“What a big fellow he is!” exclaimed Tom.
“And a big scoundrel,” said Perkins.
“Yes, he’s worse’n the redskins,” said another of the settlers.
“I don’t like to see him there among the redskins,” said Mr. Holden, a sober look on his face. “He may put them up to some scheme to enable them to capture the fort before General Greene and his army can get here.”
“We’ll have to be on our guard, sure enough,” said Perkins.
“I hope Dick didn’t meet him,” exclaimed Tom,
“It isn’t likely that he did,” said Ben.
Presently the renegade, Gabe Gurley, ceased talking to the Indians and came striding toward the fort, holding up his hand, with the palm toward the settlers.
“He wants to talk to us,” said Perkins.
“Yes,” said Holden. “I s’pose we might as well hear what he has to say.”