near to the fort as ever we can, and then when I
give a low "coo-ee" we will all fire, and make a dash for the fort.
And if we do that altogether, Hal won't know which to aim at, and so
one of us ought to get the flag.--What do you say, Jim?"

"I approve," he said; "only look out for that lasso trick."

Then they separated, Jim and Tommy working their way up the stream,
while Drusie wriggled through the thick undergrowth, with a view to
approaching the fort at the back. To Helen was given the easier task
of skirting round the clearing, keeping well under cover of the bushes,
and holding herself in readiness to dash into the open and fire when
the signal was given.

It seemed to her a task that was almost too easy, and, as she crouched
under a bramble bush, it occurred to her that if she advanced gradually
nearer to the fort she would be of much more use to her party than if
she merely followed her instructions and remained where she was.
Accordingly, dropping on her hands and knees, she left the safe shelter
of the denser part of the Wilderness, and crawled out to a bush.

[Illustration: Helen crouched under bush]

Encouraged by the dead silence that reigned within the fort, she
flattered herself that her stealthy approach was unperceived by the
enemy, and so, after pausing for a moment, she advanced still farther
and gained another bush.

Crouching there, she cautiously raised her head a few inches and looked
round. Five or six yards farther on there was a thick clump of young
willows: if she could reach that in safety, it would be a capital place
in which to halt until Drusie gave her signal.

But, unfortunately, between it and where she now lurked grew a thick
bed of nettles, which made it impossible to creep thither on her hands
and knees. Once more she glanced at the fort Hal seemed to have gone
to sleep, and emboldened by that thought she rose to her feet for a
swift, silent rush to the willows.

She was half-way across, and was feeling very well pleased, when
something hurtled through the air with a loud, swishing sound, and the
next moment she was jerked violently to the ground, while an
exceedingly uncomfortable sensation round her waist told her that she
had been caught by the lasso.

Hardly had she realized it when the strain on the rope tightened, and
she was dragged through the bed of nettles.

"Help, help!" she shouted; "I am lassoed. Drusie!--Jim!"

Instantly the silent Wilderness became