It was when he arrived at a point directly opposite the hidden scouts that Ephraim stopped, leaned his musket against a rock, and seated himself upon a fallen tree-trunk, as he said petulantly:
"I am tired of this wandering around when we are like to come upon a party of rebels at any minute."
"Then why do you follow? No person prevents you from returning to the camp," one of the soldiers said with a laugh.
"I am minded to go back alone, and you know full well the orders were that no man should stray very far from the mountain."
"Then you are not disobeying, since I'll go bail there's little of the man about you."
"How dare you speak in that way when Major Ferguson is nearby to overhear the words?" and now Ephraim displayed anger.
"Don't pride yourself, lad, on being the especial pet of the major. He is not given to much affection for cowards, even though they be spies, and I am willing to wager considerable that no member of the command would be reproved for speaking harshly to such as you."
During this brief conversation the soldiers had continued to advance, while Ephraim remained sitting upon the log, and when the last remark was made the redcoats were hidden from view by the foliage.
The young Tory kicked idly at the earth in front of him, looked up and down the trail as if in search of something entertaining, and then leaned lazily back against a convenient bush.
The footsteps of the soldiers sounded fainter and fainter in the distance, telling that the men were continuing to advance, until finally all was silent.