"Then I'm of the mind that Fanning will speedily find a chance to clap us into jail on a charge of treason, unless the association holds together to the bitter end."
Such mournful conversation might have been continued a long while but for the fact that it was interrupted by a volley of musketry, succeeded by straggling shots which told that our people were replying only when they saw a target.
"It's to be a battle instead of a siege!" Sidney cried as he hurriedly dressed himself, I following his example; but the firing had ceased by the time we gained the kitchen, which apartment was directly below our chamber.
Here we found Master Howell and our host, one at the door and another peering out of a loophole cut in the shutters of a window, and I knew full well that Master Hunter and young Payne were on guard at the front of the building.
"Where can we be of service, sir?" I asked, and Master Payne replied with a grim laugh:
"I reckon you lads will not be needed, save, perhaps, to stand guard later. The gentlemen from Brunswick fired in order to learn if we were prepared to receive them, and I'll answer for it that at least one knows to his cost that we're not to be caught napping."
"How many do they number?" Sidney asked, and Master Howell said gravely:
"Not less than a dozen. The reinforcements have evidently responded to the summons sent from our last halting place."
"We should be able to hold our own until some of the Regulators arrive?"
"Aye, lad, and that is causing me no little uneasiness. By protecting ourselves we shall be giving Tryon an excuse for breaking his word, and before this business comes to an end the upper Carolina will be overrun by the king's soldiers. It is beginning to be rebellion in good earnest!"