The expression upon the man’s face as he said this, puzzled Tom; he seemed to be sincere; he seemed to mean it; and not the slightest recollection of having met Tom in a hand to hand conflict that day in the swamps was observable in his countenance. What could it all mean? The lad began to doubt the evidence of his own senses.
“How,” asked Lord Cornwallis, “is Sir Henry?”
“Sir Henry?” Tom looked at him dully.
“Of course, Sir Henry Clinton.”
Tom recovered, with a slight gasp.
“Oh,” said he, “he was quite well when last I heard of him.”
“Then,” said Cornwallis, “he does not write to you very often.”
“No,” confessed the lad, “he does not.”
“I had thought that he would neglect it after a time. He has a short memory at best. However, since you have arrived here safely it does not matter.”
“You received the list of names which we sent you?” inquired Tarleton.