“We will send the wounded ashore, for I’m thinking you do not care to have them here.” Until this moment we had given no heed to the fellows who lay in the cockpit, and our neglect of them was not due to wanton brutality; but rather because we were so mixed in mind as to be really incapable of acting like sane people. Abel Grant brought the sloop’s lantern and lighted it that we might have a view of their faces; but we failed of recognizing them, and I said bitterly when the lieutenant’s men were dressing the wounds roughly, preparatory to putting the fellows aboard the small boat: “It is as I thought! Luther Stedman recruited his force from among the idlers on the shore who are ready for anythin’ that promises an opportunity for plunder. If--” “Why do you continue to say it was Luther Stedman who led the attack?” the lieutenant asked in a tone of irritation, as if repetition of the name annoyed him. “That Tory is safe in jail, and will remain there for some days to come.” “That is where he should be,” I replied hotly; “but since he an’ I came face to face, you must allow that I would not be likely to make any mistake as to the scoundrel. That which most interests me is, how he had a chance to do this thing!” “It not only interests _me_, but I’m thinking General Putnam will insist on an explanation,” and now the lieutenant spoke gravely, as if believing the matter to be very serious. “The orders were for him to be detained a certain time, and that he is at liberty shows we have another traitor among our people. You lads shall know all I may be able to learn--that is,” he added with an odd break in his voice, “if I am in condition to give information to any one at this time to-morrow.” I failed of understanding what he meant; but Sam, not so stupid, asked in a low tone: “Is it certain that a battle will be fought very soon, sir?” “The British will undoubtedly open the attack by daylight to-morrow, and with the odds in their favor. I have been sent here to make certain the enemy does not attempt to land a force in our rear.” “An’ what are we lads to do while the soldiers are fightin’?” I asked, for it seemed to me that we had already given such account of ourselves that we should be entitled to do the work of men. “You are to remain here in charge of the sloop. If so be the battle goes against us, you will be sorely needed,” the lieutenant replied gravely, and I added with more of insistence than was seemly in a lad: “But there are four of us who can do as good work with muskets as those twice our age, an’ it surely seems as if we should be allowed the opportunity.” “Not when you can be of greater service elsewhere. Be content to obey orders, as soldiers should, remembering that this coming battle will not be the only one we colonists must be called upon to fight before the king has been made to understand that we count on struggling for our rights so long as a corporal’s guard is left alive. Your turn will come later, lads.”