"I've no doubt what you say is all true," replied Rangely,--"true as the Bible, and they say that's just so. But, you see, these Indians get together in their towns, three or four hundred of them: there they keep their women, children, and ammunition the French give 'em, lay out their plans, and divide their scalping-parties to go to those places they think most exposed. When they have struck their blow, they go back with their scalps and prisoners to have a great dance and jollification, and get ready for another raid, and the whites that are left flee into the older settlements, and leave the country to them. They don't kere any thing 'bout the forts: they're a good ways apart, and they can pass 'em night or day." "That's so," said Maccoy. "What they want is to have the Province raise a force of men what know the woods, and have had experience in fighting Indians,--not a blasted red-coat among 'em,--and carry the war into the Indian country up to their towns, clean 'em out, kill their women and children, burn up their possessions and forts now just as winter comes on: that'll quail 'em to some purpose. I reckon," said Ned, looking round him, "I've come to the right place for that sort of men: think I've seen some of 'em afore to-day, and when the bullets were flying lively." "But," said Stewart, "an' we tak' the gait you propose, what will hinder the scalping-parties you speak of from falling upon our families while we're awa'?" "You have a very strong fort here, have taught the Indians some hard lessons, and, after this last mauling, they won't be in a hurry to meddle with you. You can leave enough to defend the fort, and then spare quite a number. It's for you, not for me, to judge whether by going on this expedition you won't be taking the best method to break the power of the Indians, and protect yourselves for the time to come." Thus far the debate had been carried on chiefly by McClure, Holdness, and Armstrong. Israel Blanchard was not present; and the young men, though eager for any thing that promised a fight with Indians, were too modest to obtrude their views; while Honeywood had not opened his mouth. Noticing this, McClure said,-- "I should like to have Mr. Honeywood's mind on this matter." "I," said Honeywood, "would inquire, in the first place, who is to command this force it is proposed to raise?" "Sure enough! We've been beating all about the bush; and Ned, as he allers does, has hit the nail right on the head," said Holdness. "Who is to command it? Kernel Armstrong," replied Rangely. "I wat weel that makes an unco difference, sae much that it becomes us to gie the matter special consideration," said Stewart. "Indeed it makes a difference," said Holdness. "I know Kernel Armstrong right well. I've fought with him, and fought under him: so has Hugh Crawford who's dead and gone, and Harry's father."