“The wind is likely to haul ’round after sunset, so let us take our chances,” Nathan whispered, and Isaac was not loth to embark.
Therefore the two started across the parade-ground for the purpose of speaking with the old hunter—Seth Warner—when Captain Herrick, who had just made his report of the night’s work at Skenesborough, halted the boys by saying:
“I reckon you two lads are the ones Colonel 174 Allen would speak with at once? You will find him in the commandant’s quarters.”
“He is most likely thinkin’ of payin’ me for comin’ over last night,” Nathan said as the two turned to obey the command, “and I have made up my mind not to take money for the service.”
Isaac looked at his companion in surprise, and the latter added almost shame-facedly:
“I reckon father was right when he said every one in the colonies should do all he could in this cause, and, besides, it looks to me as if the king’s troops would speedily get the worst of it.”
Young Beman was not unlike many in the neighborhood who in after-days were royalists or patriots as the cause of freedom grew weak or strong.
However, Nathan had no opportunity to refuse a payment of money for his services, 175 for when the lads stood before Colonel Allen, the latter said in a tone of command, and yet with the air of one asking a favor:
“I want to send a messenger to Sudbury. Do you think you can find the place, Isaac Rice?”
“I will show him the way, sir,” Nathan said promptly, and the colonel favored him with a glance of surprise, but took no further heed of his sudden complaisance.