Jake had gone too far to retreat, however, and must now tell his whole story.
He told where the boys were, and how they had come there, and for what purpose, lying only enough to make it appear that he himself had never willingly joined them, but had been deceived at first, and forced afterward into the service.
The Lieutenant listened to the story and then asked:-- "Have you anything to show for all this ?" "How do you mean ?" asked Jake.
"Why, you wretched coward, don't you understand?
How am I to know how much of your story is true, and how much of it false?
Of course it isn't all true.

You couldn't talk so long without telling some lies.
What I want to know is, what can you show for all this story?
If I arrest these boys, what can be proved on them ?" "Well, the Captain's got a despatch from General Jackson; that'll prove something." "When did he get it ?" "To-night." "Very well.

That's something.

Now you just sit still till I tell you to do something else." So saying the Lieutenant summoned a courier or two, and sent them off with notes.
"These boys have a boat, you say ?" "Yes." "Do they know how to sail it ?" "A little; the Captain handles it better'n the rest." "Has he ever been to sea ?" "No, sir." "What sort of a boat is it ?" "A dug-out; we made it ourselves." "Oh, did you?
Why didn't you tell me that first?
Never mind, it's all right.

They'll never try to put to sea in a dug-out, but they may try to escape to some point lower down the bay in it, so my message to the fort won't be amiss." The Lieutenant had sent a message to the fort that at daylight he should arrest the party, and that if they should take the alarm and try to escape by water, a boat must be sent from the fort to overhaul them.
He now dressed himself, first sending for a file of soldiers under a sergeant, with instructions to parade at his door immediately.
When all was ready he said to Jake.
"Now then, young man, come with me, and guide me to the camp of these lads." Jake led the way, and when a little after daylight they approached the camp the Lieutenant said to him:-- "I don't want to make any mistake in this business.