“Do you know me?” the stranger exclaimed, every line of doubt on his face changing to an expression of delight.
“Of course I do,” the young scout replied confidently. “You are Horace Lyman of Bennington, who——”
“Who married your ma’s sister,” the Tory interrupted. “It’s queer you look so different than you did when over at my house, but, as you say, that is some time ago.”
“It must have been before father and I went to Europe,” Ira went on boldly.
“So it was, and a year over there must have changed your looks, though I begin to see the old face now. How is your pa and ma, and the younger children?”
“All well when I last heard from them,” was the reply. “How is Aunt and Cousin Fred?”
“Your aunt is poorly, very poorly,” Master Lyman answered. “Sometimes I think she is a little bit out here,” and he touched his forehead, “for she persists that the rebels will in the end gain their independence. But Fred, he’s all right, physically and mentally. He has done some good work in the last week or two, about which I have been telling the general, and now he wants to enlist in the king’s service. That is one reason why I am over here to-day.”
“And I have promised to give the matter my consideration,” General Burgoyne remarked, as though growing impatient with his visitors’ family affairs. “If you will take a turn about the fort for an hour or two, Master Lyman, I will then tell you what I can do in regard to both matters you have spoken about,” and he bowed him from the room.
Turning to Ira, he said:
“Before I give your relative a definite reply, I must talk with you about the revelation he has made, and the favor he desires. You have been in Bennington, Master Le Geyt?”