ethod of traveling, and when
the guide struck into the woods where the trail lead alternately over a
hilly and swampy country he was soon forced to declare that he could not
proceed at such a rapid pace.

"You will have to slacken up a bit," Corporal 'Lige shouted, "for the
gentleman ain't used to this kind of footin'."

"We can't go very slow, else we shan't get to the fort before sunset,"
Nathan replied indifferently, and Master Phelps said in a tone which
admitted of no argument:

"It isn't possible for me to keep pace with you. If it so be we fail to
finish the journey before dark, we can take lodgings with your father
and accomplish our purpose early to-morrow morning."

The prospect of introducing to his father guests who would pay for all
they received, was so satisfactory to young Beman that he made no
protest at being thus forced to slacken pace. It may be he was
unnecessarily slow from this time out, for it was already dark when they
arrived at the guide's home, and Nathan said to Master Phelps before
entering the building:

"I'll tell father you folks want to stay all night, and that's as much
as I need say. If you count on explaining why you have come, it's none
of my business. The officer what hired me said I was to keep quiet about
everything I'd seen down to the camp, so I might as well begin by
holding my tongue."

Then Nathan ushered the guests into the kitchen, where was found Mr.
Beman sitting by the fireplace, for the night had grown cold and chill,
while his wife was preparing the supper.

"Here are some travelers who want to stay all night," Nathan announced,
and added in a lower tone to Isaac, "Come out to the barn with me while
I do my chores; there's no fun in sittin' here."

Five minutes later the three men followed the boys, and Isaac fancied it
was Master Phelps' intention to explain to the farmer the purpose of
their coming, but that he feared to do so in the presence of the
mistress of the household, who, if her son had quoted her words
correctly, favored the king's representatives rather than the colonists
in the doings which had lately arisen.

Nathan took good care that his new friend should perform a full share of
the evening's work, and Isaac assisted in milking the cows, carrying
water, and chopping wood until he had of a surety earned as bountiful a
spread as could be set before him.

The farmer and his guests did not appear until they had been summoned
twice after the a