tree-tops.
Shadows gathered about the house, and still there was no sign or sound
of the Hortons, and Rebby was about to start for home when a man came
around the corner of the house and spoke to her.

He was evidently a sailor, and in a great hurry. He asked no questions
but began speaking as if he had no time to lose.

"Tell your mother that the _Polly_ and _Unity_ will come into harbor
to-morrow, and that Captain Jones is on board the _Unity_. There's a
British gunboat along with them, and your father says there may be
trouble, and for you and your mother to keep close indoors until he
comes."

The sailor started to move off, but Rebby found courage to ask:

"Where--where are the sloops now?"

"Anchored below Round Island; but we'll be sailing in with morning tide.
The Captain bade me keep well out of sight and come straight back to the
sloop. Be sure you tell your mother," responded the man, speaking in
such low tones that Rebby had to listen sharply to understand.

"Yes, I'll tell my mother," she replied, and without a moment's
hesitation she started for home as fast as her feet could carry her. She
had entirely forgotten her anger toward Lucia, or her mother's reproof.
All she could think of was the news this sailor, evidently a member of
the _Polly's_ crew, had told her, believing that he was speaking to
Lucia Horton.

And now Rebecca recalled all that Lucia had told her of what might
befall the little village if a British gunboat sailed into harbor and
saw a liberty tree flaunting its courageous defiance to injustice. But
now she could tell her father, not Lucia's secret, but what the sailor
had told her.

"And Father will know what to do. Father and Mr. Lyon," she thought
breathlessly, as she ran swiftly up the path and burst into the kitchen,
where her father and mother and Anna were waiting her return.

She told her story quickly, and without any mention of what Lucia had
confided in her weeks before. "The sailor thought I was Captain Horton's
little girl," she concluded.

Mr. Weston questioned Rebby carefully, and then said:

"I'll take this news to Captain O'Brien and to Parson Lyon; but say
nothing about it to anyone until we see what news the _Polly_ brings."
And he hurried away to prepare his neighbors for possible danger.

"You see, Rebby, your obedience may have saved the settlement," said
Mrs. Weston, putting her arm about Rebecca.

"But I had not seen Lucia, Mother. I was waiting for