Part 38 (1/2)

”Give me your hand on that!” exclaimed the delighted Fred.

While the two were saluting each other in this effusive fas.h.i.+on, Gravity Gimp walked out in front of them on the clearing, and solemnly pressing the crown of his head against the ground, elevated his enormous feet in the air, and chuckled as he kicked:

”Reckon dere's gwine to be somethin' like a s'prise party for Mr. Jacob Golcher!”

CHAPTER XLVIII.

A most unexpected piece of good fortune had befallen our friends, in the appearance of d.i.c.k Durkee, with his six st.u.r.dy companions, all armed and ready for an encounter with the Tories and Iroquois.

Learning that young Fred G.o.dfrey had been a lieutenant in the Continental army, they insisted on putting themselves under him, at least so long as they were engaged in hostilities.

”Very well,” said the youth, ”I will accept the responsibility, because I know I have brave men to lead; but the work will be short.”

As every minute was precious, and there was no saying what form of cruelty the captors of the fugitives might inflict, the plan was speedily arranged.

The camp was so near, that they expected to reach it within ten minutes, after which the question between them and the Senecas would be decided in one-fifth of that time.

They were on the eve of starting in Indian file, when a furious thres.h.i.+ng was heard, and a panting form plunged directly among them, stopping abruptly with an exclamation of fear, when he saw the figures around him.

”Can any of you gentlemen tell me whether this is Wilkesbarre or Stroudsburg?” he asked, recoiling as if uncertain whether he was with friends or foes.

”Why, Habakkuk,” said G.o.dfrey in return; ”why, are you in such a hurry that you can't stop?”

”Well, well, well,” muttered the terrified New Englander, recognizing his friend; ”I was on my way to Stroudsburg, and didn't expect to meet you here, leftenant; what's up?”

”What has caused you to take such a sudden start?”

”I got the chance and I took it; I thought, from the rate I was going, that I ought to be pretty well nigh there by this time.”

”The journey is still before you; but, when I left the vicinity of the camp, you were a prisoner.”

Habakkuk was loath to explain the strange cause of his presence in the woods, but, finding he was among friends, he finally told the story.

His listeners of course were astonished, for it seemed incredible that Jake Golcher should do anything of the kind.

”Since he sent you out to take me back,” said Lieutenant G.o.dfrey, ”you must keep your word and produce me before him.”

”But, leftenant, such a pledge ain't binding on one, is it?”

”It is when I help you carry it out, and that is precisely what I will do.”

The New Englander was amazed, as well he might be, and Fred, not wis.h.i.+ng to trifle with the poor fellow, who had been so buffeted by good and ill fortune during the day, explained how the plan could be executed without risk to him.

It cannot be said that Habakkuk took kindly to the project, even then, but in the presence of Durkee and his woodmen, he could not well refuse.

He was a.s.sured that he would be well taken care of, and, as time was valuable, the company started without delay.