shadow-like as they had come.

But they did not return to their comrades; they posted themselves
at a short distance from the place. They looked well to the priming
of their rifles, and to their other arms, and sat in silence to
await the commencement of the battle.

The moon set in golden radiance behind the wooded hills. In the
eastern sky the first rose red showed that dawn would shortly
break. Looking towards the hill, the little band saw that movement
had already begun there. They rose to their feet, and looked from
the moving shapes amid the brushwood towards the still sleeping,
silent town.

"The Lord of hosts is with us," spoke Charles, in a solemn voice;
"He will deliver the enemy into our hands. Let us quit ourselves
like men and be strong. Let us do unto them even as they have done.
Let not the wicked escape us. The Lord do so to me, and more also,
if I reward not unto yon cruel chieftain his wickedness and his
cruelties. If he leave this place alive, let my life pay the
forfeit!"

A murmur ran through the little group about him. Each man grasped
his weapon and stood still as a statue. This little company had
posted themselves upon a knoll which commanded the house of the
bloodthirsty chief. It was their business to see that he at least
did not escape from the day of vengeance.

The moments seemed hours to those men waiting and watching; but
they did not wait in vain.