She made some reply, but in a voice so low that he did not catch the words.

“We plan as carefully as we can, we weigh and calculate every possibility that presents itself; and then when the time for action arrives, some utterly unlooked-for thing happens that brings us victory or defeat.”

He paused, expecting her to make some reply to his philosophizing; but she did not do so; steadily she sat her horse, and from the vague outline that he had of her, he fancied that she was looking straight ahead. Plainly, she desired no part in the conversation. They had kept to the Kingsbridge Road, and now pressed south as soon as their horses had recovered from their long gallop. Little was now said except upon the part of the lieutenant; he talked eagerly and largely upon the topics of interest to Loyalists. At another time George would have been vastly interested in his remarks, but now he gave them small attention.

[124]Somehow the silence of the girl at his side piqued him; her manner was a subtle irritation. He took exception to her attitude toward him; he felt that a more friendly aspect was but his due.

[124]

Mile after mile fell behind them; they passed the long bends in the road that lay just opposite Hell Gate, and then into the straight length near Horen’s Hook. However, they had reached the junction of the Bloomingdale Road below Kip’s Bay before Peggy Camp spoke again.

“Perhaps, Herbert,” she said to her brother, “we are presuming too much upon this young gentleman’s good nature.”

“What’s that?” and the lieutenant was plainly surprised.

“He may have his own affairs to attend to,” she said. “And we should not keep him from them.”

“Oh, I say now,” protested Herbert, “that is just a trifle unfriendly, Peggy. He is going to ride with us into town.”

“It is just as Mistress Camp desires,” returned George, distantly, and sitting very stiffly in his saddle.

[125]“It was a mere suggestion upon my part,” she said, and her voice was as cold as his own. “I have no great interest either way.”

[125]

Her brother brought his horse around until he gained her other side; and from the way the animal reared, it was plain that its rider was angry.

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