as in the daylight. For over two and a half hours they moved steadily
forward, and at length stopped by the side of a little brook which
flowed down to the river. Here they rested and ate some of the food
which they had brought with them. They had not been long here ere a
low whistle sounded up the valley. Davidson at once replied, and a few
minutes later soft approaching footsteps were heard. Then a dim form
emerged from the darkness, and stood in their midst.

"I am glad to see you on time, Dane," Davidson accosted. "How many men
did you get?"

"Twenty-five," was the reply. "Pete is bringing them up. I slipped on
ahead to see if things are all right."

"Yes, everything is working well so far. Have you found out anything
new?"

"Nothing except that some of the rebels have gathered at Pine Lake, and
others are expected to-morrow. Pete and I were trailing them to-day,
and it was rare sport."

"I hope you were careful, Dane."

"We are always careful, though it wasn't necessary to-day. The Indians
were quite cautious, but some of the white men lumbered along like
oxen, cursing and complaining at a great rate. Flazeet and Rauchad had
quite a time with them, and kept encouraging them with promises of rum
and the fun they would have with the Loyalists."

"They'll get a different kind of fun from what they expect," Davidson