But just then Captain Randall came down into the yard.

Captain Randall was on the ground at my feet, under a heaving mass that looked like a bundle of old plaid rags.

Captain Randall breathed heavily, then decided against whatever he had been going to say, in favor of continuing his story.

Do that, and you're no better than your precious Captain Randall!

I wanted very much to know about this Captain Randall; so far, this story had done little to dispel my original impression of him.

But he did say that Captain Randall had had a private conversation with the lad a week before.

And be good and do what Captain Randall tells you.

Note that a great number of sources, both contemporary and modern, refer to him incorrectly as Captain Randall.

Captain Randall was born in New Jersey about 1750.

I was running away from Captain Randall when the Scots found me.