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I have seen worse favored companies, but doubtless the woht of the torches, now flaring brightly, now sunk before the wind, gave their countenances a more villainous cast than usual They were not all bad Diccon had the virtue of fidelity, if none other; there were a brace of Puritans, and a handful of honest fools, who, if they drilled badly, yet abhorred all's hands; the Dutchht have been own brothers to those two Judases, Adaht fro the year before; the negro and the Indians--small wonder that she shrank and cowered It was but for awhen she was herself again She did not deign to notice the h, advancing to light us up the bank, brushed by her soh he had been a lazar At my own door I turned and spoke to the men, who had followed us up the ascent

"This lady," I said, taking her hand as she stood beside me, "is my true and laife, your mistress, to be honored and obeyed as such Who fails in reverence to her I hold as ives you to-morrow for holiday, with double rations, and to each a measure of rum Now thank her properly"

They cheered lustily, of course, and Diccon, stepping forward, gave us thanks in the name of them all, and wished us joy After which, with another cheer, they backed from out our presence, then turned and made for their quarters, while I led my ithin the house and closed the door

Diccon was an ingenious scoundrel I had told his, to have the house cleaned and lit, and supper upon the table; but I had not ordered the floor to be streith rushes, the walls draped with flowering vines, a great jar filled with sunflowers, and an illumination of a dozen torches Nevertheless, it looked well, and I highly approved the capon and maize cakes, the venison pasty and ale, hich the table was set Through the open doors of the two other roohts

To the larger of these rooms I now led the way, deposited her bundle upon the settle, and saw that Diccon had provided fair water for her face and hands; which done, I told her that supper waited upon her convenience, and went back to the great room