"We should at least have brought pistols," Jacob said ten minutes later, when they halted at the brow of a hill to regain breath. "The idea of scouting around where there are plenty of enemies, with nothing but a bedpost as a weapon."
"We didn't have as much as that when we left camp," Seth replied with a laugh.
"I won't be caught in such a mess again, even if I am obliged to go against positive orders," and Master Ludwick was once more allowing his rage to become the master.
"We are bound to obey orders, no matter what the command may be," Enoch said earnestly. "But it is foolish to spend time in getting angry, when we've such a long road ahead of us. Come on, boys, and now that we have so much of a start we can afford to walk instead of run; but must not halt again until we are in camp."
It was destined, however, that the discomfited scouts should not be forced to make a long journey.
After an hour's rapid traveling they were met by a squad of Continental scouts, and told that General Dickinson's force was bearing down on Mount Holly.
"Where is the general now?" Seth asked anxiously.
"Not more than two miles in the rear. Have you seen the enemy?"
"The Britishers are between here and the town."
"Did you see the whole force?"