I'll fire twice when I get near the Port to warn you; and if you strike them first, give the same signal.

Do be careful, Sergeant, how you shoot.

We want prisoners, you understand, not corpses." Armitage found a faint trail, and with Claiborne struck off into the forest near the main gate of his own grounds.

In less than an hour they rode out upon a low-wooded ridge and drew up their panting, sweating horses--two shadowy videttes against the lustral dome of stars.

A keen wind whistled across the ridge and the horses pawed the unstable ground restlessly.