"I shall pull trigger with a steadier hand, ma'am, when I think that your father's daughter is praying for me."
"Stephen," continued Mildred, "you may chance to see some one whose duty may lead him further south than, perhaps, you may be required to travel: I will give you a letter to a friend of mine, who, I fear, is in distress. If such traveller be trusty and willing to do me a service, as perhaps he may for your sake, I must beg you to put the letter in his charge, and tell him to seek out Major Butler, and contrive to have it delivered to him."
"If it concerns you, Miss Mildred, I will take upon myself to hunt Major Butler, or I will make as sure of the letter reaching him as I may have a chance."
"Many thanks, Stephen. There is a purse containing some few pieces of gold for you. Do not spare the use of it to perform my wish."
Stephen looked bashfully at the lady as she held the proffered purse in her hand.
"Take it, Mr. Foster. It is money to be employed in my service, and it may stand you in good stead when better friends are absent."
The hunter uttered an awkward laugh. "If you would allow me to take the smallest piece of money, it would more than hire a man express."
"Take it all, Stephen, it is but a trifle. They call this the sinew of war," said Mildred, smiling.
"It's an utter, moral, and resolute impossibility," answered Foster, "for me to take all that money. Bless your soul, Miss Mildred, my pocket arn't used to such company."
"Pshaw, Steve," ejaculated Henry, "you are the greenest soldier in these hills, to be playing boy about this money. Take it, man, and none of your nonsense; precious little gold you'll see before you get back!"