Therefore it was that I called the lads together, asking if any of them were minded to go out in search of game, and found that it would be necessary to make a detail by name, since every member of the company was willing to take the chances in order to add to the store of food. I selected two of the lads whom I knew to be good shots, and Giles March named two others. These four we sent out at once, with instructions for them to remain near the bank of the river, and not to venture above three miles from the stockade. When they had gone we added the names of the newcomers to our company of Minute Boys, dividing the whole into three squads as before, and settled down to routine duty, with good reason to believe nothing menacing would occur, at least until another day had come. Then it was that Giles and I threw ourselves on the ground in the shade of the blockhouse to sleep, and when we awakened night had fully come. Rising to my feet, wonderfully refreshed by the few hours of dreamless repose, I asked, curiously, of the first lad I saw, whether the hunters had brought much game. “They haven’t come back yet,” was the reply. “Master Morley and Simon Bartlett are yonder on the eastern angle, watching for them.” “Haven’t come back!” I cried, in dismay. “It was understood that even though they were on the track of a deer, there should be no question of returning before sunset,” and, filled with apprehension, I ran toward that portion of the enclosure where I saw the two men of whom the lad had spoken, peering intently into the thicket. “What can have happened?” I asked, nervously, climbing up by the side of Master Bartlett, and he replied in a whisper: “According to my belief, lad, they have met the advance of Butler’s force, and been taken prisoners.” “But they were told to stay near the bank of the river!” I cried. “True, and that was because you and I were so stiff in our own opinions as to believe the Tory crew would keep on the direct course from the burnt district to Wintermoot’s, whereas the chances are the scoundrels counted on first having a look at Fort Jenkins.” “We must go at once in search of them,” I cried, not stopping to realize that but a short time before, when Daniel Hinchman pleaded for aid to find his sister, I refused to allow any one to depart on so hazardous a venture in the night. “To what end, lad?” Master Bartlett asked, sorrowfully. “If matters are as Stephen Morley and I fear, then, even though you turn this entire force out, nothing could be done. To my mind, if four lads well armed were overcome, then was it done by such numbers as are too many for us.” “And are we to sit here idle?” I cried, almost beside myself with grief, since it seemed as if I was directly responsible for their safety because of having allowed them to go.