Charles looked up with burning eyes.

“What say you?  Six months to wait?  That will not do for me!  My blood is boiling in my veins; I must needs cool it!  If these laggard rulers, with their clumsy methods, cannot put an army in the field before the spring, surely there are men enough amongst us to go forth—­a hardy band of woodsmen and huntsmen—­and hunt and harry, and slay and destroy, even as they have done!”

“That is what the Rangers do!” cried Stark, with kindling eyes; “I have heard of them before this.  The Rangers of New England have done good work before now.  Good thought, good thought!  Why not form ourselves into a band of Rangers?  Are we not strong and full of courage, seasoned to hardship, expert in our way with gun or axe?  Why should we lie idle here all the long winter through?  Why not let us forth to the forest—­find out where help is needed most, and make here a dash and there a raid, striking terror into the hearts of the foe, and bringing help and comfort to those desolate inhabitants of the wilderness who go in terror of their lives?  Why not be a party of bold Rangers, scouring the forests, and doing whatever work comes to hand?  Men have banded themselves together for this work before now; why may not we do the like?”

“Why not, indeed?” cried Fritz, leaping to his feet.  “I pine in the restraint of this town; I long for the forest and the plain once more.  My blood, too, is hot within me at the thought of what has been done and will be done again.  Let us band ourselves together as brothers in arms.  There must be work and to spare for those who desire it.”

Ashley thoughtfully stroked his chin, looking round the circle before him.  He was a shrewd and thoughtful man, and there was nothing of cowardice in his nature, although he was cautious and careful.

“It is not a bad thought, Nephew John,” he said; “and yet I had been thinking of something different for some of you intrepid and adventurous youths to do.  I had thought of sending news of the state of parties here to our friends and kinsmen in England.  When all is said and done, it is to England that we must look for help.  She must send us generals to command us, and she must help us with her money.  There are many families across the water who would open their purses on our behalf right generously were our sad case made known to them.  Letters are sent continually, but it is the spoken tale that moves the heart.  I had thought to send across myself to such of our friends and families as still regard us as belonging to them.  If they made a response such as I look for, we should soon have means at our disposal to augment what the tardy Assembly may do by an auxiliary force, equipped and furnished with all that can be needed.  But you cannot be in two places at once.

“What think you, my young friends?  Will you serve your distressed brethren better as Rangers of the forest, or as emissaries to England?”