tale that moves the heart. I had thought to send across myself to
such of our friends and families as still regard us as belonging to
them. If they made a response such as I look for, we should soon
have means at our disposal to augment what the tardy Assembly may
do by an auxiliary force, equipped and furnished with all that can
be needed. But you cannot be in two places at once.

"What think you, my young friends? Will you serve your distressed
brethren better as Rangers of the forest, or as emissaries to
England?"

"Why not divide our forces?" asked John Stark; "there are enough of
us for that. I have often heard Humphrey speak of a wish to cross
the sea, and to visit the land from which we have all come. Why not
let him choose a comrade, and go thither with letters and messages,
and tell his tale in the ears of friends? And whilst they are thus
absent, why should not the rest of us make up a party of bold
spirits, and go forth into the wilderness, and there carry on such
work of defence and aggression as we find for us to do?"

"Ay. I have no love for the unknown ocean," said Charles; "I have
other work to do than to visit new lands. I have a vow upon me, and
I cannot rest till it be accomplished."

Humphrey and Julian looked at each other. Already they had spoken
of a visit to England. Both desired to see the lands of the Eastern
Hemisphere from whence their fathers had come. Hitherto they had
not seen how this could be accomplished; but Ashley's words opened
out an unexpected way. If the citizens of Philadelphia wanted to
send messengers to their friends across the water, they would