Page:The Partisan (revised).djvu/71

 speak, and led him to the stable, where all was perfectly in shadow.

"We are safe now," said he. Singleton immediately addressed him, and with some show of impatience, on a subject which had much employed his thoughts during the past hour.

"Well, Humphries, say, can we not strike at that fellow Tracy? Is it possible to do anything with his detachment?"

"Travis, not Tracy, major," replied the other. "It is possible, sir; and there is a strong chance of our success if we manage well, and if you can postpone going to 'The Oaks' to-night."

"True," said the other; "I should like very much to go there; but this movement of Tracy&mdash;or Travis, you say&mdash;gives us a good beginning, which we ought on no account to miss. Besides, we should put your men on their guard. Are they not in some danger?"

"Not if they watch well; but there's no answering for new hands. They must have practice before they can learn, and down here, they've had but little yet. They're not like your Santee boys I've heard you tell of."

"Willing soon will!" said the other. "But let us move. I'll say no more of 'The Oaks' to-night at least. We can move there to-morrow. Of course you lead the route, for I know nothing about it."

"Trust to me; and, major, go back to the house quietly. Wait till you hear my whistle three times&mdash;thus. It's an old signal, which you'll have to learn here, as our little squad all knows it, and knows nothing else by way of music. Meantime I'll get things in readiness, and set Davis to carry out the horses to the bush."

"Is he resolved to go with us?" was Singleton's question.

"True as steel. A little weak o' heart, sir, about that foolish girl&mdash;but that's all the better, for it makes him hate the British the more. Here he comes. You had better go now, major, and let us be as little seen together as may be. You'll mind the whistle&mdash;thus, three times;" and in a low tone Humphries gave him the signal. Singleton went towards the house, in the shadow of which he was soon lost from sight, while Humphries and Davis proceeded to the farther arrangement of the enterprise.