"But think of the danger which you incur!" I pleaded, although it would have been more seemly for a lad like myself to keep a silent tongue and obey orders.
"We count on presenting this petition to the governor if it be possible to arrive at Brunswick," Master Howell said sharply, and then, by way of putting an end to the conversation, the gentlemen began leading the animals back past the lean-to from which we had so lately rescued them.
There was nothing left for Sidney and I but to perform the parts assigned us, although I am certain there was much the same thought in his mind that filled mine, which was that the latter portion of this venture would be needlessly dangerous and ill-advised.
We did not speak one with another, however, until we had found our horses and made them ready for the journey, when Sidney said solemnly:
"If I had fancied the deputies would have continued on toward Brunswick, of a verity we would be well toward Maddock's Mill by this time. Even if we two get past the camp in safety, we're likely to fall into the hands of others who are ready and willing to deprive honest men of their liberty."
But for the fact that the deputies awaited our coming as the signal for them to come out of the forest into the road, I would have urged my comrade to leave them then and there that we might save our own skins by joining the members of the Regulation, wherever they might be by this time.
Then, feeling in our hearts that there was no good reason for exposing ourselves to this additional danger, we led the steeds down the road to a point, as nearly as Sidney could determine, opposite the encampment of the enemies.
We mounted in silence, and loosened our weapons that they might be ready to hand, after which Sidney started with a rush.
It can well be fancied that I clapped the spurs to my horse, for the hindermost in this race was likely to be the one who would suffer severely, and we clattered past the camp at the best possible speed.
When a mile or more had been traversed we heard the hoof-beats of horses both before and behind, telling that the deputies had taken to the road, and also that the royalists were in full pursuit.