We went at our best pace, and in little more than half an hour were come to where we could see the settlement of Georgetown, with the canvas tents standing so thickly among the buildings that it looked like a veritable city. Thus far we had met no person, for the night was well advanced, and when the squads were divided while we stood within the shelter of the trees just off the main road, Master Sawyer said to Gabriel in a whisper: “So far as I know there is no choice between the two positions, lad; but if you have any, say the word, otherwise we will move as we are standing--you to the right and I to the left.” “Whatever suits you, sir,” Gabriel replied, and motioning to his squad, Master Sawyer moved off swiftly, so silently that we who remained would not have been aware they had left us but for the passing blotches against the lighter sky, which told of their march. Gabriel did not linger after the others had gone, and well was it for me, because at such a time, when we had been warned plainly of the dangers to be encountered, delay would have soon made me timorous. CHAPTER XIX A DASTARDLY BLOW Now that the task which I set myself is well-nigh done, and I am come to the point of relating that which has caused me more sorrow than I can ever know again, I am at a loss how to go about it. Inclination prompts me to hasten over the sad story for my own relief, and yet the memory of that lad, which will ever live green in my heart, demands that I do whatsoever I may, to the end that others may know how one devoted friend to the Cause was sent into the Beyond by the most dastardly blow ever dealt. To begin at the moment when Gabriel led us around the encampment: The way was difficult; owing to the darkness we could not choose our path, but must flounder on as best we might, clinging to the branches of trees here and there, forcing a way through thickets that we might find a firmer foothold upon the roots of the bushes, and although we could have had less than half a mile to advance, I believe we spent nearly two hours in the task, because to the necessity of moving as silently as possible, was added the roughness of the way. Then we came, as nearly as could be judged, to the point spoken of by General Marion. We were at the very edge of the swamp, within less than three hundred yards of a blockhouse where it might well be supposed a large number of Britishers would be found. “Why should we not move two hundred paces farther on?” some one asked. “Before we could make any showing whatsoever from here, those in yonder blockhouse would be able to shoot us down to the last man.” “It is here, as I believe, that General Marion intended we should go in,” Gabriel replied, “and because we are opposite the blockhouse will it be possible for us to attract the attention of the greatest number of the enemy, which is all we have been sent to do.”