s well have gazed at a
graven image.

Pierre lost no time in explaining to Uncle 'Rasmus the moaning of those
dull yet heavy reports which could be heard from the distance, and when
he was done with the story as we had heard it from the Britishers, the
old negro said placidly, as if the matter did not affect him in the
slightest:

"I'se 'lowin', chillun, dat dere's boun' to be a heap ob fightin' 'roun'
dis yere town 'fore de Britishers get what am comin' to 'em."

"And we are like to have as much in the way of danger as if we were
serving in the trenches," I added, curious to learn how the possibility
of being under the fire of our friends might affect the old man.

"I'se 'lowin' dat you'se right, honey," was the quiet reply. "Gin'al
Washington ain't gwine fo' to set down up Norf while he knows we'se
needin' him here, kase he's a gen'man ob Virginia, an' dey allers 'tends
to dere duty. Course we'se boun' to stand our end ob it when de shot
does begin to fly; but bress you, honey, how many dat you know, an' I
know, am gwine to do de same, an' what's good enuf for dem ain' any
worse for us."

Surely with such companions as Pierre and Uncle 'Rasmus a decent fellow
could not long indulge in gloomy possibilities of the future, and for at
least the twentieth time since we left my home did I resolve that I
would strive to imitate them in their calm faith as to what the coming
days might bring, and their general disregard to bodily discomfort or
injury so that they might be able to do something, however slight, to
aid the Cause.

Then, of course, we discussed this possible battle which was going on at
sea, speculating as to what the outcome might be if the French beat off
the enemy, and also what might occur if the English were victorious, for
you must remember that while waiting further news from the Jerseyman we
had nothing better with which to occupy our time.

Although we talked long and earnestly, going over all the possibilities,
Horry Sims did not venture to raise his voice, and this surprised me
somewhat, causing suspicions to arise lest the Tory cur had in mind some
plan for escape, or that he knew more than did we, although that seemed
impossible, regarding Saul's whereabouts.

On that day, because of lack of provisions, we decided that there was
really no need of dinner, and deferred the meal until night, the
prisoner, as a matter of course, sharing our fast, although I doubt not
that Pierre would have insi