“Here they were smoking pipes with great diligence, and, at intervals not distant, applying a huge canteen to their mouths, from which they drank with upturned faces, expressive of solemn satisfaction.  While they were thus engaged, the short soldier asked them, in a careless way, if they knew whom they had in their party.  The others started, and took their pipes from their mouths to ask him what he meant.  ‘I mean,’ said he, ’that we are honoured with the company of Capt.  Lee, of the rebel army.  The rascal once punished me, and I never mistook my man when I had a debt of that kind to pay.’

“The others expressed their disgust at his ferocity, saying that if, as he said, their companion was an American officer, all they had to do was to watch him closely.  As he had come among them uninvited, he must go with them to New York, and take the consequences; but meantime it was their interest not to seem to suspect him, otherwise he might give an alarm—­whereas it was evidently his intention to go with them till they were ready to embark for New York.  The other person persisted in saying that he would have his revenge with his own hand; upon which the conductor, drawing a pistol, declared to him that if he saw the least attempt to injure Capt.  Lee, or any conduct which would lead him to suspect that his disguise was discovered, he would that moment shoot him through the head.  The soldier put his hand upon his knife, with an ominous scowl upon his conductor; but he restrained himself.

“The next night they went on as usual, but the manner of their conductor showed that there was more danger than before; in fact, he explained to the party that they were now not far from the Delaware, and hoped to reach it before midnight.  They occasionally heard the report of a musket, which seemed to indicate that some movement was going on in the country.

“When they came to the bank there were no traces of a boat on the waters.  Their conductor stood still for a moment in dismay; but, recollecting himself, he said it was possible it might have been secured lower down the stream; and forgetting every thing else, he directed the larger soldier to accompany him.  Giving a pistol to the other, he whispered, ’If the rebel officer attempts to betray us, shoot him; if not, you will not, for your own sake, make any noise to show where we are.’  In the same instant they departed, and Lee was left alone with the ruffian.

“He had before suspected that the fellow knew him, and now doubts were changed to certainty at once.  Dark as it was, it seemed as if fire flashed from his eye, now he felt that revenge was within his power.  Lee was as brave as any officer in the army; but he was unarmed; and though he was strong, his adversary was still more powerful.  While he stood, uncertain what to do, the fellow seemed enjoying the prospect of revenge, as he looked on him with a steady eye.  Though the officer stood to appearance unmoved, the