You, on your way to the creek, will
keep your eyes just as wide open and fire at the first hint of
danger."
"I don't like it," my father persisted.
"But you see the wisdom of it," said I. "We must stay here: that's
agreed. So long as we stay here we shall be desperately
uncomfortable, fearing we don't know what: that also is agreed.
Then, say I, for God's sake let us clear this business up and get it
over."
My father nodded, stood up and shouldered his piece. I knew that his
eyes were on me, and avoided meeting them, afraid for a moment that
he was going to say something in praise of my courage, whereas in
truth I was horribly scared. That last word or two had really
expressed my terror. I desired nothing but to get the whole thing
over. My hand shook so as I turned to load the first musket that I
had twice to shorten my grasp of the ramrod before I could insert it
in the barrel.
From the gateway leading to the lane my father watched till the
loading was done.
"Good-bye and good luck, lad!" said he, and turned to go. A pace or
two beyond the gateway he halted as if to add a word, but thought
better of it and resumed his stride.
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