"Ay, and it is said they are only twenty miles away, eager to meet us."
"Then there is like to be battle."
"Ay; how else could it be when both sides are ready to fight?"
"And shall you rejoice at finding yourself standing musket in hand before the foe?"
"Of a verity I shall! Why not? Would you avoid the encounter if it could be done honorably?" and halting suddenly, Nathan looked his comrade full in the face.
"It is a shameful thing for a lad to say, of that I am well aware," Evan replied hesitatingly; "but I grow timorous at the thought, and have great fear lest I shall betray some signs of cowardice."
"When Captain Charles McDowells' son, he whose grandmother has proven herself on more than one occasion to be as brave as the most courageous men, speaks of showing cowardice, there is reason for laughing."
"But I have never stood in line with soldiers during the heat of battle, and fear much lest I should shame my father."
"You never have done so yet, lad, and I will answer for it that he has no cause to blush in your behalf. Put such idle fancies from your mind, and when the hour comes that we meet Major Ferguson's force, never fear but that you will be foremost among the friends of freedom."