Neal, the Miller | Page 7

he was powerless, and in a few moments was bound securely to a tree,
while his captors threw themselves on the ground in front of him, as if
to make a long stay.
"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.

You have too much solid sense to train in any such company."
"You seem to have a remarkably good opinion of me," Walter said,
grimly.
"So I have, lad, so I have. I know you have been hoping to build a mill
of your own on the Pascataqua, and am interested in the project, for it is
a sensible one: there is plenty of money to be made in that section."
"According to appearances now I shan't reap any very large harvest this
year."
"It depends upon yourself. If you had kept proper company there would
have been no attachment made to-day.
"How did you know anything about that?" Walter asked, sharply.
"I heard the matter discussed, and feel certain you would have been
given more time but for your own very unwise move last night."
"Then you know-"
Walter stopped suddenly on realizing that he was about to betray a
secret, but Haines finished the remark.
"That you enrolled yourself among that rabble who call themselves the
Sons of Liberty? Yes; I know it, and so do others."
"It seems I am of more importance than I fancied. I never supposed
anything I did could make any difference to the good people of
Portsmouth; but I was mistaken."
"It concerns right-minded people anywhere when a boy who stands on
the threshold of manhood makes a grievous mistake."
"That remains to be proven."
"And it will be speedily, as you must learn to your cost. If you really
want a mill on the Pascataqua, I will show you how it can be built at
once."
"I should like to learn the secret."
"Abandon the evil companions you have chosen, reveal such of their
plots against his majesty's officers as you are acquainted with, and I
guarantee that a sufficient sum of money to put up the buildings and
purchase the machinery shall be loaned you within twenty-four hours."
"I am a fool not to have understood the drift of your conversation
before it reached this point," Walter said, hotly. " I had rather never
own a mill than get it as you propose; and as for evil companions,' I am
proud to have been allowed to join them."
"You will soon regret it."

"So you have said before; but since I have little faith in such
predictions, suppose you change the subject by explaining why you
hold me prisoner, and how long I am to be kept in this uncomfortable
position? "
"There is no reason why both questions should not be answered. You
are to remain in my custody till George Messerve arrives in Portsmouth,
in order that your friends may not intimidate him, and it will be
necessary to stay exactly as you are several hours longer."
Walter asked no more questions. He understood it was the purpose of
his captors to keep him out of sight, that McCleary might believe his
messenger had gotten through to Boston in safety; and, in the
meanwhile, someone else