companions, were straightway convinced I was playing the
part of a British spy--that I was one of those vile things known as a
Tory, who was willing to work whatsoever of harm he might to his own
country.

At once I found myself a close prisoner, being seized by both arms and
marched in triumph up the road by these men who I must confess were
doing no more than their duty, and being given no further opportunity to
make explanation.

During two or three minutes I held my peace, the anger in my heart being
so great that I could not think clearly, and then, realizing that the
truth must be shortly known when I was brought before the marquis,
General Lafayette, as in my folly I believed I would be, I set about
telling that which had best been told before I gave way to anger.

"My name is Fitzroy Hamilton," I said, striving to speak in a friendly
tone. "Surely you know the Hamilton plantation, and that my father is in
the American army?"

"Who in the town of York sent you with a message to the American lines?"
the man demanded.

"That I cannot tell you; but General Lafayette will know, for it is from
one whom he sent into the village."

"That won't do. If you had come from a friend to the Cause, there would
have been no reason why you refused to give his name instead of flying
into a passion."

I realized only too well that there was much of truth in what the man
said; but did not give over striving to convince him of my honesty and
loyalty to the Cause, until he angrily bade me hold my peace, saying I
should straightway stand before those who would know how to get the
truth out of me.

Then it was I begged him to carry me before Virginia soldiers, if indeed
there were any under General Lafayette, claiming that they would know
who I was, and most like have come in touch with my father, whereupon he
said with a sneer, as if my prayers had only strengthened his
suspicions:

"If indeed you were a loyal Virginian, you would know from the uniform I
wear that we are riflemen, and you are in the presence of three of those
same Virginian troops you claim to be so eager to meet."

This last was enough to silence me finally. I had made another mistake
where Pierre Laurens would have come out triumphantly, for I did
recognize the man's uniform, I did know he was a rifleman, and had
simply meant to ask that he carry me to some other Virginian who might
be willing to listen more patiently, whereas, instead of conveying such