"I'll see that you have light enough," said Ropes, significantly.
It was the evening of the firing of the forests. How well the lieutenant fulfilled his part of the engagement, we have seen.
Gad put the bottle in his pocket, and set off at dark by routes obscure and circuitous to get upon the trail of the patriots. How well he succeeded will appear by and by.
The burning of the forests caused a great excitement in the valley, especially among those families whose husbands and fathers were known to have taken refuge in them. Who had committed the barbarous act? The confederates denounced it with virtuous indignation, charging the patriots with it, of course. There was in the village but one witness who could have disputed this charge, and he now occupied Gad's place in the guard-house. It was the deserter Carl.
All the morning Gad's return was anxiously awaited. No doubt there were good reasons why he did not come. So said his friend Silas; and his friend Silas was right: there were good reasons.
"Anyhow, I kep' my word—I giv him light enough, I reckon!" chuckled Silas.
That was true: Gad had had light enough, and to spare.
The rain continued all the morning. Perhaps that was what detained the scout; for it was known that he had a great aversion to water.
In the afternoon came one with tidings from the mountain. It was not Gad. It was old Toby.
He was seized by some soldiers and taken before Captain Sprowl, at the school-house.