would give you the dirty work of selling stamped paper," Walter said, with
a laugh, noting the look of disappointment on Haines's face when he failed
to find any document.

"You have been intrusted to deliver the message by word of mouth, and it
will serve my purpose as well if I prevent you from calling on that
seditious Revere. Here, Jim, tie him to a tree with this," and Haines drew
from his saddle-bags a piece of stout rope.

It was in vain Walter struggled; taken at a disadvantage as he had been,
he was powerless, and in a few moments was bound securely to a tree, while
his captors threw themselves on the ground in front of him, as if to make
a long stay.

"If you repeat what you were told to say to Revere, I will see to it that
you are made more comfortable," Haines said, after a long pause.

"And what then? "

"We shall make certain you don't return to Portsmouth for two or three
days, that is all."

"If I have a message to deliver, I will keep it to myself, instead of
intrusting it to you," Walter said, grimly; but his mind was sorely
troubled, for he realized that if he should be delayed here no more than
four hours the information he was to give might arrive too late.

CHAPTER 2 THE ESCAPE

During the hour which followed Walter's capture the two men remained close