If Captain Elliott had arrived twelve hours earlier, or if General Mead had delayed an equal length of time before disbanding the militia, the situation of affairs might have been far different, and my heart would have been less heavy on that morning when we set sail in regular battle order to begin active operations against our country’s enemies. During such time as we were at sea nothing in the way of a British craft was sighted, and now is the moment when I may set down certain matters regarding the traitor Alec and I had captured. Until this morning when we left the entrance of Presque Isle bay, some of us never to return, I had believed Nathaniel Hubbard was confined on board the _Caledonia_; but as we made sail I heard one of the sailors complaining that he was deprived of what might be a last glimpse of home in order to “feed a villanous traitor.” “Who is it?” I asked, surprised at learning there was any one imprisoned on board the _Lawrence_. “You should know, seeing that you had a hand in his capture,” the man replied surlily. “Why he wasn’t sent on shore instead of bein’ transferred to this brig, beats me.” “When was he brought aboard?” “The night after we crossed the bar, and before the fleet put across to the North Foreland.” “Are we to carry him with us on this cruise?” “You’ll have to ask the commodore for that information. I’m not supposed to know what he counts on doin’. It’s enough for me that I must fetch an’ carry for a gallows-bird like him.” The man was in such an ill temper that it was useless to question him further, and I went to old Silas, as both Alec and I had come to believe was our right. It was plain to be seen, when I put the first question, that Master Boyd could give much more information than he then seemed disposed to do. He answered me almost curtly, never volunteering even an opinion, and this was so entirely contrary to his usual manner that my suspicions were aroused. “It seems to me that Alec and I have the right to know what is being done with the man,” I said hotly. “We captured him without aid from any one, and yet it is forbidden us to know other than that he was put on board the _Caledonia_.” “There’s no call to lose your temper, lad, seein’s how the fellow has been held just as you delivered him, except that a change of prisons was made, and I’m allowin’ the commodore ran away with the idea that he might venture thus far without your permission.” I was ashamed, immediately after having spoken, and the old man’s reply only served to increase my confusion. “It is proving myself a simple, to speak in such a tone,” I said humbly. “There’s no reason why either Alec or I should know anything regarding the prisoner which the commander wishes to keep a secret.” “From what I’ve heard and can guess, I allow you two lads will not have the chance to complain of bein’ kept in the dark, so far as he’s concerned, many days longer.”