A Young Hero | Page 2

to be killed."
"Pierre is a bad, cruel boy to speak to you like that. He deserves the
stick."
"Then there is not going to be any fighting, Dr Martin?"
The old man shook his head.
"I am afraid," he said, sadly. "Perhaps you ought to know, my child.
The English troops are advancing against the city yonder, and I am
very anxious. I am hoping every day to obtain some news from your
father--a letter or a message, to tell me what to do. It is unfortunate
that we should be staying here among my people and war to begin."
"Then there is going to be fighting?" cried the boy.

"I fear so, my boy."
"Then I know."
"You know what, Phil?"
"My father will come and fetch me." The old man shook his head.
"He is with his regiment, my child, and could not come away."
The old man stopped short, for the door was suddenly thrown open,
and a big, heavy-looking boy of seventeen or eighteen came hurriedly
in.
"Some one wants you, Uncle Martin," he cried.
"Yes, quite right," came in a sharp, short, military tone. "That will do,
my young friend. Thanks."
The speaker, a tall bronzed personage in plain clothes, strode into the
room, held the door open, and signed to the big lad to pass out, which
he did slowly and unwillingly, but not before he had heard Phil utter
the one word, "Father!" as he sprang forward to fling his arms round
the visitor's waist.
"My boy!" was the response. Then to the Doctor, "That's unlucky! But
that boy does not understand English?"
The Doctor shook his head.
"I am afraid he does, quite well enough to grasp who you are."
"Tut! tut! tut!" ejaculated the visitor. "But tell me; are there any troops
near here?"
"Many, a few miles away," said the Doctor.
"But he is not likely to go and tell them that there is an Englishman
here?"

"I hope not. Oh, no; I will see that he does not. Then there is risk in
your coming here, my friend?"
"I'm afraid so; but I was obliged to come, Martin."
"But, father, why have you not come in your uniform?"
"Quiet, boy," was the reply; "I have no time to explain. Look here,
Martin, old friend; when I agreed that Phil here should come on this
long visit with you I had no idea that matters would turn out like this.
But there is no time to waste. You must get out of the country as fast as
you can."
"With your son?"
"Of course. Get south, beyond the English lines. You understand?"
"Yes. Quite."
"Then now get me something; bread and meat or bread and water--I
am nearly starved."
"You'll have dinner with us, father?" cried Phil.
"No, my boy; I must be off at once."
"Oh, father, take me with you," cried Phil, piteously.
"I cannot, my boy. I must get back to my regiment, and at once."
"So soon?" said the old Doctor, sadly.
"Yes, so soon. If it got about that I was here I should be seized and shot
for a spy."
"Father!" cried Phil, clinging to him.
"But I am not going to be caught, nor shot neither, my boy," cried the
Captain, raising him on a chair so that they stood face to face.

"And you'll take me with you, father?"
"Impossible, boy. Come, be a man. You shall join me soon, but I cannot
take you with me. Dr Martin will bring you."
"But, father--"
"Phil, what have I always taught you?" cried the Captain.
"To--to--be obedient."
"That's right. Now, do you want to help me?"
"Yes, father. So much."
"Then listen to all I say. Now, Doctor," continued the Captain, "I have
ventured into the enemy's camp--not as a spy, but to see you and my
boy. I dare not stay ten minutes before I hurry back to join our people."
"Then the English forces are near?" said the old Doctor, excitedly.
"That is not for you to know or question me upon. It is enough if I tell
you that this is no place for my son, and if things go against us you will
take him back to England. You promise that?"
"I have promised it, Carleton. I have all your old instructions, and
come what may I will deliver him safely into the hands of your relatives
and friends."
"I am satisfied, Doctor," said the Captain, huskily, "and I shall go back
to my regiment in peace. Now then, the bread and meat I asked
for--quick! And you will see that the lad who showed me in does not
leave the place till I have been an hour upon my road? I must have that
start, for my poor horse is