I could understand, and so evidently did Gabriel, that he would not take position in the line where it might seem as if he was sharing in the leadership, or was eager to give advice, but we knew right well that if we came to close quarters with an enemy, he would be in the front without waiting for an invitation. Gabriel insisted that it was a guest’s right to ride with the leader, and Master Sawyer laughingly spurred his horse forward, saying as he came up: “When I am with lads who in the midst of victory can mourn because they had no better opportunity to display their courage than by standing fast in line as soldiers should, then am I careful not to do that which might detract in any way from whatsoever of success may come to them.” “But we are looking upon you in the light of an adviser,” I cried, and it must be remembered that among us Minute Boys there was little of that military discipline and strait-lacedness which the king’s officers thought necessary to maintain. “There is a question in my mind, lad, whether my advice would be any better than Master Marion’s judgment, for I have both heard and seen him prove himself well able to command even a much larger company.” Then it was that Gabriel asked, speaking purposely loud so all in the line might hear him: “Is it in your mind, Master Sawyer, that we should ride boldly up the road until arriving at Rowe’s smithy, or had we better reconnoitre, as the general seemed to suggest?” “First let me hear your opinion?” the gentleman said, as if speaking to one whom he considered an equal. “It appears to me,” Gabriel replied after a brief hesitation, “that we would be in no more danger, if peradventure danger menaces, by riding boldly on. In case that message be the bait of a trap, then would those who are evilly disposed toward us be on their guard against whatsoever reconnoitring we might do.” “Yours is much my way of thinking, lad; but I would say that while we go as if there was no suspicion in our minds, we be constantly prepared for a surprise, and then if anything serious should come up, the company would not be taken at any great disadvantage.” There was little need for a suggestion like this. I dare venture to say every member of the party felt much as I did, that at any moment we might be confronted by a superior force, and instead of swinging our muskets across our shoulders, as was the usual method while on the march, we carried the weapons resting on one arm, thus having but a single hand for the bridle-rein.