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 although there was a pause at the start while the young officer protested at her walking ahead of his horse.

"I cannot find the way, otherwise," Mehitable explained patiently.

"I like it not!" Young Cy shook his head. "To let you walk while I ride, Hitty! It seems like a man and his slave! Yet must I take my horse and the men must have theirs, in case o' sudden attack!"

"Of course!" Mehitable started off. "Do not be foolish, Young Cy!" she threw back over her shoulder.

They were an odd procession—quite a company of men and horses following the slim, debonaire figure of the girl. Once through the thickets, Young Cy placed his guard around the mill and held out his hand.

"There are no words to thank ye, Hitty!" he said steadily. "Had ye not come to my rescue, my first important assignment might have been a failure!"

"Nay," smiled Mehitable, "Mistress Lindsley could not have withstood your honest face for long. She would doubtless have been convinced! 'Twas only a question o' time!"

"Yet in that time," pointed out Young Cy triumphantly, "the British might have found and blown up the powder mill!"