“It is the Indians who are entrusted with the task of capturing the fort,” Elias whispered, as we gazed. “The Tories will take no hand in the work unless it should become necessary--at least, that is my way of figuring it.” “There is no good reason why we should speculate upon the future,” I said, irritably, made nervous by the desire to return to my comrades. “Let us finish our business here as soon as may be. If Esther Hinchman is held prisoner by those scoundrels, we should be able to get some glimpse of her before very long, for I can’t believe they think it necessary to guard her closely.” We were concealed within the thicket at a point where there was the least likelihood of our being come upon through accident by the enemy, and, therefore, felt reasonably secure. During the quarrels between the several claimants for Wyoming, even the youngest lads had become accustomed to danger, and this I say in order that it may be the better understood why Elias and I could thus take care of ourselves in such a situation as we then were. In fact, for as long a time as I could remember, we had been ever on the lookout for a foe, and were almost as skilful at hiding ourselves in the wilderness as are the wild things. Within an hour from the time of our arrival the work was accomplished, so far as learning whether Esther Hinchman was held a prisoner by those savages who were under command of Col. John Butler, for we saw a white girl moving timidly about, showing by every movement that she was a stranger to the place and the people who surrounded her. “I reckon this portion of the task is the same as finished,” Elias said, after we had watched the poor girl a few moments, “and now comes the question as to whether you are still determined that one of us--which will, of course, be me--must go down the valley, and give information of what is happening hereabouts.” I had already made up my mind as to that, and was determined there should be no discussion. “Yes, you are to go, Elias,” I said, in a tone of one who has well considered the matter, “and the sooner you set off the better. There will be no necessity of travelling farther than Forty Fort, and once you have arrived there, see to it that the people understand how great is the danger which menaces. It is better that you put it too strongly, rather than allow them to believe there is a chance they may not be attacked.” “And after that has been done?” he asked. “Come back to Jenkins’s Fort as soon as possible, for you know that we shall need you, unless, peradventure, we are by that time past all need of human help.” Elias half turned as if to speak, then quickly, with a gesture of impatience, he turned his face in the direction I would have him go, gliding through the thicket on a course which would take him considerably to the westward of Wintermoot’s, and making no more noise than might have been caused by a squirrel. CHAPTER III. SIMON BARTLETT