"But, father, why have you not come in your uniform?" "Quiet, boy," was the reply; "I have no time to explain. Look here, Martin, old friend; when I agreed that Phil here should come on this long visit with you I had no idea that matters would turn out like this. But there is no time to waste. You must get out of the country as fast as you can." "With your son?" "Of course. Get south, beyond the English lines. You understand?" "Yes. Quite." "Then now get me something; bread and meat or bread and water--I am nearly starved." "You'll have dinner with us, father?" cried Phil. "No, my boy; I must be off at once." "Oh, father, take me with you," cried Phil, piteously. "I cannot, my boy. I must get back to my regiment, and at once." "So soon?" said the old Doctor, sadly. "Yes, so soon. If it got about that I was here I should be seized and shot for a spy." "Father!" cried Phil, clinging to him. "But I am not going to be caught, nor shot neither, my boy," cried the Captain, raising him on a chair so that they stood face to face. "And you'll take me with you, father?" "Impossible, boy. Come, be a man. You shall join me soon, but I cannot take you with me. Dr Martin will bring you." "But, father--" "Phil, what have I always taught you?" cried the Captain. "To--to--be obedient." "That's right. Now, do you want to help me?" "Yes, father. So much." "Then listen to all I say. Now, Doctor," continued the Captain, "I have ventured into the enemy's camp--not as a spy, but to see you and my boy. I dare not stay ten minutes before I hurry back to join our people." "Then the English forces are near?" said the old Doctor, excitedly. "That is not for you to know or question me upon. It is enough if I tell you that this is no place for my son, and if things go against us you will take him back to England. You promise that?" "I have promised it, Carleton. I have all your old instructions, and come what may I will deliver him safely into the hands of your relatives and friends." "I am satisfied, Doctor," said the Captain, huskily, "and I shall go back to my regiment in peace. Now then, the bread and meat I asked for--quick! And you will see that the lad who showed me in does not leave the place till I have been an hour upon my road? I must have that start, for my poor horse is pretty well done up." The Doctor made no reply, but hurried out of the room, leaving father and son together, when the Captain laid his hands upon his son's shoulders. "That was all very brave and well done, my boy," he said. "Now I am going away quite at rest about you, for I know that you will do as you have promised." "Yes, father. But--" "But what, Phil?" "Oh, do, pray--pray, take me with you!" Captain Carleton winced, and his hands tightened upon the boy's shoulders, while his voice sounded husky as he spoke. "Phil," he said, "do you know what I am?" "Yes, a soldier; one of the King's captains, father."