Page 65 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

"I thought Newton was goin’ to tend to them critters. Newton," he called to
his neighbor, "didn’t you put a guard over Toombs and his man?"

"Toombs is safe in care of a good man, but his Canuck couldn’t be found. I

guess he’s too stupid to do any mischief, anyway."

"Well, he’s ben a sneakin’ round here an’ now he’s gone, an’ there’s no tellin’

where. Where’s Toombs’s boat?"

"Here," and Newton pointed to the landing, where it lay among many
others.

"Gabe’s round here somewheres," said Nathan inadvertently.

"Jest the one I was a wishin’ for," said the old man, aroused from his
troubled pondering. "He can help when nob’dy else can." He then sent one
of his shrill whistles into the woods, and then another, with such good

effect that Gabriel presently appeared, loping easily along. "Good fellow,
good fellow. Now, Newton, we’ll ketch that skunk. Here, here, old boy,"

and he hurried swiftly away with the hound at heel.

Arrived at the house they found Toombs unconfined, but under the vigilant

guard of a lynx-eyed Green Mountain Boy. When Job inquired for the
Canadian, he detected a gleam of triumph in the glowering eyes of the

surly, half-defiant prisoner.

"The fox has slipped," said Job; "but never mind. If he can fool Gabe he’s a

smart ’un. Ruth, where’s somethin’ that ’ere Canuck has wore?"

Ruth, who stood near her idle spinning wheel, half dazed at the unwonted
commotion and afraid of she knew not what, pointed covertly to a much
worn pair of moccasins hanging near the fireplace to dry.

"Hisn? There couldn’t be nothin’ better. See here, Gabe."