The wind still held strongly from the north, and Jason Wentworth announced in a tone of satisfaction: "The rebels won't get very far on their journey toward Crown Point this day, and I am mistaken if the wind doesn't freshen after sunset." "It will be precious hard work for us to make our way against such a breeze," Ezra Jones grumbled. "Ay; but we can do it with four oars out, and even though we pull at them twenty-four hours, the labor should count as nothing so that we arrive in good time." "But the garrison there is weak?" "They should be able to hold out until assistance can arrive. We can muster fifty men for them within two hours; but standing here talking isn't doing the work, and it's important we set off without unnecessary delay. Ezra, you go down the shore, and Matthew up, each searching for a boat, and when one has been found pull to this point, where I will stay with the prisoners." "Is it to your mind that I shall take the craft from opposite the fort, running the risk of being overhauled?" "Better that than remain here wasting time in talk." Matthew White was of the opinion that it would be wisest to make the journey afoot rather than take the risk of being overhauled by the "rebels;" but to this Master Wentworth would not listen, and, he evidently being the leader of the party, carried his point. The two men set out, and immediately after their departure Jason Wentworth ordered his prisoners back into the underbrush a short distance from the shore, where he stood guard over them, and at the same time could keep close watch for the return of his companions. CHAPTER IX. A BOLD STROKE. Isaac's heart beat hard and fast when he and Nathan were thus left with but a single man to guard them, for he believed the time had come when they might succeed in turning the tables, because surely it would be easier to overpower one than three. In this, however, he soon came to understand that he was mistaken. Had either of the others been left on guard it is possible something might have been done; but Jason Wentworth was not a man to be caught napping, and while he seemingly directed his gaze out over the waters, at the slightest movement of either of the prisoners he was on the alert against an attempt at escape. Twice had Isaac changed his position in order to make certain the man was keeping close watch upon them when his attention was apparently directed elsewhere, and each time he saw Master Wentworth's musket raised that it might be ready in case a bullet was needed to check the flight of his captives. "You had better not try that again," the man said warningly when Isaac shifted his position the third time for no other reason than to make himself more comfortable. "In a case like this your lives count as nothing, and while I am unwilling to leave you to starve in the woods, I shall not hesitate to kill either or both, therefore do not make any feint at giving me the slip lest my patience should become exhausted."