“There will be still another pair, if O’Moore is permitted to go with me,” said Ethan, anxiously.
“We had not thought of depriving you of the service of the faithful Longsword,” smiled Mr. Jefferson.
As the Virginian spoke, there came a terrific uproar from without, and Longsword’s voice was heard shouting:
“You thief of the world, to be listening at daysint people’s windows! Take that! and that! and that! ye bla’gard!”
And looking through the window they saw the grim dragoon tearing across the green behind the state house in pursuit of a dark, foreign looking man, while with every “and that,” he aimed a vigorous kick at him.
“Listening at the window!” cried Mr. Hancock.
“A spy!” echoed Mr. Jefferson. “He must be seized!”
Ethan, at these words, shot through the door and sprang away in pursuit; he cried out to Longsword, who at once strove to lay hands upon the man. But the fugitive was a fleeter runner than either of them; full speed toward the river he went, and in a little while was lost in the alleys and winding streets of that district.
CHAPTER III
HOW THE SHALLOP ATTACKED THE ISLAND QUEEN
The skipper of the schooner Island Queen paced his after deck and waited for the strength of the tide. There was a two masted fishing vessel tied up at the other side of the wharf; she was a clean looking craft of the type called shallop, and carried two good sized lug sails. Her captain stood upon the pier, talking to the commander of the schooner.