“Because I am beginning to understand that I am in my dotage, otherwise such a proposition as that we advance through the thicket on horseback never would have been made by me.” “There is no reason, sir, why you should blame yourself for what was done with the best intention. We have no time to spend on regrets just now, as it seems to me,” Gabriel said softly, and Master Sawyer added, in a tone of contrition: “Right you are, lad, and I am but giving further proof of my folly, therefore it is best I hold my peace lest I lead you into yet other difficulties.” “But as to whether we shall advance, or make a stand here?” Gabriel insisted. “As it looks to me, by riding up the trail when we can proceed no faster than a walk, we are giving them good opportunity to pick us off at their leisure, but I would much prefer that you give the command as your judgment dictates.” I could well understand that Master Sawyer had no desire to make suggestions after such a blunder as had been made, and at the same time I realized that what he had said was true. We had entered the trap with our eyes open, knowing full well it had been set for us, and now, from my point of view, we were forced to remain in it during a certain time at least. Gabriel had the same idea as myself, for on the instant he said in a low tone, himself setting the example: “We had best dismount, tie the horses’ heads together so that they may not be able to stray, and station ourselves between them and the shack here. It is a case of waiting until daybreak.” From the alacrity displayed by our lads as they obeyed this command, I could see that all were in full accord with the decision, and as soon as might be we were making a stand with the horses as a barricade against any who might creep around to the left, while the old negro’s hut afforded a poor shelter between us and those who yet remained on our right. “We started out counting to cover ourselves with glory,” Archie Gordon whispered in my ear, “and have speedily proven ourselves to be fools. From this time on we Minute Boys had best remain under the command of the general, not attempting any adventure on our own account.” I was much of the same opinion, but not inclined at that time to grieve over the details of our folly, for we were in too great danger to spend our time talking of what might have been. It was to be a skirmish in the dark, and while I had little fear that the Tories could work us much harm, firing at random as would be necessary, yet no fellow can look cheerful when there is fair prospect of being wiped out by a stray shot. Once we had made our stand as has been described, and come to realize fully that there was no way out of the trap until day should break, we set about trying to inflict some injury upon those who had thus far bested us.