CHAPTER XVIII
THE BEACON HOUSE LIGHT EXPEDITION
I had supposed that my guide knew some unguarded spot along the edge of the great forest beside which the camp had been pitched, and would slip out unnoticed there. But instead he led me straight down to the picket who held the outpost on the road leading up to Charleston. To his per-emptory challenge he answered: “Friendly,” and at the command gave the countersign: “King George.”
“It’s all right, Captain Aylesworth,” the man said. “I recognized you at once, but I had to obey orders. I was told to let no one in or out of the camp without the password.”
“And by it proved you were a good soldier,” the supposed captain replied pleasantly. “This is the other attendant I told you I had returned for. I find the special business I am on needs another helper. I will vouch for him.”
So I was allowed to pass with the officer, and in a few minutes we were beyond the reach of a recall.
“Tell me now, Lieutenant Haines, how you came to be here, and arranged so successfully the plan that has given me my liberty,” I said.
“Not yet, Master Dunn,” he replied, turning into a side path which led towards the sea. “Wait until we are safe in my boat.”
A half mile farther on we came out upon a small creek. A shrill whistle from the lieutenant brought an answering whistle from down the stream, and in a moment his yawl came up to the bank. As it reached us the boatswain flashed out a dark lantern, and I noticed the craft held two prisoners—one dressed in the lieutenant’s garb, and the other wrapped in a blanket.
“Captain Aylesworth,” my conductor now said, addressing the officer, “your uniform and that of your attendant have served my purpose well, and my friend, as you see, is with me. We will now exchange our clothing, and you and he are at liberty to return to your camp.”
The Englishman bowed stiffly, and without a word resumed his own uniform. The soldier as quickly donned the garments I gave him, and then the two hurried away by the path down which the lieutenant and I had so recently come.