is day, and I ate as heartily, and with as great
satisfaction, as I ever ate a meal at the Hamilton plantation.

CHAPTER VI

A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE

While we ate with so much of pleasure I could not but let my thoughts go
out to Saul, who was doubtless as hungry as we had been, and gave words
to my regret that we had not first carried the lad some of the food
which we had in such generous abundance; but to my repinings of this
kind little Frenchie put a stop by saying:

"I have no desire that your cousin shall be in distress because of
hunger, and yet it is in my mind that he should have somewhat more of
punishment because of having given way to ill temper and put us in such
a plight, than simply standing guard over Horry Sims. He will be the
more careful in the future, if he suffers considerably because of what
has been done."

I was far from desiring that Saul should be punished. The mischief had
been wrought, and however bitterly he repented it would not right
matters. I believed for the time that Pierre was overly harsh, and would
have insisted on going straight to the lad with food, but that I
realized how dangerous it might be if we visited the shed in the rear of
Master Bemis's shop more often than was absolutely necessary.

Again I consoled myself with the belief that most like Saul had partaken
of a hearty breakfast that morning before leaving the plantation,
whereas we lads had satisfied our hunger with cold food, and thus
arguing with myself desiring to be convinced, I came to the conclusion
that since it was not possible to mend matters save at the expense of
much risk, it was well I should get such enjoyment as was possible out
of the present moment.

Not until we had finished the meal did Uncle 'Rasmus have anything of
importance to say, and then he surprised me beyond the power of
expression, by proving that he was not counting on being a mere
figure-head in this wild plan to regain possession of Saul's mare and
Silver Heels.

"I'se done bin tol', chillun, dat dere's six or seben big French ships
layin' in Lynn Haven bay, whar dey've come to stop de Britishers from
runnin' away 'fore Gin'ral Washington gets a chance to trounce 'em right
smart."

"You've been told that, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in amazement. "Have you
been toddling around this town after pretending that you were so
crippled with aches and pains that you couldn't move out of your chair?"

"Sure I hasn', honey, sure I ha