There had been no thought in my mind, when I leaped upon the enemy, of gaining a victory; I was conscious only of the fact that if we were taken prisoners again our lives would pay the forfeit, because it must be apparent to all that we were spies, else why had we ventured there the second time; and I acted upon the impulse of the moment. Had my companions been told in advance of what I proposed to do, they could not have followed my example more promptly. It seemed as if almost at the very second that I seized the redcoat’s musket, they made an attack, each upon the man nearest him, and so unexpected was the onslaught that the Britishers gave no outcry. I remember that during what seemed to me like many moments I struck out, or parried blows, giving no heed to the weapon I had first seized, and that we fought desperately in silence until my opponent suddenly fell when I was some distance from him. Then I realized dimly that he had been stricken down from behind, and an instant later Alec whispered hoarsely, as he grasped me by the hand:-- “Come, now! In ten seconds more it will be too late!” I failed to understand all his meaning; but, fortunately, had sufficient sense to obey the strain upon my arm, and immediately we were in full flight, plunging through the underbrush without any idea, on my part at least, of where the course might lead. Then as we ran I became conscious of the fact that Leon was leading the way, and for the first time since we stumbled upon the soldiers I had hopes that we might finally escape. We ran at full speed, stumbling here over fallen trees, or floundering there through bogs and swamps, holding the pace until it became impossible for Alec to advance another yard. “I am done up!” he panted, sinking down at the foot of a huge pine tree. “Do not stop; but leave me here to take my chances!” “Can you go no further?” I asked stupidly, for it was plain to be seen that the lad’s strength was entirely spent. “Not a step; but neither you nor Leon can afford to loiter. You two should be able to give them the slip.” “I have no idea of leaving a comrade,” I said, flinging myself down by Alec’s side to show the dear lad that I was not minded to desert him, and Leon followed my example, saying as he did so:-- “The English may as well have three prisoners as one, and I will remain with those who rescued me from the lake.” “But you are to do nothing of the kind!” I cried in alarm, thinking of the lad’s mother, whose only support he was. “You can contrive to gain home secretly, knowing the country as you do, and in the morning no one will be able to say you were with us. Go, Leon! You must not sacrifice yourself!” “That is what I should be doing if I deserted a friend. We will remain here, and it may be the soldiers will fail to find us.”