Lord Fairfax had informed him that on this day "Old Powell," as he was called, would be arrested on some charges made against him by a justice named Hastyluck, and the officials would probably go early.

George had received this information on the night before, with utter horror and astonishment, and had besought Lord Fairfax, if the charge were witchcraft, to dismiss it as absurd and ridiculous. His Lordship had replied coolly that this was quite out of his power, even if consistent with his convictions; all he could promise was, that no act of oppression should be performed, if he could prevent it; and with this Georgo was compelled to be content.

He scarcely slept, and at day-break was on his way to the mountain.

Scarcely moderating the speed of his horse, whose mouth was filled with foam, he rapidly ascended the steep bridle path, and reached the door of the little mansion.

The scene which greeted him made his cheek flush and his eyes flash fire.

The officers of the law had already arrived, and placed the old man under arrest. One of them was curiously examining the strange coin which George had seen on a former occasion, and which the man had picked up from among some books on a table-the other was about to place upon the wrists of old Powell a pair of iron hand-cuffs, in spite of the tearful and trembling prayers of little Cannie, who had clasped the arm of his shaggy overcoat, and begged him, crying, not to use them.

George advanced quickly into the apartment, and confronting the officer, said sternly:

"That is quite unnecessary, sir! Mr. Powell cannot escape from you!"

The officer turned hastily, and said with an insolent scowl:

"Who are you pray?"

"My name is of no importance," George returned with haughty sternness; "it is enough, sir, that I command you in the name of Lord Fairfax to conduct the prisoner unfettered to Van Doring's Ordinary."

And putting his hand into his breast he extended toward the person whom he addressed a slip of paper, upon which was written:

"I desire, and if necessary require, that the prisoner Powe.. may be treated with all respect, and especially brought to Court without hand-cuffs.

"FAIRFAX.

"Greenway Court, 5th Nov. 1748."

George's foresight had led him to ask this favour of the Farl, which had been readily granted-and the vulgar official had no courage to resist. He scowled at the young man whose cold, fixed look upon his face, cowed him in spite of himself, and putting the hand-cuffs in his pocket, growled:

"Well, it's nothing to me; and you, old fellow, just come along with you? You'll have a hard time of it, cuffs or no cuffs."

"It'll be harder 'n he thinks," here put in the other worthy with a sneer, "if I aint mistaken, this is a counterfeithe's a coiner, as I've heard hinted."

A flash darted from beneath the shaggy white brows of the old man, and he reached forth to take the coin from the hands of the speaker. But the hand fell at his side. An expression of scorn which might have become a royal prince, passed over his features, and he turned away.

"Mr. George," he said, bowing with courtly gravity to the young man, "I need not say that I thank you from my heart for this kind and thoughtful action. Of the result of this foolish business I have no manner ef fear. I commit my child to you, in my absence-it is enough, to so honest a gentleman."

Then adding calmly to the officials, who were evidently impressed in spite of themselves, by the dignity and coolness of his bearing," I will be ready in a few moments to attend you,"-the old man entered the inner apartment. He soon returned wrapped in a comfortable overcoat, which reached beneath the knee, and issuing forth, mounted the spare horse which had been brought for him.

How those intelligent gentlemen, the constables, had expected him to hold the bridle with his hands secured remains a mystery to this day-but the obstacle no longer existed-and with a tender kiss upon Cannie's tremulous lips, and another bow to George, the prisoner set forward, between the two officers.

We shall pass over the scene between George and Cannie--such distressing pictures are not to our taste. He consoled her with every possible assurance calculated to calm her emotion-but all was in vain. The girl begged him with tears in her eyes, and nervous sobs to take her to her grandfather, and it was one of the hardest tasks which George had ever undertaken, to resist these moving entreaties. He did resist, however, by an immense exertion of will, for he knew that to yield would be to add to the child's unhappiness by showing her the old man, formally arraigned for trialand all Cannie could procure from him was a promise that he would go at once and see that her grandfather was not treated cruelly.

That should never be !" George said, with that flash of the eye which betrayed the depth of his character, and the strength of will lying beneath the calm exterior-he would go at once! there was nothing to fear!

And leaping on his horse, he put spur to the animal, and galloped at full speed down the mountain.

Cannie followed him with her eyes, which the tears almost blinded, and prayed inaudibly for strength and protection from One in whom she was accustomed to place all her trust. She saw George disappear in the forest-then reappear in the open space, galloping violently as before: and finally, on the banks of the river, saw him join the officers and their prisoner.

Then the whole cavalcade disappeared, and Cannie fell upon the bench of the little porch, covering her face with her hands, and uttering sobs so passionate that her bosom and the long, fair hair, which had fallen, and now rested upon her shoulders, were shaken, as by a convulsion.

XXX.

LIGHTFOOT.

She preserved this attitude still, when a footstep was heard upon the path near at hand, and raising her head she saw the young Indian, whom we have twice alluded to in our chronicle.

He was clad as before, in fringed leggins, joined by a pliable garment of soft doeskin, reaching to his waist, which was encircled by a leathern belt, upon one side of which were secured a bundle of arrows: his feet were protected by ornamented moccasins, fitting tightly to the high instep and nervous ankle :-above his brow drooped, as before, the variegated plume, his badge of chieftanship. As he leaned upon his long cedar bow and looked upon the child-his bare breast slightly heaving, and his noble features full of tender pity and affection, he presented a subject for a great painter. Cannie rose quickly to her feet and hastening to his side, said hurriedly :

"Oh, Lightfoot! I thought you were far away! I know you will help me! Can you take me over the river? Grand ра is to be tried, and I must not, cannot stay here!-Lightfoot, you are a good, true friend,”

She stopped, overcome with agitation: -one hand resting on his arm, her eyes turned up to his face beseechingly. The young Indian looked into the sweet countenance with a depth of affection, and a sudden colour on his swarthy cheek, which betrayed the extent of the interest he felt in the speaker. But when he spoke his words were calm and measured -long training had made self-control a second nature with him. We shall not record his reply in the broken English which was all he possessed-though the sad, musical tones made that defective dialect not destitute of a singular charm.

"Is not Lightfoot the true friend of the Mountain Dove," he said. "He has known her very well, and loved her for many moons-and her father has been kind to the poor Indian who left his tribe to wander here among the places of his childhood."

"And you have been kind, very kind to us, Lightfoot. You have more than once kept the Indians from attacking us -and I would have died that day when the moccasin bit me, if you had not brought the herb to cure me. And now, Lightfoot, you must be my friend. You must take me over the river to Mr. Yeardley's-I know he will let me go in his wagon to the court. Will you, Lightfoot? -do not refuse me, dear Lightfoot!"

The swarthy cheek again coloured slightly, but the voice was calm when he said:

"Lightfoot loves the little dove of the mountain-he will do her bidding now and always-he would willingly die for her."

And with these grave words, which were accompanied by a sudden flash of the eye, in which might have been read an expression of deep tenderness, the young chief assumed an attitude of one who waits patiently.

Cannie hastened into the house: threw a cloak upon her shoulders: tied her chip hat under her chin, and came forth again quickly. The two then rapidly descended the mountain-the Indian often taking the little hand to assist his companion over some obstacle in the path-and thus they finally reached the river. From a sheltered nook, overshadowed by a great drooping pine tree, Lightfoot silently produced a gum-log canoe, and placed the girl in it. A sweep of the long paddle sent it ten yards into the current, and they were soon on the opposite side of the river. As carefully concealing the skiff as before, the Indian and his companion then hastened on, and before very long came in sight of Mr. Yeardly's. Lightfoot allowed the girl to go on alone -and from his hiding place saw her enter the rude mansion of the settler, before which a light wagon, drawn by a pony, was standing. In ten minutes she came out again with the rough but good-humoured borderer, who placed her in the vehicle, got in himself and drove off.

Lightfoot leaned upon his cedar bow and followed the wagon until it was out of sight with his sad smile and look of wistful affection. He was thinking of

Cannie's parting words as she pressed his hand in both of her's and said: "Come to our house to-morrow, Lightfoot!-you are my dear, kind friend!"

The words had made his breast thrill, and a joyful light had illumined his features. Then the sadness came, and he murmured:

She loves the pale-faced youth. I am nought to her. But Maniton will speak. It is well."

With these words he turned and disappeared in the forest.

XXXI.

HOW CAPTAIN WAGNER OVERTHREW HIS ADVERSARY.

In the main apartment of Van Doring's Ordinary, the worshipful justices of the county of Frederick were assembled, to take into consideration all questions touching the order, defence, government, and general condition of the region under their supervision.

The Ordinary had been selected for the place of meeting at the request of Lord Fairfax. As one of the pieces of business which would come before the worshipful justices was the selection of a permanent locality for the court, and as Winchester and Stephensburg contended for the honour and emolument in question-said his Lordship-it would be fair to meet on the present occasion at neither of those places. Thus they would enter the arena of friendly competition impartially and without undue advantage.

These views had received the approbation of the enlightened justices and they had accordingly assembled from every direction at the Ordinary of Mr. Van Doring-riding every description of animal of the horse species, and clad in the most extraordinary diversity of apparel. Some of them were gentlemen of the first class, and these were generally well dressed, with some pretensions to grace and elegance. But the majority were like Major Hastyluck, rather unfavourable specimens of their species-low-browed,

sharp-faced, wiry, keen-looking individuals, who evidently had an eye to the main chance under all possible circumstances, and, like a celebrated gentleman of more modern times, thought it well to be "shifty in a new country."

A large crowd of a nondescript character had assembled on the occasionhunters, trappers, settlers,-many of them portly Germans, others trim, active Scotchmen:-and this crowd moved about in front of the Ordinary, drank systematically of Mynheer Van Doring's Jamaica, and during the first hours of the day, entered with enthusiasm into the business of trading horses-the animals being, for the most part, plain to the inspection of all, at the long rack in front of the tavern door.

About twelve o'clock a decided sensation was created in the crowd by the appearance of a large English chariot, drawn by four glossy horses, from which vehicle, when it paused before the door, descended his Lordship, the Earl of Fairfax, Lieutenant of the County of Frederick, and President of the body of justices. Lord Fairfax, who carried into the wilds of the New World something of the English idea of the propriety of full dress, on occasions of ceremony, was very richly clad. His coat was of brown cloth, decorated with embroidery; his waistcoat of yellow silk, ornamented with flowers in silver thread; from his bosom protruded a mass of snowy ruffles, and his peruke was carefully powdered. Around him, as he issued from the chariot, he drew the folds of a rich red velvet cloak-and then inclining his head slightly to the admiring crowd, he entered the Ordinary.*

A quarter of an hour after the appearance of his Lordship, the sheriff was heard uttering his loud brazen "Oyes! oyez ! oyez! Silence is commanded-humhumhumhum-hum!-God save the King!"— and the justices took their seats at a long table, at the further end of the apartment,

the Earl occupying a large arm chair in the centre of them. A little gentleman, with an irresistible business air, sat at one corner of the board with a huge volume bound in leather lying before him—and near the door, at a respectful distance from the members of the court, the crowd, -among whom might be seen Falconbridge, George and Captain Wagner conversing,-looked on with interest.

The clerk read some previous proceedings in a monotonous voice-the justices consulted in a low tone with Lord Fairfax; and then the Earl leaned forward and said, turning his head first to the right, then to the left:

"Is the court prepared to vote upon the selection of a county seat? I need not inform you, gentlemen, that the question will chiefly lie between Stephensburg and Winchester. I shall, therefore, request each justice, as I address him, to pronounce one or the other name, which I will note down as it is uttered."

A considerable sensation among the crowd greeted these words, and a hubbud of voices for a moment deafened every

one.

"Silence in the court!" cried the sheriff with fierce indignation, "silence, or the court room will be cleared!"

"No, sir! Winchester, or the devil take it!" resounded clear and sonorous in the sudden silence, and the sheriff started up with ferocious abruptness.

"Silence! Captain Wagner, you are disturbing the court! Silence!"

"My dear friend," said the voice of Captain Wagner, as that worthy advanced from the mass, with clanking spurs and sabre, "I have the utmost possible respect for this most honourable court, and the little remark which fell from me was spoken confidentially to a friend, who is an advocate of Stephensburg. Now, I'm only a poor soldier, and nothing of a lawyer, but I will maintain that Winchester, and no other place ought to be selected

for the county seat. I have my reasons," added the Captain, mysteriously, "and if this most honourable and respectable body would listen to the said reasons, I could satisfy their minds, or may the-!" What followed, or nearly followed, was lost in the Captain's huge beard.

The ghost of a smile flitted over the countenance of Lord Fairfax :-it was his favourite music, the sound of that martial and sonorous voice-and he recalled all at once the " declaration of war" by the soldier, on his arrival in the Valley. As to the Captain, he pushed up his great black mustache with his finger-passed his eyes along the line of justices, among whom were Mr. Argal and Major Hastyluck-and finally concentrated his gaze upon the face of the Earl with an expression which said plainly, "Honour bright, my Lord!"

The lurking smile came again to the Earl's face, and turning to the court, he said:

"Gentlemen, if it is your pleasure, we will listen to Captain Wagner's reasons for selecting Winchester. He is well acquainted with the country and its interests, and if you permit him, may throw light upon the question."

A glance of much admiration from the soldier rewarded his generous enemy; and when the court acquiesced in the Earl's recommendation, the countenance of the worthy, which before had been filled with the elements of fear, was now fringed with the radiance of hope, and expanded with the delight of a great orator who feels that the moment has arrived for his triumph. The Captain bowed his head, then raised his martial brow erect and extending one arm persuasively, plunged with eloquence into the middle of the subject.

It is again, as on a former occasion, matter of deep regret to the faithful historian of Captain Wagner's exploits, that the absence of professional reporters, at that remote period, renders it impossible to accurately record the vivid eloquence of his speeches. As in the case of Patrick Henry, and other celebrated men, the legend of his power alone remains. We may safely say, however, that the eulo

VOL. XXIX-4

gium pronounced upon the town of Winchester, by the military orator, was one of transcendent beauty and stirring impressiveness-while Stephensburg dwindled away into a tenth-rate cross-road assemblage of huts, unworthy of the attention of any one for an instant. The Captain concluded by a pathetic and affecting appeal to the honourable justices to be guided in their decision by no considerations of self-interest, by no preference for persons-to remember that unborn millions would be affected by their determination, and form their opinion of the members of the court by the manner in which they discharged, on this great occasion, their solemn and responsible obligations.

With this eloquent appeal the Captain ended his oration, and retired modestly into the crowd.

The smile on the Earl's face had come back in full force-and turning to his associates he said:

"Gentlemen, you have heard the reasons given by Captain Wagner, but I imagine you have discovered in them nothing to largely modify any opinions which you may have before made up. If the members of the court are ready to vote, I will submit the question."

As no objection was made, the Earl called in turn the name of each-making a mark as they responded, either under "Winchester," or "Stephensburg," which were written upon a sheet of paper. The result was that the first had five marks, the latter but four--and Winchester was selected as the county seat of Frederick by a majority of one.

As he inscribed the last vote-that of the worthy Major Hastyluck-a slight flush invaded the swarthy cheek of the Earl, and he leaned back haughtily in his arm chair. The result seemed to cause him no less surprise than dissatisfaction; and for a moment he remained silent, looking coldly at the court. Then with an irritated flirt of the hand he tossed down the paper, saying simply: