"Yes," repeated Colonel Firestone, as he finished charging his pistols, "it is time for us to be up and doing."
So saying, he led the way from the house, and, keeping well in the shadows, we traversed several side streets till we gained the Landport Gate, hard by the Town Mount. Thence, after a few whispered words with the guard, we passed through the gateway, crossed the moat, and were soon in the flat, open country that lies without the walls.
A walk of less than half a mile brought us to a few deserted houses, standing hard by a ruined windmill, for at the commencement of the siege the inhabitants of Coleharbour, as this hamlet is called, had abandoned their homes and taken refuge in the town. 'Twas well for them that they did, for, being in the line of fire, the buildings had already suffered from the batteries of both forces.
Taking up our position in the angle of a partially demolished outbuilding, we waited. Nor were we kept long in suspense, for gliding stealthily along the road a cloaked figure loomed up in the darkness.
'Twas the man who had left for the rebel camp with some secret message from the treacherous captain.
"Now!" exclaimed the colonel, and, dashing out upon the startled man, we bore him to the ground.
In a few minutes he was bound and gagged, and left to await discovery in the doorway of one of the houses, while we were speeding back to the town with a written message to Captain Chaloner in our possession.
At the Landport Gate Firestone led us into a well-lighted room, where we could examine the intercepted letter. Fortunately, it was not sealed, but merely secured by a silken cord.
"Ah!" exclaimed the colonel. "'Tis as plain as daylight: 'Before the morning watch, I say; before the morning watch.' Chaloner will receive his message, but let him take heed."
So saying, he refolded the missive, giving it to a pikeman to deliver to Chaloner at the Governor's house.