ere
believing you would give from your store rather than sit down at table
knowing there were those near you dying from starvation."

"You don't appear to be very near death just now," the man said gruffly,
as he came nearer to peer into our faces. "So you belong on the Hamilton
plantation, do you?"

"Yes, sir."

"And when Captain Hamilton went North to join the rebel forces he left
an old negro in this village, did he?"

"It is not to my mind certain that Uncle 'Rasmus was here when Captain
Hamilton went away; but I know only too well he is now in this village,
and in need of food."

"I don't claim to know very much of military movements," the man said
grimly, having satisfied his curiosity regarding our personal
appearance; "but it seems to me you might have waited a little with the
belief that the rebels are bound to make their way inside those lines
whatever my Lord Cornwallis may do in opposition."

"It is painful waiting even for a short time, when one's empty stomach
reproaches him," little Frenchie said with a shrug of his shoulders, and
the man stood irresolute while I might have counted ten, after which he
wheeled about suddenly, and entered the house saying as he did so:

"Wait until I come."

You may be certain we waited, although I had many misgivings as to
whether the return would be to our advantage or to our sorrow, for
there was a possibility he might hold us until he could send word to
some of the Britishers telling them who we were and much of this fear I
whispered in Pierre's ear, whereupon he said cheerily, shrugging his
shoulders and waving his hands:

"I cannot believe any in this village would be so unwise, just at this
time, as to take advantage of our helplessness, save it might be such
cattle as Abel Hunt, for even the dullest must understand that our
friends are like to have the upper hands before this affair is finished,
and he who sent two lads to their death might himself suffer in like
fashion when the Americans held possession of this town of York, as they
are certain to do before many days have passed."

Whether the man to whom we had appealed was at heart a friend to the
colonies, or if he was prompted as Pierre had suggested, I cannot say;
but this much I do know, that he brought us in a bag near to half a
bushel of corn meal, and with it a large ham, saying as he laid the
provisions on the threshold:

"To these you are welcome, lad, whether you be for the colonies or fo