“I believe I understand you, captain Willoughby,” he said, at length, “though I think you don’t understand me.  I know you old country people think meanly of us new country people, but I suppose that’s in the nature of things; then, I allow Joel Strides’ conduct has been such as to give you reason to judge us harshly.  But there is a difference among us, as well as among the English; and some of us—­won’t say I am such a man, but actions speak louder than words, and all will be known in the end—­but some of us will be found true to our bargains, as well as other men.”

“Bravely answered, my lad,” cried the serjeant, heartily, and looking round at his commander with exultation, to congratulate him on having such a follower—­“This is a man who will obey orders through thick and thin, I’ll answer for it, your honour.  Little does he care who’s king or who’s governor, so long as he knows his captain and his corps.”

“There you are mistaken, serjeant Joyce,” the youth observed, firmly.  “I’m for my country, and I’d quit this house in a minute, did I believe captain Willoughby meant to help the crown.  But I have lived long enough here to know he is at the most neutral; though I think he rather favours the side of the colonies than that of the crown.”

“You have judged rightly, Blodget,” observed the captain.  “I do not quite like this declaration of independence, though I can scarce blame congress for having made it.  Of the two, I think the Americans nearest right, and I now conceive myself to be more of an American than an Englishman.  I wish this to be understood, Joyce.”

“Do you, sir?—­It’s just as your honour pleases.  I didn’t know which side it was your pleasure to support, nor does it make any great difference with most of us.  Orders are orders, let them come from king or colonies.  I would take the liberty of recommending, your honour, that this young man be promoted.  Strides’ desertion has left a vacancy among the corporals, and we shall want another for the guard.  It would hardly do to make a nigger a corporal.”

“Very well, Joyce, have it as you wish,” interrupted the captain, a little impatiently; for he perceived he had a spirit to deal with in Blodget that must hold such trifles at their true value.  “Let it be corporal Allen and corporal Blodget in future.”

“Do you hear, men?—­These are general orders.  The relieved guard will fall out, and try to get a little sleep, as we shall parade again half an hour before day.”

Alas! the relieved guard, like the relief itself, consisted of only two men, corporal Blodget and Pliny the younger; old Pliny, in virtue of his household work, being rated as an idler.  These five, with the captain and the serjeant, made the number of the garrison seven, which was the whole male force that now remained.

Captain Willoughby directed Joyce and his two companions to go to their pallets, notwithstanding, assuming the charge of the look-out himself, and profiting by the occasion to make himself better acquainted with the character of his new corporal than circumstances had hitherto permitted.