Many other points were discussed between the father and son, the latter promising if anything of importance occurred, to find the means of communicating it to his friends at the Knoll, while Parrel was to follow his master, at the end of six weeks or two months, with letters from the family.  Many of the captain’s old army-friends were now in situations of authority and command, and he sent to them messages of prudence, and admonitions to be moderate in their views, which subsequent events proved were little regarded.  To general Gage he even wrote, using the precaution not to sign the letter, though its sentiments were so much in favour of the colonies, that had it been intercepted, it is most probable the Americans would have forwarded the missive to its direction.

These matters arranged, the father and son parted for the night, some time after the house-clock had struck the hour of twelve.

Chapter IX.

  Though old in cunning, as in years,
  He is so small, that like a child
  In face and form, the god appears,
  And sportive like a boy, and wild;
  Lightly he moves from place to place,
  In none at rest, in none content;
  Delighted some new toy to chase—­
  On childish purpose ever bent. 
  Beware! to childhood’s spirits gay
  Is added more than childhood’s power;
  And you perchance may rue the hour
  That saw you join his seeming play.

  Griffen

The intention of the major to quit the Knoll that day, was announced to the family at breakfast, on the following morning.  His mother and Beulah heard this intelligence, with a natural and affectionate concern, that they had no scruples in avowing; but Maud seemed to have so schooled her feelings, that the grief she really felt was under a prudent control.  To her, it appeared as if her secret were constantly on the point of exposure, and she believed that would cause her instant death.  To survive its shame was impossible in her eyes, and all the energies of her nature were aroused, with the determination of burying her weakness in her own bosom.  She had been so near revealing it to Beulah, that even now she trembled as she thought of the precipice over which she had been impending, strengthening her resolution by the recollection of the danger she had run.

As a matter of necessary caution, the intended movements of the young man were kept a profound secret from all in the settlement.  Nick had disappeared in the course of the night, carrying with him the major’s pack, having repaired to a designated point on the stream, where he was to be joined by his fellow-traveller at an hour named.  There were several forest-paths which led to the larger settlements.  That usually travelled was in the direction of old Fort Stanwix, first proceeding north, and then taking a south-eastern direction, along the shores of the Mohawk.  This was the route by which the major had come.  Another