of the
courteous way, as they expressed it, in which the English had behaved
while in possession of Mrs Elbank's house. It was reported, however,
naturally enough, that though the boats had got off, nearly all the
people in them had been killed or wounded. I assured my friends that on
this point they were under a mistake; but as I did not like to dwell on
the subject for fear of betraying myself, I left them still unconvinced
that they were in error.

As I was wishing my friends good-bye, a gentleman came in to whom I was
introduced. When he heard who I was, he begged that I would delay my
departure for a few minutes, saying that he would have the pleasure of
accompanying me part of the way. Having delivered a message to the
Langtons he left the house, requesting that I would remain till his
return. His name, my friends told me, was Sutton, and they added that
he was a friend of Colonel Carlyon's. When I heard this, all sorts of
ideas rushed into my head, and I could not help hoping that the meeting
would be productive of some important consequence, yet how that was to
be I could not tell. Mr Sutton soon returned booted and spurred for a
journey.

"Perhaps I may go farther than I at first proposed," he observed, as we
mounted and rode out of the town. "I am glad to meet you, Mr Hurry,
for I have heard of you for some time past, and you have won the regard
of many patriots by the way in which you have on several occasions
behaved towards those who have fallen into your power. I, with the
sentiments I entertain, can only wish that you served a better cause, at
the same time that I would not seek to induce you, as an officer bearing
his Majesty's commission, to swerve from the allegiance you owe him."

When Mr Sutton said this I could not help feeling that he wished to try
me, so I considered some time before I replied. I then said--

"This barbarous war must some day be brought to an end, and then without
any sacrifice of principle I may be able not only to express the
feelings I entertain for the people of America, but to act according to
them."

"Well said, sir," he answered; "we must all eagerly look forward to that
time, and, from the way you speak, I feel sure that no temptations would
induce you to quit the cause you serve, however much you may sympathise
with those opposed to it."

"I trust not, sir," said I firmly. "The path of honour is a very clear
one; I have always endeavoured to walk in it.