"What is it?" exclaimed one of the party, jumping up.
"Hush!"
The sentry turned with his finger on his lips, and motioned him to silence.
At a sign from one of the men—evidently a superior—the whole party sprang to their feet.
A hurried examination of their musket-locks and arms generally showed that they expected danger, and only waited a word from the sentinel to be "up and doing."
The leader stepped up to the sentry, drawn sword in hand.
"What is it?"
"The patrol."
"Soldiers?"
The sentry nodded.