his disagreeable grumble.

[43]

“You may depend upon it that he made all the speed he could,” replied the other. “I never saw a lad more anxious about anything than he was regarding the taking of that firebrand Samuel Adams.”

Royce began speaking once more; but they were too distant now for Nat to make out his words; and the indistinct grumble died as the men slowly paced away.

“Prentiss!” muttered Nat, still sternly holding back the idea that tried to possess him. “It’s an odd kind of a coincidence, but that’s all it is. It can’t be Ben’s friend! Why, of course it can’t,” with a relieved laugh as another thought came to him. “This Prentiss of whom these two were speaking is eager to bring ill-fortune upon Mr. Adams, while the one I’ve heard so much of since I came to Germantown is his friend.”

But in spite of the laugh and in spite of the reasoning, the similarity in the names troubled the young mountaineer. And when Royce and his companion drew near once more, he listened eagerly.

[44]The stoop-shouldered man was speaking and considerable impatience had crept into his voice.

[44]

“It is unreasonable and ungenerous,” declared he, “to blame the boy for something that is perhaps entirely out of his control.”

“Didn’t he say he was sure this was the night?—didn’t he ask you to call us together?” demanded Royce.

“He told me plainly that he was not sure; he merely said that this would perhaps be the night, and that it would be as well to have everybody ready. You are angry because we missed the opportunity to take Adams; don’t lay everything to the lad’s discredit.”

“I will admit,” said Royce, “that there is something in what you say. Of course he doesn’t know just when the members from Virginia are to cross the ferry, and he can only notify us when he receives the information. But I can’t get it out of my head that he could have used more expedition in the Adams matter.”

“You are a natural born grumbler,” said[45] the lean man. “I don’t think it would be possible to please you, no matter what was done. Young Prentiss did his best to get here in advance of the men from Massachusetts; and he did arrive in advance, as you know.”

[45]

 Prev. P 20/157 next