The guides became perplexed in the darkness of the forest.  The moon was shining, but the light was dim and deceptive within the great glades.  Still they pushed on resolutely, and the Rangers gradually drew to the front, goaded on by their own eagerness, and less disposed to feel fatigue than the soldiers, who were in reality less hardy than they.

All in a moment a strange sound smote upon their ears.  It was the roll of an Indian drum.  They paused suddenly, and looked each other in the face.  The rolling sound continued, and then rose a sound of whooping and yelling such as some of their number had never heard before.

“It is the war dance,” whispered one of the guides; and a thrill ran through the whole company.  Had they been discovered, and were the Indians coming out in a body against them?

For a brief while they were halted just below the top of the ridge, whilst a few of the guides and Rangers crept cautiously forward to inspect the hollow in which they knew the village lay.

Colonel Armstrong was one of this party, and he, with Stark and Fritz, cautiously crept up over the ridge and looked down upon the Indian town below.

The moon lighted up the whole scene.  There was no appearance of tumult or excitement.  The sound of the drum and the whooping of the warriors were not accompanied by any demonstration of activity by those within the community.  Probably some war party or hunting party had returned with spoil, and they were celebrating the event by a banquet and a dance.

The soldiers were bidden to move onward, but very cautiously.  It was necessary that they should make the descent of the rugged path before the moon set, and it was abundantly evident that the Indians had at present no idea of the presence of the enemy.

Slowly and cautiously the soldiers crept down the steep path, doing everything possible to avoid a noise; but suddenly the sound of a peculiar whistle sounded from somewhere below, and there were a movement and a thrill of dismay through all the ranks; for surely it was a signal of discovery!

Only Fritz was undismayed, and gave vent to a silent laugh.

“That is not an alarm,” he whispered to the Colonel; “it is but a young chief signalling to some squaw.  But the place is not asleep yet; if we go much nearer we shall be seen.  Those bushes would give us cover till all is quiet.  We could crouch there and rest, and when the time has come spring out upon the village unawares.”

The Colonel approved the plan, and the weary men were glad enough of the rest before the battle should begin.  All were full of hope and ardour; but in spite of that, most of them fell asleep crouched in the cover.  The surrounding hills kept off the wind, and it was warm beneath the sheltering scrub.

But Charles sat up with his hands clasped round his knees, his eyes intently fixed upon the Indian village.  Beside him were a few of his chosen comrades amongst the Rangers—­men older than the hardy youths who had organized the band—­settlers like himself, who had suffered losses like his own, and in whose hearts there burned a steady fire of vengeful hate that could only be quenched in blood.