pon him, that he did not even think of the
exciting incidents which had occurred there. He had neither seen nor heard
any thing of the squire since he had escaped from the attic chamber.

Just beyond the squire's house he met Captain Barney, who was riding up to
the town hall.

"What's this I hear of you, Tom?" demanded the captain, as he reined in
his horse. "They say you have joined the company."

"Yes, sir. I have."

"Bravo! my boy. Good on your head! You ought to go out as a brigadier
general. What does your mother say?"

"I have her written consent in my pocket."

"All right. God bless you, my boy!" said the old salt, as he started his
horse.

"Thank you, sir. There's only one thing that troubles me."

"Eh? What's that, my boy?" demanded Captain Barney as he reined up the
horse again.

"I suppose you have heard of my scrape at Squire Pemberton's the other
night."

"Yes; and shiver my timbers if I didn't want to keelhaul the old traitor
when I heard of it."

"I don't care anything about the scrape, sir; only I'm afraid the squire
will bother my mother when I'm gone," said Thomas, with some diffidence.

"If he does, he'll settle the matter with Jack Barney," replied the
captain, decidedly.

"My father may never come back, you know, and if he does he will be a
beggar. He owes the squire a note, which will be due in June."

"I'll pay it myself!" roared Captain Barney. "Go and fight for your
country, Tom, like a man. I'll call and see your mother once a week, or
every day in the week, if you say so. She shall not want for any thing as
long as I have a shot in the locker."

"Thank you, Captain Barney; thank you, sir."

"I'll take care of your mother, my lad, and I'll take care of the squire.
He shall not foreclose that mortgage, Tom. Don't bother your head about
any of those things. You're a good boy, Tom, and I'll keep every thing all
right at home."

"Thank you, sir," repeated the soldier boy, as Captain Barney started his
horse again.

The captain was a retired shipmaster, of ample means, and Tom knew that he
was not only able, but willing, to do all he had promised. His heart was
lighter; a load had been removed from his mind.

CHAPTER IX.

THE DEPARTURE.

At the time of which we write, recruiting officers were not very
particular in regard to the age of those whom they received into the
volunteer army. If the young man seemed to have the requisite physical
qualifications, it was