prayer, for once Stead heard the hum of an "Amen." One or two men
were about, and Jeph enquired of one if the Captain were still up,
and heard that he was engaged in exercise with the godly Colonel
Benbow.

Their quarters were in one of the best houses of the little village,
where light gleamed from the window, and an orderly stood within the
door, to whom Jeph spoke, and who replied that they were just in
time. In fact two officers in broad hats and cloaks were just coming
out, and Stead admired Jeph's military salute to them ere he entered
the farmhouse kitchen, where two more gentlemen sat at the table with
a rough plan of the town laid before them.

"Back again, Kenton," said his captain in a friendly tone. "Hast
heard aught of thy brethren?"

"Yes, sir, I have found them well and in good heart, and have brought
one with me."

"A helper in the good cause? Heaven be gracious to thee, my son.
Thou art but young, yet strength is vouchsafed to the feeble hands."

"Please, sir," said Steadfast, who was twisting his hat about, "I've
got to mind the others, and work for them."

"Yea, sir," put in Jeph, "there be three younger at home whom he
cannot yet leave. I brought him, sir, to crave from you a protection
for the corn and cattle that are in a sort mine own, being my
father's eldest son. They are all the poor children have to live
on."