ner here to this cabin, what are
you counting on doing with him?"

Again Pierre unbosomed his very heart, and explained that we would carry
Horry Sims into the loft, one of us standing guard over him all the
time, while the others went about the work which they had set
themselves.

"It may be well to continue as if nothing had occurred," the man said
thoughtfully. "I have no doubt but that you are burning to know why I
have done this thing to-night, and yet explanations may not be made
while that Tory lad can overhear, although it is true I have already
said and done far too much in his presence. Let him understand that if
an hour ago you counted on holding him close prisoner, now are you
doubly intent on doing so, for he has at least a portion of my secret,
and there are others in this town of York besides myself who would
compass his death, rather than that he should whisper the lightest word
of what he has heard or seen."

Now it was I began to get a glimmer of light through my head; my tired
limbs ceased to tremble, and my heart beat less furiously as I set about
aiding Pierre force Horry Sims up the rude ladder.

The Tory must have been quite as terrified as I had been a few seconds
before, for he obeyed all our whispered commands, striving to find here
and there a foothold on the shaky cross-pieces, and otherwise making
every effort to ascend rapidly.

When we were in the loft and had led our prisoner to where the blanket
was spread over the puncheon planks, little Frenchie took the gag from
his mouth, saying as he did so:

"Even though you would have spied upon us, Horry Sims, I am sorry we
were forced to give you the pain of wearing this ornament; but our own
lives are of more concern than your suffering, therefore was it a
necessity. Now if so be you are minded to give up all hope of making
your escape, and do what you may toward remaining hidden from your
red-coated friends who would lend assistance if they knew of your
plight, we promise to treat you fairly, and with more of tenderness than
you deserve."

"Are you counting on leaving him to guard himself?" I asked in surprise,
believing from Pierre's words that such was his intention, and the
little lad replied promptly:

"I cannot say that it will be possible for him to do very much guarding
of himself. Certain I am that there is only one way of escape from this
loft, since the holes which serve as windows are too small to admit of
his crawling th