am much mistaken in regard to military matters, it
will not be a simple affair to steal either the mare or Silver Heels
from the soldiers. Then, if we are bending all our efforts to that one
purpose, how are we to serve the colony? What we could learn in the town
of York that would be of importance to the Americans, passes my
understanding."

"We shall see," Pierre said laughingly, with a shrug of the shoulders
and a wave of his hand. "It shall be for a little French boy from New
Orleans, who never saw the land where his father and mother were born,
to teach you Virginians how it may be possible to bear a hand in this
business, which is like to grow exceeding warm when our French general
closes in on Cornwallis's army, for now has come the time to hold the
king's men as a strong man holds a child in his grasp, if so be your
General Washington is minded to give him the authority."

"To hear you talk, Pierre, one might suppose you had served with
soldiers all your short life," Saul cried irritably, and again little
Frenchie laughed as he replied:

"My father was a soldier, and fought bravely. I have heard him and his
comrades conversing; I have seen them draw plans for a campaign, and
discuss the strength of fortifications, until it seemed to me, even
though I have had no experience in such matters, that I knew much
concerning them."

Then the conversation ceased, Saul seemingly giving himself up to a
sulky mood, while I had so much food for reflection with dwelling upon
what we might do and the possibilities of running our necks into a
British noose, that I was not minded to give play to my tongue.

Uncle 'Rasmus remained within his cabin a good half hour, while we lads
awaited him, having no inclination to meet our mothers just at this
time lest we be ordered to keep within the bounds of the plantation,
and thereby prevented from carrying out our plans, foolhardy though they
might be.

When the old negro did appear among us again he was ready for the
journey; that is to say, he had with him two blankets and a small
bundle, or package, which I doubted not contained the store of food he
was minded to carry with him to York Town. In addition to this outfit I
noticed that he had his heaviest cane, which was fashioned with a handle
much like a crutch, and I dimly wondered, hardly knowing that I did so,
whether he had taken this particular stick just at this time as a
weapon, or simply to guide his faltering steps.