“In that you are wrong, lad. I asked our comrade where those whom we whipped last night would be most likely to go, because with them rides Seth Hastings, unless they have grown weary of such a traitor as he, and it is that same cur I am aching to meet once more. It would pain me much to know we were riding directly away from where it may be possible to come upon him.” “He had already gone out of my mind, so intent was I upon the errand which it seems probable we are bent on,” Gabriel said thoughtfully. “I believe we shall be led to better work than that of punishing a dirty traitor.” “Now, what mean you?” I asked irritably, for it was to me as if the lad tried to speak riddles. “We have already learned that the prisoners which Lord Cornwallis took are being sent to Charleston as rapidly as possible, and you know as well as do I that they must cross the river at Nelson’s Ferry. Therefore am I believing that it is our commander’s purpose to do whatsoever he may toward freeing those unfortunates, and in such work he will be striking another blow at the enemy.” On the instant my desire for revenge was forgotten. I no longer felt conscious of fatigue, and would have cried out against our making a halt just then, even though but a few moments before I had been hoping the word to camp for the night might be given. To have a hand in the freeing of those who had been captured through a blunder--even though it can be called by no worse name--of their commander, was sufficient to set all my nerves a-tingle, and I hoped fervently that Gabriel was not mistaken in his guessing. We who called ourselves Minute Boys were yet eagerly discussing the possibility which had suddenly presented itself, when one of the troopers came riding back from the front, and drawing rein on approaching us lads, said: “The general would speak with you.” “With whom?” I asked quickly, believing some one was needed for an especial service, and fearing lest Gabriel might have been signalled out for the honor, leaving us behind. “The word was sent to the lads, and since you five are all the youngsters we have with us, I’m counting you’re the ones the commander meant,” the man said with a smile, as he turned his horse and spurred forward again. “The Minute Boys may not count for much in the way of numbers, but surely it seems as if there was work for them to do in this kind of warfare,” Archie cried gleefully, and one would have thought, as he urged his horse forward, eager to gain the advance over Gabriel and me, that some great prize awaited him, instead of what might be a mission which would end with his death. There was not much of military stiffness in this “ragged army” of General Marion’s, and we lads rode up like a party of schoolboys until coming abreast of the general, when we reined in familiarly by his side, but without halting. He welcomed us with a smile and a nod, heeding not the fact that we had failed to salute properly, and said in a brotherly tone: