"That's true! But if they make the rush that I'm expecting they won't outnumber us much by the time they get here."
As the light grew still stronger, Tom set his gun down, ejaculating "Well, well, well."
"What is it, Tom?" asked the Doctor.
"Why, those aren't moonshiners, but revenue officers and soldiers!"
A little further scrutiny convinced the boys that Tom's keen eyes had seen aright. The bullets were still pattering now and then against the wooden parapet, but evidently the enemy was not yet ready to make the charge which alone could give him possession of the fortress.
Tom felt in his pocket, drew out a handkerchief and tied it to the end of his gun. Then he descended the little ladder to the ground.
"What are you going to do Tom?" asked Jack.
"Why, I'm going out under a flag of truce to explain to those fellows what a stupid blunder they've made. They've mistaken Camp Venture for an illicit distillery, as if anybody would set up a still in such an open place as this."
"But wait, Tom! It is still so dark that they may not see your flag of truce. They may all fire at you at once. Wait till broad daylight comes."
"Yes," answered Tom, "and in the meantime those fellows may make their charge,—they're forming for it now,—and in that case we'll have to shoot half of them. No, I'm going out with my flag of truce now, and I'll simply have to take the chances of getting shot."