“Well spoken, lad,” Master Sawyer cried. “Now while your command is making ready I will look after my horse, and we will meet in front of the house yonder that all may know our purpose. If so be there is a traitor on this plantation, then shall he have good opportunity to send word ahead to prepare the ambush.” This was spoken as if in jest, and yet I fancied there was more of seriousness in the words than he would have us believe, for I was convinced that such a man as Master Sawyer, who had proven his mettle time and again, would not be like to set out with a party of lads unless he believed there might be hot work ahead. Seeing us saddling, those of the troopers lounging near by asked the reason, and when we told them, making no concealment of what had been heard, more than one shook his head sagely, as if to say that it would be useless to expect other than folly from a party of boys. All showed by their bearing that they had little faith Seth Hastings was awaiting us, unless peradventure he might be at the rendezvous with sufficient of redcoats to prove our undoing. Now we were committed to the adventure there was no show of fear in our faces, however timorous we may have been at heart, for it would have been a hundred times worse to admit that our courage failed at the very outset, than to fall into the cruellest trap ever laid. Master Sawyer did not delay us. We found him in the saddle at the door of the dwelling, and on the veranda sat General Marion and Captain Horry, the commander saying as we rode up: “It is no sign of cowardice to reconnoitre well before you go into a place from which retreat may be impossible. Make certain of the ground before advancing, even though such precaution causes you to ride slowly, and remember that there are occasions when one may be brave and at the same time flee from an overwhelming force. Do not take too many chances, and if it so be this is a trap set for your harm, punish severely those who baited it. In case the entire company cannot report at midnight, send, if possible, a messenger to acquaint me of your safety, otherwise I shall order a squad out for your relief.” Then the general saluted, we returned it, and then giving spurs to our horses, rode swiftly down the lane leading to the road. CHAPTER XV ROWE’S SMITHY When we were come to the highway Master Sawyer reined in his horse that he might ride in the rear of the company, whereupon Gabriel, who was in the lead, called to him: “Why should you not ride with me, Master Sawyer, instead of tailing on alone?” “Because I am not going out as a member of your company, but simply as one who has a fancy for a bit of adventure.”