Uncle 'Rasmus. I'll pull
through without difficulty, for the road is short, and I have had so
much of rest this day that I am fitted for travel."

Little Frenchie patted me on the shoulder; but remained silent. Saul
stood shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, not attempting to
bid me good-bye, nor even to meet my gaze, and I understood that he was
saying to himself with shame that he ought at least have striven to act
the part of messenger, rather than held his peace, which was much the
same as showing that he did not dare make the venture.

I had no time to give further heed to the surroundings. The red-coated
spy had taken me by the arm and was hurrying me out of the house,
doubtless fearing lest I grow timorous because of parting words, and he
prevented the others from following by closing the door quickly behind
him.

Moving cautiously and not venturing to speak, he led me a certain
portion of the way across the village toward the west, as if I was
counting on going to my own home, and when we were come to where a line
of entrenchments was but just begun, he whispered softly in my ear:

"There are but three sentinels on this end the line, and you should be
able to make your way past them. Go straight ahead until coming to the
road which leads to your home, and then strike off to the right for the
Williamsburg highway, after which the way is clear unless British
scouting parties are abroad. Move cautiously; take plenty of time until
you are outside the lines; then see to it that you waste not a single
moment, but push forward at your best speed, for the new day is near at
hand."

Having said this, and once more pointing out the direction in which I
should go to best avoid the sentinels, Morgan turned abruptly, leaving
me to my own devices, and during the half-minute I stood there
irresolute I felt more desolate and with a greater sense of abandonment
than ever before or since, however desperate the situation.

Now was I indeed embarked in the business of spy; now had I set my face
on that road which led to a shameful death in case I was taken prisoner,
and while I would not have exchanged places with the lad, I regretted
that Pierre, not I, had set out to do this work, for I doubted my own
ability. In event of being overhauled by the enemy and questioned, I was
not so quick of wit and ready of speech as the little lad from New
Orleans, and would fall in many a trap of words where he could pass
safely b