“Ah.” Carl stopped, and with his knife-blade stabbed the earth at his feet. “Would that I had him here,” he cried, “would that I knelt upon his breast as I kneel upon the earth. He is my enemy until death.” “You never knew this?” “I knew that she was proud, and would not listen to me. I hoped for better things; I thought that a lover’s persistency would bring about the desired end, and this is the re—result.” His countenance became as that of a fiend; in the heat of his passion the blood gushed anew from his wounded face. He caught some of it in his hand, and cast it from him, crying passionately: “Let this blood witness against him.” After that he was calmer. “We will work together, my master; much may be done where there is a good heart in the cause. I am with you, body and soul.” “The compact is made. By knife, cord and bullet, I will be true to you in this business.” “So let it be,” responded Carl. “Have you seen Wampset?” “Yes. Before nightfall he will be here with a hundred men.” “Well done. The English power shall be swept from this river; our enemies shall be—where?” “It matters little so that they cumber the earth no more. It is time Wampset were here.” “You are sure he will keep his appointment?” “The promise of an Indian is sure. He will keep his word.” “Did you look over the block-house and note the entrances?” “Yes. There are eighteen men in all, now that this spy and Barlow are here; the whole is under the command of William Holmes; his second in command is his brother, who is away in Boston.” “His brother?” “Yes.” “I never heard of such a man until I came here.” “Few have; he is seldom seen; people who live in this region know that there is such a man as Robert Holmes. He tramps the forest, makes treaties with the Indians, and prepares the country for the next inroad of Yankees. No man can put his finger on him and say, ‘This is Robert Holmes,’ and yet, he is a fixed fact. The people in Windsor have great faith in him, but are non-committal about him.” “He is a mystery, then?” “One which we can not unravel. Some of our people swear that Robert Holmes is only a name for a devil, who has taken up his abode at Windsor. I begin to think it is half right, for who but a devil could exert such an influence over Yankees?” “Phew, such talk as that will do for other men than us; as for this imaginary potentate, if there is such a man, we probably shall meet him to-night, and try the virtue of cold steel upon him. I wonder Wampset is not here; he is not a man to shirk his appointment. Who comes there? Is this the way they keep guard?” An Indian, gliding forward like a stealthy ghost, at that moment appeared before him. At the first look, Van Zandt knew him; it was one of the men who belonged to the band of Wampset—his messenger, a light, active fellow, with a cunning face.