"If you repeat what you were told to say to Revere, I will see to it that
you are made more comfortable," Haines said, after a long pause.
"And what then? "
"We shall make certain you don't return to Portsmouth for two or three
days, that is all."
"If I have a message to deliver, I will keep it to myself, instead of
intrusting it to you," Walter said, grimly; but his mind was sorely
troubled, for he realized that if he should be delayed here no more than
four hours the information he was to give might arrive too late.
CHAPTER 2 THE ESCAPE
During the hour which followed Walter's capture the two men remained close
at hand, while their horses were allowed to stroll along the path, eating
grass, and at the expiration of that time the animals could no longer
either be seen or heard.
"Go and bring them back, Jim!" Haines said, in a peremptory tone. "It
would be a hard job for us if they should stray too far."
The half-breed hesitated an instant, as if undecided whether to obey this
command, and then, rising slowly to his feet, he slouched down the path
lazily.
After the brief conversation which had followed the capture of Walter,
neither of the men had spoken until this moment; but as soon as his
comrade disappeared among the bushes, Haines said, in what he intended
should sound like a friendly tone,-
"I am sorry to see a promising young man like you, Neal, led astray by
these fanatics, who dream of opposing his majesty's just and wise laws.
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