“Well spoken, Master Randolph, and it is what I might have expected one of your name would say. Here are the facts, if so be our prisoners have told the truth: Somewhere along the line of the river is a force of perhaps four hundred Britishers--I am inclined to believe the number has been overstated. However that may be, it is my purpose to advance upon them without unnecessary delay; in order to do so with any hope of success I must have some idea as to their position, and that within the shortest possible space of time.” “Meaning that you would send us on the scout, sir?” Gabriel said quickly, his face lighting up with joy. “Ay, lad, that is exactly my meaning, and it is not necessary for me to tell you how much danger there may be in such a reconnoissance, for those who have joined me here know full well that when men like us undertake to strike a blow at the king’s forces in this vicinity, they take their lives in their hands. Are you minded to set off at once?” “There is no need for such a question, General Marion,” I made bold to say. “We came to Snow’s Island hoping there might be an opportunity for us to do a soldier’s full duty, therefore stand ready to obey any command.” “But in such a case as this, lads, I would not give a command. He who sets out on the scout with the chances of running full upon an overwhelming force, must go as a volunteer.” “That we are ready to do, sir,” Archie replied, and the general added, with a nod of his head as if he had already known what our answer would be: “Then you are to start without delay. I would not undertake to say how the task can best be performed. The Tories who gave us the information were themselves ignorant of the precise location of Captain Barfield’s command, therefore your method of gaining information must be according to the circumstances which arise. Do not burden yourselves with rations or weapons; take only so much as may be necessary to defend yourself from the chance comer, and in the event of being surrounded, surrender quickly rather than sacrifice your lives. As to provisions, sufficient for one meal will be enough, since after breakfast to-morrow morning you will be in another world, with us again, or prisoners among the foe. At noon to-morrow we shall set out at a slow pace down the river, hoping to meet you on the way, and our course will be somewhat with that of the stream, although we may have to enter the woods to the southward of it in order to remain under cover of the timber. That which I want to know is somewhere near the number of the enemy, the general situation of the camp, and, if may be, an approach to it by which a surprise can best be effected. I shall hope to see you before sunset to-morrow, lads.”