At the sound of his name the man started, and he and his followers exchanged looks of wonder.
“Yes,” went on Nat, “I know your name; and more than that, I know why you are here to-night. Also, if it’s any pleasure for you to be acquainted with the fact, I know why Mr. Dimisdale and some others hold the ferry landing across the river; why a certain cobbler awaited you in a barge and why a British ship is anchored near the mouth of the Schuylkill.”
Open-eyed, the Tories gazed at the daring boy; while Nat laid the long barrel of the heavy pistol in the hollow of his left arm and regarded their amazement amusedly.
“And you’ve come here alone to tell us that?” asked Royce grimly.
“Not altogether,” replied Nat. “I have this,” and he held up his weapon. “You may depend upon its being a serviceable arm, for it is the property of Mr. Chew. Also,” with a laugh, “I have some small reinforcement without.”
Almost as he spoke, the main door swung open and across the threshold, bearing uncouth but effective looking weapons, trooped a half score of stablemen and farm laborers. With them was the Porcupine, rain-soaked and with his stiff crest bristling with excitement.
“There they are!” squeaked the dwarf. “Stand to them, men!” And pointing to the innkeeper, who was just rising from the floor, he added, “Shall they do as they like? See how they have misused the landlord.”
“I ASK YOUR PARDON, MR. WASHINGTON”
The newcomers gripped their blunderbusses, scythes and bludgeons tightly and were preparing for a rush upon the Tories, when the door which Royce had been about to open was thrown back and a tall, superbly made man stepped into the room. For an instant his steady eyes swept the apartment; the sight of drawn weapons seemed to occasion him no surprise; he merely turned to the trembling landlord and said: