, with the air of one who
has decided an important question, said:

"You shall go into the settlement, and if either of these Tories so much
as opens his mouth while you are gone, I'll put a bullet through him."

"And you must not hesitate to carry out that threat," Isaac added
firmly. "Now is come the time when we may prevent any news from being
carried to Crown Point, and at the same moment deliver Colonel Allen's
message, therefore blood must be spilled if necessary."

Jones and White looked thoroughly alarmed, while Jason Wentworth said
approvingly:

"You lads are in the right, from your own standpoint, which is a wrong
one, however; but since we have been so dull as to let you get the best
of us, it is but proper we should pay the penalty for disobeying
orders."

"Will you give us your word not to make an outcry if any person should
pass by on the trail?" Isaac quietly, having no little respect for this
enemy who could look upon the situation so fairly.

"If by giving up my life I can prevent the capture of Crown Point, you
may be certain I shall not hesitate."

Isaac looked significantly at Nathan, as if to say that this man should
be guarded more closely than the others, and after the prisoners had
been marched into the thicket, where they were completely hidden from
view, Corporal 'Lige's recruit set out, Nathan calling after him:

"Do not loiter by the way, either in going or coming, for I am not quite
at my ease while alone."

"Have no fear I shall delay. It should not be a long task to find
Captain Baker, and most likely you'll see me again in less than an hour.
Keep your wits about you, and remember how much mischief may be done if
you hesitate to shoot when it becomes necessary to do so."

CHAPTER X.

CROWN POINT.

Never since the moment when Corporal 'Lige had promised to make a
soldier of him, had Isaac Rice been as happy as now.

He had atoned for the mistake made when they first set out on the
journey, although it was really none of his, and, in addition to having
prevented the news of what had been done at Ticonderoga from being
carried to Crown Point, had as prisoners three who could have made no
slight amount of trouble for the colonists.

Surely the old corporal would praise Nathan and himself, and he glowed
with pride as he thought of the report he could make on his return to
the fort.

"Of course Nathan Beman has as big a share in this work as I, and it is
his right; bu