ter the horse has been
stolen, for there is nothing new we could carry to our people even
though it were possible for us to go and come at will."

"Do you think a battle may be near at hand?" I asked, and Morgan replied
confidently:

"I am not well skilled in war; but would be dumb indeed if I did not
understand that before a battle between the two armies can take place,
this village will be besieged. Cornwallis is preparing for such
possibility, else why is he fortifying this unimportant point so
carefully. It cannot be carried by direct assault, therefore are we like
to be shut up in here until the Britishers are starved into subjection,
unless, perchance, the fleet which has just come off the Capes proves to
be English, and succeeds in driving the French away."

"Is there any reason why Fitz and I should not show ourselves around the
village this morning?" Pierre asked suddenly, as if some new thought had
come into his mind, and Morgan replied:

"You may do as you will, lad, so that you are careful not to arouse
suspicion, and above all, give no heed to me if we come within sight of
each other. If it should be that Saul has been taken as a spy, I am
thinking you lads will speedily find your way into the guard-house, and
it matters not whether you are taken while on the outside, or here in
the cabin."

Then Master Morgan opened the door as if to go out, and I would have
detained him by clutching nervously at his arm, but he shook me off as
he said:

"I must strive to learn somewhat of the situation, because just now a
grain, or two more of knowledge may save our lives. To-night, if not
before, and in case the three of us are allowed to remain at liberty, I
will try to have speech with you again."

He was gone before I could make further protest, and after closing the
door I turned to face Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus.

"Our company of Minute Boys seems to be of great assistance to the
Cause," I said bitterly, for with Morgan's words there had come into my
heart the certainty that death stood very near. "Instead of showing that
we could play the part of men, we have simply come into this town of
York and put a halter around the neck of that honest man from Jersey,
for had we remained at home without dreaming of accomplishing the
impossible in the way of winning glory, he would have deserted from the
British army in order to carry the information to General Lafayette, and
thus be out of danger."

"One would supp