e was no reply to this question, and Jason Wentworth turned round to
the other man.

"Matthew White, will you take it upon yourself to do what is little less
than murder?"

"No; carry them further into the thicket, where they cannot be heard
from the trail, and there tie them up."

"It were better we shot them at once, than leave them to starve," Jason
Wentworth said much as if speaking to himself, and during this
conversation the feelings of the two lads can be faintly imagined.

The question of their death by bullet or starvation was being discussed
in such a business-like manner, as if there was no alternative, that the
boys were literally paralyzed with fear.

It seemed to Isaac Rice as if the three men remained silent fully five
minutes before Jason Wentworth spoke again, and then it was with the air
of one who has decided some vexed question.

"I'm not willing to play the part of a savage," he said, speaking slowly
in order to give his words due weight. "Neither do I propose that they
shall carry the message. We'll take them with us."

"And thus we shall be caused much delay," Ezra Jones muttered.

"If they are wise we will travel as rapidly as when alone, and in case
of a refusal to obey orders they can be shot, or left to starve, as
easily half an hour hence as now. Besides, there will be much work at
the oars 'twixt here and Crown Point, and they can do a little more than
their share of it."

Perhaps it was this last suggestion which caused the other two men to
agree to the proposition.

At all events, no further objection was made, and Master Wentworth took
it upon himself to direct the march of the prisoners.

"You are to keep half a dozen paces in advance, and take good care there
is no loitering, or any attempt at giving us the slip," he said to the
boys, who yet lay upon the ground. "I do not propose that you shall be
starved to death; but at the same time I would put a musket-ball into
one or both of you without compunction, rather than suffer delay or
escape. Now get on your feet, and move lively, for only by obedience can
you save your lives."

There was no disposition on the part of Colonel Allen's messengers to
run counter to the command which had been given.

Each knew full well that two of their three captors were in favor of
leaving them to a most cruel death, which could be escaped only by
prompt acquiescence to all the orders given.

Therefore it was they leaped to their feet qui