nearest me visible. At the summit of the clay bank, shadowed by the
forest growth encircling them, were the others who had gathered at this
war rendezvous, the majority dismounted, holding their horses in
readiness for action. As we rode in among them neighbors clasped hands
silently, but the words exchanged were few. Farrell forced his horse
through the press toward where a tall figure sat stiff in the saddle, and
my own horse followed unguided.

"A goodly turn-out, Duval," he commented briefly. "What was the number
before we came?"

"Forty-seven rifles," the Lieutenant's voice nasal, and high pitched.
"The men from Orchard and Springdale are not in yet. How many arrived
with you?"

"Twenty; ample for our purpose, even if the others fail us. This is Major
Lawrence of the Maryland Line."

I shook his long, thin hand, marking the iron grip of the fingers.

"We'll introduce you to some typical Jersey fighting to-night, Major," he
said genially. "We have a style all our own."

"I had supposed I had witnessed all styles."

"We'll see; the difference is that every man among us has some outrage to
revenge. Our quarrel is a personal one against thieves and murderers.
What is the programme, Farrell?"

"To intercept Delavan's raiders. They will be along the main road within