The newcomers did not dismount, but received the captain's report while in the saddle, and then, to the prisoner's great delight, rode directly toward him.
"What is your name?" the eldest member of the party asked.
"Seth Graydon."
"Is it true that your mother has as boarders many officers of the British army?"
"Yes, sir. There are seven from the Forty-second Highlanders, five of the Royal Irish regiment, and Lord Cosmo Gordon."
"And you overheard a conversation at your mother's house which you believed would be of value to us?"
"Yes, sir," and Seth told in detail of his conversation with Ezra Grimshaw, concluding by asking, "Are you Colonel Powers?"
"I am, my lad, and see no reason for doubting your good intentions. You have been roughly treated, it is true; but it has not been serious, and you must realize that the soldiers are suspicious because of the many attempts at treachery this spring. You say you told Grimshaw what you had heard? Did he insist you should repeat it to me in private?"
"No, sir. I was simply to tell no one of lower rank."
"Then what have you to say?"