“Eet ees true, an’ I warn you avay. Come back again at your peril!” answered Jean Bevoir, and then disappeared from view. This was a signal that the conference was at an end. Turning swiftly, Joseph Morris walked back into the forest. Barringford and the others expected a shot or two, but nothing of the kind came. “What did he say?” asked Henry, rushing up. “He will give in to nothing,” answered the planter, with a sigh. “And father—what of father?” questioned Dave. He could hardly utter the words. James Morris stepped to his side and caught Dave by both arms. “It’s too bad, my boy,” he said, tenderly. “Then he is—is——” “Yes, lad—he was badly wounded, so Jean Bevoir says, and died some time later.” Dave staggered and sank down on a fallen tree. Never had he felt so miserable before. For days and weeks he had been hoping against hope—and now it had all been in vain. His father was gone, and he was left alone in the world. CHAPTER XXVI BY WAY OF THE TUNNEL “There is one consolation: if we cannot get into the post they cannot very well get out. If the worst comes to the worst maybe we can starve them into submission,” Henry uttered the words after a long council of war between his father and the other men of the expedition. All had withdrawn to the shelter of the forest, and were keeping a close watch on the trading post. Dave took but little interest in what was said. He was thinking of the loss of his father. It was a terrible blow, and he did not see how he would ever get over it. “Your plan is all right, Henry, but it would take too long,” said Sam Barringford. “More’n likely Bevoir an’ his crowd have a good stock o’ rations on hand an’ kin hold out all winter. They have shelter while we have none. I’ve got another plan, although it’s mighty risky. Don’t ye remember thet tunnel from the yard out into this forest? If the rascals ain’t discovered thet we might use it in the dark an’ git into the post thet way.” “Yes! yes!” cried Henry, brightening. “The tunnel Tony Jadwin and I used. It came out in a hollow tree only a short distance from here. I am sure I can find the tree easily enough.” “It is more than likely they have found the tunnel,” answered Joseph Morris. “And if so, they will watch it, or block it up.” “I’m a-goin’ to take a look,” said the old frontiersman. While the majority of the men continued to watch the trading post, to guard against a possible attack by those inside, the planter, Barringford, Henry, and Dave walked to the hollow tree. How this was used before has already been told in another volume of this series.