bur under that saddle, I 'll warrant!" And with that he stalked off toward the stables, and soon went clattering away on the horse that had brought him.