cried and started with surprise, for that very thought had been in my
mind during the last five minutes.

So far as our being able to work benefit to the Cause was concerned, we
might as well have been on the Hamilton plantation, and there I most
ardently wished we were. It would be impossible, and most like
unnecessary, for us to get word of importance to our people, no matter
how many risks we ran, and I was of the mind that it was useless to take
any chances, for surely the Americans, being so near, could keep
themselves well informed of all that went forward in the encampment.

Pierre came back with the water; Uncle 'Rasmus made a pudding of the
corn meal, and toasted slices of the ham before the fire. Saul came down
from the loft, leaving the prisoners alone when the food was thus
prepared, and we three lads and the old negro enjoyed that meal,
surrounded though we were by enemies, more keenly than I ever remember
of pleasuring myself in a like fashion.

When our own hunger had been appeased we set about feeding the
prisoners, and this task in case of Horry Sims was a simple one, for we
dared set his hands free that he might wait upon himself; but when it
came to Abel Hunt it was a horse of an entirely different color.

We ran no little risk even in removing the gag from his mouth, and I
firmly believe but for the fact of Pierre's standing over him with the
loaded pistol which the Jerseyman had left for our use, threatening to
shoot with intent to kill if he uttered the slightest sound, the fellow
would have striven to give an alarm.

It was some minutes before he could work his jaws, so cramped were they
from being held fixed in one position since we had made him prisoner,
and then instead of eating, although I knew full well he must be hungry,
he set about threatening us with what he would do when he was at
liberty, striving to impress upon us that we could not hold him in the
loft many days without attracting some attention from the Britishers.

"I am well known inside these lines," he snarled, "and had been
intrusted with important business, so that if I fail to present myself
at headquarters within a reasonable time, search will be made for me.
You can guess what must be your plight once a squad of soldiers enters
this cabin to set me free."

"I'm thinking, Abel Hunt," Pierre replied softly, "that the Britishers
have got as much on their heads as can well be attended to just now,
without troubling the