The young hunters discovered some tracks in the woods, which had been made by Indians.
"The red-skins are about," they said.
It was agreed that it would be best to take up their traps and leave quietly, for the Indians claimed the whole country as their hunting ground. John Stark went out from the camp to take up his traps, when he found himself confronted by several Indians, who made him their prisoner. They had come from the village of St. Francis, in Canada, to Lake Memphremagog, brought their canoes across the divide between the lake and Connecticut River, and had descended that stream to the present town of Haverhill, in New Hampshire, and were on their way to plunder the settlements on the Merrimac. They did not know that John Stark had any companions near at hand, nor did he inform them.
"Why is John gone so long?" was the question asked by the others.
"Perhaps he is lost. Let us fire a gun."
The report of a gun echoed through the forest.
The Indians' eyes twinkled. There were more prisoners to be had. They stole through the woods with John, and came upon his three companions. Eastman was on shore, his brother William and Stinson in the boat. The Indians seized Eastman.
"Pull to the other shore," shouted John.
"CRACK! CRACK! WENT THE GUNS OF THE INDIANS."