“Hark ye, Master Smith, if you know me by name, you are also well aware that I keep my word to the letter howsoever many brawls I may have a hand in, and this I am telling you to the end that it may be guarded against, if you feel so disposed. A messenger was sent to the Davis plantation much the same as in your name, and in another four and twenty hours I shall know whether you have just told us the truth or not. If so be you are trying to deceive us in order that harm may be worked to those who are fighting for the Cause, then as true as I am Paul Sawyer, so true will I take your life as forfeit for treachery!” Master Rowe quailed before these passionately uttered words, and I fancied that on his cheeks came something very like a spot of red, but whether of fear or of anger I would not attempt to guess. Then, without a word, he turned abruptly and entered the forge, closing the door behind him with no little violence. “Well, what do you make of it, sir?” Gabriel asked a few seconds after the man had disappeared. “It is a trap which has been set for you, lad; of that there can be no question. Now you have my answer, and I am asking what you propose to do? Do not speak now; there is no reason why we should hold this conversation where perchance an enemy stands ready to repeat it,” Master Sawyer said quickly, as he laid his hand on Gabriel’s arm when the latter was about to make reply. Then he pulled his horse sharply around, riding back over the road we had just come, all of us Minute Boys following his example. When we were a quarter of a mile or more from the forge Master Sawyer reined in his steed, and our company of Minute Boys came to a halt, taking position in a circle so we might hear all that was said. “Now I ask for your answer, lad. What are you minded to do?” “It is for my comrades to have a voice in this matter, sir,” Gabriel replied, “and the question shall be left to them. As for my part, I am minded to learn where the trap is, that we may know who set it, believing that when such information has been gained we will stand mighty near Seth Hastings, for there can be no other around here who knows how eager we are to come up with him.” Although I was, as has already been said, opposed to this adventure, it would have shamed me had Gabriel made other reply, and on the instant I cried: “I am with you, lad, wherever you choose to go!” I had not yet spoken these words before all the members of our company were demanding that they have an opportunity of learning what we were eager to know. “You are lads of spirit,” Master Sawyer said heartily. “I would I were young again, if for no other reason than that I might ask to join this force, because now is the time when much adventure may be had, and with such a party, even though it be small, he who craves for a venturesome life will not be mistaken.”