y have not already made an assault. There is nothing for
it but surrender, if we can obtain honourable terms of capitulation."

"Nay, rather let us die sword in hand and face to foe!" cried
Roche, with a sudden burst of enthusiasm. "Let us make a last
desperate sortie, and see if we cannot drive the enemy from their
position. Anything is better than dying here like rats in a hole! A
forlorn hope is better than none. Why should we not at least cut
our way out to the free forest, if we cannot rout the enemy and
drive them back whence they came?"

"The life of the free forest would mean death to those raw lads who
have come out from England or from the provinces," said Fritz
gravely. "It would be hardly more than a choice of deaths; and yet
I would sooner die sword in hand, hewing my way to freedom, than
cooped up between walls where every shot begins to tell, and where
the dead can scarce be buried for the peril to the living."

And indeed the position of affairs was so deplorable that a council
was held by Monro; and it was agreed that if any desired to make
this last sortie, either for life and liberty for themselves, or in
the last forlorn hope of driving the enemy from their position, it
might be attempted; but if it failed, there was nothing for it but
capitulation, if honourable terms could be had, or if not to die at
their posts, fighting to the very last.

A cheer went up from the men when they heard these words. If they
had well nigh lost hope, their courage was not quenched, and a
large band volunteered for the sortie. Fritz and Roche were amongst
these, but Pringle remained behind in the fort.

"I will stand by the Colonel and the sinking ship," he said. "It is
but a choice of evils. I doubt if any of us will see the light of
many more days. I prefer the chances of war to the unknown horrors
of the forest filled with savages."

He laid a hand upon Roche's arm and looked affectionately into the
boyish brave young face. Then he turned to Fritz.

"If you should get through, take care of the lad. You are a Ranger;
you know the forest well. If any can escape safely thither, it will
be you and such as you. But don't forsake the boy--don't let him
fall alive into the hands of the Indians; kill him yourself sooner.
And now fare well, and God bless you both: for I think that on this
earth we shall meet no more."

"Nay, why think that?" cried Roche eagerly; "stranger things have
happened before now than that we