s attack you
made in such a soldierly fashion wasn't the result of chance, an' that
I'll go bail."

It was useless to make any attempt at convincing Corporal 'Lige of what
was only the truth.

The old man was so determined to look upon the rescue as a soldierly act
that he would not accept any other explanation, and the boy ceased his
fruitless efforts by asking:

"What is to be done with these two Tories?"

"I reckon they must be got back to camp, although it would be no more
than servin' 'em right if we put an end to their miserable lives without
further parley."

"Oh, you wouldn't kill them in cold blood, Corporal 'Lige?" Isaac cried
in alarm.

"No; I don't reckon I would, though that's what ought to be done with
'em. It's plain you an' I can't lug the two a matter of a mile or more,
so one must stand guard over 'em while the other goes back to the camp.
I'm leavin' it to you to say which service you'll perform, for after
this night's work I'm willin' to admit that my recruit has in him the
makin's of a better soldier than I can ever hope to be."

The boy gave no heed to this praise at the time, although later he
remembered the words with pleasure.

Now there was in his mind a fear lest the corporal should desire him to
guard the prisoners, and, the more imminent danger over, he was growing
exceedingly timorous.

"I'll go back to the encampment if it so please you, Corporal 'Lige,
because I can run faster than you."

"As you will, lad, as you will. Explain to Colonel Ethan Allen what has
happened here and let him say how these venomous snakes are to be
treated."

During this conversation neither of the wounded men had spoken; but now,
as the boy was about to set out for the encampment, he who had evidently
acted as the leader cried sharply:

"Hold on a bit! What is the sense of sending us into your camp when we
are like to die? Why not give us a show for our lives?"

"In what way?" Corporal 'Lige asked sternly.

"By allowing us to go to our homes."

"That will do," the old soldier said angrily. "After your attempt to
kill me I'm not such a simple as to let you go scot free. Get you gone,
lad, and make the report to Colonel Allen as soon as may be."

The wounded Tory continued to plead with the corporal; but Isaac did not
wait to hear anything more.

He set out at full speed down the road in the direction where the troops
were encamped, running at his best pace, and fearing each instant lest
th