Nat recalled the sound of the door opening and closing while he gazed through the window of the barn, and realized that it was then that they had emerged. Seeing that he was caught he resolved to put a bold face upon the matter and watch for any opportunity that might present itself.
“I’m sincerely sorry to have disturbed you, sir,” said he, politely.
“I can see that,” returned the other. “And you were so anxious not to do so that you were upon the point of borrowing my horses to carry you out of ear-shot.”
Nat smiled at the quiet mockery of this. He was about to speak, but the man servant was before him.
“The lower ferry would be well out of ear-shot,” remarked he with a laugh.
“Hold your lantern up, Henry,” commanded the master; the man complied and the rays fell upon Nat’s face once more. “You hold your countenance well, my lad,” continued the speaker, after a pause. “But it will not serve you. We overheard your conversation with this little villain,” nodding smilingly toward the Porcupine, who had during all this time remained silently perched upon his tall steed. “And I think I’m safe in saying that you’ll carry no warning to the rebels to-night.”
Nat made no reply. Through his mind ran thoughts of a dark, lonely road, of a quiet party riding forward toward the city, of a swift rush and capture, of a staggering blow dealt the cause of the protesting colonies.
For a moment the man with the pistol watched Nat’s face, then he turned with a careless laugh.
“Now the rope, Henry,” said he. “I’ll hold the light while you truss them up comfortably.”
But that moment of carelessness cost him the success of his plan. The instant he turned, Nat sprang upon him, wrested the pistol from his clutch and felled him with its heavy butt. With a squeal of excitement the Porcupine drove his heels into the chestnut and rode down the man servant, the lantern being extinguished in his fall. Like a flash Nat was upon the back of the gray, which was snorting with fright, then with the dwarf at his side he went leaping away into the darkness, the horses’ heads pointed toward the dim glow that overhung the city.