ed the chances, and concluded that this would be his best
course. He would have the night to do it in; and if he should come
unawares upon any of his enemies, he thought it would be easy to dash
into the woods, and escape under the cover of the darkness. Vigilance
only was necessary, together with coolness and nerve, and all these
qualities he believed himself to have.

The knowledge of the woods which Zac claimed stood him in good stead
on the present occasion; he was able to guide his course in a very
satisfactory manner; and about sundown, or a little after, he struck
the trail. Here he waited for a short time, watching and listening;
and then, having heard nothing whatever that indicated danger, he
went boldly forward, with Margot close behind. As they advanced, it
grew gradually darker, and at length the night came down. Overhead
the moon shone, disclosing a strip of sky where the trees opened
above the path. For hours they walked along. No enemy appeared; and
at length Zac concluded that they had all dispersed through the
woods, at the point where they had first come upon them, and had not
followed the path any farther. What had become of Claude he could not
imagine, but could only hope for the best.

They rested for about an hour at midnight. Then Zac carried Margot
for another hour. After this, Margot insisted on walking. At length,
after having thus passed the whole night, the path came to a creek.
Here Zac paused.

"Now, little gal," said he, "you may go to sleep till mornin', for I
think we've got pooty nigh onto the end of our tramp."

With these words Zac led the way a little distance from the path, and
here Margot flung herself upon a grassy knoll, and fell sound asleep,
while Zac, at a little distance off, held watch and guard over her.

Several hours passed, and Zac watched patiently. He had not the heart
to rouse her, unless compelled by absolute necessity. In this case,
however, no necessity arose, and he left her to wake herself. When at
length Margot awoke, the sun was high in the heavens, and Zac only
smiled pleasantly when she reproached him for not waking her before.

"O, no harm; no 'casion has riz, an' so you were better havin' your
nap. You'll be all the abler to do what you may hev yet before you.
An' now, little un, if you're agreed, we'll hev a bite o' breakfast."

A short breakfast, composed of hard biscuit and ham, washed down with
cool water from a neighboring brook, served to fort