388 THE SMUGGLER. 



Harding nodded his head, and then turned his eyes upon 

 the face of the poor girl whom he bore in his arms, hurrying 

 on without a moment's pause, till he was lost to the young 

 officer's sight. 



It is needless to describe the feelings of a high-minded and 

 noble man like Layton, when left alone to meditate over the 

 horrible outrage which had been committed under his very 

 eyes. He gave way to no burst of indignation, indeed, but 

 with a frowning brow walked back upon the road, caught his 

 horse without difficulty, and mounting, remained fixed near 

 the spot where poor Kate had received her death-wound, like 

 a soldier upon guard. In less than ten minutes, a lad ran up, 

 saying, " Mr. Harding sent me, sir." 



"Well, then, walk up and down here, my good boy," 

 replied Layton, " till some one comes to inquire for me. If it 

 should be a servant, or a single soldier, send, him down to the 

 place which you came from, and wait where you are till a 

 larger party of dragoons come up, when you must tell them 

 the same, to go down to me there. If the party come first, 

 wait for the servant and the soldier." 



Having given these directions, he was turning away, but 

 paused again to inquire his way to the place where Harding 

 was; and then, pointing to a bundle that lay upon the road, 

 he said, "You had better bring that with you." 



Following the boy's direction, as soon as he issued out of 

 the wood, Sir Henry Layton turned through a little field to 

 the left, and seeing a small farm-house at some distance before 

 him, he leaped his horse over two fences to abridge the way. 

 Then riding into the farm-yard, he sprang to the ground, 

 looking round for some one to take his charger. Several men 

 of different ages were running about with eagerness and haste 

 in their faces. Horses were being led forth from the stable ; 

 guns were in the hands of several; and one of them, a fine $ 

 tall, powerful young fellow, exclaimed, as soon as he saw 

 Layton, " We will catch them, sir; we will catch them; and, 



by , they shall be hanged as high as Haman for hurting 



the poor dear girl. Here, take his honour's horse, Bill." 



" Is she still living?" asked Layton. 



" Oh dear, yes, sir!" cried the young man; "she seemed 

 somewhat better for what mother gave her." 



" Well, then," rejoined the young officer, " if you are going 



