"If I had only a gun, and could venture to use it, it would be a great

relief, and we should be very well supplied," smiled Lyon.

"Yes! if you had a gun, and should venture to use it, you would soon

bring a posse comitatus down upon you; We will have no reverberations

of that sort, if you please, Lyon," recommended the Captain.

And then they all sat down around the table-cloth, and Sybil poured out

and served the coffee.

Now, whether they were very thirsty, or whether the coffee was unusually

good, or whether both these causes combined to tempt them to excess, is

not known; but it is certain that the two gentlemen were intemperate in

their abuse of this fragrant beverage; which proves that people can be

intemperate in other drinks, as well as in alcoholic liquors. This

coffee also got into their heads. Their spirits rose; they grew gay,

talkative, inspired, brilliant. Even Sybil, who took but one cup of

coffee, caught the infection, and laughed and talked and enjoyed herself

as if she were at a picnic, instead of being in hiding for her life or

liberty.

In a word, some strange exhilaration, some wonderful intoxication

pervaded the little party; but the most marvellous symptom of their case

was, that they talked no nonsense--that while, under their adverse and

perilous circumstances, such gayety was unnatural and irrational, yet

their minds were clear and their utterances brilliant. And this abnormal

exaltation of intellect and elevation of spirit continued for several

hours, long into the night.

Then the great reaction came. First Sybil grew very quiet, though not in

the least degree sad; then Lyon Berners evinced a disposition rather to

listen than to talk; and finally Captain Pendleton arose, and saying

that this had been one of the strangest and pleasantest evenings he had

ever passed in his, life, took leave of his friends and departed.

Sybil was very sleepy, and as soon as their guest was gone she asked

Lyon to help her with the mattress: that she was so drowsy she could

scarcely move. He begged her to sit still, for that he himself would do

all that was necessary. And with much good-will, but also much

awkwardness, he spread the couch, and then went to tell Sybil it was

ready. But he found her with her head upon her knees, apparently fast

asleep. He lifted her gently in his arms, and carried her and laid her

on the mattress. And then, feeling overcome with drowsiness, he threw

himself down beside her, and fell into a profound sleep.

But Sybil, as she afterwards told, did not sleep so deeply. It seemed,

indeed, less sleep than stupor that overcame her. She was conscious when

her husband raised her up in his arms and laid her on the bed; but she

was too utterly oppressed with stupor and weariness to lift her eyes to

look, or open her lips to speak, or, even after he had laid her down, to

move a limb from the position into which it fell.




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