" And then hurriedly entering the store, Walter
explained why he must reach Boston without delay, after which he gave a
brief account of his misadventures.
William Cotton, although a sympathizer with those who were about to offer
resistance to the commands of his most gracious majesty, was a prudent
man, and feared to be known as a disloyal citizen.
The fact that Samuel Haines would probably soon arrive in search of his
horse caused Master Cotton no little disquietude of mind, and he said,
reprovingly,-
"It is well to be zealous in a good cause, Walter; but it is wrong to
commit a crime in order to compass your own ends."
"What crime have I committed?"
"The theft of the horse will be charged against you, and those who are
intrusted with the execution of the law do not favour such an association
as that in which you have enlisted."
"My getting possession of him was the fortune of war, not a theft. I was a
prisoner, made so unlawfully, and had the right to escape as best I
could."
"That argument is good here; but will be of little avail to those who look
upon you as a disloyal youth, who should be deprived of his liberty.'
"If I am to be charged with horse-stealing because of what has been done,
it cannot be avoided now. Before I am arrested I must carry the message
with which I have been entrusted, and to do so I need another horse.
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