"Yes, sir," both the lads replied at the same instant, and with such emphasis that there could be no question but that they were telling the truth.
Then the officer questioned them concerning where they would have gone but for having been overtaken by the troopers; inquired concerning their families, and such other seemingly unimportant matters, to all of which they gave truthful replies.
Perhaps twenty minutes had thus been spent when Major Ferguson turned his head from them as if the interview was at an end, and Nathan, with a mind fully made up to make known the threats in which Ephraim had indulged, asked:
"Is it to be, sir, that the boy who would have ill-treated us when we were supposed to be powerless, will have an opportunity now to take his revenge?"
"Who gave you to understand anything of the kind?"
"He himself, sir. He has already boasted that we shall suffer for what we did to him, although it was no more than one soldier might do to another. He was in our power, and we could have abused him; yet we stayed our hands, save so far as to put him in such condition that an alarm could not be given."
"I ought to have you hanged offhand."
"But we have done nothing, sir, save to escape from one who would have tortured us."
"You are rebels, and that is sufficient reason why you merit death; but there is work I would have you do, and for that reason your lives will be spared. I wish to send a message to all those rebels round about who are now in arms against the king, and if you swear to faithfully repeat my words, you shall go free from this plantation within an hour."
The boys could hardly believe their ears were not deceiving them.