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only son." "Oh! say nothing about it if you please, madam," exclaimed the soldier, hastily: "the richest reward that I can ever obtain, is the applause of my own conscience: Heaven truly knows that my life would have been of but little worth, would have afforded me but small enjoyment, had I suffered this young man to have remained a prisoner in the enemy's hands. God bless you both: it is time that you were gone, for the enemy's light-horse will be scouring the road which you will be forced to take.” So saying, he gave the whole party a warm shake of the hand, plunged into the thicket, and in a moment was lost to the view of the party.

Edgar immediately made preparations for his final departure from the enemy's territory; having carefully placed Flora upon the horse which she had ridden, he mounted his own favourite charger, which had been brought for his purposes, and the whole party proceeded with rapidity towards the mouth of the Appomattox river. Frequently upon the route, did they hear the sound of the enemy's bugles, as if in rapid pursuit, but, as they drew near to the river, all symptoms of danger vanished. The policy of Drumhead, senr. had provided every thing for their speedy passage across the river, and upon their arrival upon its banks, a ferry-boat was found ready to receive them. The old fisherman, in a whisper, told Edgar that their ferry-man, was a very particular friend of his son Dan, who had become acquainted with him while oystering upon York river. This notification, simple as it was, served to allay some slight fears which Edgar had enter

tained of entrusting himself to the conveyance of a stranger. The moon, in her last quarter, arose just as they had crossed the river, and threw a faint illumination over the surrounding prospect. In the James River, Edgar saw several vessels with the English flag flying at their mast-heads, and could almost distinguish the tread of the sentries who were walking upon their decks.

Having remounted, Edgar gave a liberal donation to the kind ferryman who had thus placed them out of all danger, and placing himself by the side of Flora, they for the first time commenced a conversátion, which the rapidity of their retreat had hitherto entirely prevented. He eagerly asked of Flora an explanation of her strange appearance at the enemy's lines at so opportune a period, accompanied by such an uncouth pair as the elder and younger Drumhead. To this she replied, that his friend Champ had written to her, informing her of his intention to effect Edgar Thornhill's escape, and requested that she would procure, if possible, some conveyance to meet them both at a particular spot which he mentioned, at a certain time. "My joy" she continued, "at receiving this unexpected letter, was, as you may well suppose, extreme; but it was considerably damped by the circumstance of my father being taken very ill, so much so as to render it impossible that he could do any thing to aid you, and your situation was too perilous to admit of any delay. 1 knew the great attachment which these two poor fishermen felt for you, and I at once determined to procure them as attendants for me to the place which

Champ had designated, as I was fearful that if they were suffered to go alone, the whole scheme might be blasted. I accordingly wrote to your friend, and for fear of accidents, sent the letter by your devoted Daniel Drumhead, and informed him that every thing would be arranged as he had requested. I communicated my intention to my father, and also to your mother, who, since the destruction of your mansion, has resided with us.

My poor father was deeply affected at the thoughts of the dangerous enterprize which I was about to attempt, but his anxiety for your escape was superior to every other consideration; and having ascertained my plan, he at once assented. Your mother shed a flood of joyous tears as she ascertained the strong probability of your escape, and uttered a prayer for your success Gilbert and his son Dan were pleased beyond measure at the offer of being my attendants, and truly they make very respectable squires. If Dan's locks were not so red, he would be a very handsome young man, and red as they are, I have no doubt but that he is a great favourite with the young ladies." At this compliment, Dan blushed to his ear-locks, and giving his father a jog in the side with his elbow, let fly a most outrageous burst of merriment. Drumhead sr. reproved him for his unseemly behaviour before the lady; but Dan's delight, compounded and surcharged as it was by the happy event of Edgar's escape and the compliment from the pretty Miss Flora, could not be restrained, but poured forth in one unbroken stream of laughter, which ceased not till

its channel had become perfectly dry. "It was under these circumstauces," continued Flora, "that our journey was undertaken; Dan had been shown the place of meeting on his previous visit, and recognized it without difficulty. Great was my fear that you and your brave friend would be discovered; but now we are safe, for see the sun is about to rise, and we are far distant from our pursuers."

Edgar's heart was too full to allow him to speak; the affection and deep impassioned feeling which he had hitherto entertained for the lovely girl at his side, was now mingled with the most heart-felt gratitude, the most fervent and high-toned respect. And when he thought of her as his future consort, as the being whose soul was to be linked with his own till severed by fate, a soft and rapturous emotion usurped the place of that sorrow and desperate anxiety which had so long afflicted him. The party slowly pursued their route after having stopped for a short time to refresh themselves at the house of a well known friend on their road, and towards the close of the day arrived within sight of the residence of Flora's father. They were soon recognized, and in a few moments encircled in the embraces of the whole family. The venerable father of Flora could not refrain rising from his bed of sickness and welcoming the long lost son of his old friend, and the woe-worn countenance of Edgar's mother was once more illumined by the smile of joy, as in the manly form of her son, she beheld the being who alone could restore tranquillity and peace to a bosom pierced by the most deadly afflictions.

Within a decent time after the last obsequies were performed over the body of his father, Edgar was united to his beloved Flora, and at the solicitations of Mr. and Mrs. Summers, Edgar, his mother and wife consented to remain with them. As the war of the revolution was brought to a close within a short time afterwards, Edgar withdrew from the service, and in the bosom of a beloved family, enjoyed the only perfect happiness which is to be found in this life, compounded as it is of pride and humility, wantonness of wealth, and wretchedness of poverty.

Edgar and his wife for a time, frequently heard from their friend Champ, but at last all communications from him at once ceased. Many years elapsed ere they heard any tidings of him, and at last it was ascertained that the trooper, after having received the reward due to his gallantry, from the hands of Washington, had retired from the service at the close of the war. But, still animated by the same spirit of adventure which had characterized his former life, he had left his native land and penetrated the western wilds, where he died.

The fidelity and services of the Drumheads, sr. and jr. were rewarded by the warm protection and untiring friendships of the young soldier and Flora, as long as the elder Drumhead lived. But, he having departed to his long home, through the combined effects of old age and disease, his son Dan became discontented with his solitary life, and having packed up his scoop-net, oyster-tongs, and other fishing apparatus, in the family canoe, he abandoned his paternal mansion to its fate, and steered his course to

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