Caleb chuckled, "And Elizabeth would do the shooting."

"My point precisely. In return for your faithful assistance, I will keep the Carsons well hidden. I've land, you see, lots of land. I will see the deeds put in your names. Should your Redcoat go looking, he'll find a Carson farm in New York, Maine, Charleston, New Bedford, and so forth."

Uriah agreed, "I can see the advantage."

"I thought you might."

"But if we hold entitlement and you . . ." Caleb began.

"Die?" Matthew asked. "You need not fear saying it, my boy. We old men are prone to die from time to time. Etta and I have no sons, I cannot bestow my for­tune on a woman and Caroline is unwed. Save the two of you, I've no one to trust. Should Caroline have a son, you will deed the properties to him.. Should you betray my trust, I will raise up from my grave and see that your precise location is known through out the land."

Uriah grinned, "Betray us to the Redcoat? I find that highly unlikely."

"How so?"

"Should you put our wives and the boy in danger, Caroline would never forgive you."

Matthew cocked his head to one side, "Quite right, quite right indeed."

Uriah placed a comforting hand on Matthew's arm. "We will not disappoint you. Caroline is the sister we never had. We are honored."