Then Marched the Brave | Page 5

living-room, but Janie's door was closed, while the stranger's was ajar.
Through it came the sound of low-spoken words.
"Accept the thanks of thy servant for all bountiful mercies of the past.
Guide his future steps. Bless our enemies, and make them just. Amen."
The boy bowed his head, instinctively. Surely he had nothing to fear
from such a man. He went nearer and tapped lightly on the door. Light
as was the touch, the stranger started.
"Come!" There was a welcome in the word. Andy stepped cautiously

inside.
"Good-morning, sir."
"The same to you, my lad." The keen eyes softened as they fell upon
the rude crutch. "How can I serve you!"
"Sir, I have come to offer my services to you. I heard you tell my
mother that you needed some one to row you across the river. I am a
good rower."
The man looked puzzled. "You are the widow's son? Is not the task too
great?"
"My lameness does not hinder much. I use the crutch mainly to hasten
my steps; I can walk without it. I am very strong in other ways. I think I
am just beginning to find out how strong I am, myself. None know the
woods better than I. I can take you by a short cut to the river, and I have
my own boat moored and ready. It will be a small matter to reach the
opposite shore by sunrise if we start at once." Andy was panting with
excitement. "Pray, sir, let me do this; there are so few chances for such
as I."
The listener smiled kindly.
"You are just the guide I need," he said, and Andy knew there was no
flattery in the words. "I must leave it for you to thank your good mother
for her hospitality. I have been ready for an hour. Lead on, my boy!"
Silently they stole from the house. The birds twittered as they passed,
for the tall man touched the lower boughs and disturbed the nestlings.
"Bend low," whispered Andy, "the way leads through small spaces."
On they went, sometimes creeping under the hanging rocks, always
clinging to the shelter of trees and bushes. They both knew the danger
that might lie near in the form of a British sentinel.
"The path seems untrodden by foot of man," murmured the stranger,

pausing to draw in a long breath. "You are a wonderful guide."
"I think no one else knows the way," Andy whispered, proudly; "an
Indian showed it to me when I was a child. He was my good friend, he
taught me also to row, and shoot with both arrow and gun. He said I
should know Indian tricks because of my lameness. They might help
where strength failed. He showed me how to creep noiselessly and find
paths. I have trails all over the woods. There is one that leads right
among the Britishers; and they never know. I do this for sport."
The stranger looked sharply at the gliding form ahead.
"Paths such as this all over the woods?" he repeated. "And have you
kept this--this sport secret?"
"That I have!" laughed Andy. "I tell you now because you are upon
your country's service. I trust you, and I thought perhaps it might help
sometime." The two moved forward for a moment in silence, then
Andy laughed in a half-confused way.
"A boy gets lonely at times," he said; "he must do something to while
away the--the years. I have practiced and made believe until I am a
pretty good Indian. I make believe that I am guiding the great
Washington. They do say he ever remembers a favor. I should love to
serve him. Had I been like other boys--" the voice broke--"I would have
been as near him as possible by this time!"
The hand of the stranger was upon the youth's shoulder. Andy turned in
alarm.
"You have a secret which may save your country much!" breathed the
deep voice; "guard it with your life. But if one comes from Washington
seeking your aid, do whatever he asks, fearlessly."
"How would I know such an one?" gasped Andy.
"That will I tell you later." Again the forward tramp.

"And you have passed, unnoticed, the British line! 'Tis a joke almost
beyond belief!" chuckled the stranger. "I should like to see my Lord
Howe's face were he to hear this."
"Oh! be silent, sir!" cautioned the guide, "we come to an open space."
Once again beneath the heavy boughs, the boy said:
"I passed the line but yesterday. And I heard that which has troubled
me, sorely, yet I could do nothing. But--" here Andy paused and turned
sharply--"bend down. Should you know Washington were you to see
him?"
"Aye, lad." The two heads were pressed