I could see nothing of mirthfulness in the act we were about to commit, although I was none the less determined to join Master Hamilton's forces.
This hurried visit to our homes would be the last, perhaps, forever, and even under the most favorable circumstances, hiding as we should be from the sheriff's officers, neither Sidney nor I would be able to visit our loved ones, save by stealth, until many months had passed.
I say again, it was a desperate act for two lads hardly more than sixteen years of age, and yet there appeared to be no alternative.
We rode to our homes swiftly, and without indulging in conversation; each of us had so much food for thought that he could not speak of ordinary matters.
The Hubbard plantation was no more than two miles from my home, and it came first on our road.
I remained outside, not dismounting, while Sidney entered, and when perhaps half an hour had passed he joined me, turning his head ever so little lest I should see traces of tears on his cheeks.
He had with him his rifle, a brace of pistols which had been his father's, a new hunting knife, and a package which I fancied was made up of provisions.
"Did your father make any protest?" I asked while he was mounting.
"He set off for the rendezvous an hour ago," Sidney replied, doing his best to suppress a sob. "Mother believed it was best for me to join him rather than go to Hillsborough jail, and did what she might to hasten my departure."
When he was mounted we rode on to my home, and he remained outside while I broke the news to my mother.