It was a regular coffin into which we had been introduced, and save for the light that filtered through the chinks of the logs, we would have been in darkness. Our prison measured, perhaps, five feet square, and we had the choice of standing in a bent position, or of throwing ourselves upon the frozen ground carpeted with snow. “Snug quarters these!” Alec cried with an unsuccessful attempt at cheeriness. “I have always heard it said that his Majesty had no love for those who call themselves Americans, but never before knew he would vent his displeasure upon boys.” Fearing lest he might say that which would betray somewhat of our purpose in coming out on the lake, I added gloomily:-- “If my mother could know where we are thus imprisoned it would seem less hard; but she is like to be anxious concerning us when night falls, and we have not returned.” Then the dear lad, catching quickly at my reason for thus speaking, added:-- “It cannot be the English soldiers will deem it a crime that we were skating on the lake, and our release must soon come.” After that we fell silent, not daring to speak lest we reveal what should be kept a secret, and having at heart that fear of the future which quenched all desire for conversation. As the moments passed and we were forced to remain inactive, crouching in the snow, exposed to the wind which came through every tiny crevice, our limbs became chilled, and I said to myself that we were like to freeze in these snug quarters where exercise was impossible save as one might swing his arms to and fro. That gloom which I had assumed when we were first thrust into the pen now took possession of me in earnest, and again did I reproach myself with having allowed the headstrong Alec to go on when I knew we were in danger. Then came that which caused us for the time to forget our private troubles. A group of soldiers inside the hut which joined our prison, were talking so loudly that we could hear a goodly portion of the conversation, and Alec seized me by the hand to attract my attention when one of the men said impatiently:-- “There is no good reason why we are forced to halt here waiting for the remainder of the regiment. I venture to say that the Yankee settlement can be captured with threescore of men.” There was no need any one should tell us of what settlement they were speaking. If I had not suspected before, it would have been plain to me now, that this detachment had encamped here to make ready for an attack upon Presque Isle. After a moment’s silence another voice asked:-- “Does any one know when we are like to move?” and to this, reply was made by the man who had first spoken, so I judged:-- “When we number four hundred, I have heard it said.” “And how long are we to wait for the remainder of the detachment? Three days seem like a month, when one is tied up here, half frozen.”