“We are allowin’ Luther to get away scot free!” I cried in a rage, running aft to leap into the punt that I might set off in pursuit, and Abel, instead of seconding my efforts, stood like a statue, as he repeated stupidly: “Luther! He can’t be here, ’cause he’s on the other side of the river!” “But he _is_ here!” I screamed angrily. “I came face to face with the sneakin’ villain, an’ surely should be able to recognize him!” “Did he an’ Ezra both get out of jail?” Sam cried, and all on board remained stupidly staring at me, without making any effort toward aiding me make ready the boat, thus giving the Tories ample opportunity to make their escape. From the sound of oars in the distance I understood that those who had made the attack were too far away by this time to warrant our going in pursuit, and, inwardly raging because my comrades had allowed their astonishment to shut off all possibility of our capturing any of the miscreants save the two who lay on the sloop’s deck wounded, I went toward the cabin-hatch to relieve my feelings by harsh words, when a voice from the shore was heard: “Ahoy on the sloop! Answer or we’ll open fire!” “Ahoy!” I shouted, and now it was my turn to be astonished almost to the verge of stupidity, for I had not believed there were any near at hand on the shore save it might be Britishers. “What craft is that?” “The sloop Swiftsure.” “What has been going on out there?” the voice cried, and I believed I recognized it as Lieutenant Winterbottom’s. “A gang attempted to work mischief, an’ came precious near succeedin’,” I replied, once more allowing anger to get the better of me as I realized that Luther Stedman and his following had escaped much the same as scot free, for I did not count the wounded sufficient in number to be a fair punishment for what would have been done save for Seth’s quick wit. “Why didn’t you answer our hail?” the voice from the shore asked sharply. “Did you cry out before?” “Ay, a dozen times. Do you know who made the attack? Were they soldiers or sailors?” “Neither; but a party of Tories led by one Luther Stedman.” “Have they escaped?” “There are two on board too badly wounded to be able to help themselves. The greater number must have gone away in boats, an’ it stands to reason that some are ashore, or tryin’ to get there, for more than one leaped overboard at the report of our musket.” Then we heard the command for the guard to turn out, and soon the hum of voices told that soldiers were searching here and there along the shore for those who had attacked us. Now we understood why Luther and his following had fought so silently. They were doubtless aware that some of our force was encamped close by, and knew their purpose must be accomplished without noise if it was to succeed. Five minutes later came the sound of oars near at hand, and when Abel Grant hailed it was Lieutenant Winterbottom who replied, saying in a business-like tone as he came aboard: