We were off at daybreak with our prisoners; there were six of them in all.  We put a fold of linen over the eyes of each, and roped them all together, so that they could sit or stand, as might please them, in the wagonbox.

“It’s barbarity,” said his Lordship, as we put on the fold.  “You Yankees never knew how to treat a prisoner.”

“Till you learnt us,” said D’ri, quickly.  “Could n’t never fergit thet lesson.  Ef I hed my way ’bout you, I ‘d haul ye up t’ th’ top o’ thet air dead pine over yender, ‘n’ let ye slide down.”

“Rather too steep, I should say,” said his Lordship, wearily.

“Ye wouldn’t need no grease,” said D’ri, with a chuckle.

We were four days going to the Harbor.  My father and his men came with us, and he told us many a tale, that journey, of his adventures in the old war.  We kept our promise, turning over the prisoners a little before sundown of the 16th.  Each was given a great room and every possible comfort.  I arranged soon for the release of all on the safe return of the ladies.

In the evening of the 17th his Lordship sent for me.  He was a bit nervous, and desired a conference with the general and me.  De Chaumont had been over to the headquarters that day in urgent counsel.  He was weary of delay and planning an appeal to the French government.  General Brown was prepared to give the matter all furtherance in his power, and sent quickly for the Englishman.  They brought him over at nine o’clock.  We uncovered his eyes and locked the door, and “gave him a crack at the old Madeira,” as they used to say, and made him as comfortable as might be at the cheery fireside of the general.

“I’ve been thinking,” said his Lordship. after a drink and a word of courtesy.  I never saw a man of better breeding or more courage, I am free to say.  “You may not agree it is possible, but, anyhow, I have been trying to think.  You have been decent to me.  I don’t believe you are such a bad lot, after all; and while I should be sorry to have you think me tired of your hospitality, I desire to hasten our plans a little.  I propose an exchange of—­of—­”

He hesitated, whipping the ashes off his cigar.

“Well—­first of confidence,” he went on.  “I will take your word if you will take mine.”

“In what matter?” the general inquired.

“That of the ladies and their relief,” said he.  “A little confidence will—­will—­”

“Grease the wheels of progress?” the general suggested, smiling.

“Quite so,” he answered lazily.  “To begin with, they are not thirty miles away, if I am correct in my judgment of this locality.”

There was a moment of silence.

“My dear sir,” he went on presently, “this ground is quite familiar to me.  I slept in this very chamber long ago.  But that is not here nor there.  Day after to-morrow, a little before midnight, the ladies will be riding on the shore pike.  You could meet them and bring them out to a schooner, I suppose—­if—­”