"Because I was forced to
go home for ever so short a time, having forgotten to do what my mother
bade me, you immediately cried out that I was a traitor."

"How know you that, Seth Jepson, unless it be that you did play us
false, and how was it you returned in company with the Britishers?"

"I didn't," Seth replied, not speaking as an honest lad would; but
rather like a knave who is too thoroughly frightened to be able to tell
a falsehood that can be believed. "The Britishers were there when I came
up."

"We were but a short distance from the shore when you returned in their
company, and heard the conversation that was held while you were accused
of having brought them on a false scent," I cried hotly, and then
realizing that no good could come from thus bandying words when at any
moment we might come upon the patrol, I said sharply, forcing him once
more into a run:

"You are to hold your tongue from this out, or as I live this knife
shall find its way into your back."

"I will do whatsoever you say, so that you spare my life," he whined,
and I could have kicked him for failing to show the spirit of a decent
lad.

Not knowing whithersoever I ought to go; but having in mind a clear idea
that I must make my way so far out of the town as to lessen the danger
of coming upon a squad of lobster backs, I pushed him on until we were
come to Boling Green, and then made a straight cut across Cambridge
street, heading for Beacon hill at a smart pace until we were 'twixt
there and the rope walk, where it seemed to me we were past the danger
line for the time being.

Then it was I did a mighty deal of thinking. The first plan I formed was
to cross over to the western shore of the town with the poor hope of
finding there a skiff in which I might make way to Cambridge with my
prisoner, even though in so doing I should be abandoning my comrades
who, if I failed to return before daylight, would be set upon by Master
Lord in whatsoever way he purposed to deal with them.

The thought that I would thus be purchasing my own safety, if indeed I
was lucky enough to come upon a skiff on the shore, at the expense of my
comrades shamed me, and, pulling Seth sharply around to the left, I
continued at a yet swifter pace down past the powder house, across the
Common, my brain in such a whirl that it seemed I must of necessity go
once more to Cow lane.

By this time little clouds had begun to gather in the sky, so that the
night was da