he utmost he could say
would be that our force is small, and so much the British learned at
St. Leonard's bay. However, I would like to have the fellow; but am
not willing you should run into any danger for the purpose of
effecting the capture."

"I believe that Jerry and I will be able to get hold of him, and we
will go back at once, unless you have other work for us."

"There is nothing especial that you can do here. Warn Darius Thorpe to
be ready for an immediate move on the part of the enemy, and tell him
to make sail for the Patuxent at the first signs of activity. You lads
had better get some sleep before setting off again. Go forward, and
see that you have a hearty meal at once. Jepson, you will remain
aboard the schooner."

Bill thanked the commodore, and the three of us went into a sort of
forecastle which had been rigged up in the forward part of the vessel,
where, after considerable arguing, we succeeded in getting so much
food as satisfied our hunger, which was no small amount.

Then we turned in by lying down on deck, which was preferable to
getting into a bunk on such a hot night.

As a matter of course we were aroused right early, even before any
signs of a new day could be seen; but the three hours of sleep
refreshed us wonderfully, and we were ready to set off down the river.

We managed, at the expense of considerable argument, to get a supply
of provisions from the cook without awakening Commodore Barney, and,
after a warm parting with Bill Jepson, cast off the canoe.

Because the wind was blowing straight up the river it was impossible
to use a sail, save at the cost of considerable time, and we took to
the paddles, which seemed like mighty hard work after our experience
with the rag of a sail.

Don't let it be thought that we begrudged our labor; I would have
paddled till the skin was worn from both hands for the sake of
re-taking Elias Macomber, and looked pleasant all the while; but when
a fellow has been flying over the water with no effort of his own save
to keep the little craft on her course, he cannot but contrast that
pleasure with the dreary work of shoving her ahead with an ashen
blade.

Again we felt obliged to pass our homes without stopping. It would
have taken a full hour, hurry as we might, to go ashore and speak ever
so briefly with those who would greet us, and in that length of time
Elias Macomber could, possibly, join his friends the Britishers.

"We'll keep well over