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"Nay, my duty lies in another direction."
The monk started away in an opposite direction to that which he haddirected the army to take, and was soon lost to sight.
Then the men began to discuss his appearance and story.
"I do not believe him," said one.
"Yet he is a religious man, and therefore his word should be believed."
"He may be a spy."
"But why should he direct us to the farm?"
"The English may be in ambush."
"Then we must go, for, being forewarned we are forearmed, and shallgain a victory."
This idea prevailed, and the Mountain Boys commenced their march to theeast.
When a mile had been traversed, as near as they could guess, Warnersent a scout forward to reconnoiter.
He returned quickly and said that there was no sign of an ambush, butthe snake fence was there and the vine-covered house also.
"Go forward, Letsom, and find out all you can about the farmer and hishousehold."
The man was an excellent fellow for such a purpose, though Seth Warnerexpressed a wish that Eben had been there, so that he might have gone.
Letsom returned an hour later.
"Farmer Mervale is a bitter Britisher," he reported, "and told me thatif any of the rebels came to his house he would know how to deal withthem. I asked him what he would do, and he replied that he would askthem to dine and would poison their soup."
"The villain!"
"He further said that every rebel, as he called us, should be shot likea rat."
"He is quite strong in his views."
"Yes, and one of his farm hands told me that a mad monk had been there,and it would be a wonder if he were alive on the morrow."
"A mad monk, said he?"
"Yes, those were his words--a mad monk."
"Boys, you have heard the report; shall we beard this Britisher in hishome and find out if any maiden is imprisoned by him?"
A loud shout of assent rose from the Mountain Boys, and almost beforeit died away the men were on the march.
Farmer Mervale was at the door, an old musket in his hand, waiting forthe "rebels."
"In the name of the king, what do you want here?"
Seth Warner answered:
"In the name of the Colonial Congress I demand the surrender of thishouse for the purpose of a search."
"Search! for what?"
"Guns, ammunition or anything that may be useful to the cause ofliberty."
