“When do I get the six shillings?” Nathan asked.
“After you have performed the work faithfully to the extent of bringing Master Phelps back to me,” Colonel Allen replied, now speaking quite sharply. “It would be a serious matter indeed if you were to betray him to the commandant of the fort, or indicate that this body of men are near at hand.”
“If I take the six shillings, I’ll earn ’em. 121 It’s none of my business where you folks are, nor what’s goin’ on ’round the fort; all I’m looking after is the cash I can make.”
“Will you undertake the task?”
“Yes,” Nathan replied, and then, as if a sudden thought had come to him, added:
“I will if this boy goes along too.”
“Is he a friend of yours?”
“I don’t s’pose so, ’cause I never saw him before; but it’s goin’ to be mighty pokey all alone with a man like him,” and Nathan pointed to Master Phelps.
At this point Corporal ’Lige stepped forward and saluted, thus attracting the colonel’s attention, after which he motioned toward the outside as if to ask for a private interview.
The colonel immediately left the hut, followed by the corporal, and Nathan looked after them suspiciously, whispering to Isaac: