ing, that the companionship of
Abel Hunt would embolden Horry Sims, and mayhap make of him something
more than the coward he had thus far shown himself.

Even though we should be able to feed these prisoners, yet must we hold
them here in the midst of the British camp where the least accident
would bring the soldiers in upon us, and it did not at that moment seem
to me possible we could keep the two fellows in the loft any length of
time without in some way betraying the secret.

"What about the Tory lad?" Master Morgan asked while he yet awaited the
proper time for thrusting the gag into Hunt's mouth.

"We are forced to hold him, as a matter of course. The question in my
mind as you spoke was how we might care for two prisoners, while we
ourselves are in much the same situation, save than we are at liberty to
move about inside this cabin?"

"There are many things, lad, which seem impossible while they are yet in
the future; but when the moment for action comes the way is made plain,
and we succeed where failure appeared certain."

Not understanding fully the meaning of what the Jerseyman said, I did
not extract much of comfort from his words; but stood looking down upon
Abel Hunt who was now beginning to breathe heavily like one who snores
in his sleep, until Pierre aroused me by saying:

"We shall be forced to put both prisoners into the loft, as a matter of
course, and may as well get Horry Sims there now, for stowing Abel Hunt
away will be considerable of a task."

Despite the roar of great guns from the outside the Tory lad heard what
little Frenchie said, and straightway set about begging us not to put a
gag in his mouth, vowing by this and by that which he held most sacred,
that he would make no outcry.

At first it seemed to me absolutely necessary for our own safety that we
deprive him of the power to raise an alarm; but Pierre, who had already
thought over all the possibilities of the situation, said:

"We will put Abel Hunt one side of the scuttle, and Horry Sims the
other. Whoever is on guard must sit by the side of the Tory lad, and if
so be he gives any token of crying out, then shall the gag go in and
remain there."

"Do you count on making the same bargain with Abel Hunt?" I asked
scornfully, for my blood was yet so heated that I could have no feeling
of tenderness or of mercy toward those two who had forced us to
encounter such peril.

"He must take his dose," little Frenchie said from betw