p the matter at such a time, when it was as if
we had taken leave of an old friend. "It seems to me as if I should
never be hungry again."

"But yet you will be, Fitz Hamilton, and that before this night-fall.
Even though we were inclined to starve ourselves, thinking it might
benefit the Cause, we have two prisoners to look after, and now that we
have no longer reason to fear a meeting with Abel Hunt, what prevents us
from going through the encampment?"

"It seems to me that at such a time the Britishers would be
over-cautious, and insist on knowing why we lads roamed around instead
of offering our services to those in the entrenchments," Saul said
gloomily, and I was much of his mind; but when little Frenchie has once
set out on a road it is most difficult to turn him back, and now in
answer to our suggestions, he insisted that we must make an effort to
procure provisions whatever short of actual death might stand in the
way.

I am willing now, as I was then, to confess freely that I was afraid to
step outside old Mary's cabin for any purpose whatsoever. The struggle
with Abel Hunt, and the departure of the Jerseyman when it seemed
certain he had gone out only to be killed, had brought to the surface
all my cowardice; but when I said as much in plain words, little
Frenchie laughed me to scorn, declaring he knew me better than I knew
myself, and that it needed only for me to stand face to face with
imminent danger in order to give token of bravery.

"Then surely now should be the time when I showed myself a hero," I
replied with a laugh that had in it little of mirth, "for verily are we
face to face with as many dangers as the most gluttonous swash-buckler
could desire."

"Come with me and we will find more," Pierre said with a laugh as he
opened the door, and for the life of me I could not have refused to
follow the lad, even my knees bent beneath me as I crossed the
threshold.

CHAPTER XV

FORAGING

Sorely afraid though I was to go out of the cabin lest I find myself a
prisoner on the charge of being a spy, no danger however great could
have prevented me from following little Frenchie when he thus led the
way.

I was so timorous at that moment as to be irritated, and it would have
done me a world of good could I have taken the little lad by the
shoulders and shaken him severely, because of thus venturing forth when
he might have remained in hiding a few hours longer without suffering
overly much