At this Dogberry’s eyes grew large and bright with sudden recollection. “Dar, now!” ejaculated he, “I did forgot something, sah. When dem Tories come up to de place dey have some prisoners wif dem.” “Prisoners!” “Yes, sah. And dey’s locked up in de barn at this minute.” “Very well, Dogberry, you may return to the house. Try and get word to Mr. Foster that you have seen us; but be careful and don’t let the Tories hear you.” “No, sah; ’deed I won’t. I’ll be careful, sah.” Dogberry slowly made his way through the woods until he reached the main road; then he approached the house carelessly as though, possibly, just coming back from his work on some distant part of the plantation. Cole and Tom formed their plans instantly. They must release the prisoners, and if possible they must secure what ammunition the Tories possessed, for Marion was so badly in need of it that even a few rounds would be welcome. It was well known that the Tories were always well supplied with powder and shot; the king furnished it to them, not grudgingly as he did to his regular troops, but freely; and they used it in a corresponding fashion. “I’ll manage to get the rifles out of their reach,” said Tom to Cole. “You slip around to the barn and see if you can liberate the men. If there is a guard over them, which most likely there will be, dispose of him quietly. I need not tell you to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, for I know that you will do that, anyway.” Cole nodded his understanding of his master’s instructions and moved softly away; but in a moment he turned and came back. “What’s the matter?” asked Tom, in surprise. Cole held out his hand; the gesture was more eloquent than any words could have been; it spoke of the friendship and love that existed between master and man, of the affection that began in childhood and would only end in death. Tom’s eyes filled with tears; he grasped the outstretched hand tightly. “Forgive me, Cole,” said he, “for not thinking of it first. We are going into danger, and either of us, or both, may not come out of it alive. If this should prove the case: good-bye.” Then they separated; Cole stole away toward the back of the house, keeping his huge frame well concealed behind the tree trunks and thick bush. The barn was a large structure, not a great distance from the house, and as he came in view of the big doors Cole saw a man standing, leaning upon the muzzle of a rifle and staring toward the mansion. Tom set about his work as cautiously as the slave; he crept along behind the bush and a stone fence until he reached a spot almost directly in line with the old apple tree which Dogberry had mentioned. It stood almost in the centre of the lawn; a few rustic seats were at the foot, for it formed a delightful place for a rest upon a hot afternoon.