e the passage of the river too hazardous to be again attempted. The
storm continued with unabated violence until morning, and Cornwallis was
obliged to abandon his design. The troops were brought back without much
loss, and now the last ray of hope began to fade from the vision of the
earl."

CHAPTER XVI

PREPARATIONS FOR FLIGHT

There is little of particular interest that can be told concerning
ourselves during that time of happenings which I have just set down in
the words of another, when our people were showing themselves such able
soldiers.

When the fighting was hottest at least two of us lads were out of doors
where we could see what was going on, and regarding not the bullets or
cannon balls that came our way, in our eagerness to watch for some
advantage which might be gained by the Americans.

It was for us a time of constant anxiety. We had the prisoners to guard,
and had we not been forced to take Abel Hunt as we did, then might it
have been a simple matter, for we could frighten Horry Sims into
submission. But this hulking, dissolute fellow, as ready to fight as he
was to eat, regardless of whether he faced friend or foe, was smarting
under the sense of being held captive by lads, and we knew only too well
that he would struggle to his utmost to set himself free that he might
denounce us as spies, which he could well do after knowing what he must
have known regarding the Jerseyman.

While I was on duty in the loft I stood at one of the small apertures or
the other gazing out, oftentimes hearing the shrieking of a bomb as it
came within what seemed to be a very short distance of the building; but
ever keeping a watchful eye on Abel Hunt.

At such times as I was off duty and not obliged to go with Pierre
foraging, for he was the only one of us three who could successfully
conduct such expeditions, I was lounging around the outside of the
building, saddened when our people slackened fire, lest they should be
wavering in the attempt to overcome Cornwallis, and again exulting when
the big guns boomed their notes of defiance until it was as if the very
air vibrated with the detonations.

Although we were so fearsome that Hunt might succeed in making his
escape, at least four times in every four and twenty hours were we
forced in humanity's name to take the gag from his mouth, that he might
get relief for his jaws.

The fellow begged again and again that we would relieve him from his
bonds so he