During such time as I was not looking into the future with fear and trembling lest in the very moment of our triumph we should be cut off by friends of the prisoners, I was hugging to my heart the joyful thought that at last we had Seth Hastings in our power. The cur had done all he might to compass our death, and while there was no idea in my mind as to how we could punish him properly, I was determined that he should not escape due penalty of his crimes. The gray light of coming day had but just appeared in the eastern sky when we were challenged by the sentinels at the edge of the Black Mingo Swamp, and the journey had been performed in good shape. It was necessary we wait until some one could be summoned to guide us over the narrow trail, however, and during such time of idleness we were forced to tell our story in order to satisfy the curiosity of the troopers on guard, both of whom were strangers to me. It was Gabriel who gave an account of our work, and when he was come to an end one of the men said, as he clapped the lad heartily on the knee: “When I heard that you youngsters were setting yourselves up as Minute Boys I laughed at the idee, allowin’ that it wouldn’t be overly long before you got us, as well as yourselves, into some bloomin’ scrape, but now I’m ready to take it all back. When a party of lads can go out on a scout, an’ bring back with them every blessed Tory who was on our trail, it shows that we old ones ain’t the whole thing in this ’ere one-sided fight. Keep up the good work, an’ if it so be I hear any conceited soldier so much as breathin’ loud agin what you may do, I’ll read him a lesson.” Although it was sweet to hear such words of praise, and we were treated to very many, it was with a sigh of relief that I saw old Peter’s black face coming from out of the bushes to guide us across the swamp, and when he in turn would have insisted on knowing how we had been able to make such an important capture, I bade him hold his peace until we were safe within the encampment. The troopers were at breakfast when we rode in among them, and every man’s mouth was open so wide with astonishment at seeing what we had brought that never a word was spoken until General Marion, coming up as we dismounted, said as he laid his hand affectionately on Gabriel’s shoulder: “I knew full well you lads would give a good account of yourselves whenever the opportunity offered. Captain Horry will look after the prisoners, while you join us at the morning meal, for it stands to reason that you are in need of food as well as rest. The story of what you have done will keep until you are in the humor for telling it, though one question is necessary: Did you leave behind any who may carry information to the enemy?” “We took all that were in sight,” Archie cried gleefully, not waiting for Gabriel to make reply, and Captain Horry clasped me by the hand as he said in a low tone: