"I have the same fear, lad. To release us after we had been sentenced was a harder task for him than if he had set Husband and my brother free last week. We shall find that he can play double, while our people hold so strictly to the truth that they are not willing to believe a lickspittle like the governor would stoop to tell a deliberate lie."
Having said this Master Hunter went on his way, and we lads could do no more than speculate upon the probability of our having put Tryon in such a trap that he would be forced to deal honestly with us.
Late that evening, when there were not less than one hundred armed men in the encampment, the Regulation was called to order, and Master Hamilton opened the meeting by telling the same story we two lads had previously heard from Master Hunter. He concluded by saying:
"Believing that humanity demanded us to avert bloodshed at any price short of honor, the officers of the Regulation decided on a truce of twenty hours in consideration of the freedom of the prisoners. We ask you to hold the promise we made as if each of you had personally given his word to it. To-morrow we shall have another proposition from the governor, and then will be the time when we must decide as to our future course."
Many gentlemen spoke on the same subject, all agreeing that we could do no less than adhere strictly to the promise our commander had given, and then the meeting was dissolved.
Having had no sleep on the previous night, I was right glad to crawl into the bed of pine branches which Sidney and I called our own, and not until the sun showed his face next morning did I awaken.
Because a truce had been declared, there was no need of standing guard, and all our company enjoyed a full night's rest.
As soon as breakfast had been eaten we lounged around the camp, remaining where we could overlook the town, and waited for some word from the governor, speculating meanwhile as to what proposition it might please him to make.
Noon came, and no messenger appeared.
At one o'clock my father was sent across the river to learn why we had not heard from Tryon, and he returned with a reply that we "would be well satisfied in a few hours."