crutch had been left at the entrance, well hidden. Hands and knees
were all that were needed on that journey. Once a slimy creature crawled
across the master's hand, and he uttered an exclamation.

"Don't do that again!" breathed Andy, in alarm.

The minutes seemed endless, and the progress very slow. The darkness was
so intense that it was something of a shock to the master when he
suddenly became aware that he could see the outline of his guide's body.
There was a small opening ahead, and a gleam of moonlight shot in!
Neither spoke. If the British sentry was beyond there was every need of
stillness now.

"I hear steps!" said Andy in a breath; "listen!"

The duller ear of the master heard no sound for a moment, then slowly
and alarmingly near, he _did_ catch the sound of the measured tread of a
soldier, and, from the opposite direction evidently, a second man. Near
the opening the two met.

"Fine night, Martin; everything quiet?"

"Quiet? Lord, yes! If something does not happen soon, I swear I'll cut
and run. It wouldn't take a great deal to make me quit. The pluck of the
rebels rather tickles me. I've half a mind to toss my luck among them,
and stand or fall with the colonies."

"Better change your mind," laughed the other; "something's going to
happen and that pretty quick."

"Is that hearsay, Norton, or authentic? I've just come into camp. I've
been having a picnic over on Long Island--raiding farms and doing a lot
of dirty work that sickens me. Clean fighting is what I set out to do,
and gad! this kind of thing turns a fellow's stomach. We've been fed on
the talk that these rebels are cowards. Cowards, bah! And as for that
big, silent general of theirs, he--he rather appeals to me!"

"Don't be white-livered, Martin!" sneered Norton. "You may get some cold
steel from your own countrymen for uttering such sentiments. My
information is all right, it comes from his lordship himself. Washington
is too dangerous to leave longer alone; should he find out--what was
that?"

The master, less a child of the woods than Andy, in his excitement had
tried to creep closer, and the quick ear of the sentinel had noticed
the sound.

"It is this accursed spot again!" muttered Norton; "twice lately I could
have sworn I heard breathing among the bushes. I've beaten every inch of
ground, and not a living creature have I found. I'm not squirmish, and a
rebel now and then don't count, but--well, you know I brought that
parso