“I will help, of course,” he replied.  “It’s my trade.  It was my purpose to warn ’em before I met you, but I feared they would not listen to me.  Now, the words of four may sound more real to ’em than the words of one.”

“Then lead the way,” said Willet. “’Tis not a time to linger.”

Black Rifle, without another word, threw his rifle over his shoulder and started toward the north, the others falling into Indian file behind him.  A light, pleased smile played over his massive and rugged features.  More than the rest he rejoiced in the prospect of combat.  They did not seek battle and they fought only when they were compelled to do so, but he, with his whole nature embittered forever by that massacre of long ago, loved it for its own sake.  He had ranged the border, a torch of fire, for years, and now he foresaw more of the revenge that he craved incessantly.

He led without hesitation straight toward the north.  All four were accomplished trailers and the flitting figures were soundless as they made their swift march through the forest.  In a half hour they reached the crest of a rather high hill and Black Rifle, stopping, pointed with a long forefinger toward a low and dim light.

“The camp of the Pennsylvanians,” he said with bitter irony.  “As I told you, fearing lest the savages should miss ’em in the forest they keep their fire burning as a beacon.”

“Don’t be too hard on ’em, Black Rifle,” said Willet.  “Maybe they come from Philadelphia itself, and city bred men can scarcely be expected to learn all about the wilderness in a few days.”

“They’ll learn, when it’s too late, at the muzzles of the French and Indian rifles,” rejoined Black Rifle, abating a little his tone of savage derision.

“At least they’re likely to be brave men,” said Willet, “and now what do you think will be our best manner of approaching ’em?”

“We’ll walk directly toward their fire, the four of us abreast.  They’ll blaze away all fifty of ’em together, as soon as they see us, but the darkness will spoil their aim, and at least one of us will be left alive, able to walk, and able to tell ’em of their danger.  We don’t know who’ll be the lucky man, but we’ll see.”

“Come, come, Captain Jack!  Give ’em a chance!  They may be a more likely lot than you think.  You three wait here and I’ll go forward and announce our coming.  I dare say we’ll be welcome.”

Willet advanced boldly toward the fire, which he soon saw consisted of a great bed of coals, surrounded by sleepers.  But the figures of men, pacing back and forth, showed that the watch had not been neglected, although in the deep forest such sentinels would be but little protection against the kind of ambush the French and Indians were able to lay.

Not caring to come within the circle of light lest he be fired upon, the hunter whistled, and when he saw that the sentinels were at attention he whistled again.  Then he emerged from the bushes, and walked boldly toward the fire.