in which I am to call you master."

He laughed again, but the sound was mirthless, and the eyes beneath the
half-closed lids were harder than steel. Haward mounted his horse and
gathered up the reins. "I am not responsible for the laws of the realm,"
he said calmly, "nor for rebellions and insurrections, nor for the
practice of transporting overseas those to whom have been given the ugly
names of 'rebel' and 'traitor.' Destiny that set you there put me here. We
are alike pawns; what the player means we have no way of telling. Curse
Fate and the gods, if you choose,--and find that your cursing does small
good,--but regard me with indifference, as one neither more nor less the
slave of circumstances than yourself. It has been long since I went this
way. Is there yet the path by the river?"

"Ay," answered the other. "It is your shortest road."

"Then I will be going," said Haward. "It grows late, and I am not looked
for before to-morrow. Good-night."

As he spoke he raised his hat and bowed to the gentleman from whom he was
parting. That rebel to King George gave a great start; then turned very
red, and shot a piercing glance at the man on horseback. The latter's mien
was composed as ever, and, with his hat held beneath his arm and his body
slightly inclined, he was evidently awaiting a like ceremony of
leave-taking on the storekeeper's part. MacLean drew a long breath,
stepped back a pace or two, and bowed to his equal. A second "Good-night,"
and one gentleman rode off in the direction of the great house, while the
other went thoughtfully back to the store, got a cloth and wiped the dust
from the mirror.