"Here is a knife," said Eben; "I am going to cut the cords which bind your hands; you can then liberate Baker. When you are both free, keep still until you hear the cry of the catbird, and then leap to your feet and run, taking a course direct to the left; the boys are there in ambush, and you will be safe." While Eben was speaking he succeeded in cutting the cords, and Allen's hands were free. Eben glided away as noiselessly as he came, and Allen woke Baker as quickly as possible. "Heigho! Have we to continue our journey?" "Hush! do not utter a word! We have a chance to escape, if you will listen and not speak." Allen told him all that had been done, and then quietly cut the other's cords. Both men were free. They lay as still as though the cords still bound their bodies. Allen sang another song in a low, tremulous voice. Again it had the effect of disarming suspicion. A bird warbled in a tree, rather strangely for so late at night, but as one of the men remarked that it was the bird's lookout and not his, no notice was taken of it. And then the warbling ceased and the peculiar call of the catbird was heard. Instantly the two prisoners were on their feet and making for the wood. They had got some yards before their movement was noticed. At once the soldiers seized their guns, and a volley was fired after the fugitives. The shots did not reach the mark, and pursuit was commenced. Allen heard the catbird again and again, and by its sound guided his footsteps. The soldiers were close behind and were gaining every minute, but the Mountain Boys ran pluckily, for it was a race for life in reality. They rushed into the dense wood and followed the narrow path, which was really a deer run. Some of the soldiers fired again, and a ball struck a tree and ricochetted, injuring the leader of the little band of pursuers. The accident made the men more furious, and they ran so fast that it seemed Allen and Baker must certainly fall into their hands. Suddenly the scene changed. From behind every tree there leaped out a Mountain Boy, and with one voice a shout went up: "Surrender!" It was no use resisting. The Yorkers were outnumbered. They were blown with the long run, while their enemies were fresh and their muskets loaded. "To whom are we to surrender?" asked the officer. "To Col. Allen and his Green Mountain Boys," was the answer. "On what terms?" "The same you gave us," answered Baker. "Yes, you are invaders of another colony, and must be treated as marauders," added Allen. "We are prisoners of war." "Not any more than we were, but you bound us with cords, and you must submit to the same treatment." "It is an outrage." "Very likely you think so, but you should do to others as you would they should do to you. The example was set by you, not me." Turning to his men, Allen ordered them to convey the prisoners to the camp by the lake, and added: "Shoot anyone who attempts to escape."