his voice from time to time in a shout, if, perchance, some casual
wayfarer might catch the sound, the constable waited for deliverance.

Meanwhile, Gladding, for it was no other, who personated the Solitary,
and the General were cozily seated by the fire in the hut of the
latter, discussing the events of the evening. The false beard was
lying on a chair, and a large stone pitcher, containing cider, was
placed near the centre of a table, on which the elbow of Tom was
leaning, who, from time to time, replenished a mug with the liquor,
which made frequent journeys to his mouth. The old General, with
his pipe, was seated on the other side of the table, and appeared as
fervent in his devotions to the pitcher as his guest.

"I tell you what, Prime," said Tom, "I come plaguy nigh tumbling in
myself. I thought I marked the spot exactly, but somehow or other the
snow light sort o' blinded me, and I stepped right on the edge, and
had to spring for't like all natur'."

"Dat would a been fust rate, to catch two fox in one trap," said the
General, the whites of whose eyes gleamed plainer than ever in the
fire light at the thought.

"Fun for you, but not for me by a long chalk. Basset would have the
best on't, too, for he'd have come right top on me. How the crittur
would have crowed!"

"I hear him crow two or tree time already," said Primus, who had been
to the door several times, and could detect faint sounds whenever the
imprisoned Basset shouted.