"He did," the other returned quietly. "My name is Carter. Stripped of land and moneys by the British in New York, my family gone, I came to this outpost position, thinking I might be of more aid to Americans than with the army. This Tory headquarters is used by all the river pirates and renegades who seize upon the war as a pretext for carry'ing out their own bold schemes!"
"'Twould be well to report it to Captain Littell!" cried Mehitable.
"Well, Doctor Carter, we hope to have ye as guest, remember!" the Squire was saying in farewell, when all at once Sturgins came crying out of the house, begging them not to leave him.
"In sooth, I know not what to do with him," said Doctor Carter, looking perplexed. "If Jaffray's ship crew find him here, they are likely to finish him off rather than be bothered by blind baggage like him! He knows it, having seen and doubtless helped in similar cases. That is why he is afraid now to be left!"
"Oh, Father, we cannot leave him!" exclaimed Mehitable, horrified.
"An he promises absolute quiet, we will take him," said Squire Condit sternly. Sturgins promised quiveringly and Doctor Carter helping him into the cart beside Master Jones, he sat cross-legged and bent his head upon his arms. Mehitable, glancing back more than once, was really sorry for him, though she had thought she never could be.
It was a long hard journey home. They dared not go fast, for the jolting of the farm cart over rough roads
