Gabriel was not so sanguine that ours might be the most dangerous task, and said with an air of gloom, as I fancied: “I made much the same proposition to Captain Horry, but he insists that it is an even chance whether his force or ours first comes upon the redcoats.” “If the order has been given for us to go to Sinclair’s, it strikes me it is a waste of breath to argue as to which may be the post of danger,” Jacob Breen cried, forcing his horse nearer that he might take part in the conversation, “and it is as important for us Minute Boys to show that we can obey a command without question, as to prove our ability to stand against the enemy.” There was much of sense in what Jacob had said, and I gave over speculating as to which direction might bring us the best opportunity to win renown, because of realizing that if we were to prove ourselves soldiers it was in the highest degree important we show our readiness to abide by whatsoever decision the commander might make. “Of course, it is not for us to say that we will go here or there,” Gabriel added to me in a low tone, “and yet there is in my mind not a little of disquietude because we are to halt at Sinclair’s to await the possible coming of the enemy.” “Meaning that you fear we shall miss the redcoats?” I said with a laugh, and he replied gravely: “I know not what it is I fear; but it appears to me, without my being able to give any reason, that there will be no honor for us this day.” Having spoken thus strangely, as it seemed to me, Gabriel rode on in advance once more, and twenty or thirty minutes later we were come to the crossing of the roads, when without other leave-taking than a military salute, our leader swung his horse sharply off to the right, we boys following him in silence. I question if there was one among us unacquainted with the Sinclair plantation, and I said to myself that even though it should be our ill-fortune to miss some brave adventure which the others might come upon, we could at least console ourselves with the knowledge that a hearty welcome awaited us, for the master of the plantation was true to the Cause, but too far advanced in years to take field against the oppressors. Gabriel rode moodily in advance, his heart burdened by something which he could not define, and did not recover his wonted cheerfulness until we were come within sight of the plantation. I had supposed that we should be greeted, when we first came upon the boundary of the estate, by some of the slaves, who would immediately carry word of our approach to the dwelling, but to my surprise no living thing was to be seen, even when we arrived at the first row of huts in the negro quarters and Gabriel, turning suddenly in his saddle, looked questioningly into my face. “The place has been abandoned,” I said involuntarily, not crediting my own words, and Archie Gordon cried: “Then are the Britishers between us and our people, instead of in advance, as Captain Horry believes!”