“But why go back?” I cried impatiently. “Of what avail for us to follow that squad, who are most likely out foraging?”
“I have seen soldiers nearabout New Orleans, therefore do I know that when foragers go out they take with them huge wagons to bring back such as may be found. Those who have just [...]

“And how will you take her?” little Frenchie whispered, this time shrugging his shoulders and waving his hands, I having so far obeyed him as to be standing by his side beneath the shelter of leaves. “Do you fancy that after Colonel Simcoe’s men have seized a likely lot of horse-flesh, a lad such as [...]

We remained there in the stable yard until the sun was low in the western sky, discussing the situation with Uncle ‘Rasmus as our oracle. It is true we lads could not speak intelligently upon military matters, and as I look back now upon that day, I realize how much of folly there was in [...]

During all this while Saul had not spoken; but now it was, even as the horsemen were well abreast our hiding place, he turned fiercely upon me, clutching both shoulders of my coat as if I were an enemy whom he would bring face to face with himself, and whispered in hoarse anger:
“It is well [...]

CHAPTER II
SILVER HEELS
It was for a moment as if I could scarcely credit my senses. The idea that any one, even those belonging to the plantation, should bestride my own colt, my little Silver Heels, as I had named her!
She had been given to me when a baby, and no hand save mine had touched [...]

“All of which means what?” Saul demanded, and I understood that the lad’s heart was heavy, for within the hour he had been crowded against the wall, and a red-coated captain of the Foot had[Pg 20] shaken him soundly because he did not give way to the swaggerers who had come into Virginia to teach [...]

In those days it was only needed that an officer in the service of the king should have a suspicion, in order to straightway plunge into difficulties that person toward whom the suspicions were directed.
We held ourselves in cover, therefore, and I confess to a sense of most profound relief when the squad continued on [...]

It is not necessary I should set down anything concerning our movements from the time we parted[Pg 24] with Uncle ‘Rasmus, until next morning, an hour after sunrise, when we were come within view of York Town, having walked at a rapid pace, for even though it was yet early in September, there was a [...]

“It kind ‘er ‘pears to me, chillun, like as ef dat yere Britisher what’s flutterin’ ‘roun’ ober York way wid his hosses, an’ his guns, an’ his shinin’ sword, was heapin’ up a sight ob misery for hisself.”
“But surely, Uncle ‘Rasmus, after the engagement at Green Spring, you can’t believe it would be possible for [...]

It is not necessary I should set down anything concerning our movements from the time we parted[Pg 24] with Uncle ‘Rasmus, until next morning, an hour after sunrise, when we were come within view of York Town, having walked at a rapid pace, for even though it was yet early in September, there was a [...]