disadvantage.

Jim Freeman and his friends seemed to be of the same mind as Jerry,
and I said nothing to them lest I be accused of faint-heartedness,
when everything was apparently going our way.

We waited in silence for the coming of Darius, allowing the Avenger to
remain in the stream where some of the boys had anchored her while I
was caring for the prisoner, and not until nearly midnight did the old
man put in an appearance.

Jim Freeman was on the lookout well forward, and that he did his duty
well was shown by the fact that he came aft with the word that a canoe
was drifting down the river while the craft was yet some distance
away.

Jerry and I, each with a musket, went forward to make certain the
newcomer was a friend rather than an enemy, and when we hailed softly,
Darius replied with a low hissing sound which was familiar to us all.

He made fast, came inboard, and entered the cuddy without speaking,
therefore we followed, knowing full well that he had something of
importance to impart.

When we were all together, unable to see each other because of the
darkness, Darius said softly, in a tone of triumph:

"I've found the Britishers, an' can put my hand on the whole gang
without much trouble. There are but three men an' the officer, who, I
reckon, will be the only fellow to make much fuss when we get at work.
Now I'm countin' that one of Jim's friends shall be left on board to
look out for the pungy, an' make certain the traitor don't kick up any
row. Three of us will have a musket each, an' the other two can do
mighty good work with belayin' pins."

"Where are the men?" Jerry asked.

"In the loft of the mill. The officer is havin' a right sociable time
with Essek Harland, an' if the miller's bottle holds out, I reckon
them two won't be in shape to make much trouble. Jim is to say which
of his party shall stay aboard, an' the sooner the rest of us get to
work the better, for I want to begin the scrimmage in a couple of
hours."

It was evident that my opinion as to whether the attempt to capture
the Britishers should be made, was not to be asked, and yet I must
follow where Darius led, or give my comrades good reason for calling
me a coward--or worse.

The old man settled it that he and Jerry should arm themselves with
belaying pins, and the two muskets he brought back from Benedict,
together with our old fowling-piece, was distributed among the rest
of us.

Jim Freeman named Dody Wardwell as