However, this last part of it did not trouble me very deeply; I believed we would be doing nothing wrong against the Cause if we should keep him with us as a comrade, and surely the king’s forces in America would be lessened by one man, which might not be any great loss to his majesty, and yet every arm in the struggle such as was seemingly before us of the colonies, counted. Perhaps if Seth Hartley had been eager to accept the offer made, and had said without hesitation that he would be glad to do as we proposed, I might at a future time have had doubts regarding his loyalty to us; but as it was he hung in the wind, apparently considering the matter from every point, and finally said: “I’ll give you my answer before we come to anchor; but whether I take up with the offer or not, I want you to understand that I’m thankin’ you for it. It’s an honor you’ve done me, an’ I’m proud to know you believe I’d deal honestly by all hands, whatever turned up. Of course, seein’ I’m a prisoner, the bargain is all in my favor, but I’m not considerin’ that for a minute.” CHAPTER VII. MAKING READY FOR A BATTLE. While I was ready, and even eager, to welcome the Britisher as a comrade, with never a question that he would make any attempt to play us false, I would have been the veriest simple if I failed to understand in what an odd light the Minute Boys of Long Island would thus be placed. We would, by those who were informed of the facts, be credited with having taken into the ranks one of the enemy who still held himself bound to the king, because of having voluntarily enlisted, and of enrolling a member who could not fight with us in event of our being called on to do soldiers’ duty. It is true Abel Grant had proposed only that the Britisher should aid in sailing the sloop; but at the same time he would be counted as a comrade, and we would be exceedingly glad to welcome him as such. Again, and this came into my mind while Seth Hartley sat amidships evidently trying to settle the matter in some way which would not do violence to his conscience, by enlisting him as had been suggested, we would, perhaps, lose the triumph and honor which might have been ours had we presented ourselves with a prisoner to be turned over to the military authorities, and this was no slight loss, as I viewed the matter. However, both Abraham Decker and I had cheerfully agreed to the proposition made by our “admiral,” and it was too late now to protest, even though we might be so inclined. The Britisher remained silent and motionless while we eagerly discussed among ourselves the possible movements of the king’s fleet, for a full hour, and then he raised his head suddenly, in a manner which told that he had arrived at some decision. “Well, what is it?” I asked laughingly, for my heart was exceeding light now that we were come out of our dangerous venture in such good shape.