"Sure, he would not have the sinse to do such a thing himself," asserted Tim, determined to deny any credit to the Dutchman. "You talks, Mr. Tim," said Fritz, "but you says nothings from your mouth out." "Let's turn in now," laughed Dick, "and we'll let you fellows fight it out tomorrow." "Yes, I'm tired," said Tom, "and, Dick, we can swap stories tomorrow for I have lots to tell and there is a great deal we would like to hear about your trip." CHAPTER XVI. CONCLUSION. "Vincennes at last," shouted Tom Dare, six days after the four boys had come together. "Maybe I'm not glad we are here." "For myself, I haf no doubt aboud id," said Fritz. "I'm glad we've reached here within the limit of time allowed us," Dick added. "With the whole av two days to spare," said Tim. "Faith, an' Oi think we had best be stayin' on the outside av the town till our toime is after bein' up." "Nein," replied Fritz. "Ve'll rest in houses already yet, und not in fields, dose two days." "They won't be lettin' you into a house, me bye," joked Tim. The quartet had reached the clearing and were close to the walls of the fort at Vincennes by now. From many of the doorways of the houses women and children stared at them suspiciously. The men were all away in the fields and strangers in the little frontier town were quite naturally regarded with suspicion until they became known. The boys went directly to the fort, which was held by a handful of troops recruited from the hardy frontiersmen of the section, and Dick led the way to the man on guard at the opening of the stockade. "We want to see the commander," he said to the trooper. "And whom might ye be?" he queried. "We are messengers from Charleston," Dick replied, "and have some very important orders for your captain." "Well, you young fellers stay right where ye be, and I'll go see about it." The man sauntered off with his head turned, keeping an eye on the boys to see that they were obeying his instructions. Then he disappeared and in a minute more they saw the same man come out of one of the log huts in the enclosure and beckon to them. The four entered and were soon in the presence of the captain of the fort. "Well, what can we do for you?" he asked, kindly. "We have duplicate messages for you, captain," said Dick, "which we have brought through from Charleston. They are relative to alliances it will be necessary to make with some of your Indian neighbors, and haste is imperative." "You have certainly had a long journey," said the captain, taking the silk wrapped packages that Tom and Dick handed him. "You are the first ones through since six weeks ago. What is the news from back home? And, by the way, may I ask your name, and those of your friends?" Dick told him their names, and also that they were connected with Captain Morgan's company.