e square aperture at either end, through which the
breeze came without check.

Horry Sims, miserable Tory that he was, appeared to be having much the
best of this imprisonment. Knowing that he could not escape save by
making his way down through the scuttle, and desiring to spare him all
the pain that might be prudent, our lads had left him unfettered and
ungagged.

He was sitting on the blanket which he had rolled up to form a cushion,
with his back against the side of the house near the chimney, and
appeared to be taking solid comfort, although one might see by the
expression on his face that the close confinement and the fear as to
what might finally happen, was telling upon him.

On the contrary, Pierre was the one of that couple who appeared to be
getting the worst of the business. He was sitting on the bare puncheons
near by the scuttle, with his knees in his arms, looking as weary as a
lad well could look, and I pitied the little fellow, remembering what
delights had been mine during what had been much the same as a vacation,
when I journeyed to the American lines and from there to the plantation.

"Finding it hard work, are you?" I asked, crouching on the floor beside
him, and the dear little fellow, with that bright smile of his,
shrugging his shoulders as if it was a matter of indifference, said
cheerily:

"It is not as lively here as I have known it in New Orleans, and there
is but little with which to occupy one's attention; but when Saul has
come back I count on going down to the river bank and having a swim, if
so be his majesty's red-coated servants do not forbid such sport."

"There is no reason why you should not go now, lad. Surely I can well
afford to take your place after having wandered around the country to
my heart's content."

"It is not fair that you should do guard duty after having just returned
from a long tramp," he replied with a bright, winning smile. "How many
hours did you sleep last night?"

I confess I had not realized that I might stand in need of slumber, and
would have put the lad off with an evasive reply; but he persisted with
his question until I was forced to admit that since leaving the town of
York to carry the Jerseyman's message, I had not closed my eyes in rest,
whereupon he insisted I go to the floor below, and seek the repose which
he claimed I so sorely needed.

"Saul is certain to come back within a short time," he said, "and then
it will be for him to take m