It was pitiful to see how weak the traitor had become in mind as well as body. Instead of making any protest, or challenging us to prove that he did not have as good a right as we to stroll on the shore of the lake, he burst into tears, imploring us to “be merciful.”
“It can do you no good to take me back, and I will reward you richly for my liberty,” he whined, in so cowardly a fashion that I turned my back, unwilling to look upon the despicable wretch.
“You will pay us with British gold, eh?” Alec said angrily, raising his hand, whereupon I seized his arm, fearing lest in his righteous wrath he might strike one who was bound, for we had lost no time in tying the fellow.
“Don’t fear that I shall do him any great harm,” the lad said quickly. “For a moment the temptation to punish him for thinking we might be bought was great, but I should have remembered in time that it would be a disgrace even to strike a cur who has sold his country.”
From that instant Nathaniel Hubbard seemed to understand that it would be useless to plead with us.
He apparently gathered courage from despair, or else grief and remorse overpowered him, for he remained silent and motionless, seeming to give no heed whatsoever to us.
As if he had been no more than a bundle of merchandise, and not very valuable at that, we packed him into the boat and rowed back toward the brig whereon we knew was Captain Perry, feeling quite certain we had done a good forenoon’s work in our country’s behalf.
CHAPTER XI.
CROSSING THE BAR.
If we lads had expected to be greeted with enthusiastic praises when we pulled alongside the Caledonia, near that portion of the deck where my father was standing, we were doomed to disappointment.
“Who have you there?” he asked sharply, not for the moment recognizing his old neighbor and professed friend.