“Hullo!” Master Beman cried carelessly as if something in the way of a salutation was expected from him.
Instead of replying to this hail the two lads were seized roughly, and without a word the strangers, taking possession of the musket, began searching the messengers’ clothing as if expecting something of value or importance would be found.
“Look here! What are you about?” Nathan cried angrily, while Isaac submitted in silence, for he understood that these three might be enemies to the cause. “What do you mean by handling me in this shape?”
“Better keep your tongue between your teeth, young Beman,” one of the men said in a surly tone. “When we ask for information 184 there’ll be time enough for you to wag it so freely.”
Surprised at having been thus recognized, and heedless of the warning, Nathan continued:
“Who are you? I never saw you before! What right have you to handle me in this fashion?”
“The right of any of his majesty’s subjects, for in these times it is well to overhaul every rebel one runs across.”
“I’m no rebel!” Nathan cried, now exhibiting signs of alarm.
“Your father is, which amounts to the same thing,” the man replied, as, after having satisfied himself the lad had nothing concealed about his person, he rose to his feet. “Why are you abroad to-day?”
“How long since is it that a lad may not move about as he wishes?”