"About four or five hundred, I should say." "Do you think we can handle them?" "Don't see any reason why we can't," drawled Dan. "Reckon half of them will die of fright when they see us." Arrangements were quickly made. They were to make a sudden dash and ride the full length of the line, ordering those who had arms to give them up. Riding into the valley the troop, whooping and yelling like mad men, suddenly dashed upon the unsuspecting recruits. If an army had fallen from the sky they could not have been more astonished. Consternation seized them, and many, leaving everything, fled for the hills, but the greater part of them surrendered, begging for mercy. Not a shot was fired. It was a bloodless victory. The prisoners were gathered together; they numbered nearly four hundred. Being deprived of all arms, they were powerless. What to do with them was the question. "The only thing we can do," said Lawrence, "is to parole them." "And they will keep their parole just as long as we are in sight and no longer," growled Dan. "Can't help it. It's the only thing we can do." The train was now thoroughly searched and many of the wagons were found to contain cloth, boots and shoes, and a goodly quantity of powder and shot. All such articles were destroyed and the wagons burnt. The prisoners looked on sullenly. Lawrence noticed there was a scarcity of provisions, and inquired what it meant. One of the prisoners told him they were suffering from hunger, but had been told they would find plenty of food here in the valley of the La Belle. "We 'uns be jes' starvin'," said the prisoner. "I will see what I can do," said Lawrence. "If there is food here you will surely get it." About this time Mr. Chittenden appeared. There had been great excitement at the house when it was known that the Yankees were in the valley and had succeeded in capturing the train. Mr. Chittenden feared that if it became known that he had gathered supplies for the South, not only would he be arrested, but his home and buildings burned. "I reckon," he said to Grace, "that I will ride down and see what force it is, and who is in command." "Don't go, father," begged Grace. "You know what you have been doing." "It is best, Grace. They may not find it out, and if they do, it won't mend matters for me to stay here." "But, father, you can take to the hills until they are gone." "What! Leave you here unprotected? Never!" "Where is Mark?" asked Grace. "I have not seen him for three or four days." "Gone off on some secret expedition. Said he might be gone several days. Grace, I believe he is trailing Big Tom. He has an idea he will return and wreak his vengeance on us." Grace turned pale. "What! Mark gone, all alone?" she asked.