Then came the time when I realized that it would be worse than folly to answer their shots. The curs were so near that nothing save speed would avail us, and I gave the word for the lads to run at their best speed, without regard to anything except keeping themselves hidden from view as much as possible. When I came up to where the canoes had been left, they were already in the water, and now was our time of greatest peril, for while paddling out from the shore the savages could shoot at will. “We’re working for our lives now, lads!” I said, speaking hurriedly, while clambering into the frail craft. “Let all save those at the paddles be ready to shoot when the first villain breaks cover, and while reloading, bend over as much as possible, lest you give them too fair a mark at which to aim.” As I think of the matter now, it seems almost incredible that any of us got away alive, and yet we finally came out of the scrimmage with only one wound in addition to that which I had received. Miles Parker had an ugly cut on his cheek as good proof that John Butler’s wolves were precious poor marksmen, and my arm was useless. Before getting well clear of the shore we put an end to three of the wolves who had ravaged the valley, and then, in midstream, we could see the flames leaping high into the air over Forty Fort, telling that the last stockade remaining on that side of the river was speedily being destroyed. “It’s a good night’s work, lads!” I cried, exultantly, heeding not the pain in my arm. “We have struck a blow such as they won’t forget, and it will go hard if we can’t deal another now that they are without a fort, save by crossing the river!” “If we can only keep after them!” Giles March cried. “Two or three more nights like this one, and they would be glad to follow John Butler’s trail.” “They shall have as much more of this work as they are willing to stand,” I replied, hotly. “The two of us who are wounded will soon be ready for duty again, and in the meantime the rest of you can keep up the dance.” Then we were within hailing distance of our stockade, and Master Bartlett’s voice came to us from across the water, as he asked, anxiously: “Are you all there, lads?” “Ay, and with but two slight wounds to show for all the powder and lead those curs have wasted,” I replied, gleefully. “And it was you who set fire to Forty Fort?” “That we did, and if our company had been a little larger, I dare venture to say we could have taken the stockade.” “We couldn’t have held it, therefore it is better it should go up in smoke without delay,” Master Bartlett replied, and then we were at the shore. Carrying the canoes with us, we entered the stockade, and it so chanced that Daniel Hinchman and I were side by side when Esther came up. “Which of you has been wounded?” she asked, sharply, and Daniel made answer: