But Ben paid no attention to the raillery; his round, good-natured face was serious and he went on soberly:

“Of course, I don’t think any of these things are so. They are merely impressions caused by something I did not notice at the time.”

Nat looked at him with more interest. The long rifle lay across his knee, and the burnishing ceased.

[18]“That’s so,” said he. “I’ve often felt like that myself. Sometimes when I’ve tramped alone among the mountains I’ve felt worried about things that I couldn’t give a name. And always something of importance turned up afterward. It was just as though I felt it coming a long way off.”

[18]

Ben nodded his head.

“That’s it,” said he. “That’s it, exactly.” He paused a moment, then continued, “All along the road the people seemed quiet. Men burning brush in the fields looked strangely at me through the smoke. People in carts who’d usually have something to say just nodded their heads, and seemed to look after me, watchfully. I passed the schoolhouse there at the crossroads and the long drone that always comes from it, of the scholars chanting their lessons, was queer and hushed.”

“It was a strange sort of ride,” commented Nat. “I wish I’d gone with you.”

“I went as far as the ‘Bull and Badger.’ Some farmers were gathered in front of it and some travelers were upon the porch. It was the same with them as with the others. The very inn seemed to be trying to contain some[19] weighty secret; and I turned and rode away without even getting down.”

[19]

Ben leaned over and his forefinger tapped his cousin upon the shoulder.

“I was at the gate of this place before I found out what caused it all,” said he.

“What was it?” asked Nat, quickly.

“We’re going to have a war with England,” replied Ben. “It means nothing else.”

[20]

CHAPTER II TELLS WHY NAT BREWSTER WALKED TOWARD CLIVEDEN IN THE DARK

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