, for he might unwittingly
come directly upon them when he returned. Whichever way I looked at
the matter I saw cause for grave fear, and the perspiration came out
in big drops on my forehead, for without him we would be in a bad
predicament.

While these thoughts were running through my mind I gave due attention
to what might be going on at the opposite side of the river, for I was
convinced that the boat was nearly in a straight line across from
where we lay.

I could hear such noises as told that one of the crew was scrambling
ashore amid the underbrush, and I heard a man cough; but after that
all was still until at least fifteen minutes were passed, when there
was a faint sound of voices from a distance, and then the rustling of
the foliage as if one or more was forcing a passage through the tangle
of vines.

"Hello!" came in a hoarse whisper from the boat, and some one ashore
replied:

"It's all right, sir."

From what could be heard I knew that a man, or men, were making their
way to the boat from the highway, and then, when it seemed as if he or
they were aboard, the voice which had given the command, said in
greeting:

"So you're come at last, Macomber. I had begun to believe we were
mistaken as to the rendezvous."

"I was delayed in the village, for your orders were that I must get
away without its being known, and there are many inquisitive ones in
Benedict."

My heart gave a great bound. So it was Elias Macomber who was playing
traitor, for even though he was born in England, the United States was
his home by adoption, and to our people he was bound in honor.

If Darius could only get weapons so that we might capture the boat's
crew, what joy would be mine to carry the base hound to Commodore
Barney as a prisoner!

Elias was speaking in a low tone and rapidly to some one--whom I had
no doubt was a British officer--, and I could only catch a word here
and there; but it was enough to let me know that he was reporting all
he had heard concerning the movements of the flotilla.

"At Nottingham yesterday," I heard. "Thirteen barges an' pungies, with
the schooner Scorpion. Five hundred men all told. Well armed, an'
knowin' how to use their weapons."

It was by such fragments of conversation as set down above that I knew
Elias Macomber was giving all the information in his power to the
enemy, and I resolved that some day he should pay the penalty of the
crime, even though I was forced to pursue him