"Zebedee, my boy, now you can make or mar your life. Which are you going to do?"
He thought for a moment and chuckled to himself as he defined, mentally, his plan of action.
Peleg Sunderland was in command in the absence of the colonel and Capt. Baker, and to him Zeb asked to be conducted.
But the sentinel refused.
"You haven't got the word, and I will not let anyone pass; no, not even the colonel himself without it."
"But I have important news."
"Of course you have."
"You do not believe me?"
"Yes, I do. I know all you can tell me, so there!"
"Have you anyone here called Eben Pike?"