ouple of spies to give all the proof you two gave me."

The captain opened his bag and showed first his instructions given
before he left Ogdensburg four days ago; he bared his arm and showed a
tattooed U. S. A., a relic of Academy days, then his linen marked J. F.,
and a signet ring with similar initials, and last the great packet of
papers addressed to General Hampton. Then he said: "When you hand over
your despatches to me I will give mine to you and we shall have good
guarantee each of the other."

Rolf rose, produced his bundle of papers, and exchanged them for those
held by Forsyth; each felt that the other was safe. They soon grew
friendly, and Rolf heard of some stirring doings on the lake and
preparations for a great campaign in the spring.

After half an hour the tall, handsome captain left them and strode away,
a picture of manly vigour. Three hours later they were preparing their
evening meal when Skookum gave notice of a stranger approaching. This
was time of war; Rolf held his rifle ready, and a moment later in burst
the young man who had been Captain Forsyth's driver.

His face was white; blood dripped from his left arm, and in his other
hand was the despatch bag. He glanced keenly at Rolf. "Are you General
Hampton's scout?" Rolf nodded and showed the badge on his breast.
"Captain Forsyth sent this back," he gasped. "His last words were, 'Burn
the despatches rather than let the British get them.' They got him--a
foraging party--there was a spy at the hotel. I got away, but my tracks
are easy to follow unless it drifts. Don't wait."

Poor boy, his arm was broken, but he carried out the dead officer's
command, then left them to seek for relief in the settlement.

Night was near, but Rolf broke camp at once and started eastward with
the double packet. He did not know it then, but learned afterward that
these despatches made clear the weakness of Oswego, Rochester, and
Sackett's Harbour, their urgent need of help, and gave the whole plan
for an American counter attack on Montreal. But he knew they were
valuable, and they must at once be taken to General Hampton.

It was rough, hard going in the thick woods and swamps away from the
river, for he did not dare take the ice route now, but they pushed on
for three hours, then, in the gloom, made a miserable camp in a cedar
swamp.

At dawn they were off again. To their disgust the weather now was dead
calm; there was no drift to hide their tracks; the trail