Perhaps it was this last suggestion which caused the other two men to agree to the proposition.
At all events, no further objection was made, and Master Wentworth took it upon himself to direct the march of the prisoners.
"You are to keep half a dozen paces in advance, and take good care there is no loitering, or any attempt at giving us the slip," he said to the boys, who yet lay upon the ground. "I do not propose that you shall be starved to death; but at the same time I would put a musket-ball into one or both of you without compunction, rather than suffer delay or escape. Now get on your feet, and move lively, for only by obedience can you save your lives."
There was no disposition on the part of Colonel Allen's messengers to run counter to the command which had been given.
Each knew full well that two of their three captors were in favor of leaving them to a most cruel death, which could be escaped only by prompt acquiescence to all the orders given.
Therefore it was they leaped to their feet quickly, and set forward at a sharp pace, when Jason Wentworth pointed out the direction to be pursued.
At this moment it was Isaac who suffered most in mind, for he knew full well that Corporal 'Lige would condemn him for not having the courage to face death rather than give information to the enemy.
Even though it was Nathan who had divulged what should have been kept a secret, the raw recruit knew in his own heart he had agreed that the information should be given, because of having made no protest.
If Seth Warner failed in his purpose, it would be owing in a certain degree to what had been told these men, and Isaac, who had hoped to win renown, if not glory, by enlisting, could charge himself with what was worse than a blunder.
On the other hand Nathan was not sore in mind because of the possibility that Crown Point might still be held by the king's troops; but he had sufficient sense to understand that if he had retraced his steps along the shore to the trail, as Isaac proposed, this capture might not have been made.
Therefore, but in a different fashion, was his mental trouble as great as that of his comrade.
To the chagrin of both the boys they came upon the trail leading from the lake to Sudbury, after not more than two or three minutes' traveling, and thus knew that if their halt had been delayed a very short time it might have been possible to have given these enemies the slip.