“He kicked away one of the kegs of powder,” said a nurse, who had chanced to see the brave act. “He couldn’t have been around here when the men got away.”
A detachment of soldiers was sent out to roam the woods and watch the lake front, in an effort to locate Bevoir and his companion. But though the search was kept up for four days, nothing was seen or heard of the escaped prisoners.
“This is certainly too bad,” said Raymond to Dave, when the search was practically given up. “I suppose you reckoned on sending him to prison.”
“Yes, and he deserved it.”
“You want to be on your guard against such a man, Dave. He will not forget you, remember that.”
“I only wish I could meet him!” burst out Dave.
“He will probably get over to Canada just as fast as he can. He knows he won’t dare to show himself around any English camp, or at that trading-post again.”
Dave was still on the sick list, and to spend the time went fishing the next day. He had just pulled in a fine perch when a well-known voice reached his ears, causing him to leap up from the rock on which he was fishing and drop his pole.
“So here ye air, eh?” came to his ears. “Jest as nateral as ever, bless my eyes if ye aint!”
“Sam Barringford!” exclaimed Dave, and caught the old frontiersman by both hands. “Oh, how glad I am to see you again! I’ve been looking for you for several days.”