Abraham made no objection to this proposition, and soon Sam was ready. I took first choice, my comrade insisting it should be so, and there was left in Sam’s hand the shortest twig for him. “All right, I’ll toddle back, leavin’ you fellows here to have a good snooze, for of course you can’t do any spyin’ in the night,” he said cheerily. “Let all three of us see what we can make out, an’ after the sum of it has been put together, I’ll set off. When am I to come back?” “The general or Lieutenant Winterbottom will tell you as to that,” I replied, mentally blessing the good fortune which saved me from a long tramp across the island, with the chances of being gobbled up by some of the Tories who might be prowling around in search of a Whig. When each of us had searched the opposite shore carefully with our eyes, we told Abe what we had seen that appeared to be of the most importance, and this, together with what he himself had observed, made up the information, slight though it was, which he was to carry to the commander. It seemed much like a clear waste of labor to make the journey to New York simply to repeat what we had seen, for there could be no question but it was already known to our people that the Britishers were building scows; the order had been given, however, and it was for us to obey rather than question it. It was agreed that Abraham should retrace his steps over very nearly the same course we had just come, when, beyond a question, he would find the “admiral” and his “crew” on the lookout. Then would come the cruise to New York, and the making of the return voyage. If nothing occurred to cause delay, and there was a sailing breeze, we allowed that Abraham should be back in Wallabout bay by daylight. We could not expect him to arrive before noon on the morrow, and it might well happen, even though no danger threatened, that we should not see him for a full twenty-four hours. Fortunately, however, the time of his return was of but little moment, providing no especial danger threatened, and we agreed that if when the sun set again he had not come, I would take my turn at carrying the report, trusting to the chances of meeting him on the way. He did not take any portion of the food which Master Onderdonk had so generously supplied, because of there being stores in plenty when once he was on board the sloop; but set off in light marching order, and with a cheery word on his lips. There was no reason whatsoever why I should feel concerned about him, and yet strange to say, my heart was heavy with the sense of impending evil when he vanished amid the gloom, leaving Sam and me to remain where was no possibility we might accomplish anything until the sun had arisen again.