ally whether it might not be possible we had given the
Jerseyman's information to another, for it did not seem within the range
of possibilities that one of our way of thinking would have received
such news and never given sign or word of acknowledgment.

"I fancy he has only in mind to save his own skin, and believes that
this shore in the rear of a British encampment is not the safest place
in the world for one of his politics," Pierre said musingly after a
brief time of silence. "We were not told how this man would prove
himself to be the one we were sent in search of, therefore it cannot be
set down to our discredit if we have fumbled the job."

"And what now?" I asked moodily, almost persuaded, because of the
movements of the stranger, that we had advertised the fact of our
serving a spy, and the stranger had gone in search of those who would
arrest us.

"We can do no less than stay here until another night has come, and
before sunset it should be possible to devise some means of passing the
English sentries. Just now, however, I am inclined to believe we would
do well to set out in search of something to eat. Do you know any of
the planters nearabout?"

"Not within a dozen miles or more. It is quite certain, however, that
many of them nearabout Gloucester are Tories, while others would remain
neither for king nor for colony; yet I suppose we must take our chances,
unless we are willing to make breakfast, dinner and supper of this pure,
fresh air."

"We will make our way to the negro quarters on some plantation," Pierre
said quickly. "When it comes to trusting a stranger, I can put more
faith in a black face than a white one."

Having thus spoken the lad started inland, walking swiftly, and as if he
had both course and destination marked out plainly before him.

CHAPTER XII

SAUL'S OPPORTUNITY

It was destined that we should approach neither white man nor negro in
quest of food on this day, however severe might be the pangs of hunger,
for little Frenchie had hardly more than began a blind tramp across the
country, trusting that fortune would bring him to the destination
desired, when we were startled, I should say alarmed, by the report of a
cannon which rang out startlingly clear on the morning air.

As a matter of course we were brought to a sudden halt; but before
either of us could speak, boom, boom, boom came from the direction of
York, and with the report of the guns we could see heavy smo