itherto put forth, and after a furious spurt, which perceptibly decreased the distance

eing all out of breath themselves and consequently unable to take steady aim, while their moving targets called for no ordinary markman

ain attempt to put a

ance," he said, "and those fellows aren't going to have another chance either, for w

were so near that a few more swift strokes served to bring them

nifest relief. "Off with your skates now,

off," said Reuben emphatically

nding," responded Seth, "and we'll need t

he shadows were already deepening, and with relief beyond e

as they disappeared, and Seth, turning

n, whose spirits were restored by the passing away o

ong as there was sufficient light left for them to pic

o go any farther, so they lay down to rest for the night, rejoicing

by them, set off at dawn, keeping to the woods for a time, but

t, and they had a hearty reception from their comrades, who were i

it and at the information they brought back conc

left undisturbed the harder it will be to take it," he said. "I must send word to Ge

that with a moderately strong force the new stronghold could be captured with all i

ppeared upon the scene one morning a man with whom Seth was henceforth to be very closely

markable and picturesque personalities of his time, who rend

requent journeyings in the wilderness between the French and English settlements, and these gave him a good knowledge of both. It also taught him to speak French. Just what the

ory, which he had conducted with such extraordinary skill and uniform success as to earn for himself a great reputation, and Rogers' Rangers,

ble hero in his mind, and he had quite determined at the fir

n in upon by the unexpected approach of a band of men whose whole appearance was so st

onsolately gazing toward the lake, and wishing that some French or Indians would come into sight by way of variety. "S

rm appropriate to their methods of operation, and their well-tanned countenances sh

ough the gate of the fort with quick, steady step, and then came to a halt before the comma

g strength and agile ease. With the exception of his nose, which, as is often the case in people of particularly vigorous character, was disproportiona

he possessed every qualification for the especially perilous but important work he had entered into so heartily, and th

of General Johnson to take up his quarters there for the present and to devote, himself to the task of

ty, and they indulged in a general carouse that night which would have given the French a f

o let the grass grow under his feet, and accordingly the first chanc

ing drunk rather deeply the previous night, and told stories, and sung songs until the small h

approaching him, said

tts, sir, and I would like to sp

glance, and seeing what a mere youth he was

n, and what do

r to Seth's cheeks; but he was not to be checked by

join your R

to a laugh that was so clearly contemptuous as to make Seth thrill w

such a youngster as you be to me? I want only men wh

his temper to stand in his way, and so kee

ou what I did

appearance that the Major began to relent a little, and to feel that he was ha

e and we'll sit down," and he led the

tion with which his narration was received, went on to express his own views as to what might be done if only the provincial authorities

is form, and from the different expression which gradually stole over his strong, stern fea

a well-aimed arrow, and when Seth had finished seemed to be lost in reflection for

the New Englander, he asked him in a vo

told me the simple truth, or

fectly straightforward to be suspected of falsehood could not fail to hurt, and it made him wince; but he

h, sir. I have m

r

H, SIR! I HAVE M

him start. "You're just what I want for my Rangers." And so saying, he gave him

eet, and fairly dancing in his delight. "I'm sick

complain of that while you work for me," said

no additions, and his dress required but little alterati

her resented his being so young, and did not hesitate to find fault with the Major's judgme

reat boon to the garrison, and they were in no hurry to have them set off again. They were consequently well

to long for an outing with them, but it was not un

ed him as one of a party of sevente

t fell they had reached the part of the lake where it narrows

bled them little, for they seemed to be able to find their way through it without difficulty, they made

se they waited to see what might p