“And well you may, but at the same time is it impossible?” Master Sawyer asked thoughtfully. “Whether it be a trap or fair dealing, there is chance in it for adventure such as one would grieve to miss. You Minute Boys are seventeen strong, if I have heard aright--seventeen who have proven yourselves men--and with a smaller squad than that I dare venture to say Francis Marion would set himself against two score redcoats. Now, as the matter appears to me, there is no chance that number of Britishers can be in the vicinity, therefore whence comes the danger of answering the summons, if so be you keep your eyes opened and your wits sharpened?” “Meaning that you would advise us to go, sir?” Gabriel said, and the old man replied, his eyes twinkling as if in anticipation of a brush with the enemy: “If so be you are minded to hold your own against twice the number of your force, then go, and I beg of you take one recruit who asks for nothing better than an opportunity to learn who we have hereabouts that would do us such a favor--for a favor to you lads is one to all this company.” “And you would go with us?” Archie cried incredulously. “Ay, lad, and thank you for the privilege, obeying all the commands of your leader even as you should obey them.” “There is nothing more, then, to be said,” and Gabriel sprang toward where the horses were tethered as if he would make ready for the journey at once, but Master Sawyer stopped him by saying gravely: “Do not forget, lad, that you have first to gain permission. He who is a soldier must not adventure on his own business at will.” “I will speak with the general at once,” Gabriel said as he ran swiftly away, and Jared Green asked anxiously of Master Sawyer: “Think you there will be any question as to our going, sir?” “Not if I know Francis Marion as well as I have believed. He will consent readily, and at the same time grieve that, because of his position, he may not form one of the party.” That Master Sawyer was not mistaken in at least a portion of his statement, we understood when Gabriel returned in all haste as if eager to set off, and while he was saddling his horse I asked: “What did the general say?” “That we had his consent since Master Sawyer was so kind as to go with us. He wanted it understood that he did not question our ability to take care of ourselves, but was doubtful as to our judgment if we found ourselves in close quarters. At first he would have it that we take a squad of troopers, but I insisted this was the business of none save the Minute Boys, and we would be ashamed to have it said in camp that we dare not go out in search of one who had done us wrong, save with an escort.”