“We should expect the same treatment that older men get,” answered Dave grimly.
Late that evening a party of six was made up, composed of a sharpshooter named Silvers, who was the leader, three backwoodsmen named Raymond, Gilfoy, and Shamer, and the two young soldiers. Silvers was given minute instructions as to what he must do, and was told to impart these instructions to the others after Fort Niagara was left behind. They were told to move forward at early dawn, and all spent two hours in getting ready for the trip, which they knew would be full of peril.
“It’s a big load on your shoulders,” said Shamer to the youths. He was a Dutch pioneer and had known them ever since they had joined the troops under Prideaux. “Maybe you don’t know the risk you are taking.”
“No larger on our shoulders than on yours,” laughed Dave.
“There may be French and Indian spies all around this lake,” went on Shamer.
“Why do you go?” demanded Henry.
“Me? Oh, I like the excitement.”
“Well, I reckon we like the excitement too,” said Dave; and then there was a short laugh, for nobody fully realized the great peril that the future held in store for them.
It was hardly four o’clock in the morning when Silvers came around and awakened the others, who had gone into a little camp of them own down by the lake front.
“No time to be lost,” he said. “We’ll get breakfast just as quick as we can.” And the meal was disposed of in short order.