"That goes without saying, and it shows what a fool I've been in running around with those who would oppose the king's will. If father is eager to ruin himself, that's no reason I should be a fool, and I'd better have listened to mother." "Why speak of what has been done?" Corporal 'Lige's recruit asked in what he intended should be a soothing tone. "I am not acquainted with the country as you are, neither am I so brave; but yet it seems as if we should be on the alert for a chance to escape." "Now you talk like a fool! How may we escape with these three men on watch, all of whom are willing to shoot us at the first chance we give them. I'm not minded to have a bullet put through my body; but would rather trust to the king's troops, in the hope that after a time we may be set free." "Yet if we could give these men the slip?" "You may be certain we shan't have a chance." "Yet, suppose we did?" "Why will you be so weak-headed, Isaac Rice? If this is really war between the king and the colonies, the lives of boys like us count for but little, especially since two of these men are eager to be rid of us." Isaac understood that it was useless just at this time to make any attempt at arousing his companion from the petulant despondency into which he had fallen, wherefore wisely kept silent; but at the same time was firmly resolved to be on the lookout for any opportunity of gaining his freedom. His timorousness had fled before the thought that there might yet be a chance, he knew not how, of preventing the information of the fall of Ticonderoga from being carried to Crown Point. The boy had in his heart just then what is commonly called courage, and his will was good, at whatever cost to himself, to repair the mischief which had been done. He had hoped to animate his companion to the same pitch, but the failure to do this did not discourage him, and while obeying strictly the orders given, he was keenly aware of everything which might be of benefit. He heard the men discussing what they would do in case of a failure to find a boat near by where they gained the shore, and learned that in such an event one of them would return to the landing-place to get the craft of which they knew, with the idea that a single oarsman would not be molested while pulling leisurely up stream as if bent on business of his own. He also understood that it was the purpose of his captors, after warning the garrison at Crown Point, to muster a force of Loyalists from the immediate vicinity, and march into Sudbury with the idea of taking Captain Baker and his men prisoners before a second messenger should be sent from Ticonderoga. There seemed little hope that such information could avail him, and yet he was in a certain degree elated because of having gained it. On arriving at the shore of the lake, where the men had thought it possible a boat might be found, no craft of any kind was to be seen.