“Well, they’ll never get their independence,” was the colonel’s reply. “They will lose the fight, and will have to again take up their allegiance to the king.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t believe it,” was the reply.
“If you will join a company of loyalists that I have formed, here, I will overlook your past actions in trying to organize a company of rebels,” said the colonel.
Harkins shook his head. “I will never take up arms in the service of the king,” he said.
“Very well, then,” exclaimed the colonel, angrily. “Take him to the guard-house.”
A couple of soldiers conducted Harkins from the room, and then Cruger looked sternly at Tom, and said:
“You are a rebel, are you not?”
Tom shook his head. “No,” he said.
“You are loyal to the king?”
“I haven’t given the matter much thought,” said the youth. “I suppose I am what would be termed neutral.”