jeer at
the unfortunates, reminding them how useless it is to struggle against
the king's power. I can be of one party or the other; but the time must
be ripe before it may be done. In other words, matters must have moved
fortunately for me, when there are on guard those of the lobster backs
with whom I am acquainted," and Master Lord spoke as if most eager to
convince us of his loyalty. "In order to make myself of service to the
Cause, it has been necessary to be friendly with these red-coated gentry
who rule the town."

"Yes, I can well understand that," Hiram replied in a tone of content.
"We know you will do for us all that lays in your power, and are ready
to take your advice in the matter," Hiram went on as if the work we had
set ourselves was of no especial importance, and my heart burned with
anger against him because of his seeming indifference. "In turning the
matter over, I can see that from the standpoint of one who would do the
greatest good to the greatest number, you cannot well afford to have
this secret hiding-place of yours discovered, and we are not so selfish
as to ask that you do other than seems to you wise. Go as far as you
prudently can in our behalf, and then leave us to take our own way."

"You may be certain I shall not abandon the enterprise upon which you
have come, so long as there appears any likelihood of success; but when
one hits upon a stone wall it is wiser to go around, than to beat his
head against the rocks. Therefore when it is shown that I can effect
nothing, we will come to a stop; but until then trust in me."

"Indeed we do, Master Lord, thanking you not only for the willingness to
aid us, but for the work in behalf of the Cause which you have already
done."

I was so angry at hearing Hiram thus lay himself down at the feet of the
man whom it surely seemed we had every reason to distrust, that I could
have risen up against him, crying out all which was in my mind; but,
fortunately, I checked the words which were on the tip of my tongue, and
threw myself sulkily upon one of the beds, vowing mentally that never
again would I put faith in any human being howsoever fair might be his
speech.

Then it was that Master Lord set about discussing plans for the future
as if we were like to remain in that underground hiding-place many a
long day, while Archie and Harvey listened to the conversation in
seeming bewilderment, failing to understand, even as did I, this
complete change in