“Who is coming?” asked the man.
“The guard.”
“So you have entrapped me. Where is the house?”
“There was none.”
Dennis and two men rode up.
“This man,” said Peter, “is a spy; he has given a false countersign, and is looking for magazines.”
“Who are you?” demanded Dennis, with a leveled musket.
“I am your prisoner,” said the man, “and more is the pity. I have been tricked. I followed a window; it is gone.”
“Stranger, no trifling,” said Dennis. “What brought you here? If you will tell me the truth, I will befriend you as far as I can. But listen: you have no hope of anything outside of my friendly heart, and I am one of the guard of the first of patriots in the land. I am an Irishman, but I am loyal to America. Tell me the truth—what brought you here?”
“You speak true when you say that I have no hope but in your heart, and I am inclined to tell you all.”