"Not so. You left Ticonderoga as guide, and it would not be seemly in me, who am a stranger here as well as a lad unaccustomed to this sort of warfare which is now being conducted, to do other than follow your lead; but----" The remark which was intended to soothe the irritation in the guide's breast was not concluded, for Isaac was interrupted by the sudden and unexpected appearance of three men, who came upon the boys as if from an ambush. "Hullo!" Master Beman cried carelessly as if something in the way of a salutation was expected from him. Instead of replying to this hail the two lads were seized roughly, and without a word the strangers, taking possession of the musket, began searching the messengers' clothing as if expecting something of value or importance would be found. "Look here! What are you about?" Nathan cried angrily, while Isaac submitted in silence, for he understood that these three might be enemies to the cause. "What do you mean by handling me in this shape?" "Better keep your tongue between your teeth, young Beman," one of the men said in a surly tone. "When we ask for information there'll be time enough for you to wag it so freely." Surprised at having been thus recognized, and heedless of the warning, Nathan continued: "Who are you? I never saw you before! What right have you to handle me in this fashion?" "The right of any of his majesty's subjects, for in these times it is well to overhaul every rebel one runs across." "I'm no rebel!" Nathan cried, now exhibiting signs of alarm. "Your father is, which amounts to the same thing," the man replied, as, after having satisfied himself the lad had nothing concealed about his person, he rose to his feet. "Why are you abroad to-day?" "How long since is it that a lad may not move about as he wishes?" "Since rebellion first showed its head in these colonies. Now, answer my question, or it will be the worse for you!" Isaac, thoroughly alarmed, had made no resistance either by word or movement when the stranger searched him, and although ignorant, as he had often said, of warfare, he understood now full well that they were fallen into the hands of enemies, who would not hesitate at the taking of human life in order to compass their ends. Therefore he remained stretched upon the ground as when the men first came upon them, so terrified that it was almost impossible either to move or speak. Young Beman was frightened, but not to such an extent as to prevent him from displaying anger, and instead of replying to the question he attempted to rise to his feet. A blow delivered with unnecessary force sent him headlong to the ground again, and his captor said warningly: "Have a care what you are about, Nathan Beman, for we are not disposed either to bandy words or waste much time on such as you, who, having professed friendship for those in the fort, was ready to betray them."