ot about that I was here I should be seized and
shot for a spy."

"Father!" cried Phil, clinging to him.

"But I am not going to be caught, nor shot neither, my boy," cried the
Captain, raising him on a chair so that they stood face to face.

"And you'll take me with you, father?"

"Impossible, boy. Come, be a man. You shall join me soon, but I cannot
take you with me. Dr Martin will bring you."

"But, father--"

"Phil, what have I always taught you?" cried the Captain.

"To--to--be obedient."

"That's right. Now, do you want to help me?"

"Yes, father. So much."

"Then listen to all I say. Now, Doctor," continued the Captain, "I have
ventured into the enemy's camp--not as a spy, but to see you and my boy.
I dare not stay ten minutes before I hurry back to join our people."

"Then the English forces are near?" said the old Doctor, excitedly.

"That is not for you to know or question me upon. It is enough if I
tell you that this is no place for my son, and if things go against us
you will take him back to England. You promise that?"

"I have promised it, Carleton. I have all your old instructions, and
come what may I will deliver him safely into the hands of your relatives
and friends."

"I am satisfied, Doctor," said the Captain, huskily, "and I shall go
back to my regiment in peace. Now then, the bread and meat I asked
for--quick! And you will see that the lad who showed me in does not
leave the place till I have been an hour upon my road? I must have that
start, for my poor horse is pretty well done up."

The Doctor made no reply, but hurried out of the room, leaving father
and son together, when the Captain laid his hands upon his son's
shoulders.

"That was all very brave and well done, my boy," he said. "Now I am
going away quite at rest about you, for I know that you will do as you
have promised."

"Yes, father. But--"

"But what, Phil?"

"Oh, do, pray--pray, take me with you!"

Captain Carleton winced, and his hands tightened upon the boy's
shoulders, while his voice sounded husky as he spoke.

"Phil," he said, "do you know what I am?"

"Yes, a soldier; one of the King's captains, father."

"Right, boy; and didn't I tell you that a soldier must always do his
duty?"

"Yes, father."

"And that boys must always do theirs? Well, sir, the King says I must
march with the army at once, and I say you must do your duty too."

"Yes, father," said Phil, in a choking voice, "