the path as he had been commanded.
Twenty minutes later, when he was nearly breathless owing to the rapid march, the party had arrived at what was evidently a rendezvous for the American patrols.
It was an open space in the midst of dense woods, and here a dozen or more horses were tethered to the trees, while as many men were lounging about in a most indolent fashion.
"What have you got there, Jordan?" one of the idlers cried, and the leader replied with a coarse laugh:
"A young Tory who is trying to win his spurs in a most bungling fashion."
"From the town?"
"He is the son of the woman who runs a boarding-house for British officers, and claims to have been sent by Grimshaw."
"Where is Grimshaw?"
"On the pillory, so the boy says. He was captured this morning by some of the Queen's Rangers."
"He is like to have a sore back when he shows up here again."
"We will send them one in return," Captain Jordan replied, pointing to Seth. "It won't be a bad idea to show Howe that we can swing the whip as well as his redcoats, and if ever a cub deserved a flogging it is this one."
"We've got nothing else to do, so let's try our hand on him," some one cried, and Seth looked around terrified.
If these men decided to treat him as a Tory he would be powerless against them, and there seemed little chance he could convince the troopers of the truth of his statement.
Two of the soldiers began cutting birchen switches, as if believing the suggestion would be carried into effect immediately, and Seth's face grew very white.
"We'll dress him down to your liking captain, if you give the word," one of the men who had begun the preparations for the punishment cried, as if eager to be at the work. "It's time we commenced to show the Britishers that the floggings are not to be all on one side."
Captain Jordan, although the first to make such a suggestion, was not prepared to give the order, knowing full well that he would be exceeding his authority should he do so, and replied with a laugh:
"We shan't lose anything by waiting, so there's no need of being in a hurry. Look out for the prisoner, Hubbard, and see to it that he don't escape you."
The trooper thus commanded seized Seth roughly by the shoulder, and half-dragging, half-leading him to a tree on one side of the clearing, proceeded to fetter the boy by tying him securely.
"You seem to be afraid a fellow will get away," Seth said bitterly. "Fifteen or twenty men should be enough to guard one boy."
"Very likely they are, lad; but we don't intend to give ourselves any more trouble than is necessary. You will stay here, I reckon, and we shan't be put to the bother of watching you."
There was something in the man's tone which caused Seth to believe he might be made a friend.
By this time he realized it was worse than useless for him to display temper, and that it might yet be possible to escape the threatened punishment. Therefore he said in a conciliatory tone:
"Does it seem so strange to you, my wish to be of benefit to the cause, that you cannot believe my story sufficiently to allow me an interview with Colonel Powers?"
"I don't see where the harm would be in that, lad; but it isn't for me to say. Captain Jordan is in command of this squad."
"But hark you, Mr. Hubbard. I have told only the truth. If my mother, a poor widow woman, is forced to take English officers as boarders, does that make of me a Tory?"
"Well, lad, I can't rightly say it does, though after the junketin's you people have had in Philadelphia this winter, I allow all hands are more or less afflicted with that disease."
"But I am not. The story I told about meeting Grimshaw is true. One of my companions is the son of Chris Ludwick, whom likely you know; we drew lots to see who should come here, and I was pleased because the choice fell on me. Do you think it right that I should be flogged and sent back before your officers have had time to find out whether I am telling the truth or a lie?"
"No, lad, I don't, for I allow you have had plenty of chances to hear that which would be valuable to our side; but whether you would tell it or not is another matter."
"Why shouldn't I want to tell it? Are the soldiers of the Continental army the only men in the country who love the cause?"
"Those who love the cause should be in the army when men are needed as now."
"Before General Howe took possession of Philadelphia I was too young to be received as a soldier – am too young now; but shall make the attempt to enter as soon as possible."
"Would you be willing to enlist to-day?"
"Not until I have talked with my mother. She depends upon me for assistance, and it isn't right I should leave home without her permission. But that has nothing to do with the story I came to tell. I swear to you I have heard that which should be known to your officers. I told it to Grimshaw, and he insisted I should not repeat it to any one of lower rank than a colonel."
"Then it must be mighty important information."
"So it is; yet without giving me an opportunity to tell it I am to be kept here and flogged."
"That is Captain Jordan's affair," Hubbard replied; but Seth understood that his words had had some effect upon the man, and he continued yet more earnestly:
"There can be no harm in taking me to Colonel Powers, for after that has been done you will still have the opportunity to give me a flogging. When I have repeated that which I came to say I shall yet be a prisoner."
Hubbard made no reply to this, but walked quickly away to where Jordan was talking with a group of the men, and Seth began to hope he could yet accomplish his purpose, although he was far from feeling comfortable in mind as to what might be the final result of his attempt to aid the cause.
During the next half-hour no one came sufficiently near the prisoner to admit of his entering into another conversation.
The men were discussing some matter very earnestly, and Seth believed he himself was the subject.
Then the scene was changed.
Ten or twelve horsemen rode into the open, and by their uniforms Seth understood that officers of a higher rank than Captain Jordan had arrived.
The newcomers did not dismount, but received the captain's report while in the saddle, and then, to the prisoner's great delight, rode directly toward him.
"What is your name?" the eldest member of the party asked.
"Seth Graydon."
"Is it true that your mother has as boarders many officers of the British army?"
"Yes, sir. There are seven from the Forty-second Highlanders, five of the Royal Irish regiment, and Lord Cosmo Gordon."
"And you overheard a conversation at your mother's house which you believed would be of value to us?"
"Yes, sir," and Seth told in detail of his conversation with Ezra Grimshaw, concluding by asking, "Are you Colonel Powers?"
