ever, he saw very speedily after daybreak that something
of import was taking place, and wisely waited until it could be seen that
every warrior was making ready for a grand powwow.

Now, so he told us, the Minute Boys were waiting hardly more than an
hundred yards distant, and, if it should be possible for us to make our
way through the encampment to that point, it was the determination of
every lad to fight to the best of his ability, with the hope of being able
to retreat meanwhile in case the Indians were aroused.

He who would not have done his best at escaping after all Jacob's work,
and in face of the pluck shown by our comrades, deserved of a verity to
remain prisoner even until he was led to the stake; but, as can well be
imagined, neither of us three hung back from the hazard, for surely it was
better to die fighting than be tortured as Thayendanega's wolves could
torture a human being.

Master Sitz made one stipulation, however, which was that Jacob should
lead the way as we crept out from the lodge, and, in event of our attempt
at escape being discovered while we were yet within the encampment, the
lad was to save himself without giving heed to us.

"There shall not be another victim added to our number," Jacob's father
said, in a tone of determination. "Strike out for your comrades, in case
the alarm is given, my boy, and if we are taken again leave us to our
fate."

Jacob made no reply to this; but I believed that if the need arose he
would disobey his father's command without compunction.

There was no time to linger. At any moment the powwow might be brought to
an end, or some warrior return to the encampment, therefore it stood us in
hand to move quickly, and so we did.

Not until Jacob was well outside the lodge did either of us three make any
move to follow him, and then Sergeant Corney would have pushed me under
the skins, which he raised slightly, but that I hung back, declaring it
was Master Sitz's place to go first; but the old man forced me forward.

How my heart beat when for the first time in eight days I had full command
of my limbs, and wriggled myself out into the clear air! It seemed as if
every movement of my arms or legs caused so much noise that the few who
remained in the lodges must be alarmed, and that I moved at even less than
a snail's pace, when every muscle was being strained in the effort to
advance rapidly.

The perspiration came out upon my forehead in great drops, cau