Pierre asked in a peculiar tone,
and I, failing wholly to understand what the little French lad was
driving at, replied promptly:

"Because of the danger we incur by remaining here."

"And was it not you, Fitz Hamilton, who counted that we should call
ourselves Minute Boys with the idea that at some time, perhaps, we could
enlist more in our ranks until we had formed a company?"

"Well, and what if I did propose such a foolish thing?"

"You have allowed it to be understood among us that you considered
yourself bound to perform the part of a Minute Boy?"

"And what then?" I cried angrily.

"Why, then, at some time in the future it might be said that you lads
from Virginia made bold talk as to what you would do as Minute Boys, and
began the work; but when danger menaced you turned tail to take refuge
under your mother's apron. How would such a story as that match with
what is already well known the lads of New York, of Boston, and of other
places have done for the Cause? Had they banded themselves together as
you and Saul and I agreed to do, and then shown the white feather, it
would have been known throughout all the thirteen colonies by this time.
And yet we of Virginia must be the first to act the cowardly part!"

If Pierre had taken a horsewhip to me he could not have cut the flesh
more deeply than he cut my heart by these words. When I proposed to make
our way out of York, going to my own home, there was no thought in my
mind that the act could in any way have the appearance of cowardice. It
was simply before me that with Abel Hunt ready to give information, and
we shut up where a search of half an hour must surely reveal our
whereabouts, it was simply our duty to go away if so be that were
possible.

Now, however, after the little French lad had spoken, I would have stood
in that village baring my breast to all those lovers of the king,
allowing them to do whatsoever they might with my body, rather than take
the first step toward escaping, and Pierre must have seen by the
expression on my face somewhat of that which was in my heart, for,
coming up to me closely and caressing my arm in that old familiar
manner, he said soothingly:

"I did not count to give you pain, Fitz Hamilton; but only said that
which was in my mind, with the idea of preventing you from carrying out
any plan that might cause you deepest pain in the future. Far be it from
me to accuse you of being cowardly, for I have seen you advance wh