at one of them
and try to bribe the inhabitants, or to move their compassion; perhaps I
may get tidings of our friend."

Though either Oliver or Brown would gladly have gone instead, they knew
that Rayner was the best person to undertake the expedition.

"If I do not return before midnight, you must all set out and travel
eastward as fast as you can. How do you feel, Peek? Can you manage to
move along."

"Yes, sir," answered Jack. "I could if you were with us, but I am
afraid if you were left behind in the grip of soldiers I shouldn't do
much."

"Don't let that idea weigh on your mind. If I am captured and sent to
prison, there I must remain until I am exchanged for a French officer,
though I don't think there's much chance of my being caught."

Having given his final directions, Rayner set off.

He went on till he saw a light streaming through a cottage window. The
better sort of people were alone likely to be sitting up at that hour,
as the poorer blacks, he knew, went to bed at sundown and rose at
daybreak.

He went up to the door and knocked.

"May I come in?" he asked in French; and without waiting for an answer
he lifted the latch.

An old mulatto woman was seated spinning. Near her sat a young girl of
much lighter complexion, with remarkably pretty features, engaged in
working on some pieces of female finery. She rose as he entered, and
the old woman uttered an exclamation of astonishment.

He at once explained his errand. He wanted food, and was ready to pay
for it. They would not be so hard-hearted as to refuse it to starving
men.

The girl looked at the old woman, who was apparently her grandmother.

"Mon pere will soon be back. Will monsieur object to wait?" she asked.

"I have no time to wait; here, accept this," said Rayner, holding out a
dollar which he fortunately had in his pocket.

The old woman's eyes glittered.

"Give monsieur what he wants, but keep enough for your father's supper
and breakfast to-morrow. It is strange that he should require food
since he is so rich."

"I want sufficient for several persons--anything you have got," said
Rayner.

The girl went to a shelf at the other end of the room and got down a
couple of loaves of maize bread, some cakes, salt-fish, and fruit.

"You can take some of these," she said, placing them on the table; "but
how are you to carry them?"

He had a silk handkerchief, which he produced, intending to tie up the
provisions in.