" Pierre said after a brief time of silence, and I could well
understand by the tone of his voice how disappointed he was because thus
suddenly had we been shown that the American army could well dispense
with our services, since others were engaged in the work we would have
taken up.

"I'm not so certain, Pierre, but that your skill at reading the meaning
of military moments will yet prove of great value," I exclaimed as a
happy thought came into my mind. "It isn't possible old Joe would be
able to tell what the British are doing here, with so much exactness as
you who seem to be familiar with such work. There's no good reason why
we shouldn't continue to pick up all the information possible, and if we
find that we have gained more than has Colonel Peyton's negro, then one
of us shall make his way to Williamsburg, after we have Horry Sims
stowed snugly away in the loft."

It appeared, as we understood from Uncle 'Rasmus's story, when he told
it later, that old Joe had by accident seen him sitting at the cabin
window, and, quite naturally, come in, when explanations followed.

As both Pierre and I came to realize, instead of grieving over the fact
that this slave of Colonel Peyton's was playing the spy in the town of
York, we should have rejoiced, for here was at least one person who
might be able to aid us in a time of extremity.

Surely, situated as we lads then were, with a prisoner on our hands,
even the assistance of an old slave who was free to move about within
the encampment as he pleased, might be of great value.

After we had turned the matter over and over in our minds, discussing
what seemed much like a new phase of the situation, Uncle 'Rasmus
advised that we did not venture out again until the time had come when
we could relieve Saul from his duties as jailor by bringing Horry Sims
to the cabin.

The old negro argued, and with much of wisdom it seemed to me, that
having been through the encampment more than once, seemingly bent on
curiosity, there was no good reason why we should do so again. He
contended that it would not be wise to show ourselves too often during
one day, and urged that we remain concealed until the time arrived when
we were to perform our task of the night.

Following his advice we went into the loft, and, spreading down a
blanket on the puncheon floor, stretched ourselves out on the hard bed
with the hope of gaining sleep. We could have disposed ourselves more
comfortably below