“It isn’t likely a Britisher would venture here at this time, for there has been nothing of importance to attract one. It is some person from Presque Isle, who awaits an opportunity to set out across the lake, or has just returned,” he said, now quite as excited as was I. “It is our duty, Dicky Dobbins, to make of that fellow a prisoner, in order that he may give reasonable excuse for behaving in such a fashion.” “There is little chance of our doing that without weapons, for be he spy or traitor, we can count on his making a good fight.” “No better than is within our power, if we are so disposed,” Alec replied stoutly. “I have no idea of losing such an opportunity as is before us!” Now I was quite as eager as he to learn who this man might be that he should thus take so many precautions against being seen; but yet I believed we had good reason to be cautious in our movements lest we come to grief. It was well that Alec Perry carried a stouter heart than mine, otherwise much of disaster might have come upon our little fleet before there had been an opportunity for Oliver Perry to show of what he was capable. “Will you follow me?” the dear lad whispered, and I replied, although decidedly against my better judgment:-- “Ay, that I will, Alec, although I believe you are running into danger needlessly. Why not wait until we can call others to help us, or at least get weapons with which to defend our lives, for if that fellow is either spy or traitor he will not yield without a fight.” “It is two against one, and even cowards could ask for no better odds than that!” Alec said sharply, and in another instant he was running at full speed toward the clump of bushes in which was hidden the man we would make prisoner. There was no other course left me but to follow him, unless I was willing to have it said I deserted a friend, and even while reproaching myself for making such a foolhardy venture, I ran at my best pace close at his heels. As a matter of course the stranger saw us coming, and whether guilty or innocent must have divined our purpose. Perhaps the speed at which we advanced convinced him he could not outstrip us in a chase, for instead of taking flight, he made every effort to launch his boat before we should come up with him. Had he succeeded in getting half a dozen yards from the shore we would have been baffled, weaponless as we were, and the fellow probably counted on this, but he had drawn the craft too high up on the sand. She was less than ten feet from the water’s edge when Alec came within striking distance, and now, instead of trying further to launch the boat, he turned to defend himself. With a stout oaken paddle uplifted he awaited my comrade’s approach, and I cried aloud in surprise when I recognized in him one of our neighbors who claimed to be violently loyal to the Government of the United States. “It’s Nathaniel Hubbard!” burst involuntarily from my lips, and as I spoke his name he turned upon me in a fury.