ld not stoop to such a thing.

However it might be, certain it was, as I set it down in my own mind,
that after we had met him the night before he would leave no stone
unturned to bring us into trouble, and it would not be a difficult
matter for him to learn from some of the Tory citizens of York who yet
remained in the village, which of the buildings were owned by my
father.

Having come to know that this cabin belonged to the Hamilton plantation,
there was every reason to believe Hunt would watch it closely, therefore
for any one of us three lads to venture out even though we might be
starving, would be much the same as advertising him of our whereabouts.

Certain it was that the Jerseyman could not aid us in this extremity,
for he must remain even more closely hidden than we, lest he be
prevented from making the desperate attempt he counted on as soon as
night had come.

"I see no other course than for Pierre Laurens to set his wits at work
striving to find some way out of this trouble," I said after we had
talked together, as you might say at random, without having arrived at
any definite conclusion. "Since we came into this village of York Pierre
has shown himself ready of thought and has pulled us out of more than
one hole. If he cannot devise some means to procure food save at the
expense of bringing Abel Hunt down upon us, then will I say it is
useless to attempt it; but that we must either starve, or take the poor
chances of trying to follow Master Morgan through the lines, which would
be much the same as death."

"But why should we be so certain this cabin is likely to be watched?"
Saul asked in a tone of irritation. "Why may we not say to ourselves in
good truth, that after you and Pierre met Abel Hunt--"

"Who is it calls on Abel Hunt?" a familiar voice from the outside cried,
causing the blood to run chill in my veins, and almost at the same
instant the door was burst open, the flimsy barriers we had set against
it being of no avail as opposed to the strength of him who threw all his
strength upon it.

We sat there like statues, and I dare say fear was written on every
face, even on that of the Jerseyman's, when Abel Hunt in his bullying
way strode into the center of the room and stood there gazing around at
us as if to say we were at his mercy, and would obey his lightest word
because we dared not do otherwise.

As for myself, I was literally paralyzed with fear. That man who could
do us more mis