It was evident he would gain no more information from Master Rowe. He plainly showed he had told us all he could, or all he intended to, and if he spoke the truth the riddle was to be read only by our following the trail until we came upon the negro who had acted as messenger. This, as it seemed to me, would be a most unwise thing to do, for it required that we should ride amid the underbrush, where, if an ambush had been laid, we could not well avoid it. Gabriel made one more attempt at coming upon a solution of the puzzle, by asking: “Do you know a lad by the name of Seth Hastings?” Master Rowe shook his head. “Have you heard that there was a prisoner hereabout to be delivered to those who are defending this State?” “I have heard nothing whatsoever about prisoners or Tories, nor would I listen if any were inclined to tell the tale. I am a man of peace, and do not count on meddling with the affairs either of the king or the rebels.” The fact that he had used the word “rebels,” when speaking of us, caused me to believe the fellow was inclined to be a Tory even though he might not take open part with one side or the other, and straightway was I more suspicious of him than ever. “He who stands ’twixt two parties, trying to side with neither, is either a fool or a knave,” Master Sawyer cried threateningly. “You remain here, counting to be undisturbed because of not taking part in the war, and yet are unwilling to raise a hand for or against the State which gives you living room. Although I have no great love for Tories, they are men as compared with those who strive to take a living from the land without contributing in any way toward the general good.” Master Rowe stepped back a pace, his hands clenched, and I thought of a verity that he was about to make an attack upon our outspoken companion, who shifted ever so slightly in the saddle as if to defend himself against a blow. The smith evidently thought better of his first intent, if indeed it was what I suspected, and tried in vain to curb his anger as he replied: “It has ever been given to the people of the Carolinas to believe as they chose, and I choose to believe that he who stands aloof from both sides at such a time is the better citizen. Nor does it become you, Master Paul Sawyer, whose hand has been in every brawl since this uprising against the king was first begun, to revile a man who strives to live honestly.” Now it was Master Sawyer’s turn to be angry, and mine to be surprised, for until this moment I had no idea the smith recognized any member of our company, and because he did so were my suspicions increased. Master Sawyer remained silent a full half-minute, and then, leaning over in the saddle as if to invite a blow, he said, speaking slowly and distinctly: