During a full half-hour we could hear them moving around just over our heads, as if loath to set out on the final stage of their journey, and then the sounds died away until silence reigned as before the renegades and curs showed themselves. Even then we in the tunnel did not dare to speak lest some of the party had remained behind to act as sentinels, and were sitting there silent and motionless, when those sounds were heard which told that Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley were entering the hiding-place by way of the ruins. Then we knew all the ruffians had departed, and straightway our tongues were loosened, as we asked of the men what they had seen, at the same time explaining how it was we knew of what had been going on. “I reckon you are as wise as we,” Master Bartlett replied, “for we were obliged to remain at a distance. They have gone to take the cave, and it is safe guessing that not one of them will dare to remain in the woods after dark, even though it can be seen only a party of fugitives were concealed there. Stephen Morley and I believe it will be possible to deal out such a dose that they won’t be eager to visit this side of the river any oftener than may be absolutely necessary, therefore if you lads who can move about are minded to come with us, the work of the Minute Boys can be begun ’twixt now and sunset.” Never one of us waited to hear what the old man’s plan might be; but all eagerly set about making ready for the excursion, and ten minutes had not passed before the male members of the party, save only Elias Shendle and Sam Rogers, were in the open air, seeking cover in the nearest thicket. Master Bartlett led us up-stream, once we were within the shelter of the woods, until having left the tunnel nearly a mile behind, and then halted where it was possible to have a full view of the river. “What is the plan?” Daniel Hinchman asked eagerly when we were come to a halt. “There isn’t any, lad,” Master Bartlett replied, with a laugh. “It only came to Stephen Morley and me that we might begin to square accounts with those curs at once. They will, of course, go up-stream, at least as far as Forty Fort, after finding that the cave is empty, and I’m reckoning that we won’t see them this way until nearly dark. We’ll scatter along the bank twenty paces or so apart, keeping under cover, of course, and when they show up, open fire. They won’t have the heart to come ashore in search of us; but in case they should, we are to strike out for the cave, going as nearly as may be over their trail. That’s all we had decided upon, and if things don’t go as we have figured, it will be a case of each for himself, with the understanding that no one is to go near the tunnel until it is certain he will not be seen by the enemy.”