nd it was blazing up sufficiently
to cast faint rays of light whereby we could see Uncle 'Rasmus standing
midway between the outer door and the chimney, looking down upon the
red-coated man who lay near the fireplace, as if questioning what his
intentions might be.

Saul stood opposite the stranger gazing at him in mingled wonderment and
alarm, while the man himself appeared to be wholly unconcerned and
entirely at his ease, as if he was among friends in the one place of all
others he most desired to be.

It was a strange scene that thus presented itself to me, and rendered so
by this seeming Britisher among us who claimed the proud title of
rebels, apparently friendly after having learned what should have
brought us to a speedy military trial, the conclusion of which must have
been conviction and the halter.

It was the soldier who broke the silence, as he said with a faint smile
wherein was more of sadness than of mirth:

"By this time you lads must have come to understand that I am a friend
instead of an enemy, and yet I am enlisted in the king's service,
wearing this uniform in token of being willing to serve him."

"You are a spy?" Pierre said thoughtfully, whereupon the stranger
nodded, and, motioning to the loft above, replied in a tone so low that
we were forced to gather close around him in order to hear the words:

"Although the lad up yonder has seen enough to convict us all, if he had
an opportunity to give information, there is no reason why he should be
let into all the secrets, and necessity demands that I confide in you.
Had it not been that I suspected--in fact, had fairly good proof of very
much regarding the situation, I would be this night considered a
deserter, and no longer able to serve the colonies in their righteous
war."

"Meaning what, sir?" Pierre interrupted.

"Meaning that in order to carry information to General Lafayette which
it is important he should know, I would have left the lines this night,
thus betraying my mission here."

"Who are you, sir, if you please?" Pierre asked, for neither Saul nor I
had gathered our wits sufficiently to be able to question this friendly
red-coat.

"My name is Morgan; I am better known in the American army as Morgan the
Jerseyman. It was by special request of the Marquis, General Lafayette,
that I enlisted, and were we at this moment at my home in New Jersey, I
could show you such writing from the commander-in-chief, General
Washington, as w