A single hour lost may lose Mobile or a battle." "Then maybe Sid an' me'd both better go,--Sid to do the fast running an' me to show him the way." "There's no use of both of you going," replied Sam, "but if you had had a couple of days rest I would send you instead of Sid, because you know the way, and I don't believe anybody can make the distance any quicker than you have done it." "I know a feller that kin," replied Bob.
"Who is it ?" asked Sam.
"Me." "You?
How do you mean ?" "I mean that I kin go to Mobile most a day quicker 'n I dun it before.
I got into a lot o' tangles before that I know how to keep out of now." "Yes, but you can't start back again without at least a day's rest." "Can't I though?
I'm as fresh as an Irish potato without salt, an' if you just say the word, I'll be off the minute you git your papers ready.

The boys have got somethin' cooked I reckon." Sam complimented Bob upon his vigor and readiness, and accepted his offer.

Ten minutes sufficed for all necessary preparations, and Bob was about starting with his prisoner, when Sid Russell spoke.
"I say, Sam, did you say this 'ere feller's a deserter ?" "Yes.

What of it ?" "Nothing only there's a camp o' British an' Injuns back there a little ways, an' if Bob don't look out he'll run right into it." "A camp?
Where ?" asked Sam.
"Right in rear of us, not three hundred yards away." "When was it established there ?" "To-night, just after you went away in the boat." "All right," replied Sam.

"Jump into the boat, Bob, and we'll sail down below and you can start from there." It was easy enough to carry Bob and the deserter down to a point below the camp, but Sam was not at all pleased to find the British so near him.