I could even feel Boyd’s body quivering with suppressed excitement as our elbows chanced to come in contact; as for me, I scarce made out to control myself at all, and any nether lip was nearly bitten through ere the Mohican lifted his symmetrical head and looked me full and honestly in the eyes.

“Brother,” he said, in a curiously hushed voice, “on this day I come to you here, at this fire, to acquaint you with my answer; answering my brother’s words of yesterday.”

I could hear Boyd’s deep breath of profound relief. “Thank God!” I thought.

The Sagamore spoke again, very quietly:

“Brother, the road is dark to Catharines-town. There are no stars there, no moon, no sun —