he canoes. Captain, if you will, please look over the outfits
and pick out what we will be able to carry and what would be most
useful to us if we should have to take to the canoes in a hurry. Don't
be alarmed," he said cheerily, noting the grave look on the others'
faces. "Things are going to go all right, but a good general always
looks to it that he has a way of retreat ready. Now, as soon as Chris
has coffee ready, we will have one last talk together about this
thing." Shouldering his rifle, he made his way to the breastwork of
fallen trees, where he paced back and forth until Chris came to relieve
him for breakfast.

During the meal, Charley went over the whole puzzle again, explaining
freely his doubts and fears, and the possibility of his whole chain of
reasoning being wrong. "Now you know all I know about it," he
concluded. "There is yet time to escape. If you say the word, we'll
start in half an hour."

The captain shook his head gravely. "Your reasoning seems clear as
print to me, lad. You have just brooded over it so long that it's
natural you should begin to have doubts and fears. To me it's as sound
as when you first gave it. That being so, we can't run an' leave them
poor ignorant savages to be shot down maybe like snipe. It wouldn't be
Christian like to go when that chance remains."

"Those are my sentiments exactly," said Walter eagerly.

"Good," Charley sighed in relief, "this shifts at least part of the
responsibility from my shoulders. Now for our plans. Walter, I am
going to put you to watch at Lookout Point to-day. If you see the
Indians, signal them in and tell them of the whole plot against
them,--there's sure to be one or more of them who understands English.
As soon as you make them understand, lead them back through the woods
till you get to the neck of the convicts' point, then post them behind
trees and stumps so the convicts cannot get by them. Then fire two
shots close together and we will be with you in ten minutes, and our
birds will be caged. Have Chris fix you up a lunch, for the Indians
are not likely to pass the point until afternoon." His voice sank from
the crisp tone of command to a softer note, and his hand for a moment
rested affectionately on his chum's shoulder as he continued. "I hate
to send you out there alone, old chap, but I have got to stay here.
The convicts may try to drive us out of this place this morning. No
matter how much shooting you may h