The Weapon, pages 33 to 66 Summary

Byam happens to travel from McManus' shop to an area around Bainbridge Farm. Mr. Bainbridge is a nice man who frequently offered travelers lodging. Unfortunately for him, he lets a group of American rebels hide cannon powder on his farm. The British find out about this and consider it treasonous, the penalty for which is death. And so Mr. Bainbridge, at the time Byam happens on his farm, is being fitted for a noose around the neck, to be hanged.

Having no love for the British, Byam pulls out his new rifle and shoots the commanding British officer conducting the hanging in the throat, killing him. Mr. Bainbridge is nonetheless hung in the ensuing chaos. Byam shot from such a distance that the Redcoats' smoothbore guns have no chance of reaching him; nonetheless, he flees into the...