We lads stepped back in a twinkling, narrowly escaping discovery, for if the fellow had glanced ever so hurriedly up the stairway he must have seen us, and there was nothing left for the Minute Boys of South Carolina, who had counted so confidently upon being able to strike a blow against the king’s forces, save to seek refuge in that same attic chamber from which was no outlet except the one leading directly among the enemy, who by this time were entering the building in large numbers. We had trapped ourselves, and I dare venture to say that never had would-be soldiers shown themselves more simple. All were equally culpable, if indeed any should be censured for a natural mistake, but Gabriel seemed to think he alone was responsible for the disagreeable position in which we were placed. “It is better you lads take the command of the Minute Boys away from me, and give it to some one who can show at least a glimmer of common sense,” he said bitterly when we had reëntered the room and closed the door behind us, looking questioningly into each other’s faces. “None save the veriest fool would have allowed himself, and those who call him leader, to be put in such a trap as this, and on my shoulders must fall all the blame.” So bitter was he upon himself, and in such an attitude did he stand in front of the closed door, that I actually feared he meditated some mad act, such as giving himself, as expiation for his mistake, into the hands of the enemy. Therefore I said soothingly, laying my hand on his shoulder that I might be ready for any unexpected move on his part: “No, lad, you shall not take all the blame, for one has been as foolish as another. We Minute Boys are comrades, rather than soldiers serving under strict military discipline, and had we suspected what I am free to admit we should have guessed, then was it our place to make objection when you proposed coming here. Instead of seeking to fasten the fault upon one or the other, let us decide what we may do toward getting out of the trap.” It was Archie Gordon who replied to me, as he laughed mirthlessly: “I am fancying we have no need to spend very much time figuring how we shall get out of here, for the redcoats will attend to all that.” “There is no reason why they should come into the upper part of the house while there is so much of plunder below,” I rejoined sternly, with a faint gleam of comfort appearing amid the clouds of despondency; but he said, laughing again: “They may not come upon us through searching for plunder; but it is reasonable to suppose that upon seeing the horses, which give proof of having been lately used, they will make it their business to know who has been riding them.”