“Yes, sir; he owns a farm up on the lake.”

“How often have you visited the fort within the past year?”

“Mostly twice a week, sir; never less than once.”

“Then you are sufficiently well acquainted with the troops to be able to gain admission at any time?”

“Yes, sir; father sells a lot of truck there, an’ I mostly carry it over.”

“Are you known to Captain Delaplace?”

“Yes, sir, and his wife as well.”

“What brought you here, lad?”

“We heard it said there was a lot of soldiers marchin’ up this way, and I didn’t have much of anything to do, so come down to have a look at ’em.”

“Is it generally known near about where you live that troops are marching toward the fort?”