Horse-Shoe Robinson: A Tale of the Tory Ascendency
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CHAPTER XX.
"What ho! What ho!--thy door undo: Art watching or asleep?"--_Burger's Leonora._
On the banks of the Ennoree, in a little nook of meadow, formed by thebend of the stream which, fringed with willows, swept round it almost ina semicircle, the inland border of the meadow being defined by a gentlyrising wall of hills covered with wood, was seated within a few paces ofthe water, a neat little cottage with a group of out-buildings,presenting all the conveniences of a comfortable farm. Thedwelling-house itself was shaded by a cluster of trees which had beenspared from the native forest, and within view were several fields ofcultivated ground neatly inclosed with fences. A little lower down thestream and within a short distance of the house, partially concealed bythe bank, stood a small low-browed mill, built of wood. It was nearsundown, and the golden light of evening sparkled upon the shower whichfell from the leaky race that conducted the water to the head gate, andno less glittered on the spray that was dashed from the large and slowlyrevolving wheel. The steady gush of the stream, and the monotonous clackof the machinery, aided by the occasional discordant scream of a flockof geese that frequented the border of the race, and by the gambols of afew children, who played about the confines of the mill, excitedpleasant thoughts of rural business and domestic content. A rudelyconstructed wagon, to which were harnessed two lean horses, stood at thedoor of the mill, and two men, one of them advanced in years, and theother apparently just beyond the verge of boyhood, were occupied inheaping upon it a heavy load of bags of meal. The whitened habilimentsof these men showed them to be the proper attendants of the place, andnow engaged in their avocation. A military guard stood by the wagon, andas soon as it was filled, they were seen to put the horses in motion,and to retire by a road that crossed the stream and take the descendingdirection of the current close along the opposite bank.
When this party had disappeared, the old man directed the mill to bestopped. The gates were let down, the machinery ungeared, and, in a fewmoments, all was still. The millers now retired to the little habitationhard by.
"There is so much work lost," said the elder to his companion, as theyapproached the gate that opened into the curtilage of the dwelling. "Weshall never be paid for that load. Colonel Innis doesn't care much outof whose pocket he feeds his men; and as to his orders upon Rawdon'squarter-master, why it is almost the price of blood to venture so farfrom home to ask for payment--to say nothing of the risk of finding thearmy purse as low as a poor miller's at home. I begrudge the grain,Christopher, and the work that grinds it; but there is no disputing withthese whiskered foot-pads with bayonets in their hands--they must haveit and will have it, and there's an end of it."
"Aye," replied the man addressed by the name of Christopher, "as yousay, they will have it; and if they are told that a poor man's sweat hasbeen mixed with their bread, they talk to us about the cause--thecause--the cause. I am tired of this everlasting preaching about kingand country. I don't know but if I had my own way I'd take the countryagainst the king any day. What does George the Third care for us, with agreat world of water between?"
"Whisht, Christopher Shaw--whisht, boy! We have no opinions of our own;trees and walls have ears at this time. It isn't for us to be bringingblood and burning under our roof, by setting up for men who haveopinions. No, no. Wait patiently; and perhaps, Christopher, it will notbe long before this gay bird Cornwallis will be plucked of his feathers.The man is on his way now that, by the help of the Lord, may bring downas proud a hawk as ever flew across the water. If it should beotherwise, trust to the power above the might of armies, and wiser thanthe cunning of men, that, by a righteous and peaceful life, we shallmake our lot an easier one than it may ever be in mingling in the strifeof the evil-minded."
"It is hard, for all that--wise as it is--to be still," saidChristopher, "with one's arms dangling by one's side, when one'sneighbors and kinsmen are up and girding themselves for battle. It willcome to that at last; fight we must. And, I don't care who knows it, Iam for independence, uncle Allen."
"Your passion, boy, and warmth of temper, I doubt, outrun yourdiscretion," said the old man. "But you speak bravely and I cannot chideyou for it. For the present, at least, be temperate, and, if you can,silent. It is but unprofitable talk for persons in our condition."
The uncle and nephew now entered the house, and Allen Musgrove--for thiswas the person to whom I have introduced my reader--was soon seated athis family board, invoking a blessing upon his evening meal, anddispensing the cares of a quiet and peaceful household.
"I wonder Mary stays so long with her aunt," he said, as the early hourof repose drew nigh. "It is an ill place for her, wife, and not apt toplease the girl with anything she may find there. Wat Adair is anirregular man, and savage as the beasts he hunts. His associates are notof the best, and but little suited to Mary's quiet temper."
The wife, a staid, motherly-looking woman of plain and placid exterior,who was busily engaged amongst a thousand scraps of coarse,homespun-cloth, which she was fashioning into a garment for some of theyounger members of her family, paused from her work, upon this appeal toher, and, directing her glances above her spectacles to her husband,replied:
"Mary has been taught to perform her duties to her kinsfolk, and itisn't often that she counts whether it is pleasant to her or not.Besides, Watty, rough as he is, loves our girl; and love goes a greatway to make us bear and forbear both, husband. I'll warrant our daughtercomes home when she thinks it right. But it is a weary way to ride overa wild country, and more so now when Whig and Tory have distracted theland. I wish Christopher could be spared to go for her."
"He shall go to-morrow, wife," returned Allen Musgrove. "Wat Adair, loveher or not, is not the man to go out of his way for a wandering girl,and would think nothing to see the child set out by herself. But come,it is Saturday night and near bed-time. Put aside your work, wife; alesson from the Book of Truth, and prayers, and then to rest," he said,as he took down a family Bible from a shelf and spread it before him.
The old man put on a pair of glasses, which, by a spring, sustainedthemselves upon his nose, and with an audible and solemn voice he read aportion of scripture; then, placing himself on his knees, whilst thewhole family followed his example, he poured forth a fervent andheart-inspired prayer. It was a simple and homely effusion, deliveredfrom the suggestions of the moment, in accordance with a devout habit ofthanksgiving and supplication to which he had long been accustomed. Hewas a Presbyterian, and had witnessed, with many a pang, the profligatecontempt and even savage persecution with which his sect had beenvisited by many of the Tory leaders--especially by the loyalistpartisan, Captain Huck, who had been recently killed in an incursion ofSumpter's at Williams's plantation, not far distant from Musgrove'spresent residence. It was this unsparing hostility towards his religion,and impious derision of it, that, more than any other circumstance, hadbegotten that secret dislike of the Tory cause which, it was known to afew, the miller entertained, although his age, situation, and, perhaps,some ancient prejudice of descent (for he was the son of an early Scotchemigrant), would rather have inclined him to take the royal side; thatside which, in common belief and in appearance, he still favored.
"Thou hast bent thy bow," he said, in the warmest effusion of hisprayer, "and shot thine arrows, O Lord, amongst this people; thou hastpermitted the ministers of vengeance, and the seekers of blood to rideamongst us, and thy wrath hath not yet bowed the stubborn spirit ofsin--but the hard hearts are given strong arms, and with curses theyhave smitten the people. Yet even the firebrand that it did please theenot to stay because of our sins--yea, even the firebrand that did causeconflagration along our border, until by the light the erring childrenof men might read in the dark night, from one end of our boundary evenunto the other, the enormity of their own backslidings, and theirforgetfulness of thee; that firebrand hath been thrown into the blazewhich it had itself kindled, and, like a weapon of war which hath growndull in the work of destruction, hath been cast into the place
ofunprofitable lumber, and hath been utterly consumed. The persecutor ofthe righteous and the scoffer of the word hath paid the price of blood,and hath fallen into the snares wherewith he lay in wait to ensnare thefeet of the unthinking. But stay now, O Lord of Hosts, the hand of thedestroyer, and let the angel of peace again spread his wing over ourracked and wearied land. Take from the wicked heart his sword andshield, and make the righteous man safe beside his family hearth.Shelter the head of the wanderer, and guide in safety the huntedfugitive who flees before the man of wrath; comfort the captive in hiscaptivity, and make all hearts in this rent and sundered province toknow and bless thy mercies for ever more. In especial, we beseech theeto give the victory to him that hath right, and to 'stablish thefoundations of the government in justice and truth, giving liberty ofconscience and liberty of law to those who know how to use it." At thispoint the worship of the evening was arrested by a slight knocking atthe door.
"Who goes there?" exclaimed the old man, starting from his kneelingposition. "Who raps at my door?"
"A stranger, good man," replied a voice without. "A poor fellow that hasbeen hot pressed and hard run."
"Friend or foe?" asked Allen Musgrove.
"A very worthless friend to any man at this present speaking," repliedthe person on the outside of the door; "and not fit to be counted a foeuntil he has had something to eat. If you be Allen Musgrove, open yourdoor."
"Are you alone, or do you come with followers at your heels? My house issmall and can give scant comfort to many?"
"Faith, it is more than I know," responded the other; "but if I havefollowers it is not with my will that they shall cross your door-sill.If you be Allen Musgrove, or if you be not, open, friend. I am asharmless as a barndoor fowl."
"I do not fear you, sir," said Musgrove, opening the door; "you arewelcome to all I can give you, whatever colors you serve."
"Then give us your hand," said Horse Shoe Robinson, striding into theapartment. "You are a stranger to me, but if you are Allen Musgrove, themiller, that I have hearn men speak of, you are not the person to turnyour back on a fellow creature in distress. Your sarvent, mistress," headded, bowing to the dame. "Far riding and fast riding gives a sort ofclaim these times; so excuse me for sitting down."
"You are welcome, again; your name, sir?" said Musgrove.
"Have I guessed yours?" inquired Horse Shoe.
"You have."
"Then you must guess mine; for it isn't convenient to tell it."
"Some poor Whig soldier," said Christopher Shaw privately to Musgrove."It isn't right to make him betray himself. You are hungry, friend,"added Christopher; "and we will first get you something to eat, and thenyou may talk all the better for it."
"That's a good word," said Horse Shoe, "and a brave word, as things go;for it isn't every man has the courage to feed an enemy in these days,though I made the devils do it for me this morning, ha, ha, ha! Somewater, Mr. Musgrove, and it will not come badly to my hand if you cantangle it somewhat."
The refreshment asked for was produced by Christopher Shaw; and HorseShoe, taking the brimming cup in his hand, stood up, and with a ratherawkward courtesy, pledged the draught with "Your health, good mistress,and luck to the little ones! for we grown-up babies are out of the daysof luck, except the luck of escaping twisted hemp, or drum-head law,which for to-night, I believe, is mine;" and he swallowed the mixture ata draught; then, with a long sigh, placed the cup upon the table andresumed his seat. "That there spirit, Mr. Musgrove," he added, "is aspecial good friend in need, preach against it who will!"
"You say you have ridden far to-day," remarked the miller: "you must betired."
"I am not apt to get tired," replied the sergeant, turning hissword-belt over his head, and flinging the weapon upon a bench; "but Iam often hungry."
"My wife," said Musgrove, smiling, "has taken that hint before you spokeit; she has already ordered something for you to eat."
"That's an excellent woman!" exclaimed Horse Shoe. "You see, AllenMusgrove, I don't stand much upon making myself free of your house. Ihave hearn of you often before I saw you, man; and I know all about you.You are obliged to keep fair weather with these Tories--who have noconsideration for decent, orderly people--but your heart is with theboys that go for liberty. You see I know you, and am not afeard to trustyou. Perchance, you mought have hearn tell of one Horse Shoe Robinson,who lived over here at the Waxhaws?"
"I have heard many stories about that man," replied the miller.
"Well, I won't tell you that he is in your house to-night, for fear theTories might take you to account for harboring such a never-do-well. Butyou have got a poor fellow under your roof that has had a hard run toget here."
"In my house!" exclaimed Musgrove; "Horse Shoe Robinson!" and then,after a pause, he continued, "well, well, there is no rule of war thatjustifies a Christian in refusing aid and comfort to a houseless andhunted stranger, who comes with no thought of harm to a peaceful familyhearth. I take no part in the war on either side; and, in your ear,friend Robinson, I take none _against_ you or the brave men that standby you."
"Your hand again," said Horse Shoe, reaching towards the miller. "Allen,I have come to you under a sore press of heels. An officer of theContinental army and me have been travelling through these here parts,and we have been most onaccountably ambushed by a half wild-cat, halfbull-dog, known by the name of Captain Hugh Habershaw, who cotched us inthe night at Grindall's ford."
"Heaven have mercy on the man who has anything to do with HughHabershaw!" exclaimed the miller's wife.
"Amen, mistress," responded the sergeant; "for a surlier, misbegottenpiece of flesh, there's not in these wild woods, giving you the choiceof bear, panther, catamount, rattlesnake, or what not. We were sotupon," continued the sergeant, "by this bully and a bevy of hisbraggadocios, and made prisoners; but I took a chance to slip the noosethis morning, and after riding plump into a hornet's nest atBlackstock's, where I put on a new face and tricked the guard out of adinner and this here old sword, I took a course for this mill, axingpeople along the road where I should find Allen Musgrove; and so, aftermaking some roundabouts and dodging into the woods until night came on,to keep clear of the Tories, here I am."
"And the officer?" said Musgrove.
"He is in the hands of the Philistines yet--most likely now atBlackstock's."
"What might be his name?"
"Major Butler--a bold, warm gentleman--that's been used to tender lifeand good fortune. He has lands on the sea-coast--unless that new-fangledcourt at Charlestown, that they call the Court of Seekerstations, hasmade them null and void--as they have been making the estates of bettergentleman than they could ever pretend to be; taking all the best lands,you see, Allen, to themselves, the cursed iniquiters!"
"Where did you come from with this gentleman?"
"A long way off, Mr. Musgrove--from old Virginny--but lastly from WatAdair's."
"Wat's wife is a relation of my family."
"Then he is a filthy disgrace to all who claim kin with him, AllenMusgrove. Wat was the man who put us into the wild-cat's claws--atleast, so we had good reason to think. There was a tidy, spruce, andsmart little wench there--tut, man--I am talking of your own kith andkindred, for her name was Mary Musgrove."
"Our girl!" said the dame with an animated emphasis; "our own Mary; whatof _her_, Mr. Horse Shoe Robinson?"
"That she is as good a child, Mistress Musgrove, as any honest parentmought wish for. She got some sort of inkling of what was contrived; andso she appeared to Major Butler in a dream--or her ghost."
"Mercy on us! the child has not been hurt?" cried the mother.
"Ondoubtedly not, ma'am," said Robinson; "but it is as true as you arethere, she gave us, somehow or other, a warning that there was harm inthe wind; and we took her advice, but it didn't do."
"I wish the child were home," said Musgrove. "Christopher, at daylight,boy, saddle a horse and be off to Adair's for Mary."
The nephew promised to do the errand.
"With right good heart," replied Horse Shoe; "but it's a kind of camprule with me, before I taste food--no matter where--just to look afterCaptain Peter Clinch; that's my horse, friend Musgrove. So, by yourleave, I'll just go take a peep to see that the Captain is sarved. Agood beast is a sort of right arm in scrapish times; and as God ha'n'tgiven them the gift of speech, we must speak for them."
"Christopher shall save you the trouble," replied Musgrove.
"A good horse never loses anything by the eye of his master," said HorseShoe; "so, Christopher, I'll go with you."
In a short time the sergeant returned into the house, and took his seatat the table, where he fell to, at what was set before him, with alaudable dispatch.
"How far off," he inquired, "is the nearest Tory post, Mr. Musgrove?"
"Colonel Innis has some light corps stationed within two miles. If youhad been a little earlier you would have found some of them at my mill."
"Innis!" repeated Horse Shoe, "I thought Floyd had these parts undercommand?"
"So he has," replied the miller, "but he has lately joined the garrisonat Rocky Mount."
"Ha! ha! ha!" ejaculated Robinson, "that's a pot into which Sumpter willbe dipping his ladle before long. All the land between Wateree and Broadbelongs to Tom Sumpter, let mad-cap Tarleton do his best! We Whigs, Mr.Musgrove, have a little touch of the hobgoblin in us. We travel prettymuch where we please. Now, I will tell you, friend, very plainly what Iam after. I don't mean to leave these parts till I see what is to becomeof Major Butler. Innis and Floyd put together sha'n't hinder me fromlooking after a man that's under my charge. I'm an old sodger, and theycan't make much out of me if they get me."
"The country is swarming with troops of one kind or another," said themiller; "and a man must have his wits about him who would get throughit. You are now, Mr. Robinson, in a very dangerous quarter. The fort atNinety-Six on one side of you, and Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock on theother--the road between the three is full of loyalists. Colonel Innis ishere to keep the passage open, and, almost hourly, his men are passing.You should be careful in showing yourself in daylight. And as for yourpoor friend, Major Butler, there is not likely to be much good willshown towards him. I greatly fear his case is worse than it seems toyou."
"There is somewhere," said Robinson, "in that book that lies open on thetable--which I take to be the Bible--the story of the campaigns of KingDavid; and as I have hearn it read by the preacher, it tells how Davidwas pushed on all sides by flying corps of the enemy, and that, seeinghe had no sword, he came across a man who gave him victuals and thesword of Goliath--as I got my dinner and a sword this morning from thetavern-keeper at Blackstock's; and then he set off on his flight to somestrange place, where he feigned himself crazy and scrabbled at the gate,and let the spit run down on his beard--as I have done before now withTarleton, Mr. Musgrove; and then King David took into a cave--which Ishouldn't stand much upon doing if there was occasion; and there theKing waited, until he got friends about him and was able to drub thePhilistians for robbing the threshing-floors--as I make no doubt theseTories have robbed yours, Allen Musgrove. But you know all about it,seeing that you are able to read, which I am not. Now, I don't pretendto say that I nor Major Butler are as good men as David--not at all; butthe cause of liberty is as good a cause as ever King David fought for,and the Lord that took his side in the cave, will take the side of theWhigs, sooner or later, and help them to beat these grinding, thieving,burning, and throat-cutting Tories. And, moreover, a brave man oughtnever to be cast down by such vermin; that's my religion, Mr. Musgrove,though you mought hardly expect to find much thought of such things leftin a rough fellow like me, that's been hammered in these here wars likean old piece of iron that's been one while a plough coulter, and afterthat a gun-barrel, and finally that's been run up with others into apiece of ordnance--not to say that it moughtn't have been a horse shoein some part of its life, ha! ha! ha! There's not likely to be muchconscience or religion left after all that hammering."
"'He shall keep the simple folk by their right,'" said Musgrove, quotinga passage from the Psalms, "'defend the children of the poor and punishthe wrong-doer.' You have finished your supper, Mr. Robinson," hecontinued, "and before we retire to rest you will join us in theconclusion of our family worship, which was interrupted by your cominginto the house. We will sing a Psalm which has been given to us by thatman whose deliverance has taught you where you are to look for yours."
"If I cannot help to make music, Allen," said Horse Shoe, "I can listenwith good will."
The miller now produced a little book in black-letter, containing afamiliar and ancient version of the Psalms, and the following quaint andsimple lines were read by him in successive couplets, the whole familysinging each distich as soon as it was given out--not excepting HorseShoe, who, after the first couplet, having acquired some slightperception of the tune, chimed in with a voice that might have alarmedthe sentinels of Innis's camp:
"A king that trusteth in his host Shall not prevail at length; The man that of his might doth boast Shall fall, for all his strength.
"The troops of horsemen eke shall fail, Their sturdy steeds shall starve: The strength of horse shall not prevail The rider to preserve.
"But so the eyes of God intend, And watch to aid the just; With such as fear him to offend, And on his goodness trust.
"That he of death and great distress May set their souls from dread; And if that dearth their land oppress, In hunger them to feed.
"Wherefore our soul doth whole depend On God, our strength and stay; He is our shield us to defend And drive all darts away."
When this act of devotion was concluded the old man invoked a blessingupon his household, and gave his orders that the family should betakethemselves to rest. Horse Shoe had already taken up his sword and wasabout retiring to a chamber, under the guidance of Christopher Shaw,when the door was suddenly thrown wide open, and in rushed MaryMusgrove. She ran up, threw herself into her father's arms, and criedout--
"Oh, how glad I am that I have reached home to-night!" then kissing bothof her parents, she flung herself into a chair, saying "I am tired--verytired. I have ridden the livelong day, alone, and frightened out of mywits."
"Not alone, my daughter!--on that weary road, and the country sotroubled with ill-governed men! Why did you venture, girl? Did you notthink I would send your cousin Christopher for you?"
"Oh, father," replied Mary, "there have been such doings! Ah! and hereis Mr. Horse Shoe Robinson; Major Butler, where is he, sir?" sheexclaimed, turning to the sergeant, who had now approached the back ofher chair to offer his hand.
"Blessings on you for a wise and a brave girl!" said Robinson. "But itwouldn't do; we were ambushed, and the Major is still a prisoner."
"I feared it," said Mary, "and therefore I stole away. They arebloody-minded and wicked, father; and uncle Adair's house has been theplace where mischief and murder has been talked of. Oh, I am very sick!I have had such a ride!"
"Poor wench!" said the father, taking her to his bosom. "You have notthe temper nor the strength to struggle where ruthless men take up theirweapons of war. What has befallen? Tell us all!"
"No, no!" interposed the mother; "no, Allen, not now. The girl must havefood and sleep, and must not be wearied with questions to-night. Wait,my dear Mary, until to-morrow. She will tell us everything to-morrow."
"I must hear of Major Butler," said Mary; "I cannot sleep until I haveheard all that has happened. Good Mr. Robinson, tell me everything."
In few words the sergeant unfolded to the damsel the eventful history ofthe last two days, during the narrative of which her cheek waxed pale,her strength failed her, and she sank almost lifeless across herfather's knee.
"Give me some water," she said. "My long ride has worn me out. I ran offat daylight this morning, and have not stopped once upon the road."
A glass of milk with a slice of bread restored the maiden to herstrength, and she took the first opportunity to inform the circle whosurrounded her of all the incidents that had fallen under herobservation at Adair's.
Her father listened with deep emotion to the tale, and during itsrelation clenched his teeth with anger, as he walked, to and fro,through the apartment. There was an earnest struggle in his feelings towithhold the expression of the strong execration, which the narrativebrought almost to his lips, against the perfidy of his wife's kinsman.But the habitual control of his temper, which his religious habitsinculcated, kept him silent; and considerations of prudence again swayedhim from surrendering to the impulse, which would have led him todeclare himself openly against the cause of the royal government and itssupporters in the district where he lived. He cross-questioned hisdaughter as to many minute points of her story, but her answers wereuniform and consistent, and were stamped with the most unequivocalproofs of her strict veracity. Indeed, the collateral evidencesfurnished by Robinson, left no doubt on the miller's mind that the wholeof Mary's disclosures were the testimony of a witness whose senses couldnot have been disturbed by illusions, nor distempered by fear.
"It is a dreadful tale," he said, "and we must think over it morematurely. Be of good heart, my daughter, you have acted well and wisely;God will protect us from harm."
"And so it was no ghost, nor spirit," said Horse Shoe, "that the majorsaw in the night? But I wonder you didn't think of waking me. A word tome in the night--seeing I have sarved a good deal on outposts, and havegot used to being called up--would have had me stirring in a wink. Butthat's part of Wat's luck for I should most ondoubtedly have strangledthe snake in his bed."
"I called you," said Mary, "as loudly as I durst, and more than once,but you slept so hard!"
"That's like me too," replied Horse Shoe. "I'm both sleepy and watchful,according as I think there is need of my sarvices."
"Now to bed, my child," said Musgrove. "Your bed is the fittest placefor your wearied body. God bless you, daughter!"
Once more the family broke up, and as Robinson left the room Maryfollowed him to the foot of the little stair that wound up into an atticchamber; here she detained him one moment, while she communicated to himin a half whisper,
"I have a friend, Mr. Robinson, that might help you to do something forMajor Butler. His name is John Ramsay: he belongs to General Sumpter'sbrigade. If you would go to his father's, only six miles from here, onthe upper road to Ninety-Six, you might hear where John was. But, maybe, you are afraid to go so near to the fort?"
"May be so," said Robinson, with a look of comic incredulity. "I knowthe place, and I know the family, and, likely, John himself. It's a goodthought, Mary, for I want help now, more than I ever did in my life.I'll start before daylight--for it won't do to let the sun shine uponme, with Innis's Tories so nigh. So, if I am missed to-morrow morning,let your father know how I come to be away."
"Tell John," said Mary, "I sent you to him. Mary Musgrove, remember."
"If I can't find John," replied Horse Shoe, "you're such a staunchlittle petticoat sodger, that I'll, perhaps, come back and enlist you.'Tisn't everywhere that we can find such valiant wenches. I wish some ofour men had a little of your courage; so, good night!"
The maiden now returned to the parlor, and Horse Shoe, under theguidance of Christopher Shaw, found a comfortable place of deposit forhis hard-worked, though--as he would have Christopher believe--hisunfatigued frame. The sergeant, however, was a man not born to cares,notwithstanding that his troubles were "as thick as the sparks that flyupward," and it is a trivial fact in his history, that, on the presentoccasion, he was not many seconds in bed before he was as sound asleepas the trapped partridges, in the fairy tale, which, the easternchronicle records, fell into a deep sleep when roasting upon the spit,and did not wake for a hundred years.