n of activity by
those within the community. Probably some war party or hunting
party had returned with spoil, and they were celebrating the event
by a banquet and a dance.

The soldiers were bidden to move onward, but very cautiously. It
was necessary that they should make the descent of the rugged path
before the moon set, and it was abundantly evident that the Indians
had at present no idea of the presence of the enemy.

Slowly and cautiously the soldiers crept down the steep path, doing
everything possible to avoid a noise; but suddenly the sound of a
peculiar whistle sounded from somewhere below, and there were a
movement and a thrill of dismay through all the ranks; for surely
it was a signal of discovery!

Only Fritz was undismayed, and gave vent to a silent laugh.

"That is not an alarm," he whispered to the Colonel; "it is but a
young chief signalling to some squaw. But the place is not asleep
yet; if we go much nearer we shall be seen. Those bushes would give
us cover till all is quiet. We could crouch there and rest, and
when the time has come spring out upon the village unawares."

The Colonel approved the plan, and the weary men were glad enough
of the rest before the battle should begin. All were full of hope
and ardour; but in spite of that, most of them fell asleep crouched
in the cover. The surrounding hills kept off the wind, and it was
warm beneath the sheltering scrub.

But Charles sat up with his hands clasped round his knees, his eyes
intently fixed upon the Indian village. Beside him were a few of
his chosen comrades amongst the Rangers--men older than the hardy
youths who had organized the band--settlers like himself, who had
suffered losses like his own, and in whose hearts there burned a
steady fire of vengeful hate that could only be quenched in blood.

To them crept one of the guides who knew the district and the town
of Kittanning. With him were his son and another hardy lad. He
looked at Charles and made a sign. The next moment some six or
eight men were silently creeping through the sleeping soldiers,
unnoticed even by the sharp eyes of the Colonel, who was stationed
at some little distance.

Like human snakes these men wriggled themselves down the tortuous
path, keeping always under cover of the bushes; and even when the
open ground below was reached, they slipped so silently along
beneath the cover of the hedges that not an eye saw them, not even
the sharp ears of the Indians