rse I understood that Morgan, the Jerseyman, would
visit the cabin late in the evening in order to learn whether we had
delivered the message with which he had charged us; but although I could
find so much of trouble in the future, I failed of guessing that we
might be forced to remain away from the cabin a full four and twenty
hours.

It seemed to me positive that long before such time had elapsed Abel
Hunt would weary of acting as our shadow; but certain it was that until
we had tired him out, or something more promising attracted his
attention, we must keep our distance from Uncle 'Rasmus and his
prisoner.

We had been walking to and fro mayhap ten minutes with the fellow close
at our heels, and then, quickening his pace, he came up to my side as he
said in a surly tone:

"I do not believe you are in this village without shelter for the night!
Unless I mistake not your father owns one or more houses here, and why
should you be forced to walk around? It is because you are not willing
for me to know where you are stopping, which means that there is some of
your rebel mischief afoot causing you to fear I may work you harm."

"It concerns me very little, Abel Hunt, what you believe," I replied
sharply, "and as for my intent to work mischief, it is a dream born in
your own evil head."

"Why do you not go to one of your father's houses?" he demanded, and I
replied, striving to curb my anger which rose hot against the masterful
tone he had dared use to me:

"It would seem that you have a better knowledge of my father's property
than myself. If indeed he does own any houses in York, then is it most
likely they have been taken possession of by the king's soldiers, for my
Lord Cornwallis is not so kindly disposed toward us whom he calls
rebels, as toward you Tories who claim to love the king, doing so simply
because you hope to profit thereby in the way of money or of safety for
your worthless necks."

Then I pressed forward more quickly to prevent the fellow from walking
so close by my side, and whether it was chance, or because Pierre so
directed our steps, I cannot say; the fact is, however, that we were
speedily come out on the river front directly opposite Gloucester Point,
and here, as if he was leg-weary, little Frenchie threw himself on the
ground within twenty paces of the water's edge.

"Are you minded to stop here, lad?" I asked in a low tone, and he
replied with what sounded to me much like an odd inflect