The words as written above were all we had to give us a clue to the character of these strangers; but they were sufficient.
We knew now, as well as if these men had explained at length, that they were in search of General Marion's encampment, and from that instant, answering for Percy as well as Gavin Witherspoon, I know that the three of us counted on making a capture at whatsoever hazard.
Not until fully an hour after the men had stretched themselves upon the ground and the last word was spoken between them, did we make a move toward nearing the encampment.
Then it was that I would have gone forward, risking the danger with the belief that my life had better be made the price, rather than either of the others, when the old man laid his hand on mine as he whispered softly in my ear:
"It is for me to go, first, because I have had more experience in such work, and again, on the plea that I can best be spared to the Cause if either of us must pay a penalty for leading in the attack."
Although there may be the twang of a braggart in the words, still must it be set down that I tried to restrain Gavin Witherspoon, but without success.
When I would have pushed him away he held me back, and it seemed impossible to advance without such a squabble as would have given the alarm.
I was absolutely forced to let him take the lead; but Percy and I kept close upon his heels.
When, after creeping so cautiously that not a twig snapped beneath our weight, we had come to the small cleared place on the bank of the stream which the men had selected as an encampment, we saw that they were sleeping near the foot of a pine tree that had been overturned by the wind.
The overhanging mass of roots formed a certain sort of shelter which served to protect them from the dew.