“But he may escape — — ”

The Sagamore gave me an ironic glance.

“Is it likely,” he said softly, “when we are watching?”

“But he may manage to do us a harm. You saw how cunningly he has kept up communication with our enemies, to leave a trail for them to follow.”

“He has done us what harm he is able,” said the Sagamore coolly.

I hesitated, then asked him what he meant.

“Why,” he said, “their scouts have followed us. There are two of them now across the Susquehanna.”

Thunderstruck, I stared at the river, where its sunlit surface glittered level through the trees.