He did not answer for the moment, and Archie replied for him by saying: “Because he is first cousin to the viper that stung the hand which warmed him. More times than can well be counted have I done that cur a good turn, and it was only two days before he would have delivered us to the Britishers, that I gave him food because he claimed to be hungry.” “Was I bound to turn rebel because you saw fit to do so?” Seth asked surlily, and Gabriel cried: “How can you call a ‘rebel’ him who would simply defend his own home? If I mistake not, you cried out as loudly as any other against the king when we were besieged, and it seemed possible we of Charleston might be able to hold our own.” “All that might be, and yet had I the right to change my colors when it was seen that the rebellion was the same as crushed,” Seth cried, and I fancied that his cheeks were reddened with shame even as he spoke. “If it was in your mind to change colors, the manly way would have been to declare yourself, but instead of so doing you allowed us to think you had the welfare of the Carolinas at heart, in order that you might play the traitor more successfully,” Gabriel said sternly, and then turning toward me he added, “It gives a decent lad a bad taste in the mouth to bandy words with the cur. Let us leave him alone till such time as we can decide how we may settle the score he has run up against himself.” “You do not dare do more than hold me prisoner of war!” the villain cried in fear, and Jared Green said with a laugh: “By what right do you count yourself a prisoner of war, you traitorous Tory? Have you joined the king’s forces?” “Ay, that I have! You know as much without asking the question,” and Seth looked imploringly toward his companions in captivity as if asking them to bear witness that he had been received by the Britishers as a soldier. “Even the redcoats wouldn’t take such as you in their ranks!” Archie cried sharply. “The only claim you can make is that you have promised every officer you came across to lead them to this encampment, when you knew no more about it than does my Lord Clinton.” “I came mighty near smoking you out,” the cur cried in short-lived triumph. “It was me who showed these honest men the way.” “You told us that we were three full days’ march from this place,” one of the Tories said angrily. “If you had known half as much as you professed to be acquainted with, we would not now be in such a hobble.” “Let him alone, and come with me,” Gabriel whispered. “I’m thinking his punishment has begun, for it is easily seen that the others are inclined to put on his shoulders all the blame for their plight, and they will say more harsh words to the scoundrel than we could devise.” Then Gabriel and I walked away, leaving two of the troopers on guard against any attempt at escape, and nearly all the Minute Boys followed, believing that now was come the time when we would decide what should be the fate of the traitor we had captured.