The old man was so determined to look upon the rescue as a soldierly act that he would not accept any other explanation, and the boy ceased his fruitless efforts by asking:
“What is to be done with these two Tories?”
“I reckon they must be got back to camp, although it would be no more than servin’ ’em right if we put an end to their miserable lives without further parley.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t kill them in cold blood, Corporal ’Lige?” Isaac cried in alarm.
“No; I don’t reckon I would, though that’s what ought to be done with ’em. It’s plain 61 you an’ I can’t lug the two a matter of a mile or more, so one must stand guard over ’em while the other goes back to the camp. I’m leavin’ it to you to say which service you’ll perform, for after this night’s work I’m willin’ to admit that my recruit has in him the makin’s of a better soldier than I can ever hope to be.”
The boy gave no heed to this praise at the time, although later he remembered the words with pleasure.
Now there was in his mind a fear lest the corporal should desire him to guard the prisoners, and, the more imminent danger over, he was growing exceedingly timorous.
“I’ll go back to the encampment if it so please you, Corporal ’Lige, because I can run faster than you.”
“As you will, lad, as you will. Explain to Colonel Ethan Allen what has happened here 62 and let him say how these venomous snakes are to be treated.”
During this conversation neither of the wounded men had spoken; but now, as the boy was about to set out for the encampment, he who had evidently acted as the leader cried sharply: