“Why, no,� said Dolly. “Take the other end, Mr. Robbins, and see the convenience of it.�
The captain took John’s place, but he could not catch the faint whisper.
“I could not hear the words,� he said.
“Oh, I’ll try again,� said Dolly obligingly.
This time the captain turned away with an amused laugh. “Cool heart that could carry on love-making at such a length,� he said. “It is a rare curiosity, though. Shall I carry it back, Miss Dolly?�
“It needs not to be put away now,� Elizabeth said, and Dolly had to give up the pleasure of making the captain stumble again in the dark.
As the clock struck nine John rose, and the captain with him. Dolly laughed as away through the darkness strode the two men whose fortunes had changed strangely since they trod the same road a couple of hours before.
Three hours later a strange party in the meeting-house silently lowered the powder casks and muskets and carried them to carts outside. When morning broke the munitions were stored again five miles away. The men were in their usual places when the Sabbath service began.
John gave one quick look at Dolly, and she was satisfied. He did not go near her after the service, but one and another of the men came and spoke to her. They said no word of why they spoke, but she knew, and her heart swelled with pride as she counted the bravest of the place among the number. They were true patriots, then! She never would doubt them again, never!
The next night Captain Robbins met his men near the church. Nothing was stirring. The captain began to look black.