After that Isaac was exceedingly careful, as was young Beman, to remain silent and motionless. While Corporal 'Lige's recruit was ready to encounter serious danger in order to accomplish his ends, there was no idea in his mind of risking life needlessly when there was nothing to be gained. Young Beman lay face downward, as he had thrown himself when the halt was called, giving no heed to the conversation between his comrade and Master Wentworth, and Isaac believed young Beman intended for him to understand that he would take no part in an effort to effect their release. An hour passed and nothing had been heard from the two who had gone in search of a boat. It surely seemed as if they must have met with some mishap, and a great hope sprang up in Isaac's breast. When thirty minutes more had passed Master Wentworth's face gave evidence of the anxiety which had come upon him, and he looked toward his prisoners with such an odd expression that Isaac Rice trembled, fearing the man was beginning to believe it would be better to do with them as his friends had suggested. Then, when it seemed impossible for Jason Wentworth longer to control his impatience, Master White returned as when he departed, and having the appearance of one who had walked far and rapidly. "You found no boat?" Master Wentworth said interrogatively, and the man replied, as he seated himself wearily near by the prisoners: "I do not believe there is one this side of Crown Point. Most likely the rebels took good care to gather in every craft that was to be found within half a dozen miles of here." For the first time since the little party came to a halt did Nathan evince any interest in what was going on around him, and now he partially turned as if to speak. Isaac, believing he was on the point of telling what he knew regarding the seizure of boats, covered the boy's mouth with his hand, for he was not minded to give the enemy any information. Master Wentworth observed the movement, and evidently would have demanded an explanation, but for the fact that at this moment Ezra Jones came up through the thicket, instead of along the shore. His report was much like Master White's. The boat he had expected to find near the trail leading to Sudbury was missing, and he had continued on nearly two miles further, but without avail. Again did hope come into Isaac's desponding breast. The boy had believed Master Jones would surely find the craft in which he and Nathan had crossed the lake; but fortune favored the "rebel" cause in that respect at least, for the man must have turned about, when, by continuing on a very short distance further, he would have come upon that for which he was searching. "We must go on foot," Master Wentworth said after a short pause, "and the sooner we set out the better."