The sky, however, being cloudless, the moon at its full, and the ground covered with snow, it was sufficiently light to see objects at a great distance. We were about rising from the table, when our attention was suddenly attracted by one of the children who was standing at the window, as she said, ' Oh father, yonder are some soldiers coming this way.' A single glance in the direction in which she was pointing, showed that they were Tories.

Not a moment must be lost, if he would escape. He had not time even, only as he ran, to bid us good-bye ; but snatching up his hat and sword, lie left the house by a door opposite to the one they were about to enter, well knowing his fate should he fall into their hands. Fortunately, before he came into the house, he had fed and secured his horse in a spot some distance away, and quite hidden from view. Could he keep the dwelling between his pursuers and himself till he reached this place, he would be in comparative safety ; at least, he would have time to mount, and his chances of escape would be better on horseback than on foot.

I followed him with eager eyes and beating heart, till he disappeared over the hill ; but my anxiety was so great that it seemed he would never reach it. I expected every instant to hear the report of their heavy pistols. It could not have been more than a moment after I had seen him disappear, when the door shook beneath the heavy blows of sabres, accompanied by the coarse voices of brutal soldiers demanding admittance. My excitement had made me so weak that I could hardly stand, yet I dared not refuse them entrance.