"I will, my chief," said Richard, at a nod from the colonel; and, without giving the source of his information, he told all he knew about the Regulators.
"How many officers have the Regulators?" asked Mr. Gault, rising from his chair, at the farther end of the room.
"One, whom all obey," replied Richard, repeating what he had heard on the island.
"Who is he?"
"Nevers."
"Are there traitors among us?" continued Mr. Gault.
"Not a traitor."
"What shall be done to him who discloses the secrets of the Regulators?" asked the teacher.
"He shall be pounded till he is black and blue, and, as man and boy, be despised till the end of his life," replied Richard, repeating the words of the Regulators as nearly as he could remember them.
"What do you think of this, Nevers?" asked the colonel.