upon such capable shoulders. "How would this clump of bushes serve for
a hiding place while we wait?"

"Good enough. Indians pursued, often ambush the pursuer, and as we've
two good men with two good rifles, Mr. Mason, we'll just see what this
Slade is about."

"When I last saw him," said Dick, "he had the two canoemen with him,
and perhaps they've picked up the owner of the hounds."

"That's sure, and they're likely to be four. We're only two, but we've
got the advantage of the ambush, and that's a big one. If you agree
with me, Mr. Mason, we'll wait here for 'em. We were sent out to take
messages, not to fight, but since these fellows hang on our trail we may
get to Colonel Hertford all the quicker because we do fight."

"Your opinion's mine too, Sergeant. I'm not in love with battle, but I
wouldn't mind taking a shot or two at these men. They've given me a lot
of trouble."

The sergeant smiled.

"That's the way it goes," he said. "You don't get mad at anybody in
particular in a big battle, but if two or three fellows lay around in
the woods popping away at you you soon get so you lose any objections to
killing, and you draw a bead on 'em as soon as a chance comes."

"That's the way I feel, Sergeant. It isn't Christian, but I suppose it
has some sort of excuse."