"Turn back, David Edwards, and take him who has caused you so much trouble! Why do you not grasp the gallant gentleman's hand?"
"Come back, please, dear Master Edwards!" Sandy shouted. "Else I shall be killed, for the Regulators evidently will have no more of me!"
At this pathetic appeal the people burst into a roar of laughter which was like unto the shrieking of a hurricane, and not until he had crossed to the other side of the river did Master Edwards turn his head.
Then his cheeks were flaming red as with shame, and I fearing lest we might let slip this opportunity of safely delivering our prisoner, said to Sandy:
"Run forward, man, now that you have the opportunity! It is not certain Sidney and I can smuggle you into the town, and you may come to grief on this side the river, no matter how close you hide yourself."
The tax-collector hesitated only an instant, and then seeing that there were none between him and the line of red-coated soldiers, took to his heels, crying at the full force of his lungs:
"Wait for me, Master Edwards! For the love of heaven don't leave me here to be murdered, dear Master Edwards!"
"Wait for the lost sheep which we have restored to you, Master Secretary!" General Hamilton shouted, and the people were once more convulsed with laughter.
They roared and shrieked in mirth until Sandy was by the side of the angry secretary, and jeered both the tax-collector and the soldiers until the governor's guard fairly ran toward the court-house.
Meanwhile I had ridden back to my place in the line, and, arriving there, heard one horseman say to his neighbor: