ed that we might in some way be prevented from carrying early
news of the retreat to the American lines, then my cousin followed,
unwillingly, mayhap, still he kept at our heels until we had wriggled
our way beneath the shattered timbers to where it was possible to have a
fairly good view of the river.

It was not until we had snugly stowed ourselves into this place that I
began to realize how great was the danger which menaced. Our people had
the range so well that the buildings roundabout this place were torn and
wrecked, while now and then a shot came unpleasantly near, and I saw two
men killed while they were striving to get one of the heavy baggage
wagons on board a barge.

Then I realized that it was more than possible we might never come out
from beneath these timbers alive because of having been killed by our
own friends. The triumph which had been mine was sadly marred by the
timorousness which came over me, as I understood that death might be
nearer at hand than when we were in old Mary's cabin, with Abel Hunt
roaming around the village in search of us.

Not for anything I owned of worldly goods would I have allowed Pierre to
know that which was in my mind. I strove manfully to drive out the fear
by saying to myself that while we remained in the village of York
exposed to the fire of our friends we were as safe in one place as
another, and if it was written we should die that day, then did it make
little difference what precautions might have been taken.

When the sun had set the activity of the red-coats was redoubled. In the
twilight we who were hiding beneath the ruins could see the officers as
they went to and fro hurriedly, and hear their sharp words of command or
of reproof as they chided this man or that with lingering, or strove to
incite a squad into more rapid movement.

Now was my heart beating so loudly and so violently that it was as if
even the enemy on the river bank must hear it, for I realized that the
supreme moment for us of Virginia had come, and could conjure up nothing
which might prevent the Britishers from carrying out their plans.

I ceased to think of Uncle 'Rasmus who had been alone in the cabin all
day, and gave no heed whatsoever to those scoundrels in the loft; forgot
all else save the fact that the moment was fast approaching when I
would be on my way to the American lines with the most welcome news ever
carried by a lad of Virginia.

It was not until nigh to ten o'clock,