That a human being was approaching there could be no question, and it seemed equally certain search was being made for somebody or some particular spot, while every precaution was being taken against detection. Had I been a fit leader for our little party of Minute Boys, I would have remembered our meeting with Master Stedman, when he eyed us so closely without speaking, and have put this fact with that which came to our ears, in such a manner that the whole situation must have been made plain. As it was, however, the thought came into my mind that some one was coming up thus cautiously in order to spy upon the doings of the Britishers, and, therefore, believing the newcomer to be a friend, I was all unprepared for that which we saw a moment later. The night was not so dark but that we could distinguish quite clearly objects close at hand, and when the bushes were drawn apart with a cautious hand we saw the face of Luther Stedman looking down upon us. Recognition on both sides came at the same instant, and as he suddenly drew back with a gesture of disappointment, Sam and I sprang to our feet, both believing it was absolutely necessary for our own safety that he be prevented from leaving the spot. As a matter of course we were unarmed, and it was only likely to suppose if, as seemed to be the case, the sneak had been searching for us, he was prepared for an encounter; but we gave no heed to such possible fact, the only thought in our minds being that we must prevent him from escaping. Our eagerness to protect ourselves was more than a match for his thirst to be revenged, and he had not taken above a dozen steps in flight before we were upon him. The cur turned at bay, finding that it would be impossible to give us the slip, and at the same time shouted at the full strength of his lungs: “Bear a hand lively, Ezra! The rebels are upon me!” While uttering this appeal for help he aimed a blow at me, and I caught it full on the cheek with a sting that came near to dazing me for the instant; but, fortunately, at the same instant he struck out Sam gave him one directly under the jaw, felling him to the earth in a twinkling. “Hold him there!” I shouted. “Here comes the other cur!” and I darted forward to gain the shelter of a bush, hoping the newcomer might not see me until I had had time to receive him properly. In this I was only partially successful, for the second Tory saw me at the very instant he was pushing swiftly through the light screen of foliage, and leaped upon my shoulders like a cat. It goes without saying that we both came to the earth, where we rolled over and over striving unsuccessfully to get a grip on each other’s throats, and all the while Luther was screaming for help at the full strength of his lungs.