“It is not well, Master Bartlett, that you should tell the others what we have just heard,” Giles March said, gravely, when the old man had come to an end of his budget of news. “I had thought my heart stout enough to keep me behind these logs so long as life remained, believing I might aid those of my own blood in the valley; but, knowing what may be coming against us, I understand now how vain it will be. Those who are weak-hearted already are like to make such plaint that a retreat will be begun before the battle is commenced.” Then it was that Master Bartlett set about trying to hearten us, saying that it was not impossible the Congress, learning what was being done, would take immediate steps to send three or four companies--perhaps a regiment--to aid us. He also suggested that possibly John Butler intended to strike a blow elsewhere rather than at our valley, and there might have been some chance for hope in this last had we not known that many of the Tories were members of the Susquehanna Company, who, by shedding blood now, might establish firmly their claims upon the land. However heavy my heart had grown since Master Bartlett told us so much regarding the situation outside, I was not minded that the Minute Boys should relax their vigilance in the slightest degree, for we would hold Jenkins’s Fort as long as might be, forcing the enemy to pay the largest possible price in blood for whatsoever of advantage he gained over us. When Giles and I had made the round of the stockade to learn if every lad was doing his duty, we returned to where Master Bartlett awaited us, and then I asked if he believed it possible or advisable for us to make any attempt at rescuing Esther Hinchman, detailing the plans which had already been formed in my mind. The old man was unwilling to give a direct opinion; but that he favored something of the kind both Giles and I understood when he said: “Whatsoever you do must be done quickly, lad, before the enemy has gotten ready to make an attack upon the fort. Nothing can be accomplished by force, and, therefore, a small number only should be sent out,--say, two or three. I am ready to do my share of the work; the brother of the girl had, perhaps, better be made one of the party, and the third man can be of your own choice.” “If you had the task in hand, Master Bartlett, when would you set out?” I asked, and he replied, promptly: “As soon as the sun has set.” “It should be my right to name the third member of the party,” Giles March said, and I knew what was in his mind, but did not settle the matter then, for I was hoping there might be some change in affairs which would give me the privilege of going with Master Bartlett, therefore turned the conversation by speaking of the possibility that we might be able to add to our store of provisions.