ized him, it is as if we hadn't seen the man."

It was ever little Frenchie's way to do what he might to soothe the
feelings of one who had gone wrong, and flinging my arm above his neck
regardless of whosoever might see, I hugged him to my side as if he had
been a sister.

Owing to the unusual activity all around us we were able to go at will
throughout the village, seemingly arousing no suspicions, for hardly a
man noticed us, and we searched every foot of the encampment save, as a
matter of course, the guard-houses or the buildings occupied by
Britishers, until having satisfied ourselves that Saul was not lying in
some out-of-the-way place unable to move because of wounds.

"It must be that the Britishers have made him a prisoner," Pierre said
thoughtfully as we wandered down to the river bank where we could
converse without fear of being overheard. "If he had provoked a quarrel
with any of the soldiers, or the lads who came from the plantations, we
should have found him ere this. We may set it down as a fact that he is
held in one of the guard-houses."

"Then what is to be done?" I cried impatiently, and to my surprise
Pierre replied calmly:

"Nothing; at least, nothing now. Of ourselves we cannot hope to find
him; but must wait until we have speech with Morgan. He is the one of
all others in this town of York who can help us."

"And we are shut out from him by the fear that we may betray an
acquaintance," I said bitterly, whereupon Pierre added, speaking in a
soothing tone:

"It is only for a few hours, lad. There is no question but that he will
seek us out when the opportunity comes, to learn if you succeeded in
your mission, or if any word was sent to him, and we must wait."

"But in the meanwhile Saul is lying in one of these wretched places a
prisoner, even as is Horry Sims in old Mary's cabin," I cried bitterly.

"True, Fitz, and we will hope that it is the worst which has befallen
him; but how are matters to be mended by us who are much the same as
prisoners ourselves? To go about making inquiries of any we chance to
meet, would be the same as begging that we be arrested on whatsoever
charge he lies under. It is what may be called the fortune of war, and
you, and Saul, and I must show ourselves as Minute Boys should, by
accepting whatever comes with the knowledge that we are aiding the
Cause."

"Valuable aid we have given the Cause by coming into this town and
looking at two horses which were stol