?" I asked, and the old man replied:

"Ay, a little better than half a mile up stream, where we can come at
her conveniently in a hurry. We have just been talkin', however, about
takin' stations on the opposite bank, where it will be possible to see
what is done without gettin' in the way of the enemy."

That seemed to me a very good idea, for there might be many chances
against our slipping away after the British had landed, and I urged
that the change of base be made without delay.

It was if Darius had only waited for my opinion. Immediately after I
gave it he led the way along the road which followed the course of the
river.

Within an hour we had the canoe hidden on the opposite shore, and were
seeking for some spot directly across from the village where we could
see all that was done.

It was some time before we found exactly what we wanted, and then it
was in the midst of a small clump of trees on a gentle rise of the
land, a full two hundred feet from the shore.

Here, by trimming away some of the branches, we could have a full view
of the river and settlement, in addition to being at a safe distance
from the enemy, who would hardly land on that side of the stream.

"We've got into position none too soon," Darius said as he pointed
over the trees on the opposite shore, where we could see the upper
spars of what appeared to be a reasonably large vessel moving through
the water slowly. "Within ten minutes we shall know whether it's a
case of watchin' 'em come to anchor an' landin', or takin' to our
heels to gain the canoe before they can get that far up the river."

CHAPTER XI.

THE BRITISH FORCES.

After we were in a position to see all that might be going on
immediately opposite, and for a mile or more down the river, we could
make out the spars of several ships which appeared to be at a
stand-still, and at once the question was raised as to whether they
were aground or at anchor.

"You lads shall stay here, never venturin' to leave the hidin'-place
unless the Britishers themselves drive you out, an' I'll take a little
trip down stream to see what is goin' on. If the enemy has come into
the river without a pilot, I'll go bail that more than one of his
vessels has taken the ground."

Then the old man stole softly through the underbrush, and we gave but
little heed to his departure, so intent were we on the wondrous
panorama spread out before us.

The first craft to heave in sight was an a