"Somebody must go down the Licking and communicate with Colonel Logan," replied the youth. "I feel sure that he has not come up yet, and that he has not been in contact with the Indians. If his force could break through and join us, we could drive the Indians out of our path." "Your argument is good as far as it goes," said Colonel Clark somewhat sadly, "but how are we to communicate with Logan? We are surrounded by a ring of fire. Not a man of ours dare go a hundred yards from camp. What way is there to reach Logan?" "By water." "By water? What do you mean?" "Down the Ohio and up the Licking." Colonel Clark stared at Henry. "That's an easy thing to talk about," he said, "but who's going down the Ohio and then up the Licking for Logan?" "I--with your permission." Colonel Clark stared still harder, and his eyes widened a little with appreciation, but he shook his head. "It's a patriotic and daring thing for you to propose, my boy," he said, "but it is impossible. You could never reach the mouth of the Licking even, and yours is too valuable a life to be thrown away in a wild attempt." But Henry was not daunted. He had thought over his plan long and well, and he believed that he could succeed. "I have been along the Ohio before, and I have also been down the Licking," he said. "The night promises to be cloudy and dark like last night and I feel sure that I can get through. I have thought out everything, and I wish to try. Say that you are willing for me to go, Colonel." Colonel Clark hesitated. He had formed a strong liking for the tall youth before him, and he did not wish to see his life wasted, but the great earnestness of Henry's manner impressed him. The youth's quiet tone expressed conviction, and expressed it so strongly that Colonel Clark, in his turn, felt it. "What is your plan?" he asked. "When the night reaches its darkest I will start with a little raft, only four or five planks fastened together. I do not want a canoe. I want something that blends with the surface of the water. I'll swim, pushing it before me until I am tired, and then I'll rest upon it. Then I'll swim again." "Do you really think you can get through?" asked the Colonel. "I'm sure of it." Colonel Clark paced back and forth for a minute or two. "It looks terribly dangerous," he said at last, "but from all I have heard you've done some wonderful things, and if you can reach Logan in time, it will relieve us from this coil." "I can do it! I can do it!" said Henry eagerly. Colonel Clark looked at him long and scrutinizingly. He noted his height, his powerful figure, the wonderful elasticity that showed with every step he took, and his firm and resourceful gaze. "Well, go," he said, "and God be with you." "I shall start the moment full darkness comes," said Henry.