rse. He is government property, and would give
stronger proof of our havin' been with the army than your father's
wound. Besides, should the soldiers hear him, an' you can't reckon on
keepin' that kind of a beast quiet, they'd be bound to have him out,
if only for the sake of sport."

Then Darius went toward his chosen place of refuge, leaving us to
follow or not as best pleased us, and the result can well be imagined.

We would not cut loose from the old sailor who, because of his
experience in such circumstances, was best calculated to advise and
aid, therefore we followed him meekly, but with many a mental
complaint.

When we were come to the rough building, which was hardly larger than
the cabin of the Scorpion, Darius lifted my father from the animal's
back as if he had been no more than a child, and carried him into the
place that was less inviting than the hold of the Avenger after we had
taken out a cargo of oysters.

Placing him in one corner where he might sit with his back against the
boards, the old sailor went outside and drove the mule in the
direction of the tavern, himself following until he was lost to view,
much to our surprise and disquietude.

"Now what is he about?" Jerry asked petulantly. "I thought we were to
stay here?"

"It seems that we are," I replied with a mirthless laugh; "but it
appears that Master Thorpe counts on being better lodged."

"Do you suppose he allows to stop at the tavern while we're to stay in
this smoke-house?" Jim Freeman asked in a tone of dismay, and I, sore
at heart because my advice had not been followed, replied bitterly,
thereby setting myself down for at least the twentieth time as a
simple:

"We can be certain he'll look after himself, no matter how we may
fare."

Then we stood waiting in silence until it should be certain that
Darius had really abandoned us, when my father said, striving to
suppress any evidence of the pain which he suffered:

"You lads are making a big mistake if you think Darius Thorpe would
leave you at such a time as this. He has ever had the name of holding
to a comrade, and he'll not steer another course while we're in so
much danger."

Five minutes later I was covered with shame because of my unkind
words, when we saw the old man returning with as much hay as he could
stagger under.

"Here's what will make our cripple a bit more comfortable," he said
cheerily as he thrust his burden through the narrow door. "Pile it
well up