I had feared that one or both of the men might attempt to indulge in leave-taking, and so tensely were my nerves strung then that I could not have endured anything of the kind; but, fortunately for me, not a word was spoken. After reaching the ground, it was not necessary we should hold any converse one with the other. Each of us understood what was to be done, and could see plainly before us the goal. The fire was leaping higher and higher, and a deathly sickness came into my heart, as I asked myself whether the tongues of flame had not already fastened upon the bodies of our comrades. It was as if Giles March read my thoughts, for he said in a whisper: “They haven’t begun the work of torture yet, else would we have heard songs and shouts. Yonder light comes from the camp-fire, where doubtless they are making ready supper.” As nearly as I could judge, the Indians were less than a mile away, and the night was so far advanced that it seemed necessary we take some chances of making a noise, else we might arrive too late, therefore I believe we covered the distance within half an hour, seeing nothing during that short journey betokening the presence of foes. It was as if the murdering villains, secure in their numbers, believed that no danger threatened them, or that it would not be necessary to send out scouts, because we in the fort were penned up like sheep awaiting the butcher. When we had finally arrived so near the fire as to be able to distinguish objects within the circle of illumination, it was possible to see two of our lads bound to trees near by, and looking as one may well fancy human beings would look when watching preparations that are being made for the most cruel death which can come to man. “Where are the others?” Daniel Hinchman asked in a whisper. “Already dead,” Giles March replied, confidently, “and theirs was the happier fate.” “Why can’t they have escaped?” I asked, hopefully. “Because, if such had been the case, we should have seen them at the stockade before this. Stephen Morley has said that the Indians were advancing like soldiers on a skirmish-line, covering not less than half a mile in distance, and in such case, all ignorant of the fact that so many foes were near, the lads would not have made détour wide enough to avoid them.” I hardly heard the last of his words. If, indeed, two of our lads were already dead, then were they the more fortunate. We could do nothing in their behalf, and it was of the living that care should be taken.