rs, for it was likely
that if they counted on taking into custody thirteen lads and a man a
considerable show of force would be made. Therefore it was I set it down
as three hours before we had good right to expect any result from Seth's
sudden remembrance of his mother's desires.

"We'll make it two hours and run no risk," Hiram said after a moment's
thought, and fell to pacing to and fro as if struggling to solve some
question which he found difficult of answer.

Little was said by us lads as we stood there beneath the shelter of the
lean-to. Each realized that in a short time he might be a prisoner, and
all knew, or believed they knew, that there was much trouble in store
for us through Seth Jepson.

During an hour I believe the only words I heard spoken were concerning
what this lad or that would do to the traitor when the opportunity came,
until tiring of hearing such idle words I said to Harvey impatiently:

"It is of little use for us who are in the frying pan to talk about
throwing another into the fire. Instead of striving to decide how you
may serve out Seth Jepson, when it is likely he will get the first blow
at us, spend your time hunting for a means of escape, if so be the
lobster backs come upon us."

"There is nothing to be done in that line," one of the lads said
bitterly, "unless perchance we turn tail now and go to our homes. Then
would Seth Jepson be in a pretty muddle because of having led the
lobster backs here on what appeared as a false scent."

This idea caught the fancy of many. By our dispersing instantly Seth
would seemingly show himself a lad ready to make mischief among the
king's people. It would be a mighty neat way of turning the tables on
the traitor, and right thoroughly would I have loved to do it but for
the fact that we would be abandoning Hiram.

Before many minutes had passed I came to understand that there was
certain danger of our failing in this the first real work which had been
given us to do, for as the lads discussed the matter they became more
and more impressed with the idea of hoodwinking the traitorous Tory and
the lobster backs at the same time. They began to believe it would be of
more importance thus to prove Seth a liar, than to join in the business
on which Hiram was engaged.

It required all the arguments I could bring to mind, to hold them there
in a body, and so insistent on carrying out their plan did some of them
become, that I was forced to call on Hi