of the home and land, though he kindly explained that his brothers
and sisters were welcome to get their livelihood there whilst he was
serving with the army, but some day he should come home "as one that
divideth the spoil," and build up the old house, unless, indeed, and
he glanced towards the sloping woods of Elmwood Manor, "the house and
fields of the malignants should be delivered to the faithful."

"My lady's house," said Steadfast under his breath.

"Wherefore not? Is it not written 'Goodly houses that ye builded
not.' Thou must hear worthy Corporal Hold-the-Faith expound the
matter, my brother."

They crossed the ferry and reached the outposts at last, and Stead
was much startled when the barrel of a musquet gleamed in the
moonlight, and a gruff voice said "Stand."

"The jawbone of an ass," promptly answered Jephthah.

"Pass, jawbone of an ass," responded the sentry, "and all's well.
But who have you here, comrade!"

Jeph explained, and they passed up the narrow lane, meeting at the
end of it another sentinel, with whom the like watchword was
exchanged, and then they came out on a large village green,
completely changed from its usual aspect by rows of tents, on which
the moonlight shone, while Jeph seemed to know his way through them
as well as if he were in the valley of Elmwood. Most of the men
seemed to be asleep, for snores issued from sundry tents. In others
there were low murmurings, perhaps of conversation, perhaps of