The other came forward and extended a brawny fist.

“Good luck to you, for you’re the right stripe,” said he smiling broadly. “It’s meself that knows but little about the Congress beyant there and what they do be about; but[85] I’m hand and foot with them against the Sassenach, no matter what it is.”

[85]

George laughed at this frank declaration of purpose; but instantly came back to the matter of interest.

“The ‘other sort’ I suppose are Tories?” said he.

The smith nodded. “Faith,” spoke he, “they’re fair pisonous with the venom that’s in them; and hereabouts they do be as thick as the gnats in the swamps.”

“But the army being in possession prevents them being at all dangerous,” said George.

The other shook his head. “The army can do nothing against such as these,” said he. “You might as well put that horse of yours, there, to catching a mole. Sorra the sound do they make, and never a sight of themselves do they give any one.”

“But,” and George smiled a little, “it would seem that you have both heard and seen them at some time or other.”

The Irishman laughed loudly at this remark. “Why, then,” said he, “you’re the shrewd felly entirely. But you’re right,”[86] and here he lowered his voice. “You’re right. I see more than some; and be the same token, I hear more than most.”

[86]

He nodded mysteriously. As there appeared to be something gained by it, George slipped from his mount, tied it by the door and entered the smithy. Leaning against a broken gun carriage, he began slowly drawing off his gauntlets.

“I have heard a great deal, in one way and another, of the plots of the Loyalists,” said he with an air of doubt, “but to be entirely candid, I have seen scarcely anything in the way of proof.”

“Proof!” said the smith, with energy; “it’s proof ye want, is it, me lad? Oh, well! them that have it could supply plenty of it.”

“Why don’t they come forward with it, then?” demanded young Prentiss, bluntly. “Why hide it?”

“Perhaps,” said the other, “they have small bits of childer and are not wantin’ the houses burnt over their heads.”

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