For the moment this sudden and seemingly unwarranted assumption of authority displeased me greatly, and then, remembering all that had taken place since we two met, I realized that he had the better head for such work as we were then engaged in.
Immediately I became only the helmsman, and from that hour Alec Perry was, in my mind, one who should be obeyed.
Leon gave us all possible information concerning the enemy’s encampment, described the location of his mother’s farm, and told of a cove near by where we might put in without great danger of being observed by the enemy, providing we did not land until after sunset.
Then it was Alec ordered the boat to be held on such a course as would keep us at a safe distance from the land until nightfall.
We broached the store of provisions which my mother had prepared for us; found a keg of water in the cuddy of the boat, and made as hearty a meal as if there was no such thing as war or soldiers in the land.
More than once as we neared the Canadian shore did we sight a sail; but with the breeze that was blowing, and the handy craft under us, it was not a difficult matter to give these strangers as wide a berth as suited our fancy.
Until half an hour before the close of day we stood off four or five miles from the land, taking good care, however, not to come within view of the sentinels who were likely posted nearabout the camp.
Then, in accordance with Alec’s command, I hauled our light craft around for that portion of the shore pointed out by Leon, and we advanced toward the enemy’s country as calmly as if going to meet a near and dear friend.
The night had fully come before we ran into a narrow cove, on the upper side of the North Foreland, where even in broad day we might have remained hidden from view of any who passed within an hundred yards, so dense and near to the water’s edge was the forest which lined the shore.
Pulling the light boat as far into the thicket as was possible, we left her, and Leon led the way toward his home, having explained meanwhile that the British encampment was not less than a mile and a half away.