were true as steel to a friend in
the hour of his need.

With these men the exploits of Hatchie, which had been related, and
perhaps exaggerated, by Jerry Swinger, who was a leading spirit of the
party, had been much applauded, and he had, in spite of the odium of his
social position, obtained a powerful influence over them. They heard him
with attention, and deferred to his skill and judgment. By his advice,
and to remove the confusion of the affray from the vicinity of the
cottage, it was determined to receive the invaders near the beach where
he had overheard Vernon propose to land. Jerry Swinger, whom natural
talent and the wish of the party seemed to indicate as leader, marched
the expedition towards the avenue which had been made in the bushes by
the ruffians.

For so many men, excited as they were by the anticipation of a conflict,
they were remarkably quiet and orderly. Dr. Vaudelier had cautioned them
to avoid all noise, and not to fire a rifle unless absolutely necessary.
He had also instructed them to make prisoners of the assailants, if
possible, without injuring them.

Jerry Swinger stationed his party near the avenue, ready to spring upon
and overpower the foe, when the favorable moment should arrive.

An hour passed by, and the impatience of the ambushed woodmen seemed
likely to give their faithful leader some trouble, when the careful dip
of oars near the shore saluted their ears. In a whisper Jerry gave the
oft-repeated caution for silence, and charged them to be prompt when the
moment came.

The assaulting party approached the shore. There were two boats, the
foremost of which contained eight men, under the direction of Maxwell,
and the other six, led by Vernon. The latter had reconnoitred the island
several times, and had somewhat modified the plan of the attack, on
discovering that the cottage, for the past two nights, had been occupied
by more than its usual occupants. Several men had been seen to land
there; but, as his preparations on the lower part of the island were
undisturbed, it never occurred to him that his purpose would be
anticipated.

Vernon had procured the services of fourteen men, chicken-thieves, and
others of desperate fortunes, to engage in the enterprise, by holding
out to them the hope of plunder, of which the cottage, he assured them,
would afford an abundant harvest. The real purpose of the expedition
was, therefore, unknown to any of the party, except the leaders. The