ay when this little
villain sent the Britishers to take Fitzroy's horse and mine, that we
are not pleased at seeing him, and that we count on dealing out to him
the punishment he deserves."

I was well nigh paralyzed at thus hearing my cousin make public that
which we had agreed should be held a secret. It alarmed me more than I
can well say, for I had come to believe it was in the highest degree
necessary, if we would succeed in regaining possession of the horses, to
prevent this Tory scoundrel from suspecting we knew of all his
villainy, and I held up my hand warningly, whereat Saul cried hoarsely,
being unable to keep the slightest check over his temper:

"It is not for you, Fitzroy Hamilton, to play a double part! After what
I saw on the road yester morning, we know all this little scoundrel has
done, and have already agreed that he shall pay the penalty for his
treachery."

There was no longer opportunity to check my cousin. The cat was out of
the bag, so to speak. We had, at the very moment when we were counting
on beginning our work, shown Horry Sims that we knew of his treachery,
and thereby made of him an open enemy, one who would do all he might
against us, which promised to be no little, for after having given
information as to where the best horses in the vicinity could be found,
it was reasonable to suppose he stood on friendly terms with the king's
officers.

"Who says I told where the soldiers could find your horses?" Horry asked
with a pretense of ignorance, and Saul cried fiercely:

"No one says so. All three of us lads saw you on the road when you
halted the squad of Rangers, and pointed out the direction of the
Hamilton plantation, after which they rode straight away there and took
possession of the horses, as you know full well."

"If you are so wise as to what happened yesterday, why was it you
treated me in friendly fashion last night?" Horry screamed, growing
angry now that his surprise at being thus accused had passed away in a
measure, and no doubt feeling safe in his position because he was
surrounded by those whom he believed would stand his friends, and who
were all powerful in that town of York.

"It was because we counted on using you to serve our own ends," Saul
replied, seizing Horry Sims by the coat-collar, as if fancying the young
Tory was eager to make his escape. "It was a foolish scheme, hatched by
Fitz and Pierre; but I will have none of it! When a lad proves himself
an ene