y. While he sat there, Henry Ware came to him, and
taking off his hat, announced that he wished to make a proposition.

"Well, Henry, my lad," said the Colonel, kindly, "what is it that you
have to say? As for me, I confess I don't know what to do."

"Somebody must go down the Licking and communicate with Colonel Logan,"
replied the youth. "I feel sure that he has not come up yet, and that he
has not been in contact with the Indians. If his force could break
through and join us, we could drive the Indians out of our path."

"Your argument is good as far as it goes," said Colonel Clark somewhat
sadly, "but how are we to communicate with Logan? We are surrounded by a
ring of fire. Not a man of ours dare go a hundred yards from camp. What
way is there to reach Logan?"

"By water."

"By water? What do you mean?"

"Down the Ohio and up the Licking."

Colonel Clark stared at Henry.

"That's an easy thing to talk about," he said, "but who's going down the
Ohio and then up the Licking for Logan?"

"I--with your permission."

Colonel Clark stared still harder, and his eyes widened a little with
appreciation, but he shook his head.

"It's a patriotic and daring thing for you to propose, my boy," he said,
"but it is impossible. You could never reach the mouth of the Licking
even, and yours is too valuable a life to be thrown away in a wild
attempt."

But Henry was not daunted. He had thought over his plan long and well,
and he believed that he could succeed.

"I have been along the Ohio before, and I have also been down the
Licking," he said. "The night promises to be cloudy and dark like last
night and I feel sure that I can get through. I have thought out
everything, and I wish to try. Say that you are willing for me to go,
Colonel."

Colonel Clark hesitated. He had formed a strong liking for the tall
youth before him, and he did not wish to see his life wasted, but the
great earnestness of Henry's manner impressed him. The youth's quiet
tone expressed conviction, and expressed it so strongly that Colonel
Clark, in his turn, felt it.

"What is your plan?" he asked.

"When the night reaches its darkest I will start with a little raft,
only four or five planks fastened together. I do not want a canoe. I
want something that blends with the surface of the water. I'll swim,
pushing it before me until I am tired, and then I'll rest upon it. Then
I'll swim again."

"Do you really think you can get through?" asked