Andrew Hardy and the women had not come to us empty-handed. They brought two muskets, powder, and ball sufficient for perhaps fifty charges, and twenty pounds or more of smoked pork--all that Colonel Dennison could get together in a hurry. The colonel had sent a message to the effect that the people would set out from the stockade at daybreak; but that he was fearful an attack might be made upon them, either when they landed, or while the canoes were yet upon the river. “Are you to go back?” I asked of Andrew Hardy, and he replied: “I was told to remain and do duty in the company of Minute Boys until such time as it becomes necessary to return to the army.” “How does it happen that you got a furlough?” Stephen Morley asked. “Five of us who live nearabout here were allowed leave of absence; the others have gone in search of their families who, if they escaped death at the hands of the savages, fled with those who succeeded in leaving the valley before Fort Jenkins was taken.” I had no curiosity regarding the man, nor was I inclined to spend my time listening to what he might tell regarding the condition of affairs at Forty Fort. The word which the colonel had sent regarding the probability that our people might be attacked before it was possible for them to reach the stockade was in my mind, and, motioning Master Bartlett aside from the others, I said to him: “I am of the mind that the two canoes which we took from the enemy, together with the one we have been using, and that in which Hardy came, had best be brought inside, so we may be able to put out in case the savages pursue the helpless ones too closely.” “It is a good idea, Jonathan Ogden, and it does me good to know you can plan so well for the future. Stephen Morley and I will attend to the work, and in the meanwhile you had best make ready for trouble. It is my belief that we are like to have plenty of it before many hours have passed.” “Think you there may be danger before to-morrow morning?” “Ay, lad, you may set it down as certain that some of those red sneaks have seen Andrew Hardy and the women leave the fort, and will soon be coming down the river to learn where they went.” Then Master Bartlett called for Stephen Morley to aid him in bringing up the canoes, and I set about such preparations for meeting the enemy as it was possible to make. CHAPTER XVIII. THE REFUGEES While I was walking here and there, scrutinizing carefully all the stockade to learn where, if any, were its weak points, Esther Hinchman came up, and it goes without saying that I stopped to speak with her. “It is not for me to interfere with the men’s work in any way, Jonathan Ogden,” she began, with a bright smile, “nor would I do so even to the extent of asking questions; but we women believe we should be counted as among the defenders of the stockade and ought to be looked upon as such.” “Indeed, we so reckon you,” I replied, puzzled to guess what she might be driving at.