This plan, although not named until now, was in the minds of more than one member of the garrison. Colonel Preston had asked himself whether it was not the prudent thing to do, and he looked at Jo Stinger to learn what he thought of it.
The old scout nodded his head in a way to signify he was favorable, and said—
"It's the right thing, Colonel, and I'm the man to do it."
"But how can you get out? The Indians will be on the watch, and we are too few in number to spare a man."
"Didn't I carry the news to Wild Oaks two years ago, when it looked as though all of us was going under sure?"
"You did—that's a fact; but was the risk as great as now?"
"I think this is no greater, and it may not be as great: that's to be found out. That time, I took three hours to get through the red skin lines; but when I had shook 'em clear, I done some of the tallest traveling of my life."
"If you think it best, you may try it after dark."
"I'll do it," said the settler, with a compression of the lips which showed his earnestness. He had perilled his life many a time during the years spent on the frontier, and he was not the man to hesitate, when duty called him.
It was now the middle of the afternoon of the blustery autumn day which saw the approach of Ned Preston, Blossom Brown and the Shawanoe, Deerfoot, to the vicinity of the block-house. The garrison were sure to use the utmost vigilance until the all-important question was settled, and it was not probable the besieging Wyandots would make any serious attack before the night was well advanced.