f we would save it to the king it is time to be about the
work," Master Wentworth said half to himself, but his comrades gave no
heed to the words.

Then ensued a long time of silence, and Isaac was well content, for each
moment of delay lessened the danger, as he believed.

Thanks to the indolence of Masters White and Jones, it was nearly
nightfall before they were ready to begin the journey, and then the
latter intimated that he had recovered from his fatigue.

"If we fail to give the warning in time, you and White can take the
fault to yourselves," Master Wentworth said angrily, after which he
ordered the prisoners on in advance once more.

"They have begun to quarrel among themselves, and perhaps our time will
come before morning," Isaac whispered to Nathan as they pushed on in
advance, and young Beman appeared more willing to listen than when the
subject was first broached; but yet he made no reply.

An hour later night had fully come, and the flying clouds so completely
obscured the sky that it was difficult for the travelers to make their
way even along the shore where was nothing, save here and there a point
of rocks, to impede the progress.

More than once did the boys walk directly into the water, and twice
Master White fell headlong over a fallen tree, despite all efforts to
the contrary, and then it was Jason Wentworth who proposed a halt.

"We are not making two miles an hour at this rate," he said in the tone
of one who is offended with his companions. "We may as well stop where
we are until it is light enough for us to see the way."

Nathan and Isaac came to a halt immediately, and, ordering them to keep
close by his side, the leader of the party sought for a camping-place
amid the shrubbery.

It was not possible to make any choice selection while it was so dark
that one could not distinguish objects a dozen paces in advance, and at
the first cleared space sufficiently large to admit of the men
stretching out at full length, Master Wentworth made his preparations
for the night.

He ordered the boys to lie down; covered them with four or five
saplings, and on the ends of these he and Master White laid themselves
in such manner that the first movement made by the prisoners must awaken
the captors.

It was the Indian method of guarding captives; but, owing to the absence
of robes or blankets with which to cover the ends of the saplings, those
who lay on the outside had a most uncomfortable bed.