ood before him.

The moss-covered path had deadened the sound of the animals' approach
as they came up from the rear.

Walter recognized both the new-comers. The foremost was Samuel Haines,
a man who had made an unsuccessful attempt to get the appointment to
distribute stamped paper in New Hampshire, and the other James Albert,
a half-breed Indian, who was well known in Portsmouth as a quarrelsome
fellow, ready to take part in any business, however disreputable, so
long as he was provided with an ample supply of rum.

Walter nodded familiarly to Haines, but paid no attention to the Indian.

"Wait a moment, Master Neal," the former said, gravely, as Walter
attempted to pass him. "Where are you going that you cannot stop for a
short converse?"

"On business which admits of no delay."

"Do you expect to walk from here to Boston before daylight?"

"Who said I was going to Boston?"

"Perhaps I guessed as much."

"Then kindly guess that I can't wait here simply for the pleasure of
talking with Master Haines."

"I shan't try to do that, my rebellious friend. When Jim gets ready--"

Walter half turned to see what part the Indian was to play in this
interview, and as he did so the fellow's arms were around him,
pinioning his own to his side.

"What is the meaning of this?" he cried, angrily, as he tried in vain
to release himself.

"It means, Master Neal, that I wish to see the message you carry," and
Haines, dismounting, hastily searched the prisoner's pockets.

"You have found yourself mistaken as sadly as when you believed the
king would give you the dirty work of selling stamped paper," Walter
said, with a laugh, noting the look of disappointment on Haines's face
when he failed to find any document.

"You have been intrusted to deliver the message by word of mouth, and
it will serve my purpose as well if I prevent you from calling on that
seditious Revere. Here, Jim, tie him to a tree with this," and Haines
drew from his saddle-bags a piece of stout rope.

It was in vain Walter struggled; taken at a disadvantage as he had
been, he was powerless, and in a few moments was bound securely to a
tree, while his captors threw themselves on the ground in front of him,
as if to make a long stay.

"If you repeat what you were told to say to Revere, I will see to it
that you are made more comfortable," Haines said, after a long pause.

"And what then?"

"We shall make certain you don't return to Portsmouth for t