"Sir John gave his parole to General Schuyler," said I, turning very red; for I was mortified that the honour of my caste should be so carelessly questioned. "It is not unthinkable that Sir John might lie," retorted Salisbury bluntly. "I knew his father. Well and good. I know the son, also.... But I suppose that gentlemen like yourself, Mr. Drogue, are ashamed to suspect the honour of any of their own class,--even an enemy." But Putman was plainer spoken, saying that in his opinion any Tory was likely to attempt any business, however dirty, and rub up his tarnished honour afterward. I made him no answer; and we marched swiftly forward, each engaged with a multitude of serious and sombre thoughts. A few moments later, chancing to glance behind me, stirred by what instinct I know not, I espied two neighbors, young John, son of Philip Helmer, and Charles Cady, of Fonda's Bush, following us so stealthily and so closely that they might decently have hailed us had they been so minded. Now, when they perceived that I had noticed them, they dodged into the bush, as though moved by some common impulse. Then they reappeared in the road. And, said I in a low voice to John Putman: "Yonder comes slinking a proper pair o' tree-cats to sniff us to our destination. If these two be truly of the other party, then they have no business at John Stoner's." Putman and Salisbury both looked back. Said the one, grimly: "They are not coming to answer the militia call; they have rifles but neither regimentals nor packs." Said the other: "I wish we were clean split at Fonda's Bush, so that an honest man might know when 'neighbor' spells 'traitor' in low Dutch." "Some riddles are best solved by bullets," muttered the other. "Who argues with wolves or plays cat's-cradle with catamounts!" Glancing again over my shoulder, I saw that the two behind us were mending their pace and must soon come up with us. And so they did, Putman giving them a civil good-day. "Have you any news, John Drogue?" inquired young Helmer. I replied that I had none to share with him, meaning only that I had no news at all. But Cady took it otherwise and his flat-featured face reddened violently, as though the pox were coming out on him. And, "What the devil," says he, "does this young, forest-running cockerel mean? And why should he not share his news with John Helmer here,--yes, or with me, too, by God, or yet with any true man in County Tryon?" I said that I had not intended any such meaning; that he mistook me; and that I had aimed at no discourtesy to anybody. "And safer for you, too!" retorted Cady in a loud and threatening tone. "A boy's wisdom lies in his silence." "Johnny Helmer asked a question of me," said I quietly. "I replied as best I knew how." "Yes, and I'll ask a dozen questions if I like!" shouted Cady. "Don't think to bully me or cast aspersions on my political complexion!"