I think the fever of battle was yet upon Giles March, when we had finished the mournful task of laying our comrade in his last bed, for no sooner was that done than he said eagerly to me: “Now is the time when we may make an effort to release Daniel Hinchman’s sister, with more chance of success than ever before.” “What do you mean, Giles?” I cried, in surprise. “We have but just brought to an end as severe a battle as we shall ever again fight, however long we claim to be soldiers, and would you run another hazardous venture on the heels of this?” “Ay, that I would, Jonathan Ogden. The Indians have been beaten thoroughly, and for a certain time are cowed by failing to capture this stockade, which, doubtless, they believed would fall into their hands like a rotten apple. Now is come the time for us to strike.” “I believe the lad speaks truly,” Master Bartlett said, as he joined us. “If I know anything of the red sneaks, they will not make another assault upon this fort to-night, but will spend the time mourning over the dead, and patching up the living who bear the marks of our weapons. More than that, it is not reasonable for them to suppose we would attempt so soon to strike a blow in return.” “It is my right to leave the stockade this time,” Giles said, in a tone so firm that I realized it would be useless to argue against his proposal, whereupon I replied, turning to Master Bartlett: “If it so be you think it right for three of this small party to venture into yet further danger, leaving us weak as we are, go, although it would please me better that Giles took the command of the fort while I journeyed toward Wintermoot’s.” “Are you ready, Master Bartlett?” the lad asked, eagerly, and I fancied there was somewhat of grim pleasure in the old man’s heart at the thought of such a venture, for he replied promptly: “Ay, that I am, lad, and the sooner we set off, the sooner will we be trying to get back inside this fence of logs.” “Yes, if you live to return,” I said, moodily, whereat the old man clapped me on the shoulder heartily, as he cried: “Those who venture most are apt to live the longest,--at least, that has been my experience. I’m not claiming that we’ll be able to release the girl; but ’twixt now and sunrise we shall know if it be possible.” Giles had already gone into the blockhouse to find Daniel Hinchman, and I was hardly yet recovered from the daze which had come over me with the idea of setting out on a venture directly on the heels of a battle, when the three were marching toward the small gate. I ran after them to unbar it, wishing to have even that slight share in the task, after which they crept silently out. “God be with you,” I whispered. “If He goes with either party this night, it will be with us,” Master Bartlett said grimly, and then the three were lost to view in the gloom.