The impudence and boldness of this proposition struck me dumb; surely the Britishers must be in greater force than we had been led to believe, and nearer at hand, else would he have been less rash, or striven to give us the slip rather than thus propose to show us the way. Gabriel gave no heed to either the Tory’s words or his tone, but said cheerily: “If it so be you please, we will take advantage of the offer; but remember this, Seth Hastings, if by chance or intention you lead us into an ambush, my first act shall be to blow out your brains.” “I question if he have any,” Archie said as he mounted, and Seth replied in a scornful tone: “It may be I have too many for your purpose. At all events you shall blow my brains out if I lead you into an ambush, and you shall set me free when I have shown you Captain Barfield’s force.” “I say ‘yes’ to the first, and ‘no’ to the last,” Gabriel replied sternly. “You may guide us or not, but we shall proceed.” “Then you have less than half a mile to go,” the cur said quietly, and I racked my brain to know what purpose he had in his mind, for surely there must be something which he knew that would work to our undoing. Gabriel led the way, and Archie and I followed with Seth Hastings riding between us, I carrying my musket over one arm in order to execute the threat which Gabriel had made, if so be there were any signs of fresh treachery. We rode at a walk five minutes longer, and then far in the distance was it possible to see the glow of many camp-fires, thus telling that Seth Hastings had indeed done what he proposed, for we were come as straight to the camp as a crow could fly. Gabriel brought us to a halt with a softly spoken word, and, dismounting, said as he handed the bridle of his horse to me: “Wait here until I return.” “But surely you are not going alone,” Archie Gordon cried in dismay, and I added, following Gabriel’s example: “Indeed he has no need. One is sufficient to guard that Tory cur and look after the horses, therefore I shall go with you, Gabriel.” He made no protest; as a matter of fact I believe he felt relieved rather than otherwise that he was to have company, and after cautioning Archie not to move out of his tracks, since it might be we would have need of coming upon him in a hurry and must know exactly where he was, we started, but before having gone many paces Gabriel wheeled about, saying as he did so: “We are proving ourselves poor soldiers indeed, if we leave that Tory in such shape that he may be able to raise an alarm in case any of his companions pass by. A bit of a gag in his mouth will do him no harm, and guarantee silence.”