To you two lads I can offer only stumps." The tent had been pitched over a spot where three stumps had been smoothed off carefully until they made acceptable seats.

One end of the tent was entirely open, facing a glowing fire of oak logs.

Dick and Warner sat down on the stumps and spread out their hands to the blaze.
Beyond the flames they saw the wintry forest and mountains, seemingly as wild as they were when the first white man came.
The usual coffee and food were brought, and while they ate and drank Major Hertford answered the numerous and pertinent questions of Colonel Garfield.

He listened attentively to the account of the fight in the mountains, and to all the news that they could tell him of Washington.
"We have been cut off in these mountains," he said.

"I know very little of what is going on, but what you say only confirms my own opinion.