“There is yet time for us to wipe out the stain, and from this on will I welcome danger, however great, because of the chance to show Master Bartlett that it was our bodies, rather than our hearts, which gave way.” Then, as if we had agreed to hold our peace regarding the folly, we spoke of it no more, but set about finding something which might serve as food. There is no good reason why I should tell of the long search, or of our efforts to capture the coon which finally showed himself. It is enough to say that, within less than two hours from the time of setting out, we returned with meat enough for one meal, and had set a dozen or more snares, using trailing vines in the stead of twine. When we were come to the big tree where our friends had halted, no one was to be seen, and a sickening fear came into my heart lest they had been taken by the Tory hunters; but, even as we stood looking with dismay into each other’s faces, Daniel Hinchman appeared before us. “Master Bartlett has found what will serve as camp during such time as the women may be forced to stay here, and there it will be safe to build a fire that we may roast the meat.” We went with him, arriving after a walk of five minutes at a sort of cave under a shelving rock, on the side of the mountain where, thanks to a thick screen of bushes, a party much larger than ours could remain hidden from view of any who might pass without making careful search. Another night was come before we had satisfied our hunger, and then once more did I feel able to do my full share of the work necessary for the defence of the valley, if so be we might get across the river. Master Bartlett, mindful of others rather than himself, had gathered fir-tips and leaves in sufficient quantity to form beds for the little ones, who fell asleep as soon as they had eaten, and now he was making ready to take some rest. “I am thinking that this refuge is safer than Forty Fort, unless it so chance the Congress begins to understand how sore is our need,” Daniel Hinchman began, as if he had something more in mind, and Master Bartlett replied, sleepily: “Ay, lad, there is little chance either Tory or Indian will come thus far among the mountains in search of victims, and here we may remain in safety until such time as it is possible to cross the river.” “If more of food could be had, I would rather Esther stayed here than to go farther in search of what may not be found in our valley for many days,” Daniel continued, and Master Bartlett, rising on his elbow, asked, sharply: “Tell us what it is you have in mind, lad, and without so much beating about the bush.” “How far think you it may be from here to the river?” Daniel asked, without answering the question. “Not above five miles at the most.”