The Loyalists, not accustomed to such travelling, often stumbled and tripped over stones and snags.  But the rangers walked as if on a beaten highway, and proved of great assistance to the less skilful.  No one complained, however, and when any one spoke, it was in a subdued voice.  The Colonel strove bravely to hold his own with the younger men.  But he was becoming very weary, and more than once he leaned on Dane’s arm for support.

“I am sorry to burden you” he said, “but this trip is almost too much for me.”

“I am afraid it is,” was the reply.  “You should have stayed at home and let us attend to the rebels.”

“I suppose I should have done that,” and the Colonel sighed as he paused for a minute on the brow of a hill they had just climbed.  “But I want to do my part.  I did it during the war to the best of my ability.  Jean was proud of me then, and I do not want her to be ashamed of me now.”

Dane was about to reply when a slight sound from one of the rangers sealed his lips.  He knew that it spelled danger, and that caution was needed.

“We are close to the lake,” he whispered.  “It is just over there.  We are to remain here for a while.”

The men were glad enough to rest, so throwing themselves down upon the ground, they refreshed themselves with some food.  Anxiously they awaited the coming of the dawn, and through a break in the trees they often turned their eyes eastward.  At length the far-off horizon rose slowly into view, the darkness began to melt away, and objects about them grew more distinct.  This was the signal for them to continue their journey, and once again they set their faces toward the lake.  It was easier travelling now, and seldom did any one stumble.  This was well, for the strictest silence had to be maintained as they neared their goal.  They were walking in single file, and the rangers were doubly alert, peering here and there, and listening to every sound.

At length they separated, Dane going alone with the Colonel somewhat to the right.  Each ranger took one or two of the settlers, and in another minute all had disappeared among the trees.  Dane led the Colonel slowly along, until presently an opening appeared before them.

“It is the lake,” Dane whispered.  “We must creep now to the edge of the woods, and keep ourselves well hidden.”

Dropping upon their hands and knees, they worked their way along until they came right to the border of the forest.  Here they stopped, and by the dim light of the morning they could see before them a band of men lying upon the shore, wrapped in their blankets.  There were fifty or more, including Indians, and they were sound asleep.

“We’ve got them this time, all right,” Dane again whispered.  “Here is your gun; you may need it.  We must now wait for Davidson to make the next move.”

It was a beautiful spot which the rebels had chosen for their place of meeting.  The lake was not large, but it lay like a gem amidst its setting of great dark pines.  The shore where the plotters were lying was sandy, and from all appearance they had spent much of the night in a wild carousal.  They were huddled in various grotesque shapes, and several were snoring loudly.