It was Master Bartlett who aroused us from the dangerous mood into which we were allowing ourselves to drift, and I afterward came to realize that, when we gave aid to him, we were but struggling to preserve the one who should save us from such a death as would have brought shame to our names, for he who ceases to fight simply because the odds are heavy against him is indeed a coward. “I’m willing to grant, lads, that it looks as if we had fallen into hard lines,” the old man said, after giving Giles and me time in which to realize that we had the same as surrendered at a moment when our best efforts were needed. “The question is, however, whether you are willing to die here, as do the brutes, without reasoning, leaving our friends in the valley to call in vain for your services, or, if you can, as brave men should, fight against the weakness of your bodies so long as the last ounce of strength remains?” “It is not possible for me to make my way through the thicket to the river,” I said, in despair. “When we set off all so boldly, I was well-nigh at the end of my rope, and now am I done up in good truth.” “If that be the case, if you are indeed at the end of your strength, then is there nothing left but to meet death with a smile on your lips, as should a lad who bears the name of Ogden. It is not well to show the white feather at the last moment, when, as you have said, it is possible to die in peace,” Master Bartlett said, mockingly. “It will be time for me to surrender when I can no longer raise a hand toward helping myself, and, because I am yet able to keep on my feet, I count on fighting against fate many hours longer.” Then the old man turned as if to go away, and I, shamed by his words, although not willing to admit it, asked in a whisper, as if it was no longer within my power to speak aloud: “What are you about to do?” “Look for food first, since that seems necessary before I can hope to push on much farther while my stomach makes such an outcry,” he said, cheerily, and I asked again: “How will you find it here among the hills?” “When I was a lad living on the frontier, not yet as old as you, powder was precious, and difficult to get, even when one had that with which to pay for it. Then it was possible to snare game sufficient to keep others besides myself from starvation, and I am counting on making the same effort now. If the Tories hold the river, I will live here until they have given over searching for fugitives, and then make my way across, where every man with life in his body is needed.” As he said this, Giles March suddenly sprang to his feet, crying: “We are not needing any more of a tongue-lashing, Master Bartlett. I am well ashamed of myself for having been so simple, and Jonathan Ogden is of the same mind. None save a fool would lie down to die when but a few miles separated him from his friends! Tell us what is to be done, and you will see that we can hold our own with you.”