s were not
known in Albany; but rumours of Rogers' intrepidity reached them
from time to time, and Stark and his band were fired anew by the
desire to join themselves to this bold leader, and to assist him in
his task of harassing the enemy, and bringing assistance of all
sorts into the English camp.

Bidding adieu to the Dutch, who had received them kindly, and now
sent them away with a sufficiency of provisions to last them
several days, they skimmed away still to the northward on their
snowshoes. They had taken directions as to what route to pursue in
order to reach Fort Edward, and thence to pass on to Fort William
Henry; but the heavy snowfall obliterated landmarks, and they
presently came to the conclusion that they had missed the way, and
had travelled too far north already.

"Then we must keep in a westerly direction," quoth Stark, as they
sat in council together over their fire at night; "we cannot fail
thus to strike the lake at last, and that, if frozen hard, can be
our highway. At the southern end is the fort William Henry; at the
northern outlet is the French fort with the name of Ticonderoga."

This deflection in direction being agreed to, the party lay down to
sleep--Charles Angell offering to act as sentry, as he frequently
did.

Since the tragedy which had wrecked his life, Charles had seldom
been able to sleep quietly at night. He was haunted by horrible
dreams, and the thought of sleep was repugnant to him. He would
often drop asleep at odd hours over the campfire whilst his
comrades were discussing and planning, and they would let him sleep
in peace at such times; but at night he was alert and wide awake,
and they were glad enough to give him his request, and let him keep
watch whilst they rested and slumbered.

The silence of the snow-girt forest was profound; yet Charles was
restless tonight, and kept pausing to listen with an odd intensity
of expression. His faculties, both of sight and hearing, had become
preternaturally acute of late. More than once this gift of his had
saved the party from falling amongst a nest of hostile Indians;
tonight it was to prove of service in another way.

In the dead of night the Rangers were awakened by a trumpet-like
call.

"To arms, friends, to arms! The Indians are abroad; they are
attacking our brothers! I hear the shouts of battle. We must to
their rescue! Let us not delay! To arms, and follow me; I will lead
you thither!"

In a second the camp was