“No, we’re not rebels,” said Dick, guessing that the woman was a loyalist. “Will you kindly answer my question?” “No, I won’t,” was the reply. “I’m sure ye’re rebels, an’ ye ain’t goin’ to get any information out of me.” Then she shut the door in the faces of the youths. Dick and Ben looked at each other in rather a disconcerted manner, and then Dick said: “Oh, well, perhaps we may secure some information at the next house we come to.” Then they set out, and the house was soon out of sight behind them. The youths kept onward till they came to another cabin, which stood in a little clearing in the forest, and a woman opened the door when they knocked, as at the other cabin. But this woman answered Dick’s questions without hesitation, stating that she had not seen any parties of Indians or British soldiers. The youths then bought some provisions, and thanking the woman, went on their way. They did not find another cabin before nightfall, however, and went into camp soon after dark, on the bank of a little stream. They built a small campfire, cooked their supper, ate heartily, and then, after sitting there, talking a while, Ben lay down and went to sleep, while Dick sat up, it being their intention to take turns at standing guard throughout the night. They were in a hostile country, and might be approached and captured by redskins, Tories or redcoats while they slept. Dick stayed awake till midnight, and then woke Ben and lay down in his turn to get some sleep. Ben, although he had slept several hours, was still drowsy, and presently he dropped off to sleep again--only to be awakened later on by voices, and he looked up with a start, Dick awakening and rising to a sitting posture at the same tune, and they gazed with consternation on a party of redskins, fifteen or twenty in number, who had come upon them unawares, and surrounded them while they slept. Their ugly, painted faces looked fierce and threatening in the faint light from the moon, which shone down upon the scene, through an opening in the trees. “Ugh,” grunted one of the Indians, grinning fiendishly, and brandishing a tomahawk threateningly, “we got young white man heap plenty. No try fight, or we kill, ugh.” The youths gazed at the redskins in silent dismay. CHAPTER X At Fort Ninety-Six The British soldiers had quickly tied the hands of Tom and Harkins, and then set out through the forest with the two prisoners in their midst. “Where are you taking us?” asked Tom. “To Ninety-Six,” was the reply. “How far is that from here?” “About fifty miles.” “Why have you made us prisoners?” “Because you are rebels.” “Why do you think I am a rebel?” “We have known that Harkins is a rebel for quite a while, and the fact that you were in his company proves that you are one also.”