upholds the rebel cause. I would not buy your allegiance, nor that of any other person; but the facts are as I have stated them.”

The nephew drummed upon the edge of the table with his finger-tips. Things were at this stage when a waiter approached, bearing the burly man’s dinner; this he placed before him with care, then shook him gently.

“Your dinner, sir,” suggested the waiter,[68] not without some caution. The burly man opened his little eyes.

[68]

“Ay, ay,” said he, “I see it. And I’ll warrant it has no more seasoning than a brindle cow’s milk.”

But the waiter hastened to reassure him upon this point; and so the man began to eat with an appetite but with much muttering and complaining. The conversation continued at the Camp table, the youth Herbert rather weakly maintaining his position, and his uncle proclaiming his fixity of purpose. But the spy took no more notice of them or their sayings. Strangely enough, as George Prentiss thought, he had lost all interest in them.

Indeed, even when they had finished their meal and their discussion and arisen to their feet, he did not lift his head. But old Camp’s nephew, apparently in an ill-humor, did not forget him. The youth in turning stumbled across one of the man’s legs, which were needlessly sprawled out.

“Perhaps,” said the young man, tartly, after recovering himself, “this is the recognition which you just now promised me—trying[69] to dash out my brains among the inn furniture.”

[69]

The man looked up at him insolently.

“Did I promise you anything?” asked he.

“You did, sir,” replied the lieutenant, paying no heed to Mr. Dana’s plucking at his sleeve.

“Ah, well,” said the man, “sometimes little things happen which prevent our keeping promises hurriedly made.” There was something like a laugh in his voice as he added, “Perhaps some such little thing has happened since I spoke to you last, sir.”

The young militiaman grew very indignant at this and seemed about to make a heated rejoinder; however, the two merchants pushed him on ahead of them.

They had paid the reckoning and left the inn; and George was 

 Prev. P 31/155 next