“Yet, his father is with us in this matter, I am told, so far as opinion goes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then go and rouse the lad; if he refuses to come, say to the father that Colonel Allen requires the services of the boy, and if he answers not what we make as a request, I will send a detachment to enforce a demand.”
Isaac obeyed promptly, not finding it a simple matter to make his way across the field in the darkness; but finally succeeding 157 after one or two tumbles, each of which left their marks in the shape of a scratch or contusion, and with the first knock at the door he heard Farmer Beman’s voice asking as to who was there.
“It is Isaac Rice, sir, and Colonel Easton has sent me to say that Colonel Allen desires the attendance of Nathan at once.”
“What does he want him for?” the shrill voice of Mrs. Beman cried, and Isaac replied truthfully that he did not know, since no explanation had been made him.
Then could be heard the farmer, his wife, and son in what was evidently an altercation, until no less than five minutes had passed, at the end of which time young Nathan appeared in the doorway fully clad, as he asked impatiently:
“How much are they willing to give me for coming out in the night like this?”
“I think it would be well if you depended upon their generosity, otherwise it is in Colonel Allen’s power to force you to do as he asks,” Isaac replied curtly, and from the inside Farmer Beman shouted:
“Get you gone, boy, and do their bidding. If I again hear you demanding money for such services, your jacket shall be tanned with the stoutest hickory switch I can get hereabouts.”