Tom looked back, but saw no signs of the British soldiers. He could see only about two hundred yards, however, as the path bent around the side of the mountain. Tom did not linger there, however, and after one swift glance back, he set out along the path on the run, and in about ten minutes emerged from the path into a high valley of perhaps three or four miles long and a mile and a half in width. At a point near the center he saw a group of log houses, and toward these he hastened. It was now about supper time, and Tom decided that the settlers were all at their homes. This would be better than if the men were scattered about, in the fields, at work, for they could make preparations for defense quickly. Tom kept glancing back over his shoulder as he ran toward the houses, and each time he looked, he expected to see the British soldiers coming. He had gone about halfway to the houses, however, before he caught sight of the redcoats. They were just entering the valley, and they must have caught sight of Tom and guessed what he was intending to do, for a yell went up from their lips that came to his hearing. “They have seen and recognized me,” thought Tom. “Well, I have the start of them, and will reach the settlement in time to make it possible for the men to get ready to show fight.” On ran the youth, and the redcoats could be seen to be running also, but they were not so swift-footed as Tom, and he reached the settlement while the redcoats were still more than half a mile distant. Tom stopped at the first house he came to, and opened the door without ceremony and called out: “A party of redcoats is coming to attack the settlement, sir. Get the men together quickly, if you want to make a fight.” A man came hastily to the door, and cried: “What’s thet you say, young man? Redcoats comin’ here?” “Yes, sir. You can see them, yonder, and--” “Why, ye’re one yourself!” exclaimed the man, noting Tom’s British uniform. “No, I’m a patriot that was forced to join their force. I was with that party, but got ahead of them, and came to warn you. Get the men together, quickly. How many are there in the settlement?” “About twenty-five.” “There are only twenty of the redcoats. We can whip them. Get the other men at once.” “All right. I’ll go to part of the houses and give the alarm, you go to the rest.” Then they hastened from house to house, warning the settlers, and in a less number of minutes than it takes to tell, the men were gathered at the edge of the settlement, rifles in hand, ready for the redcoats. The women and children were told to leave the houses and retire up the mountain-side, in the shelter of the rocks, and they promptly did so.