ll serve if it should
become necessary to protect ourselves."

"Why have we need to protect ourselves now that the Britishers are
turning tail?" I asked in dull surprise, but I took my hands from my
ears and wheeled about, knowing that if little Frenchie commanded me to
do this or that I would obey if it lay within my power.

"When the red-coats begin their retreat our time of danger has passed, I
believe," the lad said, speaking gravely and clutching me by the arm to
insure my close attention. "You can see that these soldiers who have
just met their death threw off all restraint; were insubordinate,
believing the end near at hand, and if such be the case at this early
hour, what may happen when the main body of the troops have embarked for
Gloucester Point? We must hold ourselves at liberty to carry the news to
our people at the earliest possible moment, and that can best be done by
getting in shape to defend ourselves. It is as if heaven itself had sent
us these weapons, and we would be little less than idiots if we failed
to take advantage of that which has come at such a seasonable time!"

I did not believe Pierre was in the right when he said we might be able
to defend ourselves. I had in mind that instantly the retreat was begun
all the red-coated men would hasten upon the heels of their comrades
lest they be left behind; but fortunately, as I came to understand
later, I did not protest against following Pierre out of the cabin,
although my stomach revolted when we were come to that scene of
slaughter.

By this time only one of the men was yet alive, and he so far gone into
the Beyond that it was a question whether he remained conscious of his
surroundings.

The squad had thrown their muskets down in a pile near where they were
lounging, and I picked up four of the weapons, hurrying back to the
cabin with them, hoping that while I was gone Pierre would set about
obtaining the ammunition, for my heart grew faint as I thought of
meddling with those lifeless bodies for the purpose of taking away that
which was upon them.

"Put dem under de floor, honey, whar I stowed Horry Sims," Uncle 'Rasmus
said as he raised the puncheon plank.

So stupid was I even then, that I mentally laughed at the idea of taking
such precautions when the end had come so near that it was almost as if
we were within speaking distance of our friends; but I did as the old
negro suggested, and went back for another load, although why it sh