Tom made no reply, for he was thinking that something beside safe bridges might be discovered before they arrived at their destination. Only one more stream remained to be crossed, and then they would be in Cranberry. Just where they were then to go, or what was to be done, Tom did not know. Not a word had been spoken to him concerning the object of the expedition, and all that he was expected to do was to lead the band to Cranberry.
"How much farther have we to go, my boy?" inquired the leader.
"That depends upon the place you've started for," replied Tom. "We shall be in Cranberry after we've gone about ten miles farther, but it covers a good many miles. The township is a big one."
"We'll decide that after we get there. Have we any more streams to cross?"
"Yes. The Millstone river isn't very far away now."
The rests had become so frequent that morning could not be far away, Tom thought. With the appearance of the sun their dangers were likely to be increased, but he made no mention of the fears in his heart, and the band soon started on again.
When they arrived at the Millstone, the first break in the success of the expedition was found, for the bridge was down. This plainly showed that the Americans were not far distant now, and as the lieutenant drew rein on his horse, he said,—
"This means that Sir Henry will find difficulty in getting his baggage train across here. Do you know whether the stream can be forded?"
"Yes," replied Tom, pointing as he spoke to a place a little farther down the stream. "We can wade our horses across there."
"But can the baggage wagons be driven through?"