He therefore turned rather contemptuously to the soldier,
and, speaking in an undertone, observed:

"That anabaptist, methodistical, quaker, psalm-singing
rascal has frightened the boy, with his farrago about flames



THE SPY. 379

and brimstone. I'll step in and cheer him with a little
rational conversation."

" I have heard of fear making a man white," said the
soldier, drawing back, and staring as if his eyes would start
from their sockets, " but it has changed the royal captain to
a black!"

The truth was that Caesar, unable to hear what Mason
uttered in a low voice, and having every fear aroused in
him by what had already passed, incautiously removed the
wig a little from one of his ears, in order to hear the better,
without in the least remembering that its color might prove
fatal to his disguise. The sentinel had kept his eyes fas-
tened on his prisoner, and noticed the action. The atten-
tion of Mason was instantly drawn to the same object; and,
forgetting all delicacy for a brother officer in distress, or
in short, forgetting everything but the censure that might
alight on his corps, the lieutenant sprang forward and seized
the terrified African by the throat ; for no sooner had Caesar
heard his color named, than he knew his discovery was cer-
tain ; and at the first sound of Mason's heavy boot on the
floor, he arose from his seat, and retreated precipitately to a
corner of the room.
