replied. "And the more rum they swig, the better it will be for us.
How far is it from here to the lake?"

"About five miles in a straight course. We can do it easily in an hour
and a half."

"Oh, you could do it all right in that time, and less, for that matter.
But all here are not so well accustomed to the woods at night. Isn't
that so, Colonel?"

"It certainly is," was the emphatic reply. "I shall need two or three
hours, for I find the walking very difficult. And, besides, one has to
be careful not to make any noise."

"Whatever noise we make will not trouble the rebels," and Davidson
laughed. "They'll be sleeping as sound as babies by daylight."

In a short time Pete arrived with the recruits from Kingston, and they
were given a hearty welcome. It was a glad meeting for the Loyalists,
and they spent several hours in earnest conversation about their
various affairs, and exchanging bits of information concerning the old
homes they had left. The men from Kingston described the progress they
were making in clearing their lands, and building their houses.

Several small fires had been started, and around these the men
gathered. The night was cool, and a stiff wind from the northwest
swayed the tops of the great trees. Had it not been for the serious
business upon which they were bent, the Loyalists would have enjoyed
the outing immensely. But the thought of what lay ahead was ever with
them. There was something uncanny about this camping-spot in the