."

I gave no heed to my companions; but ran at full speed toward home,
answering curtly the greetings from the neighbors as I passed, and
soon I was where every fellow longs to be--in mother's arms.

She, good soul, had heard from those who saw us, that we passed the
village more than once; but never a word of complaint because I had
not stopped to see her.

The first question was whether I had come to Benedict under orders of
the commodore, or if I was taking time to visit her which should be
devoted to some other purpose.

I speedily soothed all such fears, and frightened her by saying that
Darius believed the Britishers would make a halt at the village.

At first it was my belief that she should take the children and go far
into the thicket; but she, good soul, soon convinced me that such a
course would be unwise, since it was not known how long the enemy
would remain, and she could not stay in the forest very many hours
with the young ones.

"We will wait here, Amos dear. The British cannot be so barbarous as
to make war upon the helpless. If you or father was near at hand, and
I could go to you, the situation would be far different."

Then she insisted that I should tell her all I had been doing, and by
the time that long story was come to an end I had need to join Darius
on the shore, having stayed the full length of the furlough he gave
us.

It was not certain but that I could see my mother again before we went
up river, therefore our parting was not as sorrowful as it would have
been had I known all the perils which were to be encountered ere I
looked upon her dear face again.

The village was in even a greater state of confusion and bustle than
when I first passed through it. A full half of the people were on the
point of running away, taking with them as many household belongings
as could be carried or transported in carts or boats. A large number
stood on the streets undecided what course to pursue, and asking each
person they saw for advice, while not a few were apparently bent on
following the example set by my mother.

I was appealed to for the latest news by a full score before I could
reach the rendezvous; but to all I had the same reply, that I was in
government service and could not delay.

I was the last of our party to arrive at the shore; the other lads
were standing near Darius, looking uncommonly glum, and I could well
understand the reason for the sadness.

"Did you hide the boat