nding the true situation;
but now it appeared much as if the truth had burst in upon him, for I
saw what was like unto a sudden flash of light come over his black,
wrinkled face, as he stepped forward to lay his hand on Frenchie's
shoulder while he said gravely, and with more of dignity in his manner
than I had ever fancied the old negro could assume:

"Your place is des' here, honey, here wid Uncle 'Rasmus, an' Marse Fitz
is de one to go kase dere's a chance he'll meet wid his father. I'se
'lowin' it would do Missey's heart good ef she could get word from Marse
straightway frou de chile's lips. Stay whar you is, honey, kase I'se
gwine to be needin' you mighty bad."

Why Uncle 'Rasmus was so eager for me to act the part of messenger
rather than Pierre, I failed to understand; but it gave me wondrous
relief of mind that he did interfere, and the little French lad
immediately stepped back a pace or two from the fireplace, as if to say
he would make no protest.

Then I, to clench the matter, fearing lest Pierre might reconsider his
apparent determination to remain, asked the red-coated spy what message
he would have carried to General Lafayette, and when it was his desire
the messenger should set out, whereupon he replied by demanding:

"Tell me what you lads saw to-day while taking note of the
fortifications?"

I repeated that which Pierre had impressed upon my mind, and in order
that little Frenchie should have due credit for the military
intelligence displayed, I explained that he it was who had given me my
lesson as we walked, and he it was who had surmised that a battery was
to be placed here or a redoubt there, whereupon Master Morgan said in a
tone of approbation:

"You may set it down that your friend is a keen lad; one who keeps his
eyes wide open and understands whereof he speaks. There are many men who
could have walked through the town of York this day and not seen
one-half, nay, not one-quarter, for you have placed a redoubt here on
the right and there on the left, which is as yet hardly begun. How know
you, lad, that such works are to be put there?" and the spy turned
toward Pierre as he spoke.

"I knew that if my Lord Cornwallis was fortifying this town against a
siege he would need redoubts to the right and left of the village near
the river, and, indeed, the ground has already been broken for such
works."

"You must have seen somewhat of military movements in this short life of
yours?"

"My fa