m the time I first had speech with General Lafayette I
was alone on the road, not that which led to the town of York; but
rather across the peninsula to the Hamilton plantation, and the
dangerous journey which was to win me so many laurels was finished with
no more peril, nor more of adventure, save when I had been accosted by
the American scouts, than if I had walked into my mother's drawing room
at night-fall.

CHAPTER VIII

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SAUL

I had no difficulty in going from the American lines to the Hamilton
plantation. I suppose that my Lord Cornwallis's desire to speedily
fortify York Town so he might the better be able to prevent the "rebels"
from doing him harm, was the reason why no scouting parties were met
with, and even though I had come upon a dozen red-coats, there was
little possibility harm would be done me, unless peradventure they had
been sent out with special orders to make me prisoner because of my
having entered the town of York under false pretences.

However, I did not look forward to anything of that kind, nor was there
reason so to do. It did not seem probable any of the king's officers
were aware of what we lads and Uncle 'Rasmus were striving to do, else
had they made a descent upon us before I acted as messenger for the
Jerseyman.

Because of having had no sleep the night previous, and being somewhat
wearied with the tramp from the town of York, my eyes were heavy when I
set out for my home; but the thought of seeing my mother once more, of
being able to explain to her exactly what we counted on doing, together
with the beauty of the morning, when everything around me spoke of
peace, content and happiness, rather than of war, served to revive my
spirits and my body until it was as though I had enjoyed a long period
of repose.

But for that which hung about my neck like a millstone, meaning our
having been forced to make a prisoner of Horry Sims, I would have been
radiantly happy on this morning. As it was, however, I no sooner began
to anticipate the pleasure of meeting my mother, or attempted to enjoy
the beauties of nature, than I thought of that cowardly Tory cur lying
in the loft of old Mary's cabin, where one or another of us must keep
watch over him every hour of the day and night, and if so be he should
succeed in giving us the slip despite all our vigilance then would we
become fugitives, with all hope of regaining possession of Silver Heels
dashed, and consi