This happened a minute or so later, and Andy, having figured out his course, hastened to remark eagerly:
“Rob, look over there to the right, will you? That must mean a camp fire is burning back of some mound or clump of thick brush, wouldn’t you think?”
Every one looked. It was evidently the consensus of opinion, to judge from the various remarks that arose, that Andy was correct. Undoubtedly a small fire was burning in that quarter, and what more likely than that the fugitives, believing themselves safe across the border, had decided to halt and repair such damages as they may have suffered during their mad flight through the dark woods?
CHAPTER XXIV
THOSE WHO SAT BY THE FIRE
“They must have made better time than we gave them credit for,” Andy went on to say, in his conclusive fashion, as though there could be no doubt about the matter. “But,” he continued, with a queer chuckle, “after all, they’ve been silly enough to stop short and go into camp. Now’s our chance to give ’em the greatest surprise going.”
Apparently Andy had convinced himself that the fire was on the Canadian side of the line. Since it was more or less of a mythical division, how were they to know the exact point of separation? Besides, those scheming men, who never once regarded the sacrifice of human life as worth weighing in the balance, when trying to strike at Great Britain in such a cowardly way, deserved little, if any, consideration.
If any doubt existed in Rob’s mind regarding the situation he said nothing about it. With that lieutenant present Rob felt in no way responsible for affairs. He, too, was under orders now, and the success or failure of the plan of campaign rested wholly on the young officer’s shoulders.
“We will try to surprise them,” remarked the other; “and no time should be lost in going about it. If you three boys will keep alongside me as we advance, we can arrange a plan, for I shall certainly be glad of your efficient help.”
Rob thought that was nicely put. It looked as though the military defender of the bridge had indeed radically altered the first opinion he entertained in connection with the scouts. Well, Rob Blake was the last fellow in the wide world to bear any animosity toward another on account of first impressions, which he knew only too well were often wrong.
Accordingly they made a start, but a warning was also issued begging every one to be extra careful how he stumbled, lest the unwonted sound reach the ears of those by the fire, and as they would naturally be suspicious of every unusual noise, the consequences might be disastrous to their success.