ou will shortly be blown into eternity. Your fort is
undermined, and a great store of powder is already in position to blow
it up. If you surrender, your lives shall be spared."

"Ask them to wait until morning for your answer," suggested Donald, in
a low tone. "I have a particular reason for the request."

Christie agreed to this, and the proposition was submitted.

There was a long pause, and an evident discussion, before the voice
answered:--

"The beggars will only grant that request on one condition."

"Name it."

"It is that neither you nor those under your command shall make any
attempt to escape during the time of truce."

"Am I under your command, Christie?" asked Donald.

"Certainly not," was the answer.

"All right. I only wanted to be sure that the condition wouldn't bind
me."

"Well," cried the voice, impatiently, "do you agree?"

"I agree," replied Christie, "and by sunrise will have ready my final
answer."

In the profound and grateful quiet that followed the cessation of
firing, most of the exhausted garrison flung themselves down where they
stood, and were instantly buried in slumber. Donald and Christie
sought food, and while they ate discussed the situation.

"You have splendidly defended your post, Christie, but you have come to
the end of your resources," said the former. "You could not hold out
for another day, even if what that fellow said about the mine should
prove false."

"No, I suppose not," replied the young commander, sadly. "My poor lads
are nearly used up."

"Then you will surrender?"

"I suppose so."

"In that case, they will probably spare your lives, at least until they
get you to the Indian villages near Detroit."

"They may do so."

"But you will be prisoners, and that is what I cannot afford to become.
I must retain my freedom, if it lies within my power to do so, until I
have found Edith, or discovered her fate."

"What do you propose to do?" inquired Christie, starting from his
despondent attitude.

"I mean to leave this place within an hour and take to the woods."

"But--"

"There are no buts, my dear fellow. I am determined to make the
attempt. You have acknowledged that I am not under your command, and
so am not held by the condition just imposed. I hate to leave you, and
would a thousand times rather stand by you and share your fate,
whatever it may be; but my duty seems to lie so plainly in another
direction that I must go."

"You a