"Whatever plan you concoct I am amenable to, if Laurens truly believes he can ride, after so long a journey. But I think Alexander, you ought to know that Laurens and I rode to retrieve you without leave from the commander, and you are sending him back to face Washington's fury on his own," and it is much easier to court-martial or whip one man, than three.

"If we are to be lashed, I would not send Laurens to face such punishment without me--though, you know the commander better than I."

Though it is likely too that Laurens' return will be softened by the delivery of the young man who is apparently tied to Hamilton's task, and the good news that all three of them are well, delivered from the hands of the British. Burr has always thought that one ought to entertain the worst possibilities, to prepare oneself, but if Hamilton believes there to be no imminent danger, that their own return can be safely delayed, he will trust him.