at Tory who had made his escape should suddenly come upon him.

CHAPTER IV.

THE LETTER.

When Isaac was come within hailing distance of the few sentinels who had
been posted to guard against a surprise, he was astonished at being
halted after having announced who he was, and the laxness of military
discipline can be understood when it is said that, after being
recognized by the recruit at that particular post, the boy was allowed
to enter the encampment without further question.

Colonel Allen was not better lodged than his men. A lean-to formed of a
few boughs was the only shelter he had, and Isaac was forced to search
among the sleeping soldiers several moments before discovering the
whereabouts of the commander.

Once this had been done it was but the work of a few seconds to acquaint
the officer with what had occurred, and at this evidence that the Tories
were dogging the little army, more than one recruit who had boasted the
loudest as to what he would do when the time for fighting should come,
turned suspiciously pale as he approached to hear all Isaac was saying.

"Why did Corporal Watkins camp by himself?" Colonel Allen asked when the
boy concluded his report.

"Because some of the men poke fun at him, allowin' that he's too old to
be of service, an' far too crochety to make any fist at bein' a
soldier," Isaac replied promptly.

"I wish from the bottom of my heart that I had one hundred men like him,
rather than some of the braggarts who do not know there is such a work
as the manual of arms," the colonel said in a loud voice, as if desirous
that all should hear. "Tell the corporal that he will camp with this
force in the future, and I shall make it my especial business to learn
who it is that dares make matters uncomfortable for him."

Then, to the captain of the company to which Corporal 'Lige was
attached, an order was given that a squad of men be sent forward to
bring in the prisoners, and when this had been obeyed the old soldier,
as a matter of course, returned with them.

From that night Isaac heard nothing more regarding the wounded Tories.
It was said they had been sent back to Pittsfield under a strong guard,
and certain it is they disappeared from the encampment before daybreak,
but neither the boy nor the corporal could find a single man who had
seen them depart.

This incident, and it was hardly to be spoken of as anything of
importance, together with Colonel Allen's remark, se