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--"

He stopped again, puffing thoughtfully.

"If we could agree," he went on. "Now this would be my view of it:
You let me send a messenger for the ladies. You would have to take
them by force somehow; but, you know, I could make it easy--arrange
the time and place, no house near, no soldiers, no resistence but
that of the driver, who should not share our confidence--no danger.
You take them to the boats and bring them over; but, first--"

He paused again, looking at the smokerings above his head in a
dreamy manner.

"'First,'" my chief repeated.

"Well," said he, leaning toward him with a little gesture, "to me
the word of a gentleman is sacred. I know you are both gentlemen.
I ask for your word of honor."

"To what effect?" the general queried.

"That you will put us safely on British soil within a day after the