A most unexpected piece of good fortune had befallen our friends, in the appearance of Dick Durkee, with his six sturdy companions, all armed and ready for an encounter with the Tories and Iroquois.  
Learning that young Fred Godfrey had been a in the army, they insisted on putting themselves under him, at least so long as they were engaged in .
 
"Very well," said the youth, "I will accept the responsibility, because I know I have brave men to lead; but the work will be short."
 
As every minute was precious, and there was no saying what form of cruelty the captors of the might , the plan was speedily arranged.
 
The camp was so near, that they expected to reach it within ten minutes, after which the question between them and the Senecas would be in one-fifth of that time.
 
They were on the eve of starting in Indian file, when a furious threshing was heard, and a panting form directly among them, stopping with an of fear, when he saw the figures around him.
 
"Can any of you gentlemen tell me whether this is Wilkesbarre or Stroudsburg?" he asked, as if uncertain whether he was with friends or .
 
"Why, Habakkuk," said Godfrey in return; "why, are you in such a hurry that you can't stop?"
 
"Well, well, well," muttered the terrified New Englander, recognizing his friend; "I was on my way to Stroudsburg, and didn't expect to meet you here, leftenant; what's up?"
 
"What has caused you to take such a sudden start?"
 
"I got the chance and I took it; I thought, from the rate I was going, that I ought to be pretty well nigh there by this time."
 
"The journey is still before you; but, when I left the vicinity of the camp, you were a prisoner."
 
Habakkuk was to explain the strange cause of his presence in the woods, but, finding he was among friends, he finally told the story.
 
His listeners of course were astonished, for it seemed incredible that Jake Golcher should do anything of the kind.
 
"Since he sent you out to take me back," said Lieutenant Godfrey, "you must keep your word and produce me before him."
 
"But, leftenant, such a pledge ain't on one, is it?"
 
"It is when I help you carry it out, and that is what I will do."
 
The New Englander was amazed, as well he might be, and Fred, not wishing to trifle with the poor fellow, who had been so by good and ill fortune during the day, expla............