Forgetting for an instant Luther Stedman, I half-turned to hear his story, and was astonished because of the look of amazement which overspread his face. Immediately I realized that he was bewildered at seeing the prisoner, and said hurriedly, speaking with the utmost caution: “That Tory came our way, an’ it was a case of capturin’ him or bein’ discovered.” “How did you do it?” he asked as if mystified. “I have not been above an hundred feet away at any time, an’ yet heard no noise.” “The slime of the swamp served our friend,” I said, and smiling even while my anxiety was so great. “We can speak of him later; tell us what you have done?” “I have had speech with Barney Nelson, an’ that at a time when I had well nigh given up all hope of comin’ face to face with him alone.” “And he?” I asked, fearing to put the question into words. “He will do whatsoever he may so that it be not against the oath he has taken to serve the king; but lad, it needs not I should tell you that even though Barney were willin’ to do everythin’ a man could, the chances of releasin’ Abel Grant are mighty slim.” “Is he aboard yonder ship?” “Yes, as are nigh to two hundred others who were taken prisoners in the battle. The Good Hope is to be moved up nearer the town when it shall have been taken, an’ meanwhile all Barney can do is to tell our friend that we are waiting for an opportunity to lend a hand.” “Surely you have been successful even beyond my hopes,” I replied fervently, thankful because this little had been accomplished. “Now what are we to do?” “Before seein’ yonder prisoner I should have said there was nothin’ which could be done, save wait in the poor hope that some turn or chance might show us a way to help him; but now I am all at sea, for suppose this moment we should find a way open to get at him, how can we make a move while that Tory is held by you?” Then it was that Abe explained what was his purpose, and much to my surprise Seth Hartley seemed to agree with him. Afterward I came to understand that he was accepting cheerfully the only possible solution of the difficulty, for we must get rid of Luther, and yet could not afford to set him at liberty. “There is no possibility that we shall see Barney Nelson again until mornin’,” Seth said after a brief time of silence. “His shore leave is about expired, an’ mayhap he will not have another within eight and forty hours; but yet must we wait, for in him is our only hope.” “Will you come back, having left the Tory with Peter Snyder?” I asked of Abraham, shielding my mouth in such fashion that the prisoner could not hear the question, and the lad replied: