ked concerning our interview with the commodore,
and by the time we had come to an end of our story Hog Point was so
far astern that there was no longer any thought in my mind of
returning.

I was trying to make the best of the situation, when Jerry said
fretfully:

"It was a big shame that we couldn't have taken Elias Macomber when he
was there ready to drop, like a ripe peach. We might have walked right
up to that house when we first saw him, an' the thing could have been
done."

"But we mightn't have walked back again, if there had happened to be
two or three more in the building than we counted on. Never mind,
Jerry, we'll have the traitor before we're many weeks older, and
what's more, we'll take him ourselves, never asking any man for
assistance."

CHAPTER X.

A CHANGE OF BASE.

When we were come near Benedict I was not minded to pass it for the
third time without stopping to see my mother, and I said to Darius:

"There seems to be no good reason why Jerry and I should not visit our
homes, leaving you to continue on with the news. We can take the
canoe, and paddle up the river to-night."

"It is your place to remain aboard the Avenger," the old man said
almost sharply.

"What can we do more than would be done by you?" Jerry asked in
surprise.

"Nothin', so far as sailin' up the river is concerned; but with the
news we're takin' to the commodore, it is more'n likely there'll be a
quick change, when you might be needed."

"There can't be anything very serious happen 'twixt now and to-morrow
morning," I persisted, yet holding to my scheme. "We wouldn't be more
than twelve hours behind you under any circumstances."

"Not if everything was in your favor; but how if you met a boat-load
of Britishers such as we captured the other night? It ain't safe to be
foolin' 'round the river alone just now, an' that's a fact."

"Meaning that there is more of fear in your mind lest we come upon
spies of the enemy, than expectation Commodore Barney might need our
services?" I asked, and the old man finally admitted that perhaps such
was the case.

Then, in my pigheadedness, I declared we would stop in the village,
and he gave proof of what he could do when things did not go exactly
to his liking.

"I shall stop you from leavin' the pungy!" he said doggedly, without
looking towards us.

"Do you mean to say, Darius Thorpe, that you'd prevent us from goin'
ashore?" Jerry cried hotly.

"That's exactly th