The major was plainly upset by the loss his troops had suffered, but he evidently did not suspect the boys of anything wrong, for he smiled gravely when he saw them, and merely said, "There will be plenty of room in the troop for you two now, I think. We have driven off those red-skinned devils, but it has cost us pretty dearly. You two gave the first alarm, didn't you?" "I think we were the first to discover the enemy," replied Tom, quietly. "Good," returned the officer, "I shall remember your services." When they had withdrawn, Tim had great difficulty in restraining his laughter, but they soon had to turn and help the wounded troopers, which effectually drove all thoughts of mirth out of the boys' minds. The wounded men were made as comfortable as possible, and it was decided to dispatch a messenger to the ten troopers who had been sent down with the horses, to come up and convey them back to the nearest settlement for further care. The dead were to be buried in the morning, and it was almost daybreak when the tired soldiers and Tom and Tim finally turned in to snatch a hasty nap. They threw out an ample picket line and waited for morning to take up the pursuit again. Early on the morrow the camp was all astir, and before taking up the trail again, a council of war was held, and it was decided to execute the Indian prisoner, whose capture had brought about the attack, as a lesson to the redmen. Tom heard of this brutal plan, and resolved to see what he could do to upset the arrangements. He and Tim talked it over, but could arrive at no safe way to set the Indian free. Any friendly move on their part would have brought trouble upon their own heads, and they were still seeking for a feasible scheme when the company took up the march, the Indian in their midst, with his hands tied behind him. "Ividently they are not going to have the hanging hereabouts," said Tim. "No, they must be hard to suit," replied Tom. "There are dozens of big trees all around, and yet there are none that please them." "Oi have an oidea that it's some showy place the villains are afther." "Probably," agreed Tom. "They want to make an example so that every Indian that goes through these forsaken parts can see." "Hi there, boys, the major wants you back at the end of the line," called a trooper to Tim and Tom, just then. "All right," responded Tom, as they turned to obey the summons. "Phat can the ould feller be afther?" queried Tim. "Don't know," answered Tom. "But we'll see in a minute." The major was walking rapidly along behind the first company of men, and by his side the young southerner, who had been in turn so antagonistic to each of the Dare boys. "There is a very serious charge against you, young men," said the officer. "Mr. Andrews, here, says you are friends of the party we are after, and that during the fight last night you communicated with them. What have you to say?"