Now it is upon the existence of this very order that I must depend for the recovery of my property, for I can only get the loaded wagons out of the town with the consent of the revolutionary party." "And do you hope to obtain it ?" "I must endeavor to do so," was the reply; "at all events, I shall oppose might and main the plundering and destroying of my goods." The captain mused a while.

"Your plans," said he, "place me in a strait; if any harm should befall you, which is, I fear, only too likely, I shall be reproached for having allowed you to cross the frontier.

Can nothing persuade you to give up this undertaking ?" "Nothing," said the merchant--"nothing but the law of the land." "Are the wagons, then, of such consequence to you, that you are willing to risk your life for them ?" asked the captain, rather morosely.
"Yes, captain, of as much consequence as the doing your duty is to you.
To me their safety involves far more than mere mercantile profit.

I must cross the frontier unless prevented by a positive prohibition.

That I should not actually resist, but I should do all in my power to have an exception made in my favor." "Very good," said the captain; "I will lay no hinderance in your way; you will give me your word of honor that you will disclose nothing whatever as to the strength of our position, the arrangement of our troops, or as to what you have heard of our intended movements." "I pledge my word," said the merchant.
"Your character is sufficient guarantee that your intentions in taking this journey are upright; but officially I could wish to see the papers connected with it, if you have them by you." "Here they are," said the merchant, in the same business-like tone.
"There is my passport for a year, here the bill of goods of the Polish seller, the copies of my letters to the custom-house officer, and the replies to them." The captain glanced over the papers, and gave them back.