Abel appeared to think there was nothing further to be said about the prisoners, and we talked of what the American troops were doing in the way of making ready for an attack upon the town, until Seth had another hearty meal ready for our eating. When due attention had been given to this, Sam and I were set ashore in the skiff by Seth, and our return journey was begun. It would have pleased both of us to visit our parents; but because of having brought in the prisoners it seemed like too much of a risk, owing to the fact that if any of our Tory neighbors became aware of our stopping at home for ever so short a time, it might be set down as proof that Master Garratt and father had had some hand in the capture of Luther and Ezra. “We can’t afford to take the chances,” Sam said as he looked longingly in the direction of home, and then set his face resolutely toward the trail, I following in his footsteps. CHAPTER X. IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Fortune favored us on this tramp across the island. We met with no person, either enemy or friend, owing to the fact of our avoiding the highways, and within two miles of the spot we had selected in which to do our spyin’ came across Abraham on his way to the sloop. It was much like finding a needle in a hay-stack, this meeting him in the thicket by accident, and I hailed it as a good augury for the future, causing Abraham to laugh heartily when the thought was put into words. “It’s like all of these ‘good luck signs,’ brought about by intention. I have had my ears open for you lads from the time of settin’ out, an’, with a fair idea of the course that would naturally be followed, it might have been more strange had we not come together.” “Have you anythin’ of importance to report?” “No; everythin’ is much as when you left. The Britishers seem to be makin’ good headway with their boat-buildin’, an’ are workin’ like beavers. So far as I could make out they’re not spendin’ much time tryin’ to learn what our people are doin’, which is accounted for by the fact of their bein’ in such force that it seems like an easy task to overcome us when the preparations have been made.” Then Abe asked concerning what we had done with the prisoners, and, promising to return at the earliest possible moment to set my mind at rest regarding what General Putnam might say about our tackling Tories when we were ordered to spy upon the enemy, continued on his way, halting an instant later to cry out: “I found a snug place in which to hide. Look just under the hill for a hole!” We were at a loss to understand his meaning until having arrived at what we considered our station, and then we found what might be called a cave, although in reality it was nothing better than a place hollowed out by the water. It would serve to screen us from view of any who might creep up as Luther and Ezra had done, however, and we counted it a fortunate find.