"But suppose he is not alone?"
"He will be; at least, there will only be the young boys, and they will not fight."
"He will not expect us."
"No; and, seeing so many, all armed, he will surrender at once. Then we go to Seth Warner's place, and he might show fight, for there are two others live with him, but we will silence him by keeping Allen in the front rank, so that, if he shoots, he has to kill the leader first. Ha, ha, ha! It will be as good as play-acting, and the fun will be something to talk about as long as we live."
"Aren't you afraid to leave this wallet on the grass?" asked one of the men.
"I shouldn't forget it, for in that wallet is the order to eject and capture one Ethan Allen, a rebel and traitor."
Every word was heard by Eben Pike.
"If I could get that wallet!" he thought; but it was kept pretty close to the sheriff.
Eben crawled a little nearer, sheltered by the thick undergrowth of the wood.
He cut a long stick and-held it ready to use if he should be discovered, for he fancied they would not be very lenient with him if he should be caught.