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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Watch, by Joseph A. Altsheler
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Border Watch
+       A Story of the Great Chief's Last Stand
+
+Author: Joseph A. Altsheler
+
+Release Date: April 26, 2008 [EBook #25186]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BORDER WATCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+_The_ BORDER WATCH
+
+
+BOOKS BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER
+
+
+THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES
+
+The Hunters of the Hills
+The Rulers of the Lakes
+The Lords of the Wild
+The Shadow of the North
+The Masters of the Peaks
+The Sun of Quebec
+
+
+THE YOUNG TRAILERS SERIES
+
+The Young Trailers
+The Forest Runners
+The Keepers of the Trail
+The Eyes of the Woods
+The Free Rangers
+The Riflemen of the Ohio
+The Scouts of the Valley
+The Border Watch
+
+
+THE TEXAN SERIES
+
+The Texan Scouts
+The Texan Star
+The Texan Triumph
+
+
+THE CIVIL WAR SERIES
+
+The Guns of Bull Run
+The Guns of Shiloh
+The Scouts of Stonewall
+The Sword of Antietam
+The Star of Gettysburg
+The Rock of Chickamauga
+The Shades of the Wilderness
+The Tree of Appomattox
+
+
+THE GREAT WEST SERIES
+
+The Lost Hunters
+The Great Sioux Trail
+
+
+THE WORLD WAR SERIES
+
+The Forest of Swords
+The Guns of Europe
+The Hosts of the Air
+
+
+BOOKS NOT IN SERIES
+
+Apache Gold
+The Quest of the Four
+The Last of the Chiefs
+In Circling Camps
+The Last Rebel
+A Soldier of Manhattan
+The Sun of Saratoga
+A Herald of the West
+The Wilderness Road
+My Captive
+The Candidate
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "He saw two warriors, and he lay in the bush while they
+passed only twenty yards away." Page 214.]
+
+
+
+
+_The_ BORDER WATCH
+
+A STORY OF THE GREAT
+CHIEF'S LAST STAND
+
+
+BY
+
+JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER
+
+AUTHOR OF
+
+"THE YOUNG TRAILERS," "THE FREE RANGERS,"
+"THE SCOUTS OF THE VALLEY," ETC.
+
+
+D. APPLETON-CENTURY COMPANY
+INCORPORATED
+NEW YORK          LONDON
+1941
+
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY
+D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
+
+Printed in the United States of America
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+"The Border Watch" closes the series which began with "The Young
+Trailers," and which was continued successively in "The Forest Runners,"
+"The Keepers of the Trail," "The Eyes of the Woods," "The Free Rangers,"
+"The Riflemen of the Ohio," and "The Scouts of the Valley." All the
+eight volumes deal with the fortunes and adventures of two boys, Henry
+Ware and Paul Cotter, and their friends Shif'less Sol Hyde, Silent Tom
+Ross and Long Jim Hart, in the early days of Kentucky. The action moves
+over a wide area, from New Orleans in the South to Lake Superior in the
+North, and from the Great Plains in the West to the land of the Iroquois
+in the East.
+
+It has been the aim of the author to present a picture of frontier life,
+and to show the immense hardships and dangers endured by our people, as
+they passed through the wilderness from ocean to ocean. So much of it
+occurred in the shadow of the forest, and so much more of it was taken
+as a matter of course that we, their descendants, are likely to forget
+the magnitude of their achievement. The conquest of the North American
+continent at a vast expense of life and suffering is in reality one of
+the world's great epics.
+
+The author has sought to verify every statement that touches upon
+historical events. He has read or examined nearly all the books and
+pamphlets and many of the magazine articles formerly in the Astor and
+Lenox, now in the New York Public Library, dealing with Indian wars and
+customs. In numerous cases, narratives written by observers and
+participants have been available. He believes that all the border
+battles are described correctly, and the Indian songs, dances and
+customs are taken from the relations of witnesses.
+
+But the great mass of material dealing with the frontier furnishes
+another striking illustration of the old saying that truth is stranger
+than fiction. No Indian story has ever told of danger and escape more
+marvelous than those that happened hundreds of times. The Indian
+character, as revealed in numerous accounts, is also a complex and
+interesting study. The same Indian was capable of noble actions and of
+unparalleled cruelty. As a forest warrior he has never been excelled. In
+the woods, fighting according to his ancient methods, he was the equal
+alike of Frenchman, Englishman and American, and often their superior.
+Many of the Indian chiefs were great men. They had the minds of
+statesmen and generals, and they prolonged, for generations, a fight
+that was doomed, from the beginning.
+
+We lost more people in our Indian wars than in all the others combined,
+except the Civil War. More American soldiers fell at St. Clair's defeat
+by the Northwestern Indians than in any other battle we had ever fought
+until Bull Run. The British dead at Braddock's disaster in the American
+wilderness outnumbered the British dead at Trafalgar nearly two to one.
+So valiant a race has always appealed to youth, at least, as a fit
+subject of romance.
+
+The long struggle with the brave and wary red men bred a type of white
+foresters who became fully their equals in the craft and lore of the
+wilderness. Such as these stood as a shield between the infant
+settlements and the fierce tribes, and, in this class, the author has
+placed his heroes.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                           PAGE
+
+    I PASSING FLEET                  1
+
+   II THE SILVER BULLET             16
+
+  III THE HOT SPRING                30
+
+   IV THE SEVEN HERALDS             39
+
+    V THE WYANDOT COUNCIL           51
+
+   VI THE RUINED VILLAGE            63
+
+  VII THE TAKING OF HENRY           79
+
+ VIII THE NORTHWARD MARCH           96
+
+   IX AT DETROIT                   109
+
+    X THE LETTER OF THE FOUR       126
+
+   XI THE CRY FROM THE FOREST      143
+
+  XII THE CANOE ON THE RIVER       157
+
+ XIII ON THE GREAT LAKE            173
+
+  XIV A TIMELY RESCUE              188
+
+   XV THE PAGES OF A BOOK          205
+
+  XVI THE RIVER FIGHT              226
+
+ XVII THE ROAD TO WAREVILLE        241
+
+XVIII THE SHADOWY FIGURE           265
+
+  XIX A HERALD BY WATER            282
+
+   XX THE COUNTER-STROKE           316
+
+  XXI THE BATTLE OF PIQUA          336
+
+ XXII THE LAST STAND               359
+
+
+
+
+THE BORDER WATCH
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE PASSING FLEET
+
+
+A late sun, red and vivid, cast beams of light over a dark river,
+flowing slowly. The stream was a full half mile from shore to shore, and
+the great weight of water moved on in silent majesty. Both banks were
+lined with heavy forest, dark green by day, but fused now into solid
+blackness by the approach of night.
+
+The scene was wild and primordial. To an eye looking down it would have
+seemed that man had never come there, and that this was the dawn of
+time. The deep waters lapped the silent shore until a gentle sighing
+sound arose, a sound that may have gone on unheard for ages. Close to
+the water a file of wild ducks flew like an arrow to the north, and, in
+a little cove where the current came in shallow waves, a stag bent his
+head to drink.
+
+The sun lingered in the west and then sank behind the vast wall of
+forest. The beams of red and gold lasted for a little space on the
+surface of the river, and then faded into the universal night. Under the
+great cloak of the dark, the surface of the river showed but dimly, and
+the rising wind blew through the forest with a chill and uncanny sound.
+
+The ordinary soul would have been appalled by the mighty isolation of
+the wilderness, yet the river itself was not without the presence of
+human life. Close to the northern shore, where the shadow of the tall
+forest lay deepest, floated a long boat, containing five figures that
+rested easily. Two of the crew were boys, but as tall and strong as men.
+The other three were somewhat older. The boat carried four pairs of
+oars, but only one man rowed, and he merely pulled on an oar from time
+to time to give direction, while the current did the work. His comrades
+leaned comfortably against the sides of the boat, and with keen eyes,
+trained to the darkness, watched for a break in the black battlement of
+the trees.
+
+It was Henry Ware who first saw the opening. It was nearly always he who
+was the first to see, and he pointed to the place where the dark line
+made a loop towards the north.
+
+"It's a wide break," he said a moment or two later. "It must be the
+mouth of the river."
+
+"You're shorely right, Henry," said Shif'less Sol, who sat just behind
+him, "an' from the looks o' the break thar, it's a good, big river, too.
+S'pose we pull up in it a spell afore we make a landin'."
+
+"It seems a good idea to me," replied Henry. "What say you, Paul?"
+
+"I'm for it," replied Paul Cotter. "I'd like to see this new river
+coming down from the north, and it's pretty sure, too, that we'd be
+safer camping on it for the night than on the Ohio."
+
+Jim Hart had been guiding with a single oar. Now he took the pair in his
+hands and rowed into the mouth of the tributary stream. The smaller
+river, smaller only by contrast, poured a dark flood into the Ohio, and,
+seeing that the current was strong, the others took oars and rowed also,
+all except Paul, who was at the helm. Driven by powerful arms, the boat
+went swiftly up the new river. Henry in the prow watched with all the
+interest that he had for new things, and with all the need for watching
+that one always had in the great forests of the Ohio Valley.
+
+The banks of this river were higher than those of the Ohio, but were
+clothed also in dense forests, which, from the surface of the stream no
+human eye could penetrate in the darkness of the night. They rowed in
+silence for a full hour, seeing no good place for an anchorage, and
+then, at a sign from Henry, came to rest on the stream. Shif'less Sol,
+strong of eye and mind, saw an unusual expression on the face of the
+leader.
+
+"What is it, Henry?" he whispered.
+
+"I thought I heard the sound of an incautious paddle, one that splashed
+water, but I'm not sure."
+
+"Ah," said the shiftless one, "then we'll listen a little longer."
+
+The others heard the words also, but, saying nothing, they, too,
+listened. Very soon all heard the splashing of the single paddle and
+then the swishing sound of many moved steadily in the waters by strong
+and practiced hands.
+
+"It's a fleet behind us," said Henry, "and a fleet on this river can
+mean only Indians. Shall we pull ahead with all our might?"
+
+"No," said Shif'less Sol. "Look how thick the bushes grow at the water's
+edge. We can run our boat in among them and in all this darkness, the
+Indians, whether Wyandot, Miami or Shawnee, will not know that we are
+thar. Besides, curiosity is gnawin' at me hard. I want to see what's in
+this Indian fleet."
+
+"So do I," said Silent Tom Ross, speaking for the first time, and the
+others also gave their assent. The boat shot diagonally across the
+stream towards the dark mass of bushes, into which it was pushed slowly
+and without noise by the guiding arms of the rowers. Here it came to
+rest, completely hidden in the dense covert of leaves and twigs, while
+its occupants could see anything that passed on the surface of the
+river.
+
+"They'll come soon," said Henry, as the sound of the paddles grew
+louder, "and I should judge that they are many."
+
+"Maybe a hundred boats and canoes," said Shif'less Sol. "It's my guess
+that it's a big war party of some kind or other."
+
+"The allied Indian nations, no doubt," said Henry thoughtfully. "Despite
+their defeats in the East, they are yet almost supreme here in the
+valley, and they hang together."
+
+"Which means," said Shif'less Sol, a warlike tone coming into his voice,
+"that ef some big movement is afoot, it's our task to find out what it
+is an' beat it if we kin."
+
+"Certainly," Henry whispered back. "It's what we've been doing, Sol, for
+the last two or three years, and we won't stop until the work is done."
+
+The tone of the great youth was low, but it was marked by the resolution
+that he always showed in times of danger. He and his comrades were on
+the return journey to Wareville, after taking part in the campaigns of
+Wyoming and the Chemung, but it was scarcely the thought of any one of
+the five that they would travel the vast distance without interruption.
+Henry, as he sat in the boat in the darkness, felt that once more they
+were on the verge of great events. Used so long to the life of the
+wilderness and its countless dangers, the sudden throb of his heart told
+not of fear, but rather of exultation. It was the spirit rising to meet
+what lay before it. The same strength of soul animated his comrades, but
+everyone took his resolution in silence.
+
+The boat, hidden deep in the mass of foliage, lay parallel with the
+current of the stream, and it tipped a little on one side, as the five
+leaned forward and watched eagerly for the fleet that was coming up the
+river. The regular and rhythmic sound of oars and paddles grew louder,
+and then the head of the fleet, trailing itself like a long serpent,
+came into view. A great canoe with many men at the paddles appeared
+first, and behind it, in lines of four, followed the other canoes, at
+least a hundred in number, bearing perhaps five hundred warriors.
+
+The five thrilled at the sight, which was ominous and full of majesty.
+The moon was now coming out, and the surface of the dark stream turned
+to melted silver. But the high banks were still in darkness, and only
+the savage fleet was thrown into relief.
+
+The paddles rose and fell in unison, and the steady swishing sound was
+musical. The moonlight deepened and poured its stream of silver over
+hundreds of savage faces, illuminating the straight black hair, the high
+cheek bones, and the broad chests, naked, save for the war paint. None
+of them spoke, but their silence made the passing of this savage array
+in the night all the more formidable.
+
+Henry's attention was soon caught by a figure in the large boat that
+led. It was that of a man who did not use the paddle, but who sat near
+the prow with folded arms. The upper half of his body was so rigidly
+upright that in another place he might have posed for a figurehead of
+some old Roman galley. He was of magnificent build. Like the others, he
+was naked to the waist, and the moonlight showed the great muscles upon
+his powerful shoulders and chest. The pose of the head expressed pride
+that nothing could quench.
+
+Henry recognized the man at once. Had he not seen the face, the figure
+and attitude alone were sufficient to tell him that this was
+Timmendiquas, the great White Lightning of the Wyandots, returning from
+the East, where he had helped the Indians in vain, but at the head of a
+great force, once more in his own country.
+
+Henry put his hand upon that of Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I see," whispered his comrade very low. "It is Timmendiquas, an' whar
+he comes, big things come, too."
+
+Henry knew in his heart that the shiftless one was right. The coming of
+Timmendiquas with so large an army meant great events, and it was good
+fortune that had placed himself and his comrades there that night that
+they might see. His old feeling of admiration for the chief was as
+strong as ever, and he felt a certain sympathy, too. Here was a man who
+had failed despite courage, energy and genius. His help had not been
+able to save the Iroquois, and his own people might some day meet the
+same fate.
+
+The long line of the fleet passed on in silence, save for the musical
+swishing of the paddles. That sound, too, soon died away. Then all the
+canoes blended together like a long arrow of glittering silver, and the
+five in the bushes watched the arrow until it faded quite away on the
+surface of the stream.
+
+Henry and his comrades did not yet come forth from their covert, but
+they talked frankly.
+
+"What do you think it means?" asked the young leader.
+
+"Another raid on Kentucky," said Tom Ross.
+
+"But not jest yet," said the shrewd and far-seeing Shif'less Sol.
+"Timmendiquas will go North to gather all the warriors in the valley if
+he kin. He may even get help in Canada."
+
+"I think so, too," said Paul.
+
+"'Pears likely to me," said Long Jim.
+
+"That being the case," said Henry, "I think we ought to follow. Do you
+agree with me?"
+
+"We do," said the four together, speaking with the greatest emphasis.
+
+The decision made, nothing more was said upon the point, but they
+remained fully an hour longer in the covert. It would not be wise to
+follow yet, because a canoe or two might drop behind to serve as a rear
+guard. Nor was there any need to hurry.
+
+The five were in splendid shape for a new campaign. They had enjoyed a
+long rest, as they floated down the Ohio, rarely using the oars. They
+carried a large supply of ammunition and some extra rifles and other
+weapons, and, used to success, they were ready to dare anything. When
+they thought the Indian fleet was several miles ahead, they pulled their
+boat from the covert and followed. But they did not take the middle of
+the stream. Theirs was not a large force which could move rapidly,
+fearing nothing. Instead, they clung close to the eastern shore, in the
+shadow of the bank and trees, and rowed forward at an even pace, which
+they slackened only at the curves, lest they plunge suddenly into a
+hostile force.
+
+About midnight they heard faintly the splash of the paddles, and then
+they drew in again among the bushes at the bank, where they decided to
+remain for the rest of the night. Henry was to watch about three hours
+and Shif'less Sol would be on guard afterward. The four wrapped
+themselves in their blankets, lay down in the bottom of the boat, and
+were sound asleep in a few minutes. Henry, rifle across his knees,
+crouched in the stern. Now that he did not have the exercise of the
+oars, the night felt cold, and he drew his own blankets over his
+shoulders.
+
+Henry expected no danger, but he watched closely, nevertheless. Nothing
+could have passed on the stream unnoticed by him, and every sound on the
+bank above would have attracted his attention at once. Despite the fact
+that they were about to embark upon a new task attended by many dangers,
+the boy felt a great peace. In the perilous life of the wilderness he
+had learned how to enjoy the safety and physical comfort of the moment.
+He looked down at his comrades and smiled to himself. They were merely
+dark blurs on the bottom of the boat, sleeping soundly in their
+blankets. What glorious comrades they were! Surely no one ever had
+better.
+
+Henry himself did not move for a long time. He leaned against the side
+of the boat, and the blanket remained drawn up about his neck and
+shoulders. The rifle across his knee was draped by the same blanket, all
+except the steel muzzle. Only his face was uncovered, but his eyes never
+ceased to watch. The wind was blowing lightly through the trees and
+bushes, and the current of the river murmured beside the boat, all these
+gentle sounds merging into one note, the song of the forest that he
+sometimes heard when he alone was awake--he and everything else being
+still.
+
+Henry's mind was peaceful, imaginative, attentive to all the wonders of
+the forest, beholding wonders that others could not see, and the song
+went on, the gentle murmur of the river fusing and melting into the wind
+among the leaves. While he watched and listened, nothing escaping him,
+his mind traveled far, down the great rivers, through the many battles
+in which he had borne his share, and up to those mighty lakes of which
+he had often heard, but which he had never seen.
+
+The moonlight brightened again, clothing all the forest and river in a
+veil of silver gauze. It was inexpressibly beautiful to Henry who, like
+the Indians, beheld with awe and admiration the work of Manitou.
+
+A light sound, not in unison with the note of the forest, came from the
+bank above. It was very faint, nothing more than the momentary
+displacement of a bough, but the crouching figure in the boat moved ever
+so slightly, and then was still. The sound was repeated once and no
+more, but Henry's mind ceased to roam afar. The great river that he had
+seen and the great lakes that he had not seen were forgotten. With all
+the power of his marvelous gift he was concentrating his faculties upon
+the point from which the discord had come once, twice and then no more.
+Eye, ear and something greater--divination, almost--were bent upon it.
+
+He listened several minutes, but the sound did not come a third time.
+Forest and river were singing together again, but Henry was not
+satisfied. He rose to his feet, laid the blanket softly in the boat, and
+then with a glance at the river to see that nothing was passing there,
+leaped lightly to the land.
+
+The bank rose above him to a height of thirty feet, but the bushes were
+thick along its face, and the active youth climbed easily and without
+noise. Before he reached the crest he flattened himself against the
+earth and listened. He was quite confident that someone had been passing
+and was, perhaps, very near. He was too good a forester to ignore the
+event. He heard nothing and then drew himself up cautiously over the
+edge of the cliff.
+
+He saw before him thick forest, so heavy and dark that the moon did not
+light it up. An ordinary scout or sentinel would have turned back,
+satisfied that nothing was to be found, but Henry entered the woods and
+proceeded carefully in the direction from which the sound had come. He
+soon saw faint signs of a trail, evidently running parallel with the
+river, and, used from time to time, by the Indians. Now Henry was
+satisfied that his senses had not deceived him, and he would discover
+who had passed. He judged by the difference between the first and second
+sounds that the journey was leading northward, and he followed along the
+trail. He had an idea that it would soon lead him to a camp, and he
+reckoned right, because in a few minutes he saw a red bead of light to
+his right.
+
+Henry knew that the light betokened a camp-fire, and he was sure that he
+would find beside it the cause of the noise that he had heard. He
+approached with care, the woods offering an ample covert. He soon saw
+that the fire was of good size, and that there were at least a dozen
+figures around it.
+
+"More warriors," he said to himself, "probably bound for the same place
+as the fleet."
+
+But as he drew yet nearer he saw that not all the men around the
+camp-fire were warriors. Three, despite their faces, browned by wind and
+rain, belonged to the white race, and in the one nearest to him, Henry,
+with a leap of the heart, recognized his old enemy, Braxton Wyatt.
+
+Wyatt, like Timmendiquas, had come back to the scene of his earlier
+exploits and this conjunction confirmed Henry in his belief that some
+great movement was intended.
+
+Wyatt was on the far side of the fire, where the flames lighted up his
+face, and Henry was startled by the savagery manifested there. The
+renegade's face, despite his youth, was worn and lined. His black hair
+fell in dark locks upon his temples. He still wore the British uniform
+that he had adopted in the East, but sun and rain had left little of its
+original color. Wyatt had returned to the West unsuccessful, and Henry
+knew that he was in his most evil mind.
+
+The short, thick man sitting by Wyatt was Simon Girty, the most famous
+of all the renegades, and just beyond him was Blackstaffe. The Indians
+were Shawnees.
+
+The three white men were deep in conversation and now and then they
+pointed towards the north. Henry would have given much to have heard
+what they said, but they did not speak loudly enough. He was tempted to
+take a shot at the villain, Simon Girty. A single bullet would remove a
+scourge from the border and save hundreds of lives. The bullet sent, he
+might easily escape in the darkness. But he could not pull the trigger.
+He could not fire upon anyone from ambush, and watching a little while
+longer, he crept back through the forest to the boat, which he regained
+without trouble.
+
+Henry awakened his comrades and told them all that he had seen. They
+agreed with him that it was of the utmost importance. Wyatt and Girty
+were, no doubt, coöperating with Timmendiquas, and somewhere to the
+north the great Wyandot intended to rally his forces for a supreme
+effort.
+
+"This leaves us without the shadow of a pretext for going on to
+Wareville," said Henry.
+
+"It shorely does," said Shif'less Sol. "It's now our business to follow
+the Indians an' the renegades all the way to the Great Lakes ef they go
+that fur."
+
+"I hope they will," said Paul. "I'd like to see those lakes. They say
+you can sail on them there for days and days and keep out of sight of
+land. They're one of the wonders of the world."
+
+"The trail may lead us that far," said Henry. "Who knows! But since the
+enemy is on both land and water, I think we'll have to hide our boat and
+take to the forest."
+
+The truth of his words was obvious to them. The renegades or Indians in
+the woods would certainly see their boat if they continued that method
+of progress, but on land they could choose their way and hide whenever
+they wished. Reluctantly they abandoned their boat, which was staunch
+and strong, but they hid it as well as possible among bushes and reeds.
+In such a vast wilderness, the chances were twenty to one that it would
+remain where they had put it until they returned to claim their own. Too
+wise to burden themselves, they buried all their extra weapons and
+stores at the base of a great oak, marked well the place, and then,
+everyone with a blanket and light pack, started forward through the
+forest. They intended to go ahead of the renegades, observe the
+anchorage of the boats, and then withdrawing some distance from the
+river, let Wyatt, Girty and their friends pass them.
+
+Although it was yet several hours until daylight, they resumed their
+journey along the eastern bank of the stream, Henry leading and Silent
+Tom Ross bringing up the rear. In this manner they advanced rapidly and
+just when the first beams of dawn were appearing, they saw the Indian
+fleet at anchor on the west shore.
+
+They examined them at their leisure from the dense covert of the
+thickets, and saw that their estimate of five hundred warriors, made the
+night before, was correct. They also saw Timmendiquas more than once and
+it was evident that he was in complete command. Respect and attention
+followed wherever he went. Paint and dress indicated that warriors of
+all the tribes inhabiting the Ohio Valley were there.
+
+The Indians seemed to be in no hurry, as they lighted fires on the bank,
+and cooked buffalo and deer meat, which they ate in great quantities.
+Many, when they had finished their breakfast, lay down on the grass and
+slept again. Others slept in the larger canoes.
+
+"They are waiting for more of their friends to come up," whispered Henry
+to his comrades. A few minutes later, Wyatt, Girty and their party
+hailed the great war band from the east bank. Canoes were sent over for
+them, and they were taken into the Indian camp, but without much sign of
+rejoicing.
+
+"We know that Timmendiquas does not like Wyatt," said Henry, "and I
+don't believe that he really likes any of the renegades, not even
+Girty."
+
+"Red man ought to stick to red man, an' white man to white," said
+Shif'less Sol, sententiously. "I think that's the way Timmendiquas looks
+at it, an' I'd like to stan' ez high ez a white man, ez he does ez a red
+man."
+
+"I kin smell that cookin' buffler an' venison all the way across the
+river," said Jim Hart, "an' it's makin' me pow'ful hungry."
+
+"It'll have to be cold meat for us this time, Jim," said Henry.
+
+They had been so engrossed in the spectacle passing before them that
+they had forgotten food until the savory odors came across the stream
+and recalled it to Jim Hart's attention. Now they took out strips of
+dried venison with which they were always provided, and ate it slowly.
+It was not particularly delicious to the taste, but it furnished
+sustenance and strength. All the while they were lying in a dense
+thicket, and the sun was steadily climbing to the zenith, touching the
+vast green forest with bright gold.
+
+A shout came from a point far down the river. It was faint, but the five
+in the covert heard it. Someone in the fleet of Timmendiquas sent back
+an answering cry, a shrill piercing whoop that rose to an extraordinary
+pitch of intensity, and then sank away gradually in a dying note. Then
+the first cry came again, not so remote now, and once more it was
+answered in a similar way from the fleet of Timmendiquas.
+
+"Another fleet or detachment is comm'," said Shif'less Sol, "an' its
+expected. That's the reason why White Lightnin' has been lingerin' here,
+ez ef time didn't hev no meanin' at all."
+
+Many of the Indians, and with them Girty, Wyatt and Blackstaffe were
+looking down the stream. The eyes of the five followed theirs and
+presently they saw a fleet of thirty or forty canoes emerge into view,
+welcomed with loud shouts by the men of Timmendiquas. When the
+re-enforcement was fused into the main fleet, all took their place in
+line and once more started northward, the five following in the woods on
+shore.
+
+Henry and his comrades kept up this odd pursuit for a week, curving back
+and forth, but in the main keeping a northern course. Sometimes they
+left the river several miles away to the left, and saved distance by
+making a straight line between curves, but they knew that they would
+always come back to the stream. Thus it was easy traveling for such
+capable woodsmen as they. They saw the fleet joined by three more
+detachments, two by water and one by land. One came on a small tributary
+stream flowing from the West, and the total force was now increased to
+nearly a thousand warriors.
+
+On the sixth night of the parallel pursuit the five discussed it sitting
+in a thicket.
+
+"We must be drawing near to a village," said Henry.
+
+"I believe with you," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think it likely that
+it's a Wyandot town."
+
+"It's probable," said Paul, "and now for what purpose is such a great
+Indian force gathering? Do they mean to go South against Kentucky? Do
+they mean to go East against New York and Pennsylvania, or do they mean
+to go northward to join the British in Canada?"
+
+"That's what we've got to find out," said Long Jim tersely.
+
+"That's just it," said Henry. "We've got to stick to 'em until we learn
+what they mean to try. Then we must follow again. It's my opinion that
+they intend to go further northward or they wouldn't be gathering at a
+point two or three hundred miles above the Ohio."
+
+"Reckon you are right, Henry," said Shif'less Sol. "Ez for me I don't
+care how fur north this chase takes us, even ef we come right spang up
+ag'in' the Great Lakes. I want to see them five wonders o' the world
+that Paul talks about."
+
+"We may go to them," said Henry, "but it seems probable to me that we'll
+reach a big Wyandot village first."
+
+The Indians resumed their voyage in the usual leisurely fashion the next
+morning, and the five on shore followed at a convenient distance. They
+observed that the water of the river was now shallowing fast. The Indian
+boats were of light draft, but they could not go much further, and the
+village must be near.
+
+That evening just before sunset long cries were heard in the forest, and
+those in the boat replied with similar signals. Then the fleet swung to
+the bank, and all the warriors disembarked. Other warriors came through
+the woods to meet them, and leaving a guard with the boats the whole
+army marched away through the forest.
+
+The five were observers of all that passed, and they knew that the
+Indian village was at hand--perhaps not more than three or four miles
+away. Still keeping their distance, they followed. The sun was now gone,
+and only a band of red light lingered on the horizon in the West. It,
+too, faded quickly as they marched through the woods, and the night came
+down, enveloping the forest in darkness. The five were glad that the
+landing had occurred at such a time, as it made their own pursuit much
+safer and easier.
+
+The Indians, feeling perfectly safe, carried torches and talked and
+laughed with great freedom. The five in the covert had both the light
+and the noise to guide them, and they followed silently.
+
+They passed over a gently rolling country, heavily wooded, and in a half
+hour they saw lights ahead, but yet at some distance. The lights, though
+scattered, were numerous, and seemed to extend along an arc of half a
+mile. The five knew that the Indian village now lay before them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SILVER BULLET
+
+
+The village, the largest belonging to the Wyandots, the smallest, but
+most warlike of the valley tribes, lay in a warm hollow, and it did not
+consist of more than a hundred and fifty skin tepees and log cabins. But
+it was intended to be of a permanent nature, else a part of its houses
+would not have been of wood. There was also about it a considerable area
+of cleared land where the squaws raised corn and pumpkins. A fine creek
+flowed at the eastern edge of the clearing. Henry and his comrades
+paused, where the line of forest met the open, and watched the progress
+of the army across the cleared ground. Everybody in the village, it
+seemed, was coming forward to meet the chief, the warriors first and
+then the old men, squaws and children, all alive with interest.
+
+Timmendiquas strode ahead, his tall figure seeming taller in the light
+of the torches. But it was no triumphant return for him. Suddenly he
+uttered a long quavering cry which was taken up by those who followed
+him. Then the people in the village joined in the wail, and it came over
+and over again from the multitude. It was inexpressibly mournful and the
+dark forest gave it back in weird echoes. The procession poured on in a
+great horde toward the village, but the cry, full of grief and lament
+still came back.
+
+"They are mournin' for the warriors lost in the East," said Tom Ross. "I
+reckon that after Wyomin' an' Chemung, Timmendiquas wasn't able to
+bring back more than half his men."
+
+"If the Wyandots lost so many in trying to help the Iroquois, won't that
+fact be likely to break up the big Indian league?" asked Paul.
+
+Tom Ross shook his head, but Henry answered in words:
+
+"No, the Indians, especially the chiefs, are inflamed more than ever by
+their losses. Moreover, as Timmendiquas has seen how the allied Six
+Nations themselves could not hold back the white power, he will be all
+the more anxious to strike us hard in the valley."
+
+"I've a notion," said Shif'less Sol, "that bands o' the Iroquois,
+'specially the Mohawks, may come out here, an' try to do fur
+Timmendiquas what he tried to do fur them. The savages used to fight
+ag'in' one another, but I think they are now united ag'in' us, on an'
+off, all the way from the Atlantic to the Great Plains."
+
+"Guess you're right, Sol," said Long Jim, "but ez fur me, jest now I
+want to sleep. We had a purty hard march to-day. Besides walkin' we had
+to be watchin' always to see that our scalps were still on our heads,
+an' that's a purty wearyin' combination."
+
+"I speak for all, and all are with you," said Paul, so briskly that the
+others laughed.
+
+"Any snug place that is well hid will do," said Henry, "and as the
+forest is so thick I don't think it will take us long to find it."
+
+They turned southward, and went at least three miles through heavy woods
+and dense thickets. All they wanted was a fairly smooth spot with the
+bushes growing high above them, and, as Henry had predicted, they
+quickly found it--a small depression well grown with bushes and weeds,
+but with an open space in the center where some great animal, probably a
+buffalo had wallowed. They lay down in this dry sandy spot, rolled in
+their blankets, and felt so secure that they sought sleep without
+leaving anyone to watch.
+
+Henry was the first to awake. The dawn was cold and he shivered a little
+when he unrolled himself from his blanket. The sun showed golden in the
+east, but the west was still dusky. He looked for a moment or two at his
+four friends, lying as still as if they were dead. Then he stretched his
+muscles, and beat his arms across his chest to drive away the frost of
+the morning that had crept into his blood. Shif'less Sol yawned and
+awoke and the others did likewise, one by one.
+
+"Cold mornin' fur this time o' year," said Shif'less Sol. "Jim, light
+the fire an' cook breakfast an' the fust thing I want is a good hot cup
+o' coffee."
+
+"Wish I could light a fire," said Long Jim, "an' then I could give you a
+cup shore 'nuff. I've got a little pot an' a tin cup inside an' three
+pounds o' ground coffee in my pack. I brought it from the boat, thinkin'
+you fellers would want it afore long."
+
+"What do you say, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol. "Coffee would be pow'ful
+warmin'. None o' us hez tasted anything but cold vittles for more'n a
+day now. Let's take the chances on it."
+
+Henry hesitated but the chill was still in his blood and he yielded.
+Besides the risk was not great.
+
+"All right," he said; "gather dead wood and we'll be as quick about it
+as we can."
+
+The wood was ready in a minute. Tom Ross whittled off shavings with his
+knife. Shif'less Sol set fire to them with flint and steel. In a few
+minutes something was bubbling inside Jim Hart's coffee pot, and sending
+out a glorious odor.
+
+Shif'less Sol sniffed the odor.
+
+"I'm growin' younger," he said. "I'm at least two years younger than I
+wuz when I woke up. I wish to return thanks right now to the old Greek
+feller who invented fire. What did you say his name was, Paul?"
+
+"Prometheus. He didn't invent fire, Sol, but according to the story he
+brought it down from the heavens."
+
+"It's all the same," said the shiftless one as he looked attentively at
+the steaming coffee pot. "I guess it wuz about the most useful trip
+Promethy ever made when he brought that fire down."
+
+Everyone in turn drank from the cup. They also heated their dried
+venison over the coals, and, as they ate and drank, they felt fresh
+strength pouring into every vein. When the pot was empty Jim put it on
+the ground to cool, and as he scattered the coals of fire with a kick,
+Henry, who was sitting about a yard away suddenly lay flat and put his
+ear to the earth.
+
+"Do you hear anything, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol, who knew the meaning
+of the action.
+
+"I thought I heard the bark of a dog," replied Henry, "but I was not
+sure before I put my ear to the ground that it was not imagination. Now
+I know it's truth. I can hear the barking distinctly, and it is coming
+this way."
+
+"Some o' them ornery yellow curs hev picked up our trail," said
+Shif'less Sol, "an' o' course the warriors will follow."
+
+"Which, I take it, means that it is time for us to move from our present
+abode," said Paul.
+
+Long Jim hastily thrust the coffee pot, not yet cold, and the cup back
+into his pack, and they went towards the South at a gait that was half a
+run and half a walk, easy but swift.
+
+"This ain't a flight," said Shif'less Sol. "It's just a masterly
+retreat. But I'll tell you, boys, I don't like to run away from dogs. It
+humiliates me to run from a brute, an' an inferior. Hark to their
+barkin'."
+
+They now heard the baying of the dogs distinctly, a long wailing cry
+like the howling of hounds. The note of it was most ominous to Paul's
+sensitive mind. In the mythology that he had read, dogs played a great
+rôle, nearly always as the enemy of man. There were Cerberus and the
+others, and flitting visions of them passed through his mind now. He was
+aware, too, that the reality was not greatly inferior to his fancies.
+The dogs could follow them anywhere, and the accidental picking-up of
+their trail might destroy them all.
+
+The five went on in silence, so far as they were concerned, for a long
+time, but the baying behind them never ceased. It also grew louder, and
+Henry, glancing hastily back, expected that the dogs would soon come
+into sight.
+
+"Judging from their barking, the Wyandots must love dogs of uncommon
+size and fierceness," he said.
+
+"'Pears likely to me," said Shif'less Sol. "We're good runners, all five
+o' us. We've shaken the warriors off, but not the dogs."
+
+"It's just as you say," said Henry. "We can't run on forever, so we must
+shoot the trailers--that is--the dogs. Listen to them. They are not more
+than a couple of hundred yards away now."
+
+They crossed a little open space, leaped a brook and then entered the
+woods again. But at a signal from Henry, they stopped a few yards
+further on.
+
+"Now, boys," he said, "be ready with your rifles. We must stop these
+dogs. How many do you think they are, Tom?"
+
+"'Bout four, I reckon."
+
+"Then the moment they come into the open space, Tom, you and Paul and
+Jim shoot at those on the left, and Sol and I will take the right."
+
+The Indian dogs sprang into the open space and five rifles cracked
+together. Three of them--they were four in number, as Tom had said--were
+killed instantly, but the fourth sprang aside into the bushes, where he
+remained. The five at once reloaded their rifles as they ran. Now they
+increased their speed, hoping to shake off their pursuers. Behind them
+rose a long, fierce howl, like a note of grief and revenge.
+
+"That's the dog we did not kill," said Paul, "and he's going to hang
+on."
+
+"I've heard tell," said Tom Ross, "that 'cordin' to the Indian belief,
+the souls o' dead warriors sometimes get into dogs an' other animals,
+an' it ain't fur me to say that it ain't true. Mebbe it's really a dead
+Injun, 'stead o' a live dog that's leadin' the warriors on."
+
+Paul shuddered. Tom's weird theory chimed in with his own feelings. The
+fourth dog, the one that had hid from the bullets, was a phantom,
+leading the savages on to vengeance for his dead comrades. Now and then
+he still bayed as he kept the trail, but the fleeing five sought in vain
+to make him a target for their bullets. Seemingly, he had profited by
+the death of his comrades, as his body never showed once among the
+foliage. Search as they would with the sharpest of eyes, none of the
+five could catch the faintest glimpse of him.
+
+"He's a ghost, shore," said Tom Ross. "No real, ordinary dog would keep
+under cover that way. I reckon we couldn't kill him if we hit him, 'less
+we had a silver bullet."
+
+The savages themselves uttered the war cry only two or three times, but
+it was enough to show that with the aid of the dog they followed
+relentlessly. The situation of the five had become alarming to the last
+degree. They had intended to pursue, not to be pursued. Now they were
+fleeing for their lives, and there would be no escape, unless they could
+shake off the most terrible of all that followed--the dog. And at least
+one of their number, Silent Tom Ross, was convinced thoroughly that the
+dog could not be killed, unless they had the unobtainable--a silver
+bullet. In moments of danger, superstition can take a strong hold, and
+Paul too, felt a cold chill at his heart.
+
+Their course now took them through a rolling country, clad heavily in
+forest, but without much undergrowth, and they made good speed. They
+came to numerous brooks, and sometimes they waded in them a little
+distance, but they did not have much confidence in this familiar device.
+It might shake off the warriors for a while, but not that terrible dog
+which, directed by the Indians, would run along the bank and pick up the
+trail again in a few seconds. Yet hope rose once. For a long time they
+heard neither bark nor war cry, and they paused under the branches of a
+great oak. They were not really tired, as they had run at an easy gait,
+but they were too wise to let pass a chance for rest. Henry was hopeful
+that in some manner they had shaken off the dog, but there was no such
+belief in the heart of the silent one. Tom Ross had taken out his
+hunting knife and with his back to the others was cutting at something.
+Henry gave him a quick glance, but he did not deem it wise to ask him
+anything. The next moment, all thought of Tom was put out of his mind by
+the deep baying of the dog coming down through the forest.
+
+The single sound, rising and swelling after the long silence was uncanny
+and terrifying. The face of Tom Ross turned absolutely pale through the
+tan of many years. Henry himself could not repress a shudder.
+
+"We must run for it again," he said. "We could stay and fight, of
+course, but it's likely that the Indians are in large numbers."
+
+"If we could only shake off the hound," muttered Tom Ross. "Did you pay
+'tention to his voice then, Henry? Did you notice how deep it was? I
+tell you that ain't no common dog."
+
+Henry nodded and they swung once more into flight. But he and Shif'less
+Sol, the best two marksmen on the border, dropped to the rear.
+
+"We must get a shot at that dog," whispered Henry. "Very likely it's a
+big wolf hound."
+
+"I think so," said Shif'less Sol, "but I tell you, Henry, I don't like
+to hear it bayin'. It sounds to me jest ez ef it wuz sayin': 'I've got
+you! I've got you! I've got you!' Do you reckon there kin be anything in
+what Tom says?"
+
+"Of course not. Of course not," replied Henry. "Tom's been picking up
+too much Indian superstition."
+
+At that moment the deep baying note so unlike the ordinary bark of an
+Indian dog came again, and Henry, despite himself, felt the cold chill
+at his heart once more. Involuntarily he and the shiftless one glanced
+at each other, and each read the same in the other's eyes.
+
+"We're bound to get that dog, hound, cur, or whatever he may be!"
+exclaimed Henry almost angrily.
+
+Shif'less Sol said nothing, but he cast many backward glances at the
+bushes. Often he saw them move slightly in a direction contrary to the
+course of the wind, but he could not catch a glimpse of the body that
+caused them to move. Nor could Henry. Twice more they heard the war cry
+of the savages, coming apparently from at least a score of throats, and
+not more than three or four hundred yards away. Henry knew that they
+were depending entirely upon the dog, and his eagerness for a shot
+increased. He could not keep his finger away from the trigger. He longed
+for a shot.
+
+"We must kill that dog," he said to Shif'less Sol; "we can't run on
+forever."
+
+"No, we can't, but we kin run jest as long as the Injuns kin," returned
+the shiftless one, "an' while we're runnin' we may get the chance we
+want at the dog."
+
+The pursuit went on for a long time. The Indians never came into view,
+but the occasional baying of the hound told the fleeing five that they
+were still there. It was not an unbroken flight. They stopped now and
+then for rest, but, when the voice of the hound came near again, they
+would resume their easy run toward the South. At every stop Tom Ross
+would turn his back to the others, take out his hunting knife and begin
+to whittle at something. But when they started again the hunting knife
+was back in its sheath once more, and Tom's appearance was as usual.
+
+The sun passed slowly up the arch of the heavens. The morning coolness
+had gone long since from the air, but the foliage of the great forest
+protected them. Often, when the shade was not so dense they ran over
+smooth, springy turf, and they were even deliberate enough, as the hours
+passed, to eat a little food from their packs. Twice they knelt and
+drank at the brooks.
+
+They made no attempt to conceal their trail, knowing that it was
+useless, but Henry and Shif'less Sol, their rifles always lying in the
+hollows of their arms, never failed to seek a glimpse of the relentless
+hound. It was fully noon when the character of the country began to
+change slightly. The hills were a little higher and there was more
+underbrush. Just as they reached a crest Henry looked back. In the far
+bushes, he saw a long dark form and a pointed gray head with glittering
+eyes. He knew that it was the great dog, a wolf hound; he was sure now,
+and, quick as a flash, he raised his rifle and fired at a point directly
+between the glittering eyes. The dog dropped out of sight and the five
+ran on.
+
+"Do you think you killed him, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol breathlessly.
+
+"I don't know; I hope so."
+
+Behind them rose a deep bay, the trailing note of the great dog, but now
+it seemed more ferocious and uncanny than ever. Shif'less Sol shuddered.
+Tom Ross' face turned not pale, but actually white, through its many
+layers of tan.
+
+"Henry," said Shif'less Sol, "I never knowed you to miss at that range
+afore."
+
+The eyes of the two met again and each asked a question of the other.
+
+"I think I was careless, Sol," said Henry. His voice shook a little.
+
+"I hope so," said Shif'less Sol, whose mind was veering more and more
+toward the belief of Tom Ross, "but I'd like pow'ful well to put a
+bullet through that animal myself. Them awful wolf howls o' his hit on
+my nerves, they do."
+
+The chance of the shiftless one came presently. He, too, saw among the
+bushes the long dark body, the massive pointed head and the glittering
+eyes. He fired as quickly as Henry had done. Then came that silence,
+followed in a few minutes by the deep and sinister baying note of the
+great hound.
+
+"I reckon I fired too quick, too," said Shif'less Sol. But the hands
+that grasped his rifle were damp and cold.
+
+"'Tain't no use," said Tom Ross in a tone of absolute conviction. "I've
+seen you and Henry fire afore at harder targets than that, an' hit 'em
+every time. You hit this one, too."
+
+"Then why didn't we kill the brute?" exclaimed Henry.
+
+"'Cause lead wuzn't meant to kill him. Your bullets went right through
+him an' never hurt him."
+
+Henry forced a laugh.
+
+"Pshaw, Tom," he said. "Don't talk such foolishness.'"
+
+"I never talked solider sense in my life," said Ross.
+
+Henry and Shif'less Sol reloaded their rifles as they ran, and both were
+deeply troubled. In all their experience of every kind of danger they
+had met nothing so sinister as this, nothing so likely to turn the
+courage of a brave man. Twice sharpshooters who never missed had missed
+a good target. Or could there be anything in the words of Tom Ross?
+
+They left the warriors some distance behind again and paused for another
+rest, until the terrible hound should once more bring the pursuers near.
+All five were much shaken, but Tom Ross as usual in these intervals
+turned his back upon the others, and began to work with his hunting
+knife. Henry, as he drew deep breaths of fresh air into his lungs,
+noticed that the sun was obscured. Many clouds were coming up from the
+southwest, and there was a damp touch in the air. The wind was rising.
+
+"Looks as if a storm was coming," he said. "It ought to help us."
+
+But Tom Ross solemnly shook his head.
+
+"It might throw off the warriors," he said, "but not the dog. Hark,
+don't you hear him again?"
+
+They did hear. The deep booming note, sinister to the last degree, came
+clearly to their ears.
+
+"It's time to go ag'in," said Shif'less Sol, with a wry smile. "Seems to
+me this is about the longest footrace I ever run. Sometimes I like to
+run, but I like to run only when I like it, and when I don't like it I
+don't like for anybody to make me do it. But here goes, anyhow. I'll
+keep on runnin' I don't know whar."
+
+Sol's quaint remarks cheered them a little, and their feet became
+somewhat lighter. But one among them was thinking with the utmost
+concentration. Tom Ross, convinced that something was a fact, was
+preparing to meet it. He would soon be ready. Meanwhile the darkness
+increased and the wind roared, but there was no rain. The country grew
+rougher. The underbrush at times was very dense, and one sharp little
+stony hill succeeded another. The running was hard.
+
+Henry was growing angry. He resented this tenacious pursuit. It had
+been so unexpected, and the uncanny dog had been so great a weapon
+against them. He began to feel now that they had run long enough. They
+must make a stand and the difficult country would help them.
+
+"Boys," he said, "we've run enough. I'm in favor of dropping down behind
+these rocks and fighting them off. What do you say?"
+
+All were for it, and in a moment they took shelter. The heavy clouds and
+the forest about them made the air dim, but their eyes were so used to
+it that they could see anyone who approached them, and they were glad
+now that they had decided to put the issue to the test of battle. They
+lay close together, watching in front and also for a flank movement, but
+for a while they saw nothing. The hound had ceased to bay, but, after a
+while, both Henry and Sol saw a rustling among the bushes, and they knew
+that the savages were at hand.
+
+But of all the watchers at that moment Silent Tom Ross was the keenest.
+He also occupied himself busily for a minute or so in drawing the bullet
+from his rifle. Henry did not notice him until this task was almost
+finished.
+
+"Why, in the name of goodness, Tom," he exclaimed, "are you unloading
+your rifle at such a time?"
+
+Tom looked up. The veteran scout's eyes shone with grim fire.
+
+"I know what I'm doin'," he said. "Mebbe I'm the only one in this crowd
+who knows what ought to be did. I'm not unloadin' my rifle, Henry. I'm
+jest takin' out one bullet an' puttin' in another in its place. See
+this?"
+
+He held up a small disc that gleamed in the dim light.
+
+"That," said Tom, "is a silver bullet. It's flat an' it ain't shaped
+like a bullet, but it's a bullet all the same. I've been cuttin' it out
+uv a silver sixpence, an' now it exactly fits my rifle. You an' Sol--an'
+I ain't sayin' anything ag'in' your marksmanship--could shoot at that
+dog all day without hurtin' him, but I'm goin' to kill him with this
+silver bullet."
+
+"Don't talk foolishness, Tom," said Henry.
+
+"You'll see," said the veteran in a tone of such absolute conviction
+that the others could not help being impressed. Tom curled himself up
+behind one rock, and in front of another. Then he watched with the full
+intensity that the danger and his excitement demanded. He felt that all
+depended upon him, his own life and the lives of those four comrades so
+dear to him.
+
+Tom Ross, silent, reserved, fairly poured his soul into his task.
+Nothing among the bushes and trees in front of them escaped his
+attention. Once he saw a red feather move, but he knew that it was stuck
+in the hair of an Indian and he was looking for different game. He
+became so eager that he flattened his face against the rock and thrust
+forward the rifle barrel that he might lose no chance however fleeting.
+
+Silent Tom's figure and face were so tense and eager that Henry stopped
+watching the bushes a moment or two to look at him. But Tom continued to
+search for his target. He missed nothing that human eye could see among
+those bushes, trees and rocks. He saw an eagle feather again, but it did
+not interest him. Then he heard the baying of a hound, and he quivered
+from head to foot, but the sound stopped in a moment, and he could not
+locate the long dark figure for which he looked. But he never ceased to
+watch, and his eagerness and intensity did not diminish a particle.
+
+The air darkened yet more, and the moan of the wind rose in the forest.
+But there was no rain. The five behind the rocks scarcely moved, and
+there was silence in the bushes in front of them. Tom Ross, intent as
+ever, saw a bush move slightly and then another. His eyes fastened upon
+the spot. So eager was he that he seemed fairly to double his power of
+sight. He saw a third bush move, and then a patch of something dark
+appear where nothing had been before. Tom's heart beat fast. He thought
+of the comrades so dear to him, and he thought of the silver bullet in
+his rifle. The dark patch grew a little larger. He quivered all over,
+but the next instant he was rigid. He was watching while the dark patch
+still grew. He felt that he would have but a single chance, and that if
+ever in his life he must seize the passing moment it was now.
+
+Tom was staring so intently that his gaze pierced the shadows, and now
+he saw the full figure of a huge hound stealing forward among the
+bushes. He saw the massive pointed head and glittering eyes, and his
+rifle muzzle shifted until he looked down the barrel upon a spot
+directly between those cruel eyes. He prayed to the God of the white man
+and the Manitou of the red man, who are the same, to make him steady of
+eye and hand in this, their moment of great need. Then he pulled the
+trigger.
+
+The great dog uttered a fierce howl of pain, leaped high into the air,
+and fell back among the bushes. But even as he fell Tom saw that he was
+stiffening into death, and he exclaimed to his comrades:
+
+"It got him! The silver bullet got him! He'll never follow us any more."
+
+"I believe you're right," said Henry, awed for the moment despite his
+clear and powerful mind, "and since he's dead we'll shake off the
+warriors. Come, we'll run for it again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE HOT SPRING
+
+
+Bending low, they ran again swiftly forward toward the south. A great
+cry rose behind them, the whoop of the warriors, a yell of rage and
+disappointment. A dozen shots were fired, but the bullets either flew
+over their heads or dropped short. The five did not take the trouble to
+reply. Confidence had returned to them with amazing quickness, and the
+most confident and joyous of all was Tom Ross.
+
+"I had the big medicine that time," he exclaimed exultantly. "It's lucky
+I found the silver sixpence in my pocket, or that hound would have had
+the savages trailing us forever."
+
+Henry was cooler now, but he did not argue with him about it. In fact,
+none of them ever did. Both he and Sol were now noting the heavens which
+had become more overcast. The clouds spread from the horizon to the
+zenith. Not a ray of sunlight showed. The wind was dropping, but far
+into the southwest the earth sighed.
+
+"It's the rain," said Henry. "Let it come. It and all this blackness
+will help our escape."
+
+Low thunder muttered along the western horizon. There were three or four
+flashes of lightning but when the rain came presently with a sweep, both
+thunder and lightning ceased, and they ran on clothed in a mantle of
+darkness.
+
+"Let's stay close together," said Henry, "and after awhile we'll turn to
+the east and bear back toward the village. Nobody on earth can trail us
+in all this gloom, with the rain, too, washing out every trace of our
+footsteps."
+
+Henry's judgment was good. Now that the hound was gone they shook off
+the savages with ease. The rain was coming down in a steady pour, and,
+as the twilight also was at hand, they were invisible to anyone fifty
+yards away. Hence their speed dropped to a walk, and, in accordance with
+their plan, they turned to the right. They walked on through dark woods,
+and came to a smoother country, troubled little by rocks and underbrush.
+The night was fully come, and the rain, that was still pouring out of a
+black sky, was cold. They had paid no attention to it before except for
+its concealment, but, as their figures relaxed after long effort, chill
+struck into the bone. They had kept their rifles dry with their hunting
+shirts, but now they took their blankets from the packs and wrapped them
+about their shoulders. The blankets did not bring them warmth. Their
+soaked clothing chilled them more and more.
+
+They had become inured long since to all kinds of hardships, but one
+cannot stand everything. Now and then a spurt of hail came with the
+rain, and it beat in their faces, slipped between the blankets and down
+their necks, making them shiver. Their weariness after so much exertion
+made them all susceptible to the rain and cold. Finally Henry called a
+halt.
+
+"We must find shelter somewhere," he said. "If we don't, we'll be so
+stiff in the morning we can't walk, and we'll be lucky to escape chills
+and pneumonia, or something of that kind."
+
+"That's right," said Shif'less Sol. "So we'll jest go into the inn,
+which ain't more'n a hundred yards further on, git dry clothing, eat a
+big supper, have a steaming hot drink apiece of something strong an'
+then crawl in on feather beds with warm dry blankets over us. Oh, I'll
+sleep good an' long! Don't you worry about that!"
+
+"Solomon Hyde," said Long Jim Hart indignantly, "ef you don't stop
+talkin' that way I'll hit you over the head with the barrel uv my rifle.
+I'm cold enough an' wet enough already without you conjurin' up happy
+dreams an' things that ain't. Them contrasts make me miserabler than
+ever, an' I'm likely to get wickeder too. I give you fair warning'."
+
+"All right," replied Shif'less Sol resignedly. "I wuz jest tryin' to
+cheer you up, Jim, but a good man never gits any reward in this world,
+jest kicks. How I wish that rain would stop! I never knowed such a cold
+rain afore at this time o' the year."
+
+"We must certainly find some sort of shelter," Henry repeated.
+
+They searched for a long time, hoping for an alcove among the rocks or
+perhaps a thick cluster of trees, but they found nothing. Several hours
+passed. The rain grew lighter, and ceased, although the clouds remained,
+hiding the moon. But the whole forest was soaked. Water dripped from
+every twig and leaf, and the five steadily grew colder and more
+miserable. It was nearly midnight when Henry spied the gleam of water
+among the tree trunks.
+
+"Another spring," he said. "What a delightful thing to see more water.
+I've been fairly longing for something wet."
+
+"Yes, and the spring has been rained on so much that the steam is rising
+from it," said Paul.
+
+"That's so," said Jim Hart. "Shore ez you live thar's a mist like a
+smoke."
+
+But Henry looked more closely and his tone was joyous as he spoke.
+
+"Boys," he said, "I believe we're in luck, great luck. I think that's a
+hot spring."
+
+"So do I," said Shif'less Sol in the same joyous tone, "an' ef it is a
+hot spring, an' it ain't too almighty hot, why, we'll all take pleasant
+hot baths in it, go to bed an' sleep same ez ef we wuz really on them
+feather beds in that inn that ain't."
+
+Sol approached and put his hand in the water which he found warm, but
+not too hot.
+
+"It's all that we hoped, boys," he exclaimed joyfully. "So I'm goin' to
+enjoy these baths of Lucully right away. After my bath I'll wrap myself
+in my blanket, an' ez the rain hez stopped I'll hang out my clothes to
+dry."
+
+It was really a hot spring of the kind sometimes found in the West. The
+water from the base of a hill formed a large pool, with a smooth bottom
+of stone, and then flowed away in a little brook under the trees.
+
+It was, indeed, a great piece of luck that they should find this hot
+bath at a time when it was so badly needed. The teeth of both Paul and
+Sol were chattering, and they were the first to throw off their clothes
+and spring into the pool.
+
+"Come right in and be b'iled," exclaimed the shiftless one. "Paul has
+bragged of the baths o' Caracally but this beats 'em."
+
+There were three splashes as the other three hit the water at once. Then
+they came out, rolled themselves lightly in the warm blankets, and felt
+the stiffness and soreness, caused by the rain and cold, departing from
+their bodies. A light wind was blowing, and their clothes, hung on
+boughs, were beginning already to dry. An extraordinary sense of peace
+and ease, even of luxury, stole over them all. The contrast with what
+they had been suffering put them in a physical heaven.
+
+"I didn't think I could ever be so happy, a-layin' 'roun' in the woods
+wrapped up in nothin' but a blanket," said Shif'less Sol. "I guess the
+baths o' Rome that Paul tells about wuz good in their day, which wuz a
+mighty long time ago, but not needin' 'em ez bad ez we did, mebbe, them
+Roman fellers didn't enjoy 'em ez much. What do you say to that, Paul,
+you champion o' the ancient times which hev gone forever?"
+
+The only answer was a long regular breathing. Paul had fallen asleep.
+
+"Good boy," said Shif'less Sol, sympathetically, "I hope he'll enjoy his
+nap."
+
+"Hope the same fur me," said Long Jim, "'cause I'm goin' to foller him
+in less than two minutes."
+
+Jim Hart made good his words. Within the prescribed time a snore, not
+loud nor disagreeable, but gentle and persistent, rose on the night air.
+One by one the others also fell asleep, all except Henry, who forced
+himself to keep awake, and who was also pondering the question of
+Timmendiquas. What were the great chief's plans? What vast scheme had
+been evolved from the cunning brain of that master Indian? And how were
+the five--only five--to defeat it, even should they discover its nature?
+
+The light wind blew through all the rest of the night. The foliage
+became dry, but the earth had been soaked so thoroughly with water that
+it remained heavy with damp. The night was bright enough for him to
+observe the faces of his comrades. They were sleeping soundly and
+everyone was ruddy with health.
+
+"That was certainly a wonderful hot bath," said Henry to himself, as he
+looked at the pool. He moved a little in his blanket, tested his muscles
+and found them all flexible. Then he watched until the first tinge of
+gray appeared in the east, keeping his eyes upon it, until it turned to
+silver and then to rose and gold, as the bright sun came. The day would
+be clear and warm, and, after waiting a little longer, he awakened the
+others.
+
+"I think you'd better dress for breakfast," he said.
+
+Their clothing was now thoroughly dry, and they clothed themselves anew,
+but breakfast was wholly lacking. They had eaten all the venison, and
+every man had an aching void.
+
+"The country hez lots o' deer, o' course," said Shif'less Sol, "but jest
+when you want one most it's pretty shore that you can't find it."
+
+"I'm not so certain about that," said Henry. "When you find a hot spring
+you are pretty likely to find a mineral spring or two, also, especially
+one of salt."
+
+"And if it's salt," finished Paul, "we'll see the deer coming there to
+drink."
+
+"Sound reasonin'," said Tom Ross.
+
+They began the search. About a hundred yards east of the hot spring they
+found one of sulphur water, and, two hundred yards further, one of salt.
+Innumerable tracks beside it showed that it was well patronized by the
+wilderness people, and the five, hiding in a clump of bushes at a point
+where the wind would not betray them, bided their time. Some small
+animals came down to drink at the healing salt spring, but the five did
+not pull a trigger. This was not the game they wanted, and they never
+killed wantonly. They were waiting for a fine fat deer, and they felt
+sure that he would come. A great yellow panther padded down to the
+spring, frightening everything else away and lapped the water greedily,
+stopping now and then for suspicious looks at the forest. They longed to
+take a shot at the evil brute, and, under the circumstances, everyone of
+the five would have pulled the trigger, but now none did so. The panther
+took his time, but finally he slunk back into the forest, leaving the
+salt spring to better wilderness people than himself.
+
+At last the sacrifice came, a fat and splendid stag, walking proudly and
+boldly down to the pool. He sniffed the morning air, but the wind was
+not blowing from the fire toward him, and, with no feeling of danger,
+he bent down his regal head to drink. The five felt regret that so noble
+an animal must give his life for others, but hunger was hunger and in
+the wilderness there was no other way. By common consent they nodded
+towards Henry, who was the best shot, and he raised his rifle. It
+reminded him of the time far back, when, under the tutelage of Tom Ross,
+he had shot his first stag. But now, although he did not say it to
+himself or even think of it, he was Tom Ross' master in all the arts of
+hunting, and in mind as well.
+
+Henry pulled the trigger. The stag leaped high into the air, ran a few
+yards, fell and was still. They dressed his body quickly, and in a half
+hour Long Jim Hart, with all the skill and soul of a culinary artist was
+frying strips of deer meat over the coals that Shif'less Sol had
+kindled. There was danger of Indians, of course, but they kept a sharp
+watch, and as they ate, they neither saw nor heard any sign.
+
+"It is pretty sure," said Henry, "that no savage was lingering about
+when I fired the rifle, because we would have heard something from him
+by this time."
+
+"You are shorely right," said Shif'less Sol. "Jim, give me another
+strip. My appetite hez took a fresh hold ez I'm eatin' now with a free
+mind."
+
+"Here you are, Sol," said Long Jim. "It's a pow'ful pleasure to me to
+see you eat my cookin'. The health an strength uv a lazy man like you
+who hez been nourished by my hand is livin' proof that I'm the best cook
+in the woods."
+
+"We all give you that credit, Jim," said Shif'less Sol contentedly.
+
+After breakfast they took with them as large a supply of the meat as
+they could carry with convenience and regretfully left the rest to the
+wolves and panthers. Then they began their journey toward the Wyandot
+village. Their misadventure and their long flight from the terrible
+hound had not discouraged them in the least. They would return directly
+to the storm center and keep watch, as well as they could, upon the
+movements of Timmendiquas and his allies.
+
+But they chose another and more easterly course now and traveled all day
+through beautiful sunshine and a dry forest. Their precautions of the
+night before had served them well, as the rain and cold left no trace of
+ill, and their spirits rose to heights.
+
+"But thar's one thing we've got to guard ag'in'," said Shif'less Sol. "I
+don't want to be tracked by any more dogs. Besides bein' dangerous, it
+gives you a creepy uncomf'table feelin'."
+
+"We'll keep a good watch for them," said Henry.
+
+As they saw no reason for haste, they slept in the woods another night,
+and the next night thereafter they approached the Indian village. They
+hung about it a long time, and, at great risk, discovered that a new
+movement was on foot. Timmendiquas would soon depart for a journey
+further into the North. With him would go the famous chiefs, Yellow
+Panther of the Miamis, and Red Eagle of the Shawnees, and the renegades,
+Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and Blackstaffe. They would have a retinue of
+a hundred warriors, chosen from the different tribes, but with
+precedence allotted to the Wyandots. These warriors, however, were
+picked men of the valley nations, splendidly built, tall, lean and full
+of courage and ferocity. They were all armed with improved rifles, and
+every man carried a tomahawk and hunting knife. They were also amply
+supplied with ammunition and provisions.
+
+The five having watched these preparations by night when they could come
+close to the village, considered them carefully as they lay in a dense
+covert. So far they had not been able to discover anything that would
+indicate the intention of Timmendiquas, except that he would march
+northward, and there were many guesses.
+
+"I'm thinking that he will go to Detroit," said Henry. "That's the
+strongest British post in the West. The Indians get their arms and
+ammunition there, and most of the raids on Kentucky have been made from
+that point."
+
+"Looks ez likely ez anything to me," said Shif'less Sol, "but I'm
+guessin' that ef Timmendiquas goes to Detroit he won't stop there. He's
+a big man an' he may then go westward to raise all the tribes o' the
+Great Lakes."
+
+"It may be so," said Henry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE SEVEN HERALDS
+
+
+Henry, late the next night, was near the Wyandot village, watching it
+alone. They had decided to divide their work as the border watch. Part
+of them would sleep in the covert, while the others would scout about
+the village. That night it was the turn of Shif'less Sol and himself,
+but they had separated in order to see more. The shiftless one was now
+on the other side of the town, perhaps a mile away.
+
+Henry was in a thick clump of bushes that lay to the north of the house
+and tepees. Dogs might stray that way or they might not. If they did, a
+rifle shot would silence the first that gave tongue, and he knew that
+alone he was too swift in flight to be overtaken by any Indian force.
+
+Although past midnight the heavens were a fine silky blue, shot with a
+myriad of stars, and a full rich moon hanging low. Henry, lying almost
+flat upon his stomach, with his rifle by his side, was able to see far
+into the village. He noted that, despite the lateness of the hour, fires
+were burning there, and that warriors, carrying torches, were passing
+about. This was unusual. It was always characteristic of his mind not
+only to see, but to ask where, when and, above all, why? Now he was
+repeatedly asking why of himself, but while asking he never failed to
+observe the slightest movement in the village.
+
+Presently he saw Timmendiquas walk from a large lodge and stop by one of
+the fires. Standing in the rays of the moon, light from above and
+firelight from his side falling upon him the figure of the chief was
+like that of some legendary Titan who had fought with the gods. A red
+blanket hung over his shoulder, and a single red feather rose aloft in
+the defiant scalp lock.
+
+Henry saw the renegade, Simon Girty, approach, and talk with the chief
+for a few moments, but he was much too far away to hear what they said.
+Then six warriors, one of them, by his dress, a sub-chief, came from the
+lodges and stood before Timmendiquas, where they were joined, an instant
+later, by the renegade Blackstaffe. The chief took from beneath his
+blanket four magnificent belts of wampum, two of which he handed to the
+sub-chief and two to the renegade. Timmendiquas said a few words to
+every one of them, and, instantly leaving the village they traveled
+northward at the swift running walk of the Indian. They passed near
+Henry in single file, the sub-chief at the head and Blackstaffe in the
+rear, and he noticed then that they carried supplies as if for a long
+journey. Their faces were turned toward the Northwest.
+
+Timmendiquas and Girty stood for a moment, watching the men, then turned
+back and were lost among the lodges. But Henry rose from his covert and,
+hidden among the bushes, came to a rapid conclusion. He knew the
+significance of wampum belts and he could guess why these seven men had
+departed so swiftly. They were heralds of war. They were on their way to
+the far northwest tribes, in order that they might bring them to the
+gathering of the savage clans for the invasion of Kentucky.
+
+Henry felt a powerful impulse, an impulse that speedily became a
+conviction. Every delay and every reduction of force was a help to the
+white men and white women and children down below the Ohio. A week of
+time, or the difference of twenty warriors might be their salvation. He
+must turn back the messengers, and he must do it with his single hand.
+How he longed for the help of the brave and resourceful Shif'less Sol.
+But he was a mile away, somewhere in the dark woods and Henry could not
+delay. The seven heralds were speeding toward the Northwest, at a pace
+that would soon take them far beyond his reach, unless he followed at
+once.
+
+Dropping his rifle in the hollow of his arm he swung in behind them. One
+could not pick up a trail in dense woods at night, but he had observed
+their general direction, and he followed them so swiftly that within a
+half hour he saw them, still traveling in Indian file, the chief as
+before at the head of the line and Blackstaffe at the rear. The moon had
+now faded a little, and the light over the forest turned from silver to
+gray. Many of the stars had withdrawn, but on sped the ghostly
+procession of seven. No, not of seven only, but of eight, because behind
+them at a distance of two hundred yards always followed a youth of great
+build, and of wilderness instinct and powers that none of them could
+equal.
+
+Chaska, the sub-chief, the Shawnee who led, was an eager and zealous
+man, filled with hatred of the white people who had invaded the hunting
+grounds of his race. He was anxious to bring as many warriors as he
+could to their mighty gathering, even if he had to travel as far as the
+farthest and greatest of the Great Lakes. Moreover he was swift of foot,
+and he did not spare himself or the others that night. He led them
+through bushes and weeds and grass and across the little brooks. Always
+the others followed, and no sound whatever came from the file of seven
+which was really the file of eight.
+
+The seven heralds traveled all night and all of the next day, always
+through forest, and at no time was the eighth figure in the file more
+than four hundred yards behind them.
+
+The Indian, through centuries of forest life, had gifts of insight and
+of physical faculties amounting to a sixth sense, yet the keenest among
+them never suspected, for an instant, that they were eight and not
+seven. At noon they sat down in the dry grass of a tiny prairie and ate
+dried deer meat. Henry, in the edge of the woods a quarter of a mile
+away, also ate dried deer meat. When the seven finished their food and
+resumed the march the eighth at the same time finished his food and
+resumed the march. Nothing told the seven that the eighth was there, no
+voice of the wood, no whisper from Manitou.
+
+The stop had not lasted more than half an hour and the journey led on
+through great forests, broken only by tiny prairies. Game abounded
+everywhere, and Henry judged that the Indians, according to the custom
+among some of the more advanced tribes, had not hunted over it for
+several seasons, in order that it might have plenty when they came
+again. Ten or a dozen buffaloes were grazing on nearly every little
+prairie, splendid deer were in the open and in the woods, but the seven
+and also the eighth stopped for none of these, although they would have
+been sorely tempted at any other time.
+
+Their speed was undiminished throughout the afternoon, but Henry knew
+that they must camp that night. They could not go on forever, and he
+could secure, too, the rest that he needed. It might also give him the
+chance to do what he wished to do. At least he would have time to plan.
+
+In the late afternoon the character of the day changed. The sun set in a
+mackerel sky. A soft wind came moaning out of the Southwest, and drops
+of rain were borne on its edge. Darkness shut down close and heavy. No
+moon and no stars came out. The rain fell gently, softly, almost as if
+it were ashamed, and the voice of the wind was humble and low.
+
+Chaska, Blackstaffe and their men stopped under the interlacing boughs
+of two giant oaks, and began to collect firewood. Henry, who had been
+able to come much nearer in the dark, knew then that they would remain
+there a long time, probably all night, and he was ready to prepare for
+his own rest. But he did not do anything until the seven had finished
+their task.
+
+He kept at a safe distance, shifting his position from time to time,
+until the Indians had gathered all the firewood they needed and were
+sitting in a group around the heap. Chaska used the flint and steel and
+Henry saw the fire at last blaze up. The seven warmed their food over
+the fire and then sat around it in a close and silent circle, with their
+blankets drawn over their bodies, and their rifles covered up in their
+laps. Sitting thus, Blackstaffe looked like the others and no one would
+have known him from an Indian.
+
+Henry had with him, carried usually in a small pack on his back, two
+blankets, light in weight but of closely woven fiber, shedding rain, and
+very warm. He crouched in a dense growth of bushes, three or four
+hundred yards from the Indian fire. Then he put one blanket on the
+ground, sat upon it, after the Indian fashion, and put the other blanket
+over his head and shoulders, just as the warriors had done. He locked
+his hands across his knees, while the barrel of the rifle which rested
+between his legs protruded over his shoulder and against the blanket.
+Some of the stronger and heavier bushes behind him supported his weight.
+He felt perfectly comfortable, and he knew that he would remain so,
+unless the rain increased greatly, and of that there was no sign.
+
+Henry, though powerful by nature, and inured to great exertions, was
+tired. The seven, including the eighth, had been traveling at a great
+pace for more than twenty hours. While the Indians ate their food,
+warmed over the fire, he ate his cold from his pocket. Then the great
+figure began to relax. His back rested easily against the bushes. The
+tenseness and strain were gone from his nerves and muscles. He had not
+felt so comfortable, so much at peace in a long time, and yet not three
+hundred yards away burned a fire around which sat seven men, any one of
+whom would gladly have taken his life.
+
+The clouds moved continually across the sky, blotting out the moon and
+every star. The soft, light rain fell without ceasing and its faint
+drip, drip in the woods was musical. It took the last particle of strain
+and anxiety from Henry's mind and muscles. This voice of the rain was
+like the voice of his dreams which sometimes sang to him out of the
+leaves. He would triumph in his present task. He was bound to do so,
+although he did not yet know the way.
+
+He watched the fire with sleepy eyes. He saw it sink lower and lower. He
+saw the seven figures sitting around it become dim and then dimmer,
+until they seemed to merge into one solid circle.
+
+As long as he looked at them he did not see a single figure move, and he
+knew that they were asleep. He knew that he too would soon be sleeping
+and he was willing. But he was resolved not to do so until the darkness
+was complete, that is, not until the fire had gone entirely out. He
+watched it until it seemed only a single spark in the night. Then it
+winked and was gone. At the same time the darkness blotted out the ring
+of seven figures.
+
+Henry's eyelids drooped and closed. He raised them weakly once or twice,
+but the delicate voice of the light rain in the forest was so soothing
+that they stayed down, after the second attempt, and he floated
+peacefully to unknown shores, hidden as safely as if he were a thousand
+miles from the seven seated and silent figures.
+
+He awoke about midnight and found himself a little stiff from his
+crouching position, but dry and rested. The rain was still falling in
+gentle, persistent fashion. He rolled up the blanket that had lain
+under him but kept the other around his shoulders. All was dark where
+the fire and the ring of seven had been, but he knew instinctively that
+they were there, bent forward with the blankets about their heads and
+shoulders.
+
+He stole forward until he could see them. He was right. Not one in the
+circle was missing and not one had moved. Then he passed around them,
+and, picking his way in the darkness, went ahead. He had a plan, vague
+somewhat, but one which he might use, if the ground developed as he
+thought it would. He had noticed that, despite inequalities, the general
+trend of the earth was downward. The brooks also ran northward, and he
+believed that a river lay across their path not far ahead.
+
+Now he prayed that the rain would cease and that the clouds would go
+away so that he might see, and his prayers were answered. A titanic hand
+dragged all the clouds off to the eastward, and dim grayish light came
+once more over the dripping forest. He saw forty or fifty yards ahead,
+and he advanced much faster. The ground continued to drop down, and his
+belief came true. At a point four or five miles north of the Indian camp
+he reached a narrow but deep river that he could cross only by swimming.
+But it was likely a ford could be found near and he looked swiftly for
+it.
+
+He went a mile down the stream, without finding shallow water, and, then
+coming back, discovered the ford only a hundred yards above his original
+point of departure. The water here ran over rocks, and, for a space of
+ten or fifteen yards, it was not more than four feet deep. The Indians
+undoubtedly knew of this ford, and here they would attempt to cross.
+
+He waded to the other side, rolled up the second blanket, crouched
+behind rocks among dense bushes, ate more cold food, and waited. His
+rifle lay across his knees, and, at all times, he watched the woods on
+the far shore. He was the hunter now, the hunter of men, the most
+dangerous figure in the forest, all of his wonderful five senses attuned
+to the utmost.
+
+The darkness faded away, as the dawn came up, silver and then gold.
+Golden light poured down in a torrent on river, forest and hills. Every
+leaf and stem sprang out clear and sharp in the yellow blaze. The
+waiting youth never stirred. From his covert in the thicket behind the
+rocks he saw everything. He saw a bush stir, when there was no wind, and
+then he saw the face of the Indian chief Chaska, appear beside the bush.
+After him came the remainder of the seven and they advanced toward the
+ford.
+
+Henry raised his rifle and aimed at Chaska. He picked a spot on the
+broad and naked chest, where he could make his bullet strike with
+absolute certainty. Then he lowered it. He could not fire thus upon an
+unsuspecting enemy, although he knew that Chaska would have no such
+scruples about him. Pursing his lips he uttered a loud sharp whistle, a
+whistle full of warning and menace.
+
+The seven sprang back among the bushes. The eighth on the other side of
+the river lay quite still for a little while. Then a sudden puff of wind
+blew aside some of the bushes and disclosed a portion of his cap. Chaska
+who was the farthest forward of the seven saw the cap and fired. The
+Indian is not usually a good marksman, and his bullet cut the bushes,
+but Henry, who now had no scruples, was a sharpshooter beyond compare.
+Chaska had raised up a little to take aim, and, before the smoke from
+his own weapon rose, the rifle on the other side of the river cracked.
+Chaska threw up his hands and died as he would have wished to die, on
+the field of battle, and with his face to the foe. The others shrank
+farther back among the bushes, daunted by the deadly shot, and the
+hidden foe who held the ford.
+
+Henry reloaded quietly, and then lay very close among the bushes. Not
+only did he watch the forest on the other shore, but all his senses were
+keenly alert. For a distance of a full half mile none of the Indians
+could cross the river unseen by him, but, in case they went farther and
+made the passage he relied upon his ears to warn him of their approach.
+
+For a time nothing stirred. Boughs, bushes and leaves were motionless
+and the gold on the surface of the river grew deeper under the rising
+sun. Blackstaffe, after the fall of Chaska, was now commander of the
+seven heralds, who were but six, and at his word the Indians too were
+lying close, for the soul of Blackstaffe, the renegade, was disturbed.
+The bullet that had slain Chaska had come from the rifle of a
+sharpshooter. Chaska had exposed himself for only an instant and yet he
+had been slain. Blackstaffe knew that few could fire with such swift and
+deadly aim, but, before this, he had come into unpleasantly close
+contact with some who could. His mind leaped at once to the conclusion
+that the famous five were in front of him, and he was much afraid.
+
+An hour passed. The beauty of the morning deepened. The river flowed, an
+untarnished sheet, now of silver, now of gold as the light fell. Henry
+crept some distance to the right, and then an equal distance to left. He
+could not hear the movement of any enemy in front of him, and he
+believed that they were all yet in the bushes on the other side of the
+river. He returned to his old position and the duel of patience went on.
+His eyes finally fixed themselves upon a large bush, the leaves of which
+were moving. He took the pistol from his belt, cocked it, and put it
+upon the rock in front of him. Then he slowly pushed forward the muzzle
+of his long and beautiful Kentucky rifle.
+
+It was certainly a duel to the death. No other name described it, and
+hundreds of such have been fought and forgotten in the great forests of
+North America. The Indian behind the bush was crafty and cunning, one of
+the most skillful among the Shawnees. He had marked the spot where an
+enemy lay, and was rising a little higher for a better look.
+
+Henry had marked him, too, or rather the movement that was the precursor
+of his coming, and when the Shawnee rose in the bush he raised a little
+and fired. There was a terrific yell, a figure leaped up convulsively,
+and then falling, disappeared. Five shots were fired at Henry, or rather
+at the flame from his rifle, but he merely sank back a little, snatched
+up the pistol, and sent a second bullet, striking a brown figure which
+retreated with a cry to the woods. The remainder, Blackstaffe first
+among them, also sprang to cover.
+
+The renegade and the four remaining Indians, one of whom was severely
+wounded, conferred as they lay among the trees. Blackstaffe was no
+coward, yet his heart was as water within him. He was absolutely sure
+now that the terrible five were before them. Two shots had been fired,
+but the others were only waiting their chance. His own force was but
+five now, only four of whom were effective. He was outnumbered, and he
+did not know what to do. The Indians would want to carry out the
+important orders of Timmendiquas, but there was the river, and they did
+not dare to attempt the crossing.
+
+Henry, in his old position, awaited the result with serene confidence.
+The seven heralds were now but five, really four, and not only the
+stars, but the sun, the day, time, circumstance and everything were
+working for him. He had reloaded his weapons, and he was quite sure now
+that Blackstaffe and the Indians would stay together. None of them nor
+any two of them would dare to go far upstream or down stream, cross and
+attempt to stalk him. Nevertheless he did not relax his vigilance. He
+was as much the hunter as ever. Every sense was keenly alert, and that
+superior sense or instinct, which may be the essence and flower of the
+five was most alert of all.
+
+The duel of patience, which was but a phase of the duel of death, was
+resumed. On went the sun up the great concave arch of the heavens,
+pouring its beams upon the beautiful earth, but on either side of the
+river nothing stirred. The nerves of Blackstaffe, the renegade, were the
+first to yield to the strain. He began to believe that the five had gone
+away, and, creeping forward to see, he incautiously exposed one hand. It
+was only for an instant, but a bullet from the other side of the river
+cut a furrow all the way across the back of the hand, stinging and
+burning as if a red hot bar had been laid upon it.
+
+Blackstaffe dropped almost flat upon the ground, and looked at his hand
+from which the blood was oozing. He knew that it was not hurt seriously,
+but the wound stung horribly and tears of mingled pain and mortification
+rose to his eyes. He suggested to the warriors that they go back, but
+they shook their heads. They feared the wrath of Timmendiquas and the
+scorn of their comrades. So Blackstaffe waited, but he was without hope.
+He had been miserably trapped by his belief that the five had gone. They
+were there, always watching, deadlier sharpshooters than ever.
+
+It was noon now, and a Wyandot, the most zealous of the remaining
+Indians, lying flat on his stomach, crept almost to the water's edge,
+where he lay among the grass and reeds. Yet he never crept back again.
+He stirred the grass and weeds too much, and a bullet, fired by
+calculation of his movements, and not by any sight of his figure, slew
+him where he lay.
+
+Then a great and terrible fear seized upon the Indians as well as
+Blackstaffe. Such deadly shooting as this was beyond their
+comprehension. The bullets from the rifles of the unseen marksmen were
+guided by the hand of Manitou. The Great Spirit had turned his face away
+from them, and helping their wounded comrade, they fled southward as
+fast as they could. Blackstaffe, his blazed hand burning like fire, went
+with them gladly.
+
+In that journey of twenty hours' northward the seven heralds had
+traveled far from the Wyandot village and it was equally as far back to
+it. Going northward they had zeal and energy to drive them on, and going
+southward they had terror and superstition to drive them back. They
+returned as fast as they had gone, and all the time they felt that the
+same mysterious and deadly enemy was behind them. Once a bullet, cutting
+the leaves near them, hastened their footsteps. The renegade wished to
+abandon the wounded man, but the Indians, more humane, would not allow
+it.
+
+Henry could have reduced the number of the heralds still further, but
+his mind rebelled at useless bloodshed and he was satisfied to let
+terror and superstition do their work. He followed them until they were
+in sight of the village, guessing the surprise and consternation that
+their news would cause. Then he turned aside to find his comrades in the
+covert and to tell them what he had done. They admired, but they were
+not surprised, knowing him so well.
+
+Meanwhile they waited.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE WYANDOT COUNCIL
+
+
+Henry and his comrades, spying anew from the woods and seeing the
+village full of stir, thought Timmendiquas and his warriors would depart
+that day, but they soon gathered that some important ceremonial was at
+hand, and would be celebrated first. It reminded Henry of the great
+gathering of the Iroquois before the advance on Wyoming. He was as eager
+now as then to enter the village and see the rites, which it was quite
+evident were going to be held at night. Already the dangers of his
+adventure with the seven heralds were forgotten and he was ready for new
+risks.
+
+"If I only had a little paint for my face and body," he said, "I could
+go into the place without much danger, and I'd learn a lot that would be
+of use to us."
+
+No one answered, but Shif'less Sol, who had been listening attentively,
+stole away. The sun was then about an hour high, and, a little after
+twilight, the shiftless one returned with a package wrapped in a piece
+of deerskin. He held it aloft, and his face was triumphant.
+
+"What have you been doing, Sol?" exclaimed Henry.
+
+"Me? I've been stealin'. An' I tell you I've been a good thief, too, fur
+a lazy man. You said you wanted paint, Henry. Well, here it is an' the
+little brushes an' feathers with which you put it on, too. The people
+are all driftin' toward the center o' the village, an' without any
+partic'lar trouble to myself or anybody else I entered an outlyin'--an'
+fur the time empty--lodge an' took away this vallyble paintin' outfit."
+
+"Good," said Henry with delight. "Now you shall paint me, Sol, and in an
+hour I'll be among the Wyandots. Let's see the paint."
+
+But Shif'less Sol firmly retained his precious package.
+
+"Takin's are keepings," he said. "These paints are mine, an' I 'low you
+to make use o' them on one condition only."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"When I paint you, you paint me, an' then we'll go into this mighty
+Injun metropolis together. Mebbe you'll need me, Henry, an' I'm goin'
+with you anyway. You've got to agree to it."
+
+Henry and the shiftless one looked each other squarely in the face.
+Henry read resolve, and also an anxious affection in the gaze of his
+comrade.
+
+"All right, Sol," he said, "it's agreed. Now let's see which is the
+better painter."
+
+While the others stood by and gave advice Sol painted Henry. The great
+youth bared himself to the skin, and Sol, with a deft hand, laid on the
+Wyandot colors over chest, shoulders, arms, face and hands. Then Henry
+painted the shiftless one in the same fashion. They also, but with more
+difficulty, colored their hair black. It was artistic work, and when all
+was done the two stood forth in the perfect likeness of two splendid
+Wyandot warriors.
+
+"I think," said Henry, "that if we keep away from Timmendiquas, Wyatt,
+Girty and those who know us so well, nobody will suspect us."
+
+"But don't run any unnecessary risks," said Paul anxiously. "You know
+how hard it will be on us waiting out here in the woods, an' if you were
+captured it's not likely we could save you."
+
+"We'll take every precaution, Paul," said Henry, "and we'll rejoin you
+here in the morning."
+
+"All right," said Paul, "we'll wait at this point."
+
+They were in an exceedingly dense part of the forest about two miles
+from the Indian village, and Tom Ross, the phlegmatic, was already
+selecting a place for his blanket. The moon was not yet out and the
+light over the forest was dim, but Paul, Long Jim and Silent Tom could
+see very distinctly the two magnificent young Wyandots who stood near
+them, bare to the waist, painted wondrously and armed with rifle,
+tomahawk and knife.
+
+"Henry," said Long Jim, "ef I didn't see your face I could swear that
+you wuz Timmendiquas his very self. I see Timmendiquas--his shoulders
+an' the way he carries himself."
+
+"An' I guess you see somethin' gran' an' wonderful in me, too, don't
+you, Saplin'?" said Shif'less Sol in his most ingratiating tone.
+
+Long Jim gazed at him in his most scornful manner, before he deigned to
+reply.
+
+"No, I don't see no great chief in you, Sol Hyde," he replied. "I see
+nothin' but an ornery Wyandot, who's so lazy he has to be fed by squaws,
+an' who ef he saw a white man would run so fast he'd never stop until he
+hit Lake Superior an' got beyond his depth."
+
+Shif'less Sol laughed and held out his hand.
+
+"Put 'er thar," he said. "You wouldn't abuse me ef you didn't like me,
+an' ef I never come back I guess a tear or two would run down that brown
+face o' yours."
+
+Long Jim returned in kind the iron grasp of his friend.
+
+"Them words o' yours is mighty near to the truth," he said.
+
+Both Henry and Sol said all their good-byes, and then they slid away
+through the thickets toward the town. As they came to its edge they saw
+a multitude of lights, fires burning here and there, and many torches
+held aloft by women and children. There was also the chatter of hundreds
+of voices, melting into a pleasant river of sound and the two, not even
+finding the Indian dogs suspicious, advanced boldly across the maize
+fields. Henry, remembering his size, which was the chief danger, now
+stooped and held himself in a shrunken position as much as possible.
+Thus they came to the town, and they saw that all its inhabitants were
+converging upon the common in the center.
+
+Both Henry and Sol looked anxiously at the village, which was of a
+permanent character, containing both single and communal wigwams. The
+permanent wigwams were of an oblong form, built of poles interwoven with
+bark. Many were, as Shif'less Sol called them, double-barreled--that is,
+in two sections, a family to each section, but with a common hall in
+which the fire was built, each family sitting on its side of the fire.
+But all these were empty now, as men, women and children had gone to the
+open space in the center of the village. The communal lodges were much
+larger, often holding six or seven families, but with entirely distinct
+partitions for every family. Here in the woods was a rude germ of the
+modern apartment house.
+
+Henry and Sol drew near to the common, keeping concealed within the
+shadow of the lodges. The open space was blazing with light from big
+fires and many squaws carried torches also. Within this space were
+grouped the guests of the Wyandots, the Shawnees and the Miamis, with
+their chiefs at their head. They were painted heavily, and were in the
+finest attire of the savage, embroidered leggings and moccasins, and red
+or blue blankets. From every head rose a bright feather twined in the
+defiant scalp lock. But the Shawnees and Miamis stood motionless, every
+man resting the stock of his rifle upon the ground and his hands upon
+the muzzle. They were guests. They were not to take any part in the
+ceremony, but they were deeply interested in the great rites of an
+allied and friendly nation, the great little tribe of the Wyandots, the
+woman-ruled nation, terrible in battle, the bravest of the brave the
+finest savage fighters the North American continent ever produced, the
+Mohawks not excepted. And the fact remains that they were ruled by
+women.
+
+The Wyandot warriors had not yet entered the open, which was a great
+circular grassy space. But as Henry and Shif'less Sol leaned in the
+shadow of a lodge, a tall warrior painted in many colors came forth into
+the light of the fires, and uttered a loud cry, which he repeated twice
+at short intervals. Meanwhile the torches among the women and children
+had ceased to waver, and the Shawnees and Miamis stood immovable, their
+hands resting on the muzzles of their rifles. The great fires blazed up,
+and cast a deep red light over the whole scene. A minute or so elapsed
+after the last cry, and Henry and Shif'less Sol noticed the expectant
+hush.
+
+Then at the far side of the circle appeared the Wyandot warriors, six
+abreast coming between the lodges. They were naked except for the breech
+cloth and moccasins, but their bodies were gorgeously painted in many
+colors. Mighty men were they. Few among them were less than six feet in
+height, and all were splendidly built for strength, skill and endurance.
+They held their heads high, too, and their eyes flashed with the haughty
+pride of those who considered themselves first. Not in vain were the
+woman-ruled Wyandots the bravest of the brave.
+
+The Wyandot people advanced and waited on the outer rim of the circle in
+the order of their gentes or clans. Their rank like that of all the
+leading North American tribes was perfect and was never violated. There
+were eleven clans with the following names in their language: The Bear,
+the Deer, the Highland Striped Turtle, the Highland Black Turtle, the
+Mud Turtle, the Large Smooth Turtle, the Hawk, the Beaver, the Wolf, the
+Snake, and the Porcupine. The rank of the sachem of the nation was
+inherent in the clan of the Bear, and the rank of military chief had
+always belonged hitherto to the clan of the Porcupine, but now the right
+was about to be waived and for an ample reason.
+
+The Wyandot warriors continued to march steadily into the circle until
+all were there, and then a deep murmur of approval came from the
+watching Shawnees and Miamis.
+
+The flower of the Wyandot nation here in its own home was all that
+wilderness fame had made it. At the head of the first clan, that of the
+Bear, stood Timmendiquas, and Henry and Shif'less Sol had never seen him
+appear more commanding. Many tall men were there, but he over-topped
+them all, and his eyes shone with a deep, bright light, half triumph and
+half expectancy.
+
+Now all the Wyandots were within the circle, standing as they always
+camped when on the war path or the hunt. They were arranged in the form
+of a horseshoe. The head was on the left and the clans ran to the right
+in this way: The Bear, the Deer, the Highland Striped Turtle, the
+Highland Black Turtle, the Mud Turtle, the Large Smooth Turtle, the
+Hawk, the Beaver, the Wolf, the Snake and the Porcupine. These clans
+were also incorporated into four phratries, or larger divisions. The
+first phratry included the Bear, the Deer, and the Highland Striped
+Turtle; the second, the Highland Black Turtle, the Mud Turtle, and the
+Large Smooth Turtle; the third, the Hawk, the Beaver, and the Wolf, and
+the fourth, the Snake, and the Porcupine.
+
+Every clan was ruled by a council of five, and of those five, four were
+women. The fifth, the man, was chosen by the four women from the men of
+their clan. The four women of the Board of Council had been selected
+previously by the married women or heads of families of the clans. The
+wife, not the husband, was the head of the family, nor did he own
+anything in their home except his clothes and weapons. He was merely a
+hunter and warrior. All property and rank descended through the female
+line. The lands of the village which were communal were partitioned for
+cultivation by the women. The clan council of five was called the
+Zu-wai-yu-wa, and the lone man was always deferential in the presence of
+the four women who had elected him. The men councilors, however, had
+some privilege. When it became necessary to choose the Grand Sachem of
+the whole nation, they alone did it. But they were compelled to heed the
+voices of the women who constituted the whole voting population, and who
+also owned all the property. There was, too, a separate military council
+of men who chose the military chief. Every clan had a distinctive way of
+painting the face, and the four women councilors and their man comrade
+wore on state occasions distinctive chaplets of wild flowers, leaves and
+grass.
+
+Much of this lore Henry and Shif'less Sol knew already and more they
+learned later. Now as they watched the impressive ceremonies they often
+divined what was to come.
+
+After the horseshoe was formed, forty-four women and eleven men in a
+compact body advanced to the inside of the circle. The women were mostly
+middle-aged, and they were better looking than the women of other
+tribes. Seen in the firelight they had primitive dignity and a
+wilderness majesty, that was brightened by the savage richness of their
+dress. They wore their hair in long dark braids, adorned by shells and
+small red and blue feathers. Their tunics, which fell nearly to the
+knee, were made of the finest dressed deerskin, fastened at the waist
+with belts of the same material, dyed red or blue. As they watched, the
+little beads on their leggings and moccasins tinkled and gave forth the
+colors of the firelight. The expression of all was one of great gravity
+and dignity. Here was the real senatorial body of the nation. Though
+they might not fight nor lead in war, they were the lawmakers of the
+Wyandots. Great deference was paid to them as they passed.
+
+Henry and Shif'less Sol, flattened in the dark against the side of a
+tepee, watched everything with eager interest. Henry, a keen observer
+and quick to draw inferences, had seen other but somewhat similar
+ceremonies among the Iroquois. Women had taken a part there also and
+some of them had the rank of chieftainess, but they were not predominant
+as they were among the Wyandots.
+
+The council of the eleven clans stopped in the center of the circle, and
+a silence, broken only by the crackling of the fires and the sputtering
+of the torches, came once more over the great assembly. But a thousand
+eager faces were turned toward them. The Shawnees and Miamis apparently
+had not yet moved, still standing in rows, every face an impenetrable
+bronze mask.
+
+The tall warrior of the clan of the Wolf who had made the signal for the
+ceremony now came forward again. His name was Atuetes (Long Claws) and
+he was at once the herald and sheriff of the nation. He superintended
+the erection of the Council House, and had charge of it afterwards. He
+called the council which met regularly on the night of the full moon,
+and at such other times as the Grand Sachem might direct. The present
+was an unusual meeting summoned for an unusual purpose, and owing to the
+uncommon interest in it, it was held in the open instead of in the
+Council House.
+
+Timmendiquas, already by common consent and in action the Grand Sachem
+of the Wyandots, was now about to be formally invested with the double
+power of Grand Sachem and military chief. The clan of the Porcupine in
+which the military chieftainship was hereditary had willingly yielded it
+to Timmendiquas, whose surpassing fitness to meet the coming of the
+white man was so obvious to everybody.
+
+Atuetes, the herald, advanced to the very center of the ring and shouted
+three times in loud, piercing tones:
+
+"Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas!"
+
+Then the whole nation, with their guests the Shawnees and Miamis,
+uttered the name in one great cry. After that the deep breathless
+silence came again and the eager brown faces were bent yet further
+forward. Timmendiquas standing motionless hitherto at the head of his
+clan, the Bear, now walked forth alone. The shout suddenly rose again,
+and then died as quickly as before.
+
+Timmendiquas had thrown aside his magnificent blue blanket, and he stood
+bare to the waist. The totem of the bear tattooed upon his chest shone
+in the firelight. His figure seemed to grow in height and to broaden.
+Never before in all the history and legends of the Wyandots had so
+mighty an honor been conferred upon so young a warrior. It was all the
+more amazing because his predominance was so great that none challenged
+it, and other great warriors were there.
+
+Among the famous chiefs who stood with the councilors or the clan were
+Dewatire (Lean Deer), Shayantsawat (Hard Skull), Harouyu (The Prowler),
+Tucae (Slow Walker), and Tadino (Always Hungry).
+
+Timmendiquas continued to walk slowly forward to the point, where the
+long row of the chieftainesses stood. He would not have been human had
+he not felt exaltation, and an immense pride as he faced the women, with
+the hundreds and hundreds of admiring eyes looking on. He came presently
+within a few feet of them and stopped. Then Ayajinta (Spotted Fawn), the
+tallest and most majestic of the women, stepped forward, holding in both
+hands a woven chaplet of flowers and grass. The entire circle was now
+lighted brilliantly by the fires and torches, and Henry and Shif'less
+Sol, although at a distance, saw well.
+
+Ayajinta, holding the chaplet in her outstretched hands, stood directly
+before Timmendiquas. She was a tall woman, but the chief towered nearly
+a head above her. Nevertheless her dignity was the equal of his and
+there was also much admiration in her looks.
+
+"Timmendiquas," she said, in tones so clearly that everyone could hear,
+"you have proved yourself both a great chief and a mighty warrior. For
+many moons now you have led the Wyandots on the war trail, and you have
+also been first among them in the Council House. You have gone with our
+warriors far toward the rising sun and by the side of the great kindred
+nation, the Iroquois, you have fought with your warriors against the
+Long Knives. After victory the Iroquois have seen their houses
+destroyed, but you and your warriors fought valiantly to defend them.
+
+"We, the women of the Wyandots, chosen to the council by the other
+women, the heads of the families, look upon you and admire you for your
+strength, your courage and your wisdom. Seldom does Manitou give so much
+to a single warrior, and, when he does give, then it is not so much for
+him as it is for the sake of his tribe."
+
+Ayajinta paused and the multitude uttered a deep "Hah!" which signified
+interest and approval. But Timmendiquas stood upright, unchanging eyes
+looking at her from the impenetrable brown mask.
+
+"So," she said, "O Timmendiquas, thou hast been chosen Grand Sachem of
+the Wyandots, and also the leader of the war chiefs. We give you the
+double crown. Wear it for your own glory, and yet more for the glory of
+the Wyandot nation."
+
+Timmendiquas bent his lofty head and she put upon it the great flowery
+crown. Then as he raised his crowned head and looked proudly around the
+circle, a tremendous shout burst from the multitude. Once more they
+cried:
+
+"Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas!"
+
+Before the third utterance of the name had died, fifty young girls, the
+fairest of the tribe, dressed in tanned deerskin adorned with beads and
+feathers, streamed into the inner circle and began to dance before the
+great chief. Meanwhile they sang:--
+
+    Behold the great Timmendiquas!
+    Mightiest of great chiefs,
+    Wisest of all in council,
+    He leads the warriors to battle,
+    He teaches the old men wisdom,
+    Timmendiquas, first of men.
+
+    Behold the great Timmendiquas!
+    As strong as the oak on the mountain,
+    As cunning as the wolf of the valley,
+    He has fought beside the great Iroquois,
+    The Yengees flee at the sound of his name,
+    Timmendiquas, first of men.
+
+Then they joined hands and circled about him to a tune played by four
+men on whistles, made from the bones of eagles. The song died, and the
+girls flitted away so quickly through the outer ring that they were gone
+like shadows.
+
+Responsive as they were to wilderness life, the scene was making a
+mighty impression upon Henry and Shif'less Sol. With the firelight about
+him and the moonlight above him, the figure of Timmendiquas was
+magnified in every way. Recognized long since as the most redoubtable of
+red champions, he showed himself more formidable than ever.
+
+The crowd slowly dispersed, but Atuetes of the clan of the Hawk called a
+military council in the Council House. Timmendiquas, as became his rank,
+led the way, and the renegades, Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt, and Moses
+Blackstaffe were admitted. Inside the Council House, which was hung with
+skins and which much resembled those of the Iroquois, the chiefs, after
+being called to order by Atuetes, the herald and sheriff, sat down in a
+circle, with Timmendiquas a little further forward than the others.
+
+Atuetes took a great trumpet-shaped pipe, lighted it with a coal that
+was burning in a small fire in a corner, and inhaled two whiffs of
+smoke. He breathed out the first whiff toward the heavens and the second
+toward the earth. He handed the pipe to Timmendiquas, who inhaled the
+smoke until his mouth was filled. Then, turning from left to right, he
+slowly puffed out the smoke over the heads of all the chiefs. When the
+circle was complete, he handed the pipe to the next chief on his left,
+who puffed out the smoke in the same manner. This was done gravely and
+in turn by every chief. Then the Grand Sachem, Timmendiquas, announced
+the great military subject for which they were called together, and they
+proceeded to discuss it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE RUINED VILLAGE
+
+
+The military council, presided over by Timmendiquas, sat long in the
+Council House, and about the moment it had concluded its labors, which
+was some time after midnight, Henry and Shif'less Sol skipped away from
+the village. Wyandot warriors had passed them several times in the
+darkness, but they had escaped close notice. Nevertheless, they were
+glad when they were once more among the trees. The forest had many
+dangers, but it also offered much shelter.
+
+They rejoined their comrades, slept heavily until daylight, and when
+they scouted again near the Wyandot village they found that Timmendiquas
+and his force were gone, probably having started at the dawn and
+marching swiftly. But they knew that they would have no trouble in
+finding so large a trail, and as long as they were in proximity of the
+village they traveled with great care. It was nearly night when they
+found the broad trail through the woods, leading north slightly by east.
+All five were now of the belief that the destination of the savages was
+Detroit, the British post, which, as a depot of supplies and a rallying
+point for the Indians, served the same purpose as Niagara and Oswego in
+the East. To Detroit, Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis, and all the others
+turned for weapons and ammunition. There went the renegades and there
+many Kentuckians, who had escaped the tomahawk or the stake, had been
+taken captive, including such famous men as Boone and Kenton. It was a
+name that inspired dread and hate on the border, but the five were full
+of eagerness to see it, and they hoped that the march of Timmendiquas
+would take them thither.
+
+"I hear they've got big forts thar," said Shif'less Sol, "but ef we
+don't lose our cunnin', an' I don't think we will, we five kin spy among
+'em an' read thar secrets."
+
+"There are many white men at Detroit," said Henry, "and I've no doubt
+that we can slip in among them without being detected. Tories and
+renegades who are strangers to the British officers at Detroit must be
+continually arriving there. In that lies our chance."
+
+Later in the night they approached the Wyandot camp, but they did not
+dare to go very close, as they saw that it was everywhere guarded
+carefully and that but few lights were burning. They slept in the woods
+two or three miles away, and the next day they followed the trail as
+before. Thus the northward march went on for several days, the great
+White Lightning of the Wyandots and his warriors moving swiftly, and
+Henry and his comrades keeping the same pace six or seven miles in the
+rear.
+
+They advanced through country that none of the five had ever seen
+before, but it was a beautiful land that appealed alike to the eye and
+ear of the forest runner. It was not inferior to Kentucky, and in
+addition it had many beautiful little lakes. Game, however, was not
+abundant as here were the villages of the Indian tribes, and the forests
+were hunted more. But the five found deer and buffalo sufficient for
+their needs, although they took great risks when they fired. Once the
+shot was heard by a detachment of the Shawnees who also were after game,
+and they were trailed for a long time, but when night came they shook
+them off, and the next morning they followed Timmendiquas, as usual,
+though at a much greater distance.
+
+Their escape in this instance had been so easy that they took enjoyment
+from it, but they prudently resolved to retain their present great
+distance in the rear. The trail could not be lost and the danger would
+be less. The course that Timmendiquas maintained also led steadily on
+toward Detroit, and they felt so sure now of his destination that they
+even debated the advisability of passing ahead of the column, in order
+to reach the neighborhood of Detroit before him. But they decided
+finally in the negative, and maintained their safe distance in the rear.
+
+As they continued northward the Indian signs increased. Twice they
+crossed the trails of Indian hunting parties, and at last they came to a
+deserted village. Either it had been abandoned because of warfare or to
+escape an unhealthy location, but the five examined it with great
+curiosity. Many of the lodges built of either poles or birch bark were
+still standing, with fragments of useless and abandoned household goods
+here and there. Paul found in one of the lodges a dried scalp with long
+straight hair, but, obeying a sensitive impulse he hid it from the
+others, thrusting it between two folds of the birch bark.
+
+They also found fragments of arrows and broken bows. The path leading
+down to a fine spring was not yet overgrown with grass, and they
+inferred from it that the Indians had not been gone many months. There
+was also an open space showing signs of cultivation. Evidently maize and
+melons had grown there.
+
+"I wonder why they went away?" said Long Jim to Shif'less Sol. "You've
+made two guesses--unhealthiness or danger from Injuns. Now this site
+looks purty good to me, an' the Injun tribes up here are generally
+friendly with one another."
+
+"Them's only guesses," said Sol, "an' we'll never know why. But I take
+it that Delawares lived here. This is just about thar country. Mebbe
+they've gone North to be near Detroit, whar the arms an' supplies are."
+
+"Likely enough," said Henry, "but suppose we populate this village for
+to-night. It looks as if rain were coming on, and none of us is fond of
+sleeping out in the wet."
+
+"You're talkin' wisdom," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think we kin find a
+place in the big wigwam over thar that looks like a Council House."
+
+He pointed to a rough structure of bark and poles, with a dilapidated
+roof and walls, but in better state of preservation than any of the
+wigwams, probably because it had been built stronger. They entered it
+and found that it originally had a floor of bark, some portions of which
+remained, and there was enough area of sound roof and walls to shelter
+them from the rain. They were content and with dry bark beneath them and
+on all sides of them they disposed themselves for the night.
+
+It yet lacked an hour or so of sunset, but the heavy clouds already
+created a twilight, and the wind began to moan through the forest,
+bringing with it a cold rain that made a monotonous and desolate patter
+on leaves and grass. The comrades were glad enough now of their shelter
+in the abandoned Council House. They had made at Pittsburg a purchase
+which conduced greatly to their comfort, that is, a pair of exceedingly
+light but warm blankets for everyone--something of very high quality.
+They always slept between these, the under blankets fending off the cold
+that rose from the ground.
+
+Now they lay, dry and warm against the wall of the old Council House,
+and listened to the steady drip, drip of the rain on the roof, and
+through the holes in the roof upon the floor. But it did not reach them.
+They were not sleepy, and they talked of many things, but as the
+twilight came on and the thick clouds still hovered, the abandoned
+village took on a ghostly appearance. Nearly all the wall opposite that
+against which they lay was gone, and, as it faced the larger part of the
+village, they could see the ruined wigwams and the skeleton frames that
+had been used for drying game. Out of the forest came the long lonesome
+howl of a wolf, some ragged, desolate creature that had not yet found
+shelter with his kind. The effect upon everyone was instantaneous and
+the same. This flight from the Indians and the slaying of the great
+hound by Tom Ross with his silver bullet came back in vivid colors.
+
+But the howl was not repeated and the steady drip of the cold rain
+remained unbroken. It gathered finally in little puddles on the floor
+not far from them, but their own corner remained dry and impervious.
+They noticed these things little, however, as the mystic and ghostly
+effect of the village was deepening. Seen through the twilight and the
+rain it was now but a phantom. Henry's mind, always so sensitive to the
+things of the forest, repeopled it. From under his drooping lids he saw
+the warriors coming in from the hunt or the chase, the women tanning
+skins or curing game, and the little Indian boys practicing with bows
+and arrows. He felt a sort of sympathy for them in this wild life, a
+life that he knew so well and that he had lived himself. But he came
+quickly out of his waking dream, because his acute ear had heard
+something not normal moving in the forest. He straightened up and his
+hand slid to the breech of his rifle. He listened for a few minutes and
+then glanced at Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Someone comes our way," said Henry.
+
+"Yes," said Shif'less Sol, "but it ain't more'n two or three. Thar, you
+kin hear the footsteps ag'in, an' their bodies brushing ag'in' the wet
+bushes."
+
+"Three at the utmost," said Henry, "so we'll sit here and wait."
+
+It was not necessary to tell them to be ready with their weapons. That
+was a matter of course with every borderer in such moments. So the five
+remained perfectly still in a sitting position, every one with his back
+pressed against the bark wall, a blanket wrapped around his figure, and
+a cocked rifle resting upon his knees. They were so quick that in the
+darkness and falling rain they might have passed for so many Indian
+mummies, had it not been for the long slender-barreled rifles and their
+threatening muzzles.
+
+Yet nobody could have been more alert than they. Five pairs of trained
+ears listened for every sound that rose above the steady drip of the
+rain, five pairs of eyes, uncommonly keen in their keenness, watched the
+bushes whence the first faint signals of approach had come. Now they
+heard more distinctly that brushing of clothing against the bushes, and
+then a muttered oath or two. Evidently the strangers were white men,
+perhaps daring hunters who were not afraid to enter the very heart of
+the Indian country. Nevertheless the hands still remained on their
+rifles and the muzzles still bore on the point whence the sounds came.
+
+Three white men, dripping with rain, emerged from the forest. They were
+clad in garb, half civilized and half that of the hunter. All were well
+armed and deeply tanned by exposure, but the attention of the five was
+instantly concentrated upon the first of the strangers, a young man of
+medium height, but of the most extraordinary ugliness. His skin, even
+without the tan, would have been very dark. His eyes, narrow and
+oblique, were almost Oriental in cast and his face was disfigured by a
+hideous harelip. The whole effect was sinister to the last degree, but
+Henry and his comrades were fair enough to credit it to a deformity of
+nature and not to a wicked soul behind. The two with him were a little
+older. They were short, thickly built, and without anything unusual in
+their appearance.
+
+The three strangers were dripping with water and when they came into the
+abandoned village they stood for a few moments talking together. Then
+their eyes began to roam around in search of shelter.
+
+"They'll be coming this way soon," whispered Henry to Paul, "because
+it's about the only place large enough to keep three men dry."
+
+"Of course they'll come here," Paul whispered back; "now I wonder who
+and what they are."
+
+Henry did not reply and the five remained as motionless as ever, five
+dusky figures in a row, sitting on the bark floor, and leaning against
+the bark wall. But every sense in them was acutely alive, and they
+watched the strangers look into one ruined lodge after another. None
+offered sufficient shelter and gradually they came toward the Council
+House. Always the man with the harelip and ugly face led. Henry watched
+him closely. The twilight and the rain did not allow any very clear view
+of him, just enough to disclose that his face was hideous and sinister.
+But Henry had a singularly clear mind and he tried to trace the
+malignant impression to the fact of physical ugliness, unwilling to do
+injury, even in thought merely, to anyone.
+
+At last the eyes of the three alighted upon the old Council House, and
+they came forward quickly toward the open end. They were about to enter,
+but they saw the five figures against the wall and stopped abruptly. The
+man with the harelip bent forward and gazed at them. Henry soon saw by
+the expression of his face that he knew they were no mummies. He now
+thrust his rifle forward and his hand slipped down toward the trigger.
+Then Henry spoke.
+
+"Come in," he said quickly; "we are white like yourselves, and we claim
+no exclusive rights to this Council House, which is about the only real
+shelter left in the Indian town. We are hunters and scouts."
+
+"So are we," said the man with the harelip, speaking grammatically and
+with a fair degree of courtesy. "We are hardened to the wilderness, but
+we are thankful for the shelter which you seem to have found before us."
+
+"There is room for all," said Henry. "You will observe the large dry
+place at the south end. The bark floor there is solid and no matter how
+the wind blows the rain cannot reach you."
+
+"We'll use it," said the ugly man, and now his teeth began to chatter,
+"but I confess that I need more than mere shelter. The rain and cold
+have entered my system, and I shall suffer severely unless we have a
+fire. Is it not possible to build one here near the center of the
+Council House? The dry bark will feed it, until it is strong enough to
+take hold of the wet wood."
+
+"It is the Indian country," said Henry, and yet he pitied him of the
+harelip.
+
+"I know," replied the man, "I know too that all the tribes are on the
+war path, and that they are exceedingly bitter against us. My name is
+Holdsworth, and I am from Connecticut. These are my men, Fowler and
+Perley, also from the East. We're not altogether hunters, as we have
+seen service in the Eastern army, and we are now scouting toward Detroit
+with the intention of carrying back news about the British and Indian
+power there. But I feel that I must light the fire, despite all Indian
+danger."
+
+He shook violently and Henry again felt sorry for him. So did the rest
+of the five. These three had become their comrades for the night, and it
+would not be fair to prevent the fire that the man so evidently needed.
+
+"We can see that what you say is true," said Henry, "and we'll help you
+kindle a blaze. These friends of mine are Tom Ross, Jim Hart, Solomon
+Hyde, and Paul Cotter. My own name is Henry Ware."
+
+He saw the ugly man start a little, and then smile in a way that made
+his disfigured lip more hideous than ever.
+
+"I've heard the names," said the stranger. "The woods are immense, but
+there are not many of us, and those of marked qualities soon become
+known. It seems to me that I've heard you were at Wyoming and the
+Chemung."
+
+"Yes," said Henry, "we were at both places. But since we're going to
+have a fire, it's best that we have it as soon as possible."
+
+They fell to work with flint and steel on the dry bark. The two men,
+Fowler and Perley, had said nothing.
+
+"Not especially bright," said Holdsworth to Henry in a whisper, as he
+nodded toward them, "but excellent foresters and very useful in the work
+that I have to do."
+
+"You can't always tell a man by his looks," replied Henry in the same
+tone.
+
+It was not a difficult matter to light the fire. They scraped off the
+inside of the bark until they accumulated a little heap of tinder. It
+was ignited with a few sparks of the flint and steel, and then the bark
+too caught fire. After that they had nothing to do but feed the flames
+which grew and grew, casting a luminous red glare in every corner of the
+old Council House. Then it was so strong that it readily burned the wet
+bark from the dismantled lodges near by.
+
+The cold rain still came down steadily and the night, thick and dark,
+had settled over the forest. Henry and his comrades were bound to
+confess that the fire was a vivid core of cheer and comfort. It thrust
+out a grateful heat, the high flames danced, and the coals, red and
+yellow, fell into a great glowing heap. Holdsworth, Fowler and Perley
+took off nearly all their clothing, dried their bodies, and then their
+wet garments. Holdsworth ceased to shiver, and while Fowler and Perley
+still fed the fire, the five resumed their places against the wall,
+their rifles again lying across their knees, a forest precaution so
+customary that no one could take exception to it. Apparently they
+dozed, but they were nevertheless wide awake. Holdsworth and his men
+reclothed themselves in their dry raiment, and when they finished the
+task, Henry said:
+
+"We've three kinds of dried meat, venison, bear and buffalo, and you can
+take your choice, one kind, two kinds, or all kinds."
+
+"I thank you, sir," said Holdsworth, "but we also carry a plentiful
+supply of provisions in our knapsacks, and we have partaken freely of
+them. We are now dry, and there is nothing else for us to do but sleep."
+
+"Then we had better put out the fire," said Henry. "As we agreed before,
+we're in the heart of the Indian country, and we do not wish to send up
+a beacon that will bring the savages down upon us."
+
+But Holdsworth demurred.
+
+"The Indians themselves would not be abroad on such a night," he said.
+"There can be no possible danger of an attack by them, and I suggest
+that we keep it burning. Then we will be all the stronger and warmer in
+the morning."
+
+Henry was about to say something, but he changed his mind and said
+something else.
+
+"Let it burn, then," he acquiesced. "The flame is hidden on three sides
+anyhow and, as you say, the savages themselves will keep under cover
+now. Perhaps, Mr. Holdsworth, as you have come from the East since we
+have, you can tell us about our future there."
+
+"Not a great deal," replied the man, "but I fear that we are not
+prospering greatly. Our armies are weak. Although their country is
+ruined, war parties under Brant came down from the British forts, and
+ravaged the Mohawk valley anew. 'Tis said by many that the Americans
+cannot hold out much longer against the forces of the king."
+
+"Your words coming from a great patriot are discouraging," said Henry.
+
+"It is because I cannot make them otherwise," replied Holdsworth.
+
+Henry, from under the edge of his cap, again examined him critically.
+Holdsworth and his men were reclining against the bark wall in the
+second largest dry spot, not more than ten feet away. The man was ugly,
+extremely ugly beyond a doubt, and in the glow of the firelight he
+seemed more sinister than ever. Yet the young forest runner tried once
+more to be fair. He recalled all of Holdsworth's good points. The man
+had spoken in a tone of sincerity, and he had been courteous. He had not
+said or done anything offensive. If he was discouraged over the patriot
+cause, it was because he could not help it.
+
+While Henry studied him, there was a silence for a little space.
+Meantime the rain increased in volume, but it came straight down, making
+a steady, droning sound that was not unpleasant. The heavy darkness
+moved up to the very door of the old Council House, and, despite the
+fire, the forest beyond was invisible. Holdsworth was still awake, but
+the two men with him seemed to doze. Shif'less Sol was also watching
+Holdsworth with keen and anxious eyes, but he left the talk to his young
+comrade, their acknowledged leader.
+
+"You know," said Henry at length, "that some great movement among the
+Indians is on foot."
+
+Holdsworth stirred a little against the bark wall, and it seemed to
+Henry that a new eagerness came into his eyes. But he replied:
+
+"No, I have not heard of it yet. You are ahead of me there. But the
+Indians and British at Detroit are always plotting something against us.
+What particular news do you have?"
+
+"That Timmendiquas, the Wyandot, the greatest of the western chiefs,
+accompanied by the head chiefs of the Shawnees and Miamis, and a body of
+chosen warriors is marching to Detroit. We have been following them,
+and they are now not more than twenty-five or thirty miles ahead of us.
+I take it that there will be a great council at Detroit, composed of the
+British, the Tories, the Western Indians with Timmendiquas at their
+head, and perhaps also the Iroquois and other Eastern Indians with
+Thayendanegea leading them. The point of attack will be the settlements
+in Kentucky. If the allied forces are successful the tomahawk and the
+scalping knife will spare none. Doesn't the prospect fill you with
+horror, Mr. Holdsworth?"
+
+Holdsworth shaded his face with his hand, and replied slowly:
+
+"It does inspire fear, but perhaps the English and Indian leaders will
+be merciful. These are great matters of which you tell me, Mr. Ware. I
+had heard some vague reports, but yours are the first details to reach
+me. Perhaps if we work together we can obtain information that will be
+of great service to the settlements."
+
+"Perhaps," said Henry, and then he relapsed into silence. Holdsworth
+remained silent too and gazed into the fire, but Henry saw that his
+thoughts were elsewhere. A long time passed and no one spoke. The fire
+had certainly added much to the warmth and comfort of the old house.
+They were all tired with long marches, and the steady droning sound of
+the rain, which could not reach them, was wonderfully soothing. The
+figures against the bark walls relaxed, and, as far as the human eye
+could see, they dropped asleep one by one, the five on one side and the
+three on the other.
+
+The fire, well fed in the beginning, burned for two or three hours, but
+after awhile it begun to smolder, and sent up a long thin column of
+smoke. The rain came lighter and then ceased entirely. The clouds parted
+in the center as if they had been slashed across by a sword blade, and
+then rolled away to left and right. The heavens became a silky blue, and
+the stars sprang out in sparkling groups.
+
+It was past midnight when Holdsworth moved slightly, like one half
+awakening from a deep sleep. But his elbow touched the man Fowler, and
+he said a few words to him in a whisper. Then he sank back into his
+relaxed position, and apparently was asleep again. Fowler himself did
+not move for at least ten minutes. Then he arose, slipped out of the
+Council House, and returned with a great armful of wet leaves, which he
+put gently upon the fire. Quickly and quietly he sank back into his old
+position by the wall.
+
+Dense smoke came from the coals and heap of leaves, but it rose in a
+strong spire and passed out through the broken part of the roof, the
+great hole there creating a draught. It rose high and in the night, now
+clear and beautiful, it could be seen afar. Yet all the eight--five on
+one side and three on the other--seemed to be sound asleep once more.
+
+The column of smoke thickened and rose higher into the sky, and
+presently the man Fowler was at work again. Rising and stepping, with
+wonderful lightness for a thick-set heavy man, he spread his open
+blanket over the smoke, and then quickly drew it away. He repeated the
+operation at least twenty times and at least twenty great coiling rings
+of smoke arose, sailing far up into the blue sky, and then drifting away
+over the forest, until they were lost in the distance.
+
+Fowler folded the blanket again, but he did not resume his place against
+the wall. Holdsworth and Perley rose lightly and joined him. Then the
+three gazed intently at the five figures on the other side of the smoke.
+Not one of them stirred. So far as the three could see, the five were
+buried in the most profound slumber.
+
+Holdsworth made a signal and the three, their rifles in the hollows of
+their arms, glided from the Council House and into the forest.
+
+As soon as they were lost in the darkness, Henry Ware sprang to his
+feet, alive in every nerve and fiber, and tingling with eagerness.
+
+"Up; up, boys!" he cried. "Those three men are Tories or English, and
+they are coming back with the savages. The rings of smoke made the
+signal to their friends. But we'll beat them at their own trick."
+
+All were on their feet in an instant--in fact, only Jim Hart and Paul
+had fallen asleep--and they ran silently into the forest in a direction
+opposite to that which the three had chosen. But they did not go far. At
+Henry's whispered signal, they sank down among some dense bushes where
+they could lie hidden, and yet see all that passed at the Council House.
+The water from the bushes that they had moved dropped upon them, but
+they did not notice it. Nor did they care either that the spire of smoke
+still rose through the roof of the old Council House. Five pairs of
+uncommonly keen eyes were watching the forest to see their enemies come
+forth.
+
+"I saw the fellow make the big smoke," said Shif'less Sol, "but I knowed
+that you saw, too. So I jest waited till you give the word, Henry."
+
+"I wanted them to go through to the end with it," replied Henry. "If we
+had stopped the man when he was bringing in the leaves he might have
+made some sort of excuse, and we should have had no proof at all against
+them."
+
+"Them's false names they gave o' course."
+
+"Of course. It is likely that the man who called himself Holdsworth is
+somebody of importance. His manner indicated it. How ugly that
+harelipped fellow was!"
+
+"How long do you think it will be before they come back?" asked
+Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Not long. The Indian force could not have been more than a mile or so
+away, or they would not have relied on smoke signals in the night. It
+will be only a short wait, Sol, until we see something interesting. Now
+I wish I knew that harelipped man!"
+
+Henry and his comrades could have slipped away easily in the darkness,
+but they had no mind to do so. Theirs was a journey of discovery, and,
+since here was an opportunity to do what they wished, they would not
+avoid it, no matter how great the risk. So they waited patiently. The
+forest still dripped water, but they had seldom seen the skies a
+brighter blue at night. The spire of smoke showed against it sharp and
+clear, as if it had been day. In the brilliant moonlight the ruined
+village assumed another ghostly phase. All the rugged outlines of
+half-fallen tepees were silvered and softened. Henry, with that
+extraordinary sensitiveness of his to nature and the wilderness, felt
+again the mysticism and unreality of this place, once inhabited by man
+and now given back to the forest. In another season or two the last
+remnant of bark would disappear, the footpaths would be grown up with
+bushes, and the wild animals would roam there unafraid.
+
+All these thoughts passed like a succession of mental flashes through
+the mind of the forest dreamer--and a dreamer he was, a poet of the
+woods--as he waited there for what might be, and what probably would be,
+a tragedy. But as these visions flitted past there was no relaxation of
+his vigilance. It was he who first heard the slight swishing sound of
+the bushes on the far side of the Council House; it was he who first
+heard the light tread of an approaching moccasin, and it was he who
+first saw the ugly harelipped face of a white man appear at the forest
+edge. Then all saw, and slow, cold anger rose in five breasts at the
+treacherous trick.
+
+Behind the harelipped man appeared Perley and Fowler, and six savage
+warriors, armed fully, and coated thickly with war paint. Now Henry knew
+that the sinister effect of Holdsworth's face was not due wholly to his
+harelip, and the ugliness of all his features. He was glad in a way
+because he had not done the man injustice.
+
+The three white men and the six Indians waited a long time at the edge
+of the woods. They were using both eye and ear to tell if the five in
+the old Council House slept soundly. The fire now gave forth nothing but
+smoke, and they could not see clearly into the depths. They must come
+nearer if they would make sure of their victims. They advanced slowly
+across the open, their weapons ready. All the idealist was gone from
+Henry now. They had taken these three men into what was then their
+house; they had been warmed and dried by their fire, and now they came
+back to kill. He watched them slip across the open space, and he saw in
+the moonlight that their faces were murderous, the white as bad as the
+red.
+
+The band reached the end of the Council House and looked in, uttering
+low cries of disappointment when they saw nothing there. None of the
+five ever knew whether they had waited there for the purpose of giving
+battle to the raiding band, but at this moment Paul moved a little in
+order to get a better view, and a bush rustled under his incautious
+moccasin. One of the savages heard it, gave a warning cry, and in an
+instant the whole party threw themselves flat upon the earth, with the
+wall of the Council House between themselves and that point in the
+forest from which the sound had come. Silence and invisibility followed,
+yet the forest battle was on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE TAKING OF HENRY
+
+
+"I'm sorry my foot slipped," whispered Paul.
+
+"Don't you worry, Paul," Henry whispered back. "We're as anxious to meet
+them as they are to meet us. If they are willing to stay and have the
+argument out, we're willing to give them something to think about."
+
+"An' I'd like to get a shot at that harelipped villain," interjected
+Shif'less Sol. "I'd give him somethin' he wouldn't furgit."
+
+"Suppose we move a little to the right," said Henry. "They've noted the
+direction from which the sound came, and they may send a bullet into the
+bushes here."
+
+They crept quietly to the right, a distance of perhaps ten yards; and
+they soon found the precaution to be a wise one, as a crack came from
+the forest, and a bullet cut the twigs where they had lately been.
+Shif'less Sol sent a return bullet at the flash of the rifle and they
+heard a suppressed cry.
+
+"It doesn't do to be too keerless," said the shiftless one in a
+contented tone as he reloaded his rifle. "Whoever fired that shot ought
+to hev known that something would come back to him."
+
+Several more bullets came from the forest, and now they cut the bushes
+close by, but the comrades lay flat upon the ground and all passed over
+their heads.
+
+After Shif'less Sol's single shot they did not return the fire for the
+present, but continued to move slowly to the right. Thus a full half
+hour passed without a sign from either side. Meanwhile a wind, slowly
+rising, was blowing so steadily that all the trees and bushes were
+drying fast.
+
+Neither Henry nor his comrades could now tell just where their enemies
+were, but they believed that the hostile band had also been circling
+about the open space in which the ruined village stood. They felt sure
+that the Indians and the three white men would not go away. The Indians
+were never keener for scalps than they were that year, and with a force
+of nearly two to one they would not decline a combat, even if it were
+not the surprise that they had expected.
+
+"We may stay here until daylight," whispered Henry. "They are now sure
+we're not going to run away, and with the sunrise they may think that
+they will have a better chance at us."
+
+"If the daylight finds them here, it will find us too," said Shif'less
+Sol. They shifted around a little further, and presently another shot
+was fired from a point opposite them in the forest. Henry sent a bullet
+in return, but there was nothing to indicate whether it had struck a
+foe. Then ensued another long silence which was broken at last by a shot
+from the interior of the old Council House. It was sent at random into
+the bushes, but the bullet cut the leaves within an inch of Henry's
+face, and they grew exceedingly cautious. Another bullet soon whistled
+near them, and they recognized the fact that the Indians who had
+succeeded in creeping into the Council House had secured an advantage.
+
+But they succeeded in keeping themselves covered sufficiently to escape
+any wounds, and, turning a thought over in his mind, Henry said:
+
+"Sol, don't you think that this wind which has been blowing for hours
+has dried things out a good deal?"
+
+"It shorely has," answered Sol.
+
+"And you have noticed, too, Sol, that we are now at a point where the
+old village touches the forest? You can reach out your hand and put it
+on that ruined wigwam, can't you?"
+
+"I kin shorely do it, Henry."
+
+"You have noticed also, Sol, that the wind, already pretty fair, is
+rising, and that it is blowing directly from us against the old Council
+House in which some of the savages are, and across to the forest at the
+point where we are certain that the rest of the enemy lie."
+
+"Sounds like good and true reasonin' to me, an eddicated man, Henry."
+
+"Then you and I will get to work with our flint and steel and set this
+old wigwam afire. It's still high enough to shelter ourselves behind it,
+and I think we ought to do the task in two or three minutes. Tom, you
+and Paul and Jim cover us with your rifles."
+
+"Henry, you shorely hev a great head," said Sol, "an' this looks to me
+like payin' back to a man what belongs to him. That harelipped scoundrel
+and his fellows warmed by our fire in the Council House, and now we'll
+jest give 'em notice that thar's another warmin'."
+
+Lying almost flat upon their faces they worked hard with the flint and
+steel, and in a minute or two a little spark of light leaped up. It laid
+hold of the thin, dry bark at the edge of the old wigwam and blazed up
+with extraordinary rapidity. Then the flames sprang to the next wigwam.
+It, too, was quickly enveloped, and the bark cracked as they ate into
+it. Not even the soaking given by the rain offered any effective
+resistance.
+
+Henry and Shif'less Sol put away their flint and steel and quickly
+slipped into the bushes whence they looked with admiration at the work
+of their hands. The lodges were burning far faster than they had
+expected. All the old Indian village would soon go, and now they watched
+attentively the Council House where the sharpshooters lay. Meanwhile
+several shots were fired from the forest without effect and the five
+merely lay close, biding their time.
+
+The flames made a great leap and caught the Council House. It burned so
+fast that it seemed to be enveloped all at once, and three men, two red
+and one white burst from it, rushing toward the forest. Henry and his
+comrades could easily have shot down all three, but Silent Tom Ross was
+the only one who pulled a trigger and he picked the white man. At the
+crack of his rifle the fugitive fell. By the flare of the flames Henry
+caught a glimpse of his face and saw that it was Perley. He fell just at
+the edge of the forest, but where the fire would not reach him.
+
+The village was now a mass of flames. The whole open space was lighted
+up brilliantly, and the sparks flew in myriads. Ashes and burning
+fragments carried by the wind fell thickly through the forest. The vivid
+flare penetrated the forest itself and the five men saw their foes
+crouching in the bushes. They advanced, using all the skill of those to
+whom the wilderness is second nature and a battle from tree to tree
+ensued. The five were more than a match for the eight who were now
+against them. The man who had passed as Fowler was quickly wounded in
+the shoulder, the harelipped leader himself had his cap shot from his
+head, and one of the Indians was slain. Then they took to flight, and,
+after a pursuit of some distance, the five returned toward the village,
+where the flames were now dying down.
+
+Paul had been flicked across the hand by a bullet and Jim Hart shook two
+bullets out of his clothing, but they were practically unhurt and it was
+their object now to see the man Perley, who had been left at the edge of
+the forest. By the time they reached the open where the village had
+stood, the day was fully come. The Council House had fallen in and the
+poles and fragments of bark smoked on the ground. Nothing was left of
+the wigwam but ashes which the wind picked up and whirled about. The
+wounded man lay on his side and it was quite evident that his hurt was
+mortal, but his look became one of terror when the five came up.
+
+"We do not mean to hurt you," said Henry; "we will make it as easy for
+you as we can."
+
+"And the others," gasped the man. "You have beaten them in the battle,
+and they have fled, the Colonel with them."
+
+"Yes," replied Henry, "they are gone, and with them Colonel--?"
+
+The man looked up and smiled faintly. At the edge of death he read
+Henry's mind. He knew that he wished to obtain the name of the
+harelipped man and, sincere enemy of his own people though Perley was,
+he no longer had any objection to telling.
+
+"Prop me up against that tree trunk," he gasped.
+
+Henry did so, and Paul brought some water from the spring in his cap.
+The man drank and seemed a little stronger.
+
+"You're better to me perhaps than I'd have been to you if it had been
+the other way round," he said, "an' I might as well tell you that the
+man with the harelip was Colonel Bird, a British officer, who is most
+active against your settlements, and who has become a great leader among
+the Indians. He's arranging now with the people at Detroit to strike you
+somewhere."
+
+"Then I'm sorry my bullet didn't find him instead of you," said Tom
+Ross.
+
+"So am I," said the man with a faint attempt at humor.
+
+Paul, who had been trying to remember, suddenly spoke up.
+
+"I heard of that man when we were in the East," he said. "He fell in
+love with a girl at Oswego or some other of the British posts, and she
+rejected him because he was so ugly and had a hare lip. Then he seemed
+to have a sort of madness and ever since he's been leading expeditions
+of the Indians against our settlements."
+
+"It's true," said Perley, "he's the man that you're talking about and
+he's mad about shedding blood. He's drumming up the Indian forces
+everywhere. His--"
+
+Perley stopped suddenly and coughed. His face became ghastly pale, and
+then his head fell over sideways on his shoulders.
+
+"He's dead," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I'm sorry, too, Tom, that your
+bullet didn't hit Colonel Bird 'stead o' him."
+
+"Do you think," asked Paul, "that they are likely to come back and
+attack us?"
+
+"No," replied Henry, "they've had enough. Besides they can't attack us
+in broad daylight. Look how open the forest is. We'd be sure to see them
+long before they could get within rifle shot."
+
+"Then," said Paul, "let's bury Perley before we go on. I don't like to
+think of a white man lying here in the forest to be devoured by wild
+beasts, even if he did try to kill us."
+
+Shif'less Sol heartily seconded Paul's suggestion, and soon it was done.
+They had no spades with which to dig a grave for Perley's body, but they
+built over him a little cairn of fallen timber, sufficient to protect
+him from the wolves and bears, and then prepared to march anew.
+
+But they took a last look at the large open space in which the abandoned
+Indian village had stood. Nothing was left there but ashes and dying
+coals. Not a fragment of the place was standing. But they felt that it
+was better for it to be so. If man had left, then the forest should
+resume its complete sway. The grass and the bushes would now cover it up
+all the more quickly. Then they shouldered their rifles and went ahead,
+never looking back once.
+
+The morning was quite cool. It was only the second week in April, the
+spring having come out early bringing the buds and the foliage with it,
+but in the variable climate of the great valley they might yet have
+freezing and snow. They had left Pittsburg in the winter, but they were
+long on the way, making stops at two or three settlements on the
+southern shore of the Ohio, and also going on long hunts. At another
+time they had been stopped two weeks by the great cold which froze the
+surface of the river from bank to bank. Thus it was the edge of spring
+and the forests were green, when they turned up the tributary river, and
+followed in the trail of Timmendiquas.
+
+Now they noticed this morning as they advanced that it was growing quite
+cold again. They had also come so much further North that the spring was
+less advanced than on the Ohio. Before noon a little snow was flying,
+but they did not mind it. It merely whipped their blood and seemed to
+give them new strength for their dangerous venture. But Henry was
+troubled. He was sorry that they had not seen an enemy in the man Bird
+whose name was to become an evil one on the border. But how were they to
+know? It is true that he could now, with the aid of the dead man's story
+recall something about Bird and his love affair, his disappointment
+which seemed to have given him a perfect mania for bloodshed. But again
+how were they to know?
+
+They pressed on with increased speed, as they knew that Timmendiquas,
+owing to their delay at the abandoned village must now be far ahead. The
+broad trail was found easily, and they also kept a sharp watch for that
+of Bird and his band which they felt sure would join it soon. But when
+night came there was no sign of Bird and his men. Doubtless they had
+taken another course, with another object in view. Henry was greatly
+perplexed. He feared that Bird meant deep mischief, and he should have
+liked to have followed him, but the main task was to follow
+Timmendiquas, and they could not turn aside from it.
+
+They would have traveled all that night, but the loss of sleep the night
+before, and the strain of the combat compelled them to take rest about
+the twilight hour. The night winds were sharp with chill, and they
+missed the bark shelter that the ruined Council House had given them. As
+they crouched in the bushes with their blankets about them and ate cold
+venison, they were bound to regret what they had lost.
+
+"Still I like this country," said Jim Hart. "It looks kinder firm an'
+strong ez ef you could rely on it. Then I want to see the big lakes. We
+come pretty nigh to one uv them that time we went up the Genesee Valley
+an' burned the Iroquois towns, but we didn't quite git thar. Cur'us so
+much fresh water should be put here in a string uv big lakes on our
+continent."
+
+"And the Canadian _voyageurs_ say there are big lakes, too, away up in
+Canada that no white man has ever seen, but of which they hear from the
+Indians," said Paul.
+
+"I reckon it's true," said Jim Hart, "'cause this is an almighty big
+continent, an' an almighty fine one. I ain't s'prised at nothin' now. I
+didn't believe thar wuz any river ez big ez the Missip, until I saw it,
+an' thar ain't no tellin' what thar is out beyond the Missip, all the
+thousands uv miles to the Pacific. I'd shorely like to live a thousand
+years with you fellers an' tramp 'roun' and see it all. It would be
+almighty fine."
+
+"But I wouldn't like to be spendin' all that thousan' years tryin' to
+keep my scalp on top o' my head," said Shif'less Sol. "It would be
+pow'ful wearin' on a lazy man like me."
+
+Thus they talked as the twilight deepened into the night. The feel of
+the North was in them all. Their minds kindled at the thought of the
+vast lakes that lay beyond and of the great forest, stretching, for all
+they knew, thousands of miles to the great ocean. The bushes and their
+blankets protected them from the cold winds, and it was so dark that no
+enemy could trail them to their lair. Moreover the five were there,
+intact, and they had the company of one another to cheer.
+
+"I imagine," said Paul, "that Timmendiquas and the officers at Detroit
+will make this the biggest raid that they have ever yet planned against
+Kentucky."
+
+"By surprise an' numbers they may win victories here an' thar," said
+Shif'less Sol, "but they'll never beat us. When people git rooted in the
+ground you jest can't drive 'em away or kill 'em out. Our people will
+take root here, too, an' everywhar the Injuns, the British an' the
+Tories will have to go."
+
+"An' as our people ain't come up here yet, we've got to look out for our
+scalps before the rootin' season comes," said Tom Ross.
+
+"An' that's as true as Gospel," said Shif'less Sol, thoughtfully.
+
+After that they spoke little more, but they drew and matted the thick
+bushes over their heads in such manner that the chill winds were turned
+aside. Beneath were the dry leaves of last year which they had raked up
+into couches, and thus, every man with a blanket beneath and another
+above him, they did not care how the wind blew. They were as snug as
+bears in their lairs, but despite the darkness of the night and the
+exceeding improbability of anyone finding them both Henry and Tom Ross
+lay awake and watched. The others slept peacefully, and the two
+sentinels could hear their easy breathing only a few feet away.
+
+In the night Henry began to grow uneasy. Once or twice he thought he
+heard cries like the hoot of the owl or the howl of the wolf, but they
+were so far away that he was uncertain. Both hoot and howl might be a
+product of the imagination. He was so alive to the wilderness, it was so
+full of meaning to him that his mind could create sounds when none
+existed. He whispered to Tom, but Ross, listening as hard as he could,
+heard nothing but the rustling of the leaves and twigs before the wind.
+
+Henry was sure now that what he had heard was the product of a too vivid
+fancy, but a little later he was not so sure. It must be the faint cry
+of a wolf that he now heard or its echo. He had the keenest ear of them
+all, and that Tom Ross did not hear the sound, was no proof. A vivid
+imagination often means a prompt and powerful man of action, and Henry
+acted at once.
+
+"Tom," he whispered, "I'm going to scout in the distance from which I
+thought the sounds came. Don't wake the boys; I'll be back before
+morning."
+
+Tom Ross nodded. He did not believe that Henry had really heard
+anything, and he would have remonstrated with him, but he knew that it
+was useless. He merely drew his blanket a little closer, and resolved
+that one pair of eyes should watch as well as two had watched before.
+
+Henry folded his blankets, put them in his little pack, and in a minute
+was gone. It was dark, but not so dark that one used to the night could
+not see. The sounds that he had seemed to hear came from the southwest,
+and the road in the direction was easy, grown up with forest but
+comparatively free from undergrowth. He walked swiftly about a mile,
+then he heard the cry of the wolf again. Now, the last doubt was gone
+from his mind. It was a real sound, and it was made by Indian calling to
+Indian.
+
+He corrected his course a little, and went swiftly on. He heard the cry
+once more, now much nearer, and, in another mile, he saw a glow among
+the trees. He went nearer and saw detached cones of light. Then he knew
+that it was a camp fire, and a camp fire built there boldly in that
+region, so dangerous to the Kentuckian, indicated that it was surely the
+Indians themselves and their allies. He did not believe that it was the
+force of Timmendiquas which could only have reached this spot by turning
+from its course, but he intended to solve the doubt.
+
+The camp was in one of the little prairies so numerous in the old
+Northwest, and evidently had been pitched there in order to secure room
+for the fires. Henry concluded at once that it must be a large force,
+and his eagerness to know increased. As he crept nearer and nearer, he
+was amazed by the number of the fires. This was a much larger band than
+the one led by Timmendiquas. He also heard the sound of many voices and
+of footsteps. From his place among the trees he saw dark figures passing
+and repassing. He also caught now and then a metallic glitter from
+something not a rifle or a tomahawk, but which he could not clearly make
+out in the dark.
+
+This was a formidable force bent upon some great errand, and his
+curiosity was intense. The instinct that had sent him upon the journey
+through the woods was not wrong, and he did not mean to go away until he
+knew for what purpose this army was gathered. He lay upon the ground in
+the thickest shadow of the woods, and crept forward a little closer.
+Then he saw that the camp contained at least five hundred warriors. As
+nearly as he could make out they were mostly Shawnees, probably from the
+most easterly villages, but there seemed to be a sprinkling of Delawares
+and Miamis. White men, Tories, Canadians and English, fifty or sixty in
+number were present also and a few of them were in red uniform.
+
+All the Indians were in war paint, and they sat in great groups around
+the fires feasting. Evidently the hunters had brought in plenty of game
+and they were atoning for a fast. They ate prodigiously of buffalo,
+deer, bear and wild turkey, throwing the bones behind them when they had
+gnawed them clean. Meanwhile they sang in the Shawnee tongue a wild
+chant:
+
+    To the South we, the great warriors, go
+    To the far, fair land of Kaintuckee;
+    We carry death for the Yengees,
+    Our hands are strong, our hearts are fierce;
+    None of the white face can escape us.
+
+    We cross the river and steal through the woods;
+    In the night's dark hour the tomahawk falls,
+    The burning houses send flames to the sky,
+    The scalps of the Yengees hang at our belts;
+    None of the white face can escape us.
+
+Henry's heart began to pump heavily. Little specks danced before his
+eyes. Here was a great war party, one that he had not foreseen, one that
+was going to march against Kentucky. Evidently this enterprise was
+distinct from that of Timmendiquas. In his eagerness to see, Henry crept
+nearer and nearer to the utmost verge of the danger line, lying in a
+clump of bushes where the warriors were passing, not twenty feet away.
+Suddenly he started a little, as a new figure came into the light,
+thrown into distinct relief by the blazing background of the fires.
+
+He recognized at once the harelipped man, Bird, now in the uniform of a
+Colonel in the King's army. His ugliness was in no whit redeemed by his
+military attire. But Henry saw that deference was paid him by white men
+and red men alike, and he had the walk and manner of one who commanded.
+The youth was sorry now that they had not hunted down this man and slain
+him. He felt instinctively that he would do great harm to those
+struggling settlers south of the Ohio.
+
+While Henry waited three loud shouts were heard, uttered at the far end
+of the camp. Instantly the eating ceased, and all the warriors rose to
+their feet. Then they moved with one accord toward the point from which
+the shouts proceeded. Henry knew that someone of importance was coming,
+and he crept along the edge of the forest to see.
+
+Colonel Bird, several subordinate officers, and some chiefs gathered in
+front of the mass of warriors and stood expectant. Forth from the forest
+came a figure more magnificent than any in that group, a great savage,
+naked to the waist, brilliantly painted, head erect and with the air of
+a king of men. It was Timmendiquas, and Henry realized, the moment he
+appeared, that he was not surprised to see him there. Behind him came
+Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and
+Blackstaffe. Bird went forward, eager to meet them, and held out his
+hand in white man's fashion to Timmendiquas. The great Wyandot took it,
+held it only a moment, and then dropped it, as if the touch were hateful
+to him. Henry had noticed before that Timmendiquas never seemed to care
+for the white allies of the Indians, whether English, Canadian or Tory.
+He used them, but he preferred, if victory were won, that it should be
+won by men of his own race. The manner of the chief seemed to him to
+indicate repulsion, but Wyatt, Girty and the others greeted the Colonel
+with great warmth. They were birds of a feather, and it pleased them to
+flock together there in the great forest.
+
+Timmendiquas and his chiefs walked toward the larger and central fire,
+whither Bird and his men showed the way. Then pipes were lighted and
+smoked by all who were high enough in rank to sit in the Council, while
+the mass of the warriors gathered at a respectful distance. But the
+fires were replenished, and they blazed up, filling all the camp with
+ruddy light. Then Henry found the meaning of the metallic gleam that he
+had seen from the forest. Near the center of the camp and standing in a
+row were six cannon, fine, bronze guns of large caliber, their dark
+muzzles, as if by some sinister chance, pointing toward the South. Then
+full knowledge came in all its gloomy truth. This was an expedition
+against Kentucky more formidable than any of the many that had yet gone.
+It carried a battery of large cannon, and plenty of white gunners to man
+them. The wooden palisades of the new settlements could not stand five
+minutes before great guns.
+
+In his eagerness to see more of these hateful cannon, Henry, for the
+first time in years, forgot his customary caution. He made a bush rustle
+and he did not notice it. A scouting Indian passed near, and he did not
+hear him. But the scouting Indian, a Shawnee, alert and suspicious,
+heard the rustling of the bush. He dropped down, crept near and saw the
+long figure among the bushes. Then he crept away and signaled to his
+comrades.
+
+Henry was straining forward for a better view of the cannon, when there
+was a sudden sound behind him. He drew his body quickly together like a
+powerful animal about to spring, but before he could reach his feet a
+half dozen warriors hurled themselves upon him.
+
+He fell under the impact of so great a weight and the rifle which he
+could not use at close quarters was torn from his hands. The warriors
+uttered a triumphant shout which caused all those sitting by the fire to
+spring to their feet.
+
+Henry was at the very summit of his youthful strength. There was no one
+in the forest who matched him in either height or muscular strength,
+save, possibly Timmendiquas, and with a tremendous effort he rose to his
+feet, the whole yelling pack clinging to him, one on each arm, one at
+each leg, and two at his shoulders and waist. He hurled loose the one on
+his right arm and snatched at a pistol in his belt, but quick as a
+flash, two others loosing their hold elsewhere, seized the arm. Then
+they pressed all their weight upon him again, seeking to throw him.
+Evidently they wished to take him a captive. But Henry remained erect
+despite the immense weight pulling at him. He was bent slightly forward,
+and, for a few moments, his efforts exactly balanced the strength of the
+six who sought to pull him down. In that brief space they remained
+immovable. The sweat broke out on his forehead in great beads. Then with
+an effort, convulsive and gigantic, he threw them all from him, standing
+clear for one brief instant. His hand was on the pistol butt, but the
+yelling pack were back too quick, leaping at him like wolves. He was
+dragged to his knees, but once more he struggled to his feet, drenched
+in perspiration, his heart beating loudly as he made his mighty efforts.
+
+In their struggle they came free of the woods, and out into the open
+where the light from the fires cast a red glow over the tall figure of
+the white youth, and the six naked and sinewy brown forms that tore at
+him. The chief and the white men in the camp rushed forward.
+
+Braxton Wyatt cried exultingly: "It is Ware!" and drew his pistol, but
+Timmendiquas struck down his arm.
+
+"It is not for you to shoot," he said; "let him be taken alive."
+
+Bird was commander in that camp, and the Wyandot was only a visitor
+there, but the tone of Timmendiquas was so strong and masterful that
+Bird himself recognized his predominance, and did not resist it.
+
+And there were others among the Indians who looked with admiration upon
+the tall youth as he made his magnificent struggle for life and liberty.
+A deep hum ran through the great circle that had formed about the
+fighters. Excitement, the joy of a supreme sport, showed upon their
+savage faces. One or two started forward to help the six, but
+Timmendiquas waved them back. Then the circle pressed a little closer,
+and other rows of dark faces behind peered over brown shoulders. Henry
+was scarcely conscious that hundreds looked on. The pulses in temples
+and throat were beating heavily, and there was a mist before his eyes.
+Nobody was present for him, save the six who strove to pull him down.
+His soul swelled with fierce anger and he hurled off one after another
+to find them springing back like the rebound of a rubber ball.
+
+His anger increased. These men annoyed him terribly. He was bathed in
+perspiration and nearly all the clothing was torn from his body, but he
+still fought against his opponents. The ring had come in closer and
+closer, and now the savages uttered low cries of admiration as he sent
+some one of his antagonists spinning. They admired, too, his massive
+figure, the powerful neck, the white shoulders now bare and the great
+muscles which bunched up as he put forth supreme efforts.
+
+"Verily, this is a man," said the old chief, Yellow Panther.
+
+Timmendiquas nodded, but he never took his absorbed eyes from the
+contest. He, too, uttered a low cry as Henry suddenly caught one of the
+warriors with his fist and sent him like a shot to the earth. But this
+warrior, a Wyandot, was tough. He sprang up again, the dark blood
+flowing from his face, but was caught and sent down a second time, to
+lay where he had fallen, until some of the watchers took him by the legs
+and dragged him out of the way of the struggle. Henry was rid of one of
+his opponents for the time, and the five who were left did not dare use
+their weapons in face of the command from Timmendiquas to take him
+alive. Yet they rushed in as full of zeal as ever. It may be that they
+enjoyed the struggle in their savage way, particularly when the prize to
+be won was so splendid.
+
+Henry's successful blow with his fist reminded him that he might use it
+again. In the fury of the sudden struggle he had not thought before to
+fight by this method. A savage had him by the left shoulder. He struck
+the up-turned face with his right fist and the warrior went down
+unconscious.
+
+Only four now! The hands of another were seeking his throat. He tore the
+hands loose, seized the warrior in his arms, and hurled him ten feet
+away, where he fell with a sprained ankle. A deep cry, and following it,
+a long-drawn sigh of admiration, came from the crowd.
+
+Only three now! He tripped and threw one so heavily that he could not
+renew the combat, and the terrible fist sent down the fifth. Once more
+came that cry and long-drawn sigh from the multitude! A single opponent
+was left, but he was a powerful fellow, a Wyandot, with long thick arms
+and a mighty chest. His comrades had been much in his way in the
+struggle, and, now comparatively fresh and full of confidence, he closed
+with his white antagonist.
+
+Henry had time to draw a breath or two, and he summoned his last reserve
+of will and strength. He grasped the Wyandot as he ran in, pinned his
+arms to his sides, tripped his feet from under him, and, seizing him by
+shoulders and waist, lifted him high above his head. He held him poised
+there for a moment while the multitude gazed, tense and awed. Then,
+hurling him far out, he turned, faced the Wyandot chief, and said:
+
+"To you, Timmendiquas, I surrender myself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE NORTHWARD MARCH
+
+
+The great Wyandot chief inclined his head slightly, and received the
+pistol, hatchet, and knife which Henry drew from his belt. Then he said
+in the grave Wyandot tongue:
+
+"It is the second time that Ware has become my prisoner, and I am proud.
+He is truly a great warrior. Never have I seen such a fight as that
+which he has just made, the strength of one against six, and the one was
+triumphant."
+
+A murmur of approval from the warriors followed his words. Like the old
+Greeks, the Indians admired size, symmetry and strength, qualities so
+necessary to them in their daily lives, and Henry, as he stood there,
+wet with perspiration and breathing heavily, exemplified all that they
+considered best in man. Few of these savage warriors had any intention
+of sparing him. They would have burned him at the stake with delight,
+and, with equal delight, they would have praised him had he never
+uttered a groan--it would only be another proof of his greatness.
+
+Braxton Wyatt pressed nearer. There was joy in his evil heart over the
+capture of his enemy, but it was not unalloyed. He knew the friendship
+that Timmendiquas bore for Henry, and he feared that through it the
+prisoner might escape the usual fate of captives. It was his part to
+prevent any such disaster and he had thought already of a method. He
+dreaded the power of Timmendiquas, but he was bold and he proposed to
+dare it nevertheless.
+
+"Will you take the prisoner South with you," he said to Colonel Bird.
+
+"I have surrendered to Timmendiquas," said Henry.
+
+"This is the camp of Colonel Bird," said Wyatt in as mild a tone as he
+could assume, "and of course anyone taken here is his prisoner."
+
+"That is true," said Simon Girty, whose influence was great among the
+Indians, particularly the Shawnees.
+
+Timmendiquas said not a word, nor did Henry. Both saw the appeal to the
+pride of Bird who pulled his mustache, while his ugly face grew uglier.
+
+"Yes, it is so," he said at last. "The prisoner is mine, since he was
+taken in my camp."
+
+Then Timmendiquas spoke very quietly, but, underlying every word, was a
+menace, which Wyatt, Girty and Bird alike felt and heeded.
+
+"The prisoner surrendered to me," he said. "The Wyandot warriors helped
+in his capture--their bruises prove it. Colonel Bird even now marches
+south against Kaintuckee, and he has no need of prisoners. The words of
+Wyatt are nothing. Girty has become one of our chiefs, but it is not for
+him to judge in this case. When the council is finished and Timmendiquas
+resumes his march to Detroit, Ware goes with him as a captive, the prize
+of his warriors."
+
+His fierce eyes roamed around the circle, challenging one by one those
+who opposed him. Braxton Wyatt's own eyes dropped, and fear was in his
+soul. He, a renegade, an enemy to his own people could not afford to
+lose the favor of the Indians. Girty, also, evaded. Full of craft, it
+was no part of his policy to quarrel with Timmendiquas. Bird alone was
+disposed to accept the gage. It was intolerable that he, a colonel in
+the British army, should be spoken to in such a manner by an Indian. He
+wrinkled his ugly hare lip and said stubbornly:
+
+"The prisoner was taken in my camp, and he is mine."
+
+But Girty said low in his ear:
+
+"Let Timmendiquas have him. It is not well to alienate the Wyandots. We
+need them in our attack on Kentucky, and already they are dissatisfied
+with their heavy losses there. We can do nothing for the king without
+the Indians."
+
+Bird was not without suppleness. He spoke to Timmendiquas, as if he were
+continuing his former words:
+
+"But I give up my claim to you, White Lightning of the Wyandots. Take
+the prisoner and do with him as you choose."
+
+Timmendiquas smiled slightly. He understood perfectly. Braxton Wyatt
+retired, almost sick with rage. Timmendiquas motioned to two of his
+warriors who bound Henry's arms securely, though not painfully, and led
+him away to one of the smaller fires. Here he sat down between his
+guards who adjusted his torn attire, but did not annoy him, and waited
+while the council went on.
+
+After the glow of physical triumph had passed, Henry felt a deep
+depression. It seemed to him that he could never forgive himself when so
+much depended upon him. He had full knowledge that this expedition was
+marching southward, and now he could send no warning. Had he returned to
+his comrades with the news, they might have solved the problem by
+dividing their force. Two could have hurried to Kentucky ahead of Bird's
+army, and three might have gone to Detroit to watch what preparations
+were made there. He condemned himself over and over again, and it is
+only just to say that he did not think then of his personal danger. He
+thought instead of those whom he might have saved, but who now would
+probably fall beneath the Indian tomahawk, with no one to warn them.
+
+But he permitted none of his chagrin and grief to show in his face. He
+would not allow any Indian or renegade to see him in despair or in
+anything bordering upon it. He merely sat motionless, staring into the
+fire, his face without expression. Henry had escaped once from the
+Wyandots. Perhaps it was a feat that could not be repeated a second
+time--indeed all the chances were against it--but in spite of everything
+his courage came back. He had far too much strength, vitality and youth
+to remain in despair, and gradually new resolutions formed almost
+unconsciously in his mind. Under all circumstances, fate would present
+at least a bare chance to do what one wished, and courage gradually
+became confidence.
+
+Then Henry, remembering that there was nothing he could do at present,
+lay down on his side before the fire. It was not altogether an assumed
+manner to impress his guard, because he was really very tired, and, now
+that his nerves were relaxing, he believed he could go to sleep.
+
+He closed his eyes, and, although he opened them now and then, the lids
+were heavier at every successive opening. He saw the camp dimly, the
+dark figures of the warriors becoming shadowy now, the murmur of voices
+sinking to a whisper that could scarcely be heard, and then, in spite of
+his bound arms and precarious future, he slept.
+
+Henry's two guards, both Wyandots, regarded him with admiration, as he
+slept peacefully with the low firelight flickering across his tanned
+face. Great in body, he was also great in mind, and whatever torture the
+chief, Timmendiquas, intended for him he would endure it magnificently.
+Braxton Wyatt and Simon Girty also came to look at him, and whispered to
+each other.
+
+"It would have been better if they had made an end of him in the fight
+for his capture," said Wyatt.
+
+"That is true," said Girty thoughtfully. "As long as he's alive, he's
+dangerous. Timmendiquas cannot tie him so tight that there is no
+possibility of escape, and there are these friends of his whom you have
+such cause to remember, Braxton."
+
+"I wish they were all tied up as he is," said Wyatt venomously.
+
+Girty laughed softly.
+
+"You show the right spirit, Braxton," he said. "To live among the
+Indians and fight against one's own white race one must hate well. You
+need not flush, man. I have found it so myself, and I am older in this
+business and more experienced than you."
+
+Wyatt choked down words that were leaping to his lips, and presently he
+and Girty rejoined the white men, who were camped around Bird, their
+commander. But neither of them felt like sleeping and after a little
+while there, they went to look at the cannon, six fine guns in a row,
+constituting together the most formidable weapon that had ever been
+brought into the western forest. When they looked at them, the spirit of
+Wyatt and Girty sprang high. They exulted in the prospect of victory.
+The Kentucky sharpshooters behind their light palisades had been able
+hitherto to defeat any number of Indians. But what about the big guns?
+Twelve pound cannon balls would sweep down the palisades like a
+hurricane among saplings. As there is no zeal like that of the convert,
+so there is no hate like that of the renegade and they foresaw the easy
+capture of settlement after settlement by Bird's numerous and
+irresistible army.
+
+Henry, meanwhile, slept without dreams. It was a splendid tribute to his
+nerves that he could do so. When he awoke the sun was an hour above the
+horizon and the camp was active with the preparations of Bird's army to
+resume its march southward. Timmendiquas stood beside him, and, at his
+order, one of the Wyandot guards cut the thongs that bound his arms.
+Henry stretched out his wrists and rubbed them, one after the other,
+until the impeded circulation was restored. Then he uttered his thanks
+to the chief.
+
+"I am grateful to you, Timmendiquas," he said, "for insisting last night
+that I was your prisoner, and should go with you to Detroit. As you have
+seen, the renegades, Girty and Wyatt do not love me, and whatever I may
+receive at your hands, it is not as bad as that which they would have
+incited the warriors to do, had I remained in the power of Bird."
+
+"Neither do I care for Girty or Wyatt," said Timmendiquas, as he smiled
+slightly, "but they help us and we need all the allies we can get. So we
+permit them in our lodges. I may tell you now that they debated last
+night whether to go South with Bird, or to continue to Detroit with me.
+They go to Detroit."
+
+"I do not care for their company," said Henry, "but I am glad that they
+are not going to Kentucky."
+
+"I have also to tell you now, Ware," continued Timmendiquas, "that
+parties were sent out last night to search for your comrades, the four
+who are always with you."
+
+Henry moved a little and then looked inquiringly at Timmendiquas. The
+chief's face expressed nothing.
+
+"They did not find them?" he said.
+
+"No," he replied. "The friends of Ware were wary, but we are proud to
+have taken the leader. Here is food; you can eat, and then we march."
+
+They brought him an abundance of good food, and fresh water in a gourd,
+and he ate and drank heartily. The morning had become clear and crisp
+again, and with it came all the freshness and courage that belong to
+youth. Time was everything, and certainly nothing would be done to him
+until they reached Detroit. Moreover, his four comrades would discover
+why he did not return and they would follow. Even if one were helpless
+himself, he must never despair with such friends free and near at hand.
+
+After he had eaten, his hands were bound again. He made no resistance,
+knowing that under the Indian code he had no right to ask anything
+further of Timmendiquas, and he began the march northward in the center
+of the Wyandot force. At the same time, Bird and his army resumed their
+southern advance. Henry heard twigs and dead boughs cracking under the
+wheels of the cannon, and the sound was a menacing one that he did not
+forget for a long time. He looked back, but the savage army disappeared
+with amazing quickness in the forest.
+
+They marched all day without interruption, eating their food as they
+marched. Timmendiquas was at the head of the column, and he did not
+speak again with Henry. The renegades, probably fearing the wrath of the
+chief, also kept away. The country, hilly hitherto, now became level and
+frequently swampy. Here the travelling was difficult. Often their feet
+sank in the soft mud above the ankles, Briars reached out and scratched
+them, and, in these damp solitudes, the air was dark and heavy. Yet the
+Indians went on without complaint, and Henry, despite his bound arms,
+could keep his balance and pace with the rest, stride for stride.
+
+They marched several days and nights without interruption through a
+comparatively level country, still swampy at times, thickly grown with
+forest, and with many streams and little lakes. Most of the lakes were
+dotted with wild fowl, and often they saw deer in the shallow portions.
+Two or three of the deer were shot, but the Indians devoted little time
+to the hunting of game, as they were well provided with food.
+
+Henry, who understood both Wyandot and Shawnee, gathered from the talk
+of those about him that they were at last drawing near to Detroit, the
+great Northwestern fort of the British and Indians. They would arrive
+there to-morrow, and they spent that last night by camp fires, the
+Indians relaxing greatly from their usual taciturnity and caution, and
+eating as if at a banquet.
+
+Henry sat on a log in the middle of the camp. His arms were unbound and
+he could eat with the others as much as he chose. Since they were not to
+burn him or torture him otherwise, they would treat him well for the
+present. But warriors, Shawnees, Miamis and Wyandots, were all about
+him. They took good care that such a prisoner should not have a chance
+to escape. He might overthrow two or three, even four or five, but a
+score more would be on him at once. Henry knew this well and bore
+himself more as if he were a member of the band than a captive. It was a
+part of his policy to appear cheerful and contented. No Indian should
+surpass him in careless and apparent indifference, but to-night he felt
+gloomier than at any time since the moments that immediately followed
+his capture. He had relied upon the faithful four, but days had passed
+without a sign from them. There had been no chance, of course, for them
+to rescue him. He had not expected that, but what he had expected was a
+sign. They were skillful, masters of wilderness knowledge, but accidents
+might happen--one had happened to him--and they might have fallen into
+the hands of some other band.
+
+Waiting is a hard test, and Henry's mind, despite his will, began to
+imagine dire things. Suppose he should never see his comrades again. A
+thousand mischances could befall, and the neighborhood of Detroit was
+the most dangerous part of all the Indian country. Besides the villages
+pitched near, bands were continually passing, either coming to the fort
+for supplies, or going away, equipped for a fresh raid upon the
+settlements.
+
+The laughter and talk among the Indians went on for a long time, but
+Henry, having eaten all that he wanted, sat in silence. Besides the
+noise of the camp, he heard the usual murmur of the night wind among the
+trees. He listened to it as one would to a soft low monotone that
+called and soothed. He had an uncommonly acute ear and his power of
+singleness and concentration enabled him to listen to the sound that he
+wished to hear, to the exclusion of all others. The noises in the camp,
+although they were as great as ever, seemed to die. Instead, he heard
+the rustling of the young leaves far away, and then another sound
+came--a faint, whining cry, the far howl of a wolf, so far that it was
+no more than a whisper, a mere under-note to the wind. It stopped, but,
+in a moment or two, was repeated. Henry's heart leaped, but his figure
+never moved; nor was there any change in the expression of his face,
+which had been dreamy and sad.
+
+But he knew. Just when he wished to hear a voice out of the dark, that
+voice came. It was the first part of a signal that he and his comrades
+often used, and as he listened, the second part was completed. He longed
+to send back a reply, but it was impossible and he knew that it would
+not be expected. Joy was under the mask of his sad and dreaming face. He
+rejoiced, not only for himself, but for two other things; because they
+were safe and because they were near, following zealously and seeking
+every chance. He looked around at the Indians. None of them had heard
+the cry of the wolf, and he knew if it had reached them, they would not
+have taken it for a signal. They were going on with their feasting, but
+while Henry sat, still silent, Timmendiquas came to him and said:
+
+"To-morrow we reach Detroit, the great post of the soldiers of the king.
+We go there to confer with the commander, de Peyster, and to receive
+many rifles and much ammunition. It is likely, as you already know, that
+we shall march against your people."
+
+"I know it, Timmendiquas," said Henry, "but I would that it were not so.
+Why could we not dwell in peace in Kentucky, while the Wyandots, the
+Shawnees, the Miamis and others ranged their vast hunting grounds in
+the same peace on this side of the Ohio?"
+
+A spark of fire shot from the dark eyes of Timmendiquas.
+
+"Ware," he said, "I like you and I do not believe that your heart
+contains hatred towards me. Yet, there cannot be any peace between our
+races. Peace means that you will push us back, always push us back. Have
+I not been in the East, where the white men are many and where the
+mighty confederation of the Six Nations, with their great chief,
+Thayendanegea, at their head, fight against them in vain? Have I not
+seen the rich villages of the Indians go up in smoke? The Indians
+themselves still fight. They strike down many of the Yengees and
+sometimes they burn a village of the white people, but unless the king
+prevails in the great war, they will surely lose. Their Aieroski, who is
+the Manitou of the Wyandots, and your God, merely looks on, and permits
+the stronger to be the victor."
+
+"Then," said Henry, "why not make peace with us here in the West, lest
+your tribes meet the same fate?"
+
+The nostrils of Timmendiquas dilated.
+
+"Because in the end we should be eaten up in the same way. Here in the
+West you are few and your villages are tiny. The seed is not planted so
+deep that it cannot be uprooted."
+
+Henry sighed.
+
+"I can see the question from your side as well as from mine, White
+Lightning," he replied. "It seems as you say, that the white men and the
+red men cannot dwell together. Yet I could wish that we were friends in
+the field as well as at heart."
+
+Timmendiquas shook his head and replied in a tone tinged with a certain
+sadness:
+
+"I, too, could wish it, but you were born of one race and I of another.
+It is our destiny to fight to the end."
+
+He strode away through the camp. Henry watched the tall and splendid
+figure, with the single small scarlet feather set in the waving scalp
+lock, and once more he readily acknowledged that he was a forest king, a
+lofty and mighty spirit, born to rule in the wilderness. Then he took
+the two blankets which had been left him, enfolded himself between them,
+and, despite the noises around him, slept soundly all through the night.
+Early the next morning they began the last stretch of the march to
+Detroit.
+
+It was with a deep and peculiar interest that they approached Detroit,
+then a famous British and Indian post, now a great American city.
+Founded by the French, who lost it to the British, who, in turn, were
+destined to lose it to the Americans, it has probably sent forth more
+scalping parties of Indians than any other place on the North American
+continent. Here the warlike tribes constantly came for rifles,
+ammunition, blankets and other supplies, and here the agents of the king
+incited them with every means in their power to fresh raids on the young
+settlements in the South. Here the renegades, Girty, Blackstaffe and
+their kind came to confer, and here Boone, Kenton and other famous
+borderers had been brought as prisoners.
+
+The Indians in the party of Timmendiquas already showed great
+jubilation. In return for the war that they had made and should make,
+they expected large gifts from the king, and with such great chiefs as
+White Lightning, Red Eagle and Yellow Panther at their head, it was not
+likely that they would be disappointed.
+
+As they drew near, they passed several Indian camps, containing parties
+from the Northwest, Sacs, Winnebagoes and others, including even some
+Chippewas from the far shores of the greatest of all lakes. Many of
+these looked admiringly at the prisoner whom Timmendiquas had brought,
+and were sorry that they had not secured such a trophy. At the last of
+these camps, where they stopped for a little while, a short, thick man
+approached Henry and regarded him with great curiosity.
+
+The man was as dark as an Indian, but he had a fierce black mustache
+that curled up at the ends. His hair was black and long and his eyes,
+too, were black. His dress differed but little from that of a warrior,
+but his features were unmistakably Caucasian.
+
+"Another renegade," thought Henry, and his detestation was so thorough
+that he scorned to take further notice of the fellow. But he was
+conscious that the stranger was eyeing him from head to foot in the most
+scrutinizing manner, just as one looks at an interesting picture. Henry
+felt his anger rise, but he still simulated the most profound
+indifference.
+
+"You are the prisoner of Timmendiquas, _mon petit garcon, mais oui_?"
+
+Henry looked up at the French words and the French accent that he did
+not understand. But the tone was friendly, and the man, although he
+might be an enemy, was no renegade.
+
+"Yes," he replied. "I am the prisoner of Timmendiquas, and I am going
+with him and his men to Detroit. Do you belong in Detroit?"
+
+The man grinned, showing two magnificent rows of strong white teeth.
+
+"I belong to Detroit?" he replied. "Nevaire! I belong to no place. I am
+ze Frenchman; le Canadien; voyageur, coureur du bois, l'homme of ze wind
+ovair ze mountains an' ze plain. I am Pierre Louis Lajeunais, who was
+born at Trois Rivières in ze Province of Quebec, which is a long way
+from here."
+
+The twinkle in his eye was infectious. Henry knew that he was a man of
+good heart and he liked him. Perhaps also he might find here a friend.
+
+"Since you have given me your name," he replied, "I will give you mine.
+I am Henry Ware, and I am from Kentucky. I was captured by Timmendiquas
+and his warriors a few days ago. They're taking me to Detroit, but I do
+not know what they intend to do with me there. I suppose that you, of
+course, are among our enemies."
+
+No Indian was within hearing then, and Lajeunais replied:
+
+"W'y should I wish you harm? I go to Detroit. I sell furs to ze
+commandaire for powder and bullets. I travel an' hunt wit' mes amis, ze
+Indians, but I do not love ze Anglais. When I was a boy, I fight wit' ze
+great Montcalm at Quebec against Wolfe an' les Anglais. We lose an' ze
+Bourbon lilies are gone; ze rouge flag of les Anglais take its place.
+Why should I fight for him who conquers me? I love better ze woods an'
+ze rivière an' ze lakes where I hunt and fish."
+
+"I am glad that you are no enemy of ours, Mr. Lajeunais," said Henry,
+"and I am certain that my people are no enemies of the French in Canada.
+Perhaps we shall meet in Detroit."
+
+"Eet ees likely, mon brav," said Lajeunais, "I come into the town in
+four days an' I inquire for ze great boy named Ware."
+
+Timmendiquas gave the signal and in another hour they were in Detroit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+AT DETROIT
+
+
+Henry missed nothing as he went on with the warriors. He saw many lodges
+of Indians, and some cabins occupied by French-Canadians. In places the
+forest had been cleared away to make fields for Indian corn, wheat and
+pumpkins. Many columns of smoke rose in the clear spring air, and
+directly ahead, where he saw a cluster of such columns, Henry knew the
+fort to be. Timmendiquas kept straight on, and the walls of the fort
+came into view.
+
+Detroit was the most formidable fortress that Henry had yet seen. Its
+walls, recently enlarged, were of oak pickets, rising twenty-five feet
+above the ground and six inches in diameter at the smaller end. It had
+bastions at every corner, and four gates, over three of which were built
+strong blockhouses for observation and defense. The gates faced the four
+cardinal points of the compass, and it was the one looking towards the
+south that was without a blockhouse. There was a picket beside every
+gate. The gates were opened at sunrise and closed at sunset, but the
+wickets were left open until 9 o'clock at night.
+
+This fortification, so formidable in the wilderness, was armed in a
+manner fitting its strength. Every blockhouse contained four
+six-pounders and two batteries of six large guns each, faced the river,
+which was only forty feet away and with very steep banks. Inside the
+great palisade were barracks for five hundred men, a brick store, a
+guard house, a hospital, a governor's house, and many other buildings.
+At the time of Henry's arrival about four hundred British troops were
+present, and many hundreds of Indian warriors. The fort was thoroughly
+stocked with ammunition and other supplies, and there were also many
+English and Canadian traders both inside and outside the palisade.
+
+The British had begun the erection of another fort, equally powerful, at
+some distance from the present one, but they were not far advanced with
+it at that time. The increase in protective measures was due to a
+message that they had received from the redoubtable George Rogers Clark,
+the victor of Vincennes and Kaskaskia, the man who delivered the
+heaviest of all blows against the British, Indian and Tory power in the
+Northwest. He had said that he was coming to attack them.
+
+Henry asked no questions, but he watched everything with the most
+intense curiosity. The warriors of Timmendiquas stopped about three
+hundred yards from the palisade, and, without a word to anyone, began to
+light their camp fires and erect lodges for their chiefs. Girty,
+Blackstaffe, and Wyatt went away toward the fort, but Henry knew well
+that Timmendiquas would not enter until messengers came to receive him.
+Henry himself sat down by one of the fires and waited as calmly as if he
+had been one of the band. While he was sitting there, Timmendiquas came
+to him.
+
+"Ware," he said, "we are now at the great post of the King, and you will
+be held a prisoner inside. I have treated you as well as I could. Is
+there anything of which you wish to complain?"
+
+"There is nothing," replied Henry. "Timmendiquas is a chief, great alike
+of heart and hand."
+
+The Wyandot smiled slightly. It seemed that he was anxious for the good
+opinion of his most formidable antagonist. Henry noticed, too, that he
+was in his finest attire. A splendid blue blanket hung from his
+shoulders, and his leggings and moccasins of the finest tanned deerskin
+were also blue. Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, who stood not far away,
+were likewise arrayed in their savage best.
+
+"We are now about to go into the fort," said Timmendiquas, "and you are
+to go with us, Ware."
+
+Four British officers were approaching. Their leader was a stocky man of
+middle age in the uniform of a colonel. It would have been apparent to
+anyone that the Wyandot chief was the leader of the band, and the
+officers saluted him.
+
+"I am speaking to Timmendiquas, the great White Lightning of the
+Wyandots, am I not?" he asked.
+
+"I am Timmendiquas of the Wyandots, known in your language as White
+Lightning," replied the chief gravely.
+
+"I am Colonel William Caldwell of the King's army," said the chief, "and
+I am sent by Colonel de Peyster, the commandant at Detroit, to bid you
+welcome, and to ask you and your fellow chiefs to meet him within the
+walls. My brother officers and I are to be your escort of honor, and we
+are proud of such a service."
+
+Henry saw at once that Caldwell was a man of abundant experience with
+the Indians. He knew their intense pride, and he was going to see that
+Timmendiquas and the other chiefs were received in a manner befitting
+their station among their own people.
+
+"It is well," said Timmendiquas. "We will go with you and Ware will go
+with us."
+
+"Who is Ware?" asked Caldwell, as Henry stood up. At the same time the
+Englishman's eyes expressed admiration. The height and splendid figure
+of the youth impressed him.
+
+"Ware, though young, is the greatest of all the white warriors," replied
+Timmendiquas. "He is my prisoner and I keep him with me until Manitou
+tells me what I shall do with him."
+
+His tone was final. Caldwell was a clever man, skilled in forest
+diplomacy. He saw that nothing was to be gained, and that much might be
+lost by opposing the will of Timmendiquas.
+
+"Of course he comes with you if you wish it, White Lightning," he said.
+"Now may we go? Colonel de Peyster awaits us to do you honor."
+
+Timmendiquas inclined his head and he, with nine other chiefs, including
+Yellow Panther and Red Eagle, and with Henry in the center, started
+toward the fort. The British officers went with Colonel Caldwell,
+marching by the side of Timmendiquas. They approached the western gate,
+and, when they were within a few yards of it, a soldier on top of the
+palisade began to play a military air on a bugle. It was an inspiring
+tune, mellow and sweet in the clear spring air, and Caldwell looked up
+proudly. The chiefs said not a word, but Henry knew that they were
+pleased. Then the great gate was thrown open and they passed between two
+files of soldiers, who held their rifles at attention. The music of the
+bugle ceased, the great gate closed behind them, and the Indians and
+their escort marched on towards an open square, where a corps of honor,
+with the commander himself at their head, was drawn up to receive them.
+
+Henry's gaze turned at once towards the commander, whose name filled him
+with horror and detestation. Arent Schuyler de Peyster had succeeded to
+Hamilton, the "hair buyer," captured by George Rogers Clark and sent in
+chains to Virginia. He had shown great activity in arming and inciting
+the Indians against the settlers in Kentucky, and Henry hated him all
+the more because he was an American and not an Englishman. He could not
+understand how an American, Tory though he might be, could send his own
+people to fire and the stake, and doom women and little children to a
+horrible death.
+
+Arent Schuyler de Peyster, born in the city of New York, was now a man
+of middle years, strongly built, haughty in manner, proud of his family
+and of his rank in the army of the King. He was confident that the royal
+arms would triumph ultimately, and, meanwhile he was doing his best to
+curb the young settlements beyond the Ohio, and to prevent the rebel
+extension to the West. Now the expedition of Bird had gone forth from
+Detroit against Kentucky and he was anxious to send another and greater
+one which should have as its core the Wyandots, the bravest and most
+daring of all the western tribes. He had never seen Timmendiquas before,
+but he was familiar with his name, and, after a single glance, it was
+impossible to mistake him. His roving eye also saw the tall white youth,
+and, for the present, he wondered, but his mind soon turned to his
+welcome to the warlike chief.
+
+A salute of four guns was fired from one of the batteries in the
+bastion. Then Colonel de Peyster greeted Timmendiquas and after him, the
+other chiefs one by one. He complimented them all upon their bravery and
+their loyalty to the King, their great white father across the ocean. He
+rejoiced to hear of their great deeds against the rebels, and promised
+them splendid rewards for the new deeds they would achieve. Then, saying
+that they had marched far and must be hungry and tired, he invited them
+to a feast which he had prepared, having been warned by a runner of
+their coming.
+
+Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, and Yellow Panther heard him in silence and
+without a change of countenance, but the eyes of the other chiefs
+sparkled. They loved blankets of brilliant colors, beads, and the many
+gaudy trinkets that were sold or given away at the post. New rifles and
+fresh ammunition, also, would be acceptable, and, in order to deserve
+than in increasing quantities, they resolved that the next quest for
+scalps should be most zealous.
+
+Having finished his address, which had been studied carefully, de
+Peyster nodded toward Henry.
+
+"A new recruit, I suppose," he said. "One who has seen the light. Truly,
+he is of an admirable figure, and might do great service in our cause.
+But he bears no arms."
+
+Henry himself answered before Timmendiquas could say a word, and he
+answered all the more promptly, because he knew that the renegades,
+Girty, Wyatt and Blackstaffe had drawn near and were listening.
+
+"I am no recruit," he said. "I don't want to die, but I'd sooner do it
+than make war upon my own people as you and your friends are doing,
+Colonel de Peyster, and be responsible for the murder of women and
+children, as you and your friends are. I was at Wyoming and I saw the
+terrible deeds done there. I am no renegade and I never can be one."
+
+The face of the well-fed Colonel flushed an apoplectic purple, and
+Braxton Wyatt thrust his hand to the butt of the pistol in his belt, but
+Girty, inured to everything, laughed and said:
+
+"Don't take it so hard, young man."
+
+"Then tell us who you are!" exclaimed Colonel de Peyster angrily.
+
+Now it was Timmendiquas who replied.
+
+"He is my prisoner," he said. "He is the most valiant of all the
+Kentuckians. We took him after a great struggle in which he overthrew
+many of our young men. I have brought him as a present to you at
+Detroit."
+
+Did the words of Timmendiquas contain some subtle irony? De Peyster
+looked at him sharply, but the coppery face of the great chief expressed
+nothing. Then the diplomacy which he was compelled to practice
+incessantly with his red allies came to his aid.
+
+"I accept the present," he replied, "because he is obviously a fine
+specimen of the _genus_ rebel, and we may be able to put him to use. May
+I ask your name, young sir?"
+
+"Ware--Henry Ware."
+
+"Very well, Master Ware, since you are here with us, you can join in the
+little banquet that we have prepared, and see what a happy family the
+King's officers and the great chiefs make."
+
+Now it was de Peyster who was ironical. The words of Henry about
+renegades and Wyoming and the slaying of women and children had stung
+him, but he would not show the sting to a boy; instead, he would let him
+see how small and weak the Kentuckians were, and how the King's men and
+the tribes would be able to encompass their complete destruction.
+
+"Timmendiquas has given you to me as my prisoner," he said, "but for an
+hour or two you shall be my guest."
+
+Henry bowed. He was not at all averse. His was an inquiring mind, and if
+de Peyster had anything of importance to show, he wished to see it.
+
+"Lead the way, Catesby," said the commandant to a young officer,
+evidently an aide.
+
+Catesby proceeded to a large house near the north end of the court.
+Colonel de Peyster and Timmendiquas, side by side, followed him. The
+others came in a group.
+
+Catesby led them into a great room, evidently intended as a public
+banquet hall, as it had a long and wide table running down its center.
+But several large windows were opened wide and Henry conjectured that
+this effect--half out of doors--was created purposely. Thus it would be
+a place where the Indian chiefs could be entertained without feeling
+shut in.
+
+Colonel de Peyster evidently had prepared well. Huge metal dishes held
+bear meat, buffalo meat and venison, beef and fish. Bread and all the
+other articles of frontier food were abundant. Four soldiers stood by
+as waiters. De Peyster sat at the head of the table with Timmendiquas on
+his right and Simon Girty on his left. Henry had a seat almost at the
+foot, and directly across the table from him was the frowning face of
+Braxton Wyatt. Colonel Caldwell sat at the foot of the table and several
+other British or Tory officers also were present. The food was served
+bountifully, and, as the chiefs had come a long distance and were
+hungry, they ate with sharp appetites. Many of them, scorning knives and
+forks, cracked the bones with their hands. For a long time the Indians
+preserved the calm of the woods, but Colonel de Peyster was bland and
+beaming. He talked of the success of the King's army and of the Indian
+armies. He told how the settlements had been destroyed throughout
+Western New York and Pennsylvania, and he told how those of Kentucky
+would soon share the same fate. A singular spirit seemed to possess him.
+The Americans, patriots or rebels, as they were variously called, always
+hated the Tories more bitterly than they hated the English, and this
+hatred was returned in full measure.
+
+Now it seemed to Henry that de Peyster intended his remarks largely for
+him. He would justify himself to the captive youth, and at the same time
+show him the power of the allied Indians, Tories, and English. He talked
+quite freely of the great expedition of Bird and of the cannon that he
+carried with him.
+
+"I don't think that your palisades will stand before heavy cannon balls,
+will they, Ware?"
+
+"I fear not," replied Henry, "and it is likely that many of our people
+will suffer, but you must bear in mind, Colonel de Peyster, that
+whenever a man falls in Kentucky another comes to take his place. We are
+fighting for the land on which we stand, and you are fighting for an
+alien ruler, thousands of miles away. No matter how many defeats we may
+suffer, we shall win in the end."
+
+De Peyster frowned.
+
+"You do not know the strength of Britain," he said, "nor do you know the
+power of the warriors. You say that you were at Wyoming. Well, you have
+seen what we could do."
+
+Girty broke into a sneering laugh at Henry and then seconded the words
+of his chief.
+
+"All we want is union and organization," he said. "Soon our own troops
+and the red warriors will form one army along the whole line of the war.
+The rebel cause is already sinking in the East, and in another year the
+King will be triumphant everywhere."
+
+Girty was a crafty man, something of a forest statesman. He had given
+the Indians much help on many occasions and they usually deferred to
+him. Now he turned to them.
+
+"When Colonel Bird achieves his victories south of the Ohio, as he is
+sure to do," he said, "and when Timmendiquas and his great force marches
+to destroy all that is left, then you, O chiefs, will have back your
+hunting grounds for your villages and your people. The deer and the
+buffalo will be as numerous as ever. Fire will destroy the houses and
+the forests will grow where they have been. Their cornfields will
+disappear, and not a single one of the Yengees will be found in your
+great forests beyond the Beautiful River."
+
+The nostrils of the chiefs dilated. A savage fire, the desire for
+scalps, began to sparkle in the dark eyes of the wilderness children. At
+this crucial moment of excitement Colonel de Peyster caused cups to be
+brought and wine to be passed. All drank, except Henry and the great
+chief, the White Lightning of the Wyandots. De Peyster himself felt the
+effect of the strong liquor, and Girty and Wyatt did not seek to hide
+it.
+
+"There is fire in your veins, my children," exclaimed de Peyster. "You
+will fight for the King. You will clear the woods of the rebels, and he
+will send you great rewards. As a proof of what he will do he gives you
+many presents now."
+
+He made a signal and the soldiers began to bring in gifts for the
+chiefs, gifts that seemed to them beautiful and of great value. There
+were silver-mounted rifles for Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, Yellow Panther,
+and also for another Shawnee chief of uncommon ferocity, Moluntha. Their
+eyes sparkled as they received them, and all uttered thanks except
+Timmendiquas, who still did not say a word. Then came knives, hatchets,
+blankets--always of bright colors--beads and many little mirrors. The
+Indians were excited with the wine and the variety and splendor of the
+presents. A young chief, Yahnundasis, a Shawnee, sprang from the table
+and burst into a triumphant chant:
+
+    The great chief beyond the seas
+    Sends us the rifle and the knife;
+    He bids us destroy the hated Yengees,
+    And the day of our wrath has come.
+
+    We search the forest for white scalps;
+    The cannon, the great guns will help us,
+    Not a foe in Kentucky will be left,
+    None can escape the rage of the warriors.
+
+He sang other verses in the Shawnee tongue, and all the while he was
+growing more excited with his chant and leapings. He drew his tomahawk
+and swung it in a glittering circle above his head. The red and black
+paint upon his face, moistened by his own perspiration, dripped slowly
+upon his shoulders. He was a wild and terrible figure, a true exponent
+of primitive savagery, but no one interfered with him. In the minds of
+the renegades he awoke corresponding emotions.
+
+Caldwell at the foot of the table looked inquiringly at de Peyster at
+the head of it, but de Peyster raised neither hand nor voice to stay
+dance and song. It may be that the wine and the intoxication of so wild
+a scene had gone to his own head. He listened attentively to the song,
+and watched the feet of the dancer, while he drummed upon the table with
+his forefingers. One of the chiefs took from his robe a small whistle
+made of the bone of an eagle, and began to blow upon it a shrill
+monotonous tune. This inflamed the dancer still further, and he grew
+wilder and wilder. The note of the whistle, while varying but little,
+was fierce, piercing, and abundant. It thrilled the blood of red men and
+white, all save Timmendiquas, who sat, face and figure alike unmoving.
+
+Yahnundasis now began to gaze steadily at Henry. However he gyrated, he
+did not take his eyes from those of the captive youth. Henry's blood
+chilled, and for a moment stopped its circulation. Then it flowed in its
+wonted tide, but he understood. Yahnundasis was seeing red. Like the
+Malay he was amuck. At any moment he might throw the glittering hatchet
+at the prisoner. Henry recognized the imminence of his danger, but he
+steeled his nerves. He saw, too, that much depended upon himself, upon
+the power of the spirit that radiated from his eyes. Hence, he, too,
+looked steadily into the eyes of Yahnundasis. He poured all his nervous
+strength and force into the gaze.
+
+He felt that he was holding the dancing chief in a sort of a spell by
+the power of a spirit greater than that of Yahnundasis. Yet it could not
+last; in a minute or two the chief must break the charm, and then,
+unless someone interfered, he would cast the tomahawk. Obviously the
+interference should come from de Peyster. But would he do it? Henry did
+not dare take his eyes from those of Yahnundasis in order to look at the
+Tory Colonel.
+
+The savage now was maddened completely with his song, the dance, and
+the wine that he had drunk. Faster and faster whirled the hatchet, but
+with his powerful gaze deep into the eyes of the other, Henry still
+sought to restrain the hand that would hurl the deadly weapon. It became
+a pain, both physical and mental, to strain so. He wanted to look aside,
+to see the others, and to know why they did not stop so wild a scene. He
+was conscious of a great silence, save for the singing and dancing of
+the Indian and the beating of his own heart. He felt convinced now that
+no one was going to interfere, and his hand stole towards one of the
+large knives that had been used for cutting meat.
+
+The voice of Yahnundasis rose to a shriek and he leaped like a
+snake-dancer. Henry felt sure that the tomahawk was going to come, but
+while he yet stared at the savage he caught a glimpse of a tall,
+splendidly arrayed figure springing suddenly upright. It was
+Timmendiquas and he, too, drew a tomahawk. Then with startling quickness
+he struck Yahnundasis with the flat of the blade. Yahnundasis fell as if
+he had been slain. The tomahawk flew wildly from his hand, and dark
+blood from his broken crown mingled with the red and black paint on his
+face. Timmendiquas stood up, holding his own tomahawk threateningly, an
+angry look darting from his eyes.
+
+"Take him away," he said, indicating Yahnundasis, in a contemptuous
+tone. "To-morrow let him nurse his bruised head and reflect that it is
+not well to be a fool. It is not meet that a warrior, even be he a
+chief, should threaten a prisoner, when we come to a feast to talk of
+great things."
+
+As a murmur of assent came from the chiefs about him, he resumed his
+seat in dignified silence. Henry said nothing, nor did he allow his
+countenance to change, but deep in his heart he felt that he owed
+another debt to the Wyandot chieftain. De Peyster and Caldwell exchanged
+glances. Both knew that they had allowed the affair to go too far, but
+both alike resented the stern rebuke contained in the words of
+Timmendiquas. Yet each glance said the same, that it was wise to
+dissimulate and take no offense.
+
+"You have spoken well, as usual, Timmendiquas," said Colonel de Peyster.
+"Now as you and the other chiefs are rested after your long march we
+will talk at once of the great things that we have in mind, since time
+is of value. Colonel Bird with the cannon has gone against Kentucky. As
+I have already said we wish to send another force which will seek out
+and destroy every station, no matter how small, and which will not even
+leave a single lone cabin unburned. Colonel Caldwell will command the
+white men, but you, Timmendiquas, and the allied tribes will have the
+greater task and the greater glory. The King will equip you amply for
+the work. He will present a rifle, much ammunition and a fine blanket to
+every warrior who goes. Rifles, blankets and ammunition are all in our
+storehouses here in Detroit, and they will be distributed the moment the
+expedition starts."
+
+The renegades clapped their hands. Most of the chiefs uttered cries of
+approval and shook their tomahawks in exultation, but Timmendiquas
+remained silent.
+
+"Does it not appeal to you, Timmendiquas?" said de Peyster. "You have
+been the most zealous of all the chiefs. You have led great attacks
+against the settlers, and you have been most eager in battle."
+
+Timmendiquas rose very deliberately and speaking in Wyandot, which
+nearly all present understood, he said:
+
+"What the Colonel of the King says is true. I have fought many times
+with the Kentuckians, and they are brave men. Sometimes we have beaten
+them, and sometimes they have beaten us. They have great warriors,
+Clark, Boone, Kenton, Harrod and the tall youth who sits here, my
+captive. Let not the colonel of the King forget that with Clark at their
+head they crossed the Ohio, took Vincennes and Kaskaskia and him who
+was then the commander of Detroit, Hamilton, now held prisoner in a far
+land beyond the mountains."
+
+De Peyster's face flushed darkly, and the other white men moved
+uneasily.
+
+"The things you tell are true, Timmendiquas," said de Peyster, "but what
+bearing do they have upon our expedition?"
+
+"I wish to speak of many things," resumed the chief. "I am for war to
+the end against those who have invaded our hunting grounds. But let not
+Colonel de Peyster and Caldwell and Girty forget that the villages of
+the Indians lie between Kaintuckee and Detroit."
+
+"What of it?" said de Peyster. "The Kentuckians reduced so low will not
+dare to come against them."
+
+"That we do not know," said Timmendiquas. "When we destroy the men in
+Kaintuckee others come to take their places. It is the duty of the
+Wyandots and all the allied tribes to look into the future. Listen, O
+Colonel of the King. I was at Wyoming in the East when the Indians and
+their white friends won a great victory. Never before had I seen such a
+taking of scalps. There was much joy and feasting, dancing and singing.
+It was the Iroquois, the great Six Nations who won the victory, and they
+thought that their Aieroski, who is our Manitou, would never forsake
+them. They swept the whole valley of Wyoming and many other valleys.
+They left the country as bare as my hand. But it was not the end."
+
+Timmendiquas seemed to grow in stature, and he looked fiercely into the
+eyes of the English officers. Despite themselves de Peyster and Caldwell
+quailed.
+
+"It was not the end," continued Timmendiquas, and his tone was severe
+and accusing. "The Iroquois had destroyed the rear of the Yengees and
+great were the thanks of the King's men. The mighty Thayendanegea, the
+Mohawk, was called the first of all warriors, but the great chief of
+the Long Knives far away in the East did not forget. By and by a great
+army came against the Iroquois. Where were the King's men then? Few came
+to help. Thayendanegea had to fight his battle almost alone. He was
+beaten, his army was scattered like sand before the wind, and the army
+of the Long Knives trod out the Iroquois country. Their great villages
+went up in flames, their Council Houses were destroyed, the orchards
+that had been planted by their grandfathers were cut down, their fields
+were deserted, the whole Iroquois country was ruined, and the Six
+Nations, never before conquered, now huddle by the British posts at
+Niagara and Oswego for shelter."
+
+"It is a great misfortune, but the brave Iroquois will repair it," said
+de Peyster. "Why do you tell of it, Timmendiquas?"
+
+"For this reason," replied the chief. "The Iroquois would not have been
+without a country, if the King's men had helped them as they had helped
+the King's men. Shall we, in the West, the Wyandots, the Shawnees, the
+Miamis and the others meet the same fate? Shall we go against
+Kaintuckee, destroy the settlements there, and then, when an avenging
+army comes against our villages, lose our country, because the King's
+men who should help us are far away, as the Iroquois lost theirs?"
+
+He folded his arms across his broad chest and, stern and accusing,
+awaited the answer. De Peyster quailed again, but he quickly recovered.
+He was a flexible man skilled in diplomacy, and he saw that he must
+promise, promise much and promise it in convincing tones. He noticed
+moreover the deep murmur of approval that the chiefs gave to the words
+of White Lightning. Then he in turn rose also and assuming his most
+imposing manner said:
+
+"On behalf of the King, Timmendiquas, I promise you the help of his full
+strength. It is not likely that the Kentuckians will ever be able to
+come against your villages, but if they do I will march forth with all
+my force to your help. Nay, I will send East for others, to Niagara and
+Oswego and to Canada. It shall never be said of us that we deserted the
+tribes in their hour of need, if such an hour should come. I myself
+would gladly march now against these intruders if my duty did not hold
+me here."
+
+He looked around the table and his eye encountered Caldwell's. The
+officer instantly saw his cue and springing to his feet he cried:
+
+"What our brave commander says is true, Timmendiquas. I myself and some
+of our best men, we will fight beside you."
+
+Now the chiefs murmured approval of the words of de Peyster and
+Caldwell, as they had approved those of Timmendiquas. The great Wyandot
+himself seemed to be convinced, and said that it was well. Henry had
+listened to it all in silence, but now de Peyster turned his attention
+to him.
+
+"I think that we have given enough of our hospitality to this prisoner,"
+he said, "and since you have turned him over to me, Timmendiquas, I will
+send him to a place which will hold him for a while."
+
+Henry rose at once.
+
+"I am willing to go," he said. "I thank you for your food and drink, but
+I think I shall feel more at home in any prison that you may have than
+here among those who are planning the destruction of my people."
+
+Girty was about to speak, but de Peyster waved his hand, and the words
+stopped unsaid.
+
+"Take him to the jail, Holderness," he said to one of the younger
+officers. "He can wait there. We shall have plenty of time to decide
+concerning his fate."
+
+Henry walked by the side of the officer across the court. Holderness was
+quite young, ruddy, and evidently not long in America. He looked with
+admiration at Henry's height and magnificent shoulders.
+
+"You are from that far land they call Kaintuckee?" he said.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"One of the best of the countries belonging to the Indians?"
+
+"It is a good country, but I do not know that it ever belonged to the
+Indians. No doubt they have hunted there and fought there for hundreds
+of years, but so far as I know, they've never lived there."
+
+"Then it belongs to the King," said Holderness.
+
+Henry smiled. He rather liked this ingenuous young man who was not much
+older than himself.
+
+"A country like Kentucky," he replied, "belongs to those who can hold
+it. Once the French King claimed it, but how could he enforce a claim to
+a country separated from him by thousands of miles of sea and
+wilderness? Now the English King makes the same claim, and perhaps he
+has a better chance, but still that chance is not good enough."
+
+The young officer sighed a little.
+
+"I'm sorry we have to fight you," he said. "I've heard ugly tales since
+I came about the savages and the white men, too."
+
+"You're likely to hear more," said Henry. "But this I take it is our
+jail."
+
+"It is. I'll go in and see that you're as comfortable as possible."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE LETTER OF THE FOUR
+
+
+The building into which Henry was taken was built of brick and rough
+stone, two stories in height, massive and very strong. The door which
+closed the entrance was of thick oak, with heavy crosspieces, and the
+two rows of small windows, one above the other, were fortified with iron
+bars, so close together that a man could not pass between. Henry's quick
+eye noticed it all, as they entered between the British guards at the
+door. The house inside was divided into several rooms, none containing
+more than a rude pallet bed, a small pine table, a tin pitcher, a cup of
+water, and a pine stool.
+
+Henry followed Holderness into one of these rooms, and promptly sat on
+the pine stool by the window. Holderness looked at him with a mixture of
+admiration and pity.
+
+"I'm sorry, old chap," he said, "that I have to lock you up here. Come
+now, do be reasonable. These rebels are bound to lose, and, if you can't
+join us, take a parole and go somewhere into Canada until all the
+trouble is over."
+
+Henry laughed lightly, but his heart warmed again toward young
+Holderness who had come from some easy and sheltered spot in England,
+and who knew nothing of the wilderness and its hardships and terrors.
+
+"Don't you be sorry for me," he said. "As for this room, it's better
+than anything that I've been used to for years. And so far as giving a
+parole and going into Canada, I wouldn't dream of such a thing. It would
+interfere with my plans. I'm going back into the South to fight against
+your people and the Indians."
+
+"But you're a prisoner!"
+
+"For the present, yes, but I shall not remain so."
+
+"You can't escape."
+
+"I always escape. It's true I was never before in so strong a prison,
+but I shall go. I am willing to tell you, Lieutenant Holderness, because
+others will tell you anyhow, that I have outside four very faithful and
+skillful friends. Nothing would induce them to desert me, and among us
+we will secure my escape."
+
+Into the look of mingled admiration and pity with which Holderness had
+regarded Henry crept a touch of defiance.
+
+"You're deucedly confident, old chap," he said. "You don't seem to think
+that we amount to much here, and yet Colonel de Peyster has undoubtedly
+saved you from the Indians. You should be grateful to him for that
+much."
+
+Henry laughed. This ingenuous youth now amused him.
+
+"What makes you think it was Colonel de Peyster or any other English or
+Tory officer who saved me from the Indians? Well, it wasn't. If Colonel
+Bird and your other white friends had had their way when I was taken I
+should have been burned at the stake long before this. It was the
+Wyandot chief, Timmendiquas, known in our language as White Lightning,
+who saved me."
+
+The young officer's red face flushed deeper red.
+
+"I knew that we had been charged with such cruelties," he said, "but I
+had hoped that they were not true. Now, I must leave you here, and, upon
+my soul, I do not wish you any harm."
+
+He went out and Henry felt a heavy key turn in the lock. A minute or two
+after he had gone the prisoner tried the door, and found that it was
+made of heavy oak, with strong crosspieces of the same material. He
+exerted all his great strength, and, as he expected, he could not shake
+it. Then he went back to the pine stool, which he drew up near a barred
+window, and sitting there watched as well as he could what was passing
+in the great court.
+
+Henry had too much natural wisdom and experience to beat his head
+uselessly against bars. He would remain quiet, preserving the strength
+of both body and mind, until the time for action came. Meanwhile he was
+using his eyes. He saw some of the chiefs pass, always accompanied by
+white officers. But he saw officers alone, and now and then women, both
+red and white. He also saw the swarthy faces of woods runners, and among
+them, one whose face and figure were familiar, that same Pierre Louis
+Lajeunais, whom he had met outside the fort.
+
+Lajeunais carried his rifle on one shoulder and a pack of furs on the
+other. It was a heavy pack, probably beaver skins, but he moved easily,
+and Henry saw that he was very strong. Henry regarded him thoughtfully.
+This man had been friendly, he had access to the fort, and he might be
+induced to give him aid. He did not see just then how Lajeunais could be
+of help to him, but he stored the idea in the back of his head, ready
+for use if there should be occasion.
+
+He presently saw Timmendiquas go by with Colonel de Peyster on one side
+of him and Colonel Caldwell on the other. Henry smiled. Evidently they
+were paying assiduous court to the Wyandot, and well they might. Without
+the aid of the powerful Indian tribes the British at Detroit could do
+nothing. In a few moments they were gone and then the twilight began to
+come over the great western post. From his window Henry caught a view of
+a distant reach of the broad river, glittering gold in the western sun.
+It came ultimately from one great lake and would empty into another.
+Paul's words returned to him. Those mysterious and mighty great lakes!
+would he live to see them with his comrades? Once in his early
+captivity with the Indians he had wandered to the shores of the farthest
+and greatest of them all, and he remembered the awe with which he had
+looked upon the vast expanse of waters like the sea itself. He wished to
+go there again. Hundreds of stories and legends about the mighty chain
+had come from the Indians and this view of the river that flowed from
+the upper group stirred again all his old curiosity. Then he remembered
+his position and with a low laugh resumed his seat on the pine stool.
+
+Yet he watched the advance of the night. It seemed that the vast
+wilderness was coming down on Detroit and would blot it out completely,
+fortress, soldiers, village and all. In a little while the darkness
+covered everything save a few flickering lights here and there. Henry
+sat at the window a while, gazing absently at the lights. But his mind
+was away with his comrades, Paul, Shif'less Sol, Long Jim and Silent
+Tom, the faithful four with whom he had passed through a world of
+dangers. Where were they now? He had no doubt that they were near
+Detroit. It was no idle boast that he made to Colonel de Peyster when he
+said they would help rescue him. He awaited the result with absolute
+confidence. He was in truth so lacking in nervous apprehension that when
+he lay down on the rude pallet he was asleep in two minutes.
+
+He was awakened the next morning by Lieutenant Holderness who informed
+him that in the daytime, for the present at least, he would be allowed
+the liberty of the court. He could also eat outside.
+
+"I'm grateful," said Henry. "I wish to thank Colonel de Peyster, or
+whoever the man may be who has given me this much liberty."
+
+"It is Colonel de Peyster, of course," said the ruddy one.
+
+But Henry shrewdly suspected that his modicum of liberty was due to
+Timmendiquas, or rather the fear of de Peyster that he would offend
+Timmendiquas, and weaken the league, if he ill treated the prisoner.
+
+Henry went outside and bathed his face at a water barrel. Then at the
+invitation of Holderness he joined some soldiers and Canadian Frenchmen
+who were cooking breakfast together beside a great fire. They made room
+readily at the lieutenant's request and Henry began to eat. He noticed
+across the fire the brown face of Lajeunais, and he nodded in a friendly
+manner. Lajeunais nodded in return and his black eyes twinkled. Henry
+thought that he saw some significance in the twinkle, but when he looked
+again Lajeunais was busy with his own breakfast. Then the incident
+passed out of his mind and he quickly found himself on good terms with
+both soldiers and woods runners.
+
+"You give your parole," said Lajeunais, "an' go North wiz me on the
+great huntin' an' trappin'. We will go North, North, North, beyon' the
+Great Lakes, an' to other lakes almost as great, a thousan', two
+thousan' miles beyon' the home of white men to trap the silver fox, the
+pine marten an' the other furs which bring much gold. Ah, le bon Dieu,
+but it is gran'! an' you have ze great figure an' ze great strength to
+stan' ze great cold. Then come wiz me. Ze great lakes an' woods of ze
+far North is better zan to fret your life out here in ze prison. You
+come?"
+
+He spoke entreatingly, but Henry smiled and replied in a tone full of
+good humor:
+
+"It's a tempting offer, and it's very kind of you, Monsieur Lajeunais,
+but I cannot accept it. Neither am I going to fret my life out within
+these walls. I'm going to escape."
+
+All the soldiers and woods runners laughed together except Lajeunais.
+Henry's calm assurance seemed a great joke to them, but the Frenchman
+watched him shrewdly. He was familiar with men of the woods, and it
+seemed to him that the great youth was not boasting, merely stating a
+fact.
+
+"Confidence is ze gran' thing," he said, "but these walls are high an'
+the ears are many."
+
+While Henry sat there with the men, Colonel de Peyster passed. The
+commander was in an especially good humor that morning. He was convinced
+that his negotiations with the Indian were going well. He had sworn to
+Timmendiquas again that if the Western tribes would fight for the King,
+the King would help them in return should their villages be attacked.
+More presents had been distributed judiciously among the chiefs. The
+renegades also were at work. All of Girty's influence, and it was large,
+had been brought to bear in favor of the invasion, and it seemed to de
+Peyster that everything was now settled. He saw Henry sitting by the
+fire, gave him an ironical look, and, as he passed, sang clearly enough
+for the captive to hear a song of his own composition. He called it "The
+Drill Sergeant," written to the tune of "The Happy Beggars," and the
+first verse ran:
+
+    Come, stand well to your order,
+    Make not the least false motion;
+          Eyes to the right,
+          Thumb, muzzle height;
+    Lads, you have the true notion.
+          Here and there,
+          Everywhere
+    That the King's boys may be found,
+          Fight and die,
+          Be the cry,
+    'Ere in battle to give ground.
+
+De Peyster was not only a soldier, but being born in New York and having
+grown up there he prided himself upon being a man of the world with
+accomplishments literary and otherwise. The privilege of humming one's
+own poetry is great and exalting, and the commander's spirits, already
+high, rose yet higher. The destruction of Kentucky was not only going to
+be accomplished, it was in fact accomplished already. He would extirpate
+the impudent settlers west of the mountains, and, when the King's
+authority was reestablished everywhere and the time came for rewards, he
+would ask and receive a great one.
+
+As Colonel de Peyster walked toward the western gate a Tory soldier,
+with bruises and excitement upon his face, and a torn uniform upon his
+body, hurried toward him, accompanied by Lieutenant Holderness.
+
+"This is Private Doran, sir," said Holderness, "and he has an important
+letter for you."
+
+Colonel de Peyster looked critically at Private Doran.
+
+"You seem to have been manhandled," he said.
+
+"I was set upon by a band of cutthroats," said Private Doran, the memory
+of his wrongs becoming very bitter, "and they commanded me upon pain of
+death to deliver this letter to you."
+
+He held out a dirty sheet of folded paper.
+
+Colonel de Peyster felt instinctively that it was something that was
+going to be of great interest, and, before he opened it, he tapped it
+with a thoughtful forefinger.
+
+"Where did you get this?"
+
+"About five o'clock this morning," replied Private Doran with hesitation
+and in an apologetic tone, "I was on guard on the western side of the
+village, near the woods. I was watching as well as I could with my eyes
+open, and listening too, but I neither heard nor saw anything when four
+men suddenly threw themselves upon me. I fought, but how could I
+overcome four? I suffered many bruises, as you can see. I thought they
+were going to kill me, but they bound me, and then the youngest of 'em
+wrote this note which they told me to give to you, saying that they
+would send a rifle bullet through my head some dark night, if I
+disobeyed 'em, and I believe, sir, they would do it."
+
+"Report to your sergeant," said de Peyster, and Private Doran gladly
+went away. Then the commander opened the letter and as he read it his
+face turned a deep red with anger. He read it over again to see that he
+made no mistake, but the deep red of anger remained.
+
+"What do you think of such impertinence as this, Holderness?" he
+exclaimed, and then he read:
+
+    "To Colonel Arent Schuyler de Peyster, Commander of the King's
+    forces at Detroit:
+
+    "_Sir_:
+
+    "You have a prisoner in your fort, one Henry Ware, our comrade. We
+    warn you that if he is subjected to any ill-treatment whatever, you
+    and your men shall suffer punishment. This is not an idle threat. We
+    are able to make good our promises.
+
+                                              "SOLOMON HYDE.
+                                              "PAUL COTTER.
+                                              "THOMAS ROSS.
+                                              "JAMES HART."
+
+"It's impertinence and mummery," repeated de Peyster, "I'll have that
+man Doran tied to a cannon and lashed on his bare back!"
+
+But Lieutenant Holderness was young and impressionable.
+
+"It's impertinent, of course, Colonel," he said, "and it sounds wild,
+too, but I believe the signers of this paper mean what they say.
+Wouldn't it be a good idea to treat this prisoner well, and set such a
+good watch that we can capture his friends, too? They'll be hanging
+about."
+
+"I don't know," said de Peyster. "No, I think I have a better plan.
+Suppose we answer the letter of these fellows. I have had no intention
+of treating Ware badly. I expected to exchange him or use him profitably
+as a hostage, but I'll tell his friends that we are going to subject him
+to severe punishment, and then we'll draw them into our net, too."
+
+"I've heard from Girty and Wyatt that they do wonderful things," said
+Holderness. "Suppose they should rescue Ware after all?"
+
+De Peyster laughed incredulously.
+
+"Take him away from us!" he said. "Why, he's as safely caged here as if
+he were in a stone prison in England. Just to show him what I think of
+their threat I'll let him read this letter."
+
+He approached Henry, who was still sitting by the fire and handed him
+the sheet of paper.
+
+"A letter from some friends of yours; the four most delightful humorists
+that these woods can furnish, I take it."
+
+Henry thrilled with delight when he read the paper, but he did not
+permit his face to show his joy. Like de Peyster he read it over twice,
+and then he handed it back to the Colonel.
+
+"Well," said de Peyster, "what do you think of it?"
+
+"It speaks for itself," replied Henry. "They mean exactly what they
+say."
+
+De Peyster chose to adopt a light, ironical tone.
+
+"Do you mean to tell me, my good fellow," he asked, "that four beggarly
+rebels, hiding for their lives in the wilderness, can punish me for
+anything that I may do to you?"
+
+"I do not merely tell you so, I know it."
+
+"Very well; it is a game, a play and we shall see what comes of it. I am
+going to send an answer to their letter, but I shall not tell you the
+nature of that answer, or what comes of it."
+
+"I've no doubt that I'll learn in time," said Henry quietly.
+
+The boy's calmness annoyed de Peyster, and he left him abruptly,
+followed by Holderness. While his temper was still warm, he wrote a
+letter to the four stating that Henry Ware would be delivered to the
+savages for them to do with as they chose,--the implication being
+torture and death--and that unless the four gave Detroit a very wide
+berth they would soon be treated in the same way. Then he called the
+miserable Doran before him, and told him, when he took the late watch
+again the next night, to hook the letter on the twig of a tree near
+where he had been attacked before, and then watch and see what would
+occur. Doran promised strictly to obey, and, since he was not called
+upon to fight the terrific four, some of his apprehension disappeared.
+
+Henry meanwhile had left the fire beside which he had eaten breakfast,
+and--though closely guarded--strolled about the great enclosure. He felt
+an uncommon lightness of heart. It was almost as if he were the jailer
+and not the jailed. That letter from his four comrades was a message to
+him as well as to de Peyster. He knew that the soldiers of de Peyster
+and the Indians would make every effort to take them, but the woods
+about Detroit were dense and they would be on guard every second. There
+was no certainty, either, that all the French-Canadians were warmly
+attached to the King's cause. Why should they be? Why should they fight
+so zealously for the country that had conquered them not many years
+before? He saw once more in the afternoon the square, strong figure of
+Lajeunais, crossing the court. When the Frenchman noticed him he stopped
+and came back, smiling and showing his great white teeth.
+
+"Ah, mon brav," he said, "doesn't the great North yet call to you?"
+
+"No," replied Henry, with an answering smile. "As I told you, I am going
+to escape."
+
+"You may," said Lajeunais, suddenly lowering his voice. "I met one of
+your friends in the forest. I cannot help, but I will not hinder. C'est
+une pitie that a garcon so gran' an' magnificent as you should pine an'
+die within prison walls."
+
+Then he was gone before Henry could thank him. Toward nightfall he was
+notified that he must return to his prison and now he felt the full
+weight of confinement when the heavy walls closed about him. But
+Holderness came with the soldier who brought his supper and remained to
+talk. Henry saw that Holderness, not long from England, was lonesome and
+did not like his work. It was true also that the young Englishman was
+appalled by the wilderness, not in the sense of physical fear, but the
+endless dark forest filled him with the feeling of desolation as it has
+many another man. He had found in Henry, prisoner though he was, the
+most congenial soul, that he had yet met in the woods. As he lingered
+while Henry ate the hard-tack and coffee, it was evident that he wanted
+to talk.
+
+"These friends of yours," he said. "They promise wonderful things. Do
+you really think they will rescue you, or did you merely say so to
+impress Colonel de Peyster? I ask, as man to man, and forgetting for the
+time that we are on opposing sides."
+
+Henry liked him. Here, undoubtedly, was an honest and truthful heart. He
+was sorry that they were official enemies, but he was glad that it did
+not keep them from being real friends.
+
+"I meant it just as I said it," he replied. "My friends will keep their
+words. If I am harmed some of your people here at Detroit will suffer.
+This no doubt sounds amazing to you, but strange things occur out here
+in the woods."
+
+"I'm very curious to see," said Holderness. "Colonel de Peyster has sent
+them a message, telling them in effect that no attention will be paid to
+their warning, and that he will do with you as he chooses."
+
+"I am curious about it too," said Henry, "and if there is nothing in
+your duty forbidding it, I ask you to let me know the result."
+
+"I think it's likely that I can tell if there is anything to be told.
+Well, good night to you, Mr. Ware. I wish you a pleasant sleep."
+
+"Thank you. I always sleep well."
+
+The night was no exception to Henry's statement, but he was awake early
+the next morning. Colonel de Peyster also rose early, because he wished
+to hear quickly from Private Doran. But Private Doran did not come at
+the usual hour of reporting from duty, nor did he return the next hour,
+nor at any hour. De Peyster, furious with anger, sent a detachment which
+found his letter gone and another there. It said that as proof of their
+power they had taken his sentinel and they warned him again not to harm
+the prisoner.
+
+De Peyster raged for several reasons. It hurt his personal pride, and it
+injured his prestige with the Indians. Timmendiquas was still
+troublesome. He was demanding further guarantees that the King's
+officers help the Indians with many men and with cannon, in case a
+return attack should be delivered against their villages, and the White
+Lightning of the Wyandots was not a chief with whom one could trifle.
+
+Timmendiquas had returned to the camp of his warriors outside the walls
+and de Peyster at once visited him there. He found the chief in a fine
+lodge of buffalo skin that the Wyandots had erected for him, polishing
+the beautiful new rifle that had been presented to him as coming from
+the King. He looked up when he saw de Peyster enter, and his smile
+showed the faintest trace of irony. But he laid aside the rifle and
+arose with the courtesy befitting a red chief who was about to receive a
+white one.
+
+"Be seated, Timmendiquas," said de Peyster with as gracious a manner as
+he could summon. "I have come to consult with you about a matter of
+importance. It seems to me that you alone are of sufficient judgment and
+experience to give me advice in this case."
+
+Timmendiquas bowed gravely.
+
+De Peyster then told him of the threatening letter from the four, and of
+the disappearance of Private Doran. The nostrils of Timmendiquas
+dilated.
+
+"They are great warriors," he said, "but the white youth, Ware, whom you
+hold, is the greatest of them all. It was well done."
+
+De Peyster frowned. In his praise of the woodsmen Timmendiquas seemed to
+reflect upon the skill of his own troops. But he persisted in his plan
+to flatter and to appeal to the pride of Timmendiquas.
+
+"White Lightning," he said, "you know the forest as the bird knows its
+nest. What would you advise me to do?"
+
+The soothing words appealed to Timmendiquas and he replied:
+
+"I will send some of my warriors to trail them from the spot where your
+man was taken, and do you send soldiers also to take them when they are
+found. It is my business to make war upon these rangers from Kentucky,
+and I will help you all I can."
+
+De Peyster, who felt that his honor was involved, left the lodge much
+more hopeful. It was intolerable that he, a soldier and a poet, should
+be insulted in such a manner by four wild woodsmen, and he selected ten
+good men who, following two Wyandot trailers, would certainly avenge
+him.
+
+Henry heard the details of Private Doran's misadventure from Lieutenant
+Holderness, who did not fail to do it full justice.
+
+"I should not have believed it," said the young Englishman, "if the
+facts were not so clear. Private Doran is not a small man. He must weigh
+at least one hundred and eighty, but he is gone as completely as if the
+earth had opened and swallowed him up."
+
+Henry smiled and pretended to take it lightly. At heart he was hugely
+delighted at this new proof of the prowess of his friends.
+
+"I told you what they were," he said. "They are keeping their promises,
+are they not?"
+
+"So far they have, but they will reach the end very soon. The Chief
+Timmendiquas, the tall one, who thinks he is as good as the King of
+England, has furnished two Wyandot trailers--they say the beggars can
+come pretty near following the trail left by the flight of a bird
+through the air--and they will take a detachment of ten good men against
+these four friends of yours."
+
+The prisoner's eyes sparkled. It did not seem to Holderness that he was
+at all cast down as he should be.
+
+"Shif'less Sol will lead them a glorious chase," said Henry. "The
+Wyandots are fine trailers, but they are no better than he, maybe not as
+good, and no detachment of heavy-footed soldiers can surprise him in the
+woods."
+
+"But if overtaken they will certainly be defeated. All of them will be
+slain or captured," said Holderness. "There can be no doubt of it."
+
+"It is to be seen," said Henry, "and we must wait patiently for the
+result."
+
+Henry was allowed to go in the court again that day. He knew that strong
+influences were working for his good treatment, and with the
+impossibility of escape in broad daylight under scores of watchful eyes
+there was no reason why he should be confined in the big jail. He hoped
+to see Timmendiquas there, but the chief still stayed outside with his
+Wyandot warriors. Instead he met another who was not so welcome. As he
+turned a corner of a large log building he came face to face with
+Braxton Wyatt. Henry turned abruptly away, indicating that he would
+avoid the young renegade as he would a snake. But Wyatt called to him:
+
+"Henry, I've got a few words to say to you. You know that you and I were
+boys together down there in Wareville, and if I've done you any harm it
+seems that the score is about even between us. I've helped to make war
+on the rebels in the East. I had gathered together a fine band there. I
+was leader of it and a man of importance, but that band was destroyed
+and you were the chief instrument of its destruction."
+
+"Why do you say all this?" asked Henry shortly.
+
+"To show you that I am in the right, and that I am now a Loyalist not
+for profit, but in face of the fact that I suffer for it."
+
+Henry looked at him in amazement. Why should Braxton Wyatt say these
+things to him whom he hated most? Then he suddenly knew the reason. Deep
+down in the heart of everyone, no matter how perverted he may become, is
+some desire for the good opinion of others. The renegade was seeking to
+justify himself in the eyes of the youth who had been for a while a
+childhood comrade. He felt a sort of pity, but he knew that nothing good
+could come of any further talk between Braxton Wyatt and himself.
+
+"Of course you are entitled to your opinion, Braxton," he said, "but it
+can never be mine. Your hands are red with the blood of your people, our
+people, and there can never be any friendship between us."
+
+He saw the angry light coming into Wyatt's eyes, and he turned away. He
+felt that under the circumstances he could not quarrel with him, and he
+knew that if they were in the forest again they would be as bitter
+enemies as ever. It was a relief to him to meet Holderness and another
+young officer, Desmond, also a recent arrival from England, and quite as
+ignorant as Holderness of wilderness ways and warfare. He found them
+fair and generous opponents and, in his heart, he absolved them from
+blame for the terrible consequences following upon the British alliance
+with the Indians.
+
+They took Henry on the entire inside circuit of the walls, and he, as
+well as they, was specially interested in the outlook over the river. A
+platform four feet wide was built against the palisade the same distance
+from the top. It was reached at intervals by flights of narrow steps,
+and here in case of attack the riflemen would crouch and fire from their
+hidden breastwork. Close by and under the high bank flowed the river, a
+broad, deep stream, bearing the discharge from those mighty inland seas,
+the upper chain of the Great Lakes. The current of the river, deep, blue
+and placid and the forests beyond, massive, dark, and green, made Henry
+realize how bitter it was to be a prisoner. Here separated from him by
+only a few feet was freedom, the great forest with its sparkling waters
+that he loved. In spite of himself, he sighed, and both Holderness and
+Desmond, understanding, were silent.
+
+Near them was a sort of trestle work that ran out toward the river,
+although it did not reach it by many feet.
+
+"What is that?" asked Henry, as he looked at it curiously.
+
+"It was intended to be a pier or wharf for loading or unloading boats,"
+replied Holderness. "They tell me that Colonel Hamilton started it, in
+the belief that it would be useful in an emergency, but when Colonel de
+Peyster succeeded to the command he stopped the work there, thinking
+that it might be of as much service to an enemy as to a friend."
+
+Henry took little more notice of the unfinished pier, and they descended
+from the platform to the ground, their attention being attracted by a
+noise at the most distant gate. When they took a second look at the
+cause of the tumult, they hurried forward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE CRY FROM THE FOREST
+
+
+The spectacle that met the eyes of Henry and his English friends was one
+likely to excite curiosity and interest. The party of ten soldiers and
+two Wyandots that had gone forth to take the youth's four comrades was
+returning, but they brought with them no prisoners, nor any trophies
+from the slain. Instead, one of the Wyandots carried an arm in a rude
+sling, one soldier was missing, and four others bore wounds.
+
+Henry laughed inwardly, and it was a laugh full of satisfaction and
+triumph. The party had found the four, but his prevision had not failed
+him. Shif'less Sol and the others were on watch. They had been found,
+because they permitted themselves to be found, and evidently they had
+fought with all the advantage of ambush and skill. He felt instinctively
+that they had not suffered any serious harm.
+
+"They do not bring your friends," said Holderness.
+
+"No," said Henry, "nor do they bring back all of themselves. I do not
+wish to boast, gentlemen, but I warned you that my comrades would be
+hard to take."
+
+Henry saw Colonel de Peyster join the group and he saw, too, that his
+face expressed much chagrin. So, not wishing to exult openly, he deemed
+it wise to turn aside.
+
+"If you don't mind," he said to the young officers, "I'm willing to go
+into my cell, and, if you care to tell me later about what has happened,
+you know I shall be glad to hear it."
+
+"It might be advisable," said Holderness, and accordingly they locked
+him in, where he waited patiently. He heard the noise of many voices
+outside, but those to whom the voices belonged did not come within the
+range of his window, and he waited, alive with curiosity. He did not
+hear until nearly night, when Holderness came in with the soldier who
+brought him his supper. Holderness seemed somewhat chagrined at the
+discomfiture of de Peyster's party, and he sat a little while in
+silence. Henry, knowing that the young Englishman must have a certain
+feeling for his own, waited until he should choose to speak.
+
+"I'm bound to confess, old chap," said Holderness at last, "that you
+were right all the way through. I didn't believe you, but you knew your
+own friends. It was a facer for us and, 'pon my word, I don't see how
+they did it. The Wyandots, it seems, found the trail very soon, and it
+led a long distance through the woods until they came to a deep creek.
+Our men could wade the creek by holding their rifles and muskets above
+their heads, which they undertook to do, but a man standing in water up
+to his neck is not ready for a fight. At that point fire was opened upon
+them, and they were compelled to beat as hasty a retreat as they could.
+You must admit, Mr. Ware, that they were taken at a disadvantage."
+
+"I admit it freely enough," said Henry. "It's a dangerous thing to try
+to cross a deep stream in the face of a bold enemy who knows how to
+shoot. And of course it was an ambush, too. That is what one has to
+beware of in these woods."
+
+"It's a truth that I'm learning every day," said Holderness, who left,
+wishing the prisoner, since he would not give a parole and go into
+Canada, a speedy exchange with the Americans for some British captive of
+importance. Henry was not sorry to be left alone as he was trying to
+fathom through their characters the plan of his comrades. Paul would
+seek speedy action, Jim Hart would agree with him, but the crafty
+Shif'less Sol, with a patience equaling that of any Indian, would risk
+nothing, until the time was ripe, and he would be seconded by the
+cautious temperament of Silent Tom. Undoubtedly Shif'less Sol would have
+his way. It behooved him also to show extreme patience; a quality that
+he had learned long since, and he disposed himself comfortably on his
+pallet for his night's rest.
+
+The second exploit of his comrades had encouraged him wonderfully. He
+was not talking folly, when he had said to more than one that he would
+escape. The five had become long since a beautiful machine that worked
+with great precision and power, and it was their first principles that,
+when one was in trouble, all the rest should risk everything for him.
+
+He fell asleep, but awoke some time before midnight. A bright moon was
+shining in at his window and the little village within the walls was
+very quiet and peaceful. He turned over and closed his eyes in order
+that he might go to sleep again, but he was restless and sleep would not
+come. Then he got up and stood by the window, looking at the part of the
+court that lay within range. Nothing stirred. There were sentinels, of
+course, but they did not pass over the area commanded by his window. The
+silence was very deep, but presently he heard a sound very faint and
+very distant. It was the weird cry of the owl that goes so far on a
+still night. No wilderness note could have been more characteristic, but
+it was repeated a certain number of times and with certain intonations,
+and a little shiver ran down Henry's back. He knew that cry. It was the
+signal. His friends were speaking to him, while others slept, sending a
+voice across the woods and waters, telling him that they were there to
+help.
+
+Then, a strange, capricious idea occurred to him. He would reply. The
+second window on the side of the river, too narrow for a man to pass
+through, was open, and putting his face to it, he sent back the
+answering cry, the long, weird, wailing note. He waited a little and
+again he heard a voice from the far shore of the river, the exact
+rejoinder to his own, and he knew that the four out there understood.
+The chain of communication had been established. Now he went back to his
+pallet, fell asleep with ease, and slept peacefully until morning.
+
+The next day, superstition assailed the French-Canadians in the village,
+and many of the Indians. A second private who had a late beat near the
+forest had been carried off. There were signs of a struggle. No blood
+had been shed, but Private Myers had vanished as completely as his
+predecessor. To many of the people who sat about the lodges or cabins it
+seemed uncanny, but it filled the heart of de Peyster with rage. He
+visited Timmendiquas a second time in his lodge of skins and spoke with
+some heat.
+
+"You have great warriors," he said, "men who can trail anything through
+the forest. Why is it that they cannot find this petty little band of
+marauders, only four?"
+
+"They did find them," returned Timmendiquas gravely; "they took your
+soldiers, but your soldiers returned without them. Now they hold two of
+your men captive, but it is no fault of the Wyandots or their brethren
+of the allied tribes. We wait here in peace, while the other presents
+that you have promised us come from Niagara."
+
+De Peyster bit his lip. He had rashly promised more and greater gifts
+for which he would have to send to Niagara, and Timmendiquas had
+announced calmly that the warriors would remain at Detroit until they
+came. This had made another long delay and de Peyster raged internally,
+although he strove to hide it. Now he made the same effort at
+self-command, and replied pacifically:
+
+"I keep all my promises, Timmendiquas, and yet I confess to you that
+this affair annoys me greatly. As a malignant rebel and one of the most
+troublesome of our enemies, I would subject Ware to close confinement,
+but two of my men are in the power of his friends, and they can take
+revenge."
+
+"De Peyster speaks wisely," said Timmendiquas. "It is well to choose
+one's time when to strike."
+
+Getting no satisfaction there, de Peyster returned to the court, where
+he saw Henry walking back and forth very placidly. The sight filled him
+with rage. This prisoner had caused him too much annoyance, and he had
+no business to look so contented. He began to attribute the delay in the
+negotiations to Henry. He, or at least his comrades, were making him
+appear ignorant and foolish before the chiefs. He could not refrain from
+a burst of anger. Striding up to Henry he put his hand violently upon
+his shoulder. The great youth was surprised but he calmly lifted the
+hand away and said:
+
+"What do you wish, Colonel de Peyster?"
+
+"I wish many things, but what I especially don't wish just now is to see
+you walking about here, apparently as free as ourselves!"
+
+"I am in your hands," said Henry.
+
+"You can stay in the prison," said de Peyster. "You'll be out of the way
+and you'll be much safer there."
+
+"You're in command here."
+
+"I know it," said de Peyster grimly, "and into the prison you go."
+
+Henry accordingly was placed in close confinement, where he remained for
+days without seeing anybody except the soldier who brought him his food
+and water, and from whom he could obtain no news at all. But he would
+make no complaint to this soldier, although the imprisonment was
+terribly irksome. He had been an entire week within walls. Such a thing
+had never happened before in his life, and often he felt as if he were
+choking. It seemed also at times that the great body which made him
+remarkable was shrinking. He knew that it was only the effect of
+imagination, but it preyed upon him, and he understood now how one could
+wither away from mere loneliness and inaction.
+
+His mind traveled over the countless scenes of tense activity that had
+been crowded into the last three or four years of his life. He had been
+many times in great and imminent danger, but it was always better than
+lying here between four walls that seemed to come closer every day. He
+recalled the deep woods, the trees that he loved, the sparkling waters,
+lakes, rivers and brooks; he recalled the pursuit of the big game, the
+deer and the buffalo; he recalled the faces of his comrades, how they
+jested with one another and fought side by side, and once more he
+understood what a terrible thing it is for a man to have his comings and
+goings limited to a space a few feet square. But he resolved that he
+would not complain, that he would ask no favor of de Peyster or Caldwell
+or any of them.
+
+Once he saw Braxton Wyatt come to a window and gaze in. The look of the
+renegade was full of unholy triumph, and Henry knew that he was there
+for the special purpose of exultation. He sat calm and motionless while
+the renegade stared at him. Wyatt remained at the window a full half
+hour, seeking some sign of suffering, or at least an acknowledgment of
+his presence, but he obtained neither, and he went on, leaving the
+silent figure full of rage.
+
+On the tenth day Holderness came in with the soldier. Henry knew by his
+face that he had something to say, but he waited for the lieutenant to
+speak first. Holderness fidgeted and did not approach the real subject
+for a little while. He spoke with sympathy of Henry's imprisonment and
+remarked on the loss of his tan.
+
+"It's hard to be shut up like this, I know," he said, "but it is the
+fortune of war. Now I suppose if I were taken by the Americans they
+would do to me what Colonel de Peyster has done to you."
+
+"I don't know," replied Henry, truthfully.
+
+"Neither do I, but we'll suppose it, because I think it's likely. Now
+I'm willing to tell you, that we're going to let you out again. Some of
+us rather admire your courage and the fact that you have made no
+complaint. In addition there has been another letter from those impudent
+friends of yours."
+
+"Ah!" said Henry, and now he showed great interest.
+
+"Yes, another letter. It came yesterday. It seems that there must be
+some collusion--with the French-Canadians, I suppose. Woodsmen, I'm
+sure, do not usually carry around with them paper on which to write
+notes. Nor could they have known that you were locked up in here unless
+someone told them. But to come back to the point. Those impudent rascals
+say in their letter that they have heard of your close imprisonment and
+that they are retaliating on Privates Doran and Myers."
+
+Henry turned his face away a little to hide a smile. He knew that none
+of his comrades would torture anybody.
+
+"They have drawn quite a dreadful picture, 'pon honor," continued
+Lieutenant Holderness, "and most of us have been moved by the sufferings
+of Doran and Myers. We have interceded with Colonel de Peyster, we have
+sought to convince him that your confinement within these four walls is
+useless anyhow, and he has acceded to our request. To-morrow you go
+outside and walk upon the grass, which I believe will feel good to your
+feet."
+
+"Lieutenant Holderness, I thank you," said Henry in such a tone of
+emphatic gratitude that Holderness flushed with pleasure.
+
+"I have learned," continued Henry, "what a wonderful thing it is to
+walk on a little grass and to breathe air that I haven't breathed
+before."
+
+"I understand," said Lieutenant Holderness, looking at the narrow walls,
+"and by Jove, I'm hoping that your people will never capture me."
+
+"If they do, and they lock you up and I'm there, I shall do my best to
+get you out into the air, even as you have done it for me."
+
+"By Jove, I think you would," said Holderness.
+
+The hands of the two official enemies met in a hearty clasp. They were
+young and generous. The delights of life even as a prisoner now came in
+a swelling tide upon Henry. He had not known before that air could be so
+pure and keen, such a delight and such a source of strength to the
+lungs. The figure that had seemed to shrink within the narrow walls
+suddenly expanded and felt capable of anything. Strength flowed back in
+renewed volume into every muscle. Before him beyond the walls curved the
+dark green world, vital, intense, full of everything that he loved. It
+was there that he meant to go, and his confidence that he would escape
+rose higher than ever.
+
+A swart figure passed him and a low voice said in his ear: "Watch the
+river! Always watch the river!"
+
+It was Lajeunais who had spoken, and already he was twenty feet away,
+taking no notice of either Henry or Holderness, hurrying upon some
+errand, connected with his business of trapping and trading. But Henry
+knew that his words were full of meaning. Doubtless he had communicated
+in some manner with the four, and they were using him as a messenger. It
+looked probable. Lajeunais, like many of his race, had no love for the
+conquerors. He had given the word to watch the river, and Henry meant to
+do so as well as he could.
+
+He waited some time in order to arouse no suspicion, and then he
+suggested to Holderness that they walk again upon the platform of the
+palisade. The lieutenant consented willingly enough, and presently they
+stood there, looking far up and down the river and across at the forests
+of Canada. There were canoes upon the stream, most of them small,
+containing a single occupant, but all of these occupants were Indians.
+Some of the savages had come from the shores of the Northern waters.
+Chippewas or Blackfeet, who were armed with bows and arrows and whose
+blankets were of skins. But they had heard of Detroit, and they brought
+furs. They would go back with bright blankets and rifles or muskets.
+Henry watched them with interest. He was trying to read some
+significance for him into this river and its passengers. But if the text
+was there it was unintelligible. He saw only the great shining current,
+breaking now and then into crumbling little waves under the gentle wind,
+and the Indian canoes, with their silent occupants reflected vividly
+upon its surface, like pictures in a burnished mirror. Again he strained
+with eye and mind. He examined every canoe. He forced his brain to
+construct ingenious theories that might mean something, but all came to
+naught.
+
+"Strange people," said Holderness, who thought that Henry was watching
+the Indians with a curiosity like his own, merely that of one who sees
+an alien race.
+
+"Yes, they're strange," replied Henry. "We must always consider the
+difference. In some things like the knowledge of nature and the
+wilderness, they are an old, old race far advanced. In most others they
+are but little children. Once I was a captive among them for a long
+time."
+
+"Tell me about it," said Holderness eagerly.
+
+Henry was willing for a double reason. He had no objection to telling
+about his captivity, and he wished to keep Holderness there on the
+palisade, where he could watch the river. While his eyes watched his
+tongue told a good tale. He had the power of description, because he
+felt intensely what he was saying. He told of the great forests and
+rivers of the West, of the vast plains beyond, of the huge buffalo herds
+that were a day in passing, and of the terrible storms that sometimes
+came thundering out of the endless depths of the plains. Holderness
+listened without interruption, and at the end he drew a long breath.
+
+"Ah! that was to have lived!" he said. "One could never forget such a
+life, such adventures, but it would take a frame of steel to stand it!"
+
+"I suppose one must be born to it," said Henry. "I've known no life but
+that of the wilderness, but my friend Paul, who has read books, often
+tells me of the world of cities beyond."
+
+"Wouldn't you like to go there?" asked Holderness.
+
+"To see it, yes, perhaps," replied Henry thoughtfully, "but not to stay
+long. I've nothing against people. I've some of the best friends that a
+man ever had, and we have great men in Kentucky, too, Boone, Kenton,
+Harrod, Logan, and the others, but think what a glorious thing it is to
+roam hundreds of miles just as you please, to enter regions that you've
+never seen before, to find new rivers, and new lakes, and to feel that
+with your rifle you can always defend yourself--that suits me. I suppose
+the time will come when such a life can't be lived, but it can be lived
+now and I'm happy that this is my time."
+
+Holderness was quiet. He still felt the spell of the wilderness that
+Henry had cast over him, but, after a moment or two, it began to pass.
+His nature was wholly different. In his veins flowed the blood of
+generations that had lived in the soft and protected English lands, and
+the vast forests and the silence, brave man though he was, inspired him
+with awe.
+
+Henry, meanwhile, still watched the passing canoes. The last of them was
+now far down the river, and he and Holderness looked at it, while it
+became a dot on the water, and then, like the others, sank from sight.
+Then he and his English friend walked out from the palisade upon the
+unfinished pier, and watched the twilight come over the great forest.
+This setting of the sun and the slow red light falling over the branches
+of the trees always appealed to Henry, but it impressed Holderness, not
+yet used to it, with the sense of mystery and awe.
+
+"I think," said he, "that it is the silence which affects me most. When
+I stand here and look upon that unbroken forest I seem face to face with
+a primeval world into which man has not yet come. One in fancy almost
+could see the mammoth or great sabre tooth tiger drinking at the far
+edge of the river."
+
+"You can see a deer drinking," said Henry, pointing with a long
+forefinger. Holderness was less keen-eyed, but he was able at length to
+make out the figure of the animal. The two watched, but soon the
+deepening twilight hid the graceful form, and then darkness fell over
+the stream which now flowed in a slow gray current. Behind them they
+heard the usual noises in the fort, but nothing came from the great
+forest in front of them.
+
+"Still the same silence," said Holderness. "It grows more uncanny."
+
+The last words had scarcely left his lips when out of that forest came a
+low and long wailing cry, inexpressibly sad, and yet with a decisive
+touch of ferocity. It sounded as if the first life, lonely and fierce,
+had just entered this primitive world. Holderness shivered, without
+knowing just why.
+
+"It is the cry of a wolf," said Henry, "perhaps that of some outcast
+from the pack. He is probably both hungry and lonesome, and he is
+telling the world about it. Hark to him again!"
+
+Henry was leaning forward, listening, and young Holderness did not
+notice his intense eagerness. The cry was repeated, and the wolf gave it
+inflections like a scale in music.
+
+"It is almost musical," said Holderness. "That wolf must be singing a
+kind of song."
+
+"He is," said Henry, "and, as you notice, it is almost a human sound. It
+is one of the easiest of the animal cries to imitate. It did not take me
+long to learn to do it."
+
+"Can you really repeat that cry?" asked Holderness with incredulity.
+
+Henry laughed lightly.
+
+"I can repeat it so clearly that you cannot tell the difference," he
+said. "All the money I have is one silver shilling and I'll wager it
+with you that I succeed, you yourself to be the judge."
+
+"Done," said Holderness, "and I must say that you show a spirit of
+confidence when you let me, one of the wagerers, decide."
+
+Henry crouched a little on the timbers, almost in the manner of a wolf,
+and then there came forth not three feet from Holderness a long whining
+cry so fierce and sibilant that, despite his natural bravery, a
+convulsive shudder swept over the young lieutenant. The cry, although
+the whining note was never lost, rose and swelled until it swept over
+the river and penetrated into the great Canadian forest. Then it died
+slowly, but that ferocious under note remained in it to the last.
+
+"By Jove!" was all that Holderness could say, but, in an instant, the
+cry rose again beside him, and now it had many modulations and
+inflections. It expressed hunger, anger and loneliness. It was an almost
+human cry, and, for a moment, Holderness felt an awe of the strange
+youth beside him. When the last variation of the cry was gone and the
+echo had died away, the lieutenant gravely took a shining shilling from
+his pocket and handed it to Henry.
+
+"You win with ease," he said. "Listen, you do it so well that the real
+wolf himself is fooled."
+
+An answering cry came from the wolf in the Canadian woods, and then the
+deep silence fell again over forest and river.
+
+"Yes, I fooled him," said Henry carelessly, as he put the shilling in
+his pocket. "I told you it was one of the easiest of the animal cries to
+imitate."
+
+But he was compelled to turn his face away again in order that
+Holderness might not see his shining eyes. They were there, the faithful
+four. Doubtless they had signaled many times before, but they had never
+given up hope, they had persisted until the answering cry came.
+
+"Shall we go in?" he said to Holderness.
+
+"I'm willing," replied the lieutenant. "You mustn't think any the less
+of me, will you, if I confess that I am still a little bit afraid of the
+wilderness at night? I've never been used to it, and to-night in
+particular that wolf's howl makes it all the more uncanny to me."
+
+The night had come on, uncommonly chill for the period of the year, and
+Henry also was willing to go. But when he returned to his little room it
+seemed littler than ever. This was not a fit place to be a home for a
+human being. The air lay heavy on his lungs, and he felt that he no
+longer had the patience to wait. The signal of his comrades had set
+every pulse in his veins to leaping.
+
+But he forced himself to sit down calmly and think it over. Lajeunais
+had told him to watch the river; he had watched and from that point the
+first sign had come. Then Lajeunais beyond a doubt meant him well, and
+he must watch there whenever he could, because, at any time, a second
+sign might come.
+
+The next day and several days thereafter he was held in prison by order
+of Colonel de Peyster. The commander seemed to be in a vacillating
+mood. Now he was despondent, and then he had spells of courage and
+energy. Henry heard through Holderness that the negotiations with
+Timmendiquas were not yet concluded, but that they were growing more
+favorable. A fresh supply of presents, numerous and costly, had arrived
+from Niagara. The Shawnees and Miamis were eager to go at once against
+Kentucky. Only the Wyandots still demurred, demanding oaths from the
+King's commanders at Montreal and Quebec that all the tribes should be
+aided in case of a return attack by the Kentuckians.
+
+"But I think that in a week or so--two weeks at the
+furthest--Timmendiquas will be on the march," said Holderness. "A few of
+our soldiers will go with them and the whole party will be nominally
+under the command of Colonel William Caldwell, but Timmendiquas, of
+course, will be the real leader."
+
+"Are you going with them?" asked Henry.
+
+"No, I remain here."
+
+"I am very glad of that."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because you do not really know what an Indian raid is."
+
+Henry's tone was so significant that Holderness flushed deeply, but he
+remained silent. In a little while he left, and Henry was again a prey
+to most dismal thoughts. Bird, with his army and his cannon, doubtless
+had reached Kentucky by this time and was doing destruction.
+Timmendiquas would surely start very soon--he believed the words of
+Holderness--and perhaps not a single settlement would escape him. It was
+a most terrible fate to be laid by the heels at such a time. Before, he
+had always had the power to struggle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE CANOE ON THE RIVER
+
+
+Two more weeks passed and de Peyster's conduct in regard to Henry was
+regulated again by fits and starts. Sometimes he was allowed to walk in
+the great court within the palisade. On the fourth night he heard the
+signal cry once more from the Canadian woods. Now, as on the first
+night, it was the voice of the owl, and he answered it from the window.
+
+On the sixth day he was allowed to go outside, and, as before,
+Holderness was his escort. He noticed at once an unusual bustle and all
+the signs of extensive preparations. Many Indians of the various tribes
+were passing, and from the large brick building, used as a storehouse of
+arms and ammunition, they were receiving supplies. Despite their usual
+reserve all of them showed expectancy and delight and Henry knew at once
+that the great expedition under Timmendiquas, Caldwell and Girty was
+about to depart. If he had not known, there was one at hand who took a
+pleasure in enlightening him. Braxton Wyatt, in a royal uniform, stood
+at his elbow and said:
+
+"Sorry to bid you good-by, Henry, because the stay at Detroit has been
+pleasant, but we go to-morrow, and I don't think much will be left of
+Kentucky when we get through. Pity that you should have to spend the
+time here while it is all going on. Timmendiquas himself leads us and
+you know what a man he is."
+
+Lieutenant Holderness, who was with Henry, eyed Wyatt with strong
+disfavor.
+
+"I do not think it fitting, Captain Wyatt, that you should speak in such
+a manner to a prisoner," he said.
+
+But Wyatt, at home in the woods and sure of his place, had all the
+advantage. He rejoined insolently:
+
+"You must realize, Lieutenant Holderness, that war in the American woods
+is somewhat different from war in the open fields of Europe. Moreover,
+as a lieutenant it is hardly your place to rebuke a captain."
+
+Holderness flushed deeply and was about to speak, but Henry put his hand
+on his arm.
+
+"Don't pay any attention to him, Lieutenant," he said. "He's a sort of
+mad dog, ready to bite anything that gets in his way. Come on, let's
+take another look at the river."
+
+Holderness hesitated a moment, and then went with Henry. Wyatt's face
+was black with anger, but he did not dare to follow them and create a
+scene. While they were in the court the tumult was increased by an
+unexpected arrival at the western gate. Private Doran, unarmed, his
+hands bound behind him, his eyes bandaged, but otherwise undamaged, had
+suddenly appeared in the village, and was at once taken to the fort.
+Now, surrounded by a curious crowd, he seemed to be dazed, and to be
+frightened also. Henry saw at once that his fear was of his officers,
+and that it had not been caused by any suffering in captivity. In truth,
+Private Doran looked very well, having suffered no diminution of either
+girth or ruddiness. His fears in regard to his officers were justified,
+as he was taken at once before Colonel de Peyster, who examined him with
+the greatest severity.
+
+But Private Doran's apprehensions gave him ready and clear answers. He
+had been taken, it was true, but it was by men of superhuman skill and
+intelligence. Then, blindfolded and arms bound, he had been driven away
+in the woods. How far he traveled he did not know, but when a camp was
+made it was in a dense forest. Nor did he have any idea in what
+direction it lay from Detroit. He was joined there by Private Myers who
+had been abducted in the same way. Their four captors had told them that
+they were held as hostages, and had many terrible threats, but they had
+not really suffered anything. One man called Shif'less Sol by the others
+had been menacing them with strange punishments of which they had never
+heard before, but with the juice of some herb he cured Private Myers of
+a bruise that he had received in the struggle when he was captured.
+
+This examination was held in public in the court and Henry heard it all.
+He smiled at the mention of Shif'less Sol, knowing his flow of language,
+and his genuine aversion to all forms of cruelty. Finally, according to
+the continuation of Doran's tale, they had decided that the hostages
+were no longer necessary. Evidently they believed their friend had
+suffered no ill treatment, or some important movement was pending.
+Accordingly he was blindfolded, his arms bound, and he was led away in
+the night by the two men called Long Jim and Silent Tom. They left him
+toward morning, saying that the other captive would be delivered on the
+day following. When curs began to snap at his ankles he knew that he was
+near the village outside Detroit, and he shouted for help. The rest told
+itself.
+
+Doran, after a severe rating, was sent about his business. Henry was
+very thoughtful. Private Doran had not told of crossing any river and
+hence the camp of his comrades must be on this side of the Detroit. But
+all the signals had come from the far shore. Doubtless Shif'less Sol had
+crossed over there to utter the cries and they must possess a boat, a
+supposition that chimed in well with the warning to him to watch the
+river. Reflection only deepened his conviction, and he resolved if
+possible to avoid the anger of de Peyster, as to be shut up again might
+ruin everything. He felt that the time to act, although he did not know
+just how and where, was coming soon.
+
+A strong watch was set about both fort and village in order to trap the
+four the following night, when they came to deliver Private Myers. Both
+Girty and Blackstaffe told Colonel de Peyster that the forest runners
+would keep their promise, and the commander was exceedingly anxious to
+take the impudent rovers who had annoyed him so much. Henry heard
+something of it from Holderness and, for a moment, he felt apprehension,
+but he recalled all the skill and craft of his comrades. They would
+never walk into a trap.
+
+The night turned quite dark with fleeting showers of rain. There was no
+moon and the stars were hidden. But about two hours before daylight
+there was a great outcry, and the sentinels, running to the spot, found
+a white man blindfolded and hands bound, tied in a thicket of briers. It
+was Private Myers, and his tale was practically the same as that of
+Private Doran. He had been led in the night, he knew not whither. Then,
+one of his captors, which one he could not say, as he was blindfolded,
+gave him a little push and he neither saw nor heard them any more. He
+had tried to come in the direction in which he thought Detroit lay, but
+he had become tangled among the briers, and then he had shouted at the
+top of his voice.
+
+Colonel de Peyster was deeply disgusted. He addressed stern reproofs to
+the wretched private, who was not to blame, and bade him join his
+comrade in disgrace. The best Indian trackers were sent to seek the
+trail of the forest runners, which they found and followed only to end
+against the wide and deep river. The Indian trailers concurred in
+Henry's belief that the four had secured a boat, and they felt that it
+was useless to search on the other side.
+
+Henry heard of it all very early, and that day during his hours of
+liberty in the court he kept a close watch on the river, but nothing
+occurred. Evidently the hour had not come for his friends to make
+whatever attempt they had in mind. He was convinced of it when from the
+palisade he saw that de Peyster had instituted a patrol on the river.
+Several Indian canoes, containing warriors, were constantly moving up
+and down. Henry's heart sank at the sight. He had felt sure all the time
+that his line of escape lay that way. Meanwhile Timmendiquas, the
+renegades and their powerful force were marching southward to destroy
+what Bird had left. He was seized with a terrible impatience that became
+a real torture. He learned that the patrol on the river had been
+established as a guard against the dreaded George Rogers Clark, who had
+made the threats against Detroit. Clark was so crafty that he might
+circle above the town and come down by the river, but in a week or so
+the alarm passed.
+
+Henry spent the period of alarm in his prison, but when de Peyster's
+fears relaxed he was allowed the liberty of the court again. Neither
+Holderness nor Desmond was visible and he walked back and forth for a
+long time. He had grown thinner during his imprisonment, and much of the
+tan was gone from his face, but he did not feel any decrease of
+strength. As he walked he tested his muscles, and rejoiced that they
+were still flexible and powerful like woven wire. That morning he heard
+the call of the wolf from the Canadian shore, but he did not dare reply.
+A half hour later Colonel de Peyster himself accosted him.
+
+"Well," said the commander in a tone of irony, "I see, young Mr. Ware,
+that you have not yet escaped."
+
+"Not yet," replied Henry, "but I shall certainly do so."
+
+Colonel de Peyster laughed. He was in great good humor with himself. Why
+should he not be? He had smoothed away the doubts of Timmendiquas and
+now that formidable chieftain was gone with a great force against
+Kentucky. The settlements would be destroyed, men, women and children,
+and de Peyster would have the credit of it.
+
+"You are surely a confident youth," he said. "This boast of yours was
+made some time ago, and I do not see that you have made any progress.
+I'm afraid that you're a great talker and a small performer."
+
+Henry was stung by his words, but he did not show any chagrin.
+
+"I'm going to escape," he said, "and it will not be long, now, until I
+do so."
+
+Colonel de Peyster laughed again and more loudly than before.
+
+"Well, that's a proper spirit," he said, "and when you've gone you shall
+tell your friends that on the whole I have not treated you badly."
+
+"I make no complaint," said Henry.
+
+"And now, to show my generous feeling toward you," continued de Peyster,
+in whom the spirit of humor was growing, "you shall have luncheon with
+me in honor of your coming escape."
+
+"I'm willing," said Henry, adapting himself to his mood. A life such as
+his and wonderful natural perception had endowed him with a sort of
+sixth sense. He began to have a premonition that what de Peyster
+intended as a joke would be the truth, and it made him all the more
+willing to join in what the commander intended should be a mockery.
+
+De Peyster led the way to the room in which the first banquet with the
+Indian chiefs had been held, but now only Henry and he were present,
+except a soldier who brought food from the kitchen and who waited upon
+them.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Ware," said de Peyster with a flourish of both hand and
+voice. Henry quietly took the seat indicated on the opposite side of the
+table, and then the commander took his own also, while the attendant
+brought the food and drink. Henry saw that de Peyster was in an uncommon
+mood, and he resolved to humor it to the full.
+
+"I regret more than ever that you're not one of us, my young friend,"
+said the commander, surveying his prisoner's splendid proportions.
+"Expert as you are in the woods, you could soon rise to high command."
+
+"Having started in on one side," said Henry lightly, "I cannot change to
+the other."
+
+"Wyatt, who I understand was a youthful comrade of yours, has done it."
+
+"Pray do not ask me to imitate any example furnished by Braxton Wyatt."
+
+Colonel de Peyster laughed again.
+
+"He is not an attractive youth, I confess," he said, "but you would
+count for much more than Braxton Wyatt with us."
+
+"I shall never count at all," replied Henry. "I am for my own people
+always."
+
+Colonel de Peyster, the Tory, flushed, but he continued:
+
+"Think of the rewards under the King. This is a vast and fertile
+continent, and those who hold it for him will surely receive vast
+estates. Any one of us may be as great a feudal lord as Sir William
+Johnson has been."
+
+"If you triumph," said Henry, although he spoke purposely in a light
+tone.
+
+"There is no 'if'; we are bound to succeed, and now, sir, as we have
+eaten we shall drink to your escape."
+
+The attendant poured two glasses of wine and Colonel de Peyster raised
+his, looking for a minute or two at the little bubbles as they broke.
+
+"Here's to your escape," he said, casting an ironical glance over the
+edge.
+
+"Here's to my escape," said Henry, meeting his gaze firmly and
+earnestly.
+
+Then they drank.
+
+"Upon my word, I believe that you mean what you say."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+De Peyster looked curiously at Henry.
+
+"Come," he said, "we'll go outside. I think I'll keep my own eye on you
+for a little while."
+
+When they emerged from the house a long plaintive howl came from the
+Canadian forest. A sort of shiver, as if he were looking into the
+future, ran through Henry's veins. All his premonitions were coming
+true.
+
+"Did you hear that wolf?" asked de Peyster. "It is but a wilderness
+after all, and this is merely a point in it like a lighthouse in the
+sea. Come, we'll walk that way; it's about the only view we have."
+
+Again that strange quiver ran through Henry's veins. Colonel de Peyster
+himself was leading exactly where the captive wished to go.
+
+"I have often noticed you walking on the palisade with Lieutenant
+Holderness," said Colonel de Peyster; "now you can go there with me."
+
+"I thank you for the invitation," said Henry, as the two climbed up one
+of the little ladders and stood side by side on the palisade. "Does not
+this view of the great river and the limitless forest beyond appeal to
+you, Colonel?"
+
+"At times," replied Colonel de Peyster in a somewhat discontented tone.
+"It is the edge of a magnificent empire that we see before us, and I
+like the active service that I have been able to do for the King, but
+there are times when I wish that I could be back in New York, where I
+was born, and which the royal troops occupy. It is a trim city, with
+wealth and fashion, and one can enjoy life there. Now I wonder if that
+is one of the Indians whom I have had on watch on the river."
+
+A light canoe containing a single warrior put out from the farther
+shore, where evidently it had been lying among the dense foliage on the
+bank. No particular purpose seemed to animate the warrior who sat in it.
+Both Colonel de Peyster and Henry could see that he was a powerful
+fellow, evidently a Wyandot. With easy, apparently careless strokes of
+the paddle, he brought his canoe in a diagonal course to a point near
+the middle of the stream. Then he began to play with the canoe, sending
+it hither and thither in long, gliding reaches, or bringing it up with a
+sharp jerk that would have caused it to overturn in hands less skillful.
+But so keen was the judgment and so delicate the touch of the warrior
+that it never once shipped water.
+
+"Wonderful fellows, those Indians," said Colonel de Peyster. "How they
+do handle a canoe! It is almost like magic! I verily believe the fellow
+is showing off for our benefit."
+
+"Maybe," said Henry.
+
+"And it is a good show, too. Ah, I thought he would go that time; but
+look how quickly and delicately he righted himself. Such skill is truly
+marvelous!"
+
+"It is," said Henry, who was watching the canoe and its occupant with an
+interest even greater than that of de Peyster. Up at the far corner of
+the palisade a sentinel was walking back and forth, his rifle on his
+shoulder, and at the other end another was doing likewise. Three or four
+officers off duty had also mounted the palisade and were watching the
+Indian's exhibition of skill.
+
+Suddenly the warrior turned the canoe in toward the palisade at the
+point where the unfinished pier ran out toward the river. Raising
+himself on the canoe he uttered the long weird cry of the wolf, the same
+that had come more than once from the depths of the Canadian woods.
+
+Then an extraordinary thing occurred. De Peyster was standing on the
+platform nearest the unfinished pier. Henry suddenly seized him by the
+shoulders, thrust him down as if he were shot, ran along the platform
+and down the unfinished pier at his utmost speed. De Peyster was on his
+feet in an instant, and both sentinels on the alert, raised their rifles
+to take aim.
+
+Henry did not check his speed for a second. A marvelous power, born of
+great strength and a great spirit, infused his whole frame. He rushed to
+the end of the pier, and concentrating his whole strength in one mighty
+effort, he leaped.
+
+Never before had Detroit seen such a leap. The long body shot outward,
+the arms thrown parallel with the head, pointing toward the water. It
+was many feet from the head of the unfinished pier to the river, a leap
+that seemed superhuman, but Henry had the advantage of the run down the
+incline and the bracing of every nerve for the supreme effort. After he
+sprang, and for the few brief moments that he was cutting the air, he
+was scarcely conscious of what was passing, but he heard the crack of a
+rifle, and a bullet whizzing by him zip-zipped upon the surface of the
+water. One of the sentinels, exceeding alert, had fired instantly, but
+the other, finger on trigger, waited. Colonel de Peyster also drew a
+pistol and waited. Low cries, half of admiration, came from most of
+those on the battlements. The warrior in the canoe shot his little craft
+nearer in shore and then dropped gently over the far side. The canoe
+moved slowly down stream but its recent occupant was invisible.
+
+Henry, flying like an arrow taking its downward slope, fell into the
+deep water. The tremendous leap was accomplished. He was dazed for a few
+moments and he was conscious of nothing except that his body was cutting
+through the current of the river. Then strength and memory came back,
+and he knew that the marksmen were watching. Turning slightly on his
+side he swam down stream but bearing toward the farther shore as fast as
+he could. The crack of that rifle shot, by some sort of mental
+reproduction roared in his ears, and the waters sang there also, but he
+was swimming for his life, and he still swam, while head and chest
+seemed ready to burst. Suddenly he saw a dark shape above him and at
+first he thought it was some huge fish. Then he saw that it was the body
+of a man hanging from another dark shape that seemed to rest upon the
+surface of the river.
+
+Light came to him in an instant. It was the warrior in the canoe who had
+given him the signal. It could be none other than the incomparable
+Shif'less Sol. He shot upward, panting for air, and rose directly by the
+man and the canoe.
+
+"Keep your head low, Henry," exclaimed the undoubted voice of the
+shiftless one. "So long as they can't see us behind the canoe they can't
+take certain aim, and we've more than a chance."
+
+Henry held lightly to the side of the canoe and panted.
+
+"That wuz shorely a mighty jump o' yourn," continued Shif'less Sol. "I
+don't think anybody else could hev done it, an' you come true ez a
+bullet when I give the signal. We've won, Henry! We've won ag'in' all
+the odds. Look out! Duck! that second fellow's goin' to shoot!"
+
+The second sentinel had fired with good aim, so far as the canoe was
+concerned, as his bullet went through the upper part of it, but he could
+catch only glimpses of the figures behind it, and they were untouched.
+Colonel de Peyster also fired his pistol, but the bullet fell short. Two
+or three others on the battlements had rifles and they also took shots,
+without avail. The canoe was going very fast now, and always it bore
+steadily toward the further shore.
+
+Henry felt the great tension relax. Glancing over the canoe he saw
+figures running up and down the palisade, but he knew that they were out
+of range. Blessed freedom! Once more before him lay the wilderness that
+he loved, and in which he was free to roam as he pleased. He had told
+de Peyster that he would escape and he had kept his word. He looked now
+at Shif'less Sol, his faithful comrade, and, despite himself, he
+laughed. The water had washed most of the paint off the face of the
+shiftless one, leaving only stripes and bars.
+
+"Sol," he said, "you're the best and smartest friend a man ever had, but
+just now you don't look like either an Indian or a white man."
+
+"O' course not," replied Shif'less Sol readily, "an' fur the minute I
+ain't either. I'm a water dog, trampin' 'roun' in the Detroit River, an'
+enjoyin' myself. Ain't you happy, too, Henry?"
+
+"I was never more so in my life," replied Henry emphatically, "and I can
+say, too, that this is about the finest swim I ever took. Are the others
+all right, Sol?"
+
+"They shorely are. They're settin' over thar in the bushes waitin' for
+our boy Henry, who hez been out late, to come back home. I reckon, too,
+that they've seen everything that hez happened, includin' that
+everlastin' mighty big jump o' yourn."
+
+"When a fellow jumps for his life he is apt to jump well," said Henry.
+
+"I know I would," said Shif'less Sol. "Look, Henry, we're goin' to be
+pursued."
+
+Henry glanced back toward the palisade, and saw troops and Indians at
+the water's edge, jumping into two boats. The Indians were especially
+quick, and, in a few moments, a boat under the influence of many
+paddles, shot far out into the stream. The Detroit is a wide river, and
+Henry glanced anxiously at the farther shore. Shif'less Sol noticed the
+look and he said:
+
+"Tom an' Jim an' Paul haven't forgot how to shoot. Besides, my rifle is
+lyin' in the canoe, an' ez them fellers are comin' within range I think
+I'll give 'em a hint."
+
+Henry held the boat steady with one hand and maintained their diagonal
+course toward the farther shore. Sol lifted his rifle from the canoe,
+and holding it across the gunwale with a single arm took aim and fired.
+One of the paddlers in the pursuing boat sprang up convulsively, then
+fell over the side and disappeared. But the boat came steadily on, the
+paddlers probably knowing that it would be a matter of great difficulty
+for the marksman to reload while in the water. The second boat
+containing the soldiers was also now coming fast.
+
+But the shiftless one made no attempt to reload. He took another look at
+the Canadian shore and said to Henry:
+
+"Both o' them boats will soon be in the range o' three fellers who are
+settin' on somethin' that don't move, an' who won't miss when they
+shoot."
+
+He put his unloaded rifle back in the canoe, and the two, still keeping
+the little boat between them and their pursuers, swam with all their
+might. But the big boats filled with rowers or paddlers were gaining
+fast, when a crack came from the Canadian shore, and a warrior fell in
+the boat. A second shot wounded another in the shoulder. The boat
+hesitated, and when a third bullet found a mark, it stopped. The second
+boat stopped also. Henry and Sol made another great spurt, and in ten
+seconds their feet touched the earth.
+
+"Quick, in here among the bushes!" cried the voice of Tom Ross.
+
+Shif'less Sol, first taking his rifle from it, gave the canoe a push
+that sent it floating with the current, then he and Henry ran through
+the shallow water and up among the bushes and trees, just as bullets
+fired from both boats fell in the water behind them. Strong hands
+grasped Henry's and again the same strong hands pounded him on the back.
+Paul, Long Jim and Silent Tom welcomed him jubilantly.
+
+"We thought it a risky scheme, but it's gone through," said Paul.
+
+"So it has," said Shif'less Sol, "an' now we won't waste any time
+waitin' here for Injuns, Tories an' British to come an' take us."
+
+He led the way into the deep forest, which closed completely about them
+after the first three or four steps, and Henry followed. Little streams
+of water ran from them as if they were young water gods, but Henry
+thought only of that most precious of all gifts, his recovered freedom,
+and, drawing deep breaths of delight, ran at Shif'less Sol's heels. Paul
+was just behind him, Long Jim followed Paul, and Tom Ross covered the
+rear.
+
+Thus they continued for a long time. They had little fear of pursuit by
+the soldiers, but they knew the Indians might pick up the trail and
+follow. Yet it would be a hard thing to do, as Shif'less Sol led across
+brooks and through thickets and deep wood. He did not stop for a full
+hour, when they all sat down on fallen logs, and drew deep breaths.
+Henry did not notice until then that Long Jim carried an extra rifle.
+Shif'less Sol observed Henry's glance and he laughed with quiet
+satisfaction.
+
+"It's fur you, Henry," he said. "We took it from one o' them soldiers we
+captured. He had no business with a good Kentucky rifle, which must hev
+been took from some o' our own people, an' so we saved it fur you. Paul
+has a double-barreled pistol fur you which we got from a Frenchman, Tom
+has an extra hatchet an' knife, an' among us we hev plenty o' ammunition
+fur both rifle an' pistol."
+
+They passed over the complete equipment and again Henry rejoiced. He had
+not only escaped, but once more he was fully armed, ready to dare
+anything, and able to do anything.
+
+"What a good lot of fellows you are!" he said to his comrades.
+
+"But we couldn't hev done anything ef you hadn't been such a terrible
+long jumper," said Shif'less Sol with a grin.
+
+"Do you hear any sounds of pursuit?" asked Paul.
+
+None could detect anything, and Tom went back a little space on their
+trail, returning in a few minutes with the news that there were no
+indications of a hostile presence. Hence they rested a while longer and
+the clothing of Henry and Shif'less Sol dried in the sunshine. When they
+renewed their flight they proceeded at ease, all the while through a
+densely wooded country, and Paul gave Henry a brief account of the
+doings of the four.
+
+"We could tell by the signs just how you were captured," he said, "and
+we followed close. We came to the very walls of Detroit and we secretly
+made friends with some of the French in the town."
+
+"There was one Pierre Louis Lajeunais, was there not?"
+
+"Yes, and he was the most valuable. We took the two sentinels, because
+we did not know what de Peyster would do with you, and, as we wrote, we
+wanted hostages against ill-treatment. When we found at last that you
+were to be held only as a prisoner we sent them back, and, for the rest,
+we trusted to luck, skill and the chance that you might see the warrior
+in the canoe on the river and understand."
+
+"Fortune seemed to favor us through everything," said Henry, "and now I
+suppose we had better keep on until we are absolutely sure the Indians
+will not pick up our trail and give us a fight. As you boys probably
+know, we have no time to waste."
+
+"We know," said Paul. "Kentucky is calling to us and we are going there
+as fast as we can."
+
+The night found them far from Detroit. When the twilight turned into the
+night they were in woods so dense that it seemed as if man had never
+been there before. There was no turf under the close, spreading
+branches, but the ground was densely covered with the fallen leaves of
+last year. Everywhere they lay, a soft, dry carpet, and the five sank
+down upon them luxuriously.
+
+"Here we rest," said Paul.
+
+"Yes, here we rest, all except one who will watch," said Shif'less Sol,
+who for the present was in command. "Now we'll eat a little, an' then I
+think sleep will be the most welcome thing in the world to us."
+
+Nobody said no, and the dried venison was brought from their packs. They
+also gave further proofs of their foresight for Henry by producing a
+pair of fine blankets from Tom's roll.
+
+"It was Lajeunais who got those for us," said Tom. "That wuz shorely a
+fine Frenchman. I hope that some day I'll go huntin' an' trappin' with
+him."
+
+It was arranged that Tom should keep the first watch and Jim the second,
+and the others disposed themselves in silence between their blankets. It
+was summer now, but the nights were cool and they were very snug within
+the blankets.
+
+Henry, as he relaxed mentally and physically, felt a deep sense of
+gratitude. It seemed to him in this life of his in the wilderness,
+engaged in a cause surrounded by dangers, that a protecting hand was
+constantly stretched out in his behalf. He saw through a narrow opening
+in the leaves the blue sky and the great stars sailing high. The intense
+feeling, half religious and half poetic, that often swayed woodsmen,
+both red and white, stirred him now. Surely there was a divinity in the
+skies, the God of the white man, the Aieroski of the Mohawk, the Manitou
+of the Wyandot, one and the same! Never would he despair when that
+mighty hand could stretch itself forth from the infinite and save him.
+Thinking thus, he fell asleep and slept peacefully all through the
+night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ON THE GREAT LAKE
+
+
+When Henry awoke at dawn, all the weariness from his great efforts was
+gone, and he looked upon a world full of beauty. The unbroken forest of
+deep green bore a luminous tint, light and golden, from the early
+sunshine. Free of body and soul, it was the brilliant world that he had
+known so long, and he was ready once more for any task that might lie
+before them. Long Jim had already prepared breakfast, and he turned a
+benevolent gaze upon Henry.
+
+"Ain't it fine," he said, "to have all the family reunited ag'in?"
+
+"It certainly is," said Henry joyously, "and you surely stuck by the
+missing member in masterly fashion."
+
+"Wa'al, you've stuck by us jest ez hard many a time," said Long Jim
+meditatively. "Paul, what wuz the name uv the feller that stuck by the
+other feller, the only big one, that got away from Troy after the Greeks
+rode into the town inside a hoss?"
+
+"You're thinking of the faithful Achates, Jim," replied Paul, "and Æneas
+was the name of the big one to whom he was faithful."
+
+"Yes, that's the feller. Henry, you're our Æneas, an' I'm an Achates;
+Paul's another, Tom's another and Sol's another. Uv course we couldn't
+go away without our Æneas, an' while I'm talkin' I want to say, Paul,
+that the tale about the takin' uv Troy is the tallest hoss story ever
+told. Ef it wuzn't writ in the books I wouldn't believe it. Think uv
+your fightin' off a hull army fur ten years or so, an' then draggin'
+that army into your town inside a wooden hoss. It can't be so. I've
+knowed some pow'ful liars myself, but the tribe must hev gone down hill
+a lot since the days uv them ancients."
+
+Paul merely laughed and took another bite out of his venison steak.
+
+"Anyway, Henry," said Shif'less Sol, "ef you've been Æneas you're goin'
+to be the wandering 'Lysses fur a while, an' we're goin' to be fightin'
+Greeks, sailin' right along with you."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Henry in astonishment.
+
+"Tell him, Paul," said the shiftless one. "Saplin' hez cooked so well,
+an' I'm so busy eatin' I can't spare time fur talk."
+
+"We felt sure we'd rescue Henry," said Paul, "and we arranged everything
+so we could get back South as fast as we could. Knowing that the woods
+were full of warriors and that we didn't want to be interrupted in our
+travels, we took a big boat one night from Detroit--I suppose we stole
+it, but you have a right to steal from an enemy in war--and carried it
+off down the river, hiding it among thick bushes at the mouth of a
+creek, where we're sure it's now resting securely, say five or six miles
+from this spot. We also gathered a lot of stores, food and such things,
+and put them on the boat. It was another risk, but we took that also,
+and I'm confident that our good genius will save the boat and stores for
+us. If they're there waiting for us all right we're going down the river
+and then across Lake Erie. It will save us a lot of time."
+
+"Fine! fine!" exclaimed Henry with enthusiasm. "You've done well. It
+will be a lot easier and faster for us going so far by boat."
+
+"An' we'll see one uv the big lakes, too," said Long Jim.
+
+"We shorely will," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+In a few minutes they were on the march again, and found the boat
+undisturbed at the mouth of the creek. It was a stout craft with a sail,
+and lockers for stores. Doubtless Colonel de Peyster had attributed its
+disappearance to some of his own Indians who could not always be
+trusted, but in the press of military preparations he had found no time
+to seek it.
+
+"Now," said Shif'less Sol, "we'll take to the river. We may meet enemies
+thar, but it won't be ez long a trip ez the one we took down the Missip.
+Besides, ef we do meet enemies they ain't likely to be in big force ez
+most all the warriors seem to be drawed off fur the expeditions ag'inst
+Kentucky."
+
+"At any rate we'll risk it, as we have risked many other things," said
+Henry.
+
+The five embarked, and set sail fearlessly upon the river. Nevertheless,
+they did not neglect caution. They kept close to the Canadian shore,
+where they were in the shadow of the dense forest, and at least three
+were always on the watch with ready rifles across their knees. Yet they
+saw no enemy. This was the heart of the Indian country and the canoes of
+the warlike Northwestern tribes often floated on these waters, but
+to-day the five had the river to themselves. Peace was everywhere. Birds
+sang in the neighboring woods. Now and then a fish leaped from the water
+and sank back in a mass of bubbles. The broad river was a sheet of gold,
+and then a sheet of silver as the sun shifted.
+
+Henry appreciated all this rest and ease. He admired still more the
+foresight and daring of his comrades which enabled them to travel in
+such a luxurious way and so far. He examined carefully the weapons they
+had secured for him and saw that they were all of the first class. He
+also opened the various lockers and found them filled with venison,
+jerked buffalo meat, such luxuries as bread and coffee, and large
+quantities of powder and lead.
+
+"We found part of these in the boat," said Paul, "and it was your friend
+Lajeunais, who helped us to get the remainder. We do not go to sea
+unprovided."
+
+"You've all done so well," said Henry lazily, "that I'm not going to
+bother myself about anything."
+
+He put his double blankets under his head as a pillow and lay back
+luxuriously. Their good boat moved steadily on, the sail doing the work,
+while one of their number steered.
+
+"I hope the wind will continue to blow," said Jim Hart, gazing
+admiringly at Henry, "'cause ef it don't we'll then hev to git our oars
+an' row. An' it would spoil the purtiest picture uv a lazy feller I ever
+saw. Why, I never saw Shif'less Sol hisself look lazier or happier."
+
+Henry laughed. He knew that Jim Hart would have died in his defense.
+
+"I am lazy, Jim," he admitted. "I never felt so lazy in my life before.
+I like to lie here and look at the river and the country."
+
+"It's a fine big river," said Shif'less Sol, "but we can't see much of
+the country because of the trees, which shoot up so thick an' close on
+either bank, but I've heard that it ain't really a river, jest the
+stream o' water pourin' out o' them mighty lakes to the north into them
+lakes to the south, which ain't so mighty as the others, but which are
+mighty anyhow."
+
+"It's true," said Paul. "All of this is lake water which runs through
+the other lakes, too, and then out by a tremendous big river, hundreds
+of miles to the Atlantic Ocean."
+
+"When God made this chain uv lakes an' rivers he done one uv his biggest
+an' finest jobs," said Tom Ross reverentially.
+
+They moved on their course slowly but steadily. Once they saw a canoe
+near the further shore, containing a lone occupant.
+
+"It's a squaw," said Shif'less Sol, "an' she's pulled in near the land
+so she kin jump an' run ef we make for her."
+
+"Like ez not she thinks we're hunters or French from the fort," said
+Long Jim.
+
+"At any rate, we'll soon leave her far behind," said Henry.
+
+The breeze stiffened and she quickly dropped out of sight. Nor did they
+see any other human being that day. At night they anchored close
+inshore, among bushes and reeds, where they remained undisturbed until
+the morning. The remainder of the journey down the river passed in the
+same peace and ease, and then Paul, who was in the prow, caught a
+glimpse of a broad expanse which looked silvery white in the distance.
+
+"The lake! the lake!" he cried eagerly.
+
+They swept triumphantly over the last reach of the river and out upon
+the broad bosom of Lake Erie. In their earlier voyage down the
+Mississippi they had learned how to use a sail, and now when they were
+about a mile from land they took in the sail and looked about them.
+
+The great inland fresh water seas of North America aroused the greatest
+interest, even awe, among the earlier explorers, and there was not one
+among the five who did not look with eager eyes upon the ocean of
+waters. They were better informed, too, than the average woodsman
+concerning the size and shape of this mighty chain.
+
+"You look west and you look south an' you don't see nothin' but water,"
+said Long Jim.
+
+"And they say that the whole grand chain is fifteen hundred miles long,"
+said Paul, "and that Lake Superior reaches a width of three hundred
+miles."
+
+"It's a lot o' water," said Shif'less Sol, trailing his hand over the
+side, "an' while I'd like to explore it, I guess that the sooner we
+cross it the better it will be for what we're tryin' to do."
+
+"You're right," said Henry. "We'll set the sail again and tack as fast
+as we can to the south."
+
+The sail was set, and the boat, heeling over under a good breeze, moved
+rapidly. Paul and Henry watched with pleasure the white water foaming
+away on either side of the prow, and Long Jim also watched the trailing
+wake at the stern. Used to rivers but not to lakes, they did not really
+appreciate what dangers might await them on the bosom of Erie. Meanwhile
+the lake presented to them a most smiling surface. The waters rippling
+before the wind lay blue under a blue sky. The wind with its touch of
+damp was fresh and inspiring. Behind them the shore, with its great wall
+of green, sank lower and lower, until at last it passed out of sight.
+Long Jim, who sat in the stern watching, then spoke.
+
+"Boys," he said, "fur the fust time in the life uv any uv us thar ain't
+no land. Look to the east an' look to the west, look to the north an'
+look to the south an' thar ain't nothin' but water. The world uv land
+hez left us."
+
+There was a certain awe in Jim's tone that impressed them as they looked
+and saw that he spoke the truth. Their world was now one of water, and
+they felt how small was the boat that lay between them and the
+tremendous power of the lake.
+
+It was now somewhat past midday and the sun was uncommonly bright. The
+wind began to die, and the little waves no longer chased one another
+over the surface of the lake. No air gathered in the sail and presently
+the boat stopped.
+
+"Now wouldn't this make you mad?" exclaimed Shif'less Sol. "We can't
+move at all unless we git out the oars an' row, an' a lazy man like me
+ain't fond o' rowin' seventy or eighty miles across a big lake."
+
+Nor was the prospect pleasant to any of them. A little while ago they
+were moving swiftly at ease; now they rocked slightly in the swell, but
+did not go forward an inch. Hopeful that the wind would soon rise again
+they did not yet take to the oars. Meanwhile it was growing warmer. The
+reflection of the sun upon the water was dazzling, and they spread the
+sail again, not to catch the wind but as an awning to protect them from
+the burning rays.
+
+They also used the interval for food and drink, and as the wind still
+did not rise they were thinking of taking to the oars as a last resort
+when Henry called their attention to the southwest.
+
+"See that black spot down there," he said. "It seems to be only a few
+inches either way, but it doesn't look natural."
+
+"I'd call it a cloud," said Tom Ross judicially.
+
+"An' clouds ain't what we're wantin' jest now," said Jim Hart.
+
+Henry rose from his luxurious reclining position and gazed long and with
+great care at the black spot. He knew as well as Jim Hart that it was a
+cloud and he saw that it was growing. But a few inches across the
+horizon before, it stretched to feet and then to yards. Meanwhile not a
+breath of air stirred, the deep waters were waveless and the air hung
+hot and heavy about them. Henry had heard that dangerous storms came up
+very fast on the great lakes, and, although with no experience as a
+sailor except on rivers, he believed that one would soon be upon them.
+
+"Boys," he said, "look how that cloud grows. I believe we're in for a
+big wind and storm. We'd better take down our mast, make everything
+tight and strong, and get ready with the oars."
+
+All at once Henry resumed command, and the others instantly accepted it
+as the most natural and proper thing in the world. The mast was
+unshipped, it and the sail were lashed down, everything that was loose
+was put in the lockers, or was tied securely. Meanwhile the cloud grew
+with amazing rapidity. While the east and north were yet full of blazing
+light the south and west were darkening. A draught of cold wind came.
+The waters, motionless hitherto, suddenly heaved convulsively. Low
+thunder rolled, and the lightning flashed across the troubled waters.
+The five felt awe. They were familiar with great storms, but never
+before had they been in one with no land in sight. The little boat,
+which alone lay between them and the depths of the lake, became smaller
+and smaller. But the five, although they felt more tremors than when
+going into battle, sat with their oars in the thwarts, ready to fight as
+best they could the storm which would soon rush down upon them.
+
+The cold wind came in raw gusts, and there was rain on its edge which
+cut like hail. The boat rose and fell with the increasing waves. Henry
+took the helm, and, with the others at the oars, strove to keep the boat
+as steady as possible. With the usual foresight of borderers, they had
+already covered up their rifles, pistols and ammunition. Even on the
+water they would not neglect this precaution. Now the darkness spread to
+the entire heavens, the thunder crashed heavily, like invisible
+batteries firing, the lightning flared two or three times, showing the
+surface of the lake far and wide tinted a ghastly gray, and then, with a
+shriek and a roar, the wind struck them.
+
+The boat heeled over so far on its side that Henry thought at first they
+were gone, but after hanging for a moment or two, seemingly undecided,
+it righted itself, and the five uttered simultaneous sighs of relief.
+Yet the boat had shipped water which Paul began to bail out with his
+cap, while the others strove at the oars, seeking to meet and ride the
+waves which followed one another swiftly. The rain meanwhile was driving
+hard, and they were drenched, but they had no time to think of such
+things. Every effort was bent towards keeping afloat the boat, which was
+rushing before the wind they knew not whither.
+
+"There's a pail in that little locker," shouted Henry to Paul, "you can
+do better with that than with your cap."
+
+Paul opened the locker, and took out the pail. Then with great
+difficulty he closed the locker again, and set to work keeping the boat
+clear of water. He made much better progress with the pail, but now and
+then wind, rain and the rocking of the boat together threw him to his
+knees. His comrades were working full as hard. They made up for lack of
+experience with strength, intuitive quickness and courage. Often the
+boat seemed to be submerged by the crest of a great wave, but every time
+it emerged right side up with the industrious Paul still bailing.
+
+Meantime the wind kept up a continuous screaming, almost like that of a
+wild animal, a fearful sound which got upon the nerves of them all.
+Except when the lightning flared they were surrounded by a darkness like
+that of night. Suddenly Tom Ross shouted in a voice that could be heard
+above the whistling of the wind:
+
+"Jim, you're seein' the Great Lakes at last!"
+
+Then he bent grimly to his oar.
+
+Luckily the boat they had taken was a strong one, built partly for the
+storms which sometimes drive with such force across Erie, the shallowest
+of the five Great Lakes, and with the aid of the strong arms at the helm
+and oars she managed to ride every wave and swell. But it was a long
+time before the wind began to abate and they were half dead with
+exhaustion. Moreover they were covered with bruises where they had been
+hurled against the sides of the boat, and now and then they were almost
+blinded by the water dashing into their faces. Shif'less Sol afterward
+said that he felt as if some strong-armed man were slapping his cheek
+every minute or two.
+
+Yet hope began to return. They had kept afloat so long that they felt
+sure of keeping afloat all the time. There came a moment when the water
+from the lake ceased to enter the boat, although the rain still drenched
+them. The darkness lightened somewhat and Henry looked anxiously about
+them. He was trying to reckon in what direction they had come, but there
+was nothing that would enable him to tell. He saw nothing but the waste
+of waters. He knew that the wind had changed its course and they might
+now be driving back toward Detroit. He longed for light that might show
+them whence they had come.
+
+Now the storm, after declining, suddenly acquired new strength. The
+darkness closed in again thicker than ever and the hearts of the five
+sank. They were so tired that they felt they could not repel a second
+attack. Yet they summoned their courage anew and strove even more
+desperately than before. Another hour passed and Henry, who was looking
+ahead, suddenly saw a dark mass. He recognized it instantly and gave the
+sharp cry:
+
+"Land!"
+
+The three who were straining at the oars looked up, and Paul in his
+surprise let drop his tin pail. Henry had made no mistake. They could
+see that it was land despite the darkness and the driving rain. There
+was a low shore, with trees growing almost to the water's edge, and they
+thought at first that it was the western coast of the lake, but as they
+swiftly drove nearer Henry saw water both to right and left, and he knew
+that it was a little island. If they kept a straight course they would
+strike upon it, but with such violence that shipwreck was inevitable.
+Strong and agile as they were they might possibly escape with their
+lives.
+
+"Boys!" cried Henry, above the shouting of the wind, "we must make that
+island or we'll surely be lost in the storm!"
+
+"It's so!" Shif'less Sol shouted back, "but how are we to do it?"
+
+"Paul, you take the helm," said Henry, "and steer to the left of the
+island. The wind is blowing straight ahead and if we can come in behind
+the land we may strike a little stretch of comparatively smooth water."
+
+Paul took the helm and Henry seized a pair of oars. Paul could steer
+well, but Henry's strength would be needed now. On they drove, the rain
+beating hard on their backs, and the surf from the lake also driving
+into the boat. Paul steered steadily and the four bent powerfully on the
+oars, driving the boat in a wide curve to the left, where it would avoid
+possible rocks and shoals.
+
+Yet it was hard to bring the boat even diagonally against the wind. The
+waves turned it on its side and it trembled violently. The four labored
+at the oars until every pulse in their temples throbbed. Now the low
+shore and the green forest were coming very near, and Henry glanced at
+them from time to time. He was afraid that the wind and the waves would
+bring them back again and dash them upon the island, despite all their
+efforts. But the boat shot past fifty yards to the left, ran for a
+quarter of a mile along the edge of a low green island, and then with a
+mighty effort they brought it in behind the land.
+
+Here in a little space where the wind was beating itself to pieces
+against the trees in front of it, the sea was comparatively calm, and
+Paul deftly swung the boat about. His sharp eyes noticed a little cove,
+and, the four at the oars pulled for it with all their might. A minute,
+two minutes and they were in the cove and in safety. They had entered it
+by a channel not more than a dozen feet wide, and Paul's steering had
+been delicate and beautiful. Now the four drew in their oars and they
+swung in waters as quiet as those of a pond ruffled only by a little
+breeze. It it was an inlet not more than twenty yards across and it was
+sheltered about by mighty trees. The rain still poured upon them, but
+there was no longer any danger of shipwreck.
+
+The momentum had carried the boat to the far edge of the pool, and Henry
+sprang out. His muscles were so stiff and sore that, for a moment or
+two, he reeled, but he seized a bough and held fast. Then Tom tossed him
+a rope from the locker and in a minute the boat was secured head and
+stern to the trees. Then they stood upon land, wet but solid land, and
+in every heart was devout thankfulness.
+
+"The land for me every time," said Long Jim. "I like to feel something
+under my feet that I don't sink into. Ef an accident happens on land,
+thar you are, but ef an accident happens on the water, whar are you?"
+
+"What I need most is a pair o' kid gloves," said Shif'less Sol. "I've
+got purty tough hands, but I think them oars hez took all the skin off
+the inside o' 'em."
+
+"What we all need most," said Henry, "is shelter. We are soaked through
+and through, and we are stiff with bruises and exertion. Suppose we bail
+out the boat and try to use the sail as a sort of roof or cover."
+
+They were wedged in so closely among the trees that together with the
+boughs and the mast, which they set in place again, they managed to
+fasten the sail in such a manner that it caught most of the rain as it
+drove towards them. Everyone also gave up one of his pair of blankets
+for the same purpose, and then they were protected fairly. Still fearing
+colds and stiffness of the muscles they took off all their wet clothing
+and rubbed their bodies long and thoroughly. While they were at this
+work the rain decreased, and after a while ceased. The wind still blew
+and they heard branches crashing down from the trees, but none fell
+over them. They did not reclothe themselves but hung their soaked
+garments on boughs, and then everyone wrapped himself about with the dry
+blanket that he had left from his pair, the other still doing duty as a
+rain shield. Although the air was quite cool after the heavy rain, the
+blankets protected them and they began to feel a pleasant warmth. Their
+spirits indeed were improved so much that they could jest.
+
+"One would scarcely expect to see five Roman senators in their togas
+cast away on this little island in Lake Erie," said Paul, "but here we
+are."
+
+Long Jim with his bare legs as far as his knees protruding from his
+blanket was prowling among the lockers.
+
+"What's the noble senator lookin' fur?" asked Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I'm lookin' fur somethin' to help you an' all uv us," replied Long Jim,
+"while you're settin' thar lazy an' wuthless. We didn't search this boat
+very well when we took it, hevin' other pow'ful important matters on
+hand, but them that owned it wuz men uv sense. Lots uv useful things are
+hid away in these little lockers. Ah, look at this! Shorely it's
+industry an' enterprise that gits the rewards!"
+
+He drew triumphantly from the corner of a locker an iron coffee pot and
+a large package of ground coffee.
+
+"Now I've got the coffee an' the coffee pot," he said, "an' ef the rest
+uv you hev got sense enough to build a fire I'll hev you feelin' like
+kings ten minutes after that fire is built. Thar are two pewter cups in
+that locker also, so nothin' is lackin'."
+
+"You've certainly done your part, Jim," said Henry, "an' now we'll try
+to do ours, although it won't be any easy job."
+
+They had not been woodsmen all their lives for nothing. The ground under
+the trees was covered more than a foot deep with leaves, the
+accumulation of many years. It is difficult for water to penetrate all
+the way through such a carpet, and turning them over they found here and
+there some leaves fairly dry, which they put in a heap. They also cut
+off all the wet outside from some dead boughs with their strong hunting
+knives, and then shaved off dry splinters which they put with the
+leaves.
+
+The four gathered in a group about the little heap, looking very odd in
+their blankets, with their bare ankles and shoulders projecting, and
+Henry began work with the flint and steel. After many efforts he set
+fire to the finer of the splinters, and then the flames spread to the
+leaves and larger pieces of wood. They had succeeded, and as Shif'less
+Sol fed the fire, he said triumphantly to Long Jim:
+
+"Now, Jim, everything's ready fur you. Bring on your coffee an' b'il it.
+I want fourteen cups myself."
+
+Jim set to work at once, showing with pride his skill in such a task.
+The flames were not permitted to rise high, but they burned rapidly,
+making a fine bed of coals, and within ten minutes the coffee was ready.
+Then they drank, warming themselves through and through, and receiving
+new life. They also warmed some of the deer and buffalo steaks over the
+coals, and ate real bread from the lockers.
+
+"All things must come to an end," said Shif'less Sol, with a sigh, when
+he could eat no more. "It's on sech 'casions ez this that I realize it.
+I wish I wuz ez hungry ez I wuz a little while ago, an' could eat all
+over ag'in."
+
+"We've been in big luck," said Henry. "If it hadn't been for this little
+island I believe we would have been wrecked. It's true, too, that we'll
+have to go around in our blankets for a while yet, because I don't
+believe those clothes of ours will dry before morning."
+
+"Suits me," said Jim Hart, as with proverbial caution he put out the
+fire after finishing cooking. "I wouldn't mind goin' 'roun' in a blanket
+in summer. Injuns do it an' they find it pow'ful healthy. Now the wind
+is dyin' an' the clouds are passin' away, but it's goin' to be dark
+anyhow. Jedgin' from the looks uv things the night is right here."
+
+The wind undoubtedly was sinking fast. The great storm was blowing
+itself away as rapidly as it had blown up. The trees ceased to shake and
+moan, and looking down the channel whence they had entered, the five saw
+that the high waves no longer rolled across the surface of the lake. In
+a few minutes more the last breath of the wind whistled off to eastward.
+A cold twilight fell over the little isle of safety and the great lake,
+of whose rage they had been such vivid witnesses.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A TIMELY RESCUE
+
+
+Jim Hart sat down in the boat, drew his legs up under his blanket,
+shivered as he took a long look down the channel at the cold gray lake,
+and said:
+
+"Boys, you know how I wanted to see one of the great lakes; well, I hev
+saw, an' hevin' saw I think the look will last me a long time. I think
+Injuns wuz right when they put pow'ful spirits on these lakes, ready to
+make an end of anybody that come foolin' with thar region. The land fur
+me hereafter. Why, I wuz so skeered an' I had to work so hard I didn't
+hev time to git seasick."
+
+"But we have to go on the lake again, Jim," said Henry. "This is an
+island."
+
+Jim sighed.
+
+Henry looked at the dense forest that enclosed the cove, and he thought
+once of exploring the islet even if it were in the night, but the woods
+were so thick and they still dripped so heavily with the rain, although
+the latter had ceased some time ago, that he resolved to remain by the
+boat. Besides it was only an islet anyway, and there was no probability
+that it was inhabited.
+
+"I think," he said, "that we'd better fasten our clothes so tightly that
+they won't blow away, and sleep in the boat. Two will keep watch, and as
+I have had the most rest I'll be sentinel until about one in the
+morning, and then Tom can take my place."
+
+The agreement was quickly made. They took down the sail and the wet
+blankets, spread them out to dry, while the four, disposing themselves
+as best they could, quickly went to sleep. Henry sat in the prow, rifle
+across his knees, and thought that, despite dangers passed and dangers
+to come, Providence had been very kind to them.
+
+The darkness thinned by and by and a fine moon came out. Beads of water
+still stood upon the leaves and boughs, and the moonshine turned them to
+silver. The bit of forest seemed to sparkle and in the blue heavens the
+great stars sprang out in clusters. The contrast between the night and
+the day was startling. Now everything seemed to breathe of peace, and of
+peace only. A light wind rose and then the silver beads disappeared from
+leaf and bough. But it was a friendly wind and it sang most pleasantly
+among the trees. Under its influence the garments of the five would dry
+fast, and as Henry looked at them and then down at his comrades, wrapped
+in their "togas" he felt an inclination to laugh. But this desire to
+laugh was only proof of his mental relaxation, of the ease and
+confidence that he felt after great dangers passed.
+
+Certainly his comrades were sleeping well. Not one of them moved, and he
+saw the blankets across their chests rising and falling with regularity.
+Once he stepped out of the boat and walked down to the entrance of the
+channel, whence he looked out upon the surface of the lake. Save for the
+islet he saw land nowhere, north, south, east or west. The great lake
+stretched away before them apparently as vast as the sea, not gray now,
+but running away in little liquid waves of silver in the moonlight.
+Henry felt its majesty as he had already felt its might. He had never
+before appreciated so keenly the power of nature and the elements.
+Chance alone had put in their way this little island that had saved
+their lives.
+
+He walked slowly back and resumed his place in the boat. That fine
+drying wind was still singing among the trees, making the leaves rustle
+softly together and filling Henry's mind with good thoughts. But these
+gave way after a while to feelings of suspicion. His was an exceedingly
+sensitive temperament. It often seemed to the others--and the wilderness
+begets such beliefs--that he received warnings through the air itself.
+He could not tell why his nerves were affected in this manner, but he
+resolved that he would not relax his vigilance a particle, and when the
+time came for him to awaken Tom Ross he decided to continue on guard
+with him.
+
+"'Tain't wuth while, Henry," remonstrated Ross. "Nothin's goin' to
+happen here on an islan' that ain't got no people but ourselves on it."
+
+"Tom," replied Henry, "I've got a feeling that I'd like to explore this
+island."
+
+"Mornin' will be time enough."
+
+"No, I think I'll do it now. I ought to go all over it in an hour. Don't
+take me for an Indian when I'm coming back and shoot at me."
+
+"I'd never mistake a Roman senator in his togy for an Injun," replied
+Tom Ross grinning.
+
+Henry looked at his clothes, but despite the drying wind they were still
+wet.
+
+"I'll have to go as a Roman after all," he said.
+
+He fastened the blanket tightly about his body in the Indian fashion,
+secured his belt with pistol, tomahawk and knife around his waist, and
+then, rifle in hand, he stepped from the boat into the forest.
+
+"Watch good, Tom," he said. "I may be gone some time."
+
+"You'll find nothin'."
+
+"Maybe so; maybe not."
+
+The woods through which Henry now passed were yet wet, and every time he
+touched a bough or a sapling showers of little drops fell upon him. The
+patch of forest was dense and the trees large. The trees also grew
+straight upward, and Henry concluded at once that he would find a
+little distance ahead a ridge that sheltered this portion of the island
+from the cruel north and northwest winds.
+
+His belief was verified as the rise began within three hundred yards. It
+ascended rather abruptly, having a total height of seventy or eighty
+feet, and seeming to cross the island from east to west. Standing under
+the shadow of a great oak Henry looked down upon the northern half of
+the island, which was quite different in its characteristics from the
+southern half. A portion of it was covered with dwarfed vegetation, but
+the rest was bare rock and sand. There were two or three inlets or
+landing places on the low shore. As the moonlight was now good, Henry
+saw all over this portion of the island, but he could not detect any
+sign of human habitation.
+
+"I suppose Tom is right," he said to himself, "and that there is nothing
+to be seen."
+
+But he had no idea of going back without exploring thoroughly, and he
+descended the slope toward the north. The way led for a little distance
+among the shrub bushes from which the raindrops still fell upon him as
+he passed, and then he came into an open space almost circular in shape
+and perhaps thirty yards in diameter. Almost in the center of the rock a
+spring spouted and flowed away through a narrow channel to the lake. On
+the far side of the spring rose four upright stakes in a row about six
+feet apart. Henry wondered what they meant and he approached cautiously,
+knowing that they had been put there by human hands.
+
+Some drifting clouds now passed and the moonlight shone with a sudden
+burst of splendor. Henry was close to the stakes and suddenly he
+shuddered in every vein. They were about as high as a man's head, firmly
+fastened in the ground, and all of them were blackened and charred
+somewhat by fire, although their strength was not impaired. At the base
+of every one lay hideous relics. Henry shivered again. He knew. Here
+Indians brought their captives and burned them to death, partly for the
+sake of their own vengeance and partly to propitiate the mighty spirits
+that had their abode in the depths of the great lakes. He was sure that
+his comrades and he had landed upon a sacrificial island, and he
+resolved that they should depart at the very first light in the morning.
+
+This island which had seemed so fine and beautiful to him suddenly
+became ghastly and repellent, but his second thought told him that they
+had nothing to fear at present. It was not inhabited. The warriors
+merely came here for the burnings, and then it was quite likely that
+they departed at once.
+
+Henry examined further. On the bushes beyond the stakes he found amulets
+and charms of bone or wood, evidently hung there to ward off evil
+spirits, and among these bushes he saw more bones of victims. Then he
+noticed two paths leading away from the place, each to a small inlet,
+where the boats landed. Calculating by the moon and stars he could now
+obtain a general idea of the direction in which they had come and he was
+sure that the nearest part of the mainland lay to the west. He saw a
+dark line there, and he could not tell whether it was the shore or a low
+bank of mist.
+
+Then he made a diligent exploration of all this part of the island,
+assuring himself further that it had never been occupied permanently. He
+saw at one place the ruins of a temporary brush shelter, used probably
+during a period of storm like that of the night before, and on the beach
+he found the shattered remains of a large canoe. Henry looked down at
+the broken canoe thoughtfully. It may have been wrecked while on its way
+with a victim for the stake, and if the warriors had perished it might
+have been due to the wrath of the Great Spirit.
+
+He walked slowly back over the ridge through the forest and down to the
+boat. Tom saw him coming but said nothing until he stepped into the boat
+beside him.
+
+"You stayed a long time," he said, "but I see you've brought nothing
+back with you."
+
+"It's true that I've brought nothing with me, but I've found a lot."
+
+"What did you find, Henry?"
+
+"I found many bones, the bones of human beings."
+
+"Men's bones?"
+
+"Yes. I'm sure that it is an island to which Indiana come to burn their
+prisoners, and although none are here now--I've looked it all over--I
+don't like it. There's something uncanny about it."
+
+"An' yet it's a pretty little islan', too," said Tom Ross, thoughtfully,
+"an' mighty glad we wuz to see it yes'day, when we wuz druv before that
+howlin' an' roarin' storm, with but one chance in a hundred uv livin'."
+
+"That's so," said Henry. "We owe the island a debt of gratitude if
+others don't. I've no doubt that if it were not for this little piece of
+land we should have been drowned. Still, the sooner we get away the
+better. How have the others been getting on, Tom?"
+
+"Sleepin' ez reg'lar an' steady ez clocks. It's wuth while to see
+fellers snoozin' away so happy."
+
+Henry smiled. The three, as they lay in the boat, breathing deeply and
+unconscious of everything, were certainly a picture of rest.
+
+"How long do you calculate it is to daylight?" asked Henry.
+
+"Not more'n two hours, an' it's goin' to come bright an' clear, an' with
+a steady wind that will take us to the south."
+
+"That's good, and I think that you and I, Tom, ought to be getting
+ready. This drying wind has been blowing for a long time, and our
+clothes should be in condition again. Anyway I'm going to see."
+
+He took down the garments from the bushes, and found that all were quite
+dry. Then he and Tom reclothed themselves and laid the apparel for the
+other three by their sides, ready for them when they should awake. Tom
+puckered up his lips and blew out a deep breath of pleasure.
+
+"It may be mighty fine to be a Roman senator in a togy," he said, "but
+not in these parts. Give me my good old huntin' shirt an' leggings.
+Besides, I feel a sight more respectable."
+
+Shortly, it was dawn, and the three sleepers awoke, glad to have their
+clothes dry again, and interested greatly in Henry's exploration of the
+island.
+
+"Jim, you do a little more cooking," said Henry, "and Sol, Tom and I
+will go over to the other end of the island again. When we come back
+we'll hoist our sail, have breakfast, and be off."
+
+They followed the path that Henry had taken during the night, leaving
+Paul and Jim busy with the cooking utensils. The little patch of forest
+was now entirely dry, and a great sun was rising from the eastern
+waters, tingeing the deep green of the trees with luminous gold. The
+lake was once more as smooth and peaceful as if no storm had ever passed
+over its surface.
+
+They stopped at the crest of the transverse ridge and saw in the west
+the dark line, the nature of which Henry had been unable to decipher by
+moonlight. Now they saw that it was land, and they saw, too, another
+sight that startled them. Two large canoes were approaching the island
+swiftly, and they were already so near that Henry and Shif'less Sol
+could see the features of their occupants. Neither of the boats had a
+sail. Both were propelled wholly by paddlers--six paddlers to each
+canoe--stalwart, painted Indians, bare of shoulders and chest. But in
+the center of the first canoe sat a man with arms bound.
+
+"It's a victim whom they are bringing for the stake and the sacrifice,"
+said Henry.
+
+"He must be from some tribe in the far North," said Shif'less Sol,
+"'cause all the Indian nations in the valley are allied."
+
+"He is not from any tribe at all," said Henry. "The prisoner is a white
+man."
+
+"A white man!" exclaimed Shif'less Sol, "an' you an' me, Henry, know
+that most o' the prisoners who are brought to these parts are captured
+in Kentucky."
+
+"It's so, and I don't think we ought to go away in such a hurry."
+
+"Meanin' we might be o' help?"
+
+"Meaning we might be of help."
+
+Henry watched the boats a minute or two longer, and saw that they were
+coming directly for one of the little inlets on the north end of the
+island. Moreover, they were coming fast under the long sweep of the
+paddles swung by brown and sinewy arms.
+
+"Tom," he said to Ross, "you go back for Paul. Tell Jim to have the sail
+up and ready for us when we come, and meanwhile to guard the boat.
+That's a white man and they intend to burn him as a sacrifice to Manitou
+or the spirits of the lake. We've got to rescue him."
+
+The others nodded assent and Tom hurried away after Paul, while Henry
+and Sol continued to watch the oncoming boats. They crept down the slope
+to the very fringe of the trees and lay close there, although they had
+little fear of discovery, unless it was caused by their own lack of
+caution.
+
+The boats reached the inlet, and, for a few moments, they were hidden
+from the two watchers, by the bushes and rocks, but they heard the
+Indians talking, and Henry was confirmed in his opinion that they did
+not dream of any presence besides their own on the island. At length
+they emerged into view again, the prisoner walking between two warriors
+in front, and Henry gave a start of horror.
+
+"Sol," he said in a whisper, "don't you recognize that gray head?"
+
+"I think I do."
+
+"Don't you know that tall, slender figure?"
+
+"I'm shore I do."
+
+"Sol, that can be nobody but Mr. Silas Pennypacker, to whom Paul and I
+went to school in Kentucky."
+
+"It's the teacher, ez shore ez you're born."
+
+Henry's thrill of horror came again. Mr. Pennypacker lived at Wareville,
+the home of his own family and Paul's. What had happened? There was the
+expedition of the harelipped Bird with his powerful force and with
+cannon! Could it be possible that he had swept Wareville away and that
+the teacher had been given to the Indians for sacrifice? A terrible
+anger seized him and Shif'less Sol, by his side, was swayed by the same
+emotion.
+
+"It is he, Sol! It is he!" he whispered in intense excitement.
+
+"Yes, Henry," replied the shiftless one, "it's the teacher."
+
+"Do you think his presence here means Wareville has been destroyed by
+Bird?"
+
+"I'm hopin' that it doesn't, Henry."
+
+Shif'less Sol spoke steadily, but Henry could read the fear in his mind,
+and the reply made his own fears all the stronger.
+
+"They are going to sacrifice that good old man, Sol," he said.
+
+"They mean to do it, but people sometimes mean to do things that they
+don't do."
+
+They remained in silence until Tom returned with Paul, who was excited
+greatly when he learned that Mr. Pennypacker was there a prisoner.
+
+"Lie perfectly still, all of you, until the time comes," said Henry.
+"We've got to save him, and we can only do it by means of a surprise and
+a rush."
+
+The Indians and their prisoner were now not more than a hundred yards
+away, having come into the center of the open circle used for the
+sacrifice, and they stood there a little while talking. Mr.
+Pennypacker's arms were bound, but he held himself erect. His face was
+turned toward the South, his home, and it seemed to Henry and
+Paul--although it was fancy, the distance being too great to see--that
+his expression was rapt and noble as if he already saw beyond this life
+into the future. They loved and respected him. Paul had been his
+favorite pupil, and now tears came into the eyes of the boy as he
+watched. The old man certainly had seen the stakes, and doubtless he had
+surmised their purpose.
+
+"What's your plan, Henry?" whispered Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I think they're going to eat. Probably they've been rowing all the
+morning and are tired and hungry. They mean after that to go ahead with
+their main purpose, but we'll take 'em while they're eating. I hate to
+fire on anybody from ambush, but it's got to be done. There's no other
+way. We'll all lie close together here, and when the time comes to fire,
+I'll give the word."
+
+The Indians sat on the ground after their fashion and began to eat cold
+food. Apparently they paid little attention to their prisoner, who stood
+near, and to whom they offered nothing. Why should he eat? He would
+never be hungry again. Nor need they watch him closely now. They had
+left a man with each of the boats, and even if he should run he could
+not escape them on the island.
+
+Henry and Paul saw Mr. Pennypacker walk forward a few steps and look
+intently at the posts. Then he bowed his gray head and stood quite
+still. Both believed that he was praying. Water again rose in Paul's
+eyes and Henry's too were damp.
+
+"Boys," whispered Henry, "I think the time has come. Take aim. We'll
+pick the four on the left, Sol the first on the end, the second for me,
+Tom the third and Paul the fourth. Now, boys, cock your rifles, and take
+aim, the best aim that you ever took in your life, and when I say
+'Fire!' pull the trigger."
+
+Every man from the covert did as he was directed. When Henry looked down
+the sights and picked out the right place on the broad chest of a
+warrior, he shuddered a little. He repeated to himself that he did not
+like it, this firing from ambush, but there was the old man, whom they
+loved, doomed to torture and the sacrifice. His heart hardened like
+flint and he cried "Fire!"
+
+Four rifles flashed in the thicket. Two warriors fell without a sound.
+Two more leaped away, wounded, and all the others sprang to their feet
+with cries of surprise and alarm.
+
+"Up and at 'em!" cried Henry in a tremendous voice. "Cut them to
+pieces!"
+
+Drawing their pistols they rushed into the open space and charged upon
+the warriors, firing as they came.
+
+The Indians were Wyandots, men who knew little of fear, but the surprise
+and the deadly nature of the attack was too much for them. Perhaps
+superstition also mingled with their emotions. Doubtless the spirits of
+the lake were angry with them for some cause, and the best thing they
+could do was to leave it as soon as they could. But one as he ran did
+not forget to poise his hatchet for a cast at the prisoner. The Reverend
+Silas Pennypacker would have seen his last sun that day had not Henry
+noticed the movement and quickly fired his pistol at the uplifted hand.
+The bullet pierced the Indian's palm, the tomahawk was dashed from his
+hand, and with a howl of pain he sped after the others who were flying
+for the boats.
+
+Henry and his comrades did not pursue. They knew that they must act with
+all speed, as the Wyandots would quickly recover from their panic, and
+come back in a force that was still two to one. A single sweep of his
+knife and his old schoolmaster's arms were free. Then he shouted in the
+dazed man's ears:
+
+"Come, Mr. Pennypacker, we must run for it! Don't you see who we are?
+Here's Paul Cotter, and I'm Henry Ware, and these are Sol Hyde and Tom
+Ross! We've got a boat on the other side of the island and the sooner we
+get there the better!"
+
+He snatched up a rifle, powder horn and bullet pouch from one of the
+fallen warriors and thrust them in the old man's hands. Mr. Pennypacker
+was still staring at them in a dazed manner, but at last the light broke
+through.
+
+"Oh, my boys! my brave boys!" he cried. "It is really you, and you have
+saved me at the eleventh hour! I had given up all hope, but lo! the
+miracle is done!"
+
+Henry took him by the arm, and obeying the impulse he ran with them
+through the wood. Already Henry heard shouts which indicated to him that
+the Wyandots had turned, and, despite his anxiety about Wareville, he
+asked nothing of Mr. Pennypacker for the present.
+
+"You lead the way, Paul," he cried. "Jim, of course, has the boat ready
+with the sail up and the oars in place. We'll be out on the lake in a
+few minutes, Mr. Pennypacker. There, do you hear that? The Wyandots are
+now in full pursuit!"
+
+A long piercing cry came from the woods behind them. It was the Wyandot
+leader encouraging his warriors. Henry knew that they would come fast,
+and Mr. Pennypacker, old and not used to the ways of the wilderness,
+could go but slowly. Although Long Jim was sure to be ready, the
+embarkation would be dangerous. It was evident that Mr. Pennypacker,
+extremely gaunt and thin, was exhausted already by a long march and
+other hardships. Now he labored heavily, drawing long breaths.
+
+"Those fellows will be on us in a minute or two, Sol," Henry whispered
+to the shiftless one, "unless we burn their faces."
+
+"I reckon we're able to do the burnin'," replied Shif'less Sol.
+
+Henry, Tom and Sol dropped to a walk, and in a few moments stopped
+altogether. Paul, with Mr. Pennypacker by his side, kept on for the boat
+as fast as the old man's strength would allow. Henry caught a glimpse of
+a figure running low in the thicket and fired. A cry came back, but he
+could not tell whether the wound was mortal. Shif'less Sol fired with a
+similar result. Two or three bullets were sent back at them, but none
+touched. Then the three, keeping themselves hidden resumed their flight.
+They reckoned that the check to the Wyandots would give Paul, with Mr.
+Pennypacker, time to reach the boat before the warriors could come
+within range of the latter.
+
+The three now ran very swiftly, and, in a few minutes, were at the edge
+of the inlet, where the boat lay, just in time to see Paul pick up the
+old schoolmaster, who had fallen with exhaustion, and lift him into the
+boat. The three sprang in after them.
+
+"We'll watch with the rifles, Sol," exclaimed Henry. "The rest of you
+row until we're outside, when the sail can do most of the pulling."
+
+It was quick work now and skillful. Mr. Pennypacker, scarcely able to
+draw a breath, lay like a log in the bottom of the boat, but in less
+than a half minute after the three leaped on board they were gliding
+down the inlet. Before they reached the open lake the Indians appeared
+among the trees and began to shout and fire. But they were in such
+haste that nothing was struck except the boat, which did not mind.
+Silent Tom, who had restrained his fire, now sent a bullet that struck
+the mark and the warriors rushed to cover. Then they were out of the
+inlet, the fine wind filled the sail, and away they sped toward the
+south.
+
+The warriors appeared at the edge of the water while the boat's crew
+were still within range, but when Henry and the shiftless one raised
+their rifles they shrank back. They had tested already the quality of
+their foes, and they did not like it. When they reappeared from the
+shelter of the trees the boat was out of range. Nevertheless they fired
+two or three shots that spattered on the water, waved their tomahawks
+and shouted in anger. Shif'less Sol stood up in the boat and shouted
+back at them:
+
+"Keep cool, my red brethren, keep cool! We have escaped and you see that
+we have! So do not waste good bullets which you may need another time!
+And above all keep your tempers! Wise men always do! Farewell!"
+
+It is not likely that they understood the words of the shiftless one,
+but certainly the derisive gestures that he made as he sat down were not
+lost upon them.
+
+"Sol, can't you ever be serious?" said Henry to his comrade.
+
+"Be serious? O' course I kin at the right time," replied the shiftless
+one, "but what's the use o' bein' serious now? Haven't we rescued
+ourselves an' the schoolmaster, too? Ain't we in a boat with a sail that
+kin leave the two boats o' them warriors far behind, an' ain't we got a
+bee-yu-ti-ful day to sail over a bee-yu-ti-ful lake? So what's the use
+o' bein' serious? The time fur that wuz ten minutes ago."
+
+It was evident that the Wyandots considered pursuit useless or that they
+feared the Kentucky rifles, as they gathered in a group on the beach and
+watched the flying boat recede.
+
+"Didn't I tell you it wuzn't wuth while to be serious now, Henry?" said
+Shif'less Sol. "We're hevin' the easiest kind o' a time an' them
+warriors standin' thar on the shore look too funny for anything. I wish
+I could see their faces. I know they would look jest like the faces o'
+wolves, when somethin' good had slipped from between their teeth."
+
+Paul and Henry were busy reviving Mr. Pennypacker. They threw fresh
+water from the lake over his face and poured more down his throat. As
+they worked with him they noted his emaciated figure. He was only a
+skeleton, and his fainting even in so short a flight was no cause for
+wonder. Gradually he revived, coughed and sat up.
+
+"I fell," he said. "It was because I was so weak. What has happened? Are
+we not moving?"
+
+His eyes were yet dim, and he was not more than half conscious.
+
+"You are with us, your friends. You remember?" said Henry. "We rescued
+you at the place of the stakes, and we all got away unhurt. We are in a
+boat now sailing over Lake Erie."
+
+"And I saved you a rifle and ammunition," said Paul. "Here they are,
+ready for you when you land."
+
+Mr. Pennypacker's dim eyes cleared, and he gazed at the two youths in
+wonder and affection.
+
+"It is a miracle--a miracle!" he said. Then he added, after a moment's
+pause: "To escape thus after all the terrible things that I have seen!"
+
+Henry shivered a little, and then he asked the fateful questions.
+
+"And what of Wareville, Mr. Pennypacker? Has it been destroyed? Do
+Paul's people and mine still live? Have they been taken away as
+captives? Why were you a prisoner?"
+
+The questions came fast, then they stopped suddenly, and he and Paul
+waited with white faces for the answers.
+
+"Wareville is not destroyed," replied Mr. Pennypacker. "An English
+officer named Bird, a harelipped man, came with a great force of
+Indians, some white men and cannon. They easily took Martin's and
+Ruddle's stations and all the people in them, but they did not go
+against Wareville and other places. I think they feared the power of the
+gathering Kentuckians. I was at Martin's Station on a visit to an old
+friend when I was captured with the others. Bird and his army then
+retreated North with the prisoners, more than three hundred in number,
+mostly women and children."
+
+The old man paused a moment and put his hands over his face.
+
+"I have seen many terrible things," he resumed, "and I cannot forget
+them. They said that we would be taken to Detroit and be held as
+prisoners there, but it has been a long and terrible march, many
+hundreds of miles through the wilderness, and the weak ones--they were
+many--could not stand it. They died in the wilderness, often under the
+Indian tomahawk, and I think that less than half of them will reach
+Detroit."
+
+The old schoolmaster paused, his voice choked with emotion, and every
+one of the five muttered something deep and wrathful under his breath.
+
+"I did the best I could," he resumed. "I helped whenever they let me,
+but the hardships were so great and they permitted us so little rest
+that I wasted away. I had no more than the strength of a little child.
+At last the warriors whom you saw took me from the others and turned to
+the east. We went through the woods until we came to the great lake. A
+terrible storm came up, but when it died we embarked in two boats and
+went to the island on which you found me. I did not know the purpose for
+which I was intended until I saw the stakes with those ghastly relics
+about them. Then I made up my mind to bear it as best I could."
+
+"You were to be made a burnt offering to the spirits of the lakes," said
+Henry. "Thank God we came in time. We go now to warn of another and
+greater expedition, led by Timmendiquas, the famous chief of the
+Wyandots."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE PAGES OF A BOOK
+
+
+None of the five knew how far they were down the lake, but they were
+able to guide their course by the sun, and, keeping the low bank of
+forest far beyond gunshot on their right, they moved before a favoring
+wind. The schoolmaster regained his strength fast. He was old, but a
+temperate life in the open air reënforced by plenty of exercise, had
+kept him wiry and strong. Now he sat up and listened to the long tale of
+the adventures of the five, whom he had not seen for many months
+previous to their great journey to New Orleans.
+
+"You have done well--you have done more than well," he said. "You have
+performed magnificent deeds. It is a beautiful land for which we fight,
+and, although our enemies are many and terrible and we suffer much, we
+shall surely triumph in the end. Bird with his cannon was compelled to
+go back. He could have battered down the palisade walls of any of the
+stations, but he feared the gathering of the white hunters and fighters.
+Above all he feared the coming of George Rogers Clark, the shield of the
+border."
+
+Henry's heart throbbed at the name of Clark, renowned victor of
+Vincennes and Kaskaskia.
+
+"Clark!" he exclaimed. "Is he in Kentucky?"
+
+"There or to the northward. It is said that he is gathering a force to
+attack the Indian villages."
+
+"If it could only be true!" said Paul.
+
+The others echoed the wish.
+
+Henry remained silent, but for a long time he was very thoughtful. The
+news that Wareville was untouched by the raid had relieved him
+immensely, and he was very hopeful also that George Rogers Clark was
+coming again to the rescue. The name of Clark was one with which to
+conjure. It would draw all the best men of the border and moreover it
+would cause Timmendiquas, Caldwell and their great force to turn aside.
+Once more hope was in the ascendant. Meanwhile, the sparkling breeze
+blew them southward, and the eyes of all grew brighter. Fresh life
+poured into the veins of the schoolmaster, and he sat up, looking with
+pleasure at the rippling surface of the lake.
+
+"It reminds me in a way of the time when we fled from the place of the
+giant bones," he said, "and I hope and believe that our flight will end
+as happily."
+
+"That looks like a long time ago, Mr. Pennypacker," said Tom Ross, "an'
+we hev traveled a mighty lot since. I reckon that we've been to places
+that I never heard uv until Paul told about 'em, Troy and Rome an'
+Alexander--"
+
+"Tom," broke in Shif'less Sol, "you're gettin' mixed. Troy's dead, an'
+we may hev got close to Rome, but we never did ackshally reach the town.
+An' ez fur Alexander, that wuz a man an' not a city."
+
+"It don't make no difference," replied Tom, not at all abashed. "What do
+all them old names amount to anyhow? Like ez not the people that lived
+in 'em got mixed about 'em themselves."
+
+Mr. Pennypacker smiled.
+
+"It doesn't make any difference about Rome and Troy," he said. "You've
+been all the way down to New Orleans and you've fought in the East with
+the Continental troops. Your adventures have been fully as wonderful as
+those of Ulysses, and you have traveled a greater distance."
+
+They sailed on all through the day, still seeing that low shore almost
+like a cloud bank on their right, but nothing save water ahead of them.
+Henry was sure that it was not above sixty miles across the lake, but he
+calculated that they had been blown about a great deal in the storm, and
+for all they knew the island might have been far out of their course.
+
+It was evident that they could not reach the south shore before dusk,
+and they turned in toward the land. Shif'less Sol hailed the turning of
+the boat's course with delight.
+
+"Boats are all right fur travelin'," he said, "when the wind's blowin'
+an' you've a sail. A lazy man like me never wants nothin' better, but
+when the night comes on an' you need to sleep, I want the land. I never
+feel the land heavin' an' pitchin' under me, an' it gives me more of a
+safe an' home feelin'."
+
+"Watch, everybody, for a landing place," said Henry, "and Paul, you
+steer."
+
+The green shore began to rise, showing a long unbroken wall of forest,
+but the dusk was coming too, and all of them were anxious to make land.
+Presently, they were only three or four hundred yards from the coast and
+they skimmed rapidly along it, looking for an anchorage. It was full
+night before Henry's sharp eyes saw the mouth of a creek almost hidden
+by tall grass, and, taking down the sail, they pulled the boat into it.
+They tied their craft securely to a tree, and the night passed without
+alarm.
+
+They resumed the voyage early the next morning, and that day reached the
+southern coast of the lake. Here they reluctantly left the boat. They
+might have found a river emptying into the lake down which they could
+have gone a hundred or more miles further, but they were not
+sufficiently acquainted with this part of the country to spend their
+time in hunting for it. They drew their good little craft as far as they
+could among the weeds and bushes that grew at the water's edge.
+
+"That's two good boats we've got hid on the water ways," said Shif'less
+Sol, "besides a half dozen canoes scattered here an' thar, an' mebbe
+we'll find 'em an' use 'em some day."
+
+"This cost us nothin'," said Jim Hart, "so I reckon we ain't got any
+right to grieve, 'cause we're givin' up what we never paid fur."
+
+They took out of the boat all the supplies that they could conveniently
+carry, and then started toward the southwest. The course to Kentucky now
+led through the heart of the Indian country. Between them and the Ohio
+lay the great Indian villages of Chillicothe, Piqua and many others, and
+the journey in any event would be dangerous. But the presence of the old
+schoolmaster was likely to make it more so, since he could not travel
+with any approach to the speed and skill of the others. Yet no one
+thought, for a moment, of blaming him. They were happy to have rescued
+him, and, moreover, he had brought them the good news that Wareville was
+untouched by the Bird invasion. Yet speed was vital. The scattered
+stations must be warned against the second and greater expedition under
+Caldwell and Timmendiquas. Mr. Pennypacker himself perceived the fact
+and he urged them to go on and leave him. He felt sure that with a rifle
+and plenty of ammunition he could reach Wareville in safety.
+
+"You can give me a lot of food," he said, "and doubtless I shall be able
+to shoot some game. Now go ahead and leave me. Many lives may depend
+upon it."
+
+They only laughed, but Shif'less Sol and Henry, who had been whispering
+together, announced a plan.
+
+"This here expedition is goin' to split," said the shiftless one. "Henry
+is the fastest runner an' the best woodsman of us all. I hate to admit
+that he's better than me, but he is, an' he's goin' on ahead. Now you
+needn't say anything, Mr. Pennypacker, about your makin' trouble,
+'cause you don't. We'd make Henry run on afore, even ef you wuzn't with
+us. That boy needs trainin' down, an' we intend to see that he gits the
+trainin'."
+
+There was nothing more to be said and the rest was done very quietly and
+quickly. A brief farewell, a handshake for everyone, and he was gone.
+
+Henry had never been in finer physical condition, and the feeling of
+responsibility seemed to strengthen him also in both body and mind. In
+one way he was sorry to leave his comrades and in another he was glad.
+Alone he would travel faster, and in the wilderness he never feared the
+loneliness and the silence. A sense, dead or atrophied in the ordinary
+human being, came out more strongly in him. It seemed to be a sort of
+divination or prescience, as if messages reached him through the air,
+like the modern wireless.
+
+He went southward at a long walk half a run for an hour or two before he
+stopped. Then he stood on the crest of a little hill and saw the deep
+woods all about him. There was no sign of his comrades whom he had left
+far behind, nor was there any indication of human life save himself. Yet
+he had seldom seen anything that appealed to him more than this bit of
+the wilderness. The trees, oak, beech and elm, were magnificent. Great
+coiling grape vines now and then connected a cluster of trees, but there
+was little undergrowth. Overhead, birds chattered and sang among the
+leaves, and far up in the sky a pair of eagles were speeding like black
+specks toward the lake. Henry inhaled deep breaths. The odors of the
+woods came to him and were sweet in his nostrils. All the wilderness
+filled him with delight. A black bear passed and climbed a tree in
+search of honey. Two deer came in sight, but the human odor reached them
+and they fled swiftly away, although they were in no danger from Henry.
+
+Then he, too, resumed his journey, and sped swiftly toward the south
+through the unbroken forest. He came after a while to marshy country,
+half choked with fallen wood from old storms. He showed his wonderful
+agility and strength. He leaped rapidly from one fallen log to another
+and his speed was scarcely diminished. Now and then he saw wide black
+pools, and once he crossed a deep creek on a fallen tree. Night found
+him yet in this marshy region, but he was not sorry as he had left no
+trail behind, and, after looking around some time, he found a little
+oasis of dry land with a mighty oak tree growing in the center. Here he
+felt absolutely secure, and, making his supper of dried venison, he lay
+down under the boughs of the oak, with one blanket beneath him and
+another above him and was soon in a deep and dreamless sleep.
+
+He awoke about midnight to find a gorgeous parade of the moon and all
+the stars, and he lay for a while watching them through the leaves of
+the oak. Powerful are nature and habit, and Henry's life was in
+accordance with both. Lying alone at midnight on that little knoll in
+the midst of a great marsh in the country of wary and cruel enemies, he
+was thankful that it had been given to him to be there, and that his lot
+had been cast among the conditions that surrounded him.
+
+He heard a slight noise to the left of him, but he knew that it was only
+another hungry bear stealing about. There was a light splash in the pool
+at the foot of the knoll, but it was only a large fish leaping up and
+making a noise as it fell back. Far to the south something gleamed
+fitfully among the trees, but it was only marsh fire. None of these
+things disturbed him, and knowing that the wilderness was at peace he
+laid his head back on the turf and fell asleep again. At break of day he
+was up and away, and until afternoon he sped toward the south in the
+long running walk which frontiersmen and Indians could maintain for
+hours with ease. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, he stopped as
+suddenly as if he had come to a river's brink. He had struck a great
+trail, not a path made by three or four persons but by hundreds. He
+could see their road a hundred yards wide. Here so many feet had trodden
+that the grass was yet thinner than elsewhere; there lay the bones of
+deer, eaten clean and thrown away. Further on was a feather trimmed and
+dyed that had fallen from a scalp lock, and beyond that, a blanket
+discarded as too old and ragged lay rotting.
+
+These were signs that spoke to Henry as plainly as if the words
+themselves were uttered. A great wilderness army had passed that way and
+for a while he was in doubt. Was it the force of Bird coming back to the
+North? But it was undoubtedly a trail several weeks old. Everything
+indicated it. The bones had been bleached by the sun, the feather was
+beaten partly into the earth by rain, and the tattered old blanket had
+been pawed and torn still further by wolves. But none of these things
+told what army it might be. He hunted, instead, for some low place that
+might have been soft and marshy when the warriors passed, and which,
+when it dried, would preserve the outline of a footstep. He advanced a
+full mile, following the broad trail which was like an open road to him
+until he came to such a place. Then he kneeled and examined it
+critically. In a half dozen places he saw held in the hard earth the
+outline of footsteps. They would have been traces of footsteps to most
+people and nothing more, but he knew that every one of them pointed to
+the south. A mile further on and in another low place he had full
+verification of that, which, in fact, he already knew. Here the prints
+were numerous. Chance had brought him upon the trail of Timmendiquas,
+and he resolved, for the present, to follow it.
+
+Henry came to this determination because it was extremely important to
+know the location and plans of the invading army. More news of an attack
+would not be nearly so valuable as the time and place at which the
+attack was to be delivered. The course seemed plain to him and he
+followed the broad trail with speed and ardor, noting all along the
+indications that the army took no care to conceal itself or hide its
+trail. Why should it? There was nothing in these woods powerful enough
+to meet the Anglo-Indian combination.
+
+For four days and for a part of every night he followed without a break.
+He saw the trail grow fresher, and he judged that he was moving at least
+twice as fast as the army. He could see where English or Tory boots had
+crushed down the grass and he saw also the lighter imprints of
+moccasins. He passed numerous camps marked by ashes, bones of deer,
+buffalo, bear and smaller animals, and fragments of old worn-out
+garments, such as an army casts away as it goes along. He read in these
+things unlimited confidence on the part of both Indians and white men.
+
+An unusually large camp had been made at one place and some bark
+shelters had been thrown up. Henry inferred that the army had spent two
+or three days here, and he could account for the fact only on the ground
+that some division of counsels had occurred. Perhaps the weather had
+been stormy meanwhile, and the bark shelters had been constructed for
+the officers and chiefs.
+
+He spent a night in this camp and used one of the shelters, as it began
+to rain heavily just after dark. It was a little place, but it kept him
+dry and he watched with interest as the wind and rain drove across the
+opening and through the forest. He was as close and snug as a bear in
+its lair, but the storm was heavy with thunder and vivid with lightning.
+The lightning was uncommonly bright. Frequently the wet boughs and trees
+stood out in the glare like so much carving, and Henry was forced to
+shut his dazzled eyes. But he was neither lonely nor afraid. He
+recognized the tremendous power of nature, but it seemed to him that he
+had his part here, and the whole was to him a majestic and beautiful
+panorama.
+
+Henry remembered the fight that he and his comrades had had at the
+deserted village, and he found some similarity in his present situation,
+but he did not anticipate the coming of another enemy, and, secure in
+the belief, he slept while the storm still blew. When morning came, the
+rain had ceased. He replenished his food supplies with a deer that he
+had shot by the way and he cooked a little on one of the heaps of stones
+that the Indians had used for the same purpose. When he had eaten he
+glanced at the other bark shelters and he saw the name of Braxton Wyatt
+cut on one of them. Henry shuddered with aversion. He had seen so much
+of death and torture done on the border that he could not understand how
+Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and their like could do such deeds upon their
+own countrymen. But he felt that the day was coming fast when many of
+them would be punished.
+
+He began the great trail anew upon turf, now soft and springy from the
+rain, and, refreshed by the long night's sleep in the bark shelter, he
+went rapidly. Eight or ten miles beyond the camp the trail made an
+abrupt curve to the eastward. Perhaps they were coming to some large
+river of which the Indian scouts knew and the turn was made in order to
+reach a ford, but he followed it another hour and there was no river.
+The nature of the country also indicated that no great stream could be
+at hand, and Henry believed that it signified a change of plan, a belief
+strengthened by a continuation of the trail toward the east as he
+followed it hour by hour. What did it mean? Undoubtedly it was something
+of great significance to his enterprise, but now he grew more wary.
+Since the course of the army was changed bands of Indians might be
+loitering behind, and he must take every precaution lest he run into one
+of them. He noticed from time to time small trails coming into the
+larger one, and he inferred that they were hunting parties sent off from
+the main body and now returning.
+
+The trail maintained the change and still bore toward the east. It had
+been obliterated to some extent by the rains, but it was as wide as
+ever, and Henry knew that no division had taken place. But he was yet
+convinced that some subject of great importance had been debated at the
+place of the long camp. On the following day he saw two warriors, and he
+lay in the bush while they passed only twenty yards away, close enough
+for him to see that they were Miamis. They were proceeding leisurely,
+perhaps on a hunting expedition, and it was well for them that they did
+not search at this point for any enemy. The most formidable figure on
+all the border lay in the thicket with both rifle and pistol ready.
+Henry heard them talking, but he had no wish for an encounter even with
+the advantage of ambush and surprise on his side. He was concerned with
+far more important business.
+
+The two Indians looked at the broad trail, but evidently they knew all
+about it, as it did not claim more than a half minute's attention. Then
+they went northward, and when Henry was sure that they were a mile or
+two away, he resumed his pursuit, a single man following an army. Now
+all his wonderful skill and knowledge and developed power of intuition
+came into play. Soon he passed the point where the trail had been made
+fainter by the latest rains, and now it became to his eyes broad and
+deep. He came to a place where many fires had been built obviously for
+cooking, and the ashes of the largest fires were near the center of the
+camp. A half circle of unburned logs lay around these ashes. As the logs
+were not sunk in the ground at all they had evidently been drawn there
+recently, and Henry, sitting down on one of them, began to study the
+problem.
+
+On the other side of the ashes where no logs lay were slight traces in
+the earth. It seemed to him that they had been made by heels, and he
+also saw at one place a pinch of brown ashes unlike the white ashes left
+by the fire. He went over, knelt down and smelled of the brown pinch.
+The odor was faint, very faint, but it was enough to tell him that it
+had been made by tobacco. A pipe had been smoked here, not to soothe the
+mind or body, but for a political purpose. At once his knowledge and
+vivid imagination reconstructed the whole scene. An important council
+had been held. The logs had been drawn up as seats for the British and
+Tory officers. Opposite them on the bare ground the chiefs, after their
+custom, had sat in Turkish fashion, and the pipe had been passed from
+one to another until the circle was complete. It must have been a most
+vital question or they would not have smoked the pipe. He came back to
+the logs and found in one of them a cut recently made. Someone had been
+indulging in the western custom of whittling with a strong clasp knife
+and he had no doubt that it was Braxton Wyatt who had cut his name with
+the same knife on the bark shelter. It would take one whittling casually
+a long time to make so deep a cut. Then they had debated there for two
+or three hours. This meant that the leaders were in doubt. Perhaps
+Timmendiquas and Caldwell had disagreed. If it could only be true! Then
+the little stations would have time to renew their breath and strength
+before another great attack could be made.
+
+He sat on the log and concentrated his mind with great intensity upon
+the problem. He believed that the master mind in the council had been
+that of Timmendiquas. He also had inspired the change of route and
+perhaps Caldwell, Girty and Wyatt had tried to turn him back. Doubtless
+the course of Timmendiquas had been inspired by news from the South.
+Would the trail turn again?
+
+He renewed the eager pursuit. He followed for a full day, but it still
+ran toward the east, and was growing fresher much faster than before. He
+argued from this fact that the speed of the army had slackened greatly.
+On the day after that, although the course of the main body was
+unchanged he saw where a considerable band had left it and gone
+northward. What did this mean? The band could not have numbered less
+than fifty. It must be making for some one of the great Indian towns,
+Chillicothe or Piqua. Once more the reader of the wilderness page
+translated. They had received news from the South, and it was not such
+as they wished. The Indian towns had been threatened by something, and
+the band had gone to protect or help them.
+
+Shortly before nightfall he noticed another trail made by perhaps twenty
+warriors coming from the south and joining that of the main body. The
+briers and grass were tangled considerably, and, as he looked closely,
+his eyes caught a tint of red on the earth. It was only a spot, and once
+more the wilderness reader read what was printed in his book. This band
+had brought wounded men with it, and the tribes were not fighting among
+themselves. They had encountered the Kentuckians, hunters perhaps, or a
+larger force maybe, and they had not escaped without damage. Henry
+exulted, not because blood had been shed, but because some prowling band
+intent upon scalps had met a check.
+
+He followed the ruddy trail until it emerged into the broader one and
+then to a point beside it, where a cluster of huge oaks flung a pleasant
+shade. Here the wounds of the warriors had been bandaged, as fragments
+of deerskin lay about. One of them had certainly suffered a broken arm
+or leg, because pieces of stout twigs with which they had made splints
+lay under one of the trees.
+
+The next day he turned another page in his book, and read about the
+great feast the army had held. He reached one of the little prairies so
+common in that region. Not many days before it had been a great berry
+field, but now it was trampled, and stripped. Seven or eight hundred
+warriors had eaten of the berries and they had also eaten of much solid
+food. At the far edge of the prairie just within the shade of the forest
+he found the skeletons of three buffaloes and several deer, probably
+shot by the hunters on that very prairie. A brook of fine clear water
+flowed by, and both banks were lined with footsteps. Here the warriors
+after eating heavily had come to drink. Many of the trees near by
+contained the marks of hatchet strokes, and Henry read easily that the
+warriors had practiced there with their tomahawks, perhaps for prizes
+offered by their white leaders. Cut in the soft bark of a beech he read
+the words "Braxton Wyatt." So he had been at work with the clasp knife
+again, and Henry inferred that the young renegade was worried and
+nervous or he would not have such uneasy hands.
+
+Most of the heavier footprints, those that turned out, were on one side
+of the camp and Henry read from this the fact that the English and
+Tories had drawn somewhat apart, and that the differences between them
+and the Indians had become greater. He concentrated his mind again upon
+the problem, and at length drew his conclusion from what he had read.
+
+The doubts of Timmendiquas concerning his allies were growing stronger,
+so Henry construed. The great Wyandot chief had been induced with
+difficulty to believe that the soldiers of the British king would repay
+their red allies, and would defend the Indian villages if a large force
+from Kentucky were sent against them. The indications that such a force
+was moving or would move must be growing stronger. Doubtless the
+original turn to the eastward had been in order to deflect the attack
+against the settlements on the upper Ohio, most probably against Fort
+Henry. Now it was likely that the second plan had been abandoned for a
+third. What would that third be?
+
+He slept that night in a dense covert about half a mile from the camp,
+and he was awakened once by the howling of wolves. He knew that they
+were prowling about the deserted camp in search of remnants of food, and
+he felt sure that others also were following close behind the Indian
+army, in order to obtain what they might leave at future camps. Perhaps
+they might trail him too, but he had his rifle and pistol and, unafraid,
+he went to sleep again.
+
+The broad trail led the next day to a river which Henry reached about
+noon. It was fordable, but the army had not crossed. It had stopped
+abruptly at the brink and then had marched almost due north. Henry read
+this chapter easily and he read it joyfully. The dissatisfaction among
+the Indian chiefs had reached a climax, and the river, no real obstacle
+in itself, had served as the straw to turn them into a new course.
+Timmendiquas had boldly led the way northward and from Kentucky. He, Red
+Eagle, Yellow Panther and the rest were going to the Indian villages,
+and Caldwell and the other white men were forced either to go with them
+or return to Detroit. He followed the trail for a day and a half, saw it
+swing in toward the west, and theory became certainty. The army was
+marching toward Chillicothe and Piqua.
+
+After this last great turn Henry studied the trail with the utmost care.
+He had read much there, but he intended to read every word that it said.
+He noticed that the division, the British and Tories on one side and the
+Indians on the other, continued, and he was quite sure now that he would
+soon come upon some important development.
+
+He found the next day that for which he was looking. The army had
+camped in another of the little prairies, and the Indians had held a
+great dance. The earth, trampled heavily over a regulated space, showed
+it clearly. Most of the white men had stayed in one group on the right.
+Here were the deep traces of military boot heels such as the officers
+might wear.
+
+Again his vivid imagination and power of mental projection into the dark
+reconstructed the whole scene. The Indians, Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis
+and the others, had danced wildly, whirling their tomahawks about their
+heads, their naked bodies painted in many colors, their eyes glaring
+with the intoxication of the dance. Timmendiquas and the other chiefs
+had stood here looking on; over there, on the right, Caldwell and his
+officers had stood, and few words had passed between officers and
+chiefs.
+
+"Now the division will become more complete," said Henry to himself, as
+he followed the trail anew into the forest, and he was so sure of it
+that he felt no surprise when, within a mile, it split abruptly. The
+greater trail continued to the west, the smaller turned abruptly to the
+north, and this was the one that contained the imprints of the military
+boot heels. Once more he read his text with ease. Timmendiquas and
+Caldwell had parted company. The English and Tories were returning to
+Detroit. Timmendiquas, hot with wrath because his white allies would not
+help him, was going on with the warriors to the defense of their
+villages.
+
+Without beholding with his own eyes a single act of this army he had
+watched the growth of the quarrel between red and white and he had been
+a witness to its culmination. But all these movements had been
+influenced by some power of which he knew nothing. It was his business
+to discover the nature of this power, and he would follow the Indian
+trail a little while longer.
+
+Henry had not suffered for food. Despite the passage of the Indian army
+the country was so full of game that he was able to shoot what he wished
+almost when he wished, but he felt that he was now coming so near to the
+main body that he could not risk a shot which might be heard by outlying
+hunters or skirmishers. He also redoubled his care and rarely showed
+himself on the main trail, keeping to the woods at the side, where he
+would be hidden, an easy matter, as except for the little prairies the
+country was covered with exceedingly heavy forest.
+
+The second day after the parting of the two forces he saw smoke ahead,
+and he believed that it was made by the rear guard. It was a thin column
+rising above the trees, but the foliage was so heavy and the underbrush
+so dense that he was compelled to approach very close before he saw that
+the fire was not made by Indians, but by a group of white men, Simon
+Girty, Blackstaffe, Quarles, Braxton Wyatt and others, about a dozen in
+all. They had cooked their noonday meal at a small fire and were eating
+it apparently in perfect confidence of security. The renegades sat in
+the dense forest. Underbrush grew thickly to the very logs on which they
+were sitting, and, as Henry heard the continuous murmur of their voices,
+he resolved to learn what they were saying. He might discover then the
+nature of the menace that had broken up or deferred the great invasion.
+He knew well the great danger of such an attempt but he was fully
+resolved to make it.
+
+Lying down in the bushes and grass he drew himself slowly forward. His
+approach was like that of a wild animal stalking its prey. He lay very
+close to the earth and made no sound that was audible a yard away,
+pulling himself on, foot by foot. Yet his patience conquered, and
+presently he lay in the thickest of the undergrowth not far from the
+renegades, and he could hear everything they said. Girty was speaking,
+and his words soon showed that he was in no pleasant mood.
+
+"Caldwell and the other English were too stiff," he said. "I don't like
+Timmendiquas because he doesn't like me, but the English oughtn't to
+forget that an alliance is for the sake of the two parties to it. They
+should have come with Timmendiquas and his friends to their villages to
+help them."
+
+"And all our pretty plans are broken up," said Braxton Wyatt viciously.
+"If we had only gone on and struck before they could recover from Bird's
+blows we might have swept Kentucky clean of every station."
+
+"Timmendiquas was right," said Girty. "We have to beware of that fellow
+at the Falls. He's dangerous. His is a great name. The Kentucky riflemen
+will come to the call of the man who took Kaskaskia and Vincennes."
+
+The prone figure in the bushes started. He was reading further into this
+most interesting of all volumes. What could the "Falls" mean but the
+Falls of the Ohio at the brand new settlement of Louisville, and the
+victor of Vincennes and Kaskaskia was none other than the great George
+Rogers Clark, the sword of the border. He understood. Clark's name was
+the menace that had turned back Timmendiquas. Undoubtedly the hero was
+gathering a new force and would give back Bird's blows. Timmendiquas
+wished to protect his own, but the English had returned to Detroit. The
+prone figure in the bushes rejoiced without noise.
+
+"What will be the result of it all?" asked Blackstaffe, his tone showing
+anxiety.
+
+Girty--most detested name in American history, next to that of Benedict
+Arnold--considered. The side of his face was turned to Henry, and the
+bold youth wished that they were standing in the open, face to face,
+arms in hand. But he was compelled to lie still and wait. Nor could he
+foresee that Girty, although he was not destined to fall in battle,
+should lose everything, become an exile, go blind and that no man
+should know when he met death or where his body lay. The renegade at
+length replied:
+
+"It means that we cannot now destroy Kentucky without a supreme effort.
+Despite all that we do, despite all our sieges and ambuscades, new men
+continually come over the mountains. Every month makes them stronger,
+and yet only this man Clark and a few like him have saved them so far.
+If Caldwell and a British force would make a campaign with us, we might
+yet crush Clark and whatever army he may gather. We may even do it
+without Caldwell. In this vast wilderness which the Indians know so well
+it is almost impossible for a white army to escape ambush. I am, for
+that reason, in favor of going on and joining Timmendiquas. I want a
+share in the victory that our side will win at the Indian towns. I am
+sure that the triumph will be ours."
+
+"It seems the best policy to me," said Braxton Wyatt. "Timmendiquas does
+not like me any more than he does you, but the Indians appreciate our
+help. I suppose we'd better follow at once."
+
+"Take it easy," said Girty. "There's no hurry. We can overtake
+Timmendiquas in a day, and we are quite sure that there are no
+Kentuckians in the woods. Besides, it will take Clark a considerable
+time to assemble a large force at the Falls, and weeks more to march
+through the forest. You will have a good chance then, Braxton, to show
+your skill as a forest leader. With a dozen good men hanging on his
+flank you ought to cause Mr. Clark much vexation."
+
+"It could be done," replied Wyatt, "but there are not many white men out
+here fighting on our side. In the East the Tories are numerous, and I
+had a fine band there, but it was destroyed in that last fight at the
+big Indian town."
+
+"Your old playmate, Henry Ware, had something to do with that, did he
+not?" asked Girty, not without a touch of sarcasm.
+
+"He did," replied Wyatt venomously, "and it's a good thing that he's now
+a prisoner at Detroit. He and those friends of his could be both the
+eyes and ears of Clark. It would have been better if Timmendiquas had
+let the Indians make an end to him. Only in that manner could we be sure
+that he would always be out of the way."
+
+"I guess you're right," said Girty.
+
+The prone figure in the bushes laughed silently, a laugh that did not
+cause the movement of a single muscle, but which nevertheless was full
+of heartfelt enjoyment. What would Wyatt and Girty have thought if they
+had known that the one of whom they were talking, whom they deemed a
+prisoner held securely at Detroit, was lying within ten feet of them, as
+free as air and with weapons of power?
+
+Henry had heard enough and he began to creep away, merely reversing the
+process by which he had come. It was a harder task than the first, but
+he achieved it deftly, and after thirty yards he rose to his feet,
+screening himself behind the trunk of an oak. He could still see the
+renegades, and the faint murmur of their voices yet reached him. That
+old temptation to rid the earth of one of these men who did so much harm
+came back to him, but knowing that he had other work to do he resisted
+it, and, passing in a wide circle about them, followed swiftly on the
+trail of Timmendiquas.
+
+He saw the Indian camp that night, pitched in a valley. Numerous fires
+were burning and discipline was relaxed somewhat, but so many warriors
+were about that there was no opportunity to come near. He did not wish,
+however, to make any further examination. Merely to satisfy himself that
+the army had made no further change in its course was enough. After
+lingering a half hour or so he turned to the north and traveled rapidly
+a long time, having now effected a complete circuit since he left his
+comrades. It was his purpose now to rejoin them, which he did not
+believe would prove a very difficult task. Shif'less Sol, the leader in
+his absence, was to come with the party down the bank of the Scioto,
+unless they found Indians in the way. Their speed would be that of the
+slowest of their number, Mr. Pennypacker, and he calculated that he
+would meet them in about three days.
+
+Bearing in toward the right he soon struck the banks of the Scioto and
+followed the stream northward all the next day. He saw several Indian
+canoes upon the river, but he was so completely hidden by the dense
+foliage on the bank that he was safe from observation. It was not a war
+party, the Indians were merely fishing. Some of the occupants of the
+boats were squaws. It was a pleasant and peaceful occupation, and for a
+few moments Henry envied them, but quickly dismissing such thoughts he
+proceeded northward again at the old running walk.
+
+On the afternoon of the second day Henry lay in the bushes and uttered
+their old signal, the cry of the wolf repeated with certain variations,
+and as unmistakable as are the telegrapher's dots and dashes of to-day.
+There was no answer. He had expected none. It was yet too soon,
+according to his calculations, but he would not risk their passing him
+through an unexpected burst of speed. All that afternoon and the next
+morning he repeated the signal at every half hour. Still the same
+silence. Nothing stirred in the great woods, but the leaves and bushes
+swaying before the wind. Several times he examined the Scioto, but he
+saw no more Indians.
+
+About noon of the third day when he uttered the signal an answer, very
+faint, came from a point far to the west. At first he was not sure of
+the variations, the sound had traveled such a great distance, but having
+gone in that direction a quarter of a mile, he repeated it. Then it
+came back, clear and unmistakable. Once more he read his book with
+ease. Shif'less Sol and the others were near by and they would await
+him. His pulse leaped with delight. He would be with these brave
+comrades again and he would bring them good news.
+
+He advanced another two or three hundred yards and repeated the cry. The
+answer instantly came from a point very near at hand. Then he pressed
+boldly through the bushes and Shif'less Sol walked forward to meet him
+followed by the others, all gaunt with travel, but strong and well.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE RIVER FIGHT
+
+
+Henry shook hands with them all in turn and they sat down under the
+shade of an oak. Mr. Pennypacker looked him over slowly and rather
+quizzically.
+
+"Henry," he said, "I scarcely realize that you were a pupil of mine.
+Here in the wilderness I see that you are the teacher and that I am a
+pretty poor and limping sort of pupil."
+
+"You can teach us all many and useful things," said Henry modestly.
+
+"What did you learn, Henry?" asked Paul.
+
+Henry told the tale in brief, concise words, and the others expressed
+pleasure at his news.
+
+"And so Clark is coming," said the schoolmaster thoughtfully. "It is
+wonderful what the energy and directing mind of one man can do. That
+name alone is enough to change the nature of a whole campaign. 'Tis
+lucky that we have this Cæsar of the backwoods to defend us. What is
+your plan now, Henry?"
+
+Mr. Pennypacker, like the others, instinctively looked upon Henry as the
+leader.
+
+"We'll go straight to the Falls of the Ohio," replied Henry. "It will
+take us two or three weeks to get there, and we'll have to live mostly
+on our rifles, but that's where we're needed. Clark will want all the
+men he can get."
+
+"I am old," said the schoolmaster, "and it has not been my business
+hitherto to fight, but in this great crisis of Kentucky I shall try to
+do my part. I too shall offer my services to George Rogers Clark."
+
+"He'll be glad to get you," said Tom Ross.
+
+After the brief rest they began the long journey from what is now the
+middle part of the state of Ohio to the Falls of the Ohio and the new
+settlement of Louisville there. It was an arduous undertaking,
+particularly for the schoolmaster, as it led all the way through woods
+frequented by alert Indians, and, besides deep rivers there were
+innumerable creeks, which they could cross only by swimming. Bearing
+this in mind Henry's thoughts returned to the first boat which they had
+hidden in the bushes lining the banks of one of the Ohio's tributaries.
+As the whole country was now swarming with the warriors the passage down
+the Ohio would undoubtedly be more dangerous than the path through the
+woods, but the boat and the river would save a vast expenditure of
+strength. Henry laid the two plans before the others.
+
+"What do you say, Sol?" he asked.
+
+"I'm fur the boat an' the river," replied the shiftless one. "I'd rather
+be rowed by Jim Hart than walk five hundred miles."
+
+"And you, Paul?"
+
+"I say take to the boat. We may have to fight. We've held them off on
+the water before and I'm sure we can do it again."
+
+"And you, Tom?"
+
+"The boat."
+
+"And you, Jim?"
+
+"The boat, an' make Sol thar do his share uv the work."
+
+"What do you say, Mr. Pennypacker?"
+
+"I'm not a forester, and as all of you are for the boat, so am I."
+
+"That seems to make it unanimous, and in an hour we'll start for our
+hidden navy. It's at the edge of the next big river east of the Scioto
+and we ought to steer a pretty straight course for it."
+
+They traveled at a good pace. Mr. Pennypacker, while not a woodsman, was
+a good walker, and, despite his age, proved himself tough and enduring.
+They crossed Indian trails several times, but did not come into contact
+with any of the warriors. They swam three or four deep creeks, but in
+four days they came to the river not many miles above the place at which
+they had hidden the boat. Then they descended the stream and approached
+the point with some anxiety.
+
+"Suppose the boat isn't there," said Paul; "suppose the Indians have
+found it."
+
+"We ain't supposing'," said Shif'less Sol. "We're shore it's thar."
+
+They waded among the bushes growing at the water's edge and the
+shiftless one, who was in advance, uttered a suppressed cry of pleasure.
+
+"Here it is, jest ez we left it," he said.
+
+The boat had been untouched, but Henry knew all the time the chances
+were in favor of their finding it so. With the keenest delight, they
+pulled it out into the stream and looked it over. They had made of it a
+cache and they had left in it many valuable articles which they would
+need. Among these were four extra rifles, two fine fowling pieces, a
+large supply of powder and lead, axes and hatchets, and extra clothing
+and blankets. They had stocked the boat well on leaving Pittsburgh, and
+now it was like retaking a great treasure. Shif'less Sol climbed aboard
+and with a deep sigh of pleasure reclined against the side.
+
+"Now, Saplin'," he said, "I'll go to sleep while you row me down to
+Louisville."
+
+"We'll do most of our traveling by night," said Henry, "and as we'll
+have the current with us I don't think that you or Jim, Sol, will have
+to work yourselves to death."
+
+After their examination of the boat to see that everything was all
+right, they pulled it back into the bushes, not intending to start until
+the dark set in. There was a considerable supply of salted food, coffee
+and tea on board, but Henry and Sol killed two deer farther up the river
+bank which they quickly cleaned and dressed. They now thought themselves
+provisioned for the trip to the Falls of the Ohio, and they carried, in
+addition, fishing tackle which they could use at any time.
+
+They pulled clear of the bushes about 8 o'clock in the evening and rowed
+down the river. But as the stream was bank full and running fast, they
+did not have to make any great effort. Toward midnight when they reached
+some of the wider parts of the river they set the sail and went ahead at
+a swifter pace. Henry calculated that they could reach the Ohio slightly
+after dawn, but as the night was uncommonly clear, with the promise of a
+very brilliant day to follow, they furled their sails at least two hours
+before sunrise, and, finding another shallow cove, drew their boat into
+it among the bushes.
+
+"Now for a sleep," said Henry. "Tom and I will keep watch until noon and
+then Sol and Paul will take our places. At night we will start again."
+
+"And where does my watch come, pray?" asked Mr. Pennypacker.
+
+"We want you to help us to-night," replied Henry. "We'll need your
+knowledge of the sail and the oars."
+
+"Very well," replied the unsuspicious schoolmaster. "It is understood
+that I do extra work to-night, because I do not watch to-day."
+
+Henry, when he turned his face away, smiled a little. It was understood
+among them all that they were to spare the schoolmaster as much as
+possible, and to do so, they used various little devices. Theirs was a
+good roomy boat and those who were to sleep first disposed themselves
+comfortably, while Henry sat in the prow and Tom in the stern, both
+silent and apparently listless, but watching with eyes and ears alike.
+The dawn came, and, as they had foreseen, it was a bright, hot day. It
+was so close among the bushes that the sleepers stirred restlessly and
+beads of perspiration stood on the faces of the watchers. Not a breath
+of air stirred either in the woods or on the river. Henry was glad when
+it was their turn to sleep, and when he awoke, night had come with its
+cool shadows and a wind also that dispelled the breathless heat.
+
+Then they pulled out of the bushes and floated again with the stream,
+but they did not hoist their sail. The air after the close heat of the
+day was charged with electricity, and they looked for a storm. It came
+about 11 o'clock, chiefly as a display of thunder and lightning. The
+flashes of electricity dazzled them and continued without a break for
+almost an hour. The roar of the thunder was like the unbroken discharges
+of great batteries, but both wind and rain were light. Several times the
+lightning struck with a tremendous crash in the woods about them, but
+the boat glided on untouched. About midnight they came out into the
+flood of the Ohio, and, setting their sail, they steered down the center
+of the stream.
+
+All of them felt great relief, now that they were on the wide Ohio. On
+the narrower tributary they might have been fired upon from either
+shore, but the Ohio was a half mile and sometimes a full mile from bank
+to bank. As long as they kept in the middle of the stream they were
+practically safe from the bullets of ambushed Indians.
+
+They took turns at sleeping, but it was not necessary now to use the
+oars. The wind was still strong, and the sail carried them at great
+speed down the river. They felt safe and comfortable, but it was a wild
+and weird scene upon which they looked. The banks of the Ohio here were
+high and clothed in dense forest which, in the glare of the lightning,
+looked like gigantic black walls on either shore. The surface of the
+river itself was tinted under the blaze as if with fire, and often it
+ran in red waves before the wind. The darkness was intense, but the
+flashes of lightning were so vivid that they easily saw their way.
+
+"We're going back on our old path now, Paul," said Henry. "You remember
+how we came up the river with Adam Colfax, fought the fleet of
+Timmendiquas, and helped save the fort?"
+
+"I couldn't well forget it," replied Paul. "Why, I can see it all again,
+just as if it happened only yesterday, but I'm mighty glad that
+Timmendiquas is not here now with a fleet."
+
+"Will we tie up to the bank by day as we did on the other river?" asked
+Mr. Pennypacker.
+
+"Not on the Ohio," replied Henry. "As white immigrants are now coming
+down it, Indians infest both shores, so we'll keep straight ahead in the
+middle of the stream. We may be attacked there, but perhaps we can
+either whip or get away from anything that the Indians now have on the
+river."
+
+While they talked Shif'less Sol looked carefully to their armament. He
+saw that all the extra rifles and pistols were loaded and that they lay
+handy. But he had little to say and the others, after the plan had been
+arranged, were silent. The wind became irregular. Now and then gusts of
+it lashed the surface of the giant stream, but toward morning it settled
+into a fair breeze. The thunder and lightning ceased by that time, and
+there was promise of a good day.
+
+The promise was fulfilled and they floated peacefully on until
+afternoon. Then shots were fired at them from the northern bank, but the
+bullets spattered the water a full fifty yards short. Henry and Sol, who
+had the keenest eyes, could make out the outlines of Indians on the
+shore, but they were not troubled.
+
+"I'm sure it's just a small hunting party," said Henry, "and they can do
+us no harm. Their bullets can't reach us, and you can't run along the
+banks of a great river and keep up with a boat in the stream."
+
+"That's true," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think I'll tell 'em so. I
+always like to hurt the feelin's of a bloodthirsty savage that's lookin'
+fur my scalp."
+
+He opened his mouth to its widest extent and gave utterance to a most
+extraordinary cry, the like of which had perhaps never before been heard
+in those woods. It rose in a series of curves and undulations. It had in
+it something of the howl of the wolf and also the human note. It was
+essentially challenging and contemptuous. Anybody who heard it was bound
+to take it as a personal insult, and it became most effective when it
+died away in a growling, spitting noise, like the defiance of an angry
+cat. Henry fairly jumped in his seat when he heard it.
+
+"Sol," he exclaimed, "what under the sun do you mean?"
+
+The mouth of the shiftless one opened again, but this time in a wide
+grin of delight.
+
+"I wuz jest tellin' them Injuns that I didn't like 'em," he replied. "Do
+you reckon they understood?"
+
+"I think they did," replied Henry with emphasis.
+
+"That bein' so, I'll tell 'em ag'in. Look out, here she comes!"
+
+Again the mouth of Shif'less Sol swung wide, and again he uttered that
+fearful yell of defiance, abuse, contempt and loathing, a yell so
+powerful that it came back in repeated echoes without any loss of
+character. The Indians on the bank, stung by it, uttered a fierce shout
+and fired another volley, but the bullets fell further short than ever.
+Shif'less Sol smiled in deep content.
+
+"See how I'm makin' 'em waste good ammunition," he said. "I learned that
+trick from Paul's tales o' them old Greeks an' Trojans. As fur ez I
+could make out when a Greek an' Trojan come out to fight one another,
+each feller would try to talk the other into throwin' his spear fust,
+an' afore he wuz close enough to take good aim. All them old heroes done
+a heap o' talkin' an' gen'ally they expected to get somethin' out o'
+it."
+
+"Undoubtedly the Greeks and Trojans had thrilling war cries," said Mr.
+Pennypacker, "but I doubt, Mr. Hyde, whether they ever had any as weird
+as yours."
+
+"Which shows that I'm jest a leetle ahead o' any o' them old fellers,"
+said Shif'less Sol in tones of deep satisfaction.
+
+The boat, moving swiftly before the wind, soon left the Indians on the
+northern bank far behind, and once more they were at peace with the
+wilderness. The river was now very beautiful. It had not yet taken on
+the muddy tint characteristic of its lower reaches, the high and sloping
+banks were covered with beautiful forest, and coming from north and
+south they saw the mouths of creeks and rivers pouring the waters of
+great regions into the vast main stream. Henry, as captain of the boat,
+regarded these mouths with a particularly wary and suspicious eye. Such
+as they formed the best ambush for Indian canoes watching to pounce upon
+the immigrant boats coming down the Ohio. Whenever he saw the entrance
+of a tributary he always had the boat steered in toward the opposite
+shore, while all except the steersman sat with their rifles across their
+knees until the dangerous locality was passed safely.
+
+They anchored a little after nightfall. The current was very gentle and
+fortunately their anchor would hold near the middle of the stream. Henry
+wished to give rest to a part of his crew and he knew also that in the
+night they would pass the mouth of the Licking, opposite the site of
+Cincinnati, a favorite place of ambush for the Indian boats. All the
+indications pointed to some dark hours ahead, and that was just the kind
+they needed for running such a gauntlet.
+
+This time it was he and Tom Ross who watched while the others slept, and
+some hours after dark they saw fitful lights on the northern shore,
+appearing and reappearing at three or four points. They believed them to
+be signals, but they could not read them.
+
+"Of course there are warriors in those woods," said Henry.
+"Timmendiquas, knowing that Clark has gathered or is gathering his
+forces at the Falls, will send his best scouts to watch him. They may
+have seen us, and they may be telling their friends on the south side of
+the river that we are here."
+
+"Mebbe so," said Tom Ross.
+
+Changing their plans they took up the anchor and the boat, driven by
+wind and current, moved on at good speed. Tom steered and Henry sat near
+him, watching both shores. The others, stowed here and there, slept
+soundly. The lights flickered on the northern shore for a few minutes,
+and then a curve of the stream shut them out. The night itself was
+bright, a full moon and many stars turning the whole broad surface of
+the river to silver, and making distinct any object that might appear
+upon it. Henry would have preferred a dark and cloudy night for the
+passage by the mouth of the Licking, but since they did not have it they
+must go on anyhow.
+
+They sailed quietly with the current for several hours, and the night
+showed no signs of darkening. Once Henry thought he saw a light on the
+southern shore, but it was gone so quickly that keen-eyed as he was he
+could not tell whether it was reality or merely fancy.
+
+"Did you see it, Tom?" he asked.
+
+"I did, or at least I thought I did."
+
+"Then, since we both saw it, it must have been reality, and it indicates
+to my mind that Indians are on the south as well as on the north bank.
+Maybe they have seen us here."
+
+"Mebbe."
+
+"Which renders it more likely that they may be on watch at the mouth of
+the Licking for anything that passes."
+
+"Mebbe."
+
+"According to my calculation we'll be there in another hour. What do you
+think?"
+
+"I say one hour, too."
+
+"And we'll let the boys sleep on until we see danger, if danger comes."
+
+"That's what I'd do," replied Tom, casting a glance at the sleeping
+figures.
+
+No word was spoken again for a long time, but, as they approached the
+dangerous mouth, Tom steered the boat further and further toward the
+northern bank. Both remembered the shores here from their passage up the
+Ohio, and Henry knew that the gap in the wall of trees on the south
+betokened the mouth of the Licking. Tom steadily bore in toward the
+northern bank until he was not more than thirty yards from the trees.
+The moon and the stars meanwhile, instead of favoring them, seemed to
+grow brighter. The river was a great moving sheet of silver, and the
+boat stood out upon it black and upright.
+
+Henry, with his eyes upon the black wall, saw two dots appear there and
+then two more, and he knew at once their full significance. The ambush
+had been laid, not for them in particular, but for any boat that might
+pass.
+
+"Tom," he said, "the Indian canoes are coming. Keep straight on down the
+river. I'll wake the others."
+
+The remaining four aroused, took their rifles and gazed at the black
+dots which had now increased from four to six, and which were taking the
+shape of long canoes with at least half a dozen paddlers in every one.
+Two of the canoes carried sails which indicated to Henry the presence of
+renegades.
+
+"In a fight at close quarters they'd be too strong for us," said Henry.
+"That force must include at least forty warriors, but we can run our
+boat against the northern shore and escape into the woods. Are you in
+favor of our doing that?"
+
+"No," they answered with one accord.
+
+Henry laughed.
+
+"I knew your answer before I asked the question," he said, "and as we
+are not going to escape into the woods we must prepare for a river race
+and a battle. I think we could leave them behind without much trouble,
+if it were not for those two boats with the sails."
+
+"Let 'em come," said Shif'less Sol. "We've got plenty of rifles an' we
+can hit at longer range than they can."
+
+"Still, it's our business to avoid a fight if possible," said Henry.
+"George Rogers Clark wants whole men to fight, not patients to nurse.
+Tom, you keep on steering and all the rest of us will take a hand at the
+oars."
+
+The boat shot forward under the new impetus, but behind them the six
+canoes, particularly the two on which sails had been fitted, were coming
+fast. The night was so bright that they could see the warriors painted
+and naked to the waist sending their paddles in great sweeps through the
+water. It was evident also that they had enough extra men to work in
+relays, which gave them a great advantage.
+
+"It's to be a long chase," said Henry, "but I'm thinking that they'll
+overtake us unless we interfere with them in some rude manner."
+
+"Meaning these?" said Shif'less Sol, patting one of the rifles.
+
+"Meaning those," said Henry; "and it's lucky that we're so well
+provided. Those boats are not led by ordinary warriors. See how they're
+using every advantage. They're spreading out exactly as Indian pursuers
+do on land, in order that some portion of their force may profit by any
+turn or twist of ours."
+
+It was so. The pursuing fleet was spreading out like a fan, two boats
+following near the northern shore, two near the southern and two in the
+center. Evidently they intended neglecting no precaution to secure what
+many of them must already have regarded as a certain prize. Mr.
+Pennypacker regarded them with dilated eyes.
+
+"A formidable force," he said, "and I judge by their actions that they
+will prove tenacious."
+
+"Shorely," said Shif'less Sol, as he tapped the rifle again, "but you
+must rec'lect, Mr. Pennypacker, that we've oncommon good rifles an' some
+o' us are oncommon good shots. It might prove better fur 'em ef they
+didn't come so fast. Henry, kin you make out any white faces in them two
+boats in the center?"
+
+"It's pretty far to tell color, but a figure in the right-hand boat,
+sitting close to the mast, looks to me mightily like that of Braxton
+Wyatt."
+
+"I had just formed the same notion. That's the reason I asked, an' ef I
+ain't mistook, Simon Girty's in the other boat. Oh, Henry, do you think
+I kin git a shot at him?"
+
+"I doubt it," replied Henry. "Girty is cunning and rarely exposes
+himself. There, they are firing, but it's too soon."
+
+Several shots were discharged from the leading boats, but they fell far
+short. Evidently they were intended as threats, but, besides Henry's
+comment, the pursued took no notice of them. Then the savages, for the
+first time, uttered their war cry, but the fugitives did not answer.
+
+"Ef they mean by that yell that they've got us," said Shif'less Sol,
+"then they might ez well yell ag'in."
+
+"Still, I think they're gaining upon us somewhat," said Henry, "and it
+may be necessary before long to give them a hint or two."
+
+Now it was his turn to tap the rifle significantly, and Henry with a
+calculating eye measured the distance between their own and the leading
+boat. He saw that the warriors were gaining. It was a slow gain, but in
+time it would bring them within easy rifle shot. The fleeing boat
+carried many supplies which weighed her down to a certain extent, but
+the pursuing boats carried nothing except the pursuers themselves. Henry
+raised his rifle a little and looked again at the distance.
+
+"A little too fur yet, Henry," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I think so, too," said Henry. "We'd best wait until we're absolutely
+sure."
+
+A cry broke from Paul.
+
+"Look ahead!" he cried. "We've enemies on both sides!"
+
+The alarming news was true. Two large boats loaded with warriors had
+shot out from the northern bank four or five hundred yards ahead, and
+were coming directly into the path of the fugitives. A yell full of
+malice and triumph burst from the savages in the pursuing canoes, and
+those in the canoes ahead answered it with equal malice and triumph. The
+fate of the fugitives seemed to be sealed, but the five had been in many
+a close place before, and no thought of despair entered their minds.
+Henry at once formed the plan and as usual they acted with swift
+decision and boldness. Tom was now steering and Henry cried to him:
+
+"Shelter yourself and go straight ahead. Lie low, the rest of you fire
+at those before us!"
+
+Their boat went swiftly on. The two ahead of them drew directly into
+their path, but veered a little to one side, when they saw with what
+speed the other boat was approaching. They also began to fire, but the
+six, sheltered well, heard the bullets patter upon the wooden sides and
+they bided their time. Henry, peeping over, marked the boat on the right
+and saw a face which he knew to be that of a white man. In an instant he
+recognized the renegade Quarles and rage rose within him. Without the
+aid of the renegades, more ruthless than the red men themselves, the
+Indians could never have accomplished so much on the border. He raised
+his rifle a little and now he cocked it. Shif'less Sol glanced up and
+saw the red fire in his eye.
+
+"What is it, Henry?" he asked.
+
+"The renegade Quarles is in the boat on the right. As we have to run a
+gauntlet here, and there will be some shooting, I mean that one of the
+renegades shall never trouble us any more."
+
+"I'm sorry it's not Girty or Wyatt," said the shiftless one, "but since
+it ain't either o' them it might ez well be Quarles. He might be missed,
+but he wouldn't be mourned."
+
+The boat, with Tom Ross steering, kept straight ahead with undiminished
+speed, the wind filling out the sail. The Indians in the two boats
+before them fired again, but the bullets as before thudded upon the
+wooden sides.
+
+But Henry, crouching now with his cocked rifle, saw his opportunity.
+Quarles, raising himself up in the canoe, had fired and he was just
+taking his rifle from his shoulder. Henry fired directly at the tanned
+forehead of this wicked man, who had so often shed the blood of his own
+people, and the bullet crashed through the brain. The renegade half
+rose, and then fell from the boat into the stream, which hid his body
+forever. A cry of rage and fear came from the Indians and the next
+moment four other marksmen, two from the right and two from the left,
+fired into the opposing canoes. The schoolmaster also fired, although he
+was not sure that he hit any foe; but it was a terrible volley
+nevertheless. The two Indian boats contained both dead and wounded.
+Paddles were dropped into the water and floated out of reach. Moreover,
+Tom Ross, when his cunning eye saw the confusion, steered his own boat
+in such a manner that it struck the canoe on the right a glancing blow,
+sidewiping it, as it were.
+
+Tom and his comrades were staggered by the impact, but their boat,
+uninjured, quickly righted itself and went on. The Indian canoe was
+smashed in and sank, leaving its living occupants struggling in the
+water, while the other canoe was compelled to turn and pick them up.
+
+"Well done, Mr. Ross!" called Mr. Pennypacker. "That was a happy
+thought. You struck them as the old Roman galleys with their beaks
+struck their antagonists, and you have swept them from our path."
+
+"That's true, Mr. Pennypacker," said Shif'less Sol, "but don't you go to
+stickin' your head up too much. Thar, didn't I tell you! Ef many more
+bullets like that come, you'd git a nice hair cut an' no charge."
+
+A bullet had clipped a gray lock from the top of the schoolmaster's
+head, but flattening himself on the bottom of the boat he did not give
+the Indians a second shot. Meanwhile Henry and the others were sending
+bullets into the crews of the boats behind them. They did not get a
+chance at Girty and Wyatt, who were evidently concealing themselves from
+these foes, whom they knew to be such deadly sharpshooters, but they
+were making havoc among the warriors. It was a fire so deadly that all
+the canoes stopped and let the boat pass out of range. The little band
+sent back their own shout, taunting and triumphant, and then, laying
+aside their rifles, they took up the oars again. They sped forward and
+as the night darkened the Indian canoes sank quickly out of sight.
+
+"I think we'll have the right of way now to the Falls," said Henry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE ROAD TO WAREVILLE
+
+
+Henry made no mistake when he predicted that they would have the right
+of way to the Falls. Days passed and the broad river bore them
+peacefully onward, the wind blowing into ripples its yellow surface
+which the sunshine turned into deep gold. The woods still formed a solid
+bank of dark green on either shore, and they knew that warriors might be
+lurking in them, but they kept to the middle of the current, and the
+Ohio was so wide that they were fairly safe from sharpshooters. In
+addition to the caution, habitual to borderers, they usually kept pretty
+well sheltered behind the stout sides of their boat.
+
+"Tain't no use takin' foolish risks," said Shif'less Sol wisely. "A
+bullet that you ain't lookin' fur will hurt jest ez bad ez one that
+you're expectin', an' the surprise gives a lot o' pain, too."
+
+Hence they always anchored at night, far out in the water, put out all
+lights, and never failed to keep watch. Several times they detected
+signs of their wary enemy. Once they saw flames twinkling on the
+northern shore, and twice they heard signal cries in the southern woods.
+But the warriors did not make any nearer demonstration, and they went
+on, content to leave alone when they were left alone.
+
+All were eager to see the new settlement at the Falls, of which reports
+had come to them through the woods, and they were particularly anxious
+to find it a tower of strength against the fresh Indian invasion. Their
+news concerning it was not yet definite, but they heard that the first
+blockhouse was built on an island. Hence every heart beat a little
+faster when they saw the low outline of a wooden island rising from the
+bosom of the Ohio.
+
+"According to all we've heard," said Henry, "that should be the place."
+
+"It shorely is," said Shif'less Sol, "an' besides I see smoke risin'
+among them trees."
+
+"Yes, and I see smoke rising on the southern shore also," said Henry.
+
+"Which may mean that they've made a second settlement, one on the
+mainland," said Paul.
+
+As they drew nearer Henry sent a long quavering cry, the halloo of the
+woodsman, across the waters, and an answering cry came from the edge of
+the island. Then a boat containing two white men, clad in deerskin, put
+out and approached the five cautiously. Henry and Paul stood up to show
+that they were white and friends, and the boat then came swiftly.
+
+"Who are you?" called one of the men.
+
+Henry replied, giving their identity briefly, and the man said:
+
+"My name is Charles Curd, and this is Henry Palmer. We live at
+Louisville and we are on the watch for friends and enemies alike. We're
+glad to know that you're the former."
+
+They escorted the five back to the island, and curious people came down
+to the beach to see the forest runners land. Henry and his comrades for
+their part were no less curious and soon they were inspecting this
+little settlement which for protection had been cast in a spot
+surrounded by the waters of the Ohio. They saw Corn Island, a low
+stretch of soil, somewhat sandy but originally covered with heavy
+forest, now partly cleared away. Yet the ax had left sycamores ten feet
+through and one hundred feet high.
+
+The whole area of the island was only forty-three acres, but it already
+contained several fields in which fine corn and pumpkins were raised. On
+a slight rise was built the blockhouse in the form of an Egyptian cross,
+the blockhouse proper forming the body of the cross, while the cabins of
+the settlers constituted the arms. In addition to the sycamores, great
+cottonwoods had grown here, but nearly all of them had been cut down,
+and then had been split into rails and boards. Back of the field and at
+the western edge of the river, was a magnificent growth of cane, rising
+to a height of more than twenty feet.
+
+This little settlement, destined to be one of the great cities of the
+West, had been founded by George Rogers Clark only two or three years
+before, and he had founded it in spite of himself. Starting from
+Redstone on the Monongahela with one hundred and fifty militia for the
+conquest of the Illinois country he had been accompanied by twenty
+pioneer families who absolutely refused to be turned back. Finding that
+they were bound to go with him Clark gave them his protection, but they
+stopped at Corn Island in the Ohio and there built their blockhouse. Now
+it was a most important frontier post, a stronghold against the Indians.
+
+Before they ate of the food offered to them Henry looked inquiringly at
+the smoke on the southern shore. Curd said with some pride:
+
+"We're growing here. We spread to the mainland in a year. Part of our
+people have moved over there, and some new ones have come from Virginia.
+On the island and the mainland together, we've now got pretty nearly two
+hundred people and we've named our town Louisville in honor of King
+Louis of France who is helping us in the East. We've got history, too,
+or rather it was made before we came here. An old chief, whom the
+whites called Tobacco, told George Rogers Clark that the Alligewi, which
+is their name for the Mound Builders, made their last stand here against
+the Shawnees, Miamis and other Indians who now roam in this region. A
+great battle occurred on an island at the Falls and the Mound Builders
+were exterminated. As for myself, I know nothing about it, but it's what
+Tobacco said."
+
+Paul's curiosity was aroused instantly and he made a mental note to
+investigate the story, when he found an opportunity, but he was never
+able to get any further than the Indian legend which most likely had a
+basis of truth. For the present, he and his comrades were content with
+the welcome which the people on Corn Island gave them, a welcome full of
+warmth and good cheer. Their hosts put before them water cooled in
+gourds, cakes of Indian meal, pies of pumpkin, all kinds of game, and
+beef and pork besides. While they ate and drank Henry, who as usual was
+spokesman, told what had occurred at Detroit, further details of the
+successful advance of the Indians and English under Bird, of which they
+had already heard, and the much greater but postponed scheme of
+destruction planned by Timmendiquas, de Peyster, Girty and their
+associates. Curd, Palmer and the others paled a little under their tan
+as they listened, but their courage came back swiftly.
+
+"At any rate," said Curd, "we've got a man to lead us against them, a
+man who strikes fast, sure and hard, George Rogers Clark, the hero of
+Vincennes and Kaskaskia, the greatest leader in all the West."
+
+"Why, is he here?" exclaimed Henry in surprise. "I thought he was
+farther East."
+
+"You'll see him inside of half an hour. He was at the other blockhouse
+on the southern shore, and we sent up a signal that strangers were here.
+There he comes now."
+
+A boat had put out from the southern bank. It contained three men, two
+of whom were rowing, while the third sat upright in a military fashion.
+All his body beneath his shoulders was hidden by the boat's sides, but
+his coat was of the Continental buff and blue, while a border cap of
+raccoon skin crowned his round head. Such incongruous attire detracted
+nothing from the man's dignity and presence. Henry saw that his face was
+open, his gaze direct, and that he was quite young. He was looking
+straight toward the five who had come with their new friends down to the
+river's edge, and, when he sprang lightly upon the sand, he gave them a
+military salute. They returned it in like manner, while they looked with
+intense curiosity at the famous leader of the border forces. Clark
+turned to Henry, whose figure and bearing indicated the chief.
+
+"You come from the North, from the depths of the Indian country, I take
+it," he said.
+
+"From the very heart of it," replied the youth. "I was a prisoner at
+Detroit, and my comrades were near by outside the walls. We have also
+seen Bird returning from his raid with his prisoners and we know that
+Timmendiquas, de Peyster, Girty, Caldwell, and the others are going to
+make a supreme effort to destroy every settlement west of the
+Alleghanies. A great force under Timmendiquas, Caldwell and Girty came
+part of the way but turned back, partly, I think, because of divisions
+among themselves and partly because they heard of your projected
+advance. But it will come again."
+
+The shoulders in the military coat seemed to stiffen and the eyes under
+the raccoon skin cap flashed.
+
+"I did want to go back to Virginia," said Clark, "but I'm glad that I'm
+here. Mr. Ware, young as you are, you've seen a lot of forest work, I
+take it, and so I ask you what is the best way to meet an attack?"
+
+"To attack first."
+
+"Good! good! That was my plan! Report spoke true! We'll strike first.
+We'll show these officers and chiefs that we're not the men to sit idly
+and wait for our foe. We'll go to meet him. Nay more, we'll find him in
+his home and destroy him. Doesn't that appeal to you, my lads?"
+
+"It does," said five voices, emphatic and all together, and then Henry
+added, speaking he knew for his comrades as well as himself:
+
+"Colonel Clark, we wish to volunteer for the campaign that we know you
+have planned. Besides the work that we have done here in the West, we
+have seen service in the East. We were at Wyoming when the terrible
+massacre occurred, and we were with General Sullivan when he destroyed
+the Iroquois power. But, sir, I wish to say that we do best in an
+independent capacity, as scouts, skirmishers, in fact as a sort of
+vanguard."
+
+Clark laughed and clapped a sinewy hand upon Henry's shoulder.
+
+"I see," he said. "You wish to go with me to war, but you wish at the
+same time to be your own masters. It might be an unreasonable request
+from some people, but, judging from what I see of you and what I have
+heard of you and your comrades, it is just the thing. You are to watch
+as well as fight for me. Were you not the eyes of the fleet that Adam
+Colfax brought up the Ohio?"
+
+Henry blushed and hesitated, but Clark exclaimed heartily:
+
+"Nay, do not be too modest, my lad! We are far apart here in the woods,
+but news spreads, nevertheless, and I remember sitting one afternoon and
+listening to an old friend, Major George Augustus Braithwaite, tell a
+tale of gallant deeds by river and forest, and how a fort and fleet were
+saved largely through the efforts of five forest runners, two of whom
+were yet boys. Major Braithwaite gave me detailed descriptions of the
+five, and they answer so exactly to the appearance of you and your
+comrades that I am convinced you are the same. Since you are so modest,
+I will tell you to your face that I'd rather have you five than fifty
+ordinary men. Now, young sir, blush again and make the most of it!"
+
+Henry did blush, and said that the Colonel gave them far too much
+credit, but at heart he, like the other four, felt a great swell of
+pride. Their deeds in behalf of the border were recognized by the great
+leader, and surely it was legitimate to feel that one had not toiled and
+fought in vain for one's people.
+
+A few minutes later they sat down with Clark and some of the others
+under the boughs of the big sycamore, and gave a detailed account of
+their adventures, including all that they had seen from the time they
+had left for New Orleans until the present moment.
+
+"A great tale! a great tale!" said Clark, meditatively, "and I wish to
+add, Mr. Ware, an illuminating one also. It throws light upon forest
+councils and forest plans. Besides your service in battle, you bring us
+news that shows us how to meet our enemy and nothing could be of greater
+value. Now, I wish to say to you that it will take us many weeks to
+collect the needful force, and that will give you two lads ample time,
+if you wish, to visit your home in Wareville, taking with you the worthy
+schoolmaster whom you have rescued so happily."
+
+Henry and Paul decided at once to accept the suggestion. Both felt the
+great pulses leap at mention of Wareville and home. They had not seen
+their people for nearly two years, although they had sent word several
+times that they were well. Now they felt an overwhelming desire to see
+once again their parents and the neat little village by the river,
+enclosed within its strong palisades. Yet they delayed a few days longer
+to attend to necessary preliminaries of the coming campaign. Among
+other things they went the following morning to see the overflow
+settlement on the south shore, now but a year old.
+
+This seed of a great city was yet faint and small. The previous winter
+had been a terrible one for the immigrants. The Ohio had been covered
+with thick ice from shore to shore. Most of their horses and cattle had
+frozen to death. Nevertheless they had no thought of going away, and
+there were many things to encourage the brave. They had a good harbor on
+the river at the mouth of a fine creek, that they named Beargrass, and
+back of them was a magnificent forest of gum, buckeye, cherry, sycamore,
+maple and giant poplars. It had been proved that the soil was extremely
+fertile, and they were too staunch to give up so fair a place. They also
+had a strong fort overlooking the river, and, with Clark among them,
+they were ready to defy any Indian force that might come.
+
+But the time passed quickly, and Henry and Paul and the schoolmaster
+were ready for the last stage of their journey, deciding, in order that
+they might save their strength, to risk once more the dangers of the
+water passage. They would go in a canoe until they came to the mouth of
+the river that flowed by Wareville and then row up the current of the
+latter until they reached home. Shif'less Sol, Jim and Tom were going to
+remain with Clark until their return. But these three gave them
+hand-clasps of steel when they departed.
+
+"Don't you get trapped by wanderin' Indians, Henry," said the shiftless
+one. "We couldn't get along very well without you fellers. Do most o'
+your rowin' at night an' lay by under overhangin' boughs in the day. You
+know more'n I do, Henry, but I'm so anxious about you I can't keep from
+givin' advice."
+
+"Don't any of you do too much talkin'," said Silent Tom. "Injuns hear
+pow'ful well, an' many a feller hez been caught in an ambush, an' hez
+lost his scalp jest 'cause he would go along sayin' idle words that told
+the Injuns whar he wuz, when he might hev walked away safe without thar
+ever knowin' he wuz within a thousand miles uv them."
+
+"An' be mighty particular about your cookin'," said Long Jim. "Many a
+good man hez fell sick an' died, jest 'cause his grub wuzn't fixed
+eggzackly right. An' when you light your fires fur ven'son an' buffalo
+steaks be shore thar ain't too much smoke. More than once smoke hez
+brought the savages down on people. Cookin' here in the woods is not
+cookin' only, it's also a delicate an' bee-yu-ti-ful art that saves
+men's lives when it's done right, by not leadin' Shawnees, Wyandots an'
+other ferocious warriors down upon 'em."
+
+Henry promised every one of the three to follow his advice religiously,
+and there was moisture in his and Paul's eyes when they caught the last
+view of them standing upon the bank and waving farewell. The next
+instant they were hidden by a curve of the shore, and then Henry said:
+
+"It's almost like losing one's right arm to leave those three behind. I
+don't feel complete without them."
+
+"Nor do I," said Paul. "I believe they were giving us all that advice
+partly to hide their emotion."
+
+"Undoubtedly they were," said Mr. Pennypacker in a judicial tone, "and I
+wish to add that I do not know three finer characters, somewhat
+eccentric perhaps, but with hearts in the right place, and with sound
+heads on strong shoulders. They are like some ancient classic figures of
+whom I have read, and they are fortunate, too, to live in the right time
+and right place for them."
+
+They made a safe passage over a stretch of the Ohio and then turned up
+the tributary river, rowing mostly, as Shif'less Sol had suggested, by
+night, and hiding their canoe and themselves by day. It was not
+difficult to find a covert as the banks along the smaller river were
+nearly always overhung by dense foliage, and often thick cane and
+bushes grew well into the water's edge. Here they would stop when the
+sun was brightest, and sometimes the heat was so great that not refuge
+from danger alone made them glad to lie by when the golden rays came
+vertically. Then they would make themselves as comfortable as possible
+in the boat and bearing Silent Tom's injunction in mind, talk in very
+low tones, if they talked at all. But oftenest two of them slept while
+the third watched.
+
+They had been three days upon the tributary when it was Henry who
+happened to be watching. Both Paul and the teacher slumbered very
+soundly. Paul lay at the stern of the boat and Mr. Pennypacker in the
+middle. Henry was in the prow, sitting at ease with his rifle across his
+knees. The boat was amid a tall growth of canes, the stalks and blades
+rising a full ten feet above their heads, and hiding them completely.
+Henry had been watching the surface of the river, but at last the action
+grew wholly mechanical. Had anything appeared there he would have seen
+it, but his thoughts were elsewhere. His whole life, since he had
+arrived, a boy of fifteen, in the Kentucky wilderness, was passing
+before him in a series of pictures, vivid and wonderful, standing out
+like reality itself. He was in a sort of twilight midway between the
+daylight and a dream, and it seemed to him once more that Providence had
+kept a special watch over his comrades and himself. How else could they
+have escaped so many dangers? How else could fortune have turned to
+their side, when the last chance seemed gone? No skill, even when it
+seemed almost superhuman, could have dragged them back from the pit of
+death. He felt with all the power of conviction that a great mission had
+been given to them, and that they had been spared again and again that
+they might complete it.
+
+While he yet watched and saw, he visited a misty world. The wind had
+risen and out of the dense foliage above him came its song upon the
+stalks and blades of the cane. A low note at first, it swelled into
+triumph, and it sounded clearly in his ear, bar on bar. He did not have
+the power to move, as he listened then to the hidden voice. His blood
+leaped and a deep sense of awe, and of the power of the unknown swept
+over him. But he was not afraid. Rather he shared in the triumph that
+was expressed so clearly in the mystic song.
+
+The note swelled, touched upon its highest note and then died slowly
+away in fall after fall, until it came in a soft echo and then the echo
+itself was still. Henry returned to the world of reality with every
+sense vivid and alert. He heard the wind blowing in the cane and nothing
+more. The surface of the river rippled lightly in the breeze, but
+neither friend nor enemy passed there. The stream was as lonely and
+desolate as if man had never come. He shook himself a little, but the
+spiritual exaltation, born of the song and the misty region that he had
+visited, remained.
+
+"A sign, a prophecy!" he murmured. His heart swelled. The new task would
+be achieved as the others had been. It did not matter whether he had
+heard or had dreamed. His confidence in the result was absolute. He sat
+a long time looking out upon the water, but never moving. Anyone
+observing him would have concluded after a while that he was no human
+being, merely an image. It would not have seemed possible that any
+living organism could have remained as still as a stone so many hours.
+
+When the sun showed that it was well past noon, Paul awoke. He glanced
+at Henry, who nodded. The nod meant that all was well. By and by Mr.
+Pennypacker, also, awoke and then Henry in his turn went to sleep so
+easily and readily that it seemed a mere matter of will. The
+schoolmaster glanced at him and whispered to Paul:
+
+"A great youth, Paul! Truly a great youth! It is far from old Greece to
+this forest of Kaintuckee, but he makes me think of the mighty heroes
+who are enshrined in the ancient legends and stories."
+
+"That thought has come to me, too," Paul whispered back. "I like to
+picture him as Hector, but Hector with a better fate. I don't think
+Henry was born for any untimely end."
+
+"No, that could not be," said the schoolmaster with conviction.
+
+Then they relapsed into silence and just about the time the first shadow
+betokened the coming twilight Paul heard a faint gurgling sound which he
+was sure was made by oars. He touched the schoolmaster and whispered to
+him to listen. Then he pulled Henry's shoulder slightly, and instantly
+the great youth sat up, wide awake.
+
+"Someone is near," whispered Paul. "Listen!"
+
+Henry bent his head close to the water and distinctly heard the swishing
+of paddles, coming in the direction that they had followed in the night.
+It was a deliberate sound and Henry inferred at once that those who
+approached were in no hurry and feared no enemy. Then he drew the second
+inference that it was Indians. White men would know that danger was
+always about them in these woods.
+
+"We have nothing to do but lie here and see them as they pass," he
+whispered to his companions. "We are really as safe among these dense
+canes as if we were a hundred miles away, provided we make no noise."
+
+There was no danger that any of them would make a noise. They lay so
+still that their boat never moved a hair and not even the wariest savage
+on the river would have thought that one of their most formidable
+enemies and two of his friends lay hidden in the canes so near.
+
+"Look!" whispered Henry. "There is Braxton Wyatt!"
+
+Henry and Paul were eager enough to see but the schoolmaster was
+perhaps the most eager of all. This was something new in his experience.
+He had heard much of Braxton Wyatt, the renegade, once a pupil of his,
+and he did not understand how one of white blood and training could turn
+aside to join the Indians, and to become a more ruthless enemy of his
+own people than the savages themselves. Yet there could be no doubt of
+its truth, and now that he saw Wyatt he understood. Evil passions make
+an evil face. Braxton Wyatt's jaw was now heavy and projecting, his eyes
+were dark and lowering, and his cheek bones seemed to have become high
+like those of the warriors with whom he lived. The good Mr. Pennypacker
+shuddered. He had lived long and he could read the hearts of men. He
+knew now that Braxton Wyatt, despite his youth, was lost beyond
+redemption to honor and truth. The schoolmaster shuddered again.
+
+The boat--a large one--contained besides Wyatt a white man, obviously a
+renegade, and six sturdy Shawnee warriors who were wielding the paddles.
+The warriors were quite naked, save for the breechcloth, and their broad
+shoulders and chests were painted with many hideous decorations. Their
+rifles lay beside them. Braxton Wyatt's manner showed that he was the
+leader and Henry had no doubt that this was a party of scouts come to
+spy upon Wareville. It was wholly likely that Braxton Wyatt, who knew
+the place so thoroughly, should undertake such an errand.
+
+Henry was right. Timmendiquas, de Peyster and Girty as leaders of the
+allied forces preparing for invasion in case Clark could not gather a
+sufficient force for attack, were neglecting no precaution. They had
+sent forth small parties to examine into the condition of every station
+in Kentucky. These parties were not to make any demonstration, lest the
+settlers be put on their guard, but, after obtaining their information,
+were to retire as silently as they had come. Braxton Wyatt had promptly
+secured command of the little force sent toward Wareville, taking with
+him as lieutenant a young renegade, a kindred spirit named Early.
+
+Strange emotions agitated Wyatt when he started. He had a desire to see
+once more the place where he had been a boy with other boys of his own
+white race, and where he might yet have been with his own kind, if a
+soul naturally turning to malice had not sent him off to the savages.
+Because he was now an outcast, although of his own making, he hated his
+earlier associates all the more. He sought somehow to blame them for it.
+They had never appreciated him enough. Had they put him forward and
+given him his due, he would not now be making war upon them. Foolish and
+blind, they must suffer the consequences of their own stupidity. When
+Wareville was taken, he might induce the Indians to spare a few, but
+there were certainly some who should not be spared. His brow was black
+and his thoughts were blacker. It may be that Henry read them, because
+his hand slid gently forward to the hammer of his rifle. But his will
+checked the hand before it could cock the weapon, and he shook his head
+impatiently.
+
+"Not now," he said in the softest of whispers, "but we must follow that
+boat. It is going toward Wareville and that is our way. Since we have
+seen him it is for us to deal with Wyatt before he can do more
+mischief."
+
+Paul nodded, and even the soul of the good schoolmaster stirred with
+warlike ardor. He was not a child of the forest. He knew little of
+ambush and the trail, but he was ready to spend his strength and blood
+for the good of his own people. So he too nodded, and then waited for
+their young leader to act.
+
+Braxton Wyatt passed on southward and up the stream of the river. There
+was no song among the leaves for him, but his heart was still full of
+cruel passions. He did not dream that a boat containing the one whom he
+hated most had lain in the cane within twenty yards of him. He was
+thinking instead of Wareville and of the way in which he would spy out
+every weak place there. He and Early had become great friends, and now
+he told his second much about the village.
+
+"Wareville is strong," he said, "and they have many excellent riflemen.
+We were repulsed there once, when we made an attack in force, and we
+must take it by surprise. Once we are inside the palisade everything
+will soon be over. I hope that we will catch Ware and his comrades there
+when we catch the others."
+
+"He seems hard to hold," said Early. "That escape of his from Detroit
+was a daring and skillful thing. I could hardly believe it when we heard
+of it at the Ohio. You're bound to admit that, Braxton."
+
+"I admit it readily enough," said Wyatt. "Oh, he's brave and cunning and
+strong. He would not be so much worth taking if he were not all those
+things!"
+
+Early glanced at the face of his leader.
+
+"You do dislike him, that's sure!" he said.
+
+"You make no mistake when you say so," replied Wyatt. "There are not
+many of us here in the woods, and somehow he and I seem to have been
+always in opposition in the last two or three years. I think, however,
+that a new campaign will end in overwhelming victory for us, and
+Kaintuckee will become a complete wilderness again."
+
+The stalwart Shawnees paddled on all that afternoon without stopping or
+complaining once. It was a brilliant day in early summer, all golden
+sunshine, but not too warm. The river flowed in curve after curve, and
+its surface was always illumined by the bright rays save where the
+unbroken forest hung in a green shadow over either edge. Scarlet
+tanagers darted like flashes of flame from tree to tree, and from low
+boughs a bird now and then poured forth a full measure of song. Braxton
+Wyatt had never looked upon a more peaceful wilderness, but before the
+sun began to set he was afflicted with a strange disquiet. An expert
+woodsman with an instinct for the sounds and stirrings of the forest, he
+began to have a belief that they were not alone on the river. He heard
+nothing and saw nothing, yet he felt in a vague, misty way that they
+were followed. He tried to put aside the thought as foolish, but it
+became so strong that at last he gave a signal to stop.
+
+"What is it?" asked Early, as the paddles ceased to sigh through the
+water.
+
+"I thought I heard something behind us," replied Wyatt, although he had
+heard nothing, "and you know we cannot afford to be seen here by any
+white scout or hunter."
+
+The Indians listened intently with their trained ears and then shook
+their heads. There was no sound behind them, save the soft flowing of
+the river, as it lapped against either bank.
+
+"I hear nothing," said Early.
+
+"Nor do I," admitted Wyatt, "yet I could have sworn a few minutes ago
+that we were being followed. Instinct is sometimes a good guide in the
+forest."
+
+"Then I suggest," said Early, "that we turn back for a few miles. We can
+float with the current close up to the bank under the overhanging
+boughs, and, if hunters or scouts are following us, they'll soon wish
+they were somewhere else."
+
+He laughed and Braxton Wyatt joined him in his savage mirth.
+
+"Your idea is a good one," said Wyatt, "and we may catch a mouse or two
+in our trap."
+
+He gave another signal and the Shawnees turned the boat about,
+permitting it to float back with the stream, but as Early had suggested,
+keeping it in the shadow. Despite his experience and the lack of proof
+that anyone else was near, Wyatt's heart began to beat fast. Suppose
+the game was really there, and it should prove to be of the kind that he
+wanted most to take! This would be indeed a triumph worth while, and he
+would neglect no precaution to achieve it. They had gone back about a
+mile now, and he signaled to the warriors to swing the boat yet a little
+closer to the bank. He still heard no sound, but the belief was once
+more strong upon him that the quarry was there. They drifted slowly and
+yet there was nothing. His eye alighted upon a great mass of bushes
+growing in the shallow water at the edge of the river. He told the
+paddlers to push the boat among them until it should be completely
+hidden and then he waited.
+
+But time passed and nothing came. The sun dropped lower. The yellow
+light on the water turned to red, and the forest flamed under the
+setting sun. A light breeze sprang up and the foliage rustled under its
+touch. Braxton Wyatt, from his covert among the bushes, watched with
+anger gnawing at his heart. He had been wrong or whoever it was that
+followed had been too wary. He was crafty and had laid his trap well,
+but others were crafty, too, and would turn from the door of an open
+trap.
+
+The sun sank further. The red in the west deepened but gray shadows were
+creeping over the east and the surface of the river began to darken.
+Nothing had come. Nothing was coming. Braxton Wyatt said reluctantly to
+himself that his instinct had been wrong. He gave the word to pull the
+boat from the canes, and to proceed up the stream again. He was annoyed.
+He had laid a useless trap and he had made himself look cheap before the
+Indians. So he said nothing for a long time, but allowed his anger to
+simmer. When it was fully dark they tied up the boat and camped on
+shore, in the bushes near the water.
+
+Wyatt was too cautious to permit a fire, and they ate cold food in the
+darkness. After a while, all slept but two of the Shawnees who kept
+watch. Wyatt's slumbers were uneasy. About midnight he awoke, and he was
+oppressed by the same presentiment that had made him turn back the boat.
+He heard nothing and saw nothing save his own men, but his instinct was
+at work once more, and it told him that his party was watched. He lay in
+dark woods in a vast wilderness, but he felt in every bone that near
+them was an alien presence.
+
+Wyatt raised himself upon his arm and looked at the two red sentinels.
+Not a muscle of either had stirred. They were so much carven bronze.
+Their rifles lay across their knees and they stared fixedly at the
+forest. But he knew that their eyes and ears were of the keenest and
+that but little could escape their attention. Yet they had not
+discovered the presence. He rose finally to his feet. The Indians heard
+the faint noise that he made and glanced at him. But he was their
+commander and they said nothing, resuming in an instant their watch of
+the forest.
+
+Wyatt did not take his rifle. Instead, he kept his hand on the hilt of a
+fine double-barreled pistol in his belt. After some hesitation he walked
+to the river and looked at the boat. It was still there, tied securely.
+No one had meddled with it. The moon was obscured and the surface of the
+river looked black. No object upon it could be seen far away. He
+listened attentively and heard nothing. But he could not rid himself of
+the belief that they had been followed, that even now a foe was near. He
+walked back to the little camp and looked at Early who was sleeping
+soundly. He was impatient with himself because he could not do likewise,
+and then, shrugging his shoulders, he went further into the forest.
+
+The trees grew closely where Wyatt stood and there were bushes
+everywhere. His concealment was good and he leaned against the trunk of
+a huge oak to listen. He could not see fifteen feet away, but he did not
+believe that any human being could pass near and escape his hearing. He
+stood thus in the darkness for a full ten minutes, and then he was quite
+sure that he did hear a sound as of a heavy body moving slightly. It was
+not instinct or prescience, the product of a vivid fancy, but a reality.
+He had been too long in the woods to mistake the fact. Something was
+stalking something else and undoubtedly the stalker was a man.
+
+What was the unknown stalking? Suddenly a cold sweat broke out on
+Braxton Wyatt's face. It was he who was being stalked and he was now
+beyond the sight of his own sentinels. He was, for the moment, alone in
+the midnight woods, and he was afraid. Braxton Wyatt was not naturally a
+coward, and he had been hardened in the school of forest warfare, but
+superstitious terrors assailed him now. He was sorry that he had left
+the camp. His curiosity had been too great. If he wished to explore the
+woods, why had he not brought some of the Indians with him?
+
+He called upon his courage, a courage that had seldom failed him, but it
+would not come now. He heard the stalker moving again in the bushes, not
+fifteen yards away, and the hand on the pistol belt became wet. He
+glanced up but there was no moon and clouds hid the sky. Only ear could
+tell when the danger was about to fall, and then it would be too late.
+
+He made a supreme effort, put his will in control of his paralyzed
+limbs, and wrenched himself away. He almost ran to the camp. Then
+bringing his pride to his aid he dropped to a walk, and stepped back
+into the circle of the camp. But he was barely able to restrain a cry of
+relief as the chill passed from his backbone. Angry and humiliated, he
+awakened four of the Shawnees and sent them into the woods in search of
+a foe. Early was aroused by the voices and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
+
+"What is it, Braxton?" he asked. "Are we about to be attacked?"
+
+"No," replied Wyatt, calming himself with a violent effort, "but I am
+convinced that there is someone in the bushes watching us. I know that I
+heard the noise of footsteps and I only hope that our Shawnees will run
+afoul of him."
+
+"If he's there they'll get him," said Early confidently.
+
+"I don't know," said Braxton Wyatt.
+
+The Indians came back presently, and one of them spoke to Wyatt, who
+went with them into the bushes. The moon had come out a little and, by
+its faint light, they showed him traces of footsteps. The imprints were
+ever so light, but experienced trailers could not doubt that human
+beings had passed. The renegade felt at the same time a certain relief
+and a certain alarm, relief to know that he had not been a mere prey to
+foolish fears, and alarm because they had been stalked by some spy so
+skillful and wary that they could not follow him. The Indians had
+endeavored to pursue the trail, but after a rod or so it was lost among
+the bushes.
+
+Wyatt, apprehensive lest his mission should fail, doubled the watch and
+then sought sleep. He did not find it for a long time, but toward
+morning he fell into a troubled slumber from which he was awakened by
+Early about an hour after the sun had appeared above the eastern forest.
+
+"We must be moving," said Early, "if we're going to spy out that
+Wareville of yours and tell our people how to get in."
+
+"You're right," said Wyatt, "but we must watch behind us now as well as
+before. It is certain that we are followed and I'm afraid that we're
+followed by an enemy most dangerous."
+
+Neglecting no precaution, he ordered a warrior to follow along the bank
+about two miles in the rear. An Indian in the deep brush could not be
+seen and the renegade's savage heart thrilled at the thought that after
+all he might be setting a trap into which his enemy would walk. Then his
+boat moved forward, more slowly now, and hugging the bank more closely
+than ever. Wyatt knew the way well. He had been several times along this
+river, a fine broad stream. He meant to leave the boat and take to the
+forest when within twenty miles of Wareville, but, before doing so, he
+hoped to achieve a victory which would console him for many defeats.
+
+The warrior left behind for purposes of ambush was to rejoin them at
+noon, but at the appointed hour he did not come. Nor did he come at one
+o'clock or at two. He never came, and after Wyatt had raged with
+disappointment and apprehension until the middle of the afternoon he
+sent back a second warrior to see what had become of him. The second
+warrior was the best trailer and scout in the band, a Shawnee with a
+great reputation among his fellows, but when the night arrived neither
+he nor the other warrior arrived with it. They waited long for both.
+Three of the Indians in a group went back, but they discovered no sign.
+They returned full of superstitious terror which quickly communicated
+itself to the others and Wyatt and Early, despite their white blood,
+felt it also.
+
+A most vigilant watch was kept that night. No fire was lighted and
+nobody slept. The renegade still hoped that the two missing warriors
+would return, but they did not do so. The other Indians began to believe
+that the evil spirit had taken them, and they were sorry that they had
+come upon such an errand. They wished to go back down the stream and
+beyond the Ohio. Near morning a warrior saw something moving in the
+bushes and fired at it. The shot was returned quick as a flash, and the
+warrior, who would fire no more, fell at the feet of the others and lay
+still. Wyatt and his men threw themselves upon their faces, and, after a
+long wait, searched the bushes, but found nothing.
+
+Now the Indians approached the point of rebellion. It was against the
+will of Manitou that they should prosper on their errand. The loss of
+three comrades was the gravest of warnings and they should turn back.
+But Wyatt rebuked them angrily. He did not mean to be beaten in such a
+way by an enemy who remained in hiding. The bullet had shown that it was
+an earthly foe, and, as far as Manitou was concerned, he always awarded
+the victory to courage, skill and luck. The Indians went forward
+reluctantly.
+
+The next night they tied up again by the wooded bank. Wyatt wanted two
+of the warriors to remain in the boat, but they refused absolutely to do
+so. Despite all that he could say their superstitious fears were strong
+upon them, and they meant to stay close to their comrades upon the solid
+earth. Dreading too severe a test of his authority the renegade
+consented, and all of them, except the guards, lay down among the bushes
+near the shore. It was a fine summer night, not very dark, and Wyatt did
+not believe a foe could come near them without being seen. He felt more
+confidence, but again he was sleepless. He closed his eyes and sought
+slumber by every device that he knew, but it would not come. At last he
+made a circuit with Early and two of the Indians in the forest about the
+camp, but saw and heard nothing. Returning, he lay down on his blanket
+and once more wooed sleep with shut eyes.
+
+Sleep still refused obstinately to come, and in ten minutes the renegade
+reopened his eyes. His glance wandered idly over the recumbent Indians
+who were sound asleep, and then to those who watched. It passed from
+them to the river and the black blur of the boat lying upon the water
+about twenty yards away. Then it passed on and after a while came back
+again to the boat.
+
+Braxton Wyatt knew that optical illusions were common, especially in the
+obscurity of night. One could look so long at a motionless object that
+it seemed to move. That was why the boat, tied securely to low boughs,
+did that curious trick of apparently gliding over the surface of the
+river. Wyatt laughed at himself. In the faint light, brain was superior
+to eye. He would not allow himself to be deceived, and the quality of
+mind that saved him from delusions gave him pride. He did not have a
+very good view of the boat from the point where he lay, but he saw
+enough of it to know that when he looked again it would be lying exactly
+where it had been all the time, despite that illusory trick of movement.
+So, to show the superiority of will over fancy, he kept his eyes shut a
+longer time than usual, and when he opened them once more he looked
+directly at the boat. Surely the shifting light was playing him new
+tricks. Apparently it was much farther out in the stream and was
+drifting with the current.
+
+Wyatt reproved himself as an unsteady fool. His nerves were shaken, and
+in order to restore his calmness he closed his eyes once more. But the
+eyes would not stay shut. Will was compelled to yield at last to impulse
+and the lids came apart. He was somewhat angry at himself. He did not
+wish to look at the boat again, and repeat those foolish illusions, but
+he did so nevertheless.
+
+Braxton Wyatt sprang to his feet with a cry of alarm and warning. It was
+no trick of fancy. He saw with eyes that did not lie a boat out in the
+middle of the stream and every moment going faster with the current. The
+power that propelled it was unseen, but Wyatt knew it to be there.
+
+"Fire! Fire!" he shouted to his men. "Somebody is carrying off our
+boat!"
+
+Rifles flashed and bullets made the water spout. Two struck the boat
+itself, but it moved on with increasing swiftness. Wyatt, Early and the
+Indians dashed to the water's edge, but a sharp crack came from the
+further shore, and Early fell forward directly into the river. Wyatt and
+the Indians shrank back into the bushes where they lay hidden. But the
+renegade, with a sort of frightened fascination, watched the water
+pulling at the body of his slain comrade, until it was carried away by
+the current and floated out of sight. The boat, meanwhile, moved on
+until it, too, passed a curve, and was lost from view.
+
+Wyatt recovered his courage and presence of mind, but he sought in vain
+to urge the Shawnees in pursuit. Superstition held them in a firm grasp.
+It was true that Early had been slain by a bullet, but a mystic power
+was taking the boat away. The hand of Manitou was against them and they
+would return to the country north of the Ohio. They started at once, and
+Wyatt, raging, was compelled to go with them, since he did not dare to
+go southward alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE SHADOWY FIGURE
+
+
+After Braxton Wyatt and the Indians had fled, their canoe proceeded
+steadily up the stream. Henry Ware, with his head only projecting, and
+sheltered fully by the boat, swam on. He heard neither shots nor the
+sound of men running through the bushes along the bank in pursuit. Nor
+did he expect to hear either. He had calculated well the power of hidden
+danger and superstition, and, confident of complete victory, he finally
+steered the boat toward the farther shore, bringing it under the
+overhanging boughs, about a mile from the point where Braxton Wyatt's
+canoe had been. As the prow struck the soft soil and he rose from the
+water, Paul came forward to meet him. Paul carried in his hands a rifle
+that he had just reloaded.
+
+"It was a success, Henry, more thorough even than we had hoped," Paul
+said.
+
+"Yes," replied Henry as he stood up, a dripping water god. "Fortune was
+surely good to us. I have not been pursued, and I know it is because the
+Indians did not dare to follow. They will certainly flee as fast as they
+can to their own country, and meanwhile we are the gainer by one fine
+big boat, which I think is not empty."
+
+"No, it is not," said Mr. Pennypacker, appearing from the bushes, "but I
+will never again enter into such another enterprise. It may suit young
+foresters like you two, but it is not for me, an old man and a
+schoolmaster."
+
+"Still, we have turned back a scouting party which might have carried
+dangerous information," said Henry, "and I propose that we now look and
+see what is in our new boat."
+
+The spoils were richer than they had expected. They found two extra
+rifles of good make, a large quantity of powder and bullets, some
+blankets and much food.
+
+"We can use all these things," said Henry, "and we'll go to Wareville in
+this big canoe, tying our own little one behind. When we get there we'll
+contribute the rifles and other things to the general store."
+
+"Where they may be welcome enough," said Mr. Pennypacker. "Well, you
+lads achieved this deed, while I filled the rôle of spectator and
+well-wisher. I am very glad, however, that you have secured this boat.
+It is a great improvement upon our own small one."
+
+The schoolmaster was a fine paddler, and he insisted that Henry and Paul
+rest, while he showed his skill. He was anxious, he said, to do his own
+part in the return, and this offered him the only chance. Henry and Paul
+acquiesced and he paddled stoutly on for a long time. But before morning
+he gave in, and the lads relieved him. Paul had slept for an hour or
+two, but Henry had remained wide awake.
+
+The river now flowed very slowly, and with but little opposition from
+the current, they were able to make good time. Both were full of eager
+anticipation. By the following night they ought to reach Wareville, the
+snug home of theirs that they had not seen in so long a time.
+
+"I wonder if they will know us," said Henry.
+
+"Not at first sight. Of that I am sure," replied Paul. "It seems to me,
+Henry, that you have grown at least six inches since we were last at
+Wareville."
+
+"You haven't been any sluggard yourself, Paul, so far as growth is
+concerned. They may or may not know us, but I feel quite certain that
+they won't believe everything we tell them, although every word will be
+gospel truth."
+
+"No, it's not likely, and yet sooner or later we can bring the
+witnesses. I suppose they'll find it hardest to believe about Wyoming. I
+wish myself that it wasn't true."
+
+Paul shuddered at the black memory.
+
+"But we've already struck back for it," said Henry. "It caused the
+destruction of the Iroquois power."
+
+Then both were silent. The schoolmaster, lying on a roll of the captured
+blankets, slept soundly. His breathing was steady and rhythmic, and the
+two youths glanced at him.
+
+"At any rate we're bringing him back," said Paul. "They'll be glad to
+see him at Wareville. I've no doubt they gave him up for dead long ago."
+
+The day came with a splendid sun shining on the green world. The spring
+had been very rainy, and the summer thus far had rejoiced in frequent
+showers. Hence no brown had yet appeared in the foliage, and the world
+looked fresh and young. Although they were now approaching Wareville the
+forest was unbroken, and no sound of civilization came to their ears.
+Henry told Paul, who was very tired, to go to sleep as he could paddle
+the boat alone. Paul lay down on the blankets beside the schoolmaster,
+and in a couple of minutes was off to slumberland.
+
+Henry paddled on. Before him was a long reach of the river almost
+without current and the prow cut the still water, leaving behind it a
+long trailing wake of liquid gold. Henry had never seen a finer sun.
+Beneath it forest and river were vivid and intense. Birds of many kinds
+chattered and sang in the boughs. Battle and danger seemed far away.
+Peace and beauty were to attend their coming home and he was glad. His
+strong arms swept the paddle through the water for a long time. The
+action was purely mechanical. His muscles were so thoroughly trained
+and hardened that he was not conscious of action. He was watching
+instead for the first sign of Wareville's presence, and a little before
+noon he saw it, a thin spire of smoke rising high, until it stopped like
+the point of a spearhead against the sky. He knew at once that it hung
+over Wareville, and his heart throbbed. He loved the great wilderness
+with an intensity that few men felt for their own acres, but he had been
+away a long time, a time, moreover, so crowded with events that it
+seemed far greater than reality.
+
+He did not yet awaken Paul and the schoolmaster, but, putting more power
+in his arms, he sent the boat on more swiftly. When he turned a point
+where a little peninsula, covered with forest, jutted into the river, he
+let the paddle swing idly for a minute or two and listened. A steady
+thudding sound, as regular as the beat of a drum, though slower, came to
+his ears. It was the woodsman's ax, and, for a moment, Henry flinched as
+if he himself lay beneath the blade. That ax was eating into his beloved
+forest, and a hundred more axes were doing the same. Then he recovered
+himself. The hundred axes might eat on, the hundred might become a
+thousand, and the thousand ten thousand, but they could eat only the
+edge of his wilderness which stretched away thousands of miles in every
+direction. The trees, and with them the deer and the bear, would be
+there long beyond his time, though he might live to be a hundred, and
+beyond that of the generation after. He took comfort in the thought, and
+once more felt deep content.
+
+It was not solely as a hunter and scout that Henry loved the wilderness.
+Forest and river and lake touched far deeper springs in his nature. They
+were for him full of beauty and majesty. Green forest in spring and red
+forest in autumn alike appealed to him. Brooks, rivers and lakes were
+alive. When duty did not call he could sit perfectly motionless for
+hours, happy to see the wilderness and to feel that it was all about
+him.
+
+He swung the paddle again, and the boat moved leisurely forward. The
+ring of the ax grew louder, and he heard others to the right and to the
+left. Presently something struck with a crash and, in spite of all his
+reasoning with himself, Henry sighed. A great tree cut through by the ax
+had fallen. Many others had gone in the same way, and many more would
+follow. The spire of smoke was attended now by smaller spires and
+Wareville could not be more than three miles away. He awakened Paul and
+the schoolmaster.
+
+"We shall be at home in less than an hour," he said. "Listen to the
+axes!"
+
+Paul glanced quickly at him. His fine and sensitive mind understood at
+once the inflection in Henry's voice, and he sympathized.
+
+"But they are our own people," he said, "and they are making homes which
+we must help to defend."
+
+"A stronghold in the wilderness, where man, woman and child may be safe
+from wild beast and savage," said the schoolmaster oracularly. "Ah,
+boys--boys! how much do I owe you! Truly I thought I should never see
+this comfortable little village again, and here I am, sound and whole,
+returning in triumph upon a captured vessel."
+
+They saw at the right a cleared field, in which the young corn was
+growing amid the stumps, and on the left was the sheen of wheat also
+amid the stumps. Mr. Pennypacker rubbed his hands delightedly, but Henry
+was silent. Yet the feeling was brief with the youth. Thoughts of his
+people quickly crowded it out, and he swung the paddle more swiftly. The
+other two, who were now helping him, did likewise, and the boat doubled
+its pace. Through the thinned forest appeared the brown walls of a
+palisade, and Henry, putting a hand in the shape of a trumpet to his
+lips, uttered a long, mellow cry that the forest gave back in many
+echoes. Faces appeared on the palisade and three or four men, rifle on
+shoulder, approached the bank of the river. They did not know either
+Henry or Paul, but one of them exclaimed:
+
+"Ef that ain't Mr. Pennypacker riz right up from the dead then I'm a
+ghost myself!"
+
+"It is Mr. Pennypacker," said the schoolmaster joyfully, "and I'm no
+more of a ghost than you are. I've come back from captivity, bringing
+with me two of those who saved me, young citizens of this village, Henry
+Ware and Paul Cotter."
+
+They turned the head of the boat to the bank and the whole population
+poured forth to meet them. Henry and Paul were greeted half with
+laughter and half with tears by their parents--border stoicism was
+compelled to melt away at this moment--and then they blushed at the
+words that were said about them. Their stature and strength attracted
+the attention of everybody. The borderers could not fail to note the
+ease and grace of their movements, the lightness with which they walked,
+and the dexterity with which they pulled the big boat upon the bank. It
+was evident that these two youths were far above the average of their
+kind, that naturally of a high quality they had been trained in a school
+that brought forth every merit. Henry towered above his own father, who
+no longer looked upon him as one to whom he should give tasks and
+reproofs. And the admiration with which they were regarded increased
+when the schoolmaster told how he had been rescued by them and their
+comrades.
+
+Henry sat that night in his father's house, and told long and true tales
+of their great wanderings and of danger and escape on land and water. He
+and Paul had eaten hugely, there was no escape, and he felt that he must
+sit quiet for a while. He was loth to talk of himself, but there was no
+escape from that either, and his story was so vivid, so full that it
+fairly told itself. As he spoke of the great journey and its myriad
+events between New Orleans and the Great Lakes, the crowd in the big
+room thickened. No one was willing to lose a word of the magic tale, and
+it was past midnight when he lay down on the blankets and sought sleep.
+
+The next day and the next were passed in further welcome, but when Henry
+sought the blankets the third night he became conscious that the first
+flush of the return was over. The weather had turned very hot--it was
+now July--and the walls and ceiling of the room seemed to press upon him
+and suffocate him. He drew deep and long breaths, but there was not air
+enough to fill a chest that had long been used to the illimitable
+outside. It was very still in the room. He longed to hear the boughs of
+trees waving over him. He felt that only such a sound or the trickle of
+running water could soothe him to sleep. Yet he would make another
+effort. He closed his eyes and for a half hour lay motionless. Then,
+angry, he opened them again, as wide awake as ever. He listened, but he
+could hear no sound in either the house or the village.
+
+Henry Ware rose to his feet, slipped on his clothing, and went to the
+window. He looked forth upon a sleeping village. The houses, built of
+solid logs, stood in ordered rows, gray and silent. Nothing stirred
+anywhere. He took his rifle from the hooks, and leaped lightly out of
+the window. Then he slipped cautiously among the houses, scaled the
+palisade and darted into the forest.
+
+He lay down by the side of a cold spring about a mile from the village.
+The bank of turf was soft and cool, and the little stream ran over the
+pebbles with a faint sighing sound. The thick leaves that hung overhead
+rustled beneath the south wind, and played a pleasant tune. Henry felt
+a great throb of joy. His chest expanded and the blood leaped in every
+vein. He threw himself down upon the bank and grasped the turf with both
+hands. It seemed to him that like Antæus of old he felt strength flowing
+back into his body through every finger tip. He could breathe here
+easily and naturally. What a wonderful thing the forest was! How its
+beauty shone in the moonlight! The trees silvered with mist stood in
+long rows, and the friendly boughs and leaves, moving before the wind,
+never ceased to sing their friendly song to him.
+
+Deep peace came over him. Lying on his side and soothed by the forest
+and flowing water his eyelids drooped of their own accord. Presently he
+slept, breathing deeply and regularly, and drawing the fresh air into
+his veins. But he awoke before daylight and reëntered the village and
+his father's house without being seen by anyone. To the questions of his
+parents he said that he had slept well, and he ate his breakfast with an
+appetite that he had not known since he came within the palisade.
+
+The news that Henry and Paul had brought of the great invasion
+threatened by an allied Indian and British force disturbed Wareville.
+Yet the settlers felt much safer when they learned that the redoubtable
+George Rogers Clark intended a counterstroke. More than twenty of the
+most stalwart colonists volunteered to go to Louisville and join Clark
+for the blow. Henry told his father that he and Paul would return with
+them.
+
+"I suppose it is your nature," said Mr. Ware, "but do you not think,
+Henry, that you have already suffered enough hardship and danger for the
+sake of the border?"
+
+"No, Father, I do not," replied Henry. "Not as long as hardship and
+danger are to be suffered. And I know, too, that it is my nature. I
+shall live all my life in the forest."
+
+Mr. Ware said nothing more. He knew that words were useless. That
+question had been threshed out between them long ago. But he gave him an
+affectionate farewell, and, a week after their arrival in Wareville,
+Henry and Paul departed again for the North, the whole population of
+Wareville waving them good-by as they embarked upon the river.
+
+But the two youths were far from being alone. A score of strong men,
+mostly young, were with them in four boats, and they carried an ample
+supply of arms and ammunition. Mr. Pennypacker wanted to go back with
+them, but he was dissuaded from undertaking the task.
+
+"Perhaps it is best that I stay in Wareville," he said regretfully. "I
+am really a man of peace and not of war, although war has looked for me
+more than once."
+
+Their boats now had oars instead of paddles, and with the current in
+their favor they moved rapidly toward the north. They also had a
+favoring breeze behind them and Henry and Paul, who were in the first
+boat, felt their hearts swell with the prospect of action. They were so
+habituated now to an eventful life that a week of rest seemed a long
+time to them. Already they were pining to be with George Rogers Clark on
+the great expedition.
+
+"How many men do you think Colonel Clark will be able to gather?" asked
+Ethan Burke, one of the stoutest of the Wareville contingent.
+
+"I don't know, but his name is something to conjure with," replied
+Henry. "He ought to get together six or seven hundred at least, and that
+many men, experienced in the woods, will make a formidable force."
+
+They rowed down the river for three or four days, stopping at intervals
+to beat up the woods for marauding Indian bands. They found no traces of
+an enemy. Henry surmised that the experience of Braxton Wyatt's party
+had been a warning, and that possibly also the chiefs had learned of
+Clark's plan. The news that he was coming would alone suffice to put an
+end for the time to the Indian raids.
+
+The voyage continued in unbroken peace until they entered the Ohio. Here
+they were assailed by a summer storm of great severity and one of the
+boats, struck by lightning, narrowly escaped sinking. A rower was
+knocked senseless, but nobody was seriously injured, and by great
+efforts, they got the boat into condition to resume the journey.
+
+The little fleet came to the Falls, and turned in to the southern shore,
+where the main settlement of Louisville now stood. Several spires of
+smoke rose, and they knew that no Indian disaster had befallen. As they
+drew nearer they saw many boats along the bank, far more than the
+inhabitants of a little village could use.
+
+"A big force has gathered already," said Henry. "Ah, see there!"
+
+A boat shot out from the mass and came rapidly toward them.
+
+"Don't you know them?" said Henry to Paul.
+
+"My eyes may be dim from old age," replied Paul, "and perhaps I only
+guess, but I should say that the one nearest us is a shiftless character
+whom I used to know in my youth, a man who, despite his general
+worthlessness and incapacity, had a certain humorous and attractive
+quality of mind that endeared him to his friends."
+
+"I am of the opinion that you are right," said Henry, looking under his
+hand, "and the second, I think, is a voluble person named Thomas Ross,
+who has talked a wide circle of acquaintances nearly to death."
+
+"Even so, and the third is a long thin fellow, one James Hart, noted for
+his aversion to the delicacies of the table and his dismissal of cookery
+as a triviality unworthy of the consideration of a serious man. Am I
+right, Mr. Ware?"
+
+"You are right, Mr. Cotter. Hey you, Sol, how have you been?"
+
+His voice rose in a mellow peal across the waters, and three shouts
+simultaneous and joyous came back.
+
+"Hey, Henry!" cried Shif'less Sol in a voice that could have been heard
+a mile. "We're mighty glad to see you, an' we're mighty glad that you've
+brought such good company with you."
+
+In a few more moments their boat was alongside and there was a mighty
+shaking of hands. The three knew all the Wareville men and Shif'less Sol
+said the reënforcement would be very welcome.
+
+"But we've got an army already," he said. "You just come and see it."
+
+As they tied their boats to the bank Henry noticed many tents along the
+sloping shore. One larger than the rest was surmounted by the new flag
+of the United States.
+
+"That's Colonel Clark's tent," said Shif'less Sol, noticing the
+direction of his eyes, "but the Colonel won't sleep in a tent many more
+nights. We start soon up the Ohio and all these are to be left behind."
+
+Henry was received that very day in the Colonel's tent. Clark, apt to
+grow sluggish and careless in idleness, was now all energy and keenness.
+The confidence of the borderer in him was not misplaced. Henry left his
+comrades behind when he was summoned to the Colonel's presence, but when
+he entered the big tent he saw others there whom he knew. A tall man,
+much bronzed by weather, blue of eyes and gentle of manner, greeted him
+warmly.
+
+"It's pleasant to see you again, young Mr. Ware," he said, "an' it's
+still more pleasant to know that we're to serve together under Colonel
+Clark."
+
+Daniel Boone, as gentle of speech as a woman, held out his hand and
+Henry fairly blushed with pride as he grasped it. Another man, darkened
+by weather like Boone, was Abe Thomas, also a celebrated scout, and
+there were yet others whose names were household words all along the
+border.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Ware, sit down," said Colonel Clark genially. "We're to
+hold a council of war, and we felt that it would not be complete without
+you."
+
+Henry experienced another throb of gratified pride, but as he was much
+the youngest present he spoke only when he was addressed directly. The
+debate was long and earnest. Colonel Clark had assembled between six and
+seven hundred good men, and he intended to go with this force up the
+Ohio to the mouth of the Licking. There they would be joined by another
+force under Colonel Benjamin Logan coming down the Licking. The united
+army after camping on the north shore of the Ohio, on the site of the
+present city of Cincinnati, would march straight for the Indian country.
+Boone, Henry Ware and other accomplished scouts would go ahead and guard
+against ambush. It was dark when the council ended, and when they
+prepared to leave, Clark said in his most sanguine tones:
+
+"If we do not strike a blow that will pay back Bird's and with interest
+then I'm not fit to lead. Our Indian friends will find that though they
+may destroy a village or two of ours their own villages will have to pay
+for it. And this great invasion that they've been planning will have to
+wait for another time."
+
+"We'll strike, and you're the man to lead us," said the others.
+
+It was night now and they stepped forth into the darkness. Henry passed
+among the tents toward the edge of the woods where his comrades were
+camped, and he saw a tall figure moving in the shadow of the trees. He
+would not have looked twice at the figure had not something familiar
+about it attracted his attention. It was the height, the breadth of the
+shoulders, and a certain haughty poise of the head that struck him all
+at once with the intensity of conviction. His friends had left him,
+going their respective ways, but Henry immediately darted toward the
+shadow.
+
+The tall and dusky figure melted away immediately among the trees, but
+the young forest runner pursued at his utmost speed. He did not doubt.
+It was no figment of fancy. It was the great chief himself spying with
+incredible daring upon his enemies. If he were permitted to escape, the
+advance of Clark would be surrounded with numberless dangers. The
+fertile brain and the invincible spirit of the great Wyandot would plant
+an ambush at every turn. The thought made Henry increase his speed.
+
+The figure flitted away among the oaks and beeches. Henry might have
+called for help earlier, but he was now too far away for anyone to hear,
+and, confident in his own strength and skill, he pressed on. The shadow
+was running eastward, and the way grew rough. Yet he did not lose sight
+of it flitting there among the trees. There was no swifter runner than
+he, but the distance between them did not decrease. It seemed to him
+that it remained always the same.
+
+"Stop or I shoot," he cried.
+
+The shadow did not stop and, raising his rifle, he fired. The figure
+never wavered for an instant, but continued its rapid and even flight,
+until it reached the crest of a little hill. There it suddenly turned
+about, leveled a rifle and fired in its turn. The bullet burned Henry's
+cheek and for a moment he hesitated, but only for a moment. Reloading
+his own rifle he continued the pursuit, the figure running steadily
+eastward, the gap between them remaining the same.
+
+The fugitive reached Beargrass Creek, darted swiftly through the water,
+climbed the opposite bank and was again among the trees. Henry crossed
+also and hung on with tenacity. He knew that Timmendiquas had probably
+reloaded also, but in the excitement and rush of the moment, he did not
+think of another return bullet. When he did recall the fact, as the
+chase lengthened, he felt sure that the chief would not stop to fight at
+close quarters. He could not afford to risk his life in an encounter
+with a single person, when he was the very keystone of the great Indian
+campaign.
+
+The chase still led northward through the deep woods that ran down to
+the shore of the Ohio. Strive as he would Henry could not gain. He did
+not forget that Timmendiquas had twice saved his life, but he in return
+had spared that of Timmendiquas, and now greater things were at stake
+than the feeling that one brave soul has for another. The light grew
+worse in the shadow of the giant trees and only at times could he see
+the flitting figure distinctly. At last was he able to secure what he
+considered a good aim, and he pulled the trigger a second time.
+
+Henry was an unerring marksman, perhaps the finest on all the border.
+The target at that moment was good, a shaft of clear moonlight falling
+directly upon the broad chest, and yet the bullet clipped a bush three
+feet away. Henry was conscious that, at the supreme instant when his
+finger pressed the trigger, he had been shaken by a sudden emotion. The
+muzzle of the rifle which bore directly upon the body of the chief had
+shifted just a little, and he was not surprised when the bullet went
+wide.
+
+Timmendiquas stopped, raised his own rifle, but fired straight up into
+the air. Then uttering a long whoop which the night gave back in clear
+echoes, he rushed directly to the river, and sprang far out into the
+dark waters. Henry was too astonished to move for a few moments. Then
+he, too, ran to the bank. He saw far out a dark head moving swiftly
+toward the northern shore. He might have reloaded, and even yet he might
+have taken a third shot with tolerable accuracy, but he made no effort
+to do so. He stood there, silent and motionless, watching the black head
+grow smaller and smaller until at last it was lost in the darkness that
+hung over the northern bank. But though hidden now he knew that the
+great chief had reached the far shore. In fancy he could see him as he
+walked into the woods, the glistening drops falling from his tall
+figure. Timmendiquas and he must fight on opposing sides, but real
+enemies they could never be. He felt that they were sure to meet again
+in conflict, and this would be the great decisive struggle. Timmendiquas
+himself knew that it was so, or he would not have come to look with his
+own eyes upon the force of Clark.
+
+Henry walked slowly back toward the little settlement. He waded the
+waters of Beargrass Creek, and soon saw the log cabins again. He and his
+comrades, when the ground was not wet, slept in neither a cabin nor a
+tent, but spread their blankets on the turf under a mighty beech. The
+four were already waiting for him there, and, in the darkness, they did
+not notice any unusual expression on Henry's face. He sat down beside
+them and said quietly:
+
+"I have just seen Timmendiquas."
+
+"What!" exclaimed four voices together.
+
+"I have just seen Timmendiquas. Moreover, I fired twice at him and he
+fired once at me. All three bullets missed."
+
+Then Shif'less Sol, experienced and wise, raised himself up on his
+blanket, looked at Henry, and said in a tone of conviction:
+
+"Henry Ware, you an' Timmendiquas together might miss with one bullet,
+but miss with three is impossible. I believe that you've seen him ez you
+say so, but I don't believe that you two missed three times."
+
+"We fired three times, as I said, and I should add that Timmendiquas
+fired a fourth time also, but he must have been aiming at a star, as he
+pointed his rifle straight upward."
+
+"Ah!" said four voices together again, but now the four understood.
+
+"I think," said Henry, "that he came to see for himself what Colonel
+Clark is doing. Now he is gone with the facts. I came here merely to
+tell you first, and I leave at once to tell the Colonel next."
+
+He found Colonel Clark still in the council tent, but alone and poring
+over a rude map. A burning wick in a basin of tallow scarcely dispelled
+the darkness, but Henry could see that the commander's face was knit and
+anxious. He turned expectantly to the youth.
+
+"You have some news of importance or you would not come back at this
+hour," he said.
+
+"I have," replied Henry. "When I left this tent I passed through the
+edge of the woods and I saw a figure there. It was that of an Indian, a
+chief whom I have seen before. It was Timmendiquas, the great Wyandot,
+the bravest, wisest and most daring of all the Western chiefs. I pursued
+him, fired at him, but missed. It was evidently not his object to fight
+anyone here. He sprang into the Ohio, swam to the northern shore, and no
+doubt is now on his way to his own people."
+
+Colonel Clark gazed thoughtfully at the flickering candle and did not
+speak for a long time.
+
+"I am glad you saw him," he said finally. "We know now that the allied
+tribes will be on their guard. They may meet us in force many days
+before we reach the Indian towns. Timmendiquas is a born leader,
+energetic and wary. Well, well hasten our own departure, and try to
+strike before they're ready. What do you say to that, my lad?"
+
+"My opinion is worth little, but I would say that we ought to strike as
+soon as we can."
+
+"I don't think a man among us will take any other view. We can leave
+with seven hundred men now, and we'll meet Logan with three hundred more
+at the mouth of the Licking. Then we shall have the largest white force
+ever gathered in the West, and it will be strange if we do not pay some
+of the debt we owe to the Indians and their allies. I wish, Mr. Ware,
+that you and your friends would march with Boone on the southern bank of
+the river. It is only a wish, however, as I have agreed that you should
+choose your own method of helping us."
+
+"It is just what we should wish most to do," said Henry, "and we shall
+be with Mr. Boone when he crosses to the other side."
+
+Henry walked back to the big beech and found his comrades yet wide awake
+and glad to hear that they would march in thirty-six hours.
+
+"We'll be back in the thick of it," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I'm
+thinkin', Henry, that we'll have all we kin do."
+
+"No doubt," said Henry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+A HERALD BY WATER
+
+
+The start from Louisville was made and the great expedition began among
+the cheers of the women and children of the little place and from the
+men who were left behind. Most of the army were in boats which also
+carried great quantities of arms, ammunition and food. All of the little
+settlements buried in the deep woods of Kentucky, though exposed at any
+time to sudden and terrible raids, had sent volunteers. They took the
+risk nevertheless, and dispatched their best to the redoubtable hero,
+George Rogers Clark. Few people have ever given more supreme examples of
+dauntless courage and self-sacrifice than these borderers. Tiny outposts
+only, they never failed to respond to the cry for help. There was
+scarcely a family which did not lose someone under the Indian tomahawk,
+but their courage never faltered, though for nearly twenty years no man
+was safe a single hour from savage ambush. They stood fast and endured
+everything.
+
+Henry, Paul and their comrades were not in the boats, but were with
+Daniel Boone who led a party of the best scouts on the southern shore.
+It was not only their business to find their enemy if he should be
+there, but to clear him out, unless he were in too great force, and it
+was a task that required supreme skill and caution. Throughout its whole
+course dense forests grew along the Ohio, and an ambush might be planted
+anywhere. The foliage was still thick and heavy on the trees, as it was
+not yet August, and one seldom saw more than a hundred yards ahead.
+
+The boats, keeping near the southern shore where their flank was
+protected by Boone's scouts, started, the sunlight streaming down upon
+them and the water flashing from their oars. The scouts had already gone
+on ahead, and the five were among the foremost. In a few minutes the
+last sign of the new settlement disappeared and they were in the
+wilderness. At Boone's orders the scouts formed in small bodies,
+covering at least two miles from the river. The five formed one of these
+little groups, and they began their work with zeal and skill. No enemy
+in the underbrush could have escaped their notice, but the whole day
+passed without a sign of a foe. When night came on they saw the boats
+draw into a cove on the southern bank, and, after a conference with
+Boone, they spread their blankets again under the trees, the watch not
+falling to their share until the following night. Having eaten from the
+food which they carried in knapsacks they looked contentedly at the
+river.
+
+"Well, this will be twice that we have gone up the Ohio, once on the
+water, and once on the shore," said Paul. "But as before we have
+Timmendiquas to face."
+
+"That's so," said Shif'less Sol, "but I'm thinkin' that nothin' much
+will happen, until we get up toward the mouth of the Lickin'. It's been
+only two nights since Timmendiquas hisself was spyin' us out, an' afore
+he strikes he's got to go back to his main force."
+
+"Mebbe so an' mebbe not," said Tom Ross. "My eyes ain't so bad and this
+bein' a good place to look from I think I see a canoe over thar right
+under the fur shore uv the Ohio. Jest look along thar, Henry, whar the
+bank kinder rises up."
+
+The point that Tom indicated was at least a mile away, but Henry agreed
+with him that a shape resembling a canoe lay close to the bank.
+Shif'less Sol and the others inclined to the same belief.
+
+"If so, it's a scout boat watching us," said Paul, "and Timmendiquas
+himself may be in it."
+
+Henry shook his head.
+
+"It isn't likely," he said. "Timmendiquas knows all that he wants to
+know, and is now going northeastward as fast as he can. But his warriors
+are there. Look! You can see beyond a doubt now that it is a canoe, and
+it's going up the river at full speed."
+
+The canoe shot from the shadow of the bank. Apparently it contained
+three or four Indians, and they had strong arms. So it sped over the
+water and against the current at a great rate.
+
+"They've seen all they want to see to-night," said Henry, "but that
+canoe and maybe others will be watching us all the way."
+
+A half hour later a light appeared in the northern woods and then
+another much further on. Doubtless the chain was continued by more, too
+far away for them to see. The men in the main camp saw them also, and
+understood. Every foot of their advance would be watched until the
+Indian army grew strong enough, when it would be attacked. Yet their
+zeal and courage rose the higher. They begged Clark to start again at
+dawn that no time might be lost. Boone joined the five under the tree.
+
+"You saw the lights, didn't you, boys?" he said.
+
+"We saw them," replied Henry, "and we know what they mean. Don't you
+think, Mr. Boone, that for a while the most dangerous part of the work
+will fall on you?"
+
+"Upon those with me an' myself," replied Boone in his gentle manner,
+"but all of us are used to it."
+
+For two successive nights they saw the fiery signals on the northern
+shore, carrying the news into the deep woods that the Kentucky army was
+advancing. But they were not molested by any skirmishers. Not a single
+shot was fired. The fact was contrary to the custom of Indian warfare,
+and Henry saw in it the wisdom and restraint of Timmendiquas. Indians
+generally attack on impulse and without system, but now they were
+wasting nothing in useless skirmishing. Not until all the warriors were
+gathered, and the time was ripe would Timmendiquas attempt the blow.
+
+It gave the little white army a peculiar feeling. The men knew all the
+time that they were being watched, yet they saw no human being save
+themselves. Boone's scouts found the trail of Indians several times, but
+never an Indian himself. Yet they continued their patient scouting. They
+did not intend that the army should fall into an ambush through any
+fault of theirs. Thus they proceeded day after day, slowly up the river,
+replenishing their supplies with game which was abundant everywhere.
+
+They came to the wide and deep mouth of the Kentucky, a splendid stream
+flowing from the Alleghany Mountains, and thence across the heart of
+Kentucky into the Ohio. Henry thought that its passage might be
+disputed, and the five, Boone, Thomas and some others crossed cautiously
+in one of the larger boats. They watched to see anything unusual stir in
+the thickets on the farther shore of the Kentucky, but no warrior was
+there. Timmendiquas was not yet ready, and now the land portion of the
+army was also on the further shore, and the march still went on
+uninterrupted. Paul began to believe that Timmendiquas was not able to
+bring the warriors to the Ohio; that they would stand on the defensive
+at their own villages. But Henry was of another opinion, and he soon
+told it.
+
+"Timmendiquas would never have come down to Louisville to look us over,"
+he said, "if he meant merely to act on the defensive at places two or
+three hundred miles away. No, Paul, we'll hear from him while we're
+still on the river, and I think it will be before Logan will join us."
+
+Boone and Thomas took the same view, and now the scouting party doubled
+its vigilance.
+
+"To-morrow morning," said Boone, "we'll come to the Licking. There are
+always more Indians along that river than any other in Kentucky and I
+wish Logan and his men were already with us."
+
+The face of the great frontiersman clouded.
+
+"The Indians have been too peaceful an' easy," he resumed. "Not a shot
+has been fired since we left Louisville an' now we're nearly to
+Tuentahahewaghta (the site of Cincinnati, that is, the landing or place
+where the road leads to the river). It means that Timmendiquas has been
+massing his warriors for a great stroke."
+
+Reasoning from the circumstances and his knowledge of Indian nature,
+Henry believed that Daniel Boone was right, yet he had confidence in the
+result. Seven hundred trained borderers were not easily beaten, even if
+Logan and the other three hundred should not come. Yet he and Boone and
+all the band knew that the watch that night must miss nothing. The
+boats, as usual, were drawn up on the southern shore, too far away to be
+reached by rifle shots from the northern banks. The men were camped on a
+low wooded hill within a ring of at least fifty sentinels. The Licking,
+a narrow but deep stream, was not more than five miles ahead. Clark
+would have gone on to its mouth, had he not deemed it unwise to march at
+night in such a dangerous country. The night itself was black with
+heavy, low clouds, and the need to lie still in a strong position was
+obvious.
+
+Boone spread out his scouts in advance. The five, staying together as
+usual, and now acting independently, advanced through the woods near the
+Ohio. It was one of the hottest of July nights, and nature was restless
+and uneasy. The low clouds increased in number, and continually grew
+larger until they fused into one, and covered the heavens with a black
+blanket from horizon to horizon. From a point far off in the southwest
+came the low but menacing mutter of thunder. At distant intervals,
+lightning would cut the sky in a swift, vivid stroke. The black woods
+would stand out in every detail for a moment, and they would catch
+glimpses of the river's surface turned to fiery red. Then the night
+closed down again, thicker and darker than ever, and any object twenty
+yards before them would become only a part of the black blur. A light
+wind moaned among the trees, weirdly and without stopping.
+
+"It's a bad night for Colonel Clark's army," said Shif'less Sol. "Thar
+ain't any use o' our tryin' to hide the fact from one another, 'cause we
+all know it."
+
+"That's so, Sol," said Long Jim Hart, "but we've got to watch all the
+better 'cause of it. I've knowed you a long time, Solomon Hyde, an'
+you're a lazy, shiftless, ornery, contrary critter, but somehow or other
+the bigger the danger the better you be, an' I think that's what's
+happenin' now."
+
+If it had not been so dark Long Jim would have seen Shif'less Sol's
+pleased grin. Moreover the words of Jim Hart were true. The spirit of
+the shiftless one, great borderer that he was, rose to the crisis, but
+he said nothing. The little group continued to advance, keeping a couple
+of hundred yards or so from the bank of the Ohio, and stopping every ten
+or twelve minutes to listen. On such a night ears were of more use than
+eyes.
+
+The forest grew more dense as they advanced. It consisted chiefly of
+heavy beech and oak, with scattered underbrush of spice wood and pawpaw.
+It was the underbrush particularly that annoyed, since it offered the
+best hiding for a foe in ambush. Henry prayed for the moon and the
+stars, but both moon and stars remained on the other side of
+impenetrable clouds. It was only by the occasional flashes of lightning
+that they saw clearly and then it was but a fleeting glimpse. But it was
+uncommonly vivid lightning. They noticed that it always touched both
+forest and river with red fire, and the weird moaning of the wind,
+crying like a dirge, never ceased. It greatly affected the nerves of
+Paul, the most sensitive of the five, but the others, too, were affected
+by it.
+
+Henry turned his attention for a while from the forest to the river. He
+sought to see by the flashes of lightning if anything moved there, and,
+when they were about half way to the mouth of the Licking, he believed
+that he caught sight of something in the shape of a canoe, hovering near
+the farther shore. He asked them all to watch at the point he indicated
+until the next flash of lightning came. It was a full minute until the
+electric blade cut the heavens once more, but they were all watching and
+there was the dark shape. When the five compared opinions they were sure
+that it was moving slowly northward.
+
+"It's significant," said Henry. "Daniel Boone isn't often mistaken, and
+the warriors are drawing in. We'll be fighting before dawn, boys."
+
+"An' it's for us to find out when an' whar the attack will come," said
+Shif'less Sol.
+
+"We're certainly going to try," said Henry. "Hark! What was that?"
+
+"Injuns walkin' an' talkin'," said Tom Ross.
+
+Henry listened, and he felt sure that Ross was right. Under his
+leadership they darted into a dense clump of pawpaws and lay motionless,
+thankful that such good shelter was close at hand. The footsteps, light,
+but now heard distinctly, drew nearer.
+
+Henry had a sure instinct about those who were coming. He saw Braxton
+Wyatt, Blackstaffe, and at least twenty warriors emerge into view. The
+night was still as dark as ever, but the band was so near that the
+hidden five could see the features of every man. Henry knew by their
+paint that the warriors belonged to different tribes. Wyandots, Miamis,
+Shawnees, and Delawares were represented. Wyatt and Blackstaffe were
+talking. Henry gathered from the scattered words he heard that
+Blackstaffe doubted the wisdom of an attack, but Wyatt was eager for it.
+
+"I was at Wyoming," said the younger renegade with a vicious snap of his
+teeth, "and it was the rush there that did it. We enveloped them on both
+front and flank and rushed in with such force that we beat them down in
+a few minutes. Nor did many have a chance to escape."
+
+"But they were mostly old men and boys," said Blackstaffe, "and they had
+little experience in fighting the tribes. Clark has a bigger force here,
+and they are all borderers. You know how these Kentuckians can use the
+rifle."
+
+Wyatt made a reply, but Henry could not hear it as the two renegades and
+the warriors passed on in the underbrush. But he did hear the click of a
+gun lock and he quickly pushed down the hand of Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Not now! not now, Sol!" he whispered. "Wyatt and Blackstaffe deserve
+death many times over, but if you fire they'd all be on us in a whoop,
+and then we'd be of no further use."
+
+"You're right, Henry," said the shiftless one, "but my blood was mighty
+hot for a minute."
+
+The band disappeared, turning off toward the south, and the five,
+feeling that they had now gone far enough, returned to the camp. On the
+way they met Boone and the remainder of the scouts. Henry told what they
+had seen and heard and the great frontiersman agreed with them that the
+attack was at hand.
+
+"You saw the war paint of four nations," he said, "an' that proves that
+a great force is here. I tell you I wish I knew about Logan, an' the
+men that are comin' down the Lickin'."
+
+It was now nearly midnight and they found Colonel Clark sitting under a
+tree at the eastern edge of the camp. He listened with the greatest
+attention to every detail that they could give him, and then his jaw
+seemed to stiffen.
+
+"You have done well, lads," he said. "There is nothing more dangerous
+than the calling of a scout in the Indian wars, but not one of you has
+ever shirked it. You have warned us and now we are willing for
+Timmendiquas and Girty to attack whenever they choose."
+
+Many of the men were asleep, but Clark did not awaken them. He knew
+fully the value of rest, and they were borderers who would spring to
+their feet at the first alarm, alive in every sense and muscle. But at
+least a third of his force was on guard. No attack was feared on the
+water. Nevertheless many of the men were there with the boats. It was,
+however, the semicircle through the forest about the camp that was made
+thick and strong. Throughout its whole course the frontiersmen stood
+close together and keen eyes and trained ears noted everything that
+passed in the forest.
+
+Henry and his four comrades were at the point of the segment nearest to
+the confluence of the Ohio and the Licking. Here they sat upon the
+ground in a close group in the underbrush, speaking but rarely, while
+time passed slowly. The character of the night had not changed. The
+solemn wind never ceased to moan among the trees, and far off in the
+west the thunder yet muttered. The strokes of lightning were far
+between, but as before they cast a blood red tinge over forest and
+river. The five were some hundreds of yards beyond the camp, and they
+could see nothing then, although they heard now and then the rattle of
+arms and a word or two from the officers. Once they heard the sound of
+heavy wheels, and they knew that the cannon had been wheeled into
+position. Clark had even been able to secure light artillery for his
+great expedition.
+
+"Do you think them big guns will be of any use?" asked Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Not at night," replied Henry, "but in the daytime if we come to close
+quarters they'll certainly say something worth hearing."
+
+It was now nearly half way between midnight and morning when the
+vitality is lowest. Paul, as he lay among the pawpaws, was growing very
+sleepy. He had not moved for so long a time and the night was so warm
+that his eyes had an almost invincible tendency to close, but his will
+did not permit it. Despite the long silence he had no doubt that the
+attack would come. So he looked eagerly into the forest every time the
+lightning flashed, and always he strained his ears that he might hear,
+if anything was to be heard.
+
+The melancholy wind died, and the air became close, hot and heavy. The
+leaves ceased to move, and there was no stir in the bushes, but Henry
+thought that he heard a faint sound. He made a warning gesture to his
+companions, and they, too, seemed to hear the same noise. All of Paul's
+sleepiness disappeared. He sat up, every nerve and muscle attuned for
+the crisis. Henry and he, at almost the same moment, saw the bushes move
+in front of them. Then they saw the bronze faces with the scalp lock
+above them, peering forth. The five sat perfectly silent for a few
+moments and more bronze faces appeared. The gaze of one of the Indians
+wandered toward the clump of pawpaws, and he saw there one of the five
+who had now risen a little higher than the rest to look. He knew that it
+was a white face, and, firing instantly at it, he uttered the long and
+thrilling war whoop. It was the opening cry of the battle.
+
+The five at once returned the fire and with deadly effect. Two of the
+warriors fell, and the rest leaped back, still shouting their war cry,
+which was taken up and repeated in volume at a hundred points. Far above
+the forest it swelled, a terrible wolfish cry, fiercest of all on its
+dying note. From river and deep woods came the echo, and the warriors in
+multitudes rushed forward upon the camp.
+
+Henry and his comrades when they discharged their rifles ran back toward
+the main force, reloading as they ran. The air was filled with terrible
+cries and behind them dark forms swarmed forward, running and bounding.
+From trees and underbrush came a hail of rifle bullets that whistled
+around the five, but which luckily did nothing save to clip their
+clothing and to sing an unpleasant song in their ears. Yet they had
+never run faster, not from fear, but because it was the proper thing to
+do. They had uncovered the enemy and their work as scouts was over.
+
+They were back on the camp and among the frontiersmen, in less than a
+minute. Now they wheeled about, and, with rifles loaded freshly, faced
+the foe who pressed forward in a great horde, yelling and firing. Well
+it was for the white army that it was composed of veteran borderers. The
+sight was appalling to the last degree. The defenders were ringed around
+by flashes of fire, and hundreds of hideous forms leaped as if in the
+war dance, brandishing their tomahawks. But Colonel Clark was everywhere
+among his men, shouting to them to stand fast, not to be frightened by
+the war whoop, and that now was the time to win a victory. Boone, Abe
+Thomas and the five gave him great help.
+
+The riflemen stood firm in their semicircle, each end of it resting upon
+the river. Most of them threw themselves upon the ground, and, while the
+bullets whistled over their heads, poured forth an answering fire that
+sent many a warrior to explore the great hereafter. Yet the tribes
+pressed in with uncommon courage, charging like white men, while their
+great chiefs Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, Black Panther, Moluntha, Captain
+Pipe and the others led them on. They rushed directly into the faces of
+the borderers, leaping forward in hundreds, shouting the war whoop and
+now and then cutting down a foe. The darkness was still heavy and close,
+but it was lit up by the incessant flashes of the rifles. The smoke from
+the firing, with no breeze to drive it away, hung low in a dense bank
+that stung the mouths and nostrils of the combatants.
+
+"Keep low, Paul! Keep low!" cried Henry, dragging his young comrade down
+among some spicewood bushes. "If you are bound to stick your head up
+like that it will be stopping a tomahawk soon."
+
+Paul did not have to wait for the truth of Henry's words, as a shining
+blade whizzed directly where his head had been, and, passing on,
+imbedded itself in the trunk of a mighty beech. Paul shuddered. It
+seemed to him that he felt a hot wind from the tomahawk as it flew by.
+In his zeal and excitement he had forgotten the danger for a moment or
+two, and once more Henry had saved his life.
+
+"I wish it would grow lighter," muttered Shif'less Sol. "It's hard to
+tell your friends from your enemies on a black night like this, and
+we'll be all mixed up soon."
+
+"We five at least must keep close together," said Henry.
+
+A fierce yell of victory came from the southern side of the camp, a yell
+that was poured from Indian throats, and every one of the five felt
+apprehension. Could their line be driven in? Driven in it was! Fifty
+Wyandots and as many Shawnees under Moluntha, the most daring of their
+war chiefs, crashed suddenly against the weakest part of the half
+circle. Firing a heavy volley they had rushed in with the tomahawk, and
+the defenders, meeting them with clubbed rifles, were driven back by the
+fury of the attack and the weight of numbers. There was a confused and
+terrible medley of shouts and cries, of thudding tomahawks and rifle
+butts, of crashing brushwood and falling bodies. It was all in the hot
+dark, until the lightning suddenly flared with terrifying brightness.
+Then it disclosed the strained faces of white and red, the sweat
+standing out on tanned brows, and the bushes torn and trampled in the
+wild struggle. The red blaze passed and the night shot down in its place
+as thick and dark as ever. Neither red men nor white were able to drive
+back the others. In this bank of darkness the cries increased, and the
+cloud of smoke grew steadily.
+
+It was not only well that these men were tried woodsmen, but it was
+equally well that they were led by a great wilderness chief. George
+Rogers Clark saw at once the point of extreme danger, and, summoning his
+best men, he rushed to the rescue. The five heard the call. Knowing its
+urgency, they left the spicewood and swept down with the helping band.
+Another flash of lightning showed where friends and foe fought face to
+face with tomahawk and clubbed rifle, and then Clark and the new force
+were upon the warriors. Paul, carried away by excitement, was shouting:
+
+"Give it to 'em! Give it to 'em! Drive 'em back!"
+
+But he did not know that he was uttering a word. He saw the high cheek
+bones and close-set eyes, and then he felt the shock as they struck the
+hostile line. Steel and clubbed rifle only were used first. They did not
+dare fire at such close quarters as friend and foe were mingled closely,
+but the warriors were pushed back by the new weight hurled upon them,
+and then the woodsmen, waiting until the next flash of lightning, sent
+in a volley that drove the Indians to the cover of the forest. The
+attack at that point had failed, and the white line was yet complete.
+
+Once more the five threw themselves down gasping among the bushes,
+reloaded their rifles and waited. In front of them was silence. The
+enemy there had melted away without a sound, and he too lay hidden, but
+from left and right the firing and the shouting came with undiminished
+violence. Henry, also, at the same time heard in all the terrible uproar
+the distant and low muttering of the thunder, like a menacing
+under-note, more awful than the firing itself. The smoke reached them
+where they lay. It was floating now all through the forest, and not only
+stung the nostrils of the defenders, but heated their brains and made
+them more anxious for the combat.
+
+"We were just in time," said Shif'less Sol. "Ef Colonel Clark hadn't led
+a hundred or so o' us on the run to this place the warriors would hev
+been right in the middle o' the camp, smashin' us to pieces. How they
+fight!"
+
+"Their chiefs think this army must be destroyed and they're risking
+everything," said Henry. "Girty must be here, too, urging them on,
+although he's not likely to expose his own body much."
+
+"But he's a real gen'ral an' a pow'ful help to the Injuns," said Tom
+Ross.
+
+Clark's summons came again. The sound on the flank indicated that the
+line was being driven in at another point to the eastward, and the
+"chosen hundred," as the shiftless one called them, were hurled against
+the assailants, who were here mostly Miamis and Delawares. The Indians
+were driven back in turn, and the circle again curved over the ground
+that the defenders had held in the beginning. Jim Hart and Tom Ross were
+wounded slightly, but they hid their scratches from the rest, and went
+on with their part. A third attack in force at a third point was
+repulsed in the same manner, but only after the most desperate fighting.
+Each side suffered a heavy loss, but the Indians, nevertheless, were
+repulsed and the defenders once again lay down among the bushes, their
+pulses beating fast.
+
+Then ensued the fiery ring. The white circle was complete, but the
+Indians formed another and greater one facing it. The warriors no longer
+tried to rush the camp, but flat on their stomachs among the bushes
+they crept silently forward, and fired at every white man who exposed a
+head or an arm or a hand.
+
+They seemed to have eyes that pierced the dark, and, knowing where the
+target lay, they had an advantage over the defenders who could not tell
+from what point the next shot would come.
+
+It was a sort of warfare, annoying and dangerous in the extreme, and
+Clark became alarmed. It got upon the nerves of the men. They were
+compelled to lie there and await this foe who stung and stung. He sought
+eagerly by the flashes of lightning to discover where they clustered in
+the greatest numbers, but they hugged the earth so close that he saw
+nothing, even when the lightning was so vivid that it cast a blood red
+tinge over both trees and bushes. He called Boone, Henry, Thomas and
+others, the best of the scouts, to him.
+
+"We must clear those Indians out of the woods," he said, "or they will
+pick away at us until nothing is left to pick at. A charge with our best
+men will drive them off. What do you say, Mr. Boone?"
+
+Daniel Boone shook his head, and his face expressed strong disapproval.
+
+"We'd lose too many men, Colonel," he replied. "They're in greater
+numbers than we are, an' we drove them back when they charged. Now if we
+charged they'd shoot us to pieces before we got where we wanted to go."
+
+"I suppose you're right," said Clark. "In fact, I know you are. Yes, we
+have to wait, but it's hard. Many of our men have been hit, and they
+can't stand this sort of thing forever."
+
+"Suppose you send forward a hundred of the best woodsmen and
+sharpshooters," said Boone. "They can creep among the bushes an' maybe
+they can worry the Indians as much as the Indians are worrying us."
+
+Colonel Clark considered. They were standing then near the center of the
+camp, and, from that point they could see through the foliage the dusky
+surface of the water, and when they looked in the other direction they
+saw puffs of fire as the rifles were discharged in the undergrowth.
+
+"It's risky," he said at last, "but I don't see anything else for us to
+do. Be sure that you choose the best men, Mr. Boone."
+
+Daniel Boone rapidly told off a hundred, all great marksmen and cautious
+woodsmen. Henry, Paul, Shif'less Sol, Long Jim and Tom Ross were among
+the first whom he chose. Then while the defenders increased their fire
+on the eastern side, he and his hundred, hugging the ground, began to
+creep toward the south. It was slow work for so large a body, and they
+had to be exceedingly careful. Boone wished to effect a surprise and to
+strike the foe so hard that he would be thrown into a panic. But Henry
+and Paul were glad to be moving. They had something now to which they
+could look forward. The two kept side by side, paying little attention
+to the firing which went on in unbroken volume on their left.
+
+Boone moved toward a slight elevation about a hundred yards away. He
+believed that it was occupied by a small Indian force which his gallant
+hundred could easily brush aside, if they ever came into close contact.
+Amid so much confusion and darkness he could reach the desired place
+unless they were revealed by the lightning. There was not another flash
+until they were more than half way and then the hundred lay so low among
+the bushes that they remained hidden.
+
+"We're beatin' the savages at their own game," said Shif'less Sol. "They
+are always bent on stalkin' us, but they don't 'pear to know now that
+we're stalkin' them. Keep your eye skinned, Henry; we don't want to run
+into 'em afore we expect it."
+
+"I'm watching," replied Henry in the same tone, "but I don't think I'll
+have to watch much longer. In two or three minutes more they'll see us
+or we'll see them."
+
+Fifty yards more and another red flash of lightning came. Henry saw a
+feathered head projecting over a log. At the same time the owner of the
+feathered head saw him, fired and leaped to his feet. Henry fired in
+return, and the next instant he and his comrades were upon the
+skirmishers, clearing them out of the bushes and sending them in
+headlong flight. They had been so long in the darkness now that their
+eyes had grown used to it, and they could see the fleeing forms. They
+sent a decimating volley after them, and then dropped down on the ridge
+that they had won. They meant to hold it, and they were fortunate enough
+to find there many fallen trees swept down by a tornado.
+
+"We've cut their line," said Boone, "an' we must keep it cut. I've sent
+a messenger to tell Colonel Clark that we've taken the place, an' since
+we've broke their front they'll be mighty good men, Indians and
+renegades, if they're ever able to join it together again."
+
+The warriors returned in great force to the attack. They appreciated the
+value of the position, but the sharpshooters fired from the shelter of
+the logs.
+
+The five, following their long custom, kept close together, and when
+they threw themselves down behind the logs they took a rapid accounting.
+Paul was the only one who had escaped unhurt. A tomahawk, thrown at
+short range, had struck Henry on the side of the head, but only with the
+flat of the blade. His fur cap and thick hair saved him, but the force
+of the blow had made him reel for a minute, and a whole constellation of
+stars had danced before his eyes. Now his head still rung a little, but
+the pain was passing, and all his faculties were perfectly clear and
+keen. A bullet had nicked Tom Ross's wrist, but, cutting a piece of
+buckskin from his shirt, he tied it up well and gave it no further
+attention. Jim Hart and Shif'less Sol had received new scratches, but
+they were not advertising them.
+
+They lay panting for a few minutes among the fallen trees, and all
+around them they heard the low words of the gallant hundred; though
+there were not really a hundred now. Boone was so near that Henry could
+see the outline of the great forest-fighter's figure.
+
+"Well, we succeeded, did we not, Colonel Boone?" he said, giving him a
+title that had been conferred upon him a year or two before.
+
+"We have so far," replied Boone, guardedly, "and this is a strong
+position. We couldn't have taken it if we hadn't been helped by
+surprise. I believe they'll make an effort to drive us out of this
+place. Timmendiquas and Girty know the need of it. Come with me, Mr.
+Ware, and see that all our men are ready."
+
+Henry, very proud to serve as the lieutenant of such a man, rose from
+his log and the two went among the men. Everyone was ready with loaded
+weapons. Many had wounds, but they had tied them up, and, rejoicing now
+in their log fortifications, they waited with impatience the Indian
+onset. Henry returned to his place. A red flare of lightning showed his
+eager comrades all about him, their tanned faces, set and lean, every
+man watching the forest. But after the lightning, the night, heavy with
+clouds, swept down again, and it seemed to Henry that it was darker than
+ever. He longed for the dawn. With the daylight disclosing the enemy,
+and helping their own aim, their log fortress would be impregnable.
+Elsewhere the battle seemed to be dying. The shots came in irregular
+clusters, and the war whoop was heard only at intervals. Directly in
+front of them the silence was absolute and Henry's rapid mind divined
+the reason for all these things. Girty and Timmendiquas were assembling
+their main force there and they, too, would rely upon surprise and the
+irresistible rush of a great mass. He crawled over to Boone and told him
+his belief. Boone nodded.
+
+"I think you are right," he said, "an' right now I'll send a messenger
+back to Colonel Clark to be ready with help. The attack will come soon,
+because inside of an hour you'll see dawn peeping over the eastern
+trees."
+
+Henry crawled back to his comrades and lay down with them, waiting
+through that terrible period of suspense. Strain their ears as they
+would, they could hear nothing in front. If Timmendiquas and Girty were
+gathering their men there, they were doing it with the utmost skill and
+secrecy. Yet the watch was never relaxed for an instant. Every finger
+remained on the trigger and every figure was taut for instant action.
+
+A half hour had passed. In another half hour the day would come, and
+they must fight when eyes could see. The lightning had ceased, but the
+wind was moaning its dirge among the leaves, and then to Henry's ears
+came the sound of a soft tread, of moccasined feet touching the earth
+ever so lightly.
+
+"They are coming! They are coming!" he cried in a sharp, intense
+whisper, and the next instant the terrible war whoop, the fiercest of
+all human sounds, was poured from the hundreds of throats, and dusky
+figures seemed to rise from the earth directly in front of them, rushing
+upon them, seeking to close with the tomahawk before they could take aim
+with their rifles in the darkness. But these were chosen men, ready and
+wonderfully quick. Their rifles leaped to their shoulders and then they
+flashed all together, so close that few could miss. The front of the
+Indian mass was blown away, but the others were carried on by the
+impetus of their charge, and a confused, deadly struggle took place once
+more, now among the logs. Henry, wielding his clubbed rifle again, was
+sure that he heard the powerful voice of Timmendiquas urging on the
+warriors, but he was not able to see the tall figure of the great
+Wyandot chieftain.
+
+"Why don't the help from Colonel Clark come?" panted Shif'less Sol. "If
+you don't get help when you want it, it needn't come at all."
+
+But help was near. With a great shout more than two hundred men rushed
+to the rescue. Yet it was hard in the darkness to tell friend from
+enemy, and, taking advantage of it, the warriors yet held a place among
+the fallen trees. Now, as if by mutual consent, there was a lull in the
+battle, and there occurred something that both had forgotten in the
+fierce passions of the struggle. The dawn came. The sharp rays of the
+sun pierced the clouds of darkness and smoke, and disclosed the face of
+the combatants to one another.
+
+Then the battle swelled afresh, and as the light swung higher and
+higher, showing all the forest, the Indian horde was driven back, giving
+ground at first slowly. Suddenly a powerful voice shouted a command and
+all the warriors who yet stood, disappeared among the trees, melting
+away as if they had been ghosts. They sent back no war cry, not another
+shot was fired, and the rising sun looked down upon a battlefield that
+was still, absolutely still. The wounded, stoics, both red and white,
+suppressed their groans, and Henry, looking from the shelter of the
+fallen tree, was awed as he had never been before by Indian combat.
+
+The day was of uncommon splendor. The sun shot down sheaves of red gold,
+and lighted up all the forest, disclosing the dead, lying often in
+singular positions, and the wounded, seeking in silence to bind their
+wounds. The smoke, drifting about in coils and eddies, rose slowly above
+the trees and over everything was that menacing silence.
+
+"If it were not for those men out there," said Paul, "it would all be
+like a dream, a nightmare, driven away by the day."
+
+"It's no dream," said Henry; "we've repulsed the Indians twice, but
+they're going to try to hold us here. They'll surround us with hundreds
+of sharpshooters, and every man who tries to go a hundred yards from the
+rest of us will get a bullet. I wish I knew where Logan's force is or
+what has become of it."
+
+"That's a mighty important thing to us," said Boone, "an' it'll grow
+more important every hour. I guess Logan has been attacked too, but he
+and Clark have got to unite or this campaign can't go on."
+
+Henry said nothing but he was very thoughtful. A plan was forming
+already in his mind. Yet it was one that compelled waiting. The day
+deepened and the Indian force was silent and invisible. The
+inexperienced would have thought that it was gone, but these borderers
+knew well enough that it was lying there in the deep woods not a quarter
+of a mile away, and as eager as ever for their destruction. Colonel
+Clark reënforced the detachment among the fallen trees, recognizing the
+great strength of the position, and he spoke many words of praise.
+
+"I'll send food to you," he said, "and meat and drink in plenty. After a
+night such as we have had refresh yourselves as much as you can."
+
+They had an abundance of stores in the boats, and the men were not
+stinted. Nor did they confine themselves to cold food. Fires were
+lighted in the woods nearest to the river, and they cooked beef,
+venison, pork and buffalo meat. Coffee was boiled in great cans of sheet
+iron, and breakfast was served first to the gallant hundred.
+
+Shif'less Sol, as he lay behind his tree, murmured words of great
+content. "It's a black night that don't end," he said, "an' I like fur
+mine to end jest this way. Provided I don't get hurt bad I'm willin' to
+fight my way to hot coffee an' rich buff'ler steak. This coffee makes
+me feel good right down to my toes, though I will say that there is a
+long-legged ornery creatur that kin make it even better than this. Hey,
+thar, Saplin'!"
+
+Long Jim Hart's mouth opened in a chasm of a grin.
+
+"I confess," he said, "I'm a purty good cook, ef I do tell it myself.
+But what are we goin' to do now, Henry?"
+
+"That's for Colonel Clark to say, and I don't think he'll say anything
+just yet."
+
+"Nice day," said Tom Ross, looking about approvingly.
+
+All the others laughed, yet Tom told the truth. The clouds were gone and
+the air had turned cooler. The forest looked splendid in its foliage,
+and off to the south they could see wild flowers.
+
+"Nothin' goin' to happen for some time," said Shif'less Sol, "an' me
+bein' a lazy man an' proud o' the fact, I think I'll go to sleep."
+
+Nobody said anything against it, and stretching himself out among the
+bushes which shaded his face, he was sleeping peacefully in a few
+minutes. Paul looked at him, and the impression which the slumbering man
+made upon him was so strong that his own eyelids drooped.
+
+"You go to sleep, too," said Henry. "You'll have nothing to do for
+hours, and sleep will bring back your strength."
+
+Paul had eaten a heavy breakfast, and he needed nothing more than
+Henry's words. He lay down by the side of his comrade, and soon he too
+was slumbering as soundly as Shif'less Sol. Several hours passed. The
+sun moved on in its regular course toward the zenith. Paul and the
+shiftless one still slept. Toward the eastern end of the camp someone
+ventured a little distance from the others, and received a bullet in his
+shoulder. A scout fired at the figure of an Indian that he saw for a
+moment leaping from one tree to another, but he could not tell whether
+he hit anything. At the other end of the camp there were occasional
+shots, but Paul and the shiftless one slept on.
+
+Henry glanced at the sleepers now and then and was pleased to see that
+they rested so well. He suggested to Jim Hart that he join them, and Jim
+promptly traveled to the same blissful country. Henry himself did not
+care to go to sleep. He was still meditating. All this sharpshooting by
+the two sides meant nothing. It was more an expression of restlessness
+than of any serious purpose, and he paid it no attention. Silent Tom
+noticed the corrugation of his brow, and he said:
+
+"Thinkin' hard, Henry?"
+
+"Yes; that is, I'm trying," replied Henry.
+
+Tom, his curiosity satisfied, relapsed into silence. He, too, cared
+little for the casual shots, but he was convinced that Henry had a plan
+which he would reveal in good time.
+
+The sniping went on all day long. Not a great deal of damage was done
+but it was sufficient to show to Colonel Clark that his men must lie
+close in camp. If the white army assumed the offensive, the great Indian
+force from the shelter of trees and bushes would annihilate it. And
+throughout the day he was tormented by fears about Logan. That leader
+was coming up the Licking with only three or four hundred men, and
+already they might have been destroyed. If so, he must forego the
+expedition against Chillicothe and the other Indian towns. It was a
+terrible dilemma, and the heart of the stout leader sank. Now and then
+he went along the semicircle, but he found that the Indians were always
+on watch. If a head were exposed, somebody sent a bullet at it. More
+than once he considered the need of a charge, but the deep woods forbade
+it. He was a man of great courage and many resources, but as he sat
+under the beech tree he could think of nothing to do.
+
+The day--one of many alarms and scattered firing--drew to its close.
+The setting sun tinted river and woods with red, and Colonel Clark,
+still sitting under his tree and ransacking every corner of his brain,
+could not yet see a way. While he sat there, Henry Ware came to him, and
+taking off his hat, announced that he wished to make a proposition.
+
+"Well, Henry, my lad," said the Colonel, kindly, "what is it that you
+have to say? As for me, I confess I don't know what to do."
+
+"Somebody must go down the Licking and communicate with Colonel Logan,"
+replied the youth. "I feel sure that he has not come up yet, and that he
+has not been in contact with the Indians. If his force could break
+through and join us, we could drive the Indians out of our path."
+
+"Your argument is good as far as it goes," said Colonel Clark somewhat
+sadly, "but how are we to communicate with Logan? We are surrounded by a
+ring of fire. Not a man of ours dare go a hundred yards from camp. What
+way is there to reach Logan?"
+
+"By water."
+
+"By water? What do you mean?"
+
+"Down the Ohio and up the Licking."
+
+Colonel Clark stared at Henry.
+
+"That's an easy thing to talk about," he said, "but who's going down the
+Ohio and then up the Licking for Logan?"
+
+"I--with your permission."
+
+Colonel Clark stared still harder, and his eyes widened a little with
+appreciation, but he shook his head.
+
+"It's a patriotic and daring thing for you to propose, my boy," he said,
+"but it is impossible. You could never reach the mouth of the Licking
+even, and yours is too valuable a life to be thrown away in a wild
+attempt."
+
+But Henry was not daunted. He had thought over his plan long and well,
+and he believed that he could succeed.
+
+"I have been along the Ohio before, and I have also been down the
+Licking," he said. "The night promises to be cloudy and dark like last
+night and I feel sure that I can get through. I have thought out
+everything, and I wish to try. Say that you are willing for me to go,
+Colonel."
+
+Colonel Clark hesitated. He had formed a strong liking for the tall
+youth before him, and he did not wish to see his life wasted, but the
+great earnestness of Henry's manner impressed him. The youth's quiet
+tone expressed conviction, and expressed it so strongly that Colonel
+Clark, in his turn, felt it.
+
+"What is your plan?" he asked.
+
+"When the night reaches its darkest I will start with a little raft,
+only four or five planks fastened together. I do not want a canoe. I
+want something that blends with the surface of the water. I'll swim,
+pushing it before me until I am tired, and then I'll rest upon it. Then
+I'll swim again."
+
+"Do you really think you can get through?" asked the Colonel.
+
+"I'm sure of it."
+
+Colonel Clark paced back and forth for a minute or two.
+
+"It looks terribly dangerous," he said at last, "but from all I have
+heard you've done some wonderful things, and if you can reach Logan in
+time, it will relieve us from this coil."
+
+"I can do it! I can do it!" said Henry eagerly.
+
+Colonel Clark looked at him long and scrutinizingly. He noted his
+height, his powerful figure, the wonderful elasticity that showed with
+every step he took, and his firm and resourceful gaze.
+
+"Well, go," he said, "and God be with you."
+
+"I shall start the moment full darkness comes," said Henry.
+
+"But we must arrange a signal in case you get through to Logan," said
+Colonel Clark. "He has a twelve pound bronze gun. I know positively that
+he left Lexington with it. Now if he approaches, have him fire a shot.
+We will reply with two shots from our guns, you answer with another from
+yours, and the signal will be complete. Then Logan is to attack the
+Indian ring from the outside with all his might, and, at the same moment
+and at the same point, we will attack from the inside with all of ours.
+Then, in truth, it will be strange if we do not win the victory."
+
+Henry returned to his comrades and told them the plan. They were loth to
+see him go, but they knew that attempts to dissuade him would be
+useless. Nevertheless, Shif'less Sol had an amendment.
+
+"Let me go with you, Henry," he said. "Two are better than one."
+
+"No," replied Henry, "I must go alone, Sol. In this case the smaller the
+party the less likely it is to be seen. I'll try, and then if I fail, it
+will be your time."
+
+The night, as Henry had foreseen, was cloudy and dark. The moon and
+stars were hidden again, and two hundred yards from shore the surface of
+the river blended into the general blur. His little raft was made all
+ready. Four broad planks from the wagons had been nailed securely
+together with cross-strips. Upon them he laid his rifle and pistols--all
+in holsters--ammunition secured from the wet, and food and his clothing
+in tight bundles. He himself was bare, save for a waist cloth and belt,
+but in the belt he carried a hatchet and his long hunting knife.
+
+Only his four comrades, Colonel Clark and Boone were present when he
+started. Every one of the six in turn, wrung his hand. But the four who
+had known him longest and best were the most confident that he would
+reach Logan and achieve his task.
+
+Henry slipped silently into the water, and, pushing his raft before him,
+was gone like a wraith. He did not look back, knowing that for the
+present he must watch in front if he made the perilous passage. The
+boats belonging to the army were ranged toward the shore, but he was
+soon beyond them. Then he turned toward the bank, intending to keep deep
+in its shadows, and also in the shade of the overhanging boughs.
+
+The Indians had no fleet, but beyond a doubt they were well provided
+with canoes which would cruise on both rivers beyond the range of rifle
+shot, and keep a vigilant watch for messengers from either Clark or
+Logan. Hence Henry moved very slowly for a while, eagerly searching the
+darkness for any sign of his vigilant foe. He rested one arm upon his
+little raft, and with the other he wielded a small paddle which sent him
+along easily.
+
+As it nears Cincinnati the Ohio narrows and deepens, and the banks rise
+more abruptly. Henry kept close to the southern shore, his body often
+touching the soft earth. Fortunately the bushes grew thickly, even on
+the steep cliff, to the water's edge. When he had gone three or four
+hundred yards he pulled in among them and lay still awhile. He heard the
+sound of distant shots and he knew that the Indians were still sniping
+the camp. The curve of the Ohio hid the boats of his friends, and before
+him the river seemed to be deserted. Yet he was sure that the Indian
+canoes were on watch. They might be hovering within fifty yards of him.
+
+He listened for the noise of paddles, but no such sound came, and
+pushing his tiny craft from the coil of bushes, he set out once more
+upon the Ohio. Still hearing and seeing nothing, he went a little
+faster. Henry was a powerful swimmer, and the raft, small as it was,
+gave him ample support. Meanwhile, he sought sedulously to avoid any
+noise, knowing that only an incautious splash made by his paddle would
+almost certainly be heard by an Indian ear.
+
+Presently he saw on the northern bank a light, and then another light
+farther up the stream. Probably the Indians were signaling to one
+another, but it did not matter to him, and he swam on towards the mouth
+of the Licking, now about a half mile away. Another hundred yards and he
+quickly and silently drew in to the bank again, pushing the raft far
+back, until it, as well as himself, was hidden wholly. He had heard the
+distant sounds of paddles coming in his direction, and soon two Indian
+canoes in file came in sight. Each canoe contained two warriors. Henry
+inferred from the way in which they scrutinized the river and the bank,
+that they were sentinels. Well for him that the bushes grew thick and
+high. The penetrating Indian eyes passed unsuspecting over his hiding
+place, and went on, dropping slowly down the river to a point where they
+could watch the white boats. A hundred yards in that darkness was
+sufficient to put them out of sight, and Henry again pushed boldly into
+the stream.
+
+The young blockade runner now had a theory that the sentinel boats of
+the Indians would keep close in to the shore. That would be their
+natural procedure, and to avoid them he swam boldly far out into the
+river. Near the middle of the current he paddled once more up stream.
+Only his head showed above the surface and the raft was so low that no
+one was likely to notice it. The wisdom of his movement soon showed as
+he made out three more canoes near the Kentucky shore, obviously on
+watch. Toward the north, at a point not more than seventy or eighty
+yards away he saw another canoe containing three warriors and apparently
+stationary. Others might be further ahead, but the darkness was too
+great for him to tell. Clearly, there was no passage except in the
+middle of the stream, the very point that he had chosen.
+
+Many a stout heart would have turned back, but pride commanded Henry to
+go on. Fortunately, the water lying long under the summer heat was very
+warm, and one could stay in it indefinitely, without fear of chill.
+While he deliberated a little, he sank down until he could breathe only
+through his nostrils, keeping one hand upon the raft. Then he began to
+swim slowly with his feet and the other hand and all the while he kept
+his eyes upon the stationary boat containing the three warriors. By dint
+of staring at them so long they began to appear clear and sharp in the
+darkness. Two were middle-aged, and one young. He judged them to be
+Wyandots, and they had an anchor as they did not use the paddles to
+offset the current. Undoubtedly they were sentinels, as their gaze made
+a continuous circle about them. Henry knew, too, that they were using
+ears as well as eyes and that nobody could hear better than the
+Wyandots.
+
+He decreased his pace, merely creeping through the water, and at the
+same time he swung back a little toward the southern shore and away from
+the Wyandots in the canoe. But the movement was a brief one. To the
+right of him he saw two more canoes and he knew that they formed a part
+of the chain of sentinels stretched by Timmendiquas across the river. It
+was obvious to Henry that the Wyandot leader was fully aware of the
+advance of Logan, and was resolved to prevent the passage of any
+messenger between him and Clark.
+
+Henry paused again, still clinging to his little raft, and holding his
+place in the current with a slight motion of his feet. Then he advanced
+more slowly than ever, choosing a point which he thought was exactly
+half way between the Wyandots and the other canoes, but he feared the
+Wyandots most. Twenty yards, and he stopped. One of the Wyandot warriors
+seemed to have seen something. He was looking fixedly in Henry's
+direction. Boughs and stumps of every sort often floated down the Ohio.
+He might have caught a glimpse of Henry's head. He would take it for a
+small stump, but he would not stop to surmise.
+
+Holding the planks with but one hand, Henry dived about two feet
+beneath the surface and swam silently but powerfully up the stream. He
+swam until his head seemed to swell and the water roared in his ears. He
+swam until his heart pounded from exhaustion and then he rose slowly to
+the surface, not knowing whether or not he would rise among his enemies.
+
+No one greeted him with a shot or blow as he came up, and, when his eyes
+cleared themselves of water, he saw the Wyandot canoe cruising about
+sixty or seventy yards down the stream, obviously looking for the dark
+spot that one of them had seen upon the surface of the river. They might
+look in his direction, but he believed that he was too far away to be
+noticed. Still, he could not tell, and one with less command of himself
+would have swam desperately away. Henry, instead, remained perfectly
+still, sunk in the water up to his nostrils, one hand only yet clinging
+to the raft. The Wyandots turned southward, joined their brethren from
+the Kentucky shore and talked earnestly with them. Henry used the
+opportunity to swim about a hundred yards further up the stream, and
+then, when the canoes separated, he remained perfectly still again. In
+the foggy darkness he feared most the Indian ear which could detect at
+once any sound out of the common. But the Wyandot canoe returned to its
+old place and remained stationary there. Evidently the warriors were
+convinced that they had seen only a stump.
+
+Henry now swam boldly and swiftly, still remaining in the middle of the
+stream. He saw several lights in the woods on the southern shore, not
+those of signals, but probably the luminous glow from camp fires as they
+burned with a steady blaze. The Indians were on watch, and the faint
+sound of two or three rifle shots showed that the night did not keep
+them from buzzing and stinging about Colonel Clark's force. Yet Henry's
+pulse leaped in throat and temple. He had passed one formidable obstacle
+and it was a good omen. The stars in their courses were fighting for
+him, and he would triumph over the others as they came.
+
+But he checked his speed, thinking that the Indian canoes would be thick
+around the mouth of the Licking, and presently he became conscious of a
+great weariness. He had been in the water a long time and one could not
+dive and swim forever. His arms and legs ached and he felt a soreness in
+his chest. It was too dangerous to pull in to the bank at that point,
+and he tried a delicate experiment. He sought to crawl upon his little
+raft and lie there flat upon his back, a task demanding the skill of an
+acrobat.
+
+Three or four times Henry was within an inch of overturning his frail
+craft with the precious freight, but he persisted, and by skillfully
+balancing himself and the raft too he succeeded at last. Then he was
+compelled to lie perfectly still, with his arms outstretched and his
+feet in the water. He was flat upon his back and he could look at only
+the heavens, which offered to his view nothing--no bright stars and
+shining moon, only lowering clouds. If an enemy appeared, he must depend
+upon his ear to give warning. But the physical difficulty of his
+position did not keep him from feeling a delightful sense of rest. The
+soreness left his chest, the ache disappeared from his arms and legs,
+and he drew the fresh air into his lungs in deep and easy breaths. An
+occasional kick of his feet kept the raft from floating down stream,
+and, for a while, he lay there, studying the clouds, and wondering how
+long it would be until the twinkle of a star would break through them.
+He heard the sound of both paddles and oars, the first to the north and
+the other to the south. But his experienced ear told him that each was
+at least two hundred yards away, which was too far for anyone to see him
+stretched out upon his boards. So he rested on and waited for his ears
+to tell him whether the sounds were coming any nearer. The boat with the
+oars passed out of hearing and the sound of the oars became fainter and
+fainter. Henry's heart ticked a note of thankfulness. He would not be
+disturbed for the present, and he continued his study of the low clouds,
+while the strength flowed back into every part of his body.
+
+It occurred to him presently that he could steer as well as propel his
+float with his feet. So he set to work, threshing the water very slowly
+and carefully, and turning his head towards the mouth of the Licking.
+Occasionally he heard the sounds of both oars and paddles, but he judged
+very accurately that those who wielded them were not near enough to see
+him. He was thankful that the night was not broken like the one before
+with flashes of lightning which would infallibly have disclosed him to
+the enemy.
+
+After a half hour of this work, he felt a strange current of water
+against his feet, and at first he was puzzled, but the solution came in
+a few minutes. He was opposite the mouth of the Licking, and he had come
+into contact with the stream before it was fully merged into the Ohio.
+What should he do next? The cordon across the Licking, a much narrower
+river, would be harder to pass than that on the Ohio.
+
+But he was rested fully now, and, sliding off his boards into the water,
+he took a long survey of his situation. No break had yet occurred in the
+clouds, and this was a supreme good fortune. To the east, he dimly saw
+two boats, and to the south, the high black bank. No lights were visible
+there, but he saw them further down the shore, where it was likely that
+the majority of the warriors were gathered. Henry resolved to make
+directly for the angle of land between the mouth of the Licking and the
+Ohio, and he swam toward it with swift, powerful strokes, pushing his
+raft before him.
+
+He calculated that at this angle of land he would be between the two
+Indian cordons, and there, if anywhere, he could find the way to Logan.
+He reached the point, found it well covered with bushes, and drew the
+little raft into concealment. Then he climbed cautiously to the top and
+looked long in every direction, seeking to trace the precise alignment
+of the Indian force. He saw lights in the woods directly to the south
+and along the shore of the Licking. The way there was closed and he knew
+that the watch would be all the more vigilant in order to intercept the
+coming of Logan. He could not pass on land. Hence, he must pass on
+water.
+
+There were yet many long hours before daylight, and he did not hasten.
+Although the water was warm he had been in it a long time and he took
+every precaution to maintain his physical powers. He did not dress, but
+he rubbed thoroughly every part of his body that he could reach. Then he
+flexed and tensed his muscles until he had thrown off every chance of
+chill, after which he lowered himself into the water, and pushed out
+with his raft once more.
+
+He turned the angle of land and entered the Licking, a narrow, deep, and
+muddy stream, lined there, like all the other rivers of that region,
+with high and thick forests. Ahead of him, he saw in the stream a half
+dozen boats with warriors, yet he continued his course towards the
+cordon, keeping his float very close to the western banks. It is said
+that fortune favors the daring, and Henry had often proved the truth of
+it. Once more the saying held good. Clouds heavier and thicker than any
+of the others floated up and plunged river and shores into deeper
+obscurity. Henry believed that if he could avoid all noise, he might, by
+hugging the bank, get by.
+
+He went in so close to the shore that he could wade, but finding that he
+was likely to become tangled among bushes and vines, thus making sounds
+which the warriors would not fail to hear, he returned to deeper water.
+Now the most critical moment of the river gauntlet was approaching. He
+saw about one hundred yards before him, and directly across his course,
+a boat containing two warriors. The space between this boat and the
+western shore was not more than thirty yards. Could he pass them,
+unseen? The chances were against it, but he resolved to try.
+
+Swimming silently, he approached the opening. He had sunk deep in the
+water again, with only one hand on the float, and there was yet nothing
+from the boat to indicate that the two warriors had either seen or heard
+him. Despite all his experience, his heart beat very fast, and his hand
+on the float trembled. But he had no thought of going back. Now he was
+almost parallel with the boat. Now, he was parallel, and the watchful
+eye of one of the warriors caught a glimpse of the darker object on the
+surface of the dark water. He stared a moment in surprise, and then with
+a yell of warning to his comrade, raised his rifle and fired at the
+swimming head.
+
+Henry had seen the upraised rifle, and diving instantly, he swam with
+all his might up stream. As he went down, he heard the bullet go zip
+upon the water. Knowing that he could not save his little craft, he had
+loosed his hold upon it and swam under water as long as he could. Yet
+those boards and the packages upon them saved his life. They were the
+only things that the warriors now saw, and all rowed straight towards
+the raft. Meanwhile, Henry rose in the bushes at the edge of the bank
+and took long and deep breaths, while they examined his rifle and
+clothing. Before they had finished, he dived into the deep water once
+more, and was again swimming swiftly against the current of the
+Licking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE COUNTER-STROKE
+
+
+Colonel Benjamin Logan was standing in a small opening near the banks of
+the Licking about five miles south of its junction with the Ohio. Dawn
+had just come but it had been a troubled night. The country around him
+was beautiful, a primeval wilderness with deep fertile soil and splendid
+forest. His company, too, was good--several hundred stalwart men from
+Lexington, Boonesborough, Harrod's Station and several other settlements
+in the country, destined to become so famous as the Bluegrass region of
+Kentucky. Yet, as has been said, the night was uneasy and he saw no
+decrease of worry.
+
+Colonel Logan was a man of stout nerves, seldom troubled by insomnia,
+but he had not slept. His scouts had told him that there were Indians in
+the forest ahead. One or two incautious explorers had been wounded by
+bullets fired from hidden places. He and the best men with him had felt
+that they were surrounded by an invisible enemy, and just at the time
+that he needed knowledge, it was hardest to achieve it. It was important
+for him to move on, highly important because he wanted to effect a
+junction for a great purpose with George Rogers Clark, a very famous
+border leader. Yet he could learn nothing of Clark. He did not receive
+any news from him, nor could he send any to him. Every scout who tried
+it was driven back, and after suffering agonies of doubt through that
+long and ominous night, the brave leader and skillful borderer had
+concluded that the most powerful Indian force ever sent to Kentucky was
+in front of him. His men had brought rumors that it was led by the
+renowned Wyandot chief, Timmendiquas, with Red Eagle, Black Panther,
+Moluntha, Captain Pipe and the renegade Girty as his lieutenants.
+
+Colonel Logan, brave man that he was, was justified when he felt many
+fears. His force was not great, and, surrounded, it might be overwhelmed
+and cut off. For the border to lose three or four hundred of its best
+men would be fatal. Either he must retreat or he must effect a junction
+with Clark of whose location he knew nothing. A more terrible choice has
+seldom been presented to a man. Harrod, Kenton and other famous scouts
+stood with him and shared his perplexity.
+
+"What shall we do, gentlemen?" he asked.
+
+There was no answer save the sound of a rifle shot from the woods in
+front of them.
+
+"I don't blame you for not answering," said the Colonel moodily,
+"because I don't know of anything you can say. Listen to those shots! We
+may be fighting for our lives before noon, but, by all the powers, I
+won't go back. We can't do it! Now in the name of all that's wonderful
+what is that?"
+
+Every pair of eyes was turned toward the muddy surface of the Licking,
+where a white body floated easily. As they looked the body came to the
+bank, raised itself up in the shape of a human being and stepped ashore,
+leaving a trail of water on the turf. It was the figure of a youth, tall
+and powerful beyond his kind and bare to the waist. He came straight
+toward Logan.
+
+"Now, who under the sun are you and what do you want!" exclaimed the
+startled Colonel.
+
+"My name is Henry Ware," replied the youth in a pleasant voice, "and
+what I want is first a blanket and after that some clothes, but
+meanwhile I tell you that I am a messenger from Colonel Clark whom you
+wish to join."
+
+"A messenger from Colonel Clark?" exclaimed Logan. "How do we know
+this?"
+
+"Simon Kenton there knows me well and he can vouch for me; can't you
+Simon?" continued the youth in the same pleasant voice.
+
+"And so I can!" exclaimed Kenton, springing forward and warmly grasping
+the outstretched hand. "I didn't know you at first, Henry, which is
+natural, because it ain't your habit to wander around in the daytime
+with nothing on but a waist band."
+
+"But how is it that you came up the Licking," persisted Colonel Logan,
+still suspicious. "Is Colonel Clark in the habit of sending unclothed
+messengers up rivers?"
+
+"I came that way," replied Henry, "because all the others are closed.
+I've been swimming nearly all night or rather floating, because I had a
+little raft to help me. I came up the Ohio and then up the Licking. I
+ran the Indian gauntlet on both rivers. At the gauntlet on the Licking I
+lost my raft which carried my rifle, clothes and ammunition. However
+here I am pretty wet and somewhat tired, but as far as I know, sound."
+
+"You can rely on every word he says, Colonel," exclaimed Simon Kenton.
+
+"I do believe him absolutely," said Colonel Logan, "and here, Mr. Ware,
+is my blanket. Wear it until we get your clothes. And now what of
+Clark?"
+
+"He is only about six miles away with seven hundred veterans. He was
+attacked night before last by Timmendiquas, Girty and all the power of
+the allied tribes, but we drove them off. Colonel Clark and his men are
+in an impregnable position, and they await only your coming to beat the
+whole Indian force. He has sent me to tell you so."
+
+Colonel Logan fairly sprang up in his joy.
+
+"Only six miles away!" he exclaimed. "Then we'll soon be with him.
+Young sir, you shall have the best clothes and the best rifle the camp
+can furnish, for yours has been a daring mission and a successful one.
+How on earth did you ever do it?"
+
+"I think luck helped me," replied Henry modestly.
+
+"Luck? Nonsense! Luck can't carry a man through such an ordeal as that.
+No, sir; it was skill and courage and strength. Now here is breakfast,
+and while you eat, your new clothes and your new rifle shall be brought
+to you."
+
+Colonel Logan was as good as his word. When Henry finished his breakfast
+and discarded the blanket he arrayed himself in a beautifully tanned and
+fringed suit of deerskin, and ran his hand lovingly along the long
+slender barrel of a silver-mounted rifle, the handsomest weapon he had
+ever seen.
+
+"It is yours," said Colonel Logan, "in place of the one that you have
+lost, and you shall have also double-barreled pistols. And now as we are
+about to advance, we shall have to call upon you to be our guide."
+
+Henry responded willingly. He was fully rested, and at such a moment he
+had not thought of sleep. Preceded by scouts, Logan's force advanced
+cautiously through the woods near the Licking. About a score of shots
+were fired at them, but, after the shots, the Indian skirmishers fell
+back on their main force. When they had gone about two miles Logan
+stopped his men, and ordered a twelve-pound cannon of which they were
+very proud to be brought forward.
+
+It was rolled into a little open space, loaded only with blank
+cartridges and fired. Doubtless many of the men wondered why it was
+discharged seemingly at random into the forest, because Colonel Logan
+had talked only with Henry Ware, Simon Kenton and a few others. But the
+sound of the shot rolled in a deep boom through the woods.
+
+"Will he hear?" asked Colonel Logan.
+
+"He'll hear," replied Simon Kenton with confidence. "The sound will
+travel far through this still air. It will reach him."
+
+They waited with the most intense anxiety one minute, two minutes, and
+out of the woods in the north came the rolling report in reply. A half
+minute more and then came the second sound just like the first.
+
+"The signal! They answer! They answer!" exclaimed Colonel Logan
+joyously. "Now to make it complete."
+
+When the last echo of the second shot in the north had died, the
+twelve-pounder was fired again. Then it was reloaded, but not with blank
+cartridges, and the word to advance was given. Now the men pressed
+forward with increased eagerness, but they still took wilderness
+precaution. Trees and hillocks were used for shelter, and from the trees
+and hillocks in front of them the Indian skirmishers poured a heavy
+fire. Logan's men replied and the forest was alive with the sounds of
+battle. Bullets cut twigs and bushes, and the white man's shout replied
+to the red man's war whoop. The cannon was brought up, and fired
+cartridges and then grape shot at the point where the enemy's force
+seemed to be thickest. The Indians gave way before this terrifying fire,
+and Logan's men followed them. But the Colonel always kept a heavy force
+on either flank to guard against ambush, and Henry was continually by
+his side to guide. They went a full mile and then Henry, who was
+listening, exclaimed joyfully:
+
+"They're coming to meet us! Don't you hear their fire?"
+
+Above the crash of his own combat Colonel Logan heard the distant
+thudding of cannon, and, as he listened, that thudding came nearer.
+These were certainly the guns of Clark, and he was as joyous as Henry.
+Their coöperation was now complete, and the courage and daring of one
+youth had made it possible. His own force pushed forward faster, and
+soon they could hear the rifles of the heavier battle in the north.
+
+"We've got 'em! We've got 'em!" shouted Simon Kenton. "They are caught
+between the two jaws of a vice, and the bravest Indians that ever lived
+can never stand that."
+
+Logan ordered his men to spread out in a longer and thinner line,
+although he kept at least fifty of his best about the cannon to prevent
+any attempt at capture. The twelve-pounder may not have done much
+execution upon an enemy who fought chiefly from shelter, but he knew
+that its effect was terrifying, and he did not mean to lose the gun. His
+precaution was taken well, as a picked band of Wyandots, Shawnees and
+Miamis, springing suddenly from the undergrowth, made a determined
+charge to the very muzzle of the cannon. There was close fighting, hand
+to hand, the shock of white bodies against red, the flash of exploding
+powder and the glitter of steel, but the red band was at last driven
+back, although not without loss to the defenders. The struggle had been
+so desperate that Colonel Logan drew more men about the cannon, and then
+pressed on again. The firing to the north was growing louder, indicating
+that Clark, too, was pushing his way through the forest. The two forces
+were now not much more than a mile apart, and Simon Kenton shouted that
+the battle would cease inside of five minutes.
+
+Kenton was a prophet. Almost at the very moment predicted by him the
+Indian fire stopped with a suddenness that seemed miraculous. Every
+dusky flitting form vanished. No more jets of flame arose, the smoke
+floated idly about as if it had been made by bush fires, and Logan's men
+found that nobody was before them. There was something weird and uncanny
+about it. The sudden disappearance of so strong and numerous an enemy
+seemed to partake of magic. But Henry understood well. Always a shrewd
+general, Timmendiquas, seeing that the battle was lost, and that he
+might soon be caught in an unescapable trap, had ordered the warriors to
+give up the fight, and slip away through the woods.
+
+Pressing forward with fiery zeal and energy, Clark and Logan met in the
+forest and grasped hands. The two forces fused at the same time and
+raised a tremendous cheer. They had beaten the allied tribes once more,
+and had formed the union which they believed would make them invincible.
+A thousand foresters, skilled in every wile and strategy of Indian war
+were indeed a formidable force, and they had a thorough right to
+rejoice, as they stood there in the wilderness greeting one another
+after a signal triumph. Save for the fallen, there was no longer a sign
+of the warriors. All their wounded had been taken away with them.
+
+"I heard your cannon shot, just when I was beginning to give up hope,"
+said Colonel Clark to Colonel Logan.
+
+"And you don't know how welcome your reply was," replied Logan, "but it
+was all due to a great boy named Henry Ware."
+
+"So he got through?"
+
+"Yes, he did. He arrived clothed only in a waist band, and the first we
+saw of him was his head emerging from the muddy waters of the Licking.
+He swam, floated and dived all night long until he got to us. He was
+chased by canoes, and shot at by warriors, but nothing could stop him,
+and without him we couldn't have done anything, because there was no
+other way for us to hear a word from you."
+
+"Ah, there he is now. But I see that he is clothed and armed."
+
+Henry had appeared just then with his comrades, looking among the
+bushes to see if any savage yet lay there in ambush, and the two
+Colonels seized upon him. They could not call him by complimentary names
+enough, and they told him that he alone had made the victory possible.
+Henry, blushing, got away from them as quickly as he could, and rejoined
+his friends.
+
+"That shorely was a great swim of yours, Henry," said Shif'less Sol,
+"an' you're pow'ful lucky that the water was warm."
+
+"My little raft helped me a lot," rejoined Henry, "and I'm mighty sorry
+I lost it, although Colonel Logan has given me the best rifle I ever
+saw. I wonder what will be our next movement."
+
+Colonel Clark, who was now in command of the whole force, the other
+officers coöperating with him and obeying him loyally, deemed it wise to
+spend the day in rest. The men had gone through long hours of waiting,
+watching and fighting and their strength must be restored. Scouts
+reported that the Indians had crossed the Licking and then the Ohio, and
+were retreating apparently toward Chillicothe, their greatest town. Some
+wanted Colonel Clark to follow them at once and strike another blow, but
+he was too wise. The Indian facility for retreat was always great. They
+could scatter in the forest in such a way that it was impossible to find
+them, but if rashly followed they could unite as readily and draw their
+foe into a deadly ambush. Clark, a master of border warfare, who was
+never tricked by them, let them go and bided his time. He ordered many
+fires to be lighted and food in abundance to be served. The spirits of
+the men rose to the highest pitch. Even the wounded rejoiced.
+
+After eating, Henry found that he needed sleep. He did not feel the
+strain and anxiety of the long night and of the morning battle, until it
+was all over. Then his whole system relaxed, and, throwing himself down
+on the turf, he went sound asleep. When he awoke the twilight was
+coming and Paul and Shif'less Sol sat near him.
+
+"We had to guard you most of the time, Henry," said Shif'less Sol,
+"'cause you're a sort of curiosity. Fellers hev kep' comin' here to see
+the lad what swam the hull len'th o' the Ohio an' then the hull len'th
+o' the Lickin', most o' the time with his head under water, an' we had
+to keep 'em from wakin' you. We'd let 'em look at you, but we wouldn't
+let 'em speak or breathe loud. You wuz sleepin' so purty that we could
+not bear to hev you waked up."
+
+Henry laughed.
+
+"Quit making fun of me, Sol," he said, "and tell me what's happened
+since I've been asleep."
+
+"Nothin' much. The Indians are still retreatin' through the woods across
+the Ohio an' Colonel Clark shows his good hoss sense by not follerin'
+'em, ez some o' our hot heads want him to do. Wouldn't Timmendiquas like
+to draw us into an ambush,--say in some valley in the thick o' the
+forest with a couple o' thousand warriors behind the trees an' on the
+ridges all aroun' us. Oh, wouldn't he? An' what would be left of us
+after it wuz all over? I ask you that, Henry."
+
+"Mighty little, I'm afraid."
+
+"Next to nothin', I know. I tell you Henry our Colonel Clark is a real
+gin'ral. He's the kind I like to foller, an' we ain't goin' to see no
+sich sight ez the one we saw at Wyomin'."
+
+"I'm sure we won't," said Henry. "Now have any of you slept to-day?"
+
+"All o' us hev took naps, not long but mighty deep an' comfortin'. So
+we're ready fur anythin' from a fight to a foot race, whichever 'pears
+to be the better fur us."
+
+"Where are Paul and Tom and Jim?"
+
+"Cruisin' about in their restless, foolish way. I told 'em to sit right
+down on the groun' and keep still an' enjoy theirselves while they
+could, but my wise words wuz wasted. Henry, sometimes I think that only
+lazy men like me hev good sense."
+
+The missing three appeared a minute or two later and were received by
+the shiftless one with the objurgations due to what he considered
+misspent energy.
+
+"I'm for a scout to-night," said Henry. "Are all of you with me?"
+
+Three answered at once:
+
+"Of course."
+
+But Shif'less Sol groaned.
+
+"Think o' going out after dark when you might lay here an' snooze
+comf'ably," he said; "but sence you fellers are so foolish an'
+headstrong you'll need some good sens'ble man to take keer o' you."
+
+"Thank you, Sol," said Henry, with much gravity. "Now that we have your
+reluctant consent we need only to ask Colonel Clark."
+
+Colonel Clark had no objection. In fact, he would not question any act
+of the five, whom he knew to be free lances of incomparable skill and
+knowledge in the wilderness.
+
+"You know better than I what to do," he said, smiling, "and as for you,
+Mr. Ware, you have already done more than your share in this campaign."
+
+They left shortly after dark. The united camp was pitched at the
+junction of the Ohio and Licking, but along the bank of the larger
+river. Most of the boats were tied to the shore, and they had a heavy
+guard. There was also a strong patrol across the mouth of the Licking,
+and all the way to the northern bank of the Ohio.
+
+The five embarked in a large boat with four oarsmen and they lay at ease
+while they were pulled across the broad stream. Behind them they saw the
+numerous lights of the camp, twinkling in the woods. Clark meant that
+his men should be cheerful, and light ministers to good spirits. Ahead
+of him there was no break in the dark line of forest, but they
+approached it without apprehension, assured by other scouts that the
+Indian retreat had not ceased.
+
+They were landed on the northern bank and stating to the boatmen that
+they would be back in the morning, they plunged into the woods. There
+was some moonlight, and in a short time they picked up the trail of the
+main Indian force. They followed it until midnight and found that it
+maintained a steady course toward Chillicothe. Henry was satisfied that
+Timmendiquas meant to fall back on the town, and make a stand there
+where he could hope for victory, but he was not sure that smaller bands
+would not lurk in Clark's path, and try to cut up and weaken his force
+as it advanced. Hence, he left the great trail and turned to the right.
+In a mile or so they heard sounds and peering through the woods saw
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and about a dozen Shawnee warriors sitting
+about a small fire. Paul incautiously stepped upon a dead bough which
+cracked beneath his weight, and the Indians at once leaped up, rifle in
+hand. They fired several shots into the bushes whence the sound had
+come, but the five had already taken shelter, and they sent bullets in
+return. Rifles cracked sharply and jets of smoke arose.
+
+A combat did not enter into Henry's calculation. It was one thing that
+he wished especially to avoid, but neither he nor any other of the five
+could bear to make a hasty retreat before Braxton Wyatt. They held their
+ground, and sent in a fire so rapid and accurate that Wyatt and
+Blackstaffe thought they were attacked by a force larger than their own,
+and, fearing to be trapped, finally retreated. The result appealed
+irresistibly to Shif'less Sol's sense of humor.
+
+"Ef they hadn't run, we would," he said. "Jest think how often that's
+the case. Many a feller gits beat 'cause he don't wait for the other to
+beat hisself."
+
+They were all buoyant over the affair, and they followed some distance,
+until they saw that Wyatt and Blackstaffe had changed their course in
+order to join the main band, when they started back to Clark, having
+seen all they wished. They arrived at the river about daylight, and were
+ordered to the southern shore where they made a report that was greatly
+satisfactory to the commander. Clark passed his whole force over the
+Ohio the next day and then built a small fort on the site of Cincinnati,
+placing in it all the surplus stores and ammunition.
+
+Several days were spent here, and, throughout that time, Henry and his
+comrades scouted far and wide, going as far as thirty miles beyond the
+fort. But the woods were bare of Indians, and Henry was confirmed in his
+belief that Timmendiquas, after the failure at the mouth of the Licking,
+was concentrating everything on Chillicothe, expecting to resist to the
+utmost.
+
+"Thar's bound to be a pow'ful big battle at that town," said Shif'less
+Sol.
+
+"I think so, too," said Henry, "and we've got to guard against walking
+into any trap. I wish I knew what thought is lying just now in the back
+of the head of Timmendiquas."
+
+"We'll soon know, 'cause it won't take us many days to git to
+Chillicothe," said Tom Ross.
+
+The army took up its march the next day, going straight toward
+Chillicothe. It was the most formidable white force that had yet
+appeared in the western woods, and every man in it was full of
+confidence. It was not only an army, but it marched in the shape and
+fashion of one. The borderers, used to their own way, yielded readily to
+the tact and great name of Clark. The first division under Clark's own
+command, with the artillery, military stores and baggage in the center,
+led; Logan, who ranked next to Clark, commanded the rear.
+
+The men walked in four lines, with a space of forty yards between every
+two lines. On each flank was a band of veteran scouts and skirmishers.
+In front of the white army, but never out of sight, marched a strong
+detachment of skilled woodsmen and marksmen. In the rear and at a
+similar distance, came another such band.
+
+Clark also took further precautions against surprise and confusion. He
+issued an order that in case of attack in front the vanguard was to
+stand fast while the two lines on the right of the artillery were to
+wheel to the right, and the two on the left were to wheel to the left.
+Then the cannon and the whole line were to advance at the double quick
+to the support of the vanguard. If they were attacked from behind, the
+vanguard was to stand fast, and the whole proceeding was to be reversed.
+If they were attacked on either flank, the two lines on that flank and
+the artillery were to stand where they were, while the other two lines
+wheeled and formed, one on the van and the other on the rear. The men
+had been drilled repeatedly in their movements, and they executed them
+with skill. It now remained to be seen whether they would do as much
+under the influence of surprise and a heavy fire. Everyone believed they
+would stand against any form of attack.
+
+The commanders seemed to think of all things, and the training of the
+army excited the admiration of Henry and his comrades. They felt that it
+would be very hard to catch such a force in a trap, or, if it should be
+caught, there was nothing in the wilderness to hold it there. The five
+were not in the line. In fact, they kept ahead of the vanguard itself,
+but they often came back to make their reports to Clark. It was now the
+beginning of August, and the heat was great in the woods. The men were
+compelled to rest in the middle of the day and they drank thirstily
+from every brook they passed.
+
+Clark expected that they would be annoyed by the Indian skirmishers, but
+the first day passed, and then the second and not a shot was fired. The
+five and the other scouts assured him that no warriors were near, but he
+did not like the silence. Bowman and a strong force had attacked
+Chillicothe the year before, but had been repulsed. Undoubtedly it would
+now have a still stronger defense and he wondered what could be the plan
+of Timmendiquas. A border leader, in a land covered with great forests
+was compelled to guard every moment against the cunning and stratagem of
+a foe who lived by cunning and stratagem.
+
+The second night a council was held, and Henry and all his comrades were
+summoned to it. Would or would not the Indians fight before the white
+force reached Chillicothe? The country was rough and presented many good
+places for defense. Colonel Clark asked the question, and he looked
+anxiously around at the little group. Daniel Boone spoke first. He
+believed that no resistance would be offered until they reached
+Chillicothe. Simon Kenton and Abe Thomas shared his opinion. Henry stood
+modestly in the background and waited until Colonel Clark put the
+question. Then he replied with a proposition:
+
+"I think that Colonel Boone is right," he said, "but I and four others
+have been associated a long time in work of this kind. We are used to
+the forest, and we can move faster in it. Let us go ahead. We will see
+what is being prepared at Chillicothe, and we will report to you."
+
+"But the risk to you five?"
+
+"We're ready to take it. Everybody in the army is taking it."
+
+Henry's plan was so promising that he soon had his way. He and the
+others were to start immediately.
+
+"Go, my boy, and God bless you," said Colonel Clark. "We want all the
+information you can bring, but don't take excessive risks."
+
+Henry gave his promise, left the council, and in five minutes he and his
+comrades were deep in the forest, and beyond the sight of their own camp
+fires. The weather was now clear and there was a good moon and many
+stars. Far to the right of them rose the hoot of an owl, but it was a
+real owl and they paid no attention to it.
+
+"Jest what are you figurin' on, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I think that if we travel hard all of to-night," replied Henry, "and
+then take it easy to-morrow that we can reach Chillicothe early
+to-morrow night. We ought to learn there in a few hours all that we want
+to know, and we can be back with the army on the following day."
+
+None of the five had ever been at Chillicothe, but all of them knew very
+well its location. It was the largest Indian village in the Ohio River
+Valley, and many a foray had gone from it. They knew that the forest ran
+continuously from where they were almost to its edge, and they believed
+that they could approach without great difficulty. After a consultation
+they settled upon the exact point toward which they would go, and then,
+Henry leading the way, they sped onward in a silent file. Hour after
+hour they traveled without speaking. The moon was out, but they kept to
+the deepest parts of the forest and its rays rarely reached them. They
+used the long running walk of the frontiersman and their toughened
+muscles seemed never to tire. Every one of them breathed regularly and
+easily, but the miles dropped fast behind them. They leaped little
+brooks, and twice they waded creeks, in one of which the water went far
+past their knees, but their buckskin trousers dried upon them as they
+ran on. The moon went behind floating clouds, and then came back again
+but it made no difference to them. They went on at the same swift, even
+pace, and it was nearly morning when Henry gave the signal to stop.
+
+He saw a place that he thought would suit them for their informal camp,
+a dense thicket of bushes and vines on a hill, a thicket that even in
+the daylight would be impervious to the keenest eyes.
+
+"Suppose we crawl in here and rest awhile," he said. "We mustn't break
+ourselves down."
+
+"Looks all right," said Tom Ross.
+
+They crept into the dense covert, and all went to sleep except Henry and
+Ross who lay down without closing their eyes, theirs being the turn to
+watch. Henry saw the sun rise and gild the forest that seemed to be
+without human being save themselves. Beyond the thicket in which they
+lay there was not much underbrush and as Henry watched on all sides for
+a long time he was sure that no Indian had come near. He was confirmed
+in this opinion by two deer that appeared amid the oak openings and
+nibbled at the turf. They were a fine sight, a stag and doe each of
+splendid size, and they moved fearlessly about among the trees. Henry
+admired them and he had no desire whatever to harm them. Instead, they
+were now friends of his, telling him by their presence that the savages
+were absent.
+
+Henry judged that they were now about two-thirds of the way to
+Chillicothe, and, shortly before noon, he and Tom awakened the others
+and resumed their journey, but in the brilliant light of the afternoon
+they advanced much more slowly. Theirs was a mission of great importance
+and discovery alone would ruin it. They kept to the thicket, and the
+stony places where they would leave no trail, and once, when a brook
+flowed in their direction, they waded in its watery bed for two or three
+miles. But the intensity of their purpose and the concentration of their
+faculties upon it did not keep them from noticing the magnificence of
+the country. Everywhere the soil was deep and dark, and, springing from
+it, was the noblest of forests. It was well watered, too, with an
+abundance of creeks and brooks, and now and then a little lake. Further
+on were large rivers. Henry did not wonder that the Indians fought so
+bitterly against trespassers upon their ancient hunting grounds.
+
+The twilight of the second night came, and, lying in the thicket, the
+five ate and drank a little, while the twilight turned into dark. Then
+they prepared their plans. They did not believe that Chillicothe was
+more than three miles ahead, and the Indians, knowing that the army
+could not come up for two days yet, were not likely to be keeping a very
+strict watch. They meant to penetrate to the town in the night. But they
+waited a long time, until they believed most of the children and squaws
+would be asleep, and then they advanced again.
+
+Their surmise was correct. In a half hour they were on the outskirts of
+Chillicothe, the great Indian town. It was surrounded by fields of maize
+and pumpkin, but it seemed to the five to consist of several hundred
+lodges and modern houses. As they made this reckoning they stood at the
+edge of a large corn field that stretched between them and the town. The
+stalks of corn were higher than a man's head, and the leaves had begun
+to turn brown under the August sun.
+
+"We must go nearer," said Henry, "and it seems to me that this corn
+field offers a way of approach. The corn will hide us until we come to
+the very edge of the town."
+
+The others agreed, and they set off across the field. After they entered
+it they could see nothing but the corn itself. The dying stalks rustled
+mournfully above their heads, as they advanced between the rows, but no
+sounds came from the town. It was about three hundred yards across the
+field, and when they reached its far edge they saw several lights which
+came from Chillicothe itself. They paused, while still in the corn, and,
+lying upon the ground, they got a good view of the big village.
+
+Chillicothe seemed to run a long distance from north to south, but Henry
+at once noticed among the buildings, obviously of a permanent character,
+many tepees such as the Indians erect only for a night or two. His
+logical mind immediately drew the inference. Chillicothe was full of
+strange warriors. The Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis, Delawares, Ottawas,
+Illinois, all were there and the circumstance indicated that they would
+not try to lay an ambush for Clark, but would await him at Chillicothe.
+He whispered to his comrades and they agreed with him.
+
+"Can you see how far this corn field runs down to the right?" he asked
+Tom Ross.
+
+"'Bout two hundred yards, I reckon."
+
+"Then let's drop down its edge and see if the new tepees are scattered
+everywhere through the town."
+
+The trip revealed an abundance of the temporary lodges and farther down
+they saw signs of an embankment freshly made. But this breastwork of
+earth did not extend far. Evidently it had been left incomplete.
+
+"What do you make of that, Henry?" asked Ross.
+
+"That the Indians are in a state of indecision," replied Henry promptly.
+"They intended to fortify and fight us here, and now they are thinking
+that maybe they won't. If they had made up their minds thoroughly they
+would have gone on with the earthwork."
+
+"That certainly sounds reasonable," said Paul, "but if they don't fight
+here where will they fight? I can't believe that Timmendiquas will
+abandon the Indian towns without resistance and flee to the woods."
+
+"They have another big town farther on--Piqua they call it. It may be
+more defensible than Chillicothe, and, if so, they might decide to
+concentrate there. But we can be sure of one thing. They have not yet
+left Chillicothe. It is for us to discover within the next few hours
+just what they mean to do."
+
+At the lower end of the corn field they found a garden of tall pea and
+bean vines which they entered. This field projected into the village and
+when they reached its end they saw a great increase of lights and heard
+the hum of voices. Peeping from their precarious covert they beheld the
+dusky figures of warriors in large numbers, and they surmised that some
+sort of a council was in progress.
+
+Henry was eager to know what was being said at this council, but for a
+long time he could think of no way. At last he noticed a small wooden
+building adjoining the garden, the door of which stood half open,
+revealing ears of corn from the preceding season lying in a heap upon
+the floor. He resolved to enter this rude corncrib knowing it would
+contain many apertures, and see and hear what was being done. He told
+the others his plan. They tried to dissuade him from it but he
+persisted, being sure that he would succeed.
+
+"I'm bound to take the risk," he said. "We must find out what the
+Indians intend to do."
+
+"Then if you're bent on throwin' away your life," said Shif'less Sol,
+"I'm goin' in with you."
+
+"No," said Henry firmly. "One is enough, and it is enough to risk one.
+But if you fellows wish, lie here behind the vines, and, if I have to
+make a run for it, you can cover me with your fire."
+
+The four at last agreed to this compromise, although they were loth to
+see Henry go. Every one of them made up his mind to stand by their
+leader to the last. Henry left the shelter of the vines, but he lay down
+almost flat, and crept across the narrow open space to the corncrib.
+When he saw that no one was looking he darted inside, and cautiously
+pushed the door shut.
+
+As he expected, there were plenty of cracks between the timbers and also
+a small open window at one end. The ears of corn were heaped high at the
+window, and, pushing himself down among them until he was hidden to the
+shoulders, he looked out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE BATTLE OF PIQUA
+
+
+The window, doubtless intended merely for letting in air, was very
+small, but Henry had a fine view of a wide open space, evidently the
+central court of the village. It was grassy and shady, with large oak
+and beech trees. About fifteen yards from the corncrib burned a fire,
+meant for light rather than heat, as the night was warm. Around it were
+gathered about fifty men, of whom six or seven were white, although they
+were tanned by exposure almost to the darkness of Indians.
+
+Henry knew a number of them well. Upon a slightly raised seat sat
+Timmendiquas, the famous White Lightning of the Wyandots. He wore only
+the waist cloth, and the great muscles of his chest and arms were
+revealed by the firelight. His head was thrown back as if in defiance,
+and above it rose a single red feather twined in the scalp lock. Just
+beyond Timmendiquas sat Moluntha, the Shawnee; Captain Pipe and Captain
+White Eyes, the Delawares; Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the
+Shawnee. Beyond them were Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt, Moses Blackstaffe
+and the other renegades. There was also a Mohawk chief at the head of a
+small detachment sent by Thayendanegea. All the chiefs were in war paint
+tattooed to the last note of Indian art.
+
+Henry knew from the number of chiefs present and the gravity of their
+faces that this was a council of great importance. He heard at first
+only the rumble of their voices, but when he had become used to the
+place, and had listened attentively he was able to discern the words.
+Timmendiquas, true to his brave and fierce nature, was urging the allied
+chiefs to stay and fight Clark for Chillicothe. In the East before the
+battle on the Chemung, he had been in a sense a visitor, and he had
+deferred to the great Iroquois, Thayendanegea, but here he was first,
+the natural leader, and he spoke with impassioned fervor. As Henry
+looked he rose, and swinging a great tomahawk to give emphasis to his
+words, he said:
+
+"The one who retreats does not find favor with Manitou. It is he who
+stays and fights. It is true that we were defeated in the battle across
+from Tuentahahewaghta (the site of Cincinnati), but with great warriors
+a defeat is merely the beginning of the way that leads to victory in the
+end. This is the greatest town of our race in all the valley of
+Ohezuhyeandawa (the Ohio), and shall we give it up, merely because Clark
+comes against it with a thousand men? Bowman came last year, but you
+beat him off and killed many of his men. The soldiers of the king have
+failed us as we feared. The promises of de Peyster and Caldwell have not
+been kept, but we can win without them!"
+
+He paused and swung the great war tomahawk. The firelight tinted red the
+glittering blade, and it made a circle of light as he whirled it about
+his head. A murmur ran around the circle, and swelled into a chorus of
+approval. These were the words that appealed to the hearts of the
+warlike tribes, but Simon Girty, crafty, politic and far-seeing, arose.
+
+"Your words are those of a brave man and a great leader, Timmendiquas,"
+he said, speaking in Shawnee, "but there are many things that the chiefs
+must consider. When the white men are slain, others come from the East
+to take their places; when our warriors fall their lodges stay empty and
+we are always fewer than before. You were across the mountains,
+Timmendiquas, with the chief of the Iroquois, Thayendanegea, and so was
+my friend who sits here by my side. The Iroquois fought there on the
+Chemung River, and brave though they were, they could not stand against
+the Yengees and their cannon. They were scattered and their country was
+destroyed. It would have been better had they fallen back, fighting
+wherever they could lay a good ambush.
+
+"Now Kentucky comes against us in great force. It is not such an army as
+that which Bowman led. They are all trained, even as our own, to the
+forest and its ways. This army, as it marches, looks before and behind,
+and to right and to left. It will not stick its head in a trap, and when
+its cannon thunder against your Chillicothe, smashing down your houses
+and your lodges, what will you do? Clark, who leads the men from
+Kentucky, has beaten our allies, the British, at Vincennes and
+Kaskaskia. Hamilton, the governor at Detroit before de Peyster, was
+captured by him, and the Yengees held him a prisoner in Virginia. This
+Clark is cunning like the fox, and has teeth like the wolf. He is the
+winner of victories, and the men from Kentucky are ready to fight around
+him to the last."
+
+Another murmur came from the circle and it also indicated approval of
+Girty's words. Always greatly influenced by oratory, the opinion of the
+chiefs now swung to the latest speaker. Timmendiquas flashed a look of
+scorn at Girty and at some of the chiefs near him.
+
+"I know that Girty thinks much and is wise," he said. "He is faithful to
+us, too, because he dare not go back to his own white people, who would
+tear him to pieces."
+
+Timmendiquas paused a moment for his taunt to take effect, and looked
+directly at the renegade. Girty winced, but he had great self-control,
+and he replied calmly:
+
+"What you say is true, Timmendiquas, and no one knows it better than I.
+The whites would surely tear me in pieces if they could catch me,
+because my deeds in behalf of the Indians, whom I have chosen to be my
+brethren, are known to all men."
+
+Girty had replied well, and the older and more cautious chiefs gave him
+another murmur of approval. Timmendiquas flashed him a second glance of
+contempt and hate, but the renegade endured it firmly.
+
+"What, then, do you say for us to do, Girty?" asked the Wyandot chief.
+
+"As the enemy comes near Chillicothe fall back to Piqua. It is only
+twelve miles away, yet not all the warriors of Piqua are here ready to
+help us. But they will wait for us if we come to them, and then we shall
+be in stronger force to fight Clark. And Piqua is better suited to
+defense than Chillicothe. The enemy cannot come upon the town without
+receiving from us a hidden fire."
+
+Girty spoke on, and to the listening youth he seemed to speak plausibly.
+Certainly many of the chiefs thought so, as more than once they nodded
+and murmured their approval. Timmendiquas replied, and several of the
+younger chiefs supported him, but Henry believed that the burden of
+opinion was shifting the other way. The tribes were probably shaken by
+the defeat at the mouth of the Licking, and the name of Clark was
+dreaded most of all.
+
+Indians love to talk, and the debate went on for a long time, but at
+last it was decided, much against the will of Timmendiquas, that if they
+could not catch Clark in an ambush they would abandon Chillicothe and
+retreat toward Piqua. The decisive argument was the fact that they could
+gather at Piqua a much larger force than at Chillicothe. The advance of
+Clark had been more rapid than was expected. They would not only have
+all the Piqua men with them, but many more warriors from distant
+villages who had not yet arrived.
+
+The fire was now permitted to die down, the crowd broke up and the
+chiefs walked away to their lodgings. Henry left the little place from
+which he had been peeping, drew himself from the corn and prepared to
+open the door. Before he had pulled it back more than an inch he stopped
+and remained perfectly still. Two warriors were standing outside within
+three feet of him. They were Miamis, and they were talking in low tones
+which he could not understand. He waited patiently for them to pass on,
+but presently one of them glanced at the door. He may have been the
+owner of the crib, and he noticed that the door was shut or nearly shut,
+when it had been left open. He stepped forward and gave it a push,
+sending it against the youth who stood on the other side.
+
+The Miami uttered an exclamation, but Henry acted promptly. He did not
+wish to fire a shot and bring hundreds of warriors down upon himself and
+his friends, but he sprang out of the door with such violence that he
+struck the first Miami with his shoulder and knocked him senseless. The
+second warrior, startled by this terrifying apparition, was about to
+utter a cry of alarm, but Henry seized him by the throat with both
+hands, compressed it and threw him from him as far as he could. Then he
+sprang among the vines, where he was joined by his comrades, and,
+bending low, they rushed for the corn field and its protection.
+
+The second Miami was the first to recover. He sprang to his feet and
+opened his mouth to let forth the war cry. It did not come. Instead an
+acute pain shot along his throat. He did not know how powerful were the
+hands that had constricted him there. Nevertheless he persisted and at
+the fourth trial the war cry came, sending its signal of alarm all
+through the village. Warriors poured out of the dark, and led by the
+Miamis they dashed through the garden in eager pursuit.
+
+The five were already in the field, running down among the corn rows.
+Over them waved the highest blades of the corn, still rustling dryly in
+the wind.
+
+"We are as good runners ez they are," said Shif'less Sol. "An' they
+can't see us here in the corn, but ain't that a pack o' them on our
+heels. Listen to that yelp."
+
+The war cry came from hundreds of throats, and behind them they heard
+the patter of many feet on the soft earth of the field, but they were
+not in despair. Not far beyond lay the woods, and they had full faith
+that they would reach their cover in time. The rows of corn guided them
+in a perfectly straight line, and the number of their pursuers were of
+no avail. They reached the woods in a few minutes, and, although the
+warriors then caught dim glimpses of them, and fired a few shots, no
+bullets struck near, and they were soon hidden among the trees and
+thickets. But they were too wise to stop merely because they were out of
+sight. They continued at good speed for a long time on the return
+journey to Clark.
+
+Henry's comrades asked him no questions, knowing that when they stopped
+he would tell them everything, unasked. But they saw that he was in an
+excellent humor, and so they inferred that he brought valuable
+information from Chillicothe.
+
+"I call it luck," said Shif'less Sol, "that when you have to run for
+your life you can at the same time run the way you want to go."
+
+"Yes, it's our lucky night," said Henry.
+
+Stopping occasionally to listen for pursuit, they ran about four hours,
+and then took a long rest by the side of a cool little brook from which
+they drank deeply. Then Henry told what he had heard.
+
+"It's not their intention to fight at Chillicothe," he said.
+"Timmendiquas, of course, wanted to make a stand, but Girty and the
+older chiefs prevented him and decided on Piqua. It's likely, I think,
+that the authority of White Lightning has been weakened by their defeat
+at the mouth of the Licking."
+
+Then he related every word that he had been able to catch.
+
+"This is mighty important," said Paul, "and Colonel Clark will surely be
+glad to hear your news."
+
+After a rest of one hour they pushed on at great speed and they did not
+stop the next day until they saw Colonel Clark's vanguard. Clark himself
+was at the front and with him were Boone, Kenton and Thomas. The face of
+the Colonel became eager when he saw the five emerge from the
+undergrowth.
+
+"Anything to tell?" he asked briefly.
+
+When Henry related what he had heard from the window of the corncrib,
+the Colonel uttered short but earnest words of thanks, and put his hand
+upon the lad's shoulder.
+
+"Once more we are in great debt to you, young sir," he said. "You
+brought our forces together at the Licking, and now you guide our main
+campaign. This news that the savages will not defend Chillicothe will
+give our men great encouragement. Already they will see the enemy
+fleeing before them."
+
+Colonel Clark was a good prophet. The men cheered when they heard that
+the Indian force was likely to abandon Chillicothe and they were anxious
+to press forward at increased speed, but the leader would not permit,
+nor would he allow them to disarrange their marching order in the
+slightest. He had never been defeated by the Indians, because he had
+never given them a chance to trap and surprise him, and he did not mean
+to do so now.
+
+"Plenty of time, boys--plenty of time," he said, soothingly. "Before we
+finish this campaign you'll get all the fighting you want. Don't forget
+that."
+
+That night, which was to be the last before reaching Chillicothe, he
+doubled the guard. Except the five, who had fully earned the right to
+sleep, the very best of the scouts and sharpshooters were on watch.
+Skirmishers were thrown far out among the bushes, and no matter how dark
+the night might be, no considerable Indian force could ever get near
+enough for surprise. Boone, Kenton, Thomas and others heard signals, the
+hoots of owls and the howls of wolves, but they continued their watch
+undisturbed. So long as a thousand good men were there in the wilderness
+in a heavy square, bristling with rifles and artillery, they did not
+care how many signals the savages made to one another.
+
+Morning came, bright and hot. It was the sixth of August, the month when
+the great heats that sometimes hang over the Ohio River Valley usually
+reach their uttermost.
+
+This promised to be such a day. After the bright dawn the atmosphere
+became thick and heavy. Sweat stood on every face. Exertion was an
+effort. Yet the men felt no abatement of zeal. In three or four hours
+more, they would reach Chillicothe unless the enemy gave battle first.
+Nevertheless little was said. The veteran frontiersmen knew the valor of
+their enemy, and his wonderful skill as a forest fighter. This was no
+festival to which they were going. Many of them would never return to
+Kentucky.
+
+They marched about three miles. It was noon now, and the sun from its
+vantage point in the center of the heavens poured down a flood of
+burning rays upon them. Colonel Clark, with his usual patience, made the
+men halt for a few minutes and take food. Their formation had never been
+broken for a moment. No matter from what side the attack came the whole
+army could face it inside of two minutes.
+
+The five with Boone, Kenton and Thomas were just ahead of the vanguard,
+and Colonel Clark who was now on horseback rode up to them.
+
+"How far would you say it is to Chillicothe?" he asked Henry.
+
+"We should be there in an hour."
+
+Colonel Clark looked at his watch.
+
+"One o'clock in the afternoon," he said. "That will give us plenty of
+time for a battle, if they choose to offer it to us, but it looks as if
+we would receive no such offer. All that you have said, young sir, is
+coming to pass."
+
+They were following the broad trail left by the Indian army on its
+retreat, but not a single warrior appeared to oppose them. There were no
+sounds in the woods save those made by themselves. No bark of dog or
+signal of savage came from the village which was now just beyond a thin
+veil of forest.
+
+Colonel Clark's iron self-control yielded a little. He allowed the men
+to hasten somewhat, and they came all at once into the corn field which
+Henry and his friends had entered. They saw, beyond, the walls and roofs
+of Chillicothe. Colonel Clark instantly ordered a halt. A field of
+waving corn could hold a thousand hidden warriors, but Boone, Henry and
+the others were already in the corn and announced that nobody was there.
+Then the army with a great shout advanced on the run, the wheels of the
+cannon grinding down the corn.
+
+In five minutes they were at Chillicothe, and then they saw flames
+leaping from the highest houses. The town was on fire and all its people
+had fled. The broad trail, littered with fragments, showed that they had
+gone towards Piqua. But the army, still kept in battle order, did not
+follow yet. It watched the burning of Chillicothe and helped it along.
+The soldiers, with the cannon in the center, were drawn up just on the
+outside of the town, and, under order of the officers, many of them
+seized torches and lighted tepee and wigwam. The dry corn in the fields
+and everything else that would burn was set on fire. What would not
+burn was trampled to a pulp beneath the feet of men and horses.
+
+Meanwhile the flames spread to every part of the village, united and
+fused into one vast conflagration. The sight thrilled and awed even
+Henry, Paul, and the others who had seen similar things in the Iroquois
+country. But there were not many in that army of white men who felt
+pity. This was Chillicothe, the greatest of the Western Indian towns.
+Some of them had been held prisoners there. Others had seen their
+friends tortured to death at this very place. The wives and children of
+many had been taken away to Chillicothe and no one had ever seen or
+heard of them again. Here the great Indian forays started and the very
+name of Chillicothe was hateful to the white men who had come from
+beyond the Ohio to destroy it and the warriors who lived there. They
+were glad to see it burning. They rejoiced when wigwams and Council
+House crashed down in blazing timbers. It pleased them to see the corn
+and beans and all the Indian stores destroyed, because then the warriors
+must hunt in the forest for food, and would have no time to hunt in the
+Kentucky woods for white scalps.
+
+The five stayed on the side of the town somewhat away from the
+conflagration. The heat was tremendous. It was a big town and the flames
+rose in an enormous red tower waving under the wind, and roaring as they
+ate into fresh food. Light tepees were licked up in an instant. Sparks
+flew in myriads and red coals were carried by the wind. Orchards and
+fields were swept away with the rest by the fiery blast. A great pall of
+ashes began to settle over the country surrounding the town.
+
+"I've never seen anything before on the same scale," said Paul, "and it
+will certainly be a terrible blow to the Indians."
+
+"But it will not break either their spirit or their power," said Henry.
+"To do that we've got to beat them in battle, and they'll be waiting for
+us at Piqua."
+
+The fire burned all the afternoon, but when the twilight came the town
+was wholly consumed. Not a house or tepee was left standing. Over a wide
+area there was nothing but a mass of burning coals, which glowed and
+cast a bright light against the coming dark. Clouds of smoke gathered,
+but the wind blew them off to the eastward and the site of Chillicothe
+was yet almost as light as day. On the outward edges of this mass of
+coals the men cooked their suppers.
+
+The night advanced. Again it was very hot and close, with but little
+wind stirring. All about them it was still as light as day. For more
+than a mile the embers, yet red and glowing, lay, and in the orchards
+tree trunks smoldered casting out alternate flame and smoke. Save for
+those melancholy ruins everything was swept bare. At the edge of the
+woods an Indian dog poked his nose at the sky and howled dismally. It
+affected the nerves of Henry and Paul, who walked across the corn fields
+and chased him away with stones.
+
+"I'm sorry," said Paul, looking back at the wide range of ruin, "that
+these things have to be done, even in war."
+
+"So am I, Paul," said Henry, "but think how many bands have gone forth
+from this place to do destruction upon our people. We have to fight such
+a foe with the weapons that we can use."
+
+They did not stay long at the edge of the woods, knowing that Indian
+sharpshooters might be lurking there, but went back to their friends and
+the army. The men having eaten amply and having looked upon the
+destruction of Chillicothe were in joyous mood, but their leader did not
+permit them to relax caution a particle. Too often the borderers,
+thinking victory won, permitted themselves to fall into disorder, when
+their victory was turned into defeat by the shrewd foe. Now the men
+spread their blankets far enough away from the woods to be safe from
+sharpshooters hidden there. The guard was made of unusual strength, and
+gunners were always at the cannon in case of a night attack.
+
+The five were not on duty that night, in view of what they had done
+already, and they spread their blankets near the edge of the corn field,
+across which they had run at such good speed. The coals still glowed.
+Far off they heard the howling of wolves.
+
+"Is there any danger of a night attack?" asked Paul.
+
+"I don't think so," replied Henry. "Of course the Indians have spies in
+the woods and they will report that it is impossible to surprise us."
+
+It was a long time before Henry could go to sleep. The great events
+through which he had been crowded upon his mind. He had seen the
+Iroquois win and then he had seen them destroyed. The western tribes had
+won victories too and now a great commander was striking at their very
+heart. Their capital lay in ruins, and, unless Timmendiquas could defeat
+the white men in battle, when they marched on Piqua, then the western
+tribes also would receive a blow from which they could never recover.
+Despite himself, he was sorry for Timmendiquas. Nevertheless he was
+loyal in every fiber to his own people.
+
+The howling of the wolves came nearer. They would find little for their
+teeth among these ruins, but they knew somehow that destruction had been
+done, and instinct called them to the place. It was an unpleasant sound
+and it made Henry shiver a little. It made him think of what was to come
+for the Indians. Even savages, in the fierce winters of the North, would
+suffer for lost Chillicothe. Wooden houses and lodges could not be
+replaced in a day. While the great beds of coals were still glowing he
+fell asleep, but he was up with the others at dawn.
+
+It was one of the most somber days that Henry had ever seen. The heat,
+close, heavy and thick, like a mist, endured, but the sun did not shine.
+The whole circle of the sky was covered with gray clouds. Everything was
+sullen and ugly. Some timbers in the vast ruin of Chillicothe yet burned
+and showed red edges, but it would be impossible to conceive of a more
+desolate heap. Piles of ashes and dead coals were everywhere. The fires
+that were soon lighted served the double purpose of cooking and of
+making cheer. But while they ate, the skies grew perceptibly darker. No
+ray of the sun broke anywhere through the steel-colored atmosphere.
+
+Colonel Clark became anxious. He had intended to start early for Piqua,
+but storms in the woods must be reckoned with, as one reckons with an
+enemy. He delayed and sent forward a scouting party of fifteen men under
+Boone, who, of course, included the five in the fifteen. Boone, owing to
+his captivity among the Indians, knew something about the country, and
+he led them straight toward Piqua. As Piqua and Chillicothe, two large
+Indian towns, were only twelve miles apart, there was an Indian road or
+broad trail between them, and they followed it for some distance.
+
+The road showed the haste with which the inhabitants of Chillicothe had
+fled. Here and there were feathers which had fallen from the scalp locks
+of the men or the braids of the women. Now they came to a gourd, or a
+rude iron skillet bought at a British post.
+
+After four or five miles Boone deemed it wiser to turn into the thick
+woods. The Indians with such a formidable force only twelve miles away
+would certainly have out sentries and skirmishers, and his cautious
+movement was just in time, as less than three hundred yards further on
+they were fired upon from the bushes. They replied with a few shots, but
+it was not Boone's intention to precipitate a real skirmish. He merely
+wished to know if the Indians were on guard, and, in a few minutes, he
+drew off his men and retired.
+
+They were followed by derisive yells which said plainly enough that, in
+the opinion of the Indians, they were afraid. Some of the younger men
+wanted to go back, but Boone remained firm in purpose and tranquil in
+mind.
+
+"Let 'em yell at us all they want to," he said in his peculiarly gentle
+voice. "We can stand it, and we'll see how they can stand the battle
+to-day or to-morrow when the army comes up."
+
+They were back at the camp about two hours after noon, and reported that
+the Indians had sentinels and skirmishers on the way to Piqua. But Clark
+thought they could be brushed aside, and as the clouds had lightened
+somewhat, they started at four o'clock. Good humor was restored at once
+to the men. They were moving now and in a few hours they might bring the
+campaign to a head, if the Indians only stood. Some believed that they
+would not stand even at Piqua.
+
+The order of march that had been preserved all the way from the mouth of
+the Licking remained unbroken. Colonel Clark led, Colonel Logan
+commanded the rear guard, the soldiers were in four lines, ready to
+wheel in any direction, and the cannon were in the center. They followed
+the Indian road, but ahead of all were Henry and his comrades, always
+searching the woods for a sight of some flitting Indian figure. Henry
+did not believe there would be any skirmishes before they reached Piqua,
+but he was not among those who did not think the Indians would make a
+stand there. He knew Timmendiquas too well. The Wyandot leader had
+yielded, when the majority of the chiefs favored Piqua instead of
+Chillicothe, but now he would certainly hold them to the agreement. The
+trail led on unceasingly, but the brightening of the skies was
+deceptive. The clouds soon closed in again, heavier and blacker than
+ever. Although it was only mid-afternoon it became almost as dark as
+night. Then the lightning began to play in swift flashes, so bright that
+the men were dazzled, and the thunder cracked and roared in tremendous
+volume.
+
+"If I live through the campaign," said Paul, "I shall certainly remember
+it by this storm, if by nothing else."
+
+The thunder was so great that he was compelled fairly to shriek out his
+words. Save when the lightning flashed he could see only the head of the
+army. Presently both thunder and lightning ceased, the wind set up a
+vast moaning and then the rain came. Colonel Clark and his officers were
+already at work, instructing the men to put up as many tents as
+possible, and, under any circumstances to keep their arms and powder
+dry. Here again discipline and experience told, as the orders were
+obeyed to the last detail.
+
+The five sheltered themselves as well as they could under the trees and
+they felt that Paul's words about the storm were true. Certainly they
+could never forget it. The bottom had dropped out of the clouds, and all
+the rain, stowed for months, was pouring down in a few hours. They soon
+abandoned any attempt to protect themselves, and devoted all their care
+to their ammunition.
+
+For more than two hours the rain fell in seemingly solid sheets. Then it
+ceased abruptly, and the late afternoon sun broke out, tingeing the
+forest with gold. Yet every bush and tree still ran water. Pools and
+often little lakes stood in the valleys. The earth was soaked deep. The
+precious ammunition and most of the stores were dry, but every man
+whether in a tent or not was wet to the skin.
+
+It was obvious that they could not go on and attack Piqua at once, as
+they would arrive far in the night, and the most skilled of the
+borderers were ordered to try their cunning at lighting fires. Patience
+and persistence had their reward. The bark was stripped from fallen
+trees, and dry splinters were cut from it. When these were lighted with
+flint and steel the problem was solved. Heat triumphed over wet, and
+soon twenty glorious fires were blazing in the forest. The men were
+allowed to dry their clothes in relays, each relay baring itself and
+holding its clothes before the fire until the last touch of damp was
+gone.
+
+All the time a vigilant watch was kept in the woods. Indians might
+attack when their enemy was depressed by storm and wet, but nothing to
+disturb the peace of the drying army occurred. Wolves howled again far
+away but they were still prowling among the ruins of Chillicothe,
+seeking unburned portions of venison or other meat. After the storm the
+close oppressive heat disappeared. A fresh and cool wind blew. Out came
+the moon and stars and they shone in a silky blue. The leaves and grass
+began to dry. The five lay down within range of the fires. Shif'less Sol
+made himself very comfortable on his blanket.
+
+"I don't want anybody to bother me now," he said, "'cause I'm goin' to
+sleep all through the night. No Injuns will be roun' here disturbin' me,
+an' I don't want no white man to try it either."
+
+The shiftless one knew what he was talking about, as there was no alarm
+in the night and early the next morning the army began its march again.
+But Henry was sure there would be a fierce fight at Piqua.
+
+They still followed the Indian road, and now went a little faster,
+although never breaking their old formation for a single instant. Yet
+every heart throbbed. They would soon be at Piqua, face to face with the
+allied forces led by their best chiefs. It was likely that their fire
+would burst from their undergrowth at any moment. But the scouts still
+reported nothing. Most of the morning was gone and they came to a broad
+but shallow stream. It was Mad River, and Piqua was not more than a mile
+up its stream.
+
+"Surely they will fight us here," was the thought of Clark. He halted
+his army and the scouts crossed the stream at many points. They beat up
+the woods and found no enemy, although Piqua was so near. Then the order
+to march was given again, and the whole army plunged into the stream.
+The heavy wheels of the cannon grated on the bottom, but they were still
+kept in the very center of the force. Clark never abated his resolve to
+protect these guns at all hazards from capture. But the cannon passed
+safely, and then came Logan with the rear guard. It, too, crossed and
+the commander drew a mighty breath of relief.
+
+"How far away is Piqua now?" he asked of a man who had once been a
+prisoner there.
+
+"Not more than a mile," he replied. "Soon you can see the smoke from it
+rising above the trees."
+
+"Ah, I see it now. Then they have not set their town on fire, and they
+are not running away. We shall have a battle."
+
+The news was quickly passed throughout the army, and eagerness began to
+show. The men wanted to be led on at once. It was nearly noon, and grass
+and foliage were dry again. There was not a cloud in the heavens, and
+the sun was a golden circle in a solid blue dome.
+
+"Finest day for a fight I ever saw," said Tom Ross.
+
+Paul laughed but it was a nervous laugh, coming from high tension. He
+was not afraid, but he knew they were going into battle. They passed
+into the forest and beyond in an open space they saw the houses, wigwams
+and tepees of Piqua scattered along Mad River. Just before them was a
+sort of prairie covered with weeds as high as a man's head. Henry threw
+himself flat upon the ground and peered in among the weeds.
+
+"Back! back!" he cried in a tremendous voice. "The warriors are here!"
+
+His sharp eyes had caught glimpses of hundreds of forms lying among the
+weeds. The whole army recoiled, and then a sheet of flame burst from the
+field, followed by the fierce war whoop of the Indians. The bullets sung
+in swarms like bees over his head, but knowing that all would fire at
+once after the Indian custom, he leaped to his feet, and ran to the
+shelter of the forest before they could reload and deliver the second
+volley.
+
+"Here's a tree, Henry," said Shif'less Sol; "a lot of officers wanted
+it, but I've saved it for you."
+
+But it was good-natured banter. There was not a sign of panic in the
+army. The men at once formed themselves into line of battle, according
+to their instructions, and opened a terrible fire upon the weeds in
+which the warriors lay concealed. Hundreds of bullets swept every part
+of the cover, and then the cannon sent in round shot and grape, cutting
+down weeds and warriors together, and driving the savage force in flight
+to shelter.
+
+But Timmendiquas, who had chosen the position, had reckoned well. The
+field was not only covered with high weeds, but the portion near the
+town was intersected with deep gullies. The warriors fell back in good
+order and sought refuge in these gullies which would hold hundreds. Here
+bullets, cannon balls and grape shot alike passed over their heads, and
+suffering but little loss, they sent back a storm of their own bullets.
+
+The army advanced to the edge of the woods, and was ready to charge
+across them but Colonel Clark hesitated. Before they could reach the
+gullies his men might be cut in pieces by a protected foe. The five,
+Boone, and many other of the best frontiersmen had already sought the
+shelter of stones or little hillocks, and were firing at every head that
+appeared above the edge of the gullies. Before the smoke became too
+dense Henry saw beyond the gullies that Piqua was a large town, larger
+than they had supposed. It would perhaps be impossible for the army to
+envelop it. In fact, it was built in the French-Canadian style and ran
+three miles up and down Mad River.
+
+Henry heard the fierce war whoop rising again and again above the firing
+which was now an unbroken crash. He also heard another and shriller
+note, and he knew it was the shouting that came from the vast swarm of
+squaws and children in Piqua. The yell of the Indians also took on a
+triumphant tone. It seemed that the beginning of the battle was in their
+front, and the ambushed warriors in the gullies were strengthened by
+other forces on their right and left that crept forward and opened a
+heavy fire from cover. Along a range of more than a mile there was a
+steady flash of firing, and it seemed impossible for any force to
+advance into it and live.
+
+Fortunate, again fortunate, and thrice fortunate were the frontiersmen
+who were veterans, also! The cannon were sheltered in the wood and the
+men were made to lie down. The great guns still thundered across the
+field, but the riflemen held their fire, while the Indian shout of
+triumph swelled higher and higher. In this terrible moment when many
+another commander would have lost his head, the staunch heart of Clark
+never faltered. He hastily called his leading officers and scouts, and
+while the battle flamed before them, he gave his orders behind a screen
+of bushes. He bade Colonel Logan, assisted by Colonel Floyd and Colonel
+Harrod, to take four hundred men, circle to the east of the town as
+quickly as he could, and attack with all his might. After giving a
+little time for the circuit, Clark, with the artillery, would march
+straight across the field in the face of the main Indian force. He gave
+Henry and his comrades their choice as to which body with which they
+would march.
+
+"We go with you and the artillery across the field," replied Henry at
+once.
+
+"I thought so," said Clark with a smile.
+
+The five lay down at the edge of the forest. Full of experience, they
+knew that it was not worth while now to be sending bullets toward the
+gullies. They knew, also, that the charge in which they were about to
+take part would offer as much danger as anything they had ever met. It
+is likely that every one of them thought of Wareville, and their kin,
+but they said nothing.
+
+A few men in front maintained the fire in order to keep the Indians
+across the field busy, but the great majority, lying quiet, waited to
+hear the rifles of Logan and the four hundred. Meanwhile this flanking
+force emerged from the woods, and having now become the left wing of the
+American army, sought to rush the town. It was immediately assailed by a
+powerful Indian force, and a furious battle followed. One side of it was
+exposed to another field from which Indians sent in bullets in showers.
+Nevertheless the men, encouraged by Logan, Floyd, and Harrod, drove
+straight toward Piqua. The Indians in front of them were led by Girty,
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and Moluntha, the Shawnee, and they fought
+alike from open and covert, offering the most desperate resistance. The
+four hundred were compelled now and then to yield a few yards, but
+always they gained it back, and more. Slowly the town came nearer, and
+now Logan's men heard to their right a welcome crash that told them
+Clark was advancing.
+
+As soon as Clark heard the sound of Logan's battle, he gave the signal
+to his men to attack. In front of them, much of the smoke had lifted,
+and they could see the field now, with most of its weeds cut away.
+Beyond was a strip of woods, and on the other side of the woods but
+already visible through the bushes, lay the long town.
+
+"Now for it!" cried Henry to his comrades who were close about him.
+
+"Forward!" shouted Clark, and with a tremendous shout the men charged
+into the field, the artillery drawn as always in the center and blazing
+the way. From the gullies came the answering fire in shower after shower
+of bullets. Henry heard them thudding upon human bodies, and he heard
+the low cries of men as they fell, but the smoke and the odor of
+gunpowder were in his nostrils, and his head was hot. Everything was red
+before him, and he had a furious desire to reach the gullies and rush in
+among the Indians. It was only two hundred yards across the field, but
+already the smoke was gathering in dense clouds, split apart now and
+then by the discharges of the cannon. Behind them the charging men left
+a trail of dead and dying. Henry took a hasty look to see if his
+comrades were still upon their feet. Two were on one side of him and two
+on the other. There was a patch of red on Jim Hart's shoulder and
+another on Tom Ross's, but they did not seem to amount to anything.
+
+Half way across the field the column staggered for a moment under the
+heavy fire which never slackened for an instant, but it recovered itself
+quickly and went on. The smoke lifted and Henry saw Timmendiquas at the
+edge of the nearest gully, a splendid figure stalking up and down,
+obviously giving orders. He had expected to find him there. He knew that
+wherever the battle was thickest Timmendiquas would be. Then the smoke
+drifted down again, and his head grew hotter than ever. The firing
+increased in rapidity and volume, both before them and on their left.
+The crash of the second battle moved on with them. Even in those rushing
+moments Henry knew that the left flank under Logan was forcing its way
+forward, and his heart gave a leap of joy. If the two commands ever
+united in the village they might crush everything. So eager did he
+become that he began to shout: "On! On!" without knowing it.
+
+They were nearing the gullies now and once more Henry saw Timmendiquas
+who seemed to be shouting to his men. It was a fleeting glimpse but so
+vivid and intense that Henry never forgot it. The great Wyandot chief
+was a very war god. His eyes flamed and fiercely brandishing his great
+tomahawk, he shouted to the warriors to stand.
+
+The left flank under Logan and the larger force under Clark were now
+almost in touch. The American line of battle was a mile long and
+everywhere they were faced by a foe superior in numbers. Despite the
+cannon, always terrifying to them, the Indians stood firm, and behind
+them thousands of women and children urged them on to the conflict. They
+knew, too, the greatness of the crisis. The war that they had carried so
+often to the white settlements in Kentucky was now brought to them. One
+of their great towns, Chillicothe, was already destroyed. Should Piqua,
+the other, share the same fate? Timmendiquas, the greatest of the
+leaders, the bravest of men said no, and they sought to equal his
+courage. No Indian chief that day shirked anything; yet the white foe
+always advanced, and the boom of the cannon sounded in their ears like
+the crack of doom. Some of the balls now passed over the fields through
+the strip of woods and smashed into the houses of the town. The shouting
+of the women became shriller.
+
+Nearer and nearer came the white enemy. The great barrels and wheels of
+the cannon loomed terribly through the smoke. The blasts of fire from
+their muzzles were like strokes of lightning. The Indians in the first
+gully began to leap out and dart back. Henry saw the dusky figures
+giving way and he shouted, still unconsciously,--"On! On! They're
+running! They're running!" Others had seen the same movement, and a roar
+of triumph passed up and down the white line, thinned now by the rifle
+fire, but no longer in doubt of victory.
+
+They rushed upon the gullies, they cleaned out the first and second and
+third and all; they helped the cannon across, and now the contact
+between the two forces was perfect. They bore down upon the town, but
+they encountered a new obstacle. Rallied by Timmendiquas and others the
+warriors filled the strip of woods between the fields and Piqua. They
+lay down in the undergrowth, they hid behind every tree, and shouting
+their war cries, they refused to give another step. But Clark, the
+astute, would not permit any diminution in the zeal of his men, now
+carried to the highest pitch by seeming victory. He knew the danger of
+allowing the fire of battle to grow cold.
+
+He ordered a rifle fire of unparalleled rapidity to be poured into the
+wood, and then the cannon were loaded and discharged at the same spot as
+fast as possible. Not an Indian could show his head. Boughs and twigs
+rattled down upon them. Saplings cut through at the base by cannon shot
+fell with a crash. Although Timmendiquas, Moluntha, Captain Pipe and
+others raged up and down, the warriors began to lose spirit. It was soon
+told among them that Girty and all the other renegades had ceased
+fighting and had retired to the town. Girty was a white man but he was
+wise; he was faithful to the Indians; he had proved it many times, and
+if he gave up the battle it must be lost. Never had the Indians fought
+better than they had fought that day but it seemed to them that the face
+of Manitou was turned from them.
+
+While they doubted, while the moment of gloom was present, Clark with
+his whole united force rushed into the wood, drove every warrior before
+him, followed them into Piqua, and the Indian host was beaten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE LAST STAND
+
+
+Every one of the five felt an immense exhilaration as they drove the
+Indians back into the town. They were not cruel. They did not wish to
+exult over a defeated enemy, but they had witnessed the terrible
+suffering of the border, and they knew from the testimony of their own
+eyes what awful cruelties a savage enemy in triumph could inflict. Now
+Clark and the Kentuckians had struck directly at the heart of the Indian
+power in the West. Chillicothe was destroyed and Piqua was taken. The
+arms and ammunition sent to them by the power, seated in Canada, had not
+availed them.
+
+Henry did not know until much later that it was the cunning and crafty
+Girty who had given up first. He had suddenly announced to those near
+him that Piqua could not be defended against the American army. Then he
+had precipitately retreated to the other side of the town followed by
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and all the renegades. The Indians were
+shaken by this retreat because they had great confidence in Girty. The
+Delawares gave up, then the Ottawas and Illinois, the Wyandots,
+Shawnees, Miamis and the little detachment of Mohawks, as usual, stood
+to the bitter last. At the very edge of the village the great war
+chiefs, Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the Shawnee, fell
+almost side by side, and went to the happy hunting grounds together.
+Moluntha, the other famous Shawnee chief, received two wounds, but lived
+to secure a momentary revenge at the great Indian victory of the Blue
+Licks, two years later. Timmendiquas would have died in the defense, but
+a half dozen of his faithful warriors fairly dragged him beyond the
+range of the Kentucky rifles.
+
+Yet Timmendiquas, although the Kentuckians were in the town, did not
+cease to fight. He and a hundred of the warriors threw themselves into
+the strongest of the houses, those built of timber, and opened a
+dangerous fire from doors and windows. The woodsmen were ordered to
+charge and to take every house by assault, no matter what the loss, but
+Clark, always resourceful, sternly ordered a halt.
+
+"You forget our cannon," he said. "Logan, do you, Floyd and Harrod keep
+the riflemen back, and we'll drive the enemy out of these houses without
+losing a single man on our side."
+
+"Thar speaks wisdom," said Shif'less Sol to the other. "Now in all the
+excitement I had clean forgot that we could blow them houses to pieces,
+but the Colonel didn't forget it."
+
+"No, he didn't," replied Henry. "Stand back and we'll see the fun. A lot
+of destruction will be done soon."
+
+The twilight had not yet come, although the sun was slowly dimming in
+the East. A great cloud of smoke from the firing hung over Piqua and the
+bordering fields that had witnessed so fierce a combat. The smoke and
+the burned gunpowder made a bitter odor. Flashes of firing from the
+strong houses, and from ambushed Indians here and there pierced the
+smoke. Then came a tremendous report and a twelve-pound cannon ball
+smashed through a wooden house. Another and another and it was
+demolished. The defenders fled for their lives. Every other house that
+could be used for shelter was served in the same way. The last ambushed
+foe was swept from his covert, and when the twilight fell Piqua,
+throughout its whole length of three miles along Mad River, was held by
+the Kentuckians.
+
+The Indian women and children had fled already to the forest, and there
+they were slowly followed by the warriors, their hearts filled with rage
+and despair. Beaten on ground of their own choosing, and not even able
+to bring away their dead, they saw their power crumbling. Fierce words
+passed between Timmendiquas and Simon Girty. The Wyandot chieftain
+upbraided the renegade. He charged him with giving up too soon, but
+Girty, suave and diplomatic, said, after his first wrath was over, that
+he had not yielded until it was obvious that they were beaten. Instead
+of a fruitless defense it was better to save their warriors for another
+campaign. They could yet regain all that they had lost. There was some
+truth in Girty's words. Blue Lick and St. Clair's terrible defeat were
+yet to come, but Clark's blow had destroyed the very nerve-center of the
+Indian confederacy. The Kentuckians had shown that not only could they
+fight successfully on the defensive, but they could also cross the Ohio
+and shatter the Indian power on its own chosen ground. Neither the valor
+of the warriors, nor the great aid that they received from their white
+allies could save them from ultimate defeat.
+
+Henry, Paul, the officers, and many others felt these things as the
+night came down, and as they roamed through Piqua, now deserted by the
+enemy. Paul and Jim Hart went in one direction to look at the big
+Council House, but Henry, the shiftless one, and Tom Ross remained with
+Colonel Clark.
+
+"We've won a great victory, though we've lost many good men," said the
+Colonel, "and now we must consign Piqua to the fate that Chillicothe has
+just suffered. It's a pity, but if we leave this nest, the hornets will
+be back in it as soon as we leave it, snug and warm, and with a
+convenient base for raiding across the Ohio."
+
+"We'll have to give it to the flames," said Colonel Logan.
+
+The other Colonels nodded. First they gathered up all the dead, whether
+red or white and buried them. At Henry's instance the two old chiefs,
+Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the Shawnee, were laid side by
+side in the same grave. Then he fixed a board at their head upon which
+he cut this inscription:
+
+      In this grave Lie
+    Yellow Panther, the Miami,
+    And Red Eagle, the Shawnee;
+    They were great Chiefs,
+    And died fighting
+    For Their People.
+
+Not a white man disturbed the epitaph. But as soon as the last of the
+fallen were buried, and the soldiers had eaten and refreshed themselves,
+the torch was set to Piqua, even as it had been set to Chillicothe. In
+an hour the town was a huge mass of flames, three miles long, and
+lighting up the neighboring forest for many miles. The Indian refugees,
+thousands of them, from both towns saw it, and they knew to the full how
+terrible was the blow that had been inflicted upon them. Timmendiquas
+sought to rally the warriors for a daring attack upon an enemy who,
+flushed with victory, might not be very cautious, but they would not
+make the attempt. Timmendiquas then saw that it would take time to
+restore their shaken courage and he desisted.
+
+Henry, Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross watched the fire for a long time,
+while the soldiers destroyed all the orchards, gardens and crops. They
+saw the flames reach their highest until the country around them was as
+bright as day, and then they saw them sink until nothing was left but
+darkness made luminous by the coals. The great village was gone.
+
+"I think we'd better get Paul and Jim and go to sleep," said Henry.
+
+"So do I," said Shif'less Sol, and they looked around for the two. But
+they were not found easily.
+
+"Ought to have stayed with us," said Tom Ross.
+
+"An' they'd have saved a lazy man a lot of trouble, lookin' through this
+big place fur 'em," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+Tom and Jim became still harder to find. The three hunted everywhere.
+They hunted an hour. They hunted two hours, and there was not a sign of
+their two comrades. They asked many about them and nobody could tell a
+word. It was nearly midnight when they stopped and looked at one another
+in dismay.
+
+"They are not in the camp--that is sure," said Henry.
+
+"And they've got too much sense to go out in the woods," said Sol.
+
+"Which means that they've been took," said Tom Ross.
+
+Tom's words carried conviction, sudden and appalling, to all three. Paul
+and Jim Hart, going about the burning town, had been seized by some
+lurking party and carried off, or--they would not admit to themselves
+the dreadful alternative--but they hoped they had been merely taken
+away, which they deemed likely, as hostages would be of great value to
+the Indians now. The three sat down on a log at the northern edge of the
+town. They saw little now but the river, and the clouds of smoke rising
+from it.
+
+"We'll never desert Paul and Jim," said Shif'less Sol. "Now what is the
+fust thing fur us to do?"
+
+"We've got to find this trail, and the trail of those who took them,"
+replied Henry. "The army, of course, cannot follow all through the
+northern woods in order to rescue two persons, and it's not fitted for
+such a task anyhow. We three will do it, won't we?"
+
+"Ez shore ez the sun rises an' sets," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I reckon we will," said Tom Ross.
+
+"And we must start upon the road this minute," said Henry. "Come, we'll
+see Colonel Clark and tell him that we have to go."
+
+They found the commander about a mile away, encamped as near the burned
+town as the heat would allow. Logan, Floyd, Harrod, Boone, Thomas, and
+others were with him. They were talking together earnestly, but when
+Henry approached and saluted, Colonel Clark greeted him pleasantly.
+
+"Why, it's young Mr. Ware!" he exclaimed, "the lad to whom we owe so
+much. And I see two of your comrades with you. Where are the other two?"
+
+"That is why we have come, Colonel Clark," Henry replied. "We do not
+know where the other two are, but we fear that they have been taken by
+the retreating Indians. The campaign, I suppose, is over. We wish
+therefore to resign from the army, follow and rescue our comrades if we
+can."
+
+Colonel Clark sprang to his feet.
+
+"Two of your friends taken, and we to desert you after what you have
+done for us!" he exclaimed. "That cannot be. The army must march to
+their rescue!"
+
+The other officers raised their voices in affirmation. Henry and his
+friends bowed. All three were affected deeply. But Henry said:
+
+"Colonel Clark, you can't know how much we thank you for such an offer,
+but we three must go alone. If the army followed into the woods, and
+pressed the Indians closely, they would put their prisoners to death the
+very first thing. They always do it. In a case like this, only silence
+and speed can succeed. We must follow alone."
+
+Daniel Boone spoke up in his gentle, but singularly impressive tones.
+
+"The boy is right, Colonel Clark," he said. "If the job can be done it
+is these three alone who can do it."
+
+"I suppose you are right," said Colonel Clark regretfully, "but it does
+hurt me to see you leave us, unhelped. When do you wish to go?"
+
+"Now," replied Henry.
+
+Colonel Clark held out his hand. There were actual tears in his eyes. He
+shook hands with the three, one by one, and all the others did the same.
+Boone and Kenton went with them a little distance into the woods.
+
+"Now, lads," said Boone, "don't ever forget to be careful. You got to
+get your friends back by stealth and cunnin'. Keep out of a fight unless
+the time comes when everything depends on it. Then if you've got to
+fight, fight with all your might."
+
+The three thanked him. Last hand-clasps were given and then Boone and
+Kenton heard for a brief second or two only faint and dying footfalls in
+the forest. They went back quietly to camp ready for the return with the
+army to Kentucky, but the three were already deep in the forest, and far
+beyond the area of light.
+
+"I'm thinkin'," said Sol, "that the Indians hev crossed the river. It's
+likely that they'd want to keep the water between themselves an' us."
+
+"Looks like good argument to me," said Tom Ross.
+
+Henry being of the same opinion, they decided to cross Mad River also,
+and approach as nearly as they could to the chief body of the Indians.
+It was probable that many bands were wandering about and they would be
+in great danger from them, but it was their business to follow the
+advice of Daniel Boone and avoid them. They exercised now their greatest
+skill and patience. At a distance of eight or ten miles from Piqua they
+found two Indian camps, but, after a thorough examination, they became
+satisfied that Paul and Jim were not in either of them. Just before
+daylight they found a valley in which a great mass of warriors, women
+and children were huddled. Evidently this was the chief point of
+retreat, and creeping as near as they could, they saw Timmendiquas,
+Moluntha, Girty and Braxton Wyatt passing about the camp.
+
+The three lay close in the bushes and they observed Wyatt intently. Two
+or three times he passed between them and a camp fire, and they studied
+his face.
+
+"Doesn't look like that of one who has lost," whispered Henry.
+
+"No, it don't," said Shif'less Sol. "O' course he don't mourn much about
+the Indians, an' I reckon he's got somethin' to make him happy."
+
+"And what he's got is Paul an' Jim," said Tom Ross.
+
+"No doubt you're right," said Henry. "I think it likely that they were
+trapped by a band under Braxton Wyatt, and that they are his especial
+prisoners. Look! There they are now, by the tree!"
+
+Some shifting of the Indians gave a distant view of the two prisoners
+bound securely and leaning against a tree. Wyatt passed by, and looked
+upon them with an air of possession. They were sure now that it was he
+who had taken them, and, drawing further back into the forest, they
+waited patiently for the next move in the great game of life and death.
+
+Indian scouts several times passed within a few yards of them, but they
+knew that the minds of these men were upon the army not upon them. They
+were scouting to see whether Clark would follow them into the forest
+and, when they became certain about noon that he would not do so, they
+gathered their own numbers together and started northward to the
+villages of their brethren.
+
+Henry, Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross followed closely enough to know what
+was going on, but not so closely that they would walk into a trap.
+Fortunately the country was heavily wooded with evergreen and there was
+still an abundance of leaves on the trees. Fortified by such a long
+experience as theirs it was not difficult to keep under cover, and when
+the tribes went into camp that night, the three pursuers were not a
+quarter of a mile away.
+
+The three hung around the camp half the night, but they saw no chance to
+rescue their comrades. The crowd about them was too great. They followed
+in the same way the next day, and continued thus a week. Henry began to
+feel sure now that Paul and Jim were in no immediate danger of death,
+and he ascribed the fact to the influence of Timmendiquas. Even if they
+were Wyatt's own prisoners, he would not dare to go directly contrary to
+the wishes of the great Wyandot chieftain.
+
+Now a change occurred, the motive of which baffled the three for a
+while. Timmendiquas, Braxton Wyatt, about twenty warriors, and the two
+prisoners, leaving the main body of the Indians, turned toward the
+Northwest, following a course which would lead them around the lower
+curve of Lake Michigan. The three sitting among the bushes debated it a
+long time.
+
+"I think," said Henry, "that Timmendiquas is making a last desperate
+effort to lead a great force against us. He is going into the far
+Northwest to see if he can bring down the Sacs and Foxes, and even the
+Ojibways, Chippewas, and Sioux to help against us."
+
+"Then why do they take Paul and Jim along?" asked the shiftless one.
+
+"As trophies to impress the distant Indians or maybe as a sacrifice.
+Braxton Wyatt goes, too, because they are his prisoners."
+
+"It may be so," said Tom Ross. "The more I think about it, the more I
+think you're right. Anyhow it'll give us a better chance to get at Jim
+and Paul."
+
+"But we've got to play the Injuns' own game," said Shif'less Sol. "We
+must follow them a long time without lettin' them know we're on their
+track. Then they'll begin to go easy and won't keep much guard."
+
+Shif'less Sol was undoubtedly right, and for many days they followed
+this band deep into the Northwestern woods. August passed, September
+came. Whenever the wind blew, the dead leaves fell fast, and there was a
+crisp touch in the air. The nights became so cool that they were
+compelled to sleep between the two blankets that everyone carried at his
+back. They were thoroughly convinced now that Timmendiquas was in search
+of help in the far Northwest, and that Paul and Jim would be offered as
+trophies or bribes. Several times the Indians stopped at small villages,
+and, after a brief and hospitable stay, passed on. It became evident,
+too, that neither Timmendiquas nor Wyatt thought any longer of possible
+pursuit. Both knew how the five would stand by one another but it had
+been so long since the battle at Piqua, and they had traveled so many
+hundreds of miles from the burned town that pursuit now seemed out of
+the question. So they traveled at ease, through an extremely fertile and
+beautiful region, onward and onward until they began to near the shores
+of the greatest of all lakes, Superior.
+
+The cold in the air increased but the three pursuers did not mind it.
+They were inured to every hardship of the wilderness, and the colder it
+grew the more pleasant was the fresh air to the lungs. They felt strong
+enough for any task. Now that the guard was relaxed somewhat they hoped
+for a chance to save Paul and Jim, but none came. Three separate nights
+they went near enough to see them by the camp fire, but they could not
+approach any closer. Henry surmised that they would soon reach a large
+village of the Chippewas, and then their chances would decrease again.
+The attempt must be made soon.
+
+It was now late October and all the forests were dyed the varied and
+beautiful colors of an American autumn. The camp of Timmendiquas was
+pitched on a beautiful stream that ran a few miles further on into an
+equally beautiful little lake. Food had become scarce and that morning
+he had sent most of the warriors on a hunting expedition. He sat with
+Braxton Wyatt and only two warriors by the side of the small camp fire.
+The two prisoners were there also, their arms bound, but not in a manner
+to hurt. Motives of policy had compelled Timmendiquas and Wyatt to be
+seeming friends, but the heart of the great chief was full of
+bitterness. He had not wanted to bring Wyatt with him and yet it had
+been necessary to do so. Wyatt had taken the two prisoners who were
+intended as offerings to the Northwestern tribes, and, under tribal law,
+they belonged to him, until they were willingly given to others. His
+presence would also convince the Ojibways, Chippewas and others that
+white men, too, were on their side. Yet nothing could make Timmendiquas
+like Wyatt. It seemed unnatural to him for a man to fight against his
+own race, and he knew the young renegade to be treacherous and cruel.
+
+They were sitting in silence. Wyatt spoke once or twice to Timmendiquas,
+but the chieftain made no reply. Timmendiquas stared into the fire, and
+planned how he would bring down the Northwestern tribes. The two
+warriors were as still as statues. Paul and Long Jim were leaning
+against the fallen tree, and Braxton Wyatt's eyes wandered over them. He
+sneered at Paul, but the boy took no notice. Wyatt had often tried to
+annoy the two prisoners on the march, but he was afraid to go very far
+because of Timmendiquas. Yet he remembered with great satisfaction how
+he had trapped them that night after the battle of Piqua, when they
+wandered too near the edge of the forest.
+
+His eyes passed from them, wandering around the circle, and came back to
+them again. Did he see Long Jim start? Did he see a flash of
+intelligence appear in the eyes of the hunter? Could he have heard
+something? He looked again. Long Jim Hart's face expressed nothing.
+Braxton Wyatt felt that he was growing nervous, and the next instant he
+sprang to his feet with a shout of alarm. Three figures sprang from the
+undergrowth and, with leveled weapons, commanded the four unbound men
+who sat by the fire to throw up their hands. Up went the hands of the
+four, and Timmendiquas smiled sadly.
+
+"Your patience has been greater than ours," he said, "and the reward
+that you are about to take belongs to you."
+
+"We could fire upon you, Timmendiquas," said Henry, "and for the moment
+the advantage is ours, but even if we should win the victory, in the end
+some of us would fall. Those who are bound, and for whom we have come,
+would surely be slain. Then, I say to you, mighty chief, give us our
+friends, promise that you will forbid pursuit, and we go."
+
+Timmendiquas stood up and his face bore a singular look of dignity and
+kindness.
+
+"You speak fairly," he said, "and I wish, Ware, that we could be friends
+in peace. Cut the bonds of the prisoners."
+
+He spoke to the two warriors, but at that moment some demon leaped up in
+the soul of Braxton Wyatt. "I will do it," he said. But his rage and
+disappointment were so great that they nearly blinded him. He snatched
+out his knife and rushed at Paul Cotter, but the blade was turned toward
+the bound boy's throat, and not toward the thongs.
+
+Henry uttered a cry and sprang forward, but the great war tomahawk of
+Timmendiquas left his hand, and flew through the air so swiftly that the
+eye saw only a flash. The glittering edge struck the head of Braxton
+Wyatt, and he fell, cloven to the chin. He was dead before he touched
+the ground.
+
+"We keep faith," said Timmendiquas.
+
+The five bade the great Wyandot chieftain farewell and ten minutes
+later were on their return journey. They knew that they were safe from
+any pursuit by the band of Timmendiquas. They returned to Wareville and
+they fought always with distinction throughout the border wars. They
+were at the Blue Licks that dreadful day when Timmendiquas and Moluntha,
+Caldwell and Girty, who finally came, with the Wyandots and Shawnees
+destroyed more than half of the Kentucky force. Strangely enough they
+went with Clark from the mouth of the Licking just two years after the
+first expedition, again with a thousand riflemen against Piqua which had
+been rebuilt, and they destroyed it, as before, in revenge for Blue
+Licks.
+
+Years later they were in the terrible slaughter of St. Clair's army, and
+they were with Wayne when he inflicted the crushing and final defeat
+upon the allied tribes at the Fallen Timbers. After the peace all the
+five, every one of whom lived to a very great age, became the fast
+friends of Timmendiquas, famous war chief of the Wyandots, the nation
+that knew no fear.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+
+Page 59, "tattoed" corrected to "tattooed". (bear tattooed upon his
+chest)
+
+Page 69, removed duplicate "to". (large enough to keep three men)
+
+page 77, a comma is presumed as text is unclear. (Fowler, and six savage)
+
+Page 84 and 97, spelling "hare lip" retained. Elsewhere in text it is
+spelled "harelip". (a hare lip. Then he)(wrinkled his ugly hare lip)
+
+Page 90, "dear" corrected to "deer". (of buffalo, deer, bear)
+
+Page 97, retained comma although question mark probably more
+appropriate. (South with you," he said)
+
+Page 100, and Page 156, "Kentucy" corrected to "Kentucky". (prospect of
+victory. The Kentucky) (doubtless had reached Kentucky)
+
+Page 130, inserted missing period. (watched him shrewdly.)
+
+Page 163, a colon is presumed as original is unclear. (flushed, but he
+continued:)
+
+Page 196, a character named "Tom" is addressed in dialogue. Context
+shows it should be the character "Sol" instead. Original text retained.
+("Tom, that can be)
+
+Page 240, unusual word "sidewiping" retained. Author possibly meant
+"sideswiping". (a glancing blow, sidewiping it)
+
+Page 241, a comma is presumed as text is unclear. (come to them through
+the woods,)
+
+Page 271, "house" corrected to "houses". (houses, built of solid logs,
+stood in ordered rows)
+
+Page 279, inserted missing period. (toward the little settlement.)
+
+Page 293 and 317, "Black Panther" (name of a chief) probably refers to
+"Yellow Panther", a name which occurs more frequently in the text.
+Original text retained.
+
+Page 295, "menancing" corrected to "menacing". (like a menacing
+under-note)
+
+Page 313, inserted missing period. (sound of oars became fainter and
+fainter.)
+
+Page 335, removed duplicate "the". (cracks between the timbers)
+
+Page 353, inserted missing period. ( the army to envelop it.)
+
+Page 365, a dialogue attributed to character "Ross" should probably be
+"Sol" since in the next paragraph "Tom Ross" answers. However the
+original text has been retained. (said Ross, "that the Indians hev
+crossed)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Watch, by Joseph A. Altsheler
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Watch, by Joseph A. Altsheler
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Border Watch
+       A Story of the Great Chief's Last Stand
+
+Author: Joseph A. Altsheler
+
+Release Date: April 26, 2008 [EBook #25186]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BORDER WATCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="468" alt="cover" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<h1><i>The</i> BORDER WATCH</h1>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>BOOKS BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER</h2>
+
+<p style="margin-left:10%;">
+
+THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES<br />
+<br />
+The Hunters of the Hills<br />
+The Rulers of the Lakes<br />
+The Lords of the Wild<br />
+The Shadow of the North<br />
+The Masters of the Peaks<br />
+The Sun of Quebec<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+THE YOUNG TRAILERS SERIES<br />
+<br />
+The Young Trailers<br />
+The Forest Runners<br />
+The Keepers of the Trail<br />
+The Eyes of the Woods<br />
+The Free Rangers<br />
+The Riflemen of the Ohio<br />
+The Scouts of the Valley<br />
+The Border Watch<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+THE TEXAN SERIES<br />
+<br />
+The Texan Scouts<br />
+The Texan Star<br />
+The Texan Triumph<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+THE CIVIL WAR SERIES<br />
+<br />
+The Guns of Bull Run<br />
+The Guns of Shiloh<br />
+The Scouts of Stonewall<br />
+The Sword of Antietam<br />
+The Star of Gettysburg<br />
+The Rock of Chickamauga<br />
+The Shades of the Wilderness<br />
+The Tree of Appomattox<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+THE GREAT WEST SERIES<br />
+<br />
+The Lost Hunters<br />
+The Great Sioux Trail<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+THE WORLD WAR SERIES<br />
+<br />
+The Forest of Swords<br />
+The Guns of Europe<br />
+The Hosts of the Air<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+BOOKS NOT IN SERIES<br />
+<br />
+Apache Gold<br />
+The Quest of the Four<br />
+The Last of the Chiefs<br />
+In Circling Camps<br />
+The Last Rebel<br />
+A Soldier of Manhattan<br />
+The Sun of Saratoga<br />
+A Herald of the West<br />
+The Wilderness Road<br />
+My Captive<br />
+The Candidate<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="400" height="575" alt="frontispiece" title="" />
+<p class="figcenter">&quot;He saw two warriors, and he lay in the bush while they passed only twenty yards away.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;[<a href="#Page_214">Page 214</a>]</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h1><big><i>The</i><br />
+BORDER WATCH</big><br />
+
+<small>A STORY OF THE GREAT<br />
+CHIEF'S LAST STAND</small><br /></h1>
+
+<hr class="hr2" />
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="title">
+BY<br />
+<big>JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER</big><br />
+AUTHOR OF<br />
+"THE YOUNG TRAILERS," "THE FREE RANGERS,"<br />
+"THE SCOUTS OF THE VALLEY," ETC.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr class="hr2" />
+
+<p class="title">
+D. APPLETON-CENTURY COMPANY<br />
+INCORPORATED<br />
+NEW YORK&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;LONDON<br />
+1941<br /></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1912, <span class="smcap">by</span><br />
+D. APPLETON AND COMPANY</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="center">Printed in the United States of America</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>PREFACE</h2>
+
+<p>"The Border Watch" closes the series which began with "The Young
+Trailers," and which was continued successively in "The Forest Runners,"
+"The Keepers of the Trail," "The Eyes of the Woods," "The Free Rangers,"
+"The Riflemen of the Ohio," and "The Scouts of the Valley." All the
+eight volumes deal with the fortunes and adventures of two boys, Henry
+Ware and Paul Cotter, and their friends Shif'less Sol Hyde, Silent Tom
+Ross and Long Jim Hart, in the early days of Kentucky. The action moves
+over a wide area, from New Orleans in the South to Lake Superior in the
+North, and from the Great Plains in the West to the land of the Iroquois
+in the East.</p>
+
+<p>It has been the aim of the author to present a picture of frontier life,
+and to show the immense hardships and dangers endured by our people, as
+they passed through the wilderness from ocean to ocean. So much of it
+occurred in the shadow of the forest, and so much more of it was taken
+as a matter of course that we, their descendants, are likely to forget
+the magnitude of their achievement. The conquest of the North American
+continent at a vast expense of life and suffering is in reality one of
+the world's great epics.</p>
+
+<p>The author has sought to verify every statement that touches upon
+historical events. He has read or examined nearly all the books and
+pamphlets and many of the magazine articles formerly in the Astor and
+Lenox, now in the New York Public Library, dealing with Indian wars and
+customs. In numerous cases, narratives written by observers and
+participants have been available. He believes that all the border
+battles are described correctly, and the Indian songs, dances and
+customs are taken from the relations of witnesses.</p>
+
+<p>But the great mass of material dealing with the frontier furnishes
+another striking illustration of the old saying that truth is stranger
+than fiction. No Indian story has ever told of danger and escape more
+marvelous than those that happened hundreds of times. The Indian
+character, as revealed in numerous accounts, is also a complex and
+interesting study. The same Indian was capable of noble actions and of
+unparalleled cruelty. As a forest warrior he has never been excelled. In
+the woods, fighting according to his ancient methods, he was the equal
+alike of Frenchman, Englishman and American, and often their superior.
+Many of the Indian chiefs were great men. They had the minds of
+statesmen and generals, and they prolonged, for generations, a fight
+that was doomed, from the beginning.</p>
+
+<p>We lost more people in our Indian wars than in all the others combined,
+except the Civil War. More American soldiers fell at St. Clair's defeat
+by the Northwestern Indians than in any other battle we had ever fought
+until Bull Run. The British dead at Braddock's disaster in the American
+wilderness outnumbered the British dead at Trafalgar nearly two to one.
+So valiant a race has always appealed to youth, at least, as a fit
+subject of romance.</p>
+
+<p>The long struggle with the brave and wary red men bred a type of white
+foresters who became fully their equals in the craft and lore of the
+wilderness. Such as these stood as a shield between the infant
+settlements and the fierce tribes, and, in this class, the author has
+placed his heroes.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr>  <td align="right"><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td>  <td align="left"></td>  <td align="right"><span class="smcap">page</span></td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">I.</td>    <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_1">The Passing Fleet</a></span></td>  <td align="right">1</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">II.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_16">The Silver Bullet</a></span></td>  <td align="right">16</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">III.</td>  <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_30">The Hot Spring</a></span></td>  <td align="right">30</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">IV.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_39">The Seven Heralds</a></span></td>  <td align="right">39</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">V.</td>    <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_51">The Wyandot Council</a></span></td>  <td align="right">51</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">VI.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_63">The Ruined Village</a></span></td>  <td align="right">63</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">VII.</td>  <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_79">The Taking of Henry</a></span></td>  <td align="right">79</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">VIII.</td> <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_96">The Northward March</a></span></td>  <td align="right">96</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">IX.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_109">At Detroit</a></span></td>  <td align="right">109</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">X.</td>    <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_126">The Letter of the Four</a></span></td>  <td align="right">126</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XI.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_143">The Cry from the Forest</a></span></td>  <td align="right">143</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XII.</td>  <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_157">The Canoe on the River</a></span></td>  <td align="right">157</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XIII.</td> <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_173">On the Great Lake</a></span></td>  <td align="right">173</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XIV.</td>  <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_188">A Timely Rescue</a></span></td>  <td align="right">188</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XV.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_205">The Pages of a Book</a></span></td>  <td align="right">205</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XVI.</td>  <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_226">The River Fight</a></span></td>  <td align="right">226</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XVII.</td> <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_241">The Road to Wareville</a></span></td>  <td align="right">241</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XVIII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_265">The Shadowy Figure</a></span></td>  <td align="right">265</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XIX.</td>  <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_282">A Herald by Water</a></span></td>  <td align="right">282</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XX.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_316">The Counter-Stroke</a></span></td>  <td align="right">316</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XXI.</td>  <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_336">The Battle of Piqua</a></span></td>  <td align="right">336</td>  </tr>
+<tr>  <td align="right">XXII.</td>   <td align="left"><span class="smcap"><a href="#Page_359">The Last Stand</a></span></td>  <td align="right">359</td>  </tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+<h1>THE BORDER WATCH</h1>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I<br />
+<small>THE PASSING FLEET</small></h2>
+
+<p>A late sun, red and vivid, cast beams of light over a dark river,
+flowing slowly. The stream was a full half mile from shore to shore, and
+the great weight of water moved on in silent majesty. Both banks were
+lined with heavy forest, dark green by day, but fused now into solid
+blackness by the approach of night.</p>
+
+<p>The scene was wild and primordial. To an eye looking down it would have
+seemed that man had never come there, and that this was the dawn of
+time. The deep waters lapped the silent shore until a gentle sighing
+sound arose, a sound that may have gone on unheard for ages. Close to
+the water a file of wild ducks flew like an arrow to the north, and, in
+a little cove where the current came in shallow waves, a stag bent his
+head to drink.</p>
+
+<p>The sun lingered in the west and then sank behind the vast wall of
+forest. The beams of red and gold lasted for a little space on the
+surface of the river, and then faded into the universal night. Under the
+great cloak of the dark, the surface of the river showed but dimly, and
+the rising wind blew through the forest with a chill and uncanny sound.</p>
+
+<p>The ordinary soul would have been appalled by the mighty isolation of
+the wilderness, yet the river itself was not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> without the presence of
+human life. Close to the northern shore, where the shadow of the tall
+forest lay deepest, floated a long boat, containing five figures that
+rested easily. Two of the crew were boys, but as tall and strong as men.
+The other three were somewhat older. The boat carried four pairs of
+oars, but only one man rowed, and he merely pulled on an oar from time
+to time to give direction, while the current did the work. His comrades
+leaned comfortably against the sides of the boat, and with keen eyes,
+trained to the darkness, watched for a break in the black battlement of
+the trees.</p>
+
+<p>It was Henry Ware who first saw the opening. It was nearly always he who
+was the first to see, and he pointed to the place where the dark line
+made a loop towards the north.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a wide break," he said a moment or two later. "It must be the
+mouth of the river."</p>
+
+<p>"You're shorely right, Henry," said Shif'less Sol, who sat just behind
+him, "an' from the looks o' the break thar, it's a good, big river, too.
+S'pose we pull up in it a spell afore we make a landin'."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems a good idea to me," replied Henry. "What say you, Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm for it," replied Paul Cotter. "I'd like to see this new river
+coming down from the north, and it's pretty sure, too, that we'd be
+safer camping on it for the night than on the Ohio."</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hart had been guiding with a single oar. Now he took the pair in his
+hands and rowed into the mouth of the tributary stream. The smaller
+river, smaller only by contrast, poured a dark flood into the Ohio, and,
+seeing that the current was strong, the others took oars and rowed also,
+all except Paul, who was at the helm. Driven by powerful arms, the boat
+went swiftly up the new river. Henry in the prow watched with all the
+interest that he had for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> new things, and with all the need for watching
+that one always had in the great forests of the Ohio Valley.</p>
+
+<p>The banks of this river were higher than those of the Ohio, but were
+clothed also in dense forests, which, from the surface of the stream no
+human eye could penetrate in the darkness of the night. They rowed in
+silence for a full hour, seeing no good place for an anchorage, and
+then, at a sign from Henry, came to rest on the stream. Shif'less Sol,
+strong of eye and mind, saw an unusual expression on the face of the
+leader.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, Henry?" he whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I heard the sound of an incautious paddle, one that splashed
+water, but I'm not sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah," said the shiftless one, "then we'll listen a little longer."</p>
+
+<p>The others heard the words also, but, saying nothing, they, too,
+listened. Very soon all heard the splashing of the single paddle and
+then the swishing sound of many moved steadily in the waters by strong
+and practiced hands.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a fleet behind us," said Henry, "and a fleet on this river can
+mean only Indians. Shall we pull ahead with all our might?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Shif'less Sol. "Look how thick the bushes grow at the water's
+edge. We can run our boat in among them and in all this darkness, the
+Indians, whether Wyandot, Miami or Shawnee, will not know that we are
+thar. Besides, curiosity is gnawin' at me hard. I want to see what's in
+this Indian fleet."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said Silent Tom Ross, speaking for the first time, and the
+others also gave their assent. The boat shot diagonally across the
+stream towards the dark mass of bushes, into which it was pushed slowly
+and without noise by the guiding arms of the rowers. Here it came to
+rest, completely hidden in the dense covert of leaves and twigs,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> while
+its occupants could see anything that passed on the surface of the
+river.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll come soon," said Henry, as the sound of the paddles grew
+louder, "and I should judge that they are many."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe a hundred boats and canoes," said Shif'less Sol. "It's my guess
+that it's a big war party of some kind or other."</p>
+
+<p>"The allied Indian nations, no doubt," said Henry thoughtfully. "Despite
+their defeats in the East, they are yet almost supreme here in the
+valley, and they hang together."</p>
+
+<p>"Which means," said Shif'less Sol, a warlike tone coming into his voice,
+"that ef some big movement is afoot, it's our task to find out what it
+is an' beat it if we kin."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," Henry whispered back. "It's what we've been doing, Sol, for
+the last two or three years, and we won't stop until the work is done."</p>
+
+<p>The tone of the great youth was low, but it was marked by the resolution
+that he always showed in times of danger. He and his comrades were on
+the return journey to Wareville, after taking part in the campaigns of
+Wyoming and the Chemung, but it was scarcely the thought of any one of
+the five that they would travel the vast distance without interruption.
+Henry, as he sat in the boat in the darkness, felt that once more they
+were on the verge of great events. Used so long to the life of the
+wilderness and its countless dangers, the sudden throb of his heart told
+not of fear, but rather of exultation. It was the spirit rising to meet
+what lay before it. The same strength of soul animated his comrades, but
+everyone took his resolution in silence.</p>
+
+<p>The boat, hidden deep in the mass of foliage, lay parallel with the
+current of the stream, and it tipped a little on one side, as the five
+leaned forward and watched eagerly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> for the fleet that was coming up the
+river. The regular and rhythmic sound of oars and paddles grew louder,
+and then the head of the fleet, trailing itself like a long serpent,
+came into view. A great canoe with many men at the paddles appeared
+first, and behind it, in lines of four, followed the other canoes, at
+least a hundred in number, bearing perhaps five hundred warriors.</p>
+
+<p>The five thrilled at the sight, which was ominous and full of majesty.
+The moon was now coming out, and the surface of the dark stream turned
+to melted silver. But the high banks were still in darkness, and only
+the savage fleet was thrown into relief.</p>
+
+<p>The paddles rose and fell in unison, and the steady swishing sound was
+musical. The moonlight deepened and poured its stream of silver over
+hundreds of savage faces, illuminating the straight black hair, the high
+cheek bones, and the broad chests, naked, save for the war paint. None
+of them spoke, but their silence made the passing of this savage array
+in the night all the more formidable.</p>
+
+<p>Henry's attention was soon caught by a figure in the large boat that
+led. It was that of a man who did not use the paddle, but who sat near
+the prow with folded arms. The upper half of his body was so rigidly
+upright that in another place he might have posed for a figurehead of
+some old Roman galley. He was of magnificent build. Like the others, he
+was naked to the waist, and the moonlight showed the great muscles upon
+his powerful shoulders and chest. The pose of the head expressed pride
+that nothing could quench.</p>
+
+<p>Henry recognized the man at once. Had he not seen the face, the figure
+and attitude alone were sufficient to tell him that this was
+Timmendiquas, the great White Lightning of the Wyandots, returning from
+the East, where he had helped the Indians in vain, but at the head of a
+great force, once more in his own country.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry put his hand upon that of Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," whispered his comrade very low. "It is Timmendiquas, an' whar
+he comes, big things come, too."</p>
+
+<p>Henry knew in his heart that the shiftless one was right. The coming of
+Timmendiquas with so large an army meant great events, and it was good
+fortune that had placed himself and his comrades there that night that
+they might see. His old feeling of admiration for the chief was as
+strong as ever, and he felt a certain sympathy, too. Here was a man who
+had failed despite courage, energy and genius. His help had not been
+able to save the Iroquois, and his own people might some day meet the
+same fate.</p>
+
+<p>The long line of the fleet passed on in silence, save for the musical
+swishing of the paddles. That sound, too, soon died away. Then all the
+canoes blended together like a long arrow of glittering silver, and the
+five in the bushes watched the arrow until it faded quite away on the
+surface of the stream.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and his comrades did not yet come forth from their covert, but
+they talked frankly.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think it means?" asked the young leader.</p>
+
+<p>"Another raid on Kentucky," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"But not jest yet," said the shrewd and far-seeing Shif'less Sol.
+"Timmendiquas will go North to gather all the warriors in the valley if
+he kin. He may even get help in Canada."</p>
+
+<p>"I think so, too," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"'Pears likely to me," said Long Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"That being the case," said Henry, "I think we ought to follow. Do you
+agree with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"We do," said the four together, speaking with the greatest emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>The decision made, nothing more was said upon the point, but they
+remained fully an hour longer in the covert. It would not be wise to
+follow yet, because a canoe or two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> might drop behind to serve as a rear
+guard. Nor was there any need to hurry.</p>
+
+<p>The five were in splendid shape for a new campaign. They had enjoyed a
+long rest, as they floated down the Ohio, rarely using the oars. They
+carried a large supply of ammunition and some extra rifles and other
+weapons, and, used to success, they were ready to dare anything. When
+they thought the Indian fleet was several miles ahead, they pulled their
+boat from the covert and followed. But they did not take the middle of
+the stream. Theirs was not a large force which could move rapidly,
+fearing nothing. Instead, they clung close to the eastern shore, in the
+shadow of the bank and trees, and rowed forward at an even pace, which
+they slackened only at the curves, lest they plunge suddenly into a
+hostile force.</p>
+
+<p>About midnight they heard faintly the splash of the paddles, and then
+they drew in again among the bushes at the bank, where they decided to
+remain for the rest of the night. Henry was to watch about three hours
+and Shif'less Sol would be on guard afterward. The four wrapped
+themselves in their blankets, lay down in the bottom of the boat, and
+were sound asleep in a few minutes. Henry, rifle across his knees,
+crouched in the stern. Now that he did not have the exercise of the
+oars, the night felt cold, and he drew his own blankets over his
+shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>Henry expected no danger, but he watched closely, nevertheless. Nothing
+could have passed on the stream unnoticed by him, and every sound on the
+bank above would have attracted his attention at once. Despite the fact
+that they were about to embark upon a new task attended by many dangers,
+the boy felt a great peace. In the perilous life of the wilderness he
+had learned how to enjoy the safety and physical comfort of the moment.
+He looked down at his comrades and smiled to himself. They were merely
+dark blurs on the bottom of the boat, sleeping soundly in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
+blankets. What glorious comrades they were! Surely no one ever had
+better.</p>
+
+<p>Henry himself did not move for a long time. He leaned against the side
+of the boat, and the blanket remained drawn up about his neck and
+shoulders. The rifle across his knee was draped by the same blanket, all
+except the steel muzzle. Only his face was uncovered, but his eyes never
+ceased to watch. The wind was blowing lightly through the trees and
+bushes, and the current of the river murmured beside the boat, all these
+gentle sounds merging into one note, the song of the forest that he
+sometimes heard when he alone was awake&mdash;he and everything else being
+still.</p>
+
+<p>Henry's mind was peaceful, imaginative, attentive to all the wonders of
+the forest, beholding wonders that others could not see, and the song
+went on, the gentle murmur of the river fusing and melting into the wind
+among the leaves. While he watched and listened, nothing escaping him,
+his mind traveled far, down the great rivers, through the many battles
+in which he had borne his share, and up to those mighty lakes of which
+he had often heard, but which he had never seen.</p>
+
+<p>The moonlight brightened again, clothing all the forest and river in a
+veil of silver gauze. It was inexpressibly beautiful to Henry who, like
+the Indians, beheld with awe and admiration the work of Manitou.</p>
+
+<p>A light sound, not in unison with the note of the forest, came from the
+bank above. It was very faint, nothing more than the momentary
+displacement of a bough, but the crouching figure in the boat moved ever
+so slightly, and then was still. The sound was repeated once and no
+more, but Henry's mind ceased to roam afar. The great river that he had
+seen and the great lakes that he had not seen were forgotten. With all
+the power of his marvelous gift he was concentrating his faculties upon
+the point from which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> the discord had come once, twice and then no more.
+Eye, ear and something greater&mdash;divination, almost&mdash;were bent upon it.</p>
+
+<p>He listened several minutes, but the sound did not come a third time.
+Forest and river were singing together again, but Henry was not
+satisfied. He rose to his feet, laid the blanket softly in the boat, and
+then with a glance at the river to see that nothing was passing there,
+leaped lightly to the land.</p>
+
+<p>The bank rose above him to a height of thirty feet, but the bushes were
+thick along its face, and the active youth climbed easily and without
+noise. Before he reached the crest he flattened himself against the
+earth and listened. He was quite confident that someone had been passing
+and was, perhaps, very near. He was too good a forester to ignore the
+event. He heard nothing and then drew himself up cautiously over the
+edge of the cliff.</p>
+
+<p>He saw before him thick forest, so heavy and dark that the moon did not
+light it up. An ordinary scout or sentinel would have turned back,
+satisfied that nothing was to be found, but Henry entered the woods and
+proceeded carefully in the direction from which the sound had come. He
+soon saw faint signs of a trail, evidently running parallel with the
+river, and, used from time to time, by the Indians. Now Henry was
+satisfied that his senses had not deceived him, and he would discover
+who had passed. He judged by the difference between the first and second
+sounds that the journey was leading northward, and he followed along the
+trail. He had an idea that it would soon lead him to a camp, and he
+reckoned right, because in a few minutes he saw a red bead of light to
+his right.</p>
+
+<p>Henry knew that the light betokened a camp-fire, and he was sure that he
+would find beside it the cause of the noise that he had heard. He
+approached with care, the woods offering an ample covert. He soon saw
+that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> fire was of good size, and that there were at least a dozen
+figures around it.</p>
+
+<p>"More warriors," he said to himself, "probably bound for the same place
+as the fleet."</p>
+
+<p>But as he drew yet nearer he saw that not all the men around the
+camp-fire were warriors. Three, despite their faces, browned by wind and
+rain, belonged to the white race, and in the one nearest to him, Henry,
+with a leap of the heart, recognized his old enemy, Braxton Wyatt.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt, like Timmendiquas, had come back to the scene of his earlier
+exploits and this conjunction confirmed Henry in his belief that some
+great movement was intended.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt was on the far side of the fire, where the flames lighted up his
+face, and Henry was startled by the savagery manifested there. The
+renegade's face, despite his youth, was worn and lined. His black hair
+fell in dark locks upon his temples. He still wore the British uniform
+that he had adopted in the East, but sun and rain had left little of its
+original color. Wyatt had returned to the West unsuccessful, and Henry
+knew that he was in his most evil mind.</p>
+
+<p>The short, thick man sitting by Wyatt was Simon Girty, the most famous
+of all the renegades, and just beyond him was Blackstaffe. The Indians
+were Shawnees.</p>
+
+<p>The three white men were deep in conversation and now and then they
+pointed towards the north. Henry would have given much to have heard
+what they said, but they did not speak loudly enough. He was tempted to
+take a shot at the villain, Simon Girty. A single bullet would remove a
+scourge from the border and save hundreds of lives. The bullet sent, he
+might easily escape in the darkness. But he could not pull the trigger.
+He could not fire upon anyone from ambush, and watching a little while
+longer, he crept back through the forest to the boat, which he regained
+without trouble.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry awakened his comrades and told them all that he had seen. They
+agreed with him that it was of the utmost importance. Wyatt and Girty
+were, no doubt, co&ouml;perating with Timmendiquas, and somewhere to the
+north the great Wyandot intended to rally his forces for a supreme
+effort.</p>
+
+<p>"This leaves us without the shadow of a pretext for going on to
+Wareville," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"It shorely does," said Shif'less Sol. "It's now our business to follow
+the Indians an' the renegades all the way to the Great Lakes ef they go
+that fur."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope they will," said Paul. "I'd like to see those lakes. They say
+you can sail on them there for days and days and keep out of sight of
+land. They're one of the wonders of the world."</p>
+
+<p>"The trail may lead us that far," said Henry. "Who knows! But since the
+enemy is on both land and water, I think we'll have to hide our boat and
+take to the forest."</p>
+
+<p>The truth of his words was obvious to them. The renegades or Indians in
+the woods would certainly see their boat if they continued that method
+of progress, but on land they could choose their way and hide whenever
+they wished. Reluctantly they abandoned their boat, which was staunch
+and strong, but they hid it as well as possible among bushes and reeds.
+In such a vast wilderness, the chances were twenty to one that it would
+remain where they had put it until they returned to claim their own. Too
+wise to burden themselves, they buried all their extra weapons and
+stores at the base of a great oak, marked well the place, and then,
+everyone with a blanket and light pack, started forward through the
+forest. They intended to go ahead of the renegades, observe the
+anchorage of the boats, and then withdrawing some distance from the
+river, let Wyatt, Girty and their friends pass them.</p>
+
+<p>Although it was yet several hours until daylight, they resumed their
+journey along the eastern bank of the stream,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> Henry leading and Silent
+Tom Ross bringing up the rear. In this manner they advanced rapidly and
+just when the first beams of dawn were appearing, they saw the Indian
+fleet at anchor on the west shore.</p>
+
+<p>They examined them at their leisure from the dense covert of the
+thickets, and saw that their estimate of five hundred warriors, made the
+night before, was correct. They also saw Timmendiquas more than once and
+it was evident that he was in complete command. Respect and attention
+followed wherever he went. Paint and dress indicated that warriors of
+all the tribes inhabiting the Ohio Valley were there.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians seemed to be in no hurry, as they lighted fires on the bank,
+and cooked buffalo and deer meat, which they ate in great quantities.
+Many, when they had finished their breakfast, lay down on the grass and
+slept again. Others slept in the larger canoes.</p>
+
+<p>"They are waiting for more of their friends to come up," whispered Henry
+to his comrades. A few minutes later, Wyatt, Girty and their party
+hailed the great war band from the east bank. Canoes were sent over for
+them, and they were taken into the Indian camp, but without much sign of
+rejoicing.</p>
+
+<p>"We know that Timmendiquas does not like Wyatt," said Henry, "and I
+don't believe that he really likes any of the renegades, not even
+Girty."</p>
+
+<p>"Red man ought to stick to red man, an' white man to white," said
+Shif'less Sol, sententiously. "I think that's the way Timmendiquas looks
+at it, an' I'd like to stan' ez high ez a white man, ez he does ez a red
+man."</p>
+
+<p>"I kin smell that cookin' buffler an' venison all the way across the
+river," said Jim Hart, "an' it's makin' me pow'ful hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"It'll have to be cold meat for us this time, Jim," said Henry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They had been so engrossed in the spectacle passing before them that
+they had forgotten food until the savory odors came across the stream
+and recalled it to Jim Hart's attention. Now they took out strips of
+dried venison with which they were always provided, and ate it slowly.
+It was not particularly delicious to the taste, but it furnished
+sustenance and strength. All the while they were lying in a dense
+thicket, and the sun was steadily climbing to the zenith, touching the
+vast green forest with bright gold.</p>
+
+<p>A shout came from a point far down the river. It was faint, but the five
+in the covert heard it. Someone in the fleet of Timmendiquas sent back
+an answering cry, a shrill piercing whoop that rose to an extraordinary
+pitch of intensity, and then sank away gradually in a dying note. Then
+the first cry came again, not so remote now, and once more it was
+answered in a similar way from the fleet of Timmendiquas.</p>
+
+<p>"Another fleet or detachment is comm'," said Shif'less Sol, "an' its
+expected. That's the reason why White Lightnin' has been lingerin' here,
+ez ef time didn't hev no meanin' at all."</p>
+
+<p>Many of the Indians, and with them Girty, Wyatt and Blackstaffe were
+looking down the stream. The eyes of the five followed theirs and
+presently they saw a fleet of thirty or forty canoes emerge into view,
+welcomed with loud shouts by the men of Timmendiquas. When the
+re-enforcement was fused into the main fleet, all took their place in
+line and once more started northward, the five following in the woods on
+shore.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and his comrades kept up this odd pursuit for a week, curving back
+and forth, but in the main keeping a northern course. Sometimes they
+left the river several miles away to the left, and saved distance by
+making a straight line between curves, but they knew that they would
+always come back to the stream. Thus it was easy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> traveling for such
+capable woodsmen as they. They saw the fleet joined by three more
+detachments, two by water and one by land. One came on a small tributary
+stream flowing from the West, and the total force was now increased to
+nearly a thousand warriors.</p>
+
+<p>On the sixth night of the parallel pursuit the five discussed it sitting
+in a thicket.</p>
+
+<p>"We must be drawing near to a village," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe with you," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think it likely that
+it's a Wyandot town."</p>
+
+<p>"It's probable," said Paul, "and now for what purpose is such a great
+Indian force gathering? Do they mean to go South against Kentucky? Do
+they mean to go East against New York and Pennsylvania, or do they mean
+to go northward to join the British in Canada?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what we've got to find out," said Long Jim tersely.</p>
+
+<p>"That's just it," said Henry. "We've got to stick to 'em until we learn
+what they mean to try. Then we must follow again. It's my opinion that
+they intend to go further northward or they wouldn't be gathering at a
+point two or three hundred miles above the Ohio."</p>
+
+<p>"Reckon you are right, Henry," said Shif'less Sol. "Ez for me I don't
+care how fur north this chase takes us, even ef we come right spang up
+ag'in' the Great Lakes. I want to see them five wonders o' the world
+that Paul talks about."</p>
+
+<p>"We may go to them," said Henry, "but it seems probable to me that we'll
+reach a big Wyandot village first."</p>
+
+<p>The Indians resumed their voyage in the usual leisurely fashion the next
+morning, and the five on shore followed at a convenient distance. They
+observed that the water of the river was now shallowing fast. The Indian
+boats were of light draft, but they could not go much further, and the
+village must be near.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>That evening just before sunset long cries were heard in the forest, and
+those in the boat replied with similar signals. Then the fleet swung to
+the bank, and all the warriors disembarked. Other warriors came through
+the woods to meet them, and leaving a guard with the boats the whole
+army marched away through the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The five were observers of all that passed, and they knew that the
+Indian village was at hand&mdash;perhaps not more than three or four miles
+away. Still keeping their distance, they followed. The sun was now gone,
+and only a band of red light lingered on the horizon in the West. It,
+too, faded quickly as they marched through the woods, and the night came
+down, enveloping the forest in darkness. The five were glad that the
+landing had occurred at such a time, as it made their own pursuit much
+safer and easier.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians, feeling perfectly safe, carried torches and talked and
+laughed with great freedom. The five in the covert had both the light
+and the noise to guide them, and they followed silently.</p>
+
+<p>They passed over a gently rolling country, heavily wooded, and in a half
+hour they saw lights ahead, but yet at some distance. The lights, though
+scattered, were numerous, and seemed to extend along an arc of half a
+mile. The five knew that the Indian village now lay before them.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER II<br />
+<small>THE SILVER BULLET</small></h2>
+
+<p>The village, the largest belonging to the Wyandots, the smallest, but
+most warlike of the valley tribes, lay in a warm hollow, and it did not
+consist of more than a hundred and fifty skin tepees and log cabins. But
+it was intended to be of a permanent nature, else a part of its houses
+would not have been of wood. There was also about it a considerable area
+of cleared land where the squaws raised corn and pumpkins. A fine creek
+flowed at the eastern edge of the clearing. Henry and his comrades
+paused, where the line of forest met the open, and watched the progress
+of the army across the cleared ground. Everybody in the village, it
+seemed, was coming forward to meet the chief, the warriors first and
+then the old men, squaws and children, all alive with interest.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas strode ahead, his tall figure seeming taller in the light
+of the torches. But it was no triumphant return for him. Suddenly he
+uttered a long quavering cry which was taken up by those who followed
+him. Then the people in the village joined in the wail, and it came over
+and over again from the multitude. It was inexpressibly mournful and the
+dark forest gave it back in weird echoes. The procession poured on in a
+great horde toward the village, but the cry, full of grief and lament
+still came back.</p>
+
+<p>"They are mournin' for the warriors lost in the East," said Tom Ross. "I
+reckon that after Wyomin' an' Che<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>mung, Timmendiquas wasn't able to
+bring back more than half his men."</p>
+
+<p>"If the Wyandots lost so many in trying to help the Iroquois, won't that
+fact be likely to break up the big Indian league?" asked Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Ross shook his head, but Henry answered in words:</p>
+
+<p>"No, the Indians, especially the chiefs, are inflamed more than ever by
+their losses. Moreover, as Timmendiquas has seen how the allied Six
+Nations themselves could not hold back the white power, he will be all
+the more anxious to strike us hard in the valley."</p>
+
+<p>"I've a notion," said Shif'less Sol, "that bands o' the Iroquois,
+'specially the Mohawks, may come out here, an' try to do fur
+Timmendiquas what he tried to do fur them. The savages used to fight
+ag'in' one another, but I think they are now united ag'in' us, on an'
+off, all the way from the Atlantic to the Great Plains."</p>
+
+<p>"Guess you're right, Sol," said Long Jim, "but ez fur me, jest now I
+want to sleep. We had a purty hard march to-day. Besides walkin' we had
+to be watchin' always to see that our scalps were still on our heads,
+an' that's a purty wearyin' combination."</p>
+
+<p>"I speak for all, and all are with you," said Paul, so briskly that the
+others laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Any snug place that is well hid will do," said Henry, "and as the
+forest is so thick I don't think it will take us long to find it."</p>
+
+<p>They turned southward, and went at least three miles through heavy woods
+and dense thickets. All they wanted was a fairly smooth spot with the
+bushes growing high above them, and, as Henry had predicted, they
+quickly found it&mdash;a small depression well grown with bushes and weeds,
+but with an open space in the center where some great animal, probably a
+buffalo had wallowed. They lay down in this dry sandy spot, rolled in
+their blankets, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> felt so secure that they sought sleep without
+leaving anyone to watch.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was the first to awake. The dawn was cold and he shivered a little
+when he unrolled himself from his blanket. The sun showed golden in the
+east, but the west was still dusky. He looked for a moment or two at his
+four friends, lying as still as if they were dead. Then he stretched his
+muscles, and beat his arms across his chest to drive away the frost of
+the morning that had crept into his blood. Shif'less Sol yawned and
+awoke and the others did likewise, one by one.</p>
+
+<p>"Cold mornin' fur this time o' year," said Shif'less Sol. "Jim, light
+the fire an' cook breakfast an' the fust thing I want is a good hot cup
+o' coffee."</p>
+
+<p>"Wish I could light a fire," said Long Jim, "an' then I could give you a
+cup shore 'nuff. I've got a little pot an' a tin cup inside an' three
+pounds o' ground coffee in my pack. I brought it from the boat, thinkin'
+you fellers would want it afore long."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol. "Coffee would be pow'ful
+warmin'. None o' us hez tasted anything but cold vittles for more'n a
+day now. Let's take the chances on it."</p>
+
+<p>Henry hesitated but the chill was still in his blood and he yielded.
+Besides the risk was not great.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," he said; "gather dead wood and we'll be as quick about it
+as we can."</p>
+
+<p>The wood was ready in a minute. Tom Ross whittled off shavings with his
+knife. Shif'less Sol set fire to them with flint and steel. In a few
+minutes something was bubbling inside Jim Hart's coffee pot, and sending
+out a glorious odor.</p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol sniffed the odor.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm growin' younger," he said. "I'm at least two years younger than I
+wuz when I woke up. I wish to return<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> thanks right now to the old Greek
+feller who invented fire. What did you say his name was, Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>"Prometheus. He didn't invent fire, Sol, but according to the story he
+brought it down from the heavens."</p>
+
+<p>"It's all the same," said the shiftless one as he looked attentively at
+the steaming coffee pot. "I guess it wuz about the most useful trip
+Promethy ever made when he brought that fire down."</p>
+
+<p>Everyone in turn drank from the cup. They also heated their dried
+venison over the coals, and, as they ate and drank, they felt fresh
+strength pouring into every vein. When the pot was empty Jim put it on
+the ground to cool, and as he scattered the coals of fire with a kick,
+Henry, who was sitting about a yard away suddenly lay flat and put his
+ear to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you hear anything, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol, who knew the meaning
+of the action.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I heard the bark of a dog," replied Henry, "but I was not
+sure before I put my ear to the ground that it was not imagination. Now
+I know it's truth. I can hear the barking distinctly, and it is coming
+this way."</p>
+
+<p>"Some o' them ornery yellow curs hev picked up our trail," said
+Shif'less Sol, "an' o' course the warriors will follow."</p>
+
+<p>"Which, I take it, means that it is time for us to move from our present
+abode," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Long Jim hastily thrust the coffee pot, not yet cold, and the cup back
+into his pack, and they went towards the South at a gait that was half a
+run and half a walk, easy but swift.</p>
+
+<p>"This ain't a flight," said Shif'less Sol. "It's just a masterly
+retreat. But I'll tell you, boys, I don't like to run away from dogs. It
+humiliates me to run from a brute, an' an inferior. Hark to their
+barkin'."</p>
+
+<p>They now heard the baying of the dogs distinctly, a long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> wailing cry
+like the howling of hounds. The note of it was most ominous to Paul's
+sensitive mind. In the mythology that he had read, dogs played a great
+r&ocirc;le, nearly always as the enemy of man. There were Cerberus and the
+others, and flitting visions of them passed through his mind now. He was
+aware, too, that the reality was not greatly inferior to his fancies.
+The dogs could follow them anywhere, and the accidental picking-up of
+their trail might destroy them all.</p>
+
+<p>The five went on in silence, so far as they were concerned, for a long
+time, but the baying behind them never ceased. It also grew louder, and
+Henry, glancing hastily back, expected that the dogs would soon come
+into sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Judging from their barking, the Wyandots must love dogs of uncommon
+size and fierceness," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"'Pears likely to me," said Shif'less Sol. "We're good runners, all five
+o' us. We've shaken the warriors off, but not the dogs."</p>
+
+<p>"It's just as you say," said Henry. "We can't run on forever, so we must
+shoot the trailers&mdash;that is&mdash;the dogs. Listen to them. They are not more
+than a couple of hundred yards away now."</p>
+
+<p>They crossed a little open space, leaped a brook and then entered the
+woods again. But at a signal from Henry, they stopped a few yards
+further on.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, boys," he said, "be ready with your rifles. We must stop these
+dogs. How many do you think they are, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Bout four, I reckon."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the moment they come into the open space, Tom, you and Paul and
+Jim shoot at those on the left, and Sol and I will take the right."</p>
+
+<p>The Indian dogs sprang into the open space and five rifles cracked
+together. Three of them&mdash;they were four in number, as Tom had said&mdash;were
+killed instantly, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> the fourth sprang aside into the bushes, where he
+remained. The five at once reloaded their rifles as they ran. Now they
+increased their speed, hoping to shake off their pursuers. Behind them
+rose a long, fierce howl, like a note of grief and revenge.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the dog we did not kill," said Paul, "and he's going to hang
+on."</p>
+
+<p>"I've heard tell," said Tom Ross, "that 'cordin' to the Indian belief,
+the souls o' dead warriors sometimes get into dogs an' other animals,
+an' it ain't fur me to say that it ain't true. Mebbe it's really a dead
+Injun, 'stead o' a live dog that's leadin' the warriors on."</p>
+
+<p>Paul shuddered. Tom's weird theory chimed in with his own feelings. The
+fourth dog, the one that had hid from the bullets, was a phantom,
+leading the savages on to vengeance for his dead comrades. Now and then
+he still bayed as he kept the trail, but the fleeing five sought in vain
+to make him a target for their bullets. Seemingly, he had profited by
+the death of his comrades, as his body never showed once among the
+foliage. Search as they would with the sharpest of eyes, none of the
+five could catch the faintest glimpse of him.</p>
+
+<p>"He's a ghost, shore," said Tom Ross. "No real, ordinary dog would keep
+under cover that way. I reckon we couldn't kill him if we hit him, 'less
+we had a silver bullet."</p>
+
+<p>The savages themselves uttered the war cry only two or three times, but
+it was enough to show that with the aid of the dog they followed
+relentlessly. The situation of the five had become alarming to the last
+degree. They had intended to pursue, not to be pursued. Now they were
+fleeing for their lives, and there would be no escape, unless they could
+shake off the most terrible of all that followed&mdash;the dog. And at least
+one of their number, Silent Tom Ross, was convinced thoroughly that the
+dog could not be killed, unless they had the unobtainable&mdash;a silver
+bullet. In moments<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> of danger, superstition can take a strong hold, and
+Paul too, felt a cold chill at his heart.</p>
+
+<p>Their course now took them through a rolling country, clad heavily in
+forest, but without much undergrowth, and they made good speed. They
+came to numerous brooks, and sometimes they waded in them a little
+distance, but they did not have much confidence in this familiar device.
+It might shake off the warriors for a while, but not that terrible dog
+which, directed by the Indians, would run along the bank and pick up the
+trail again in a few seconds. Yet hope rose once. For a long time they
+heard neither bark nor war cry, and they paused under the branches of a
+great oak. They were not really tired, as they had run at an easy gait,
+but they were too wise to let pass a chance for rest. Henry was hopeful
+that in some manner they had shaken off the dog, but there was no such
+belief in the heart of the silent one. Tom Ross had taken out his
+hunting knife and with his back to the others was cutting at something.
+Henry gave him a quick glance, but he did not deem it wise to ask him
+anything. The next moment, all thought of Tom was put out of his mind by
+the deep baying of the dog coming down through the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The single sound, rising and swelling after the long silence was uncanny
+and terrifying. The face of Tom Ross turned absolutely pale through the
+tan of many years. Henry himself could not repress a shudder.</p>
+
+<p>"We must run for it again," he said. "We could stay and fight, of
+course, but it's likely that the Indians are in large numbers."</p>
+
+<p>"If we could only shake off the hound," muttered Tom Ross. "Did you pay
+'tention to his voice then, Henry? Did you notice how deep it was? I
+tell you that ain't no common dog."</p>
+
+<p>Henry nodded and they swung once more into flight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> But he and Shif'less
+Sol, the best two marksmen on the border, dropped to the rear.</p>
+
+<p>"We must get a shot at that dog," whispered Henry. "Very likely it's a
+big wolf hound."</p>
+
+<p>"I think so," said Shif'less Sol, "but I tell you, Henry, I don't like
+to hear it bayin'. It sounds to me jest ez ef it wuz sayin': 'I've got
+you! I've got you! I've got you!' Do you reckon there kin be anything in
+what Tom says?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not. Of course not," replied Henry. "Tom's been picking up
+too much Indian superstition."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the deep baying note so unlike the ordinary bark of an
+Indian dog came again, and Henry, despite himself, felt the cold chill
+at his heart once more. Involuntarily he and the shiftless one glanced
+at each other, and each read the same in the other's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We're bound to get that dog, hound, cur, or whatever he may be!"
+exclaimed Henry almost angrily.</p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol said nothing, but he cast many backward glances at the
+bushes. Often he saw them move slightly in a direction contrary to the
+course of the wind, but he could not catch a glimpse of the body that
+caused them to move. Nor could Henry. Twice more they heard the war cry
+of the savages, coming apparently from at least a score of throats, and
+not more than three or four hundred yards away. Henry knew that they
+were depending entirely upon the dog, and his eagerness for a shot
+increased. He could not keep his finger away from the trigger. He longed
+for a shot.</p>
+
+<p>"We must kill that dog," he said to Shif'less Sol; "we can't run on
+forever."</p>
+
+<p>"No, we can't, but we kin run jest as long as the Injuns kin," returned
+the shiftless one, "an' while we're runnin' we may get the chance we
+want at the dog."</p>
+
+<p>The pursuit went on for a long time. The Indians never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> came into view,
+but the occasional baying of the hound told the fleeing five that they
+were still there. It was not an unbroken flight. They stopped now and
+then for rest, but, when the voice of the hound came near again, they
+would resume their easy run toward the South. At every stop Tom Ross
+would turn his back to the others, take out his hunting knife and begin
+to whittle at something. But when they started again the hunting knife
+was back in its sheath once more, and Tom's appearance was as usual.</p>
+
+<p>The sun passed slowly up the arch of the heavens. The morning coolness
+had gone long since from the air, but the foliage of the great forest
+protected them. Often, when the shade was not so dense they ran over
+smooth, springy turf, and they were even deliberate enough, as the hours
+passed, to eat a little food from their packs. Twice they knelt and
+drank at the brooks.</p>
+
+<p>They made no attempt to conceal their trail, knowing that it was
+useless, but Henry and Shif'less Sol, their rifles always lying in the
+hollows of their arms, never failed to seek a glimpse of the relentless
+hound. It was fully noon when the character of the country began to
+change slightly. The hills were a little higher and there was more
+underbrush. Just as they reached a crest Henry looked back. In the far
+bushes, he saw a long dark form and a pointed gray head with glittering
+eyes. He knew that it was the great dog, a wolf hound; he was sure now,
+and, quick as a flash, he raised his rifle and fired at a point directly
+between the glittering eyes. The dog dropped out of sight and the five
+ran on.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you killed him, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; I hope so."</p>
+
+<p>Behind them rose a deep bay, the trailing note of the great dog, but now
+it seemed more ferocious and uncanny than ever. Shif'less Sol shuddered.
+Tom Ross' face <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>turned not pale, but actually white, through its many
+layers of tan.</p>
+
+<p>"Henry," said Shif'less Sol, "I never knowed you to miss at that range
+afore."</p>
+
+<p>The eyes of the two met again and each asked a question of the other.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I was careless, Sol," said Henry. His voice shook a little.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so," said Shif'less Sol, whose mind was veering more and more
+toward the belief of Tom Ross, "but I'd like pow'ful well to put a
+bullet through that animal myself. Them awful wolf howls o' his hit on
+my nerves, they do."</p>
+
+<p>The chance of the shiftless one came presently. He, too, saw among the
+bushes the long dark body, the massive pointed head and the glittering
+eyes. He fired as quickly as Henry had done. Then came that silence,
+followed in a few minutes by the deep and sinister baying note of the
+great hound.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon I fired too quick, too," said Shif'less Sol. But the hands
+that grasped his rifle were damp and cold.</p>
+
+<p>"'Tain't no use," said Tom Ross in a tone of absolute conviction. "I've
+seen you and Henry fire afore at harder targets than that, an' hit 'em
+every time. You hit this one, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why didn't we kill the brute?" exclaimed Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"'Cause lead wuzn't meant to kill him. Your bullets went right through
+him an' never hurt him."</p>
+
+<p>Henry forced a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Pshaw, Tom," he said. "Don't talk such foolishness.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I never talked solider sense in my life," said Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and Shif'less Sol reloaded their rifles as they ran, and both were
+deeply troubled. In all their experience of every kind of danger they
+had met nothing so sinister as this, nothing so likely to turn the
+courage of a brave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> man. Twice sharpshooters who never missed had missed
+a good target. Or could there be anything in the words of Tom Ross?</p>
+
+<p>They left the warriors some distance behind again and paused for another
+rest, until the terrible hound should once more bring the pursuers near.
+All five were much shaken, but Tom Ross as usual in these intervals
+turned his back upon the others, and began to work with his hunting
+knife. Henry, as he drew deep breaths of fresh air into his lungs,
+noticed that the sun was obscured. Many clouds were coming up from the
+southwest, and there was a damp touch in the air. The wind was rising.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks as if a storm was coming," he said. "It ought to help us."</p>
+
+<p>But Tom Ross solemnly shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"It might throw off the warriors," he said, "but not the dog. Hark,
+don't you hear him again?"</p>
+
+<p>They did hear. The deep booming note, sinister to the last degree, came
+clearly to their ears.</p>
+
+<p>"It's time to go ag'in," said Shif'less Sol, with a wry smile. "Seems to
+me this is about the longest footrace I ever run. Sometimes I like to
+run, but I like to run only when I like it, and when I don't like it I
+don't like for anybody to make me do it. But here goes, anyhow. I'll
+keep on runnin' I don't know whar."</p>
+
+<p>Sol's quaint remarks cheered them a little, and their feet became
+somewhat lighter. But one among them was thinking with the utmost
+concentration. Tom Ross, convinced that something was a fact, was
+preparing to meet it. He would soon be ready. Meanwhile the darkness
+increased and the wind roared, but there was no rain. The country grew
+rougher. The underbrush at times was very dense, and one sharp little
+stony hill succeeded another. The running was hard.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was growing angry. He resented this tenacious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> pursuit. It had
+been so unexpected, and the uncanny dog had been so great a weapon
+against them. He began to feel now that they had run long enough. They
+must make a stand and the difficult country would help them.</p>
+
+<p>"Boys," he said, "we've run enough. I'm in favor of dropping down behind
+these rocks and fighting them off. What do you say?"</p>
+
+<p>All were for it, and in a moment they took shelter. The heavy clouds and
+the forest about them made the air dim, but their eyes were so used to
+it that they could see anyone who approached them, and they were glad
+now that they had decided to put the issue to the test of battle. They
+lay close together, watching in front and also for a flank movement, but
+for a while they saw nothing. The hound had ceased to bay, but, after a
+while, both Henry and Sol saw a rustling among the bushes, and they knew
+that the savages were at hand.</p>
+
+<p>But of all the watchers at that moment Silent Tom Ross was the keenest.
+He also occupied himself busily for a minute or so in drawing the bullet
+from his rifle. Henry did not notice him until this task was almost
+finished.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, in the name of goodness, Tom," he exclaimed, "are you unloading
+your rifle at such a time?"</p>
+
+<p>Tom looked up. The veteran scout's eyes shone with grim fire.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what I'm doin'," he said. "Mebbe I'm the only one in this crowd
+who knows what ought to be did. I'm not unloadin' my rifle, Henry. I'm
+jest takin' out one bullet an' puttin' in another in its place. See
+this?"</p>
+
+<p>He held up a small disc that gleamed in the dim light.</p>
+
+<p>"That," said Tom, "is a silver bullet. It's flat an' it ain't shaped
+like a bullet, but it's a bullet all the same. I've been cuttin' it out
+uv a silver sixpence, an' now it exactly fits my rifle. You an' Sol&mdash;an'
+I ain't sayin' anything ag'in' your marksmanship&mdash;could shoot at that
+dog all day<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> without hurtin' him, but I'm goin' to kill him with this
+silver bullet."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk foolishness, Tom," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll see," said the veteran in a tone of such absolute conviction
+that the others could not help being impressed. Tom curled himself up
+behind one rock, and in front of another. Then he watched with the full
+intensity that the danger and his excitement demanded. He felt that all
+depended upon him, his own life and the lives of those four comrades so
+dear to him.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Ross, silent, reserved, fairly poured his soul into his task.
+Nothing among the bushes and trees in front of them escaped his
+attention. Once he saw a red feather move, but he knew that it was stuck
+in the hair of an Indian and he was looking for different game. He
+became so eager that he flattened his face against the rock and thrust
+forward the rifle barrel that he might lose no chance however fleeting.</p>
+
+<p>Silent Tom's figure and face were so tense and eager that Henry stopped
+watching the bushes a moment or two to look at him. But Tom continued to
+search for his target. He missed nothing that human eye could see among
+those bushes, trees and rocks. He saw an eagle feather again, but it did
+not interest him. Then he heard the baying of a hound, and he quivered
+from head to foot, but the sound stopped in a moment, and he could not
+locate the long dark figure for which he looked. But he never ceased to
+watch, and his eagerness and intensity did not diminish a particle.</p>
+
+<p>The air darkened yet more, and the moan of the wind rose in the forest.
+But there was no rain. The five behind the rocks scarcely moved, and
+there was silence in the bushes in front of them. Tom Ross, intent as
+ever, saw a bush move slightly and then another. His eyes fastened upon
+the spot. So eager was he that he seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> fairly to double his power of
+sight. He saw a third bush move, and then a patch of something dark
+appear where nothing had been before. Tom's heart beat fast. He thought
+of the comrades so dear to him, and he thought of the silver bullet in
+his rifle. The dark patch grew a little larger. He quivered all over,
+but the next instant he was rigid. He was watching while the dark patch
+still grew. He felt that he would have but a single chance, and that if
+ever in his life he must seize the passing moment it was now.</p>
+
+<p>Tom was staring so intently that his gaze pierced the shadows, and now
+he saw the full figure of a huge hound stealing forward among the
+bushes. He saw the massive pointed head and glittering eyes, and his
+rifle muzzle shifted until he looked down the barrel upon a spot
+directly between those cruel eyes. He prayed to the God of the white man
+and the Manitou of the red man, who are the same, to make him steady of
+eye and hand in this, their moment of great need. Then he pulled the
+trigger.</p>
+
+<p>The great dog uttered a fierce howl of pain, leaped high into the air,
+and fell back among the bushes. But even as he fell Tom saw that he was
+stiffening into death, and he exclaimed to his comrades:</p>
+
+<p>"It got him! The silver bullet got him! He'll never follow us any more."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you're right," said Henry, awed for the moment despite his
+clear and powerful mind, "and since he's dead we'll shake off the
+warriors. Come, we'll run for it again."</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER III<br />
+<small>THE HOT SPRING</small></h2>
+
+<p>Bending low, they ran again swiftly forward toward the south. A great
+cry rose behind them, the whoop of the warriors, a yell of rage and
+disappointment. A dozen shots were fired, but the bullets either flew
+over their heads or dropped short. The five did not take the trouble to
+reply. Confidence had returned to them with amazing quickness, and the
+most confident and joyous of all was Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"I had the big medicine that time," he exclaimed exultantly. "It's lucky
+I found the silver sixpence in my pocket, or that hound would have had
+the savages trailing us forever."</p>
+
+<p>Henry was cooler now, but he did not argue with him about it. In fact,
+none of them ever did. Both he and Sol were now noting the heavens which
+had become more overcast. The clouds spread from the horizon to the
+zenith. Not a ray of sunlight showed. The wind was dropping, but far
+into the southwest the earth sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the rain," said Henry. "Let it come. It and all this blackness
+will help our escape."</p>
+
+<p>Low thunder muttered along the western horizon. There were three or four
+flashes of lightning but when the rain came presently with a sweep, both
+thunder and lightning ceased, and they ran on clothed in a mantle of
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's stay close together," said Henry, "and after awhile we'll turn to
+the east and bear back toward the village. Nobody on earth can trail us
+in all this gloom,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> with the rain, too, washing out every trace of our
+footsteps."</p>
+
+<p>Henry's judgment was good. Now that the hound was gone they shook off
+the savages with ease. The rain was coming down in a steady pour, and,
+as the twilight also was at hand, they were invisible to anyone fifty
+yards away. Hence their speed dropped to a walk, and, in accordance with
+their plan, they turned to the right. They walked on through dark woods,
+and came to a smoother country, troubled little by rocks and underbrush.
+The night was fully come, and the rain, that was still pouring out of a
+black sky, was cold. They had paid no attention to it before except for
+its concealment, but, as their figures relaxed after long effort, chill
+struck into the bone. They had kept their rifles dry with their hunting
+shirts, but now they took their blankets from the packs and wrapped them
+about their shoulders. The blankets did not bring them warmth. Their
+soaked clothing chilled them more and more.</p>
+
+<p>They had become inured long since to all kinds of hardships, but one
+cannot stand everything. Now and then a spurt of hail came with the
+rain, and it beat in their faces, slipped between the blankets and down
+their necks, making them shiver. Their weariness after so much exertion
+made them all susceptible to the rain and cold. Finally Henry called a
+halt.</p>
+
+<p>"We must find shelter somewhere," he said. "If we don't, we'll be so
+stiff in the morning we can't walk, and we'll be lucky to escape chills
+and pneumonia, or something of that kind."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," said Shif'less Sol. "So we'll jest go into the inn,
+which ain't more'n a hundred yards further on, git dry clothing, eat a
+big supper, have a steaming hot drink apiece of something strong an'
+then crawl in on feather beds with warm dry blankets over us. Oh, I'll
+sleep good an' long! Don't you worry about that!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Solomon Hyde," said Long Jim Hart indignantly, "ef you don't stop
+talkin' that way I'll hit you over the head with the barrel uv my rifle.
+I'm cold enough an' wet enough already without you conjurin' up happy
+dreams an' things that ain't. Them contrasts make me miserabler than
+ever, an' I'm likely to get wickeder too. I give you fair warning'."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," replied Shif'less Sol resignedly. "I wuz jest tryin' to
+cheer you up, Jim, but a good man never gits any reward in this world,
+jest kicks. How I wish that rain would stop! I never knowed such a cold
+rain afore at this time o' the year."</p>
+
+<p>"We must certainly find some sort of shelter," Henry repeated.</p>
+
+<p>They searched for a long time, hoping for an alcove among the rocks or
+perhaps a thick cluster of trees, but they found nothing. Several hours
+passed. The rain grew lighter, and ceased, although the clouds remained,
+hiding the moon. But the whole forest was soaked. Water dripped from
+every twig and leaf, and the five steadily grew colder and more
+miserable. It was nearly midnight when Henry spied the gleam of water
+among the tree trunks.</p>
+
+<p>"Another spring," he said. "What a delightful thing to see more water.
+I've been fairly longing for something wet."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and the spring has been rained on so much that the steam is rising
+from it," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," said Jim Hart. "Shore ez you live thar's a mist like a
+smoke."</p>
+
+<p>But Henry looked more closely and his tone was joyous as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Boys," he said, "I believe we're in luck, great luck. I think that's a
+hot spring."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said Shif'less Sol in the same joyous tone,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> "an' ef it is a
+hot spring, an' it ain't too almighty hot, why, we'll all take pleasant
+hot baths in it, go to bed an' sleep same ez ef we wuz really on them
+feather beds in that inn that ain't."</p>
+
+<p>Sol approached and put his hand in the water which he found warm, but
+not too hot.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all that we hoped, boys," he exclaimed joyfully. "So I'm goin' to
+enjoy these baths of Lucully right away. After my bath I'll wrap myself
+in my blanket, an' ez the rain hez stopped I'll hang out my clothes to
+dry."</p>
+
+<p>It was really a hot spring of the kind sometimes found in the West. The
+water from the base of a hill formed a large pool, with a smooth bottom
+of stone, and then flowed away in a little brook under the trees.</p>
+
+<p>It was, indeed, a great piece of luck that they should find this hot
+bath at a time when it was so badly needed. The teeth of both Paul and
+Sol were chattering, and they were the first to throw off their clothes
+and spring into the pool.</p>
+
+<p>"Come right in and be b'iled," exclaimed the shiftless one. "Paul has
+bragged of the baths o' Caracally but this beats 'em."</p>
+
+<p>There were three splashes as the other three hit the water at once. Then
+they came out, rolled themselves lightly in the warm blankets, and felt
+the stiffness and soreness, caused by the rain and cold, departing from
+their bodies. A light wind was blowing, and their clothes, hung on
+boughs, were beginning already to dry. An extraordinary sense of peace
+and ease, even of luxury, stole over them all. The contrast with what
+they had been suffering put them in a physical heaven.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't think I could ever be so happy, a-layin' 'roun' in the woods
+wrapped up in nothin' but a blanket," said Shif'less Sol. "I guess the
+baths o' Rome that Paul tells about wuz good in their day, which wuz a
+mighty long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> time ago, but not needin' 'em ez bad ez we did, mebbe, them
+Roman fellers didn't enjoy 'em ez much. What do you say to that, Paul,
+you champion o' the ancient times which hev gone forever?"</p>
+
+<p>The only answer was a long regular breathing. Paul had fallen asleep.</p>
+
+<p>"Good boy," said Shif'less Sol, sympathetically, "I hope he'll enjoy his
+nap."</p>
+
+<p>"Hope the same fur me," said Long Jim, "'cause I'm goin' to foller him
+in less than two minutes."</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hart made good his words. Within the prescribed time a snore, not
+loud nor disagreeable, but gentle and persistent, rose on the night air.
+One by one the others also fell asleep, all except Henry, who forced
+himself to keep awake, and who was also pondering the question of
+Timmendiquas. What were the great chief's plans? What vast scheme had
+been evolved from the cunning brain of that master Indian? And how were
+the five&mdash;only five&mdash;to defeat it, even should they discover its nature?</p>
+
+<p>The light wind blew through all the rest of the night. The foliage
+became dry, but the earth had been soaked so thoroughly with water that
+it remained heavy with damp. The night was bright enough for him to
+observe the faces of his comrades. They were sleeping soundly and
+everyone was ruddy with health.</p>
+
+<p>"That was certainly a wonderful hot bath," said Henry to himself, as he
+looked at the pool. He moved a little in his blanket, tested his muscles
+and found them all flexible. Then he watched until the first tinge of
+gray appeared in the east, keeping his eyes upon it, until it turned to
+silver and then to rose and gold, as the bright sun came. The day would
+be clear and warm, and, after waiting a little longer, he awakened the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you'd better dress for breakfast," he said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Their clothing was now thoroughly dry, and they clothed themselves anew,
+but breakfast was wholly lacking. They had eaten all the venison, and
+every man had an aching void.</p>
+
+<p>"The country hez lots o' deer, o' course," said Shif'less Sol, "but jest
+when you want one most it's pretty shore that you can't find it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not so certain about that," said Henry. "When you find a hot spring
+you are pretty likely to find a mineral spring or two, also, especially
+one of salt."</p>
+
+<p>"And if it's salt," finished Paul, "we'll see the deer coming there to
+drink."</p>
+
+<p>"Sound reasonin'," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>They began the search. About a hundred yards east of the hot spring they
+found one of sulphur water, and, two hundred yards further, one of salt.
+Innumerable tracks beside it showed that it was well patronized by the
+wilderness people, and the five, hiding in a clump of bushes at a point
+where the wind would not betray them, bided their time. Some small
+animals came down to drink at the healing salt spring, but the five did
+not pull a trigger. This was not the game they wanted, and they never
+killed wantonly. They were waiting for a fine fat deer, and they felt
+sure that he would come. A great yellow panther padded down to the
+spring, frightening everything else away and lapped the water greedily,
+stopping now and then for suspicious looks at the forest. They longed to
+take a shot at the evil brute, and, under the circumstances, everyone of
+the five would have pulled the trigger, but now none did so. The panther
+took his time, but finally he slunk back into the forest, leaving the
+salt spring to better wilderness people than himself.</p>
+
+<p>At last the sacrifice came, a fat and splendid stag, walking proudly and
+boldly down to the pool. He sniffed the morning air, but the wind was
+not blowing from the fire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> toward him, and, with no feeling of danger,
+he bent down his regal head to drink. The five felt regret that so noble
+an animal must give his life for others, but hunger was hunger and in
+the wilderness there was no other way. By common consent they nodded
+towards Henry, who was the best shot, and he raised his rifle. It
+reminded him of the time far back, when, under the tutelage of Tom Ross,
+he had shot his first stag. But now, although he did not say it to
+himself or even think of it, he was Tom Ross' master in all the arts of
+hunting, and in mind as well.</p>
+
+<p>Henry pulled the trigger. The stag leaped high into the air, ran a few
+yards, fell and was still. They dressed his body quickly, and in a half
+hour Long Jim Hart, with all the skill and soul of a culinary artist was
+frying strips of deer meat over the coals that Shif'less Sol had
+kindled. There was danger of Indians, of course, but they kept a sharp
+watch, and as they ate, they neither saw nor heard any sign.</p>
+
+<p>"It is pretty sure," said Henry, "that no savage was lingering about
+when I fired the rifle, because we would have heard something from him
+by this time."</p>
+
+<p>"You are shorely right," said Shif'less Sol. "Jim, give me another
+strip. My appetite hez took a fresh hold ez I'm eatin' now with a free
+mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Here you are, Sol," said Long Jim. "It's a pow'ful pleasure to me to
+see you eat my cookin'. The health an strength uv a lazy man like you
+who hez been nourished by my hand is livin' proof that I'm the best cook
+in the woods."</p>
+
+<p>"We all give you that credit, Jim," said Shif'less Sol contentedly.</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast they took with them as large a supply of the meat as
+they could carry with convenience and regretfully left the rest to the
+wolves and panthers. Then they began their journey toward the Wyandot
+village. Their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> misadventure and their long flight from the terrible
+hound had not discouraged them in the least. They would return directly
+to the storm center and keep watch, as well as they could, upon the
+movements of Timmendiquas and his allies.</p>
+
+<p>But they chose another and more easterly course now and traveled all day
+through beautiful sunshine and a dry forest. Their precautions of the
+night before had served them well, as the rain and cold left no trace of
+ill, and their spirits rose to heights.</p>
+
+<p>"But thar's one thing we've got to guard ag'in'," said Shif'less Sol. "I
+don't want to be tracked by any more dogs. Besides bein' dangerous, it
+gives you a creepy uncomf'table feelin'."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll keep a good watch for them," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>As they saw no reason for haste, they slept in the woods another night,
+and the next night thereafter they approached the Indian village. They
+hung about it a long time, and, at great risk, discovered that a new
+movement was on foot. Timmendiquas would soon depart for a journey
+further into the North. With him would go the famous chiefs, Yellow
+Panther of the Miamis, and Red Eagle of the Shawnees, and the renegades,
+Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and Blackstaffe. They would have a retinue of
+a hundred warriors, chosen from the different tribes, but with
+precedence allotted to the Wyandots. These warriors, however, were
+picked men of the valley nations, splendidly built, tall, lean and full
+of courage and ferocity. They were all armed with improved rifles, and
+every man carried a tomahawk and hunting knife. They were also amply
+supplied with ammunition and provisions.</p>
+
+<p>The five having watched these preparations by night when they could come
+close to the village, considered them carefully as they lay in a dense
+covert. So far they had not been able to discover anything that would
+indicate the in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>tention of Timmendiquas, except that he would march
+northward, and there were many guesses.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thinking that he will go to Detroit," said Henry. "That's the
+strongest British post in the West. The Indians get their arms and
+ammunition there, and most of the raids on Kentucky have been made from
+that point."</p>
+
+<p>"Looks ez likely ez anything to me," said Shif'less Sol, "but I'm
+guessin' that ef Timmendiquas goes to Detroit he won't stop there. He's
+a big man an' he may then go westward to raise all the tribes o' the
+Great Lakes."</p>
+
+<p>"It may be so," said Henry.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV<br />
+<small>THE SEVEN HERALDS</small></h2>
+
+<p>Henry, late the next night, was near the Wyandot village, watching it
+alone. They had decided to divide their work as the border watch. Part
+of them would sleep in the covert, while the others would scout about
+the village. That night it was the turn of Shif'less Sol and himself,
+but they had separated in order to see more. The shiftless one was now
+on the other side of the town, perhaps a mile away.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was in a thick clump of bushes that lay to the north of the house
+and tepees. Dogs might stray that way or they might not. If they did, a
+rifle shot would silence the first that gave tongue, and he knew that
+alone he was too swift in flight to be overtaken by any Indian force.</p>
+
+<p>Although past midnight the heavens were a fine silky blue, shot with a
+myriad of stars, and a full rich moon hanging low. Henry, lying almost
+flat upon his stomach, with his rifle by his side, was able to see far
+into the village. He noted that, despite the lateness of the hour, fires
+were burning there, and that warriors, carrying torches, were passing
+about. This was unusual. It was always characteristic of his mind not
+only to see, but to ask where, when and, above all, why? Now he was
+repeatedly asking why of himself, but while asking he never failed to
+observe the slightest movement in the village.</p>
+
+<p>Presently he saw Timmendiquas walk from a large lodge and stop by one of
+the fires. Standing in the rays of the moon, light from above and
+firelight from his side falling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> upon him the figure of the chief was
+like that of some legendary Titan who had fought with the gods. A red
+blanket hung over his shoulder, and a single red feather rose aloft in
+the defiant scalp lock.</p>
+
+<p>Henry saw the renegade, Simon Girty, approach, and talk with the chief
+for a few moments, but he was much too far away to hear what they said.
+Then six warriors, one of them, by his dress, a sub-chief, came from the
+lodges and stood before Timmendiquas, where they were joined, an instant
+later, by the renegade Blackstaffe. The chief took from beneath his
+blanket four magnificent belts of wampum, two of which he handed to the
+sub-chief and two to the renegade. Timmendiquas said a few words to
+every one of them, and, instantly leaving the village they traveled
+northward at the swift running walk of the Indian. They passed near
+Henry in single file, the sub-chief at the head and Blackstaffe in the
+rear, and he noticed then that they carried supplies as if for a long
+journey. Their faces were turned toward the Northwest.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas and Girty stood for a moment, watching the men, then turned
+back and were lost among the lodges. But Henry rose from his covert and,
+hidden among the bushes, came to a rapid conclusion. He knew the
+significance of wampum belts and he could guess why these seven men had
+departed so swiftly. They were heralds of war. They were on their way to
+the far northwest tribes, in order that they might bring them to the
+gathering of the savage clans for the invasion of Kentucky.</p>
+
+<p>Henry felt a powerful impulse, an impulse that speedily became a
+conviction. Every delay and every reduction of force was a help to the
+white men and white women and children down below the Ohio. A week of
+time, or the difference of twenty warriors might be their salvation. He
+must turn back the messengers, and he must do it with his single hand.
+How he longed for the help of the brave and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> resourceful Shif'less Sol.
+But he was a mile away, somewhere in the dark woods and Henry could not
+delay. The seven heralds were speeding toward the Northwest, at a pace
+that would soon take them far beyond his reach, unless he followed at
+once.</p>
+
+<p>Dropping his rifle in the hollow of his arm he swung in behind them. One
+could not pick up a trail in dense woods at night, but he had observed
+their general direction, and he followed them so swiftly that within a
+half hour he saw them, still traveling in Indian file, the chief as
+before at the head of the line and Blackstaffe at the rear. The moon had
+now faded a little, and the light over the forest turned from silver to
+gray. Many of the stars had withdrawn, but on sped the ghostly
+procession of seven. No, not of seven only, but of eight, because behind
+them at a distance of two hundred yards always followed a youth of great
+build, and of wilderness instinct and powers that none of them could
+equal.</p>
+
+<p>Chaska, the sub-chief, the Shawnee who led, was an eager and zealous
+man, filled with hatred of the white people who had invaded the hunting
+grounds of his race. He was anxious to bring as many warriors as he
+could to their mighty gathering, even if he had to travel as far as the
+farthest and greatest of the Great Lakes. Moreover he was swift of foot,
+and he did not spare himself or the others that night. He led them
+through bushes and weeds and grass and across the little brooks. Always
+the others followed, and no sound whatever came from the file of seven
+which was really the file of eight.</p>
+
+<p>The seven heralds traveled all night and all of the next day, always
+through forest, and at no time was the eighth figure in the file more
+than four hundred yards behind them.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian, through centuries of forest life, had gifts of insight and
+of physical faculties amounting to a sixth sense,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> yet the keenest among
+them never suspected, for an instant, that they were eight and not
+seven. At noon they sat down in the dry grass of a tiny prairie and ate
+dried deer meat. Henry, in the edge of the woods a quarter of a mile
+away, also ate dried deer meat. When the seven finished their food and
+resumed the march the eighth at the same time finished his food and
+resumed the march. Nothing told the seven that the eighth was there, no
+voice of the wood, no whisper from Manitou.</p>
+
+<p>The stop had not lasted more than half an hour and the journey led on
+through great forests, broken only by tiny prairies. Game abounded
+everywhere, and Henry judged that the Indians, according to the custom
+among some of the more advanced tribes, had not hunted over it for
+several seasons, in order that it might have plenty when they came
+again. Ten or a dozen buffaloes were grazing on nearly every little
+prairie, splendid deer were in the open and in the woods, but the seven
+and also the eighth stopped for none of these, although they would have
+been sorely tempted at any other time.</p>
+
+<p>Their speed was undiminished throughout the afternoon, but Henry knew
+that they must camp that night. They could not go on forever, and he
+could secure, too, the rest that he needed. It might also give him the
+chance to do what he wished to do. At least he would have time to plan.</p>
+
+<p>In the late afternoon the character of the day changed. The sun set in a
+mackerel sky. A soft wind came moaning out of the Southwest, and drops
+of rain were borne on its edge. Darkness shut down close and heavy. No
+moon and no stars came out. The rain fell gently, softly, almost as if
+it were ashamed, and the voice of the wind was humble and low.</p>
+
+<p>Chaska, Blackstaffe and their men stopped under the interlacing boughs
+of two giant oaks, and began to collect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> firewood. Henry, who had been
+able to come much nearer in the dark, knew then that they would remain
+there a long time, probably all night, and he was ready to prepare for
+his own rest. But he did not do anything until the seven had finished
+their task.</p>
+
+<p>He kept at a safe distance, shifting his position from time to time,
+until the Indians had gathered all the firewood they needed and were
+sitting in a group around the heap. Chaska used the flint and steel and
+Henry saw the fire at last blaze up. The seven warmed their food over
+the fire and then sat around it in a close and silent circle, with their
+blankets drawn over their bodies, and their rifles covered up in their
+laps. Sitting thus, Blackstaffe looked like the others and no one would
+have known him from an Indian.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had with him, carried usually in a small pack on his back, two
+blankets, light in weight but of closely woven fiber, shedding rain, and
+very warm. He crouched in a dense growth of bushes, three or four
+hundred yards from the Indian fire. Then he put one blanket on the
+ground, sat upon it, after the Indian fashion, and put the other blanket
+over his head and shoulders, just as the warriors had done. He locked
+his hands across his knees, while the barrel of the rifle which rested
+between his legs protruded over his shoulder and against the blanket.
+Some of the stronger and heavier bushes behind him supported his weight.
+He felt perfectly comfortable, and he knew that he would remain so,
+unless the rain increased greatly, and of that there was no sign.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, though powerful by nature, and inured to great exertions, was
+tired. The seven, including the eighth, had been traveling at a great
+pace for more than twenty hours. While the Indians ate their food,
+warmed over the fire, he ate his cold from his pocket. Then the great
+figure began to relax. His back rested easily against the bushes. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>
+tenseness and strain were gone from his nerves and muscles. He had not
+felt so comfortable, so much at peace in a long time, and yet not three
+hundred yards away burned a fire around which sat seven men, any one of
+whom would gladly have taken his life.</p>
+
+<p>The clouds moved continually across the sky, blotting out the moon and
+every star. The soft, light rain fell without ceasing and its faint
+drip, drip in the woods was musical. It took the last particle of strain
+and anxiety from Henry's mind and muscles. This voice of the rain was
+like the voice of his dreams which sometimes sang to him out of the
+leaves. He would triumph in his present task. He was bound to do so,
+although he did not yet know the way.</p>
+
+<p>He watched the fire with sleepy eyes. He saw it sink lower and lower. He
+saw the seven figures sitting around it become dim and then dimmer,
+until they seemed to merge into one solid circle.</p>
+
+<p>As long as he looked at them he did not see a single figure move, and he
+knew that they were asleep. He knew that he too would soon be sleeping
+and he was willing. But he was resolved not to do so until the darkness
+was complete, that is, not until the fire had gone entirely out. He
+watched it until it seemed only a single spark in the night. Then it
+winked and was gone. At the same time the darkness blotted out the ring
+of seven figures.</p>
+
+<p>Henry's eyelids drooped and closed. He raised them weakly once or twice,
+but the delicate voice of the light rain in the forest was so soothing
+that they stayed down, after the second attempt, and he floated
+peacefully to unknown shores, hidden as safely as if he were a thousand
+miles from the seven seated and silent figures.</p>
+
+<p>He awoke about midnight and found himself a little stiff from his
+crouching position, but dry and rested. The rain was still falling in
+gentle, persistent fashion. He rolled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> up the blanket that had lain
+under him but kept the other around his shoulders. All was dark where
+the fire and the ring of seven had been, but he knew instinctively that
+they were there, bent forward with the blankets about their heads and
+shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>He stole forward until he could see them. He was right. Not one in the
+circle was missing and not one had moved. Then he passed around them,
+and, picking his way in the darkness, went ahead. He had a plan, vague
+somewhat, but one which he might use, if the ground developed as he
+thought it would. He had noticed that, despite inequalities, the general
+trend of the earth was downward. The brooks also ran northward, and he
+believed that a river lay across their path not far ahead.</p>
+
+<p>Now he prayed that the rain would cease and that the clouds would go
+away so that he might see, and his prayers were answered. A titanic hand
+dragged all the clouds off to the eastward, and dim grayish light came
+once more over the dripping forest. He saw forty or fifty yards ahead,
+and he advanced much faster. The ground continued to drop down, and his
+belief came true. At a point four or five miles north of the Indian camp
+he reached a narrow but deep river that he could cross only by swimming.
+But it was likely a ford could be found near and he looked swiftly for
+it.</p>
+
+<p>He went a mile down the stream, without finding shallow water, and, then
+coming back, discovered the ford only a hundred yards above his original
+point of departure. The water here ran over rocks, and, for a space of
+ten or fifteen yards, it was not more than four feet deep. The Indians
+undoubtedly knew of this ford, and here they would attempt to cross.</p>
+
+<p>He waded to the other side, rolled up the second blanket, crouched
+behind rocks among dense bushes, ate more cold food, and waited. His
+rifle lay across his knees, and, at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> all times, he watched the woods on
+the far shore. He was the hunter now, the hunter of men, the most
+dangerous figure in the forest, all of his wonderful five senses attuned
+to the utmost.</p>
+
+<p>The darkness faded away, as the dawn came up, silver and then gold.
+Golden light poured down in a torrent on river, forest and hills. Every
+leaf and stem sprang out clear and sharp in the yellow blaze. The
+waiting youth never stirred. From his covert in the thicket behind the
+rocks he saw everything. He saw a bush stir, when there was no wind, and
+then he saw the face of the Indian chief Chaska, appear beside the bush.
+After him came the remainder of the seven and they advanced toward the
+ford.</p>
+
+<p>Henry raised his rifle and aimed at Chaska. He picked a spot on the
+broad and naked chest, where he could make his bullet strike with
+absolute certainty. Then he lowered it. He could not fire thus upon an
+unsuspecting enemy, although he knew that Chaska would have no such
+scruples about him. Pursing his lips he uttered a loud sharp whistle, a
+whistle full of warning and menace.</p>
+
+<p>The seven sprang back among the bushes. The eighth on the other side of
+the river lay quite still for a little while. Then a sudden puff of wind
+blew aside some of the bushes and disclosed a portion of his cap. Chaska
+who was the farthest forward of the seven saw the cap and fired. The
+Indian is not usually a good marksman, and his bullet cut the bushes,
+but Henry, who now had no scruples, was a sharpshooter beyond compare.
+Chaska had raised up a little to take aim, and, before the smoke from
+his own weapon rose, the rifle on the other side of the river cracked.
+Chaska threw up his hands and died as he would have wished to die, on
+the field of battle, and with his face to the foe. The others shrank
+farther back among the bushes, daunted by the deadly shot, and the
+hidden foe who held the ford.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry reloaded quietly, and then lay very close among the bushes. Not
+only did he watch the forest on the other shore, but all his senses were
+keenly alert. For a distance of a full half mile none of the Indians
+could cross the river unseen by him, but, in case they went farther and
+made the passage he relied upon his ears to warn him of their approach.</p>
+
+<p>For a time nothing stirred. Boughs, bushes and leaves were motionless
+and the gold on the surface of the river grew deeper under the rising
+sun. Blackstaffe, after the fall of Chaska, was now commander of the
+seven heralds, who were but six, and at his word the Indians too were
+lying close, for the soul of Blackstaffe, the renegade, was disturbed.
+The bullet that had slain Chaska had come from the rifle of a
+sharpshooter. Chaska had exposed himself for only an instant and yet he
+had been slain. Blackstaffe knew that few could fire with such swift and
+deadly aim, but, before this, he had come into unpleasantly close
+contact with some who could. His mind leaped at once to the conclusion
+that the famous five were in front of him, and he was much afraid.</p>
+
+<p>An hour passed. The beauty of the morning deepened. The river flowed, an
+untarnished sheet, now of silver, now of gold as the light fell. Henry
+crept some distance to the right, and then an equal distance to left. He
+could not hear the movement of any enemy in front of him, and he
+believed that they were all yet in the bushes on the other side of the
+river. He returned to his old position and the duel of patience went on.
+His eyes finally fixed themselves upon a large bush, the leaves of which
+were moving. He took the pistol from his belt, cocked it, and put it
+upon the rock in front of him. Then he slowly pushed forward the muzzle
+of his long and beautiful Kentucky rifle.</p>
+
+<p>It was certainly a duel to the death. No other name described it, and
+hundreds of such have been fought and for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>gotten in the great forests of
+North America. The Indian behind the bush was crafty and cunning, one of
+the most skillful among the Shawnees. He had marked the spot where an
+enemy lay, and was rising a little higher for a better look.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had marked him, too, or rather the movement that was the precursor
+of his coming, and when the Shawnee rose in the bush he raised a little
+and fired. There was a terrific yell, a figure leaped up convulsively,
+and then falling, disappeared. Five shots were fired at Henry, or rather
+at the flame from his rifle, but he merely sank back a little, snatched
+up the pistol, and sent a second bullet, striking a brown figure which
+retreated with a cry to the woods. The remainder, Blackstaffe first
+among them, also sprang to cover.</p>
+
+<p>The renegade and the four remaining Indians, one of whom was severely
+wounded, conferred as they lay among the trees. Blackstaffe was no
+coward, yet his heart was as water within him. He was absolutely sure
+now that the terrible five were before them. Two shots had been fired,
+but the others were only waiting their chance. His own force was but
+five now, only four of whom were effective. He was outnumbered, and he
+did not know what to do. The Indians would want to carry out the
+important orders of Timmendiquas, but there was the river, and they did
+not dare to attempt the crossing.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, in his old position, awaited the result with serene confidence.
+The seven heralds were now but five, really four, and not only the
+stars, but the sun, the day, time, circumstance and everything were
+working for him. He had reloaded his weapons, and he was quite sure now
+that Blackstaffe and the Indians would stay together. None of them nor
+any two of them would dare to go far upstream or down stream, cross and
+attempt to stalk him. Nevertheless he did not relax his vigilance. He
+was as much the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> hunter as ever. Every sense was keenly alert, and that
+superior sense or instinct, which may be the essence and flower of the
+five was most alert of all.</p>
+
+<p>The duel of patience, which was but a phase of the duel of death, was
+resumed. On went the sun up the great concave arch of the heavens,
+pouring its beams upon the beautiful earth, but on either side of the
+river nothing stirred. The nerves of Blackstaffe, the renegade, were the
+first to yield to the strain. He began to believe that the five had gone
+away, and, creeping forward to see, he incautiously exposed one hand. It
+was only for an instant, but a bullet from the other side of the river
+cut a furrow all the way across the back of the hand, stinging and
+burning as if a red hot bar had been laid upon it.</p>
+
+<p>Blackstaffe dropped almost flat upon the ground, and looked at his hand
+from which the blood was oozing. He knew that it was not hurt seriously,
+but the wound stung horribly and tears of mingled pain and mortification
+rose to his eyes. He suggested to the warriors that they go back, but
+they shook their heads. They feared the wrath of Timmendiquas and the
+scorn of their comrades. So Blackstaffe waited, but he was without hope.
+He had been miserably trapped by his belief that the five had gone. They
+were there, always watching, deadlier sharpshooters than ever.</p>
+
+<p>It was noon now, and a Wyandot, the most zealous of the remaining
+Indians, lying flat on his stomach, crept almost to the water's edge,
+where he lay among the grass and reeds. Yet he never crept back again.
+He stirred the grass and weeds too much, and a bullet, fired by
+calculation of his movements, and not by any sight of his figure, slew
+him where he lay.</p>
+
+<p>Then a great and terrible fear seized upon the Indians as well as
+Blackstaffe. Such deadly shooting as this was beyond their
+comprehension. The bullets from the rifles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> of the unseen marksmen were
+guided by the hand of Manitou. The Great Spirit had turned his face away
+from them, and helping their wounded comrade, they fled southward as
+fast as they could. Blackstaffe, his blazed hand burning like fire, went
+with them gladly.</p>
+
+<p>In that journey of twenty hours' northward the seven heralds had
+traveled far from the Wyandot village and it was equally as far back to
+it. Going northward they had zeal and energy to drive them on, and going
+southward they had terror and superstition to drive them back. They
+returned as fast as they had gone, and all the time they felt that the
+same mysterious and deadly enemy was behind them. Once a bullet, cutting
+the leaves near them, hastened their footsteps. The renegade wished to
+abandon the wounded man, but the Indians, more humane, would not allow
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Henry could have reduced the number of the heralds still further, but
+his mind rebelled at useless bloodshed and he was satisfied to let
+terror and superstition do their work. He followed them until they were
+in sight of the village, guessing the surprise and consternation that
+their news would cause. Then he turned aside to find his comrades in the
+covert and to tell them what he had done. They admired, but they were
+not surprised, knowing him so well.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile they waited.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER V<br />
+<small>THE WYANDOT COUNCIL</small></h2>
+
+<p>Henry and his comrades, spying anew from the woods and seeing the
+village full of stir, thought Timmendiquas and his warriors would depart
+that day, but they soon gathered that some important ceremonial was at
+hand, and would be celebrated first. It reminded Henry of the great
+gathering of the Iroquois before the advance on Wyoming. He was as eager
+now as then to enter the village and see the rites, which it was quite
+evident were going to be held at night. Already the dangers of his
+adventure with the seven heralds were forgotten and he was ready for new
+risks.</p>
+
+<p>"If I only had a little paint for my face and body," he said, "I could
+go into the place without much danger, and I'd learn a lot that would be
+of use to us."</p>
+
+<p>No one answered, but Shif'less Sol, who had been listening attentively,
+stole away. The sun was then about an hour high, and, a little after
+twilight, the shiftless one returned with a package wrapped in a piece
+of deerskin. He held it aloft, and his face was triumphant.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you been doing, Sol?" exclaimed Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"Me? I've been stealin'. An' I tell you I've been a good thief, too, fur
+a lazy man. You said you wanted paint, Henry. Well, here it is an' the
+little brushes an' feathers with which you put it on, too. The people
+are all driftin' toward the center o' the village, an' without any
+partic'lar trouble to myself or anybody else I entered an outlyin'&mdash;an'
+fur the time empty&mdash;lodge an' took away this vallyble paintin' outfit."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Good," said Henry with delight. "Now you shall paint me, Sol, and in an
+hour I'll be among the Wyandots. Let's see the paint."</p>
+
+<p>But Shif'less Sol firmly retained his precious package.</p>
+
+<p>"Takin's are keepings," he said. "These paints are mine, an' I 'low you
+to make use o' them on one condition only."</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"When I paint you, you paint me, an' then we'll go into this mighty
+Injun metropolis together. Mebbe you'll need me, Henry, an' I'm goin'
+with you anyway. You've got to agree to it."</p>
+
+<p>Henry and the shiftless one looked each other squarely in the face.
+Henry read resolve, and also an anxious affection in the gaze of his
+comrade.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, Sol," he said, "it's agreed. Now let's see which is the
+better painter."</p>
+
+<p>While the others stood by and gave advice Sol painted Henry. The great
+youth bared himself to the skin, and Sol, with a deft hand, laid on the
+Wyandot colors over chest, shoulders, arms, face and hands. Then Henry
+painted the shiftless one in the same fashion. They also, but with more
+difficulty, colored their hair black. It was artistic work, and when all
+was done the two stood forth in the perfect likeness of two splendid
+Wyandot warriors.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," said Henry, "that if we keep away from Timmendiquas, Wyatt,
+Girty and those who know us so well, nobody will suspect us."</p>
+
+<p>"But don't run any unnecessary risks," said Paul anxiously. "You know
+how hard it will be on us waiting out here in the woods, an' if you were
+captured it's not likely we could save you."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll take every precaution, Paul," said Henry, "and we'll rejoin you
+here in the morning."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Paul, "we'll wait at this point."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They were in an exceedingly dense part of the forest about two miles
+from the Indian village, and Tom Ross, the phlegmatic, was already
+selecting a place for his blanket. The moon was not yet out and the
+light over the forest was dim, but Paul, Long Jim and Silent Tom could
+see very distinctly the two magnificent young Wyandots who stood near
+them, bare to the waist, painted wondrously and armed with rifle,
+tomahawk and knife.</p>
+
+<p>"Henry," said Long Jim, "ef I didn't see your face I could swear that
+you wuz Timmendiquas his very self. I see Timmendiquas&mdash;his shoulders
+an' the way he carries himself."</p>
+
+<p>"An' I guess you see somethin' gran' an' wonderful in me, too, don't
+you, Saplin'?" said Shif'less Sol in his most ingratiating tone.</p>
+
+<p>Long Jim gazed at him in his most scornful manner, before he deigned to
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't see no great chief in you, Sol Hyde," he replied. "I see
+nothin' but an ornery Wyandot, who's so lazy he has to be fed by squaws,
+an' who ef he saw a white man would run so fast he'd never stop until he
+hit Lake Superior an' got beyond his depth."</p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol laughed and held out his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Put 'er thar," he said. "You wouldn't abuse me ef you didn't like me,
+an' ef I never come back I guess a tear or two would run down that brown
+face o' yours."</p>
+
+<p>Long Jim returned in kind the iron grasp of his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Them words o' yours is mighty near to the truth," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Both Henry and Sol said all their good-byes, and then they slid away
+through the thickets toward the town. As they came to its edge they saw
+a multitude of lights, fires burning here and there, and many torches
+held aloft by women and children. There was also the chatter of hundreds
+of voices, melting into a pleasant river of sound and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> the two, not even
+finding the Indian dogs suspicious, advanced boldly across the maize
+fields. Henry, remembering his size, which was the chief danger, now
+stooped and held himself in a shrunken position as much as possible.
+Thus they came to the town, and they saw that all its inhabitants were
+converging upon the common in the center.</p>
+
+<p>Both Henry and Sol looked anxiously at the village, which was of a
+permanent character, containing both single and communal wigwams. The
+permanent wigwams were of an oblong form, built of poles interwoven with
+bark. Many were, as Shif'less Sol called them, double-barreled&mdash;that is,
+in two sections, a family to each section, but with a common hall in
+which the fire was built, each family sitting on its side of the fire.
+But all these were empty now, as men, women and children had gone to the
+open space in the center of the village. The communal lodges were much
+larger, often holding six or seven families, but with entirely distinct
+partitions for every family. Here in the woods was a rude germ of the
+modern apartment house.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and Sol drew near to the common, keeping concealed within the
+shadow of the lodges. The open space was blazing with light from big
+fires and many squaws carried torches also. Within this space were
+grouped the guests of the Wyandots, the Shawnees and the Miamis, with
+their chiefs at their head. They were painted heavily, and were in the
+finest attire of the savage, embroidered leggings and moccasins, and red
+or blue blankets. From every head rose a bright feather twined in the
+defiant scalp lock. But the Shawnees and Miamis stood motionless, every
+man resting the stock of his rifle upon the ground and his hands upon
+the muzzle. They were guests. They were not to take any part in the
+ceremony, but they were deeply interested in the great rites of an
+allied and friendly nation, the great little tribe of the Wyandots, the
+woman-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>ruled nation, terrible in battle, the bravest of the brave the
+finest savage fighters the North American continent ever produced, the
+Mohawks not excepted. And the fact remains that they were ruled by
+women.</p>
+
+<p>The Wyandot warriors had not yet entered the open, which was a great
+circular grassy space. But as Henry and Shif'less Sol leaned in the
+shadow of a lodge, a tall warrior painted in many colors came forth into
+the light of the fires, and uttered a loud cry, which he repeated twice
+at short intervals. Meanwhile the torches among the women and children
+had ceased to waver, and the Shawnees and Miamis stood immovable, their
+hands resting on the muzzles of their rifles. The great fires blazed up,
+and cast a deep red light over the whole scene. A minute or so elapsed
+after the last cry, and Henry and Shif'less Sol noticed the expectant
+hush.</p>
+
+<p>Then at the far side of the circle appeared the Wyandot warriors, six
+abreast coming between the lodges. They were naked except for the breech
+cloth and moccasins, but their bodies were gorgeously painted in many
+colors. Mighty men were they. Few among them were less than six feet in
+height, and all were splendidly built for strength, skill and endurance.
+They held their heads high, too, and their eyes flashed with the haughty
+pride of those who considered themselves first. Not in vain were the
+woman-ruled Wyandots the bravest of the brave.</p>
+
+<p>The Wyandot people advanced and waited on the outer rim of the circle in
+the order of their gentes or clans. Their rank like that of all the
+leading North American tribes was perfect and was never violated. There
+were eleven clans with the following names in their language: The Bear,
+the Deer, the Highland Striped Turtle, the Highland Black Turtle, the
+Mud Turtle, the Large Smooth Turtle, the Hawk, the Beaver, the Wolf, the
+Snake, and the Porcupine. The rank of the sachem of the nation was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>
+inherent in the clan of the Bear, and the rank of military chief had
+always belonged hitherto to the clan of the Porcupine, but now the right
+was about to be waived and for an ample reason.</p>
+
+<p>The Wyandot warriors continued to march steadily into the circle until
+all were there, and then a deep murmur of approval came from the
+watching Shawnees and Miamis.</p>
+
+<p>The flower of the Wyandot nation here in its own home was all that
+wilderness fame had made it. At the head of the first clan, that of the
+Bear, stood Timmendiquas, and Henry and Shif'less Sol had never seen him
+appear more commanding. Many tall men were there, but he over-topped
+them all, and his eyes shone with a deep, bright light, half triumph and
+half expectancy.</p>
+
+<p>Now all the Wyandots were within the circle, standing as they always
+camped when on the war path or the hunt. They were arranged in the form
+of a horseshoe. The head was on the left and the clans ran to the right
+in this way: The Bear, the Deer, the Highland Striped Turtle, the
+Highland Black Turtle, the Mud Turtle, the Large Smooth Turtle, the
+Hawk, the Beaver, the Wolf, the Snake and the Porcupine. These clans
+were also incorporated into four phratries, or larger divisions. The
+first phratry included the Bear, the Deer, and the Highland Striped
+Turtle; the second, the Highland Black Turtle, the Mud Turtle, and the
+Large Smooth Turtle; the third, the Hawk, the Beaver, and the Wolf, and
+the fourth, the Snake, and the Porcupine.</p>
+
+<p>Every clan was ruled by a council of five, and of those five, four were
+women. The fifth, the man, was chosen by the four women from the men of
+their clan. The four women of the Board of Council had been selected
+previously by the married women or heads of families of the clans. The
+wife, not the husband, was the head of the family, nor did he own
+anything in their home except his clothes and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> weapons. He was merely a
+hunter and warrior. All property and rank descended through the female
+line. The lands of the village which were communal were partitioned for
+cultivation by the women. The clan council of five was called the
+Zu-wai-yu-wa, and the lone man was always deferential in the presence of
+the four women who had elected him. The men councilors, however, had
+some privilege. When it became necessary to choose the Grand Sachem of
+the whole nation, they alone did it. But they were compelled to heed the
+voices of the women who constituted the whole voting population, and who
+also owned all the property. There was, too, a separate military council
+of men who chose the military chief. Every clan had a distinctive way of
+painting the face, and the four women councilors and their man comrade
+wore on state occasions distinctive chaplets of wild flowers, leaves and
+grass.</p>
+
+<p>Much of this lore Henry and Shif'less Sol knew already and more they
+learned later. Now as they watched the impressive ceremonies they often
+divined what was to come.</p>
+
+<p>After the horseshoe was formed, forty-four women and eleven men in a
+compact body advanced to the inside of the circle. The women were mostly
+middle-aged, and they were better looking than the women of other
+tribes. Seen in the firelight they had primitive dignity and a
+wilderness majesty, that was brightened by the savage richness of their
+dress. They wore their hair in long dark braids, adorned by shells and
+small red and blue feathers. Their tunics, which fell nearly to the
+knee, were made of the finest dressed deerskin, fastened at the waist
+with belts of the same material, dyed red or blue. As they watched, the
+little beads on their leggings and moccasins tinkled and gave forth the
+colors of the firelight. The expression of all was one of great gravity
+and dignity. Here was the real senatorial body of the nation. Though
+they might not fight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> nor lead in war, they were the lawmakers of the
+Wyandots. Great deference was paid to them as they passed.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and Shif'less Sol, flattened in the dark against the side of a
+tepee, watched everything with eager interest. Henry, a keen observer
+and quick to draw inferences, had seen other but somewhat similar
+ceremonies among the Iroquois. Women had taken a part there also and
+some of them had the rank of chieftainess, but they were not predominant
+as they were among the Wyandots.</p>
+
+<p>The council of the eleven clans stopped in the center of the circle, and
+a silence, broken only by the crackling of the fires and the sputtering
+of the torches, came once more over the great assembly. But a thousand
+eager faces were turned toward them. The Shawnees and Miamis apparently
+had not yet moved, still standing in rows, every face an impenetrable
+bronze mask.</p>
+
+<p>The tall warrior of the clan of the Wolf who had made the signal for the
+ceremony now came forward again. His name was Atuetes (Long Claws) and
+he was at once the herald and sheriff of the nation. He superintended
+the erection of the Council House, and had charge of it afterwards. He
+called the council which met regularly on the night of the full moon,
+and at such other times as the Grand Sachem might direct. The present
+was an unusual meeting summoned for an unusual purpose, and owing to the
+uncommon interest in it, it was held in the open instead of in the
+Council House.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas, already by common consent and in action the Grand Sachem
+of the Wyandots, was now about to be formally invested with the double
+power of Grand Sachem and military chief. The clan of the Porcupine in
+which the military chieftainship was hereditary had willingly yielded it
+to Timmendiquas, whose surpassing fitness to meet the coming of the
+white man was so obvious to everybody.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Atuetes, the herald, advanced to the very center of the ring and shouted
+three times in loud, piercing tones:</p>
+
+<p>"Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the whole nation, with their guests the Shawnees and Miamis,
+uttered the name in one great cry. After that the deep breathless
+silence came again and the eager brown faces were bent yet further
+forward. Timmendiquas standing motionless hitherto at the head of his
+clan, the Bear, now walked forth alone. The shout suddenly rose again,
+and then died as quickly as before.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas had thrown aside his magnificent blue blanket, and he stood
+bare to the waist. The totem of the bear tattooed upon his chest shone
+in the firelight. His figure seemed to grow in height and to broaden.
+Never before in all the history and legends of the Wyandots had so
+mighty an honor been conferred upon so young a warrior. It was all the
+more amazing because his predominance was so great that none challenged
+it, and other great warriors were there.</p>
+
+<p>Among the famous chiefs who stood with the councilors or the clan were
+Dewatire (Lean Deer), Shayantsawat (Hard Skull), Harouyu (The Prowler),
+Tucae (Slow Walker), and Tadino (Always Hungry).</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas continued to walk slowly forward to the point, where the
+long row of the chieftainesses stood. He would not have been human had
+he not felt exaltation, and an immense pride as he faced the women, with
+the hundreds and hundreds of admiring eyes looking on. He came presently
+within a few feet of them and stopped. Then Ayajinta (Spotted Fawn), the
+tallest and most majestic of the women, stepped forward, holding in both
+hands a woven chaplet of flowers and grass. The entire circle was now
+lighted brilliantly by the fires and torches, and Henry and Shif'less
+Sol, although at a distance, saw well.</p>
+
+<p>Ayajinta, holding the chaplet in her outstretched hands,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> stood directly
+before Timmendiquas. She was a tall woman, but the chief towered nearly
+a head above her. Nevertheless her dignity was the equal of his and
+there was also much admiration in her looks.</p>
+
+<p>"Timmendiquas," she said, in tones so clearly that everyone could hear,
+"you have proved yourself both a great chief and a mighty warrior. For
+many moons now you have led the Wyandots on the war trail, and you have
+also been first among them in the Council House. You have gone with our
+warriors far toward the rising sun and by the side of the great kindred
+nation, the Iroquois, you have fought with your warriors against the
+Long Knives. After victory the Iroquois have seen their houses
+destroyed, but you and your warriors fought valiantly to defend them.</p>
+
+<p>"We, the women of the Wyandots, chosen to the council by the other
+women, the heads of the families, look upon you and admire you for your
+strength, your courage and your wisdom. Seldom does Manitou give so much
+to a single warrior, and, when he does give, then it is not so much for
+him as it is for the sake of his tribe."</p>
+
+<p>Ayajinta paused and the multitude uttered a deep "Hah!" which signified
+interest and approval. But Timmendiquas stood upright, unchanging eyes
+looking at her from the impenetrable brown mask.</p>
+
+<p>"So," she said, "O Timmendiquas, thou hast been chosen Grand Sachem of
+the Wyandots, and also the leader of the war chiefs. We give you the
+double crown. Wear it for your own glory, and yet more for the glory of
+the Wyandot nation."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas bent his lofty head and she put upon it the great flowery
+crown. Then as he raised his crowned head and looked proudly around the
+circle, a tremendous shout burst from the multitude. Once more they
+cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas!"</p>
+
+<p>Before the third utterance of the name had died, fifty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> young girls, the
+fairest of the tribe, dressed in tanned deerskin adorned with beads and
+feathers, streamed into the inner circle and began to dance before the
+great chief. Meanwhile they sang:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Behold the great Timmendiquas!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Mightiest of great chiefs,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Wisest of all in council,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">He leads the warriors to battle,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">He teaches the old men wisdom,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Timmendiquas, first of men.</span>
+</div>
+<div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Behold the great Timmendiquas!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">As strong as the oak on the mountain,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">As cunning as the wolf of the valley,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">He has fought beside the great Iroquois,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The Yengees flee at the sound of his name,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Timmendiquas, first of men.</span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then they joined hands and circled about him to a tune played by four
+men on whistles, made from the bones of eagles. The song died, and the
+girls flitted away so quickly through the outer ring that they were gone
+like shadows.</p>
+
+<p>Responsive as they were to wilderness life, the scene was making a
+mighty impression upon Henry and Shif'less Sol. With the firelight about
+him and the moonlight above him, the figure of Timmendiquas was
+magnified in every way. Recognized long since as the most redoubtable of
+red champions, he showed himself more formidable than ever.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd slowly dispersed, but Atuetes of the clan of the Hawk called a
+military council in the Council House. Timmendiquas, as became his rank,
+led the way, and the renegades, Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt, and Moses
+Blackstaffe were admitted. Inside the Council House, which was hung with
+skins and which much resembled those of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> Iroquois, the chiefs, after
+being called to order by Atuetes, the herald and sheriff, sat down in a
+circle, with Timmendiquas a little further forward than the others.</p>
+
+<p>Atuetes took a great trumpet-shaped pipe, lighted it with a coal that
+was burning in a small fire in a corner, and inhaled two whiffs of
+smoke. He breathed out the first whiff toward the heavens and the second
+toward the earth. He handed the pipe to Timmendiquas, who inhaled the
+smoke until his mouth was filled. Then, turning from left to right, he
+slowly puffed out the smoke over the heads of all the chiefs. When the
+circle was complete, he handed the pipe to the next chief on his left,
+who puffed out the smoke in the same manner. This was done gravely and
+in turn by every chief. Then the Grand Sachem, Timmendiquas, announced
+the great military subject for which they were called together, and they
+proceeded to discuss it.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI<br />
+<small>THE RUINED VILLAGE</small></h2>
+
+<p>The military council, presided over by Timmendiquas, sat long in the
+Council House, and about the moment it had concluded its labors, which
+was some time after midnight, Henry and Shif'less Sol skipped away from
+the village. Wyandot warriors had passed them several times in the
+darkness, but they had escaped close notice. Nevertheless, they were
+glad when they were once more among the trees. The forest had many
+dangers, but it also offered much shelter.</p>
+
+<p>They rejoined their comrades, slept heavily until daylight, and when
+they scouted again near the Wyandot village they found that Timmendiquas
+and his force were gone, probably having started at the dawn and
+marching swiftly. But they knew that they would have no trouble in
+finding so large a trail, and as long as they were in proximity of the
+village they traveled with great care. It was nearly night when they
+found the broad trail through the woods, leading north slightly by east.
+All five were now of the belief that the destination of the savages was
+Detroit, the British post, which, as a depot of supplies and a rallying
+point for the Indians, served the same purpose as Niagara and Oswego in
+the East. To Detroit, Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis, and all the others
+turned for weapons and ammunition. There went the renegades and there
+many Kentuckians, who had escaped the tomahawk or the stake, had been
+taken captive, including such famous men as Boone and Kenton. It was a
+name that inspired dread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> and hate on the border, but the five were full
+of eagerness to see it, and they hoped that the march of Timmendiquas
+would take them thither.</p>
+
+<p>"I hear they've got big forts thar," said Shif'less Sol, "but ef we
+don't lose our cunnin', an' I don't think we will, we five kin spy among
+'em an' read thar secrets."</p>
+
+<p>"There are many white men at Detroit," said Henry, "and I've no doubt
+that we can slip in among them without being detected. Tories and
+renegades who are strangers to the British officers at Detroit must be
+continually arriving there. In that lies our chance."</p>
+
+<p>Later in the night they approached the Wyandot camp, but they did not
+dare to go very close, as they saw that it was everywhere guarded
+carefully and that but few lights were burning. They slept in the woods
+two or three miles away, and the next day they followed the trail as
+before. Thus the northward march went on for several days, the great
+White Lightning of the Wyandots and his warriors moving swiftly, and
+Henry and his comrades keeping the same pace six or seven miles in the
+rear.</p>
+
+<p>They advanced through country that none of the five had ever seen
+before, but it was a beautiful land that appealed alike to the eye and
+ear of the forest runner. It was not inferior to Kentucky, and in
+addition it had many beautiful little lakes. Game, however, was not
+abundant as here were the villages of the Indian tribes, and the forests
+were hunted more. But the five found deer and buffalo sufficient for
+their needs, although they took great risks when they fired. Once the
+shot was heard by a detachment of the Shawnees who also were after game,
+and they were trailed for a long time, but when night came they shook
+them off, and the next morning they followed Timmendiquas, as usual,
+though at a much greater distance.</p>
+
+<p>Their escape in this instance had been so easy that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> took enjoyment
+from it, but they prudently resolved to retain their present great
+distance in the rear. The trail could not be lost and the danger would
+be less. The course that Timmendiquas maintained also led steadily on
+toward Detroit, and they felt so sure now of his destination that they
+even debated the advisability of passing ahead of the column, in order
+to reach the neighborhood of Detroit before him. But they decided
+finally in the negative, and maintained their safe distance in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>As they continued northward the Indian signs increased. Twice they
+crossed the trails of Indian hunting parties, and at last they came to a
+deserted village. Either it had been abandoned because of warfare or to
+escape an unhealthy location, but the five examined it with great
+curiosity. Many of the lodges built of either poles or birch bark were
+still standing, with fragments of useless and abandoned household goods
+here and there. Paul found in one of the lodges a dried scalp with long
+straight hair, but, obeying a sensitive impulse he hid it from the
+others, thrusting it between two folds of the birch bark.</p>
+
+<p>They also found fragments of arrows and broken bows. The path leading
+down to a fine spring was not yet overgrown with grass, and they
+inferred from it that the Indians had not been gone many months. There
+was also an open space showing signs of cultivation. Evidently maize and
+melons had grown there.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder why they went away?" said Long Jim to Shif'less Sol. "You've
+made two guesses&mdash;unhealthiness or danger from Injuns. Now this site
+looks purty good to me, an' the Injun tribes up here are generally
+friendly with one another."</p>
+
+<p>"Them's only guesses," said Sol, "an' we'll never know why. But I take
+it that Delawares lived here. This is just about thar country. Mebbe
+they've gone North to be near Detroit, whar the arms an' supplies are."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Likely enough," said Henry, "but suppose we populate this village for
+to-night. It looks as if rain were coming on, and none of us is fond of
+sleeping out in the wet."</p>
+
+<p>"You're talkin' wisdom," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think we kin find a
+place in the big wigwam over thar that looks like a Council House."</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to a rough structure of bark and poles, with a dilapidated
+roof and walls, but in better state of preservation than any of the
+wigwams, probably because it had been built stronger. They entered it
+and found that it originally had a floor of bark, some portions of which
+remained, and there was enough area of sound roof and walls to shelter
+them from the rain. They were content and with dry bark beneath them and
+on all sides of them they disposed themselves for the night.</p>
+
+<p>It yet lacked an hour or so of sunset, but the heavy clouds already
+created a twilight, and the wind began to moan through the forest,
+bringing with it a cold rain that made a monotonous and desolate patter
+on leaves and grass. The comrades were glad enough now of their shelter
+in the abandoned Council House. They had made at Pittsburg a purchase
+which conduced greatly to their comfort, that is, a pair of exceedingly
+light but warm blankets for everyone&mdash;something of very high quality.
+They always slept between these, the under blankets fending off the cold
+that rose from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Now they lay, dry and warm against the wall of the old Council House,
+and listened to the steady drip, drip of the rain on the roof, and
+through the holes in the roof upon the floor. But it did not reach them.
+They were not sleepy, and they talked of many things, but as the
+twilight came on and the thick clouds still hovered, the abandoned
+village took on a ghostly appearance. Nearly all the wall opposite that
+against which they lay was gone, and, as it faced the larger part of the
+village, they could see the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> ruined wigwams and the skeleton frames that
+had been used for drying game. Out of the forest came the long lonesome
+howl of a wolf, some ragged, desolate creature that had not yet found
+shelter with his kind. The effect upon everyone was instantaneous and
+the same. This flight from the Indians and the slaying of the great
+hound by Tom Ross with his silver bullet came back in vivid colors.</p>
+
+<p>But the howl was not repeated and the steady drip of the cold rain
+remained unbroken. It gathered finally in little puddles on the floor
+not far from them, but their own corner remained dry and impervious.
+They noticed these things little, however, as the mystic and ghostly
+effect of the village was deepening. Seen through the twilight and the
+rain it was now but a phantom. Henry's mind, always so sensitive to the
+things of the forest, repeopled it. From under his drooping lids he saw
+the warriors coming in from the hunt or the chase, the women tanning
+skins or curing game, and the little Indian boys practicing with bows
+and arrows. He felt a sort of sympathy for them in this wild life, a
+life that he knew so well and that he had lived himself. But he came
+quickly out of his waking dream, because his acute ear had heard
+something not normal moving in the forest. He straightened up and his
+hand slid to the breech of his rifle. He listened for a few minutes and
+then glanced at Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"Someone comes our way," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Shif'less Sol, "but it ain't more'n two or three. Thar, you
+kin hear the footsteps ag'in, an' their bodies brushing ag'in' the wet
+bushes."</p>
+
+<p>"Three at the utmost," said Henry, "so we'll sit here and wait."</p>
+
+<p>It was not necessary to tell them to be ready with their weapons. That
+was a matter of course with every borderer in such moments. So the five
+remained perfectly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> still in a sitting position, every one with his back
+pressed against the bark wall, a blanket wrapped around his figure, and
+a cocked rifle resting upon his knees. They were so quick that in the
+darkness and falling rain they might have passed for so many Indian
+mummies, had it not been for the long slender-barreled rifles and their
+threatening muzzles.</p>
+
+<p>Yet nobody could have been more alert than they. Five pairs of trained
+ears listened for every sound that rose above the steady drip of the
+rain, five pairs of eyes, uncommonly keen in their keenness, watched the
+bushes whence the first faint signals of approach had come. Now they
+heard more distinctly that brushing of clothing against the bushes, and
+then a muttered oath or two. Evidently the strangers were white men,
+perhaps daring hunters who were not afraid to enter the very heart of
+the Indian country. Nevertheless the hands still remained on their
+rifles and the muzzles still bore on the point whence the sounds came.</p>
+
+<p>Three white men, dripping with rain, emerged from the forest. They were
+clad in garb, half civilized and half that of the hunter. All were well
+armed and deeply tanned by exposure, but the attention of the five was
+instantly concentrated upon the first of the strangers, a young man of
+medium height, but of the most extraordinary ugliness. His skin, even
+without the tan, would have been very dark. His eyes, narrow and
+oblique, were almost Oriental in cast and his face was disfigured by a
+hideous harelip. The whole effect was sinister to the last degree, but
+Henry and his comrades were fair enough to credit it to a deformity of
+nature and not to a wicked soul behind. The two with him were a little
+older. They were short, thickly built, and without anything unusual in
+their appearance.</p>
+
+<p>The three strangers were dripping with water and when they came into the
+abandoned village they stood for a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> moments talking together. Then
+their eyes began to roam around in search of shelter.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll be coming this way soon," whispered Henry to Paul, "because
+it's about the only place large enough to keep three men dry."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they'll come here," Paul whispered back; "now I wonder who
+and what they are."</p>
+
+<p>Henry did not reply and the five remained as motionless as ever, five
+dusky figures in a row, sitting on the bark floor, and leaning against
+the bark wall. But every sense in them was acutely alive, and they
+watched the strangers look into one ruined lodge after another. None
+offered sufficient shelter and gradually they came toward the Council
+House. Always the man with the harelip and ugly face led. Henry watched
+him closely. The twilight and the rain did not allow any very clear view
+of him, just enough to disclose that his face was hideous and sinister.
+But Henry had a singularly clear mind and he tried to trace the
+malignant impression to the fact of physical ugliness, unwilling to do
+injury, even in thought merely, to anyone.</p>
+
+<p>At last the eyes of the three alighted upon the old Council House, and
+they came forward quickly toward the open end. They were about to enter,
+but they saw the five figures against the wall and stopped abruptly. The
+man with the harelip bent forward and gazed at them. Henry soon saw by
+the expression of his face that he knew they were no mummies. He now
+thrust his rifle forward and his hand slipped down toward the trigger.
+Then Henry spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in," he said quickly; "we are white like yourselves, and we claim
+no exclusive rights to this Council House, which is about the only real
+shelter left in the Indian town. We are hunters and scouts."</p>
+
+<p>"So are we," said the man with the harelip, speaking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> grammatically and
+with a fair degree of courtesy. "We are hardened to the wilderness, but
+we are thankful for the shelter which you seem to have found before us."</p>
+
+<p>"There is room for all," said Henry. "You will observe the large dry
+place at the south end. The bark floor there is solid and no matter how
+the wind blows the rain cannot reach you."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll use it," said the ugly man, and now his teeth began to chatter,
+"but I confess that I need more than mere shelter. The rain and cold
+have entered my system, and I shall suffer severely unless we have a
+fire. Is it not possible to build one here near the center of the
+Council House? The dry bark will feed it, until it is strong enough to
+take hold of the wet wood."</p>
+
+<p>"It is the Indian country," said Henry, and yet he pitied him of the
+harelip.</p>
+
+<p>"I know," replied the man, "I know too that all the tribes are on the
+war path, and that they are exceedingly bitter against us. My name is
+Holdsworth, and I am from Connecticut. These are my men, Fowler and
+Perley, also from the East. We're not altogether hunters, as we have
+seen service in the Eastern army, and we are now scouting toward Detroit
+with the intention of carrying back news about the British and Indian
+power there. But I feel that I must light the fire, despite all Indian
+danger."</p>
+
+<p>He shook violently and Henry again felt sorry for him. So did the rest
+of the five. These three had become their comrades for the night, and it
+would not be fair to prevent the fire that the man so evidently needed.</p>
+
+<p>"We can see that what you say is true," said Henry, "and we'll help you
+kindle a blaze. These friends of mine are Tom Ross, Jim Hart, Solomon
+Hyde, and Paul Cotter. My own name is Henry Ware."</p>
+
+<p>He saw the ugly man start a little, and then smile in a way that made
+his disfigured lip more hideous than ever.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I've heard the names," said the stranger. "The woods are immense, but
+there are not many of us, and those of marked qualities soon become
+known. It seems to me that I've heard you were at Wyoming and the
+Chemung."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Henry, "we were at both places. But since we're going to
+have a fire, it's best that we have it as soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>They fell to work with flint and steel on the dry bark. The two men,
+Fowler and Perley, had said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Not especially bright," said Holdsworth to Henry in a whisper, as he
+nodded toward them, "but excellent foresters and very useful in the work
+that I have to do."</p>
+
+<p>"You can't always tell a man by his looks," replied Henry in the same
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>It was not a difficult matter to light the fire. They scraped off the
+inside of the bark until they accumulated a little heap of tinder. It
+was ignited with a few sparks of the flint and steel, and then the bark
+too caught fire. After that they had nothing to do but feed the flames
+which grew and grew, casting a luminous red glare in every corner of the
+old Council House. Then it was so strong that it readily burned the wet
+bark from the dismantled lodges near by.</p>
+
+<p>The cold rain still came down steadily and the night, thick and dark,
+had settled over the forest. Henry and his comrades were bound to
+confess that the fire was a vivid core of cheer and comfort. It thrust
+out a grateful heat, the high flames danced, and the coals, red and
+yellow, fell into a great glowing heap. Holdsworth, Fowler and Perley
+took off nearly all their clothing, dried their bodies, and then their
+wet garments. Holdsworth ceased to shiver, and while Fowler and Perley
+still fed the fire, the five resumed their places against the wall,
+their rifles again lying across their knees, a forest precaution so
+customary that no one could take exception to it. Apparently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> they
+dozed, but they were nevertheless wide awake. Holdsworth and his men
+reclothed themselves in their dry raiment, and when they finished the
+task, Henry said:</p>
+
+<p>"We've three kinds of dried meat, venison, bear and buffalo, and you can
+take your choice, one kind, two kinds, or all kinds."</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you, sir," said Holdsworth, "but we also carry a plentiful
+supply of provisions in our knapsacks, and we have partaken freely of
+them. We are now dry, and there is nothing else for us to do but sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we had better put out the fire," said Henry. "As we agreed before,
+we're in the heart of the Indian country, and we do not wish to send up
+a beacon that will bring the savages down upon us."</p>
+
+<p>But Holdsworth demurred.</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians themselves would not be abroad on such a night," he said.
+"There can be no possible danger of an attack by them, and I suggest
+that we keep it burning. Then we will be all the stronger and warmer in
+the morning."</p>
+
+<p>Henry was about to say something, but he changed his mind and said
+something else.</p>
+
+<p>"Let it burn, then," he acquiesced. "The flame is hidden on three sides
+anyhow and, as you say, the savages themselves will keep under cover
+now. Perhaps, Mr. Holdsworth, as you have come from the East since we
+have, you can tell us about our future there."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a great deal," replied the man, "but I fear that we are not
+prospering greatly. Our armies are weak. Although their country is
+ruined, war parties under Brant came down from the British forts, and
+ravaged the Mohawk valley anew. 'Tis said by many that the Americans
+cannot hold out much longer against the forces of the king."</p>
+
+<p>"Your words coming from a great patriot are discouraging," said Henry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is because I cannot make them otherwise," replied Holdsworth.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, from under the edge of his cap, again examined him critically.
+Holdsworth and his men were reclining against the bark wall in the
+second largest dry spot, not more than ten feet away. The man was ugly,
+extremely ugly beyond a doubt, and in the glow of the firelight he
+seemed more sinister than ever. Yet the young forest runner tried once
+more to be fair. He recalled all of Holdsworth's good points. The man
+had spoken in a tone of sincerity, and he had been courteous. He had not
+said or done anything offensive. If he was discouraged over the patriot
+cause, it was because he could not help it.</p>
+
+<p>While Henry studied him, there was a silence for a little space.
+Meantime the rain increased in volume, but it came straight down, making
+a steady, droning sound that was not unpleasant. The heavy darkness
+moved up to the very door of the old Council House, and, despite the
+fire, the forest beyond was invisible. Holdsworth was still awake, but
+the two men with him seemed to doze. Shif'less Sol was also watching
+Holdsworth with keen and anxious eyes, but he left the talk to his young
+comrade, their acknowledged leader.</p>
+
+<p>"You know," said Henry at length, "that some great movement among the
+Indians is on foot."</p>
+
+<p>Holdsworth stirred a little against the bark wall, and it seemed to
+Henry that a new eagerness came into his eyes. But he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"No, I have not heard of it yet. You are ahead of me there. But the
+Indians and British at Detroit are always plotting something against us.
+What particular news do you have?"</p>
+
+<p>"That Timmendiquas, the Wyandot, the greatest of the western chiefs,
+accompanied by the head chiefs of the Shawnees and Miamis, and a body of
+chosen warriors is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> marching to Detroit. We have been following them,
+and they are now not more than twenty-five or thirty miles ahead of us.
+I take it that there will be a great council at Detroit, composed of the
+British, the Tories, the Western Indians with Timmendiquas at their
+head, and perhaps also the Iroquois and other Eastern Indians with
+Thayendanegea leading them. The point of attack will be the settlements
+in Kentucky. If the allied forces are successful the tomahawk and the
+scalping knife will spare none. Doesn't the prospect fill you with
+horror, Mr. Holdsworth?"</p>
+
+<p>Holdsworth shaded his face with his hand, and replied slowly:</p>
+
+<p>"It does inspire fear, but perhaps the English and Indian leaders will
+be merciful. These are great matters of which you tell me, Mr. Ware. I
+had heard some vague reports, but yours are the first details to reach
+me. Perhaps if we work together we can obtain information that will be
+of great service to the settlements."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," said Henry, and then he relapsed into silence. Holdsworth
+remained silent too and gazed into the fire, but Henry saw that his
+thoughts were elsewhere. A long time passed and no one spoke. The fire
+had certainly added much to the warmth and comfort of the old house.
+They were all tired with long marches, and the steady droning sound of
+the rain, which could not reach them, was wonderfully soothing. The
+figures against the bark walls relaxed, and, as far as the human eye
+could see, they dropped asleep one by one, the five on one side and the
+three on the other.</p>
+
+<p>The fire, well fed in the beginning, burned for two or three hours, but
+after awhile it begun to smolder, and sent up a long thin column of
+smoke. The rain came lighter and then ceased entirely. The clouds parted
+in the center as if they had been slashed across by a sword blade, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>
+then rolled away to left and right. The heavens became a silky blue, and
+the stars sprang out in sparkling groups.</p>
+
+<p>It was past midnight when Holdsworth moved slightly, like one half
+awakening from a deep sleep. But his elbow touched the man Fowler, and
+he said a few words to him in a whisper. Then he sank back into his
+relaxed position, and apparently was asleep again. Fowler himself did
+not move for at least ten minutes. Then he arose, slipped out of the
+Council House, and returned with a great armful of wet leaves, which he
+put gently upon the fire. Quickly and quietly he sank back into his old
+position by the wall.</p>
+
+<p>Dense smoke came from the coals and heap of leaves, but it rose in a
+strong spire and passed out through the broken part of the roof, the
+great hole there creating a draught. It rose high and in the night, now
+clear and beautiful, it could be seen afar. Yet all the eight&mdash;five on
+one side and three on the other&mdash;seemed to be sound asleep once more.</p>
+
+<p>The column of smoke thickened and rose higher into the sky, and
+presently the man Fowler was at work again. Rising and stepping, with
+wonderful lightness for a thick-set heavy man, he spread his open
+blanket over the smoke, and then quickly drew it away. He repeated the
+operation at least twenty times and at least twenty great coiling rings
+of smoke arose, sailing far up into the blue sky, and then drifting away
+over the forest, until they were lost in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>Fowler folded the blanket again, but he did not resume his place against
+the wall. Holdsworth and Perley rose lightly and joined him. Then the
+three gazed intently at the five figures on the other side of the smoke.
+Not one of them stirred. So far as the three could see, the five were
+buried in the most profound slumber.</p>
+
+<p>Holdsworth made a signal and the three, their rifles in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> the hollows of
+their arms, glided from the Council House and into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they were lost in the darkness, Henry Ware sprang to his
+feet, alive in every nerve and fiber, and tingling with eagerness.</p>
+
+<p>"Up; up, boys!" he cried. "Those three men are Tories or English, and
+they are coming back with the savages. The rings of smoke made the
+signal to their friends. But we'll beat them at their own trick."</p>
+
+<p>All were on their feet in an instant&mdash;in fact, only Jim Hart and Paul
+had fallen asleep&mdash;and they ran silently into the forest in a direction
+opposite to that which the three had chosen. But they did not go far. At
+Henry's whispered signal, they sank down among some dense bushes where
+they could lie hidden, and yet see all that passed at the Council House.
+The water from the bushes that they had moved dropped upon them, but
+they did not notice it. Nor did they care either that the spire of smoke
+still rose through the roof of the old Council House. Five pairs of
+uncommonly keen eyes were watching the forest to see their enemies come
+forth.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw the fellow make the big smoke," said Shif'less Sol, "but I knowed
+that you saw, too. So I jest waited till you give the word, Henry."</p>
+
+<p>"I wanted them to go through to the end with it," replied Henry. "If we
+had stopped the man when he was bringing in the leaves he might have
+made some sort of excuse, and we should have had no proof at all against
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"Them's false names they gave o' course."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. It is likely that the man who called himself Holdsworth is
+somebody of importance. His manner indicated it. How ugly that
+harelipped fellow was!"</p>
+
+<p>"How long do you think it will be before they come back?" asked
+Shif'less Sol.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Not long. The Indian force could not have been more than a mile or so
+away, or they would not have relied on smoke signals in the night. It
+will be only a short wait, Sol, until we see something interesting. Now
+I wish I knew that harelipped man!"</p>
+
+<p>Henry and his comrades could have slipped away easily in the darkness,
+but they had no mind to do so. Theirs was a journey of discovery, and,
+since here was an opportunity to do what they wished, they would not
+avoid it, no matter how great the risk. So they waited patiently. The
+forest still dripped water, but they had seldom seen the skies a
+brighter blue at night. The spire of smoke showed against it sharp and
+clear, as if it had been day. In the brilliant moonlight the ruined
+village assumed another ghostly phase. All the rugged outlines of
+half-fallen tepees were silvered and softened. Henry, with that
+extraordinary sensitiveness of his to nature and the wilderness, felt
+again the mysticism and unreality of this place, once inhabited by man
+and now given back to the forest. In another season or two the last
+remnant of bark would disappear, the footpaths would be grown up with
+bushes, and the wild animals would roam there unafraid.</p>
+
+<p>All these thoughts passed like a succession of mental flashes through
+the mind of the forest dreamer&mdash;and a dreamer he was, a poet of the
+woods&mdash;as he waited there for what might be, and what probably would be,
+a tragedy. But as these visions flitted past there was no relaxation of
+his vigilance. It was he who first heard the slight swishing sound of
+the bushes on the far side of the Council House; it was he who first
+heard the light tread of an approaching moccasin, and it was he who
+first saw the ugly harelipped face of a white man appear at the forest
+edge. Then all saw, and slow, cold anger rose in five breasts at the
+treacherous trick.</p>
+
+<p>Behind the harelipped man appeared Perley and Fowler,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> and six savage
+warriors, armed fully, and coated thickly with war paint. Now Henry knew
+that the sinister effect of Holdsworth's face was not due wholly to his
+harelip, and the ugliness of all his features. He was glad in a way
+because he had not done the man injustice.</p>
+
+<p>The three white men and the six Indians waited a long time at the edge
+of the woods. They were using both eye and ear to tell if the five in
+the old Council House slept soundly. The fire now gave forth nothing but
+smoke, and they could not see clearly into the depths. They must come
+nearer if they would make sure of their victims. They advanced slowly
+across the open, their weapons ready. All the idealist was gone from
+Henry now. They had taken these three men into what was then their
+house; they had been warmed and dried by their fire, and now they came
+back to kill. He watched them slip across the open space, and he saw in
+the moonlight that their faces were murderous, the white as bad as the
+red.</p>
+
+<p>The band reached the end of the Council House and looked in, uttering
+low cries of disappointment when they saw nothing there. None of the
+five ever knew whether they had waited there for the purpose of giving
+battle to the raiding band, but at this moment Paul moved a little in
+order to get a better view, and a bush rustled under his incautious
+moccasin. One of the savages heard it, gave a warning cry, and in an
+instant the whole party threw themselves flat upon the earth, with the
+wall of the Council House between themselves and that point in the
+forest from which the sound had come. Silence and invisibility followed,
+yet the forest battle was on.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII<br />
+<small>THE TAKING OF HENRY</small></h2>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry my foot slipped," whispered Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you worry, Paul," Henry whispered back. "We're as anxious to meet
+them as they are to meet us. If they are willing to stay and have the
+argument out, we're willing to give them something to think about."</p>
+
+<p>"An' I'd like to get a shot at that harelipped villain," interjected
+Shif'less Sol. "I'd give him somethin' he wouldn't furgit."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose we move a little to the right," said Henry. "They've noted the
+direction from which the sound came, and they may send a bullet into the
+bushes here."</p>
+
+<p>They crept quietly to the right, a distance of perhaps ten yards; and
+they soon found the precaution to be a wise one, as a crack came from
+the forest, and a bullet cut the twigs where they had lately been.
+Shif'less Sol sent a return bullet at the flash of the rifle and they
+heard a suppressed cry.</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't do to be too keerless," said the shiftless one in a
+contented tone as he reloaded his rifle. "Whoever fired that shot ought
+to hev known that something would come back to him."</p>
+
+<p>Several more bullets came from the forest, and now they cut the bushes
+close by, but the comrades lay flat upon the ground and all passed over
+their heads.</p>
+
+<p>After Shif'less Sol's single shot they did not return the fire for the
+present, but continued to move slowly to the right. Thus a full half
+hour passed without a sign from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> either side. Meanwhile a wind, slowly
+rising, was blowing so steadily that all the trees and bushes were
+drying fast.</p>
+
+<p>Neither Henry nor his comrades could now tell just where their enemies
+were, but they believed that the hostile band had also been circling
+about the open space in which the ruined village stood. They felt sure
+that the Indians and the three white men would not go away. The Indians
+were never keener for scalps than they were that year, and with a force
+of nearly two to one they would not decline a combat, even if it were
+not the surprise that they had expected.</p>
+
+<p>"We may stay here until daylight," whispered Henry. "They are now sure
+we're not going to run away, and with the sunrise they may think that
+they will have a better chance at us."</p>
+
+<p>"If the daylight finds them here, it will find us too," said Shif'less
+Sol. They shifted around a little further, and presently another shot
+was fired from a point opposite them in the forest. Henry sent a bullet
+in return, but there was nothing to indicate whether it had struck a
+foe. Then ensued another long silence which was broken at last by a shot
+from the interior of the old Council House. It was sent at random into
+the bushes, but the bullet cut the leaves within an inch of Henry's
+face, and they grew exceedingly cautious. Another bullet soon whistled
+near them, and they recognized the fact that the Indians who had
+succeeded in creeping into the Council House had secured an advantage.</p>
+
+<p>But they succeeded in keeping themselves covered sufficiently to escape
+any wounds, and, turning a thought over in his mind, Henry said:</p>
+
+<p>"Sol, don't you think that this wind which has been blowing for hours
+has dried things out a good deal?"</p>
+
+<p>"It shorely has," answered Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"And you have noticed, too, Sol, that we are now at a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> point where the
+old village touches the forest? You can reach out your hand and put it
+on that ruined wigwam, can't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I kin shorely do it, Henry."</p>
+
+<p>"You have noticed also, Sol, that the wind, already pretty fair, is
+rising, and that it is blowing directly from us against the old Council
+House in which some of the savages are, and across to the forest at the
+point where we are certain that the rest of the enemy lie."</p>
+
+<p>"Sounds like good and true reasonin' to me, an eddicated man, Henry."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you and I will get to work with our flint and steel and set this
+old wigwam afire. It's still high enough to shelter ourselves behind it,
+and I think we ought to do the task in two or three minutes. Tom, you
+and Paul and Jim cover us with your rifles."</p>
+
+<p>"Henry, you shorely hev a great head," said Sol, "an' this looks to me
+like payin' back to a man what belongs to him. That harelipped scoundrel
+and his fellows warmed by our fire in the Council House, and now we'll
+jest give 'em notice that thar's another warmin'."</p>
+
+<p>Lying almost flat upon their faces they worked hard with the flint and
+steel, and in a minute or two a little spark of light leaped up. It laid
+hold of the thin, dry bark at the edge of the old wigwam and blazed up
+with extraordinary rapidity. Then the flames sprang to the next wigwam.
+It, too, was quickly enveloped, and the bark cracked as they ate into
+it. Not even the soaking given by the rain offered any effective
+resistance.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and Shif'less Sol put away their flint and steel and quickly
+slipped into the bushes whence they looked with admiration at the work
+of their hands. The lodges were burning far faster than they had
+expected. All the old Indian village would soon go, and now they watched
+attentively the Council House where the sharpshooters lay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> Meanwhile
+several shots were fired from the forest without effect and the five
+merely lay close, biding their time.</p>
+
+<p>The flames made a great leap and caught the Council House. It burned so
+fast that it seemed to be enveloped all at once, and three men, two red
+and one white burst from it, rushing toward the forest. Henry and his
+comrades could easily have shot down all three, but Silent Tom Ross was
+the only one who pulled a trigger and he picked the white man. At the
+crack of his rifle the fugitive fell. By the flare of the flames Henry
+caught a glimpse of his face and saw that it was Perley. He fell just at
+the edge of the forest, but where the fire would not reach him.</p>
+
+<p>The village was now a mass of flames. The whole open space was lighted
+up brilliantly, and the sparks flew in myriads. Ashes and burning
+fragments carried by the wind fell thickly through the forest. The vivid
+flare penetrated the forest itself and the five men saw their foes
+crouching in the bushes. They advanced, using all the skill of those to
+whom the wilderness is second nature and a battle from tree to tree
+ensued. The five were more than a match for the eight who were now
+against them. The man who had passed as Fowler was quickly wounded in
+the shoulder, the harelipped leader himself had his cap shot from his
+head, and one of the Indians was slain. Then they took to flight, and,
+after a pursuit of some distance, the five returned toward the village,
+where the flames were now dying down.</p>
+
+<p>Paul had been flicked across the hand by a bullet and Jim Hart shook two
+bullets out of his clothing, but they were practically unhurt and it was
+their object now to see the man Perley, who had been left at the edge of
+the forest. By the time they reached the open where the village had
+stood, the day was fully come. The Council House had fallen in and the
+poles and fragments of bark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> smoked on the ground. Nothing was left of
+the wigwam but ashes which the wind picked up and whirled about. The
+wounded man lay on his side and it was quite evident that his hurt was
+mortal, but his look became one of terror when the five came up.</p>
+
+<p>"We do not mean to hurt you," said Henry; "we will make it as easy for
+you as we can."</p>
+
+<p>"And the others," gasped the man. "You have beaten them in the battle,
+and they have fled, the Colonel with them."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Henry, "they are gone, and with them Colonel&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>The man looked up and smiled faintly. At the edge of death he read
+Henry's mind. He knew that he wished to obtain the name of the
+harelipped man and, sincere enemy of his own people though Perley was,
+he no longer had any objection to telling.</p>
+
+<p>"Prop me up against that tree trunk," he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>Henry did so, and Paul brought some water from the spring in his cap.
+The man drank and seemed a little stronger.</p>
+
+<p>"You're better to me perhaps than I'd have been to you if it had been
+the other way round," he said, "an' I might as well tell you that the
+man with the harelip was Colonel Bird, a British officer, who is most
+active against your settlements, and who has become a great leader among
+the Indians. He's arranging now with the people at Detroit to strike you
+somewhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm sorry my bullet didn't find him instead of you," said Tom
+Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," said the man with a faint attempt at humor.</p>
+
+<p>Paul, who had been trying to remember, suddenly spoke up.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard of that man when we were in the East," he said. "He fell in
+love with a girl at Oswego or some other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> of the British posts, and she
+rejected him because he was so ugly and had a hare lip. Then he seemed
+to have a sort of madness and ever since he's been leading expeditions
+of the Indians against our settlements."</p>
+
+<p>"It's true," said Perley, "he's the man that you're talking about and
+he's mad about shedding blood. He's drumming up the Indian forces
+everywhere. His&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Perley stopped suddenly and coughed. His face became ghastly pale, and
+then his head fell over sideways on his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"He's dead," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I'm sorry, too, Tom, that your
+bullet didn't hit Colonel Bird 'stead o' him."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think," asked Paul, "that they are likely to come back and
+attack us?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Henry, "they've had enough. Besides they can't attack us
+in broad daylight. Look how open the forest is. We'd be sure to see them
+long before they could get within rifle shot."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Paul, "let's bury Perley before we go on. I don't like to
+think of a white man lying here in the forest to be devoured by wild
+beasts, even if he did try to kill us."</p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol heartily seconded Paul's suggestion, and soon it was done.
+They had no spades with which to dig a grave for Perley's body, but they
+built over him a little cairn of fallen timber, sufficient to protect
+him from the wolves and bears, and then prepared to march anew.</p>
+
+<p>But they took a last look at the large open space in which the abandoned
+Indian village had stood. Nothing was left there but ashes and dying
+coals. Not a fragment of the place was standing. But they felt that it
+was better for it to be so. If man had left, then the forest should
+resume its complete sway. The grass and the bushes would now cover it up
+all the more quickly. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> they shouldered their rifles and went ahead,
+never looking back once.</p>
+
+<p>The morning was quite cool. It was only the second week in April, the
+spring having come out early bringing the buds and the foliage with it,
+but in the variable climate of the great valley they might yet have
+freezing and snow. They had left Pittsburg in the winter, but they were
+long on the way, making stops at two or three settlements on the
+southern shore of the Ohio, and also going on long hunts. At another
+time they had been stopped two weeks by the great cold which froze the
+surface of the river from bank to bank. Thus it was the edge of spring
+and the forests were green, when they turned up the tributary river, and
+followed in the trail of Timmendiquas.</p>
+
+<p>Now they noticed this morning as they advanced that it was growing quite
+cold again. They had also come so much further North that the spring was
+less advanced than on the Ohio. Before noon a little snow was flying,
+but they did not mind it. It merely whipped their blood and seemed to
+give them new strength for their dangerous venture. But Henry was
+troubled. He was sorry that they had not seen an enemy in the man Bird
+whose name was to become an evil one on the border. But how were they to
+know? It is true that he could now, with the aid of the dead man's story
+recall something about Bird and his love affair, his disappointment
+which seemed to have given him a perfect mania for bloodshed. But again
+how were they to know?</p>
+
+<p>They pressed on with increased speed, as they knew that Timmendiquas,
+owing to their delay at the abandoned village must now be far ahead. The
+broad trail was found easily, and they also kept a sharp watch for that
+of Bird and his band which they felt sure would join it soon. But when
+night came there was no sign of Bird and his men. Doubtless they had
+taken another course, with another ob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>ject in view. Henry was greatly
+perplexed. He feared that Bird meant deep mischief, and he should have
+liked to have followed him, but the main task was to follow
+Timmendiquas, and they could not turn aside from it.</p>
+
+<p>They would have traveled all that night, but the loss of sleep the night
+before, and the strain of the combat compelled them to take rest about
+the twilight hour. The night winds were sharp with chill, and they
+missed the bark shelter that the ruined Council House had given them. As
+they crouched in the bushes with their blankets about them and ate cold
+venison, they were bound to regret what they had lost.</p>
+
+<p>"Still I like this country," said Jim Hart. "It looks kinder firm an'
+strong ez ef you could rely on it. Then I want to see the big lakes. We
+come pretty nigh to one uv them that time we went up the Genesee Valley
+an' burned the Iroquois towns, but we didn't quite git thar. Cur'us so
+much fresh water should be put here in a string uv big lakes on our
+continent."</p>
+
+<p>"And the Canadian <i>voyageurs</i> say there are big lakes, too, away up
+in Canada that no white man has ever seen, but of which they hear from the
+Indians," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon it's true," said Jim Hart, "'cause this is an almighty big
+continent, an' an almighty fine one. I ain't s'prised at nothin' now. I
+didn't believe thar wuz any river ez big ez the Missip, until I saw it,
+an' thar ain't no tellin' what thar is out beyond the Missip, all the
+thousands uv miles to the Pacific. I'd shorely like to live a thousand
+years with you fellers an' tramp 'roun' and see it all. It would be
+almighty fine."</p>
+
+<p>"But I wouldn't like to be spendin' all that thousan' years tryin' to
+keep my scalp on top o' my head," said Shif'less Sol. "It would be
+pow'ful wearin' on a lazy man like me."</p>
+
+<p>Thus they talked as the twilight deepened into the night. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>The feel of
+the North was in them all. Their minds kindled at the thought of the
+vast lakes that lay beyond and of the great forest, stretching, for all
+they knew, thousands of miles to the great ocean. The bushes and their
+blankets protected them from the cold winds, and it was so dark that no
+enemy could trail them to their lair. Moreover the five were there,
+intact, and they had the company of one another to cheer.</p>
+
+<p>"I imagine," said Paul, "that Timmendiquas and the officers at Detroit
+will make this the biggest raid that they have ever yet planned against
+Kentucky."</p>
+
+<p>"By surprise an' numbers they may win victories here an' thar," said
+Shif'less Sol, "but they'll never beat us. When people git rooted in the
+ground you jest can't drive 'em away or kill 'em out. Our people will
+take root here, too, an' everywhar the Injuns, the British an' the
+Tories will have to go."</p>
+
+<p>"An' as our people ain't come up here yet, we've got to look out for our
+scalps before the rootin' season comes," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"An' that's as true as Gospel," said Shif'less Sol, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>After that they spoke little more, but they drew and matted the thick
+bushes over their heads in such manner that the chill winds were turned
+aside. Beneath were the dry leaves of last year which they had raked up
+into couches, and thus, every man with a blanket beneath and another
+above him, they did not care how the wind blew. They were as snug as
+bears in their lairs, but despite the darkness of the night and the
+exceeding improbability of anyone finding them both Henry and Tom Ross
+lay awake and watched. The others slept peacefully, and the two
+sentinels could hear their easy breathing only a few feet away.</p>
+
+<p>In the night Henry began to grow uneasy. Once or twice he thought he
+heard cries like the hoot of the owl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> or the howl of the wolf, but they
+were so far away that he was uncertain. Both hoot and howl might be a
+product of the imagination. He was so alive to the wilderness, it was so
+full of meaning to him that his mind could create sounds when none
+existed. He whispered to Tom, but Ross, listening as hard as he could,
+heard nothing but the rustling of the leaves and twigs before the wind.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was sure now that what he had heard was the product of a too vivid
+fancy, but a little later he was not so sure. It must be the faint cry
+of a wolf that he now heard or its echo. He had the keenest ear of them
+all, and that Tom Ross did not hear the sound, was no proof. A vivid
+imagination often means a prompt and powerful man of action, and Henry
+acted at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom," he whispered, "I'm going to scout in the distance from which I
+thought the sounds came. Don't wake the boys; I'll be back before
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>Tom Ross nodded. He did not believe that Henry had really heard
+anything, and he would have remonstrated with him, but he knew that it
+was useless. He merely drew his blanket a little closer, and resolved
+that one pair of eyes should watch as well as two had watched before.</p>
+
+<p>Henry folded his blankets, put them in his little pack, and in a minute
+was gone. It was dark, but not so dark that one used to the night could
+not see. The sounds that he had seemed to hear came from the southwest,
+and the road in the direction was easy, grown up with forest but
+comparatively free from undergrowth. He walked swiftly about a mile,
+then he heard the cry of the wolf again. Now, the last doubt was gone
+from his mind. It was a real sound, and it was made by Indian calling to
+Indian.</p>
+
+<p>He corrected his course a little, and went swiftly on. He heard the cry
+once more, now much nearer, and, in another mile, he saw a glow among
+the trees. He went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> nearer and saw detached cones of light. Then he knew
+that it was a camp fire, and a camp fire built there boldly in that
+region, so dangerous to the Kentuckian, indicated that it was surely the
+Indians themselves and their allies. He did not believe that it was the
+force of Timmendiquas which could only have reached this spot by turning
+from its course, but he intended to solve the doubt.</p>
+
+<p>The camp was in one of the little prairies so numerous in the old
+Northwest, and evidently had been pitched there in order to secure room
+for the fires. Henry concluded at once that it must be a large force,
+and his eagerness to know increased. As he crept nearer and nearer, he
+was amazed by the number of the fires. This was a much larger band than
+the one led by Timmendiquas. He also heard the sound of many voices and
+of footsteps. From his place among the trees he saw dark figures passing
+and repassing. He also caught now and then a metallic glitter from
+something not a rifle or a tomahawk, but which he could not clearly make
+out in the dark.</p>
+
+<p>This was a formidable force bent upon some great errand, and his
+curiosity was intense. The instinct that had sent him upon the journey
+through the woods was not wrong, and he did not mean to go away until he
+knew for what purpose this army was gathered. He lay upon the ground in
+the thickest shadow of the woods, and crept forward a little closer.
+Then he saw that the camp contained at least five hundred warriors. As
+nearly as he could make out they were mostly Shawnees, probably from the
+most easterly villages, but there seemed to be a sprinkling of Delawares
+and Miamis. White men, Tories, Canadians and English, fifty or sixty in
+number were present also and a few of them were in red uniform.</p>
+
+<p>All the Indians were in war paint, and they sat in great groups around
+the fires feasting. Evidently the hunters had brought in plenty of game
+and they were atoning for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> a fast. They ate prodigiously of buffalo,
+deer, bear and wild turkey, throwing the bones behind them when they had
+gnawed them clean. Meanwhile they sang in the Shawnee tongue a wild
+chant:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">To the South we, the great warriors, go<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To the far, fair land of Kaintuckee;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">We carry death for the Yengees,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Our hands are strong, our hearts are fierce;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">None of the white face can escape us.</span>
+</div>
+<div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">We cross the river and steal through the woods;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In the night's dark hour the tomahawk falls,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The burning houses send flames to the sky,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The scalps of the Yengees hang at our belts;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">None of the white face can escape us.</span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Henry's heart began to pump heavily. Little specks danced before his
+eyes. Here was a great war party, one that he had not foreseen, one that
+was going to march against Kentucky. Evidently this enterprise was
+distinct from that of Timmendiquas. In his eagerness to see, Henry crept
+nearer and nearer to the utmost verge of the danger line, lying in a
+clump of bushes where the warriors were passing, not twenty feet away.
+Suddenly he started a little, as a new figure came into the light,
+thrown into distinct relief by the blazing background of the fires.</p>
+
+<p>He recognized at once the harelipped man, Bird, now in the uniform of a
+Colonel in the King's army. His ugliness was in no whit redeemed by his
+military attire. But Henry saw that deference was paid him by white men
+and red men alike, and he had the walk and manner of one who commanded.
+The youth was sorry now that they had not hunted down this man and slain
+him. He felt instinctively that he would do great harm to those
+struggling settlers south of the Ohio.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While Henry waited three loud shouts were heard, uttered at the far end
+of the camp. Instantly the eating ceased, and all the warriors rose to
+their feet. Then they moved with one accord toward the point from which
+the shouts proceeded. Henry knew that someone of importance was coming,
+and he crept along the edge of the forest to see.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Bird, several subordinate officers, and some chiefs gathered in
+front of the mass of warriors and stood expectant. Forth from the forest
+came a figure more magnificent than any in that group, a great savage,
+naked to the waist, brilliantly painted, head erect and with the air of
+a king of men. It was Timmendiquas, and Henry realized, the moment he
+appeared, that he was not surprised to see him there. Behind him came
+Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and
+Blackstaffe. Bird went forward, eager to meet them, and held out his
+hand in white man's fashion to Timmendiquas. The great Wyandot took it,
+held it only a moment, and then dropped it, as if the touch were hateful
+to him. Henry had noticed before that Timmendiquas never seemed to care
+for the white allies of the Indians, whether English, Canadian or Tory.
+He used them, but he preferred, if victory were won, that it should be
+won by men of his own race. The manner of the chief seemed to him to
+indicate repulsion, but Wyatt, Girty and the others greeted the Colonel
+with great warmth. They were birds of a feather, and it pleased them to
+flock together there in the great forest.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas and his chiefs walked toward the larger and central fire,
+whither Bird and his men showed the way. Then pipes were lighted and
+smoked by all who were high enough in rank to sit in the Council, while
+the mass of the warriors gathered at a respectful distance. But the
+fires were replenished, and they blazed up, filling all the camp with
+ruddy light. Then Henry found the meaning of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> metallic gleam that he
+had seen from the forest. Near the center of the camp and standing in a
+row were six cannon, fine, bronze guns of large caliber, their dark
+muzzles, as if by some sinister chance, pointing toward the South. Then
+full knowledge came in all its gloomy truth. This was an expedition
+against Kentucky more formidable than any of the many that had yet gone.
+It carried a battery of large cannon, and plenty of white gunners to man
+them. The wooden palisades of the new settlements could not stand five
+minutes before great guns.</p>
+
+<p>In his eagerness to see more of these hateful cannon, Henry, for the
+first time in years, forgot his customary caution. He made a bush rustle
+and he did not notice it. A scouting Indian passed near, and he did not
+hear him. But the scouting Indian, a Shawnee, alert and suspicious,
+heard the rustling of the bush. He dropped down, crept near and saw the
+long figure among the bushes. Then he crept away and signaled to his
+comrades.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was straining forward for a better view of the cannon, when there
+was a sudden sound behind him. He drew his body quickly together like a
+powerful animal about to spring, but before he could reach his feet a
+half dozen warriors hurled themselves upon him.</p>
+
+<p>He fell under the impact of so great a weight and the rifle which he
+could not use at close quarters was torn from his hands. The warriors
+uttered a triumphant shout which caused all those sitting by the fire to
+spring to their feet.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was at the very summit of his youthful strength. There was no one
+in the forest who matched him in either height or muscular strength,
+save, possibly Timmendiquas, and with a tremendous effort he rose to his
+feet, the whole yelling pack clinging to him, one on each arm, one at
+each leg, and two at his shoulders and waist. He hurled loose the one on
+his right arm and snatched at a pistol in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> belt, but quick as a
+flash, two others loosing their hold elsewhere, seized the arm. Then
+they pressed all their weight upon him again, seeking to throw him.
+Evidently they wished to take him a captive. But Henry remained erect
+despite the immense weight pulling at him. He was bent slightly forward,
+and, for a few moments, his efforts exactly balanced the strength of the
+six who sought to pull him down. In that brief space they remained
+immovable. The sweat broke out on his forehead in great beads. Then with
+an effort, convulsive and gigantic, he threw them all from him, standing
+clear for one brief instant. His hand was on the pistol butt, but the
+yelling pack were back too quick, leaping at him like wolves. He was
+dragged to his knees, but once more he struggled to his feet, drenched
+in perspiration, his heart beating loudly as he made his mighty efforts.</p>
+
+<p>In their struggle they came free of the woods, and out into the open
+where the light from the fires cast a red glow over the tall figure of
+the white youth, and the six naked and sinewy brown forms that tore at
+him. The chief and the white men in the camp rushed forward.</p>
+
+<p>Braxton Wyatt cried exultingly: "It is Ware!" and drew his pistol, but
+Timmendiquas struck down his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not for you to shoot," he said; "let him be taken alive."</p>
+
+<p>Bird was commander in that camp, and the Wyandot was only a visitor
+there, but the tone of Timmendiquas was so strong and masterful that
+Bird himself recognized his predominance, and did not resist it.</p>
+
+<p>And there were others among the Indians who looked with admiration upon
+the tall youth as he made his magnificent struggle for life and liberty.
+A deep hum ran through the great circle that had formed about the
+fighters. Excitement, the joy of a supreme sport, showed upon their
+savage faces. One or two started forward to help the six,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> but
+Timmendiquas waved them back. Then the circle pressed a little closer,
+and other rows of dark faces behind peered over brown shoulders. Henry
+was scarcely conscious that hundreds looked on. The pulses in temples
+and throat were beating heavily, and there was a mist before his eyes.
+Nobody was present for him, save the six who strove to pull him down.
+His soul swelled with fierce anger and he hurled off one after another
+to find them springing back like the rebound of a rubber ball.</p>
+
+<p>His anger increased. These men annoyed him terribly. He was bathed in
+perspiration and nearly all the clothing was torn from his body, but he
+still fought against his opponents. The ring had come in closer and
+closer, and now the savages uttered low cries of admiration as he sent
+some one of his antagonists spinning. They admired, too, his massive
+figure, the powerful neck, the white shoulders now bare and the great
+muscles which bunched up as he put forth supreme efforts.</p>
+
+<p>"Verily, this is a man," said the old chief, Yellow Panther.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas nodded, but he never took his absorbed eyes from the
+contest. He, too, uttered a low cry as Henry suddenly caught one of the
+warriors with his fist and sent him like a shot to the earth. But this
+warrior, a Wyandot, was tough. He sprang up again, the dark blood
+flowing from his face, but was caught and sent down a second time, to
+lay where he had fallen, until some of the watchers took him by the legs
+and dragged him out of the way of the struggle. Henry was rid of one of
+his opponents for the time, and the five who were left did not dare use
+their weapons in face of the command from Timmendiquas to take him
+alive. Yet they rushed in as full of zeal as ever. It may be that they
+enjoyed the struggle in their savage way, particularly when the prize to
+be won was so splendid.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry's successful blow with his fist reminded him that he might use it
+again. In the fury of the sudden struggle he had not thought before to
+fight by this method. A savage had him by the left shoulder. He struck
+the up-turned face with his right fist and the warrior went down
+unconscious.</p>
+
+<p>Only four now! The hands of another were seeking his throat. He tore the
+hands loose, seized the warrior in his arms, and hurled him ten feet
+away, where he fell with a sprained ankle. A deep cry, and following it,
+a long-drawn sigh of admiration, came from the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>Only three now! He tripped and threw one so heavily that he could not
+renew the combat, and the terrible fist sent down the fifth. Once more
+came that cry and long-drawn sigh from the multitude! A single opponent
+was left, but he was a powerful fellow, a Wyandot, with long thick arms
+and a mighty chest. His comrades had been much in his way in the
+struggle, and, now comparatively fresh and full of confidence, he closed
+with his white antagonist.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had time to draw a breath or two, and he summoned his last reserve
+of will and strength. He grasped the Wyandot as he ran in, pinned his
+arms to his sides, tripped his feet from under him, and, seizing him by
+shoulders and waist, lifted him high above his head. He held him poised
+there for a moment while the multitude gazed, tense and awed. Then,
+hurling him far out, he turned, faced the Wyandot chief, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"To you, Timmendiquas, I surrender myself."</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII<br />
+<small>THE NORTHWARD MARCH</small></h2>
+
+<p>The great Wyandot chief inclined his head slightly, and received the
+pistol, hatchet, and knife which Henry drew from his belt. Then he said
+in the grave Wyandot tongue:</p>
+
+<p>"It is the second time that Ware has become my prisoner, and I am proud.
+He is truly a great warrior. Never have I seen such a fight as that
+which he has just made, the strength of one against six, and the one was
+triumphant."</p>
+
+<p>A murmur of approval from the warriors followed his words. Like the old
+Greeks, the Indians admired size, symmetry and strength, qualities so
+necessary to them in their daily lives, and Henry, as he stood there,
+wet with perspiration and breathing heavily, exemplified all that they
+considered best in man. Few of these savage warriors had any intention
+of sparing him. They would have burned him at the stake with delight,
+and, with equal delight, they would have praised him had he never
+uttered a groan&mdash;it would only be another proof of his greatness.</p>
+
+<p>Braxton Wyatt pressed nearer. There was joy in his evil heart over the
+capture of his enemy, but it was not unalloyed. He knew the friendship
+that Timmendiquas bore for Henry, and he feared that through it the
+prisoner might escape the usual fate of captives. It was his part to
+prevent any such disaster and he had thought already of a method. He
+dreaded the power of Timmendiquas, but he was bold and he proposed to
+dare it nevertheless.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Will you take the prisoner South with you," he said to Colonel Bird.</p>
+
+<p>"I have surrendered to Timmendiquas," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the camp of Colonel Bird," said Wyatt in as mild a tone as he
+could assume, "and of course anyone taken here is his prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said Simon Girty, whose influence was great among the
+Indians, particularly the Shawnees.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas said not a word, nor did Henry. Both saw the appeal to the
+pride of Bird who pulled his mustache, while his ugly face grew uglier.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is so," he said at last. "The prisoner is mine, since he was
+taken in my camp."</p>
+
+<p>Then Timmendiquas spoke very quietly, but, underlying every word, was a
+menace, which Wyatt, Girty and Bird alike felt and heeded.</p>
+
+<p>"The prisoner surrendered to me," he said. "The Wyandot warriors helped
+in his capture&mdash;their bruises prove it. Colonel Bird even now marches
+south against Kaintuckee, and he has no need of prisoners. The words of
+Wyatt are nothing. Girty has become one of our chiefs, but it is not for
+him to judge in this case. When the council is finished and Timmendiquas
+resumes his march to Detroit, Ware goes with him as a captive, the prize
+of his warriors."</p>
+
+<p>His fierce eyes roamed around the circle, challenging one by one those
+who opposed him. Braxton Wyatt's own eyes dropped, and fear was in his
+soul. He, a renegade, an enemy to his own people could not afford to
+lose the favor of the Indians. Girty, also, evaded. Full of craft, it
+was no part of his policy to quarrel with Timmendiquas. Bird alone was
+disposed to accept the gage. It was intolerable that he, a colonel in
+the British army, should be spoken to in such a manner by an Indian. He
+wrinkled his ugly hare lip and said stubbornly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The prisoner was taken in my camp, and he is mine."</p>
+
+<p>But Girty said low in his ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Let Timmendiquas have him. It is not well to alienate the Wyandots. We
+need them in our attack on Kentucky, and already they are dissatisfied
+with their heavy losses there. We can do nothing for the king without
+the Indians."</p>
+
+<p>Bird was not without suppleness. He spoke to Timmendiquas, as if he were
+continuing his former words:</p>
+
+<p>"But I give up my claim to you, White Lightning of the Wyandots. Take
+the prisoner and do with him as you choose."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas smiled slightly. He understood perfectly. Braxton Wyatt
+retired, almost sick with rage. Timmendiquas motioned to two of his
+warriors who bound Henry's arms securely, though not painfully, and led
+him away to one of the smaller fires. Here he sat down between his
+guards who adjusted his torn attire, but did not annoy him, and waited
+while the council went on.</p>
+
+<p>After the glow of physical triumph had passed, Henry felt a deep
+depression. It seemed to him that he could never forgive himself when so
+much depended upon him. He had full knowledge that this expedition was
+marching southward, and now he could send no warning. Had he returned to
+his comrades with the news, they might have solved the problem by
+dividing their force. Two could have hurried to Kentucky ahead of Bird's
+army, and three might have gone to Detroit to watch what preparations
+were made there. He condemned himself over and over again, and it is
+only just to say that he did not think then of his personal danger. He
+thought instead of those whom he might have saved, but who now would
+probably fall beneath the Indian tomahawk, with no one to warn them.</p>
+
+<p>But he permitted none of his chagrin and grief to show<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> in his face. He
+would not allow any Indian or renegade to see him in despair or in
+anything bordering upon it. He merely sat motionless, staring into the
+fire, his face without expression. Henry had escaped once from the
+Wyandots. Perhaps it was a feat that could not be repeated a second
+time&mdash;indeed all the chances were against it&mdash;but in spite of everything
+his courage came back. He had far too much strength, vitality and youth
+to remain in despair, and gradually new resolutions formed almost
+unconsciously in his mind. Under all circumstances, fate would present
+at least a bare chance to do what one wished, and courage gradually
+became confidence.</p>
+
+<p>Then Henry, remembering that there was nothing he could do at present,
+lay down on his side before the fire. It was not altogether an assumed
+manner to impress his guard, because he was really very tired, and, now
+that his nerves were relaxing, he believed he could go to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>He closed his eyes, and, although he opened them now and then, the lids
+were heavier at every successive opening. He saw the camp dimly, the
+dark figures of the warriors becoming shadowy now, the murmur of voices
+sinking to a whisper that could scarcely be heard, and then, in spite of
+his bound arms and precarious future, he slept.</p>
+
+<p>Henry's two guards, both Wyandots, regarded him with admiration, as he
+slept peacefully with the low firelight flickering across his tanned
+face. Great in body, he was also great in mind, and whatever torture the
+chief, Timmendiquas, intended for him he would endure it magnificently.
+Braxton Wyatt and Simon Girty also came to look at him, and whispered to
+each other.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been better if they had made an end of him in the fight
+for his capture," said Wyatt.</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," said Girty thoughtfully. "As long as he's alive, he's
+dangerous. Timmendiquas cannot tie him so tight that there is no
+possibility of escape, and there are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> these friends of his whom you have
+such cause to remember, Braxton."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish they were all tied up as he is," said Wyatt venomously.</p>
+
+<p>Girty laughed softly.</p>
+
+<p>"You show the right spirit, Braxton," he said. "To live among the
+Indians and fight against one's own white race one must hate well. You
+need not flush, man. I have found it so myself, and I am older in this
+business and more experienced than you."</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt choked down words that were leaping to his lips, and presently he
+and Girty rejoined the white men, who were camped around Bird, their
+commander. But neither of them felt like sleeping and after a little
+while there, they went to look at the cannon, six fine guns in a row,
+constituting together the most formidable weapon that had ever been
+brought into the western forest. When they looked at them, the spirit of
+Wyatt and Girty sprang high. They exulted in the prospect of victory.
+The Kentucky sharpshooters behind their light palisades had been able
+hitherto to defeat any number of Indians. But what about the big guns?
+Twelve pound cannon balls would sweep down the palisades like a
+hurricane among saplings. As there is no zeal like that of the convert,
+so there is no hate like that of the renegade and they foresaw the easy
+capture of settlement after settlement by Bird's numerous and
+irresistible army.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, meanwhile, slept without dreams. It was a splendid tribute to his
+nerves that he could do so. When he awoke the sun was an hour above the
+horizon and the camp was active with the preparations of Bird's army to
+resume its march southward. Timmendiquas stood beside him, and, at his
+order, one of the Wyandot guards cut the thongs that bound his arms.
+Henry stretched out his wrists and rubbed them, one after the other,
+until the impeded circu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>lation was restored. Then he uttered his thanks
+to the chief.</p>
+
+<p>"I am grateful to you, Timmendiquas," he said, "for insisting last night
+that I was your prisoner, and should go with you to Detroit. As you have
+seen, the renegades, Girty and Wyatt do not love me, and whatever I may
+receive at your hands, it is not as bad as that which they would have
+incited the warriors to do, had I remained in the power of Bird."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither do I care for Girty or Wyatt," said Timmendiquas, as he smiled
+slightly, "but they help us and we need all the allies we can get. So we
+permit them in our lodges. I may tell you now that they debated last
+night whether to go South with Bird, or to continue to Detroit with me.
+They go to Detroit."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not care for their company," said Henry, "but I am glad that they
+are not going to Kentucky."</p>
+
+<p>"I have also to tell you now, Ware," continued Timmendiquas, "that
+parties were sent out last night to search for your comrades, the four
+who are always with you."</p>
+
+<p>Henry moved a little and then looked inquiringly at Timmendiquas. The
+chief's face expressed nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"They did not find them?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he replied. "The friends of Ware were wary, but we are proud to
+have taken the leader. Here is food; you can eat, and then we march."</p>
+
+<p>They brought him an abundance of good food, and fresh water in a gourd,
+and he ate and drank heartily. The morning had become clear and crisp
+again, and with it came all the freshness and courage that belong to
+youth. Time was everything, and certainly nothing would be done to him
+until they reached Detroit. Moreover, his four comrades would discover
+why he did not return and they would follow. Even if one were helpless
+himself, he must never despair with such friends free and near at hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After he had eaten, his hands were bound again. He made no resistance,
+knowing that under the Indian code he had no right to ask anything
+further of Timmendiquas, and he began the march northward in the center
+of the Wyandot force. At the same time, Bird and his army resumed their
+southern advance. Henry heard twigs and dead boughs cracking under the
+wheels of the cannon, and the sound was a menacing one that he did not
+forget for a long time. He looked back, but the savage army disappeared
+with amazing quickness in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>They marched all day without interruption, eating their food as they
+marched. Timmendiquas was at the head of the column, and he did not
+speak again with Henry. The renegades, probably fearing the wrath of the
+chief, also kept away. The country, hilly hitherto, now became level and
+frequently swampy. Here the travelling was difficult. Often their feet
+sank in the soft mud above the ankles, Briars reached out and scratched
+them, and, in these damp solitudes, the air was dark and heavy. Yet the
+Indians went on without complaint, and Henry, despite his bound arms,
+could keep his balance and pace with the rest, stride for stride.</p>
+
+<p>They marched several days and nights without interruption through a
+comparatively level country, still swampy at times, thickly grown with
+forest, and with many streams and little lakes. Most of the lakes were
+dotted with wild fowl, and often they saw deer in the shallow portions.
+Two or three of the deer were shot, but the Indians devoted little time
+to the hunting of game, as they were well provided with food.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, who understood both Wyandot and Shawnee, gathered from the talk
+of those about him that they were at last drawing near to Detroit, the
+great Northwestern fort of the British and Indians. They would arrive
+there to-morrow, and they spent that last night by camp fires, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>
+Indians relaxing greatly from their usual taciturnity and caution, and
+eating as if at a banquet.</p>
+
+<p>Henry sat on a log in the middle of the camp. His arms were unbound and
+he could eat with the others as much as he chose. Since they were not to
+burn him or torture him otherwise, they would treat him well for the
+present. But warriors, Shawnees, Miamis and Wyandots, were all about
+him. They took good care that such a prisoner should not have a chance
+to escape. He might overthrow two or three, even four or five, but a
+score more would be on him at once. Henry knew this well and bore
+himself more as if he were a member of the band than a captive. It was a
+part of his policy to appear cheerful and contented. No Indian should
+surpass him in careless and apparent indifference, but to-night he felt
+gloomier than at any time since the moments that immediately followed
+his capture. He had relied upon the faithful four, but days had passed
+without a sign from them. There had been no chance, of course, for them
+to rescue him. He had not expected that, but what he had expected was a
+sign. They were skillful, masters of wilderness knowledge, but accidents
+might happen&mdash;one had happened to him&mdash;and they might have fallen into
+the hands of some other band.</p>
+
+<p>Waiting is a hard test, and Henry's mind, despite his will, began to
+imagine dire things. Suppose he should never see his comrades again. A
+thousand mischances could befall, and the neighborhood of Detroit was
+the most dangerous part of all the Indian country. Besides the villages
+pitched near, bands were continually passing, either coming to the fort
+for supplies, or going away, equipped for a fresh raid upon the
+settlements.</p>
+
+<p>The laughter and talk among the Indians went on for a long time, but
+Henry, having eaten all that he wanted, sat in silence. Besides the
+noise of the camp, he heard the usual murmur of the night wind among the
+trees. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> listened to it as one would to a soft low monotone that
+called and soothed. He had an uncommonly acute ear and his power of
+singleness and concentration enabled him to listen to the sound that he
+wished to hear, to the exclusion of all others. The noises in the camp,
+although they were as great as ever, seemed to die. Instead, he heard
+the rustling of the young leaves far away, and then another sound
+came&mdash;a faint, whining cry, the far howl of a wolf, so far that it was
+no more than a whisper, a mere under-note to the wind. It stopped, but,
+in a moment or two, was repeated. Henry's heart leaped, but his figure
+never moved; nor was there any change in the expression of his face,
+which had been dreamy and sad.</p>
+
+<p>But he knew. Just when he wished to hear a voice out of the dark, that
+voice came. It was the first part of a signal that he and his comrades
+often used, and as he listened, the second part was completed. He longed
+to send back a reply, but it was impossible and he knew that it would
+not be expected. Joy was under the mask of his sad and dreaming face. He
+rejoiced, not only for himself, but for two other things; because they
+were safe and because they were near, following zealously and seeking
+every chance. He looked around at the Indians. None of them had heard
+the cry of the wolf, and he knew if it had reached them, they would not
+have taken it for a signal. They were going on with their feasting, but
+while Henry sat, still silent, Timmendiquas came to him and said:</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow we reach Detroit, the great post of the soldiers of the king.
+We go there to confer with the commander, de Peyster, and to receive
+many rifles and much ammunition. It is likely, as you already know, that
+we shall march against your people."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, Timmendiquas," said Henry, "but I would that it were not so.
+Why could we not dwell in peace in Kentucky, while the Wyandots, the
+Shawnees, the Miamis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> and others ranged their vast hunting grounds in
+the same peace on this side of the Ohio?"</p>
+
+<p>A spark of fire shot from the dark eyes of Timmendiquas.</p>
+
+<p>"Ware," he said, "I like you and I do not believe that your heart
+contains hatred towards me. Yet, there cannot be any peace between our
+races. Peace means that you will push us back, always push us back. Have
+I not been in the East, where the white men are many and where the
+mighty confederation of the Six Nations, with their great chief,
+Thayendanegea, at their head, fight against them in vain? Have I not
+seen the rich villages of the Indians go up in smoke? The Indians
+themselves still fight. They strike down many of the Yengees and
+sometimes they burn a village of the white people, but unless the king
+prevails in the great war, they will surely lose. Their Aieroski, who is
+the Manitou of the Wyandots, and your God, merely looks on, and permits
+the stronger to be the victor."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Henry, "why not make peace with us here in the West, lest
+your tribes meet the same fate?"</p>
+
+<p>The nostrils of Timmendiquas dilated.</p>
+
+<p>"Because in the end we should be eaten up in the same way. Here in the
+West you are few and your villages are tiny. The seed is not planted so
+deep that it cannot be uprooted."</p>
+
+<p>Henry sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"I can see the question from your side as well as from mine, White
+Lightning," he replied. "It seems as you say, that the white men and the
+red men cannot dwell together. Yet I could wish that we were friends in
+the field as well as at heart."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas shook his head and replied in a tone tinged with a certain
+sadness:</p>
+
+<p>"I, too, could wish it, but you were born of one race and I of another.
+It is our destiny to fight to the end."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He strode away through the camp. Henry watched the tall and splendid
+figure, with the single small scarlet feather set in the waving scalp
+lock, and once more he readily acknowledged that he was a forest king, a
+lofty and mighty spirit, born to rule in the wilderness. Then he took
+the two blankets which had been left him, enfolded himself between them,
+and, despite the noises around him, slept soundly all through the night.
+Early the next morning they began the last stretch of the march to
+Detroit.</p>
+
+<p>It was with a deep and peculiar interest that they approached Detroit,
+then a famous British and Indian post, now a great American city.
+Founded by the French, who lost it to the British, who, in turn, were
+destined to lose it to the Americans, it has probably sent forth more
+scalping parties of Indians than any other place on the North American
+continent. Here the warlike tribes constantly came for rifles,
+ammunition, blankets and other supplies, and here the agents of the king
+incited them with every means in their power to fresh raids on the young
+settlements in the South. Here the renegades, Girty, Blackstaffe and
+their kind came to confer, and here Boone, Kenton and other famous
+borderers had been brought as prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians in the party of Timmendiquas already showed great
+jubilation. In return for the war that they had made and should make,
+they expected large gifts from the king, and with such great chiefs as
+White Lightning, Red Eagle and Yellow Panther at their head, it was not
+likely that they would be disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>As they drew near, they passed several Indian camps, containing parties
+from the Northwest, Sacs, Winnebagoes and others, including even some
+Chippewas from the far shores of the greatest of all lakes. Many of
+these looked admiringly at the prisoner whom Timmendiquas had brought,
+and were sorry that they had not secured such a trophy. At the last of
+these camps, where they stopped for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> a little while, a short, thick man
+approached Henry and regarded him with great curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>The man was as dark as an Indian, but he had a fierce black mustache
+that curled up at the ends. His hair was black and long and his eyes,
+too, were black. His dress differed but little from that of a warrior,
+but his features were unmistakably Caucasian.</p>
+
+<p>"Another renegade," thought Henry, and his detestation was so thorough
+that he scorned to take further notice of the fellow. But he was
+conscious that the stranger was eyeing him from head to foot in the most
+scrutinizing manner, just as one looks at an interesting picture. Henry
+felt his anger rise, but he still simulated the most profound
+indifference.</p>
+
+<p>"You are the prisoner of Timmendiquas, <i>mon petit garcon, mais oui</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>Henry looked up at the French words and the French accent that he did
+not understand. But the tone was friendly, and the man, although he
+might be an enemy, was no renegade.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied. "I am the prisoner of Timmendiquas, and I am going
+with him and his men to Detroit. Do you belong in Detroit?"</p>
+
+<p>The man grinned, showing two magnificent rows of strong white teeth.</p>
+
+<p>"I belong to Detroit?" he replied. "Nevaire! I belong to no place. I am
+ze Frenchman; le Canadien; voyageur, coureur du bois, l'homme of ze wind
+ovair ze mountains an' ze plain. I am Pierre Louis Lajeunais, who was
+born at Trois Rivi&egrave;res in ze Province of Quebec, which is a long way
+from here."</p>
+
+<p>The twinkle in his eye was infectious. Henry knew that he was a man of
+good heart and he liked him. Perhaps also he might find here a friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Since you have given me your name," he replied, "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> will give you mine.
+I am Henry Ware, and I am from Kentucky. I was captured by Timmendiquas
+and his warriors a few days ago. They're taking me to Detroit, but I do
+not know what they intend to do with me there. I suppose that you, of
+course, are among our enemies."</p>
+
+<p>No Indian was within hearing then, and Lajeunais replied:</p>
+
+<p>"W'y should I wish you harm? I go to Detroit. I sell furs to ze
+commandaire for powder and bullets. I travel an' hunt wit' mes amis, ze
+Indians, but I do not love ze Anglais. When I was a boy, I fight wit' ze
+great Montcalm at Quebec against Wolfe an' les Anglais. We lose an' ze
+Bourbon lilies are gone; ze rouge flag of les Anglais take its place.
+Why should I fight for him who conquers me? I love better ze woods an'
+ze rivi&egrave;re an' ze lakes where I hunt and fish."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad that you are no enemy of ours, Mr. Lajeunais," said Henry,
+"and I am certain that my people are no enemies of the French in Canada.
+Perhaps we shall meet in Detroit."</p>
+
+<p>"Eet ees likely, mon brav," said Lajeunais, "I come into the town in
+four days an' I inquire for ze great boy named Ware."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas gave the signal and in another hour they were in Detroit.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX<br />
+<small>AT DETROIT</small></h2>
+
+<p>Henry missed nothing as he went on with the warriors. He saw many lodges
+of Indians, and some cabins occupied by French-Canadians. In places the
+forest had been cleared away to make fields for Indian corn, wheat and
+pumpkins. Many columns of smoke rose in the clear spring air, and
+directly ahead, where he saw a cluster of such columns, Henry knew the
+fort to be. Timmendiquas kept straight on, and the walls of the fort
+came into view.</p>
+
+<p>Detroit was the most formidable fortress that Henry had yet seen. Its
+walls, recently enlarged, were of oak pickets, rising twenty-five feet
+above the ground and six inches in diameter at the smaller end. It had
+bastions at every corner, and four gates, over three of which were built
+strong blockhouses for observation and defense. The gates faced the four
+cardinal points of the compass, and it was the one looking towards the
+south that was without a blockhouse. There was a picket beside every
+gate. The gates were opened at sunrise and closed at sunset, but the
+wickets were left open until 9 o'clock at night.</p>
+
+<p>This fortification, so formidable in the wilderness, was armed in a
+manner fitting its strength. Every blockhouse contained four
+six-pounders and two batteries of six large guns each, faced the river,
+which was only forty feet away and with very steep banks. Inside the
+great palisade were barracks for five hundred men, a brick store, a
+guard house, a hospital, a governor's house, and many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> other buildings.
+At the time of Henry's arrival about four hundred British troops were
+present, and many hundreds of Indian warriors. The fort was thoroughly
+stocked with ammunition and other supplies, and there were also many
+English and Canadian traders both inside and outside the palisade.</p>
+
+<p>The British had begun the erection of another fort, equally powerful, at
+some distance from the present one, but they were not far advanced with
+it at that time. The increase in protective measures was due to a
+message that they had received from the redoubtable George Rogers Clark,
+the victor of Vincennes and Kaskaskia, the man who delivered the
+heaviest of all blows against the British, Indian and Tory power in the
+Northwest. He had said that he was coming to attack them.</p>
+
+<p>Henry asked no questions, but he watched everything with the most
+intense curiosity. The warriors of Timmendiquas stopped about three
+hundred yards from the palisade, and, without a word to anyone, began to
+light their camp fires and erect lodges for their chiefs. Girty,
+Blackstaffe, and Wyatt went away toward the fort, but Henry knew well
+that Timmendiquas would not enter until messengers came to receive him.
+Henry himself sat down by one of the fires and waited as calmly as if he
+had been one of the band. While he was sitting there, Timmendiquas came
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ware," he said, "we are now at the great post of the King, and you will
+be held a prisoner inside. I have treated you as well as I could. Is
+there anything of which you wish to complain?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing," replied Henry. "Timmendiquas is a chief, great alike
+of heart and hand."</p>
+
+<p>The Wyandot smiled slightly. It seemed that he was anxious for the good
+opinion of his most formidable antagonist. Henry noticed, too, that he
+was in his finest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> attire. A splendid blue blanket hung from his
+shoulders, and his leggings and moccasins of the finest tanned deerskin
+were also blue. Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, who stood not far away,
+were likewise arrayed in their savage best.</p>
+
+<p>"We are now about to go into the fort," said Timmendiquas, "and you are
+to go with us, Ware."</p>
+
+<p>Four British officers were approaching. Their leader was a stocky man of
+middle age in the uniform of a colonel. It would have been apparent to
+anyone that the Wyandot chief was the leader of the band, and the
+officers saluted him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am speaking to Timmendiquas, the great White Lightning of the
+Wyandots, am I not?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I am Timmendiquas of the Wyandots, known in your language as White
+Lightning," replied the chief gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"I am Colonel William Caldwell of the King's army," said the chief, "and
+I am sent by Colonel de Peyster, the commandant at Detroit, to bid you
+welcome, and to ask you and your fellow chiefs to meet him within the
+walls. My brother officers and I are to be your escort of honor, and we
+are proud of such a service."</p>
+
+<p>Henry saw at once that Caldwell was a man of abundant experience with
+the Indians. He knew their intense pride, and he was going to see that
+Timmendiquas and the other chiefs were received in a manner befitting
+their station among their own people.</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," said Timmendiquas. "We will go with you and Ware will go
+with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is Ware?" asked Caldwell, as Henry stood up. At the same time the
+Englishman's eyes expressed admiration. The height and splendid figure
+of the youth impressed him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ware, though young, is the greatest of all the white warriors," replied
+Timmendiquas. "He is my prisoner and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> I keep him with me until Manitou
+tells me what I shall do with him."</p>
+
+<p>His tone was final. Caldwell was a clever man, skilled in forest
+diplomacy. He saw that nothing was to be gained, and that much might be
+lost by opposing the will of Timmendiquas.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he comes with you if you wish it, White Lightning," he said.
+"Now may we go? Colonel de Peyster awaits us to do you honor."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas inclined his head and he, with nine other chiefs, including
+Yellow Panther and Red Eagle, and with Henry in the center, started
+toward the fort. The British officers went with Colonel Caldwell,
+marching by the side of Timmendiquas. They approached the western gate,
+and, when they were within a few yards of it, a soldier on top of the
+palisade began to play a military air on a bugle. It was an inspiring
+tune, mellow and sweet in the clear spring air, and Caldwell looked up
+proudly. The chiefs said not a word, but Henry knew that they were
+pleased. Then the great gate was thrown open and they passed between two
+files of soldiers, who held their rifles at attention. The music of the
+bugle ceased, the great gate closed behind them, and the Indians and
+their escort marched on towards an open square, where a corps of honor,
+with the commander himself at their head, was drawn up to receive them.</p>
+
+<p>Henry's gaze turned at once towards the commander, whose name filled him
+with horror and detestation. Arent Schuyler de Peyster had succeeded to
+Hamilton, the "hair buyer," captured by George Rogers Clark and sent in
+chains to Virginia. He had shown great activity in arming and inciting
+the Indians against the settlers in Kentucky, and Henry hated him all
+the more because he was an American and not an Englishman. He could not
+understand how an American, Tory though he might be, could send his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>
+people to fire and the stake, and doom women and little children to a
+horrible death.</p>
+
+<p>Arent Schuyler de Peyster, born in the city of New York, was now a man
+of middle years, strongly built, haughty in manner, proud of his family
+and of his rank in the army of the King. He was confident that the royal
+arms would triumph ultimately, and, meanwhile he was doing his best to
+curb the young settlements beyond the Ohio, and to prevent the rebel
+extension to the West. Now the expedition of Bird had gone forth from
+Detroit against Kentucky and he was anxious to send another and greater
+one which should have as its core the Wyandots, the bravest and most
+daring of all the western tribes. He had never seen Timmendiquas before,
+but he was familiar with his name, and, after a single glance, it was
+impossible to mistake him. His roving eye also saw the tall white youth,
+and, for the present, he wondered, but his mind soon turned to his
+welcome to the warlike chief.</p>
+
+<p>A salute of four guns was fired from one of the batteries in the
+bastion. Then Colonel de Peyster greeted Timmendiquas and after him, the
+other chiefs one by one. He complimented them all upon their bravery and
+their loyalty to the King, their great white father across the ocean. He
+rejoiced to hear of their great deeds against the rebels, and promised
+them splendid rewards for the new deeds they would achieve. Then, saying
+that they had marched far and must be hungry and tired, he invited them
+to a feast which he had prepared, having been warned by a runner of
+their coming.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, and Yellow Panther heard him in silence and
+without a change of countenance, but the eyes of the other chiefs
+sparkled. They loved blankets of brilliant colors, beads, and the many
+gaudy trinkets that were sold or given away at the post. New rifles and
+fresh ammunition, also, would be acceptable, and, in order to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> deserve
+than in increasing quantities, they resolved that the next quest for
+scalps should be most zealous.</p>
+
+<p>Having finished his address, which had been studied carefully, de
+Peyster nodded toward Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"A new recruit, I suppose," he said. "One who has seen the light. Truly,
+he is of an admirable figure, and might do great service in our cause.
+But he bears no arms."</p>
+
+<p>Henry himself answered before Timmendiquas could say a word, and he
+answered all the more promptly, because he knew that the renegades,
+Girty, Wyatt and Blackstaffe had drawn near and were listening.</p>
+
+<p>"I am no recruit," he said. "I don't want to die, but I'd sooner do it
+than make war upon my own people as you and your friends are doing,
+Colonel de Peyster, and be responsible for the murder of women and
+children, as you and your friends are. I was at Wyoming and I saw the
+terrible deeds done there. I am no renegade and I never can be one."</p>
+
+<p>The face of the well-fed Colonel flushed an apoplectic purple, and
+Braxton Wyatt thrust his hand to the butt of the pistol in his belt, but
+Girty, inured to everything, laughed and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Don't take it so hard, young man."</p>
+
+<p>"Then tell us who you are!" exclaimed Colonel de Peyster angrily.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was Timmendiquas who replied.</p>
+
+<p>"He is my prisoner," he said. "He is the most valiant of all the
+Kentuckians. We took him after a great struggle in which he overthrew
+many of our young men. I have brought him as a present to you at
+Detroit."</p>
+
+<p>Did the words of Timmendiquas contain some subtle irony? De Peyster
+looked at him sharply, but the coppery face of the great chief expressed
+nothing. Then the diplomacy which he was compelled to practice
+incessantly with his red allies came to his aid.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I accept the present," he replied, "because he is obviously a fine
+specimen of the <i>genus</i> rebel, and we may be able to put him to use. May
+I ask your name, young sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ware&mdash;Henry Ware."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, Master Ware, since you are here with us, you can join in the
+little banquet that we have prepared, and see what a happy family the
+King's officers and the great chiefs make."</p>
+
+<p>Now it was de Peyster who was ironical. The words of Henry about
+renegades and Wyoming and the slaying of women and children had stung
+him, but he would not show the sting to a boy; instead, he would let him
+see how small and weak the Kentuckians were, and how the King's men and
+the tribes would be able to encompass their complete destruction.</p>
+
+<p>"Timmendiquas has given you to me as my prisoner," he said, "but for an
+hour or two you shall be my guest."</p>
+
+<p>Henry bowed. He was not at all averse. His was an inquiring mind, and if
+de Peyster had anything of importance to show, he wished to see it.</p>
+
+<p>"Lead the way, Catesby," said the commandant to a young officer,
+evidently an aide.</p>
+
+<p>Catesby proceeded to a large house near the north end of the court.
+Colonel de Peyster and Timmendiquas, side by side, followed him. The
+others came in a group.</p>
+
+<p>Catesby led them into a great room, evidently intended as a public
+banquet hall, as it had a long and wide table running down its center.
+But several large windows were opened wide and Henry conjectured that
+this effect&mdash;half out of doors&mdash;was created purposely. Thus it would be
+a place where the Indian chiefs could be entertained without feeling
+shut in.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster evidently had prepared well. Huge metal dishes held
+bear meat, buffalo meat and venison, beef and fish. Bread and all the
+other articles of frontier food<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> were abundant. Four soldiers stood by
+as waiters. De Peyster sat at the head of the table with Timmendiquas on
+his right and Simon Girty on his left. Henry had a seat almost at the
+foot, and directly across the table from him was the frowning face of
+Braxton Wyatt. Colonel Caldwell sat at the foot of the table and several
+other British or Tory officers also were present. The food was served
+bountifully, and, as the chiefs had come a long distance and were
+hungry, they ate with sharp appetites. Many of them, scorning knives and
+forks, cracked the bones with their hands. For a long time the Indians
+preserved the calm of the woods, but Colonel de Peyster was bland and
+beaming. He talked of the success of the King's army and of the Indian
+armies. He told how the settlements had been destroyed throughout
+Western New York and Pennsylvania, and he told how those of Kentucky
+would soon share the same fate. A singular spirit seemed to possess him.
+The Americans, patriots or rebels, as they were variously called, always
+hated the Tories more bitterly than they hated the English, and this
+hatred was returned in full measure.</p>
+
+<p>Now it seemed to Henry that de Peyster intended his remarks largely for
+him. He would justify himself to the captive youth, and at the same time
+show him the power of the allied Indians, Tories, and English. He talked
+quite freely of the great expedition of Bird and of the cannon that he
+carried with him.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think that your palisades will stand before heavy cannon balls,
+will they, Ware?"</p>
+
+<p>"I fear not," replied Henry, "and it is likely that many of our people
+will suffer, but you must bear in mind, Colonel de Peyster, that
+whenever a man falls in Kentucky another comes to take his place. We are
+fighting for the land on which we stand, and you are fighting for an
+alien ruler, thousands of miles away. No matter how many defeats we may
+suffer, we shall win in the end."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>De Peyster frowned.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not know the strength of Britain," he said, "nor do you know the
+power of the warriors. You say that you were at Wyoming. Well, you have
+seen what we could do."</p>
+
+<p>Girty broke into a sneering laugh at Henry and then seconded the words
+of his chief.</p>
+
+<p>"All we want is union and organization," he said. "Soon our own troops
+and the red warriors will form one army along the whole line of the war.
+The rebel cause is already sinking in the East, and in another year the
+King will be triumphant everywhere."</p>
+
+<p>Girty was a crafty man, something of a forest statesman. He had given
+the Indians much help on many occasions and they usually deferred to
+him. Now he turned to them.</p>
+
+<p>"When Colonel Bird achieves his victories south of the Ohio, as he is
+sure to do," he said, "and when Timmendiquas and his great force marches
+to destroy all that is left, then you, O chiefs, will have back your
+hunting grounds for your villages and your people. The deer and the
+buffalo will be as numerous as ever. Fire will destroy the houses and
+the forests will grow where they have been. Their cornfields will
+disappear, and not a single one of the Yengees will be found in your
+great forests beyond the Beautiful River."</p>
+
+<p>The nostrils of the chiefs dilated. A savage fire, the desire for
+scalps, began to sparkle in the dark eyes of the wilderness children. At
+this crucial moment of excitement Colonel de Peyster caused cups to be
+brought and wine to be passed. All drank, except Henry and the great
+chief, the White Lightning of the Wyandots. De Peyster himself felt the
+effect of the strong liquor, and Girty and Wyatt did not seek to hide
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"There is fire in your veins, my children," exclaimed de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> Peyster. "You
+will fight for the King. You will clear the woods of the rebels, and he
+will send you great rewards. As a proof of what he will do he gives you
+many presents now."</p>
+
+<p>He made a signal and the soldiers began to bring in gifts for the
+chiefs, gifts that seemed to them beautiful and of great value. There
+were silver-mounted rifles for Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, Yellow Panther,
+and also for another Shawnee chief of uncommon ferocity, Moluntha. Their
+eyes sparkled as they received them, and all uttered thanks except
+Timmendiquas, who still did not say a word. Then came knives, hatchets,
+blankets&mdash;always of bright colors&mdash;beads and many little mirrors. The
+Indians were excited with the wine and the variety and splendor of the
+presents. A young chief, Yahnundasis, a Shawnee, sprang from the table
+and burst into a triumphant chant:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The great chief beyond the seas<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Sends us the rifle and the knife;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">He bids us destroy the hated Yengees,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And the day of our wrath has come.</span>
+</div>
+<div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">We search the forest for white scalps;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The cannon, the great guns will help us,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Not a foe in Kentucky will be left,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">None can escape the rage of the warriors.</span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>He sang other verses in the Shawnee tongue, and all the while he was
+growing more excited with his chant and leapings. He drew his tomahawk
+and swung it in a glittering circle above his head. The red and black
+paint upon his face, moistened by his own perspiration, dripped slowly
+upon his shoulders. He was a wild and terrible figure, a true exponent
+of primitive savagery, but no one interfered with him. In the minds of
+the renegades he awoke corresponding emotions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Caldwell at the foot of the table looked inquiringly at de Peyster at
+the head of it, but de Peyster raised neither hand nor voice to stay
+dance and song. It may be that the wine and the intoxication of so wild
+a scene had gone to his own head. He listened attentively to the song,
+and watched the feet of the dancer, while he drummed upon the table with
+his forefingers. One of the chiefs took from his robe a small whistle
+made of the bone of an eagle, and began to blow upon it a shrill
+monotonous tune. This inflamed the dancer still further, and he grew
+wilder and wilder. The note of the whistle, while varying but little,
+was fierce, piercing, and abundant. It thrilled the blood of red men and
+white, all save Timmendiquas, who sat, face and figure alike unmoving.</p>
+
+<p>Yahnundasis now began to gaze steadily at Henry. However he gyrated, he
+did not take his eyes from those of the captive youth. Henry's blood
+chilled, and for a moment stopped its circulation. Then it flowed in its
+wonted tide, but he understood. Yahnundasis was seeing red. Like the
+Malay he was amuck. At any moment he might throw the glittering hatchet
+at the prisoner. Henry recognized the imminence of his danger, but he
+steeled his nerves. He saw, too, that much depended upon himself, upon
+the power of the spirit that radiated from his eyes. Hence, he, too,
+looked steadily into the eyes of Yahnundasis. He poured all his nervous
+strength and force into the gaze.</p>
+
+<p>He felt that he was holding the dancing chief in a sort of a spell by
+the power of a spirit greater than that of Yahnundasis. Yet it could not
+last; in a minute or two the chief must break the charm, and then,
+unless someone interfered, he would cast the tomahawk. Obviously the
+interference should come from de Peyster. But would he do it? Henry did
+not dare take his eyes from those of Yahnundasis in order to look at the
+Tory Colonel.</p>
+
+<p>The savage now was maddened completely with his song,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> the dance, and
+the wine that he had drunk. Faster and faster whirled the hatchet, but
+with his powerful gaze deep into the eyes of the other, Henry still
+sought to restrain the hand that would hurl the deadly weapon. It became
+a pain, both physical and mental, to strain so. He wanted to look aside,
+to see the others, and to know why they did not stop so wild a scene. He
+was conscious of a great silence, save for the singing and dancing of
+the Indian and the beating of his own heart. He felt convinced now that
+no one was going to interfere, and his hand stole towards one of the
+large knives that had been used for cutting meat.</p>
+
+<p>The voice of Yahnundasis rose to a shriek and he leaped like a
+snake-dancer. Henry felt sure that the tomahawk was going to come, but
+while he yet stared at the savage he caught a glimpse of a tall,
+splendidly arrayed figure springing suddenly upright. It was
+Timmendiquas and he, too, drew a tomahawk. Then with startling quickness
+he struck Yahnundasis with the flat of the blade. Yahnundasis fell as if
+he had been slain. The tomahawk flew wildly from his hand, and dark
+blood from his broken crown mingled with the red and black paint on his
+face. Timmendiquas stood up, holding his own tomahawk threateningly, an
+angry look darting from his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Take him away," he said, indicating Yahnundasis, in a contemptuous
+tone. "To-morrow let him nurse his bruised head and reflect that it is
+not well to be a fool. It is not meet that a warrior, even be he a
+chief, should threaten a prisoner, when we come to a feast to talk of
+great things."</p>
+
+<p>As a murmur of assent came from the chiefs about him, he resumed his
+seat in dignified silence. Henry said nothing, nor did he allow his
+countenance to change, but deep in his heart he felt that he owed
+another debt to the Wyandot chieftain. De Peyster and Caldwell exchanged
+glances. Both knew that they had allowed the affair to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> too far, but
+both alike resented the stern rebuke contained in the words of
+Timmendiquas. Yet each glance said the same, that it was wise to
+dissimulate and take no offense.</p>
+
+<p>"You have spoken well, as usual, Timmendiquas," said Colonel de Peyster.
+"Now as you and the other chiefs are rested after your long march we
+will talk at once of the great things that we have in mind, since time
+is of value. Colonel Bird with the cannon has gone against Kentucky. As
+I have already said we wish to send another force which will seek out
+and destroy every station, no matter how small, and which will not even
+leave a single lone cabin unburned. Colonel Caldwell will command the
+white men, but you, Timmendiquas, and the allied tribes will have the
+greater task and the greater glory. The King will equip you amply for
+the work. He will present a rifle, much ammunition and a fine blanket to
+every warrior who goes. Rifles, blankets and ammunition are all in our
+storehouses here in Detroit, and they will be distributed the moment the
+expedition starts."</p>
+
+<p>The renegades clapped their hands. Most of the chiefs uttered cries of
+approval and shook their tomahawks in exultation, but Timmendiquas
+remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>"Does it not appeal to you, Timmendiquas?" said de Peyster. "You have
+been the most zealous of all the chiefs. You have led great attacks
+against the settlers, and you have been most eager in battle."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas rose very deliberately and speaking in Wyandot, which
+nearly all present understood, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"What the Colonel of the King says is true. I have fought many times
+with the Kentuckians, and they are brave men. Sometimes we have beaten
+them, and sometimes they have beaten us. They have great warriors,
+Clark, Boone, Kenton, Harrod and the tall youth who sits here, my
+captive. Let not the colonel of the King forget that with Clark at their
+head they crossed the Ohio, took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> Vincennes and Kaskaskia and him who
+was then the commander of Detroit, Hamilton, now held prisoner in a far
+land beyond the mountains."</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster's face flushed darkly, and the other white men moved
+uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>"The things you tell are true, Timmendiquas," said de Peyster, "but what
+bearing do they have upon our expedition?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to speak of many things," resumed the chief. "I am for war to
+the end against those who have invaded our hunting grounds. But let not
+Colonel de Peyster and Caldwell and Girty forget that the villages of
+the Indians lie between Kaintuckee and Detroit."</p>
+
+<p>"What of it?" said de Peyster. "The Kentuckians reduced so low will not
+dare to come against them."</p>
+
+<p>"That we do not know," said Timmendiquas. "When we destroy the men in
+Kaintuckee others come to take their places. It is the duty of the
+Wyandots and all the allied tribes to look into the future. Listen, O
+Colonel of the King. I was at Wyoming in the East when the Indians and
+their white friends won a great victory. Never before had I seen such a
+taking of scalps. There was much joy and feasting, dancing and singing.
+It was the Iroquois, the great Six Nations who won the victory, and they
+thought that their Aieroski, who is our Manitou, would never forsake
+them. They swept the whole valley of Wyoming and many other valleys.
+They left the country as bare as my hand. But it was not the end."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas seemed to grow in stature, and he looked fiercely into the
+eyes of the English officers. Despite themselves de Peyster and Caldwell
+quailed.</p>
+
+<p>"It was not the end," continued Timmendiquas, and his tone was severe
+and accusing. "The Iroquois had destroyed the rear of the Yengees and
+great were the thanks of the King's men. The mighty Thayendanegea, the
+Mo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>hawk, was called the first of all warriors, but the great chief of
+the Long Knives far away in the East did not forget. By and by a great
+army came against the Iroquois. Where were the King's men then? Few came
+to help. Thayendanegea had to fight his battle almost alone. He was
+beaten, his army was scattered like sand before the wind, and the army
+of the Long Knives trod out the Iroquois country. Their great villages
+went up in flames, their Council Houses were destroyed, the orchards
+that had been planted by their grandfathers were cut down, their fields
+were deserted, the whole Iroquois country was ruined, and the Six
+Nations, never before conquered, now huddle by the British posts at
+Niagara and Oswego for shelter."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a great misfortune, but the brave Iroquois will repair it," said
+de Peyster. "Why do you tell of it, Timmendiquas?"</p>
+
+<p>"For this reason," replied the chief. "The Iroquois would not have been
+without a country, if the King's men had helped them as they had helped
+the King's men. Shall we, in the West, the Wyandots, the Shawnees, the
+Miamis and the others meet the same fate? Shall we go against
+Kaintuckee, destroy the settlements there, and then, when an avenging
+army comes against our villages, lose our country, because the King's
+men who should help us are far away, as the Iroquois lost theirs?"</p>
+
+<p>He folded his arms across his broad chest and, stern and accusing,
+awaited the answer. De Peyster quailed again, but he quickly recovered.
+He was a flexible man skilled in diplomacy, and he saw that he must
+promise, promise much and promise it in convincing tones. He noticed
+moreover the deep murmur of approval that the chiefs gave to the words
+of White Lightning. Then he in turn rose also and assuming his most
+imposing manner said:</p>
+
+<p>"On behalf of the King, Timmendiquas, I promise you the help of his full
+strength. It is not likely that the Ken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>tuckians will ever be able to
+come against your villages, but if they do I will march forth with all
+my force to your help. Nay, I will send East for others, to Niagara and
+Oswego and to Canada. It shall never be said of us that we deserted the
+tribes in their hour of need, if such an hour should come. I myself
+would gladly march now against these intruders if my duty did not hold
+me here."</p>
+
+<p>He looked around the table and his eye encountered Caldwell's. The
+officer instantly saw his cue and springing to his feet he cried:</p>
+
+<p>"What our brave commander says is true, Timmendiquas. I myself and some
+of our best men, we will fight beside you."</p>
+
+<p>Now the chiefs murmured approval of the words of de Peyster and
+Caldwell, as they had approved those of Timmendiquas. The great Wyandot
+himself seemed to be convinced, and said that it was well. Henry had
+listened to it all in silence, but now de Peyster turned his attention
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that we have given enough of our hospitality to this prisoner,"
+he said, "and since you have turned him over to me, Timmendiquas, I will
+send him to a place which will hold him for a while."</p>
+
+<p>Henry rose at once.</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing to go," he said. "I thank you for your food and drink, but
+I think I shall feel more at home in any prison that you may have than
+here among those who are planning the destruction of my people."</p>
+
+<p>Girty was about to speak, but de Peyster waved his hand, and the words
+stopped unsaid.</p>
+
+<p>"Take him to the jail, Holderness," he said to one of the younger
+officers. "He can wait there. We shall have plenty of time to decide
+concerning his fate."</p>
+
+<p>Henry walked by the side of the officer across the court. Holderness was
+quite young, ruddy, and evidently not long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> in America. He looked with
+admiration at Henry's height and magnificent shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"You are from that far land they call Kaintuckee?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"One of the best of the countries belonging to the Indians?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a good country, but I do not know that it ever belonged to the
+Indians. No doubt they have hunted there and fought there for hundreds
+of years, but so far as I know, they've never lived there."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it belongs to the King," said Holderness.</p>
+
+<p>Henry smiled. He rather liked this ingenuous young man who was not much
+older than himself.</p>
+
+<p>"A country like Kentucky," he replied, "belongs to those who can hold
+it. Once the French King claimed it, but how could he enforce a claim to
+a country separated from him by thousands of miles of sea and
+wilderness? Now the English King makes the same claim, and perhaps he
+has a better chance, but still that chance is not good enough."</p>
+
+<p>The young officer sighed a little.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry we have to fight you," he said. "I've heard ugly tales since
+I came about the savages and the white men, too."</p>
+
+<p>"You're likely to hear more," said Henry. "But this I take it is our
+jail."</p>
+
+<p>"It is. I'll go in and see that you're as comfortable as possible."</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER X<br />
+<small>THE LETTER OF THE FOUR</small></h2>
+
+<p>The building into which Henry was taken was built of brick and rough
+stone, two stories in height, massive and very strong. The door which
+closed the entrance was of thick oak, with heavy crosspieces, and the
+two rows of small windows, one above the other, were fortified with iron
+bars, so close together that a man could not pass between. Henry's quick
+eye noticed it all, as they entered between the British guards at the
+door. The house inside was divided into several rooms, none containing
+more than a rude pallet bed, a small pine table, a tin pitcher, a cup of
+water, and a pine stool.</p>
+
+<p>Henry followed Holderness into one of these rooms, and promptly sat on
+the pine stool by the window. Holderness looked at him with a mixture of
+admiration and pity.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry, old chap," he said, "that I have to lock you up here. Come
+now, do be reasonable. These rebels are bound to lose, and, if you can't
+join us, take a parole and go somewhere into Canada until all the
+trouble is over."</p>
+
+<p>Henry laughed lightly, but his heart warmed again toward young
+Holderness who had come from some easy and sheltered spot in England,
+and who knew nothing of the wilderness and its hardships and terrors.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you be sorry for me," he said. "As for this room, it's better
+than anything that I've been used to for years. And so far as giving a
+parole and going into Canada, I wouldn't dream of such a thing. It would
+interfere with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> my plans. I'm going back into the South to fight against
+your people and the Indians."</p>
+
+<p>"But you're a prisoner!"</p>
+
+<p>"For the present, yes, but I shall not remain so."</p>
+
+<p>"You can't escape."</p>
+
+<p>"I always escape. It's true I was never before in so strong a prison,
+but I shall go. I am willing to tell you, Lieutenant Holderness, because
+others will tell you anyhow, that I have outside four very faithful and
+skillful friends. Nothing would induce them to desert me, and among us
+we will secure my escape."</p>
+
+<p>Into the look of mingled admiration and pity with which Holderness had
+regarded Henry crept a touch of defiance.</p>
+
+<p>"You're deucedly confident, old chap," he said. "You don't seem to think
+that we amount to much here, and yet Colonel de Peyster has undoubtedly
+saved you from the Indians. You should be grateful to him for that
+much."</p>
+
+<p>Henry laughed. This ingenuous youth now amused him.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you think it was Colonel de Peyster or any other English or
+Tory officer who saved me from the Indians? Well, it wasn't. If Colonel
+Bird and your other white friends had had their way when I was taken I
+should have been burned at the stake long before this. It was the
+Wyandot chief, Timmendiquas, known in our language as White Lightning,
+who saved me."</p>
+
+<p>The young officer's red face flushed deeper red.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew that we had been charged with such cruelties," he said, "but I
+had hoped that they were not true. Now, I must leave you here, and, upon
+my soul, I do not wish you any harm."</p>
+
+<p>He went out and Henry felt a heavy key turn in the lock. A minute or two
+after he had gone the prisoner tried the door, and found that it was
+made of heavy oak, with strong crosspieces of the same material. He
+ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>erted all his great strength, and, as he expected, he could not shake
+it. Then he went back to the pine stool, which he drew up near a barred
+window, and sitting there watched as well as he could what was passing
+in the great court.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had too much natural wisdom and experience to beat his head
+uselessly against bars. He would remain quiet, preserving the strength
+of both body and mind, until the time for action came. Meanwhile he was
+using his eyes. He saw some of the chiefs pass, always accompanied by
+white officers. But he saw officers alone, and now and then women, both
+red and white. He also saw the swarthy faces of woods runners, and among
+them, one whose face and figure were familiar, that same Pierre Louis
+Lajeunais, whom he had met outside the fort.</p>
+
+<p>Lajeunais carried his rifle on one shoulder and a pack of furs on the
+other. It was a heavy pack, probably beaver skins, but he moved easily,
+and Henry saw that he was very strong. Henry regarded him thoughtfully.
+This man had been friendly, he had access to the fort, and he might be
+induced to give him aid. He did not see just then how Lajeunais could be
+of help to him, but he stored the idea in the back of his head, ready
+for use if there should be occasion.</p>
+
+<p>He presently saw Timmendiquas go by with Colonel de Peyster on one side
+of him and Colonel Caldwell on the other. Henry smiled. Evidently they
+were paying assiduous court to the Wyandot, and well they might. Without
+the aid of the powerful Indian tribes the British at Detroit could do
+nothing. In a few moments they were gone and then the twilight began to
+come over the great western post. From his window Henry caught a view of
+a distant reach of the broad river, glittering gold in the western sun.
+It came ultimately from one great lake and would empty into another.
+Paul's words returned to him. Those mysterious and mighty great lakes!
+would he live to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> them with his comrades? Once in his early
+captivity with the Indians he had wandered to the shores of the farthest
+and greatest of them all, and he remembered the awe with which he had
+looked upon the vast expanse of waters like the sea itself. He wished to
+go there again. Hundreds of stories and legends about the mighty chain
+had come from the Indians and this view of the river that flowed from
+the upper group stirred again all his old curiosity. Then he remembered
+his position and with a low laugh resumed his seat on the pine stool.</p>
+
+<p>Yet he watched the advance of the night. It seemed that the vast
+wilderness was coming down on Detroit and would blot it out completely,
+fortress, soldiers, village and all. In a little while the darkness
+covered everything save a few flickering lights here and there. Henry
+sat at the window a while, gazing absently at the lights. But his mind
+was away with his comrades, Paul, Shif'less Sol, Long Jim and Silent
+Tom, the faithful four with whom he had passed through a world of
+dangers. Where were they now? He had no doubt that they were near
+Detroit. It was no idle boast that he made to Colonel de Peyster when he
+said they would help rescue him. He awaited the result with absolute
+confidence. He was in truth so lacking in nervous apprehension that when
+he lay down on the rude pallet he was asleep in two minutes.</p>
+
+<p>He was awakened the next morning by Lieutenant Holderness who informed
+him that in the daytime, for the present at least, he would be allowed
+the liberty of the court. He could also eat outside.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm grateful," said Henry. "I wish to thank Colonel de Peyster, or
+whoever the man may be who has given me this much liberty."</p>
+
+<p>"It is Colonel de Peyster, of course," said the ruddy one.</p>
+
+<p>But Henry shrewdly suspected that his modicum of lib<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>erty was due to
+Timmendiquas, or rather the fear of de Peyster that he would offend
+Timmendiquas, and weaken the league, if he ill treated the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>Henry went outside and bathed his face at a water barrel. Then at the
+invitation of Holderness he joined some soldiers and Canadian Frenchmen
+who were cooking breakfast together beside a great fire. They made room
+readily at the lieutenant's request and Henry began to eat. He noticed
+across the fire the brown face of Lajeunais, and he nodded in a friendly
+manner. Lajeunais nodded in return and his black eyes twinkled. Henry
+thought that he saw some significance in the twinkle, but when he looked
+again Lajeunais was busy with his own breakfast. Then the incident
+passed out of his mind and he quickly found himself on good terms with
+both soldiers and woods runners.</p>
+
+<p>"You give your parole," said Lajeunais, "an' go North wiz me on the
+great huntin' an' trappin'. We will go North, North, North, beyon' the
+Great Lakes, an' to other lakes almost as great, a thousan', two
+thousan' miles beyon' the home of white men to trap the silver fox, the
+pine marten an' the other furs which bring much gold. Ah, le bon Dieu,
+but it is gran'! an' you have ze great figure an' ze great strength to
+stan' ze great cold. Then come wiz me. Ze great lakes an' woods of ze
+far North is better zan to fret your life out here in ze prison. You
+come?"</p>
+
+<p>He spoke entreatingly, but Henry smiled and replied in a tone full of
+good humor:</p>
+
+<p>"It's a tempting offer, and it's very kind of you, Monsieur Lajeunais,
+but I cannot accept it. Neither am I going to fret my life out within
+these walls. I'm going to escape."</p>
+
+<p>All the soldiers and woods runners laughed together except Lajeunais.
+Henry's calm assurance seemed a great joke to them, but the Frenchman
+watched him shrewdly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>. He was familiar with men of the woods, and it
+seemed to him that the great youth was not boasting, merely stating a
+fact.</p>
+
+<p>"Confidence is ze gran' thing," he said, "but these walls are high an'
+the ears are many."</p>
+
+<p>While Henry sat there with the men, Colonel de Peyster passed. The
+commander was in an especially good humor that morning. He was convinced
+that his negotiations with the Indian were going well. He had sworn to
+Timmendiquas again that if the Western tribes would fight for the King,
+the King would help them in return should their villages be attacked.
+More presents had been distributed judiciously among the chiefs. The
+renegades also were at work. All of Girty's influence, and it was large,
+had been brought to bear in favor of the invasion, and it seemed to de
+Peyster that everything was now settled. He saw Henry sitting by the
+fire, gave him an ironical look, and, as he passed, sang clearly enough
+for the captive to hear a song of his own composition. He called it "The
+Drill Sergeant," written to the tune of "The Happy Beggars," and the
+first verse ran:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Come, stand well to your order,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Make not the least false motion;<br /></span>
+<span class="i3">Eyes to the right,<br /></span>
+<span class="i3">Thumb, muzzle height;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Lads, you have the true notion.<br /></span>
+<span class="i3">Here and there,<br /></span>
+<span class="i3">Everywhere<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That the King's boys may be found,<br /></span>
+<span class="i3">Fight and die,<br /></span>
+<span class="i3">Be the cry,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Ere in battle to give ground.</span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>De Peyster was not only a soldier, but being born in New York and having
+grown up there he prided himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> upon being a man of the world with
+accomplishments literary and otherwise. The privilege of humming one's
+own poetry is great and exalting, and the commander's spirits, already
+high, rose yet higher. The destruction of Kentucky was not only going to
+be accomplished, it was in fact accomplished already. He would extirpate
+the impudent settlers west of the mountains, and, when the King's
+authority was reestablished everywhere and the time came for rewards, he
+would ask and receive a great one.</p>
+
+<p>As Colonel de Peyster walked toward the western gate a Tory soldier,
+with bruises and excitement upon his face, and a torn uniform upon his
+body, hurried toward him, accompanied by Lieutenant Holderness.</p>
+
+<p>"This is Private Doran, sir," said Holderness, "and he has an important
+letter for you."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster looked critically at Private Doran.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to have been manhandled," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"I was set upon by a band of cutthroats," said Private Doran, the memory
+of his wrongs becoming very bitter, "and they commanded me upon pain of
+death to deliver this letter to you."</p>
+
+<p>He held out a dirty sheet of folded paper.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster felt instinctively that it was something that was
+going to be of great interest, and, before he opened it, he tapped it
+with a thoughtful forefinger.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get this?"</p>
+
+<p>"About five o'clock this morning," replied Private Doran with hesitation
+and in an apologetic tone, "I was on guard on the western side of the
+village, near the woods. I was watching as well as I could with my eyes
+open, and listening too, but I neither heard nor saw anything when four
+men suddenly threw themselves upon me. I fought, but how could I
+overcome four? I suffered many bruises, as you can see. I thought they
+were going to kill me, but they bound me, and then the youngest of 'em
+wrote this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> note which they told me to give to you, saying that they
+would send a rifle bullet through my head some dark night, if I
+disobeyed 'em, and I believe, sir, they would do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Report to your sergeant," said de Peyster, and Private Doran gladly
+went away. Then the commander opened the letter and as he read it his
+face turned a deep red with anger. He read it over again to see that he
+made no mistake, but the deep red of anger remained.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of such impertinence as this, Holderness?" he
+exclaimed, and then he read:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"To Colonel Arent Schuyler de Peyster, Commander of the King's
+forces at Detroit:</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Sir</i>:</p>
+
+<p>"You have a prisoner in your fort, one Henry Ware, our comrade. We
+warn you that if he is subjected to any ill-treatment whatever, you
+and your men shall suffer punishment. This is not an idle threat. We
+are able to make good our promises.</p>
+
+<p class="sigblock">"<span class="smcap">Solomon Hyde.</span><br />
+"<span class="smcap">Paul Cotter.</span><br />
+"<span class="smcap">Thomas Ross.</span><br />
+"<span class="smcap">James Hart.</span>"</p>
+</div>
+
+<p><br id="clearright" />
+"It's impertinence and mummery," repeated de Peyster, "I'll have that
+man Doran tied to a cannon and lashed on his bare back!"</p>
+
+<p>But Lieutenant Holderness was young and impressionable.</p>
+
+<p>"It's impertinent, of course, Colonel," he said, "and it sounds wild,
+too, but I believe the signers of this paper mean what they say.
+Wouldn't it be a good idea to treat this prisoner well, and set such a
+good watch that we can capture his friends, too? They'll be hanging
+about."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said de Peyster. "No, I think I have a better plan.
+Suppose we answer the letter of these fel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>lows. I have had no intention
+of treating Ware badly. I expected to exchange him or use him profitably
+as a hostage, but I'll tell his friends that we are going to subject him
+to severe punishment, and then we'll draw them into our net, too."</p>
+
+<p>"I've heard from Girty and Wyatt that they do wonderful things," said
+Holderness. "Suppose they should rescue Ware after all?"</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster laughed incredulously.</p>
+
+<p>"Take him away from us!" he said. "Why, he's as safely caged here as if
+he were in a stone prison in England. Just to show him what I think of
+their threat I'll let him read this letter."</p>
+
+<p>He approached Henry, who was still sitting by the fire and handed him
+the sheet of paper.</p>
+
+<p>"A letter from some friends of yours; the four most delightful humorists
+that these woods can furnish, I take it."</p>
+
+<p>Henry thrilled with delight when he read the paper, but he did not
+permit his face to show his joy. Like de Peyster he read it over twice,
+and then he handed it back to the Colonel.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said de Peyster, "what do you think of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"It speaks for itself," replied Henry. "They mean exactly what they
+say."</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster chose to adopt a light, ironical tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to tell me, my good fellow," he asked, "that four beggarly
+rebels, hiding for their lives in the wilderness, can punish me for
+anything that I may do to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not merely tell you so, I know it."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; it is a game, a play and we shall see what comes of it. I am
+going to send an answer to their letter, but I shall not tell you the
+nature of that answer, or what comes of it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I've no doubt that I'll learn in time," said Henry quietly.</p>
+
+<p>The boy's calmness annoyed de Peyster, and he left him abruptly,
+followed by Holderness. While his temper was still warm, he wrote a
+letter to the four stating that Henry Ware would be delivered to the
+savages for them to do with as they chose,&mdash;the implication being
+torture and death&mdash;and that unless the four gave Detroit a very wide
+berth they would soon be treated in the same way. Then he called the
+miserable Doran before him, and told him, when he took the late watch
+again the next night, to hook the letter on the twig of a tree near
+where he had been attacked before, and then watch and see what would
+occur. Doran promised strictly to obey, and, since he was not called
+upon to fight the terrific four, some of his apprehension disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>Henry meanwhile had left the fire beside which he had eaten breakfast,
+and&mdash;though closely guarded&mdash;strolled about the great enclosure. He felt
+an uncommon lightness of heart. It was almost as if he were the jailer
+and not the jailed. That letter from his four comrades was a message to
+him as well as to de Peyster. He knew that the soldiers of de Peyster
+and the Indians would make every effort to take them, but the woods
+about Detroit were dense and they would be on guard every second. There
+was no certainty, either, that all the French-Canadians were warmly
+attached to the King's cause. Why should they be? Why should they fight
+so zealously for the country that had conquered them not many years
+before? He saw once more in the afternoon the square, strong figure of
+Lajeunais, crossing the court. When the Frenchman noticed him he stopped
+and came back, smiling and showing his great white teeth.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, mon brav," he said, "doesn't the great North yet call to you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Henry, with an answering smile. "As I told you, I am going
+to escape."</p>
+
+<p>"You may," said Lajeunais, suddenly lowering his voice. "I met one of
+your friends in the forest. I cannot help, but I will not hinder. C'est
+une pitie that a garcon so gran' an' magnificent as you should pine an'
+die within prison walls."</p>
+
+<p>Then he was gone before Henry could thank him. Toward nightfall he was
+notified that he must return to his prison and now he felt the full
+weight of confinement when the heavy walls closed about him. But
+Holderness came with the soldier who brought his supper and remained to
+talk. Henry saw that Holderness, not long from England, was lonesome and
+did not like his work. It was true also that the young Englishman was
+appalled by the wilderness, not in the sense of physical fear, but the
+endless dark forest filled him with the feeling of desolation as it has
+many another man. He had found in Henry, prisoner though he was, the
+most congenial soul, that he had yet met in the woods. As he lingered
+while Henry ate the hard-tack and coffee, it was evident that he wanted
+to talk.</p>
+
+<p>"These friends of yours," he said. "They promise wonderful things. Do
+you really think they will rescue you, or did you merely say so to
+impress Colonel de Peyster? I ask, as man to man, and forgetting for the
+time that we are on opposing sides."</p>
+
+<p>Henry liked him. Here, undoubtedly, was an honest and truthful heart. He
+was sorry that they were official enemies, but he was glad that it did
+not keep them from being real friends.</p>
+
+<p>"I meant it just as I said it," he replied. "My friends will keep their
+words. If I am harmed some of your people here at Detroit will suffer.
+This no doubt sounds amazing to you, but strange things occur out here
+in the woods."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'm very curious to see," said Holderness. "Colonel de Peyster has sent
+them a message, telling them in effect that no attention will be paid to
+their warning, and that he will do with you as he chooses."</p>
+
+<p>"I am curious about it too," said Henry, "and if there is nothing in
+your duty forbidding it, I ask you to let me know the result."</p>
+
+<p>"I think it's likely that I can tell if there is anything to be told.
+Well, good night to you, Mr. Ware. I wish you a pleasant sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I always sleep well."</p>
+
+<p>The night was no exception to Henry's statement, but he was awake early
+the next morning. Colonel de Peyster also rose early, because he wished
+to hear quickly from Private Doran. But Private Doran did not come at
+the usual hour of reporting from duty, nor did he return the next hour,
+nor at any hour. De Peyster, furious with anger, sent a detachment which
+found his letter gone and another there. It said that as proof of their
+power they had taken his sentinel and they warned him again not to harm
+the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster raged for several reasons. It hurt his personal pride, and it
+injured his prestige with the Indians. Timmendiquas was still
+troublesome. He was demanding further guarantees that the King's
+officers help the Indians with many men and with cannon, in case a
+return attack should be delivered against their villages, and the White
+Lightning of the Wyandots was not a chief with whom one could trifle.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas had returned to the camp of his warriors outside the walls
+and de Peyster at once visited him there. He found the chief in a fine
+lodge of buffalo skin that the Wyandots had erected for him, polishing
+the beautiful new rifle that had been presented to him as coming from
+the King. He looked up when he saw de Peyster enter, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> his smile
+showed the faintest trace of irony. But he laid aside the rifle and
+arose with the courtesy befitting a red chief who was about to receive a
+white one.</p>
+
+<p>"Be seated, Timmendiquas," said de Peyster with as gracious a manner as
+he could summon. "I have come to consult with you about a matter of
+importance. It seems to me that you alone are of sufficient judgment and
+experience to give me advice in this case."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas bowed gravely.</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster then told him of the threatening letter from the four, and of
+the disappearance of Private Doran. The nostrils of Timmendiquas
+dilated.</p>
+
+<p>"They are great warriors," he said, "but the white youth, Ware, whom you
+hold, is the greatest of them all. It was well done."</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster frowned. In his praise of the woodsmen Timmendiquas seemed to
+reflect upon the skill of his own troops. But he persisted in his plan
+to flatter and to appeal to the pride of Timmendiquas.</p>
+
+<p>"White Lightning," he said, "you know the forest as the bird knows its
+nest. What would you advise me to do?"</p>
+
+<p>The soothing words appealed to Timmendiquas and he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"I will send some of my warriors to trail them from the spot where your
+man was taken, and do you send soldiers also to take them when they are
+found. It is my business to make war upon these rangers from Kentucky,
+and I will help you all I can."</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster, who felt that his honor was involved, left the lodge much
+more hopeful. It was intolerable that he, a soldier and a poet, should
+be insulted in such a manner by four wild woodsmen, and he selected ten
+good men who, following two Wyandot trailers, would certainly avenge
+him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry heard the details of Private Doran's misadventure from Lieutenant
+Holderness, who did not fail to do it full justice.</p>
+
+<p>"I should not have believed it," said the young Englishman, "if the
+facts were not so clear. Private Doran is not a small man. He must weigh
+at least one hundred and eighty, but he is gone as completely as if the
+earth had opened and swallowed him up."</p>
+
+<p>Henry smiled and pretended to take it lightly. At heart he was hugely
+delighted at this new proof of the prowess of his friends.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you what they were," he said. "They are keeping their promises,
+are they not?"</p>
+
+<p>"So far they have, but they will reach the end very soon. The Chief
+Timmendiquas, the tall one, who thinks he is as good as the King of
+England, has furnished two Wyandot trailers&mdash;they say the beggars can
+come pretty near following the trail left by the flight of a bird
+through the air&mdash;and they will take a detachment of ten good men against
+these four friends of yours."</p>
+
+<p>The prisoner's eyes sparkled. It did not seem to Holderness that he was
+at all cast down as he should be.</p>
+
+<p>"Shif'less Sol will lead them a glorious chase," said Henry. "The
+Wyandots are fine trailers, but they are no better than he, maybe not as
+good, and no detachment of heavy-footed soldiers can surprise him in the
+woods."</p>
+
+<p>"But if overtaken they will certainly be defeated. All of them will be
+slain or captured," said Holderness. "There can be no doubt of it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is to be seen," said Henry, "and we must wait patiently for the
+result."</p>
+
+<p>Henry was allowed to go in the court again that day. He knew that strong
+influences were working for his good treatment, and with the
+impossibility of escape in broad daylight under scores of watchful eyes
+there was no reason<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> why he should be confined in the big jail. He hoped
+to see Timmendiquas there, but the chief still stayed outside with his
+Wyandot warriors. Instead he met another who was not so welcome. As he
+turned a corner of a large log building he came face to face with
+Braxton Wyatt. Henry turned abruptly away, indicating that he would
+avoid the young renegade as he would a snake. But Wyatt called to him:</p>
+
+<p>"Henry, I've got a few words to say to you. You know that you and I were
+boys together down there in Wareville, and if I've done you any harm it
+seems that the score is about even between us. I've helped to make war
+on the rebels in the East. I had gathered together a fine band there. I
+was leader of it and a man of importance, but that band was destroyed
+and you were the chief instrument of its destruction."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say all this?" asked Henry shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"To show you that I am in the right, and that I am now a Loyalist not
+for profit, but in face of the fact that I suffer for it."</p>
+
+<p>Henry looked at him in amazement. Why should Braxton Wyatt say these
+things to him whom he hated most? Then he suddenly knew the reason. Deep
+down in the heart of everyone, no matter how perverted he may become, is
+some desire for the good opinion of others. The renegade was seeking to
+justify himself in the eyes of the youth who had been for a while a
+childhood comrade. He felt a sort of pity, but he knew that nothing good
+could come of any further talk between Braxton Wyatt and himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you are entitled to your opinion, Braxton," he said, "but it
+can never be mine. Your hands are red with the blood of your people, our
+people, and there can never be any friendship between us."</p>
+
+<p>He saw the angry light coming into Wyatt's eyes, and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> turned away. He
+felt that under the circumstances he could not quarrel with him, and he
+knew that if they were in the forest again they would be as bitter
+enemies as ever. It was a relief to him to meet Holderness and another
+young officer, Desmond, also a recent arrival from England, and quite as
+ignorant as Holderness of wilderness ways and warfare. He found them
+fair and generous opponents and, in his heart, he absolved them from
+blame for the terrible consequences following upon the British alliance
+with the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>They took Henry on the entire inside circuit of the walls, and he, as
+well as they, was specially interested in the outlook over the river. A
+platform four feet wide was built against the palisade the same distance
+from the top. It was reached at intervals by flights of narrow steps,
+and here in case of attack the riflemen would crouch and fire from their
+hidden breastwork. Close by and under the high bank flowed the river, a
+broad, deep stream, bearing the discharge from those mighty inland seas,
+the upper chain of the Great Lakes. The current of the river, deep, blue
+and placid and the forests beyond, massive, dark, and green, made Henry
+realize how bitter it was to be a prisoner. Here separated from him by
+only a few feet was freedom, the great forest with its sparkling waters
+that he loved. In spite of himself, he sighed, and both Holderness and
+Desmond, understanding, were silent.</p>
+
+<p>Near them was a sort of trestle work that ran out toward the river,
+although it did not reach it by many feet.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?" asked Henry, as he looked at it curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"It was intended to be a pier or wharf for loading or unloading boats,"
+replied Holderness. "They tell me that Colonel Hamilton started it, in
+the belief that it would be useful in an emergency, but when Colonel de
+Peyster succeeded to the command he stopped the work there, thinking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>
+that it might be of as much service to an enemy as to a friend."</p>
+
+<p>Henry took little more notice of the unfinished pier, and they descended
+from the platform to the ground, their attention being attracted by a
+noise at the most distant gate. When they took a second look at the
+cause of the tumult, they hurried forward.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI<br />
+<small>THE CRY FROM THE FOREST</small></h2>
+
+<p>The spectacle that met the eyes of Henry and his English friends was one
+likely to excite curiosity and interest. The party of ten soldiers and
+two Wyandots that had gone forth to take the youth's four comrades was
+returning, but they brought with them no prisoners, nor any trophies
+from the slain. Instead, one of the Wyandots carried an arm in a rude
+sling, one soldier was missing, and four others bore wounds.</p>
+
+<p>Henry laughed inwardly, and it was a laugh full of satisfaction and
+triumph. The party had found the four, but his prevision had not failed
+him. Shif'less Sol and the others were on watch. They had been found,
+because they permitted themselves to be found, and evidently they had
+fought with all the advantage of ambush and skill. He felt instinctively
+that they had not suffered any serious harm.</p>
+
+<p>"They do not bring your friends," said Holderness.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Henry, "nor do they bring back all of themselves. I do not
+wish to boast, gentlemen, but I warned you that my comrades would be
+hard to take."</p>
+
+<p>Henry saw Colonel de Peyster join the group and he saw, too, that his
+face expressed much chagrin. So, not wishing to exult openly, he deemed
+it wise to turn aside.</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't mind," he said to the young officers, "I'm willing to go
+into my cell, and, if you care to tell me later about what has happened,
+you know I shall be glad to hear it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It might be advisable," said Holderness, and accordingly they locked
+him in, where he waited patiently. He heard the noise of many voices
+outside, but those to whom the voices belonged did not come within the
+range of his window, and he waited, alive with curiosity. He did not
+hear until nearly night, when Holderness came in with the soldier who
+brought him his supper. Holderness seemed somewhat chagrined at the
+discomfiture of de Peyster's party, and he sat a little while in
+silence. Henry, knowing that the young Englishman must have a certain
+feeling for his own, waited until he should choose to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm bound to confess, old chap," said Holderness at last, "that you
+were right all the way through. I didn't believe you, but you knew your
+own friends. It was a facer for us and, 'pon my word, I don't see how
+they did it. The Wyandots, it seems, found the trail very soon, and it
+led a long distance through the woods until they came to a deep creek.
+Our men could wade the creek by holding their rifles and muskets above
+their heads, which they undertook to do, but a man standing in water up
+to his neck is not ready for a fight. At that point fire was opened upon
+them, and they were compelled to beat as hasty a retreat as they could.
+You must admit, Mr. Ware, that they were taken at a disadvantage."</p>
+
+<p>"I admit it freely enough," said Henry. "It's a dangerous thing to try
+to cross a deep stream in the face of a bold enemy who knows how to
+shoot. And of course it was an ambush, too. That is what one has to
+beware of in these woods."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a truth that I'm learning every day," said Holderness, who left,
+wishing the prisoner, since he would not give a parole and go into
+Canada, a speedy exchange with the Americans for some British captive of
+importance. Henry was not sorry to be left alone as he was trying to
+fathom through their characters the plan of his comrades.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> Paul would
+seek speedy action, Jim Hart would agree with him, but the crafty
+Shif'less Sol, with a patience equaling that of any Indian, would risk
+nothing, until the time was ripe, and he would be seconded by the
+cautious temperament of Silent Tom. Undoubtedly Shif'less Sol would have
+his way. It behooved him also to show extreme patience; a quality that
+he had learned long since, and he disposed himself comfortably on his
+pallet for his night's rest.</p>
+
+<p>The second exploit of his comrades had encouraged him wonderfully. He
+was not talking folly, when he had said to more than one that he would
+escape. The five had become long since a beautiful machine that worked
+with great precision and power, and it was their first principles that,
+when one was in trouble, all the rest should risk everything for him.</p>
+
+<p>He fell asleep, but awoke some time before midnight. A bright moon was
+shining in at his window and the little village within the walls was
+very quiet and peaceful. He turned over and closed his eyes in order
+that he might go to sleep again, but he was restless and sleep would not
+come. Then he got up and stood by the window, looking at the part of the
+court that lay within range. Nothing stirred. There were sentinels, of
+course, but they did not pass over the area commanded by his window. The
+silence was very deep, but presently he heard a sound very faint and
+very distant. It was the weird cry of the owl that goes so far on a
+still night. No wilderness note could have been more characteristic, but
+it was repeated a certain number of times and with certain intonations,
+and a little shiver ran down Henry's back. He knew that cry. It was the
+signal. His friends were speaking to him, while others slept, sending a
+voice across the woods and waters, telling him that they were there to
+help.</p>
+
+<p>Then, a strange, capricious idea occurred to him. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> would reply. The
+second window on the side of the river, too narrow for a man to pass
+through, was open, and putting his face to it, he sent back the
+answering cry, the long, weird, wailing note. He waited a little and
+again he heard a voice from the far shore of the river, the exact
+rejoinder to his own, and he knew that the four out there understood.
+The chain of communication had been established. Now he went back to his
+pallet, fell asleep with ease, and slept peacefully until morning.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, superstition assailed the French-Canadians in the village,
+and many of the Indians. A second private who had a late beat near the
+forest had been carried off. There were signs of a struggle. No blood
+had been shed, but Private Myers had vanished as completely as his
+predecessor. To many of the people who sat about the lodges or cabins it
+seemed uncanny, but it filled the heart of de Peyster with rage. He
+visited Timmendiquas a second time in his lodge of skins and spoke with
+some heat.</p>
+
+<p>"You have great warriors," he said, "men who can trail anything through
+the forest. Why is it that they cannot find this petty little band of
+marauders, only four?"</p>
+
+<p>"They did find them," returned Timmendiquas gravely; "they took your
+soldiers, but your soldiers returned without them. Now they hold two of
+your men captive, but it is no fault of the Wyandots or their brethren
+of the allied tribes. We wait here in peace, while the other presents
+that you have promised us come from Niagara."</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster bit his lip. He had rashly promised more and greater gifts
+for which he would have to send to Niagara, and Timmendiquas had
+announced calmly that the warriors would remain at Detroit until they
+came. This had made another long delay and de Peyster raged internally,
+although he strove to hide it. Now he made the same effort at
+self-command, and replied pacifically:</p>
+
+<p>"I keep all my promises, Timmendiquas, and yet I con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>fess to you that
+this affair annoys me greatly. As a malignant rebel and one of the most
+troublesome of our enemies, I would subject Ware to close confinement,
+but two of my men are in the power of his friends, and they can take
+revenge."</p>
+
+<p>"De Peyster speaks wisely," said Timmendiquas. "It is well to choose
+one's time when to strike."</p>
+
+<p>Getting no satisfaction there, de Peyster returned to the court, where
+he saw Henry walking back and forth very placidly. The sight filled him
+with rage. This prisoner had caused him too much annoyance, and he had
+no business to look so contented. He began to attribute the delay in the
+negotiations to Henry. He, or at least his comrades, were making him
+appear ignorant and foolish before the chiefs. He could not refrain from
+a burst of anger. Striding up to Henry he put his hand violently upon
+his shoulder. The great youth was surprised but he calmly lifted the
+hand away and said:</p>
+
+<p>"What do you wish, Colonel de Peyster?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish many things, but what I especially don't wish just now is to see
+you walking about here, apparently as free as ourselves!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am in your hands," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"You can stay in the prison," said de Peyster. "You'll be out of the way
+and you'll be much safer there."</p>
+
+<p>"You're in command here."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," said de Peyster grimly, "and into the prison you go."</p>
+
+<p>Henry accordingly was placed in close confinement, where he remained for
+days without seeing anybody except the soldier who brought him his food
+and water, and from whom he could obtain no news at all. But he would
+make no complaint to this soldier, although the imprisonment was
+terribly irksome. He had been an entire week within walls. Such a thing
+had never happened before in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> his life, and often he felt as if he were
+choking. It seemed also at times that the great body which made him
+remarkable was shrinking. He knew that it was only the effect of
+imagination, but it preyed upon him, and he understood now how one could
+wither away from mere loneliness and inaction.</p>
+
+<p>His mind traveled over the countless scenes of tense activity that had
+been crowded into the last three or four years of his life. He had been
+many times in great and imminent danger, but it was always better than
+lying here between four walls that seemed to come closer every day. He
+recalled the deep woods, the trees that he loved, the sparkling waters,
+lakes, rivers and brooks; he recalled the pursuit of the big game, the
+deer and the buffalo; he recalled the faces of his comrades, how they
+jested with one another and fought side by side, and once more he
+understood what a terrible thing it is for a man to have his comings and
+goings limited to a space a few feet square. But he resolved that he
+would not complain, that he would ask no favor of de Peyster or Caldwell
+or any of them.</p>
+
+<p>Once he saw Braxton Wyatt come to a window and gaze in. The look of the
+renegade was full of unholy triumph, and Henry knew that he was there
+for the special purpose of exultation. He sat calm and motionless while
+the renegade stared at him. Wyatt remained at the window a full half
+hour, seeking some sign of suffering, or at least an acknowledgment of
+his presence, but he obtained neither, and he went on, leaving the
+silent figure full of rage.</p>
+
+<p>On the tenth day Holderness came in with the soldier. Henry knew by his
+face that he had something to say, but he waited for the lieutenant to
+speak first. Holderness fidgeted and did not approach the real subject
+for a little while. He spoke with sympathy of Henry's imprisonment and
+remarked on the loss of his tan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It's hard to be shut up like this, I know," he said, "but it is the
+fortune of war. Now I suppose if I were taken by the Americans they
+would do to me what Colonel de Peyster has done to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," replied Henry, truthfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither do I, but we'll suppose it, because I think it's likely. Now
+I'm willing to tell you, that we're going to let you out again. Some of
+us rather admire your courage and the fact that you have made no
+complaint. In addition there has been another letter from those impudent
+friends of yours."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" said Henry, and now he showed great interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, another letter. It came yesterday. It seems that there must be
+some collusion&mdash;with the French-Canadians, I suppose. Woodsmen, I'm
+sure, do not usually carry around with them paper on which to write
+notes. Nor could they have known that you were locked up in here unless
+someone told them. But to come back to the point. Those impudent rascals
+say in their letter that they have heard of your close imprisonment and
+that they are retaliating on Privates Doran and Myers."</p>
+
+<p>Henry turned his face away a little to hide a smile. He knew that none
+of his comrades would torture anybody.</p>
+
+<p>"They have drawn quite a dreadful picture, 'pon honor," continued
+Lieutenant Holderness, "and most of us have been moved by the sufferings
+of Doran and Myers. We have interceded with Colonel de Peyster, we have
+sought to convince him that your confinement within these four walls is
+useless anyhow, and he has acceded to our request. To-morrow you go
+outside and walk upon the grass, which I believe will feel good to your
+feet."</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Holderness, I thank you," said Henry in such a tone of
+emphatic gratitude that Holderness flushed with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"I have learned," continued Henry, "what a wonderful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> thing it is to
+walk on a little grass and to breathe air that I haven't breathed
+before."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand," said Lieutenant Holderness, looking at the narrow walls,
+"and by Jove, I'm hoping that your people will never capture me."</p>
+
+<p>"If they do, and they lock you up and I'm there, I shall do my best to
+get you out into the air, even as you have done it for me."</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove, I think you would," said Holderness.</p>
+
+<p>The hands of the two official enemies met in a hearty clasp. They were
+young and generous. The delights of life even as a prisoner now came in
+a swelling tide upon Henry. He had not known before that air could be so
+pure and keen, such a delight and such a source of strength to the
+lungs. The figure that had seemed to shrink within the narrow walls
+suddenly expanded and felt capable of anything. Strength flowed back in
+renewed volume into every muscle. Before him beyond the walls curved the
+dark green world, vital, intense, full of everything that he loved. It
+was there that he meant to go, and his confidence that he would escape
+rose higher than ever.</p>
+
+<p>A swart figure passed him and a low voice said in his ear: "Watch the
+river! Always watch the river!"</p>
+
+<p>It was Lajeunais who had spoken, and already he was twenty feet away,
+taking no notice of either Henry or Holderness, hurrying upon some
+errand, connected with his business of trapping and trading. But Henry
+knew that his words were full of meaning. Doubtless he had communicated
+in some manner with the four, and they were using him as a messenger. It
+looked probable. Lajeunais, like many of his race, had no love for the
+conquerors. He had given the word to watch the river, and Henry meant to
+do so as well as he could.</p>
+
+<p>He waited some time in order to arouse no suspicion, and then he
+suggested to Holderness that they walk again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> upon the platform of the
+palisade. The lieutenant consented willingly enough, and presently they
+stood there, looking far up and down the river and across at the forests
+of Canada. There were canoes upon the stream, most of them small,
+containing a single occupant, but all of these occupants were Indians.
+Some of the savages had come from the shores of the Northern waters.
+Chippewas or Blackfeet, who were armed with bows and arrows and whose
+blankets were of skins. But they had heard of Detroit, and they brought
+furs. They would go back with bright blankets and rifles or muskets.
+Henry watched them with interest. He was trying to read some
+significance for him into this river and its passengers. But if the text
+was there it was unintelligible. He saw only the great shining current,
+breaking now and then into crumbling little waves under the gentle wind,
+and the Indian canoes, with their silent occupants reflected vividly
+upon its surface, like pictures in a burnished mirror. Again he strained
+with eye and mind. He examined every canoe. He forced his brain to
+construct ingenious theories that might mean something, but all came to
+naught.</p>
+
+<p>"Strange people," said Holderness, who thought that Henry was watching
+the Indians with a curiosity like his own, merely that of one who sees
+an alien race.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they're strange," replied Henry. "We must always consider the
+difference. In some things like the knowledge of nature and the
+wilderness, they are an old, old race far advanced. In most others they
+are but little children. Once I was a captive among them for a long
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me about it," said Holderness eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was willing for a double reason. He had no objection to telling
+about his captivity, and he wished to keep Holderness there on the
+palisade, where he could watch the river. While his eyes watched his
+tongue told a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> tale. He had the power of description, because he
+felt intensely what he was saying. He told of the great forests and
+rivers of the West, of the vast plains beyond, of the huge buffalo herds
+that were a day in passing, and of the terrible storms that sometimes
+came thundering out of the endless depths of the plains. Holderness
+listened without interruption, and at the end he drew a long breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! that was to have lived!" he said. "One could never forget such a
+life, such adventures, but it would take a frame of steel to stand it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose one must be born to it," said Henry. "I've known no life but
+that of the wilderness, but my friend Paul, who has read books, often
+tells me of the world of cities beyond."</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't you like to go there?" asked Holderness.</p>
+
+<p>"To see it, yes, perhaps," replied Henry thoughtfully, "but not to stay
+long. I've nothing against people. I've some of the best friends that a
+man ever had, and we have great men in Kentucky, too, Boone, Kenton,
+Harrod, Logan, and the others, but think what a glorious thing it is to
+roam hundreds of miles just as you please, to enter regions that you've
+never seen before, to find new rivers, and new lakes, and to feel that
+with your rifle you can always defend yourself&mdash;that suits me. I suppose
+the time will come when such a life can't be lived, but it can be lived
+now and I'm happy that this is my time."</p>
+
+<p>Holderness was quiet. He still felt the spell of the wilderness that
+Henry had cast over him, but, after a moment or two, it began to pass.
+His nature was wholly different. In his veins flowed the blood of
+generations that had lived in the soft and protected English lands, and
+the vast forests and the silence, brave man though he was, inspired him
+with awe.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, meanwhile, still watched the passing canoes. The last of them was
+now far down the river, and he and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> Holderness looked at it, while it
+became a dot on the water, and then, like the others, sank from sight.
+Then he and his English friend walked out from the palisade upon the
+unfinished pier, and watched the twilight come over the great forest.
+This setting of the sun and the slow red light falling over the branches
+of the trees always appealed to Henry, but it impressed Holderness, not
+yet used to it, with the sense of mystery and awe.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," said he, "that it is the silence which affects me most. When
+I stand here and look upon that unbroken forest I seem face to face with
+a primeval world into which man has not yet come. One in fancy almost
+could see the mammoth or great sabre tooth tiger drinking at the far
+edge of the river."</p>
+
+<p>"You can see a deer drinking," said Henry, pointing with a long
+forefinger. Holderness was less keen-eyed, but he was able at length to
+make out the figure of the animal. The two watched, but soon the
+deepening twilight hid the graceful form, and then darkness fell over
+the stream which now flowed in a slow gray current. Behind them they
+heard the usual noises in the fort, but nothing came from the great
+forest in front of them.</p>
+
+<p>"Still the same silence," said Holderness. "It grows more uncanny."</p>
+
+<p>The last words had scarcely left his lips when out of that forest came a
+low and long wailing cry, inexpressibly sad, and yet with a decisive
+touch of ferocity. It sounded as if the first life, lonely and fierce,
+had just entered this primitive world. Holderness shivered, without
+knowing just why.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the cry of a wolf," said Henry, "perhaps that of some outcast
+from the pack. He is probably both hungry and lonesome, and he is
+telling the world about it. Hark to him again!"</p>
+
+<p>Henry was leaning forward, listening, and young Hold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>erness did not
+notice his intense eagerness. The cry was repeated, and the wolf gave it
+inflections like a scale in music.</p>
+
+<p>"It is almost musical," said Holderness. "That wolf must be singing a
+kind of song."</p>
+
+<p>"He is," said Henry, "and, as you notice, it is almost a human sound. It
+is one of the easiest of the animal cries to imitate. It did not take me
+long to learn to do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you really repeat that cry?" asked Holderness with incredulity.</p>
+
+<p>Henry laughed lightly.</p>
+
+<p>"I can repeat it so clearly that you cannot tell the difference," he
+said. "All the money I have is one silver shilling and I'll wager it
+with you that I succeed, you yourself to be the judge."</p>
+
+<p>"Done," said Holderness, "and I must say that you show a spirit of
+confidence when you let me, one of the wagerers, decide."</p>
+
+<p>Henry crouched a little on the timbers, almost in the manner of a wolf,
+and then there came forth not three feet from Holderness a long whining
+cry so fierce and sibilant that, despite his natural bravery, a
+convulsive shudder swept over the young lieutenant. The cry, although
+the whining note was never lost, rose and swelled until it swept over
+the river and penetrated into the great Canadian forest. Then it died
+slowly, but that ferocious under note remained in it to the last.</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove!" was all that Holderness could say, but, in an instant, the
+cry rose again beside him, and now it had many modulations and
+inflections. It expressed hunger, anger and loneliness. It was an almost
+human cry, and, for a moment, Holderness felt an awe of the strange
+youth beside him. When the last variation of the cry was gone and the
+echo had died away, the lieutenant gravely took a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> shining shilling from
+his pocket and handed it to Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"You win with ease," he said. "Listen, you do it so well that the real
+wolf himself is fooled."</p>
+
+<p>An answering cry came from the wolf in the Canadian woods, and then the
+deep silence fell again over forest and river.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I fooled him," said Henry carelessly, as he put the shilling in
+his pocket. "I told you it was one of the easiest of the animal cries to
+imitate."</p>
+
+<p>But he was compelled to turn his face away again in order that
+Holderness might not see his shining eyes. They were there, the faithful
+four. Doubtless they had signaled many times before, but they had never
+given up hope, they had persisted until the answering cry came.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we go in?" he said to Holderness.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm willing," replied the lieutenant. "You mustn't think any the less
+of me, will you, if I confess that I am still a little bit afraid of the
+wilderness at night? I've never been used to it, and to-night in
+particular that wolf's howl makes it all the more uncanny to me."</p>
+
+<p>The night had come on, uncommonly chill for the period of the year, and
+Henry also was willing to go. But when he returned to his little room it
+seemed littler than ever. This was not a fit place to be a home for a
+human being. The air lay heavy on his lungs, and he felt that he no
+longer had the patience to wait. The signal of his comrades had set
+every pulse in his veins to leaping.</p>
+
+<p>But he forced himself to sit down calmly and think it over. Lajeunais
+had told him to watch the river; he had watched and from that point the
+first sign had come. Then Lajeunais beyond a doubt meant him well, and
+he must watch there whenever he could, because, at any time, a second
+sign might come.</p>
+
+<p>The next day and several days thereafter he was held in prison by order
+of Colonel de Peyster. The commander<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> seemed to be in a vacillating
+mood. Now he was despondent, and then he had spells of courage and
+energy. Henry heard through Holderness that the negotiations with
+Timmendiquas were not yet concluded, but that they were growing more
+favorable. A fresh supply of presents, numerous and costly, had arrived
+from Niagara. The Shawnees and Miamis were eager to go at once against
+Kentucky. Only the Wyandots still demurred, demanding oaths from the
+King's commanders at Montreal and Quebec that all the tribes should be
+aided in case of a return attack by the Kentuckians.</p>
+
+<p>"But I think that in a week or so&mdash;two weeks at the
+furthest&mdash;Timmendiquas will be on the march," said Holderness. "A few of
+our soldiers will go with them and the whole party will be nominally
+under the command of Colonel William Caldwell, but Timmendiquas, of
+course, will be the real leader."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going with them?" asked Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I remain here."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad of that."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because you do not really know what an Indian raid is."</p>
+
+<p>Henry's tone was so significant that Holderness flushed deeply, but he
+remained silent. In a little while he left, and Henry was again a prey
+to most dismal thoughts. Bird, with his army and his cannon, doubtless
+had reached Kentucky by this time and was doing destruction.
+Timmendiquas would surely start very soon&mdash;he believed the words of
+Holderness&mdash;and perhaps not a single settlement would escape him. It was
+a most terrible fate to be laid by the heels at such a time. Before, he
+had always had the power to struggle.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII<br />
+<small>THE CANOE ON THE RIVER</small></h2>
+
+<p>Two more weeks passed and de Peyster's conduct in regard to Henry was
+regulated again by fits and starts. Sometimes he was allowed to walk in
+the great court within the palisade. On the fourth night he heard the
+signal cry once more from the Canadian woods. Now, as on the first
+night, it was the voice of the owl, and he answered it from the window.</p>
+
+<p>On the sixth day he was allowed to go outside, and, as before,
+Holderness was his escort. He noticed at once an unusual bustle and all
+the signs of extensive preparations. Many Indians of the various tribes
+were passing, and from the large brick building, used as a storehouse of
+arms and ammunition, they were receiving supplies. Despite their usual
+reserve all of them showed expectancy and delight and Henry knew at once
+that the great expedition under Timmendiquas, Caldwell and Girty was
+about to depart. If he had not known, there was one at hand who took a
+pleasure in enlightening him. Braxton Wyatt, in a royal uniform, stood
+at his elbow and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry to bid you good-by, Henry, because the stay at Detroit has been
+pleasant, but we go to-morrow, and I don't think much will be left of
+Kentucky when we get through. Pity that you should have to spend the
+time here while it is all going on. Timmendiquas himself leads us and
+you know what a man he is."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Holderness, who was with Henry, eyed Wyatt with strong
+disfavor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I do not think it fitting, Captain Wyatt, that you should speak in such
+a manner to a prisoner," he said.</p>
+
+<p>But Wyatt, at home in the woods and sure of his place, had all the
+advantage. He rejoined insolently:</p>
+
+<p>"You must realize, Lieutenant Holderness, that war in the American woods
+is somewhat different from war in the open fields of Europe. Moreover,
+as a lieutenant it is hardly your place to rebuke a captain."</p>
+
+<p>Holderness flushed deeply and was about to speak, but Henry put his hand
+on his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't pay any attention to him, Lieutenant," he said. "He's a sort of
+mad dog, ready to bite anything that gets in his way. Come on, let's
+take another look at the river."</p>
+
+<p>Holderness hesitated a moment, and then went with Henry. Wyatt's face
+was black with anger, but he did not dare to follow them and create a
+scene. While they were in the court the tumult was increased by an
+unexpected arrival at the western gate. Private Doran, unarmed, his
+hands bound behind him, his eyes bandaged, but otherwise undamaged, had
+suddenly appeared in the village, and was at once taken to the fort.
+Now, surrounded by a curious crowd, he seemed to be dazed, and to be
+frightened also. Henry saw at once that his fear was of his officers,
+and that it had not been caused by any suffering in captivity. In truth,
+Private Doran looked very well, having suffered no diminution of either
+girth or ruddiness. His fears in regard to his officers were justified,
+as he was taken at once before Colonel de Peyster, who examined him with
+the greatest severity.</p>
+
+<p>But Private Doran's apprehensions gave him ready and clear answers. He
+had been taken, it was true, but it was by men of superhuman skill and
+intelligence. Then, blindfolded and arms bound, he had been driven away
+in the woods. How far he traveled he did not know, but when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> a camp was
+made it was in a dense forest. Nor did he have any idea in what
+direction it lay from Detroit. He was joined there by Private Myers who
+had been abducted in the same way. Their four captors had told them that
+they were held as hostages, and had many terrible threats, but they had
+not really suffered anything. One man called Shif'less Sol by the others
+had been menacing them with strange punishments of which they had never
+heard before, but with the juice of some herb he cured Private Myers of
+a bruise that he had received in the struggle when he was captured.</p>
+
+<p>This examination was held in public in the court and Henry heard it all.
+He smiled at the mention of Shif'less Sol, knowing his flow of language,
+and his genuine aversion to all forms of cruelty. Finally, according to
+the continuation of Doran's tale, they had decided that the hostages
+were no longer necessary. Evidently they believed their friend had
+suffered no ill treatment, or some important movement was pending.
+Accordingly he was blindfolded, his arms bound, and he was led away in
+the night by the two men called Long Jim and Silent Tom. They left him
+toward morning, saying that the other captive would be delivered on the
+day following. When curs began to snap at his ankles he knew that he was
+near the village outside Detroit, and he shouted for help. The rest told
+itself.</p>
+
+<p>Doran, after a severe rating, was sent about his business. Henry was
+very thoughtful. Private Doran had not told of crossing any river and
+hence the camp of his comrades must be on this side of the Detroit. But
+all the signals had come from the far shore. Doubtless Shif'less Sol had
+crossed over there to utter the cries and they must possess a boat, a
+supposition that chimed in well with the warning to him to watch the
+river. Reflection only deepened his conviction, and he resolved if
+possible to avoid the anger of de Peyster, as to be shut up again might
+ruin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> everything. He felt that the time to act, although he did not know
+just how and where, was coming soon.</p>
+
+<p>A strong watch was set about both fort and village in order to trap the
+four the following night, when they came to deliver Private Myers. Both
+Girty and Blackstaffe told Colonel de Peyster that the forest runners
+would keep their promise, and the commander was exceedingly anxious to
+take the impudent rovers who had annoyed him so much. Henry heard
+something of it from Holderness and, for a moment, he felt apprehension,
+but he recalled all the skill and craft of his comrades. They would
+never walk into a trap.</p>
+
+<p>The night turned quite dark with fleeting showers of rain. There was no
+moon and the stars were hidden. But about two hours before daylight
+there was a great outcry, and the sentinels, running to the spot, found
+a white man blindfolded and hands bound, tied in a thicket of briers. It
+was Private Myers, and his tale was practically the same as that of
+Private Doran. He had been led in the night, he knew not whither. Then,
+one of his captors, which one he could not say, as he was blindfolded,
+gave him a little push and he neither saw nor heard them any more. He
+had tried to come in the direction in which he thought Detroit lay, but
+he had become tangled among the briers, and then he had shouted at the
+top of his voice.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster was deeply disgusted. He addressed stern reproofs to
+the wretched private, who was not to blame, and bade him join his
+comrade in disgrace. The best Indian trackers were sent to seek the
+trail of the forest runners, which they found and followed only to end
+against the wide and deep river. The Indian trailers concurred in
+Henry's belief that the four had secured a boat, and they felt that it
+was useless to search on the other side.</p>
+
+<p>Henry heard of it all very early, and that day during his hours of
+liberty in the court he kept a close watch on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> the river, but nothing
+occurred. Evidently the hour had not come for his friends to make
+whatever attempt they had in mind. He was convinced of it when from the
+palisade he saw that de Peyster had instituted a patrol on the river.
+Several Indian canoes, containing warriors, were constantly moving up
+and down. Henry's heart sank at the sight. He had felt sure all the time
+that his line of escape lay that way. Meanwhile Timmendiquas, the
+renegades and their powerful force were marching southward to destroy
+what Bird had left. He was seized with a terrible impatience that became
+a real torture. He learned that the patrol on the river had been
+established as a guard against the dreaded George Rogers Clark, who had
+made the threats against Detroit. Clark was so crafty that he might
+circle above the town and come down by the river, but in a week or so
+the alarm passed.</p>
+
+<p>Henry spent the period of alarm in his prison, but when de Peyster's
+fears relaxed he was allowed the liberty of the court again. Neither
+Holderness nor Desmond was visible and he walked back and forth for a
+long time. He had grown thinner during his imprisonment, and much of the
+tan was gone from his face, but he did not feel any decrease of
+strength. As he walked he tested his muscles, and rejoiced that they
+were still flexible and powerful like woven wire. That morning he heard
+the call of the wolf from the Canadian shore, but he did not dare reply.
+A half hour later Colonel de Peyster himself accosted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the commander in a tone of irony, "I see, young Mr. Ware,
+that you have not yet escaped."</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," replied Henry, "but I shall certainly do so."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster laughed. He was in great good humor with himself. Why
+should he not be? He had smoothed away the doubts of Timmendiquas and
+now that formidable chieftain was gone with a great force against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>
+Kentucky. The settlements would be destroyed, men, women and children,
+and de Peyster would have the credit of it.</p>
+
+<p>"You are surely a confident youth," he said. "This boast of yours was
+made some time ago, and I do not see that you have made any progress.
+I'm afraid that you're a great talker and a small performer."</p>
+
+<p>Henry was stung by his words, but he did not show any chagrin.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to escape," he said, "and it will not be long, now, until I
+do so."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster laughed again and more loudly than before.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's a proper spirit," he said, "and when you've gone you shall
+tell your friends that on the whole I have not treated you badly."</p>
+
+<p>"I make no complaint," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, to show my generous feeling toward you," continued de Peyster,
+in whom the spirit of humor was growing, "you shall have luncheon with
+me in honor of your coming escape."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm willing," said Henry, adapting himself to his mood. A life such as
+his and wonderful natural perception had endowed him with a sort of
+sixth sense. He began to have a premonition that what de Peyster
+intended as a joke would be the truth, and it made him all the more
+willing to join in what the commander intended should be a mockery.</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster led the way to the room in which the first banquet with the
+Indian chiefs had been held, but now only Henry and he were present,
+except a soldier who brought food from the kitchen and who waited upon
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down, Mr. Ware," said de Peyster with a flourish of both hand and
+voice. Henry quietly took the seat indicated on the opposite side of the
+table, and then the com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>mander took his own also, while the attendant
+brought the food and drink. Henry saw that de Peyster was in an uncommon
+mood, and he resolved to humor it to the full.</p>
+
+<p>"I regret more than ever that you're not one of us, my young friend,"
+said the commander, surveying his prisoner's splendid proportions.
+"Expert as you are in the woods, you could soon rise to high command."</p>
+
+<p>"Having started in on one side," said Henry lightly, "I cannot change to
+the other."</p>
+
+<p>"Wyatt, who I understand was a youthful comrade of yours, has done it."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not ask me to imitate any example furnished by Braxton Wyatt."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster laughed again.</p>
+
+<p>"He is not an attractive youth, I confess," he said, "but you would
+count for much more than Braxton Wyatt with us."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall never count at all," replied Henry. "I am for my own people
+always."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel de Peyster, the Tory, flushed, but he continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Think of the rewards under the King. This is a vast and fertile
+continent, and those who hold it for him will surely receive vast
+estates. Any one of us may be as great a feudal lord as Sir William
+Johnson has been."</p>
+
+<p>"If you triumph," said Henry, although he spoke purposely in a light
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no 'if'; we are bound to succeed, and now, sir, as we have
+eaten we shall drink to your escape."</p>
+
+<p>The attendant poured two glasses of wine and Colonel de Peyster raised
+his, looking for a minute or two at the little bubbles as they broke.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's to your escape," he said, casting an ironical glance over the
+edge.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's to my escape," said Henry, meeting his gaze firmly and
+earnestly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then they drank.</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my word, I believe that you mean what you say."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly."</p>
+
+<p>De Peyster looked curiously at Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," he said, "we'll go outside. I think I'll keep my own eye on you
+for a little while."</p>
+
+<p>When they emerged from the house a long plaintive howl came from the
+Canadian forest. A sort of shiver, as if he were looking into the
+future, ran through Henry's veins. All his premonitions were coming
+true.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you hear that wolf?" asked de Peyster. "It is but a wilderness
+after all, and this is merely a point in it like a lighthouse in the
+sea. Come, we'll walk that way; it's about the only view we have."</p>
+
+<p>Again that strange quiver ran through Henry's veins. Colonel de Peyster
+himself was leading exactly where the captive wished to go.</p>
+
+<p>"I have often noticed you walking on the palisade with Lieutenant
+Holderness," said Colonel de Peyster; "now you can go there with me."</p>
+
+<p>"I thank you for the invitation," said Henry, as the two climbed up one
+of the little ladders and stood side by side on the palisade. "Does not
+this view of the great river and the limitless forest beyond appeal to
+you, Colonel?"</p>
+
+<p>"At times," replied Colonel de Peyster in a somewhat discontented tone.
+"It is the edge of a magnificent empire that we see before us, and I
+like the active service that I have been able to do for the King, but
+there are times when I wish that I could be back in New York, where I
+was born, and which the royal troops occupy. It is a trim city, with
+wealth and fashion, and one can enjoy life there. Now I wonder if that
+is one of the Indians whom I have had on watch on the river."</p>
+
+<p>A light canoe containing a single warrior put out from the farther
+shore, where evidently it had been lying among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> the dense foliage on the
+bank. No particular purpose seemed to animate the warrior who sat in it.
+Both Colonel de Peyster and Henry could see that he was a powerful
+fellow, evidently a Wyandot. With easy, apparently careless strokes of
+the paddle, he brought his canoe in a diagonal course to a point near
+the middle of the stream. Then he began to play with the canoe, sending
+it hither and thither in long, gliding reaches, or bringing it up with a
+sharp jerk that would have caused it to overturn in hands less skillful.
+But so keen was the judgment and so delicate the touch of the warrior
+that it never once shipped water.</p>
+
+<p>"Wonderful fellows, those Indians," said Colonel de Peyster. "How they
+do handle a canoe! It is almost like magic! I verily believe the fellow
+is showing off for our benefit."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"And it is a good show, too. Ah, I thought he would go that time; but
+look how quickly and delicately he righted himself. Such skill is truly
+marvelous!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is," said Henry, who was watching the canoe and its occupant with an
+interest even greater than that of de Peyster. Up at the far corner of
+the palisade a sentinel was walking back and forth, his rifle on his
+shoulder, and at the other end another was doing likewise. Three or four
+officers off duty had also mounted the palisade and were watching the
+Indian's exhibition of skill.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the warrior turned the canoe in toward the palisade at the
+point where the unfinished pier ran out toward the river. Raising
+himself on the canoe he uttered the long weird cry of the wolf, the same
+that had come more than once from the depths of the Canadian woods.</p>
+
+<p>Then an extraordinary thing occurred. De Peyster was standing on the
+platform nearest the unfinished pier. Henry suddenly seized him by the
+shoulders, thrust him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> down as if he were shot, ran along the platform
+and down the unfinished pier at his utmost speed. De Peyster was on his
+feet in an instant, and both sentinels on the alert, raised their rifles
+to take aim.</p>
+
+<p>Henry did not check his speed for a second. A marvelous power, born of
+great strength and a great spirit, infused his whole frame. He rushed to
+the end of the pier, and concentrating his whole strength in one mighty
+effort, he leaped.</p>
+
+<p>Never before had Detroit seen such a leap. The long body shot outward,
+the arms thrown parallel with the head, pointing toward the water. It
+was many feet from the head of the unfinished pier to the river, a leap
+that seemed superhuman, but Henry had the advantage of the run down the
+incline and the bracing of every nerve for the supreme effort. After he
+sprang, and for the few brief moments that he was cutting the air, he
+was scarcely conscious of what was passing, but he heard the crack of a
+rifle, and a bullet whizzing by him zip-zipped upon the surface of the
+water. One of the sentinels, exceeding alert, had fired instantly, but
+the other, finger on trigger, waited. Colonel de Peyster also drew a
+pistol and waited. Low cries, half of admiration, came from most of
+those on the battlements. The warrior in the canoe shot his little craft
+nearer in shore and then dropped gently over the far side. The canoe
+moved slowly down stream but its recent occupant was invisible.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, flying like an arrow taking its downward slope, fell into the
+deep water. The tremendous leap was accomplished. He was dazed for a few
+moments and he was conscious of nothing except that his body was cutting
+through the current of the river. Then strength and memory came back,
+and he knew that the marksmen were watching. Turning slightly on his
+side he swam down stream but bearing toward the farther shore as fast as
+he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> could. The crack of that rifle shot, by some sort of mental
+reproduction roared in his ears, and the waters sang there also, but he
+was swimming for his life, and he still swam, while head and chest
+seemed ready to burst. Suddenly he saw a dark shape above him and at
+first he thought it was some huge fish. Then he saw that it was the body
+of a man hanging from another dark shape that seemed to rest upon the
+surface of the river.</p>
+
+<p>Light came to him in an instant. It was the warrior in the canoe who had
+given him the signal. It could be none other than the incomparable
+Shif'less Sol. He shot upward, panting for air, and rose directly by the
+man and the canoe.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep your head low, Henry," exclaimed the undoubted voice of the
+shiftless one. "So long as they can't see us behind the canoe they can't
+take certain aim, and we've more than a chance."</p>
+
+<p>Henry held lightly to the side of the canoe and panted.</p>
+
+<p>"That wuz shorely a mighty jump o' yourn," continued Shif'less Sol. "I
+don't think anybody else could hev done it, an' you come true ez a
+bullet when I give the signal. We've won, Henry! We've won ag'in' all
+the odds. Look out! Duck! that second fellow's goin' to shoot!"</p>
+
+<p>The second sentinel had fired with good aim, so far as the canoe was
+concerned, as his bullet went through the upper part of it, but he could
+catch only glimpses of the figures behind it, and they were untouched.
+Colonel de Peyster also fired his pistol, but the bullet fell short. Two
+or three others on the battlements had rifles and they also took shots,
+without avail. The canoe was going very fast now, and always it bore
+steadily toward the further shore.</p>
+
+<p>Henry felt the great tension relax. Glancing over the canoe he saw
+figures running up and down the palisade, but he knew that they were out
+of range. Blessed freedom! Once more before him lay the wilderness that
+he loved, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> in which he was free to roam as he pleased. He had told
+de Peyster that he would escape and he had kept his word. He looked now
+at Shif'less Sol, his faithful comrade, and, despite himself, he
+laughed. The water had washed most of the paint off the face of the
+shiftless one, leaving only stripes and bars.</p>
+
+<p>"Sol," he said, "you're the best and smartest friend a man ever had, but
+just now you don't look like either an Indian or a white man."</p>
+
+<p>"O' course not," replied Shif'less Sol readily, "an' fur the minute I
+ain't either. I'm a water dog, trampin' 'roun' in the Detroit River, an'
+enjoyin' myself. Ain't you happy, too, Henry?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was never more so in my life," replied Henry emphatically, "and I can
+say, too, that this is about the finest swim I ever took. Are the others
+all right, Sol?"</p>
+
+<p>"They shorely are. They're settin' over thar in the bushes waitin' for
+our boy Henry, who hez been out late, to come back home. I reckon, too,
+that they've seen everything that hez happened, includin' that
+everlastin' mighty big jump o' yourn."</p>
+
+<p>"When a fellow jumps for his life he is apt to jump well," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"I know I would," said Shif'less Sol. "Look, Henry, we're goin' to be
+pursued."</p>
+
+<p>Henry glanced back toward the palisade, and saw troops and Indians at
+the water's edge, jumping into two boats. The Indians were especially
+quick, and, in a few moments, a boat under the influence of many
+paddles, shot far out into the stream. The Detroit is a wide river, and
+Henry glanced anxiously at the farther shore. Shif'less Sol noticed the
+look and he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Tom an' Jim an' Paul haven't forgot how to shoot. Besides, my rifle is
+lyin' in the canoe, an' ez them fellers are comin' within range I think
+I'll give 'em a hint."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry held the boat steady with one hand and maintained their diagonal
+course toward the farther shore. Sol lifted his rifle from the canoe,
+and holding it across the gunwale with a single arm took aim and fired.
+One of the paddlers in the pursuing boat sprang up convulsively, then
+fell over the side and disappeared. But the boat came steadily on, the
+paddlers probably knowing that it would be a matter of great difficulty
+for the marksman to reload while in the water. The second boat
+containing the soldiers was also now coming fast.</p>
+
+<p>But the shiftless one made no attempt to reload. He took another look at
+the Canadian shore and said to Henry:</p>
+
+<p>"Both o' them boats will soon be in the range o' three fellers who are
+settin' on somethin' that don't move, an' who won't miss when they
+shoot."</p>
+
+<p>He put his unloaded rifle back in the canoe, and the two, still keeping
+the little boat between them and their pursuers, swam with all their
+might. But the big boats filled with rowers or paddlers were gaining
+fast, when a crack came from the Canadian shore, and a warrior fell in
+the boat. A second shot wounded another in the shoulder. The boat
+hesitated, and when a third bullet found a mark, it stopped. The second
+boat stopped also. Henry and Sol made another great spurt, and in ten
+seconds their feet touched the earth.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick, in here among the bushes!" cried the voice of Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol, first taking his rifle from it, gave the canoe a push
+that sent it floating with the current, then he and Henry ran through
+the shallow water and up among the bushes and trees, just as bullets
+fired from both boats fell in the water behind them. Strong hands
+grasped Henry's and again the same strong hands pounded him on the back.
+Paul, Long Jim and Silent Tom welcomed him jubilantly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We thought it a risky scheme, but it's gone through," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"So it has," said Shif'less Sol, "an' now we won't waste any time
+waitin' here for Injuns, Tories an' British to come an' take us."</p>
+
+<p>He led the way into the deep forest, which closed completely about them
+after the first three or four steps, and Henry followed. Little streams
+of water ran from them as if they were young water gods, but Henry
+thought only of that most precious of all gifts, his recovered freedom,
+and, drawing deep breaths of delight, ran at Shif'less Sol's heels. Paul
+was just behind him, Long Jim followed Paul, and Tom Ross covered the
+rear.</p>
+
+<p>Thus they continued for a long time. They had little fear of pursuit by
+the soldiers, but they knew the Indians might pick up the trail and
+follow. Yet it would be a hard thing to do, as Shif'less Sol led across
+brooks and through thickets and deep wood. He did not stop for a full
+hour, when they all sat down on fallen logs, and drew deep breaths.
+Henry did not notice until then that Long Jim carried an extra rifle.
+Shif'less Sol observed Henry's glance and he laughed with quiet
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"It's fur you, Henry," he said. "We took it from one o' them soldiers we
+captured. He had no business with a good Kentucky rifle, which must hev
+been took from some o' our own people, an' so we saved it fur you. Paul
+has a double-barreled pistol fur you which we got from a Frenchman, Tom
+has an extra hatchet an' knife, an' among us we hev plenty o' ammunition
+fur both rifle an' pistol."</p>
+
+<p>They passed over the complete equipment and again Henry rejoiced. He had
+not only escaped, but once more he was fully armed, ready to dare
+anything, and able to do anything.</p>
+
+<p>"What a good lot of fellows you are!" he said to his comrades.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But we couldn't hev done anything ef you hadn't been such a terrible
+long jumper," said Shif'less Sol with a grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you hear any sounds of pursuit?" asked Paul.</p>
+
+<p>None could detect anything, and Tom went back a little space on their
+trail, returning in a few minutes with the news that there were no
+indications of a hostile presence. Hence they rested a while longer and
+the clothing of Henry and Shif'less Sol dried in the sunshine. When they
+renewed their flight they proceeded at ease, all the while through a
+densely wooded country, and Paul gave Henry a brief account of the
+doings of the four.</p>
+
+<p>"We could tell by the signs just how you were captured," he said, "and
+we followed close. We came to the very walls of Detroit and we secretly
+made friends with some of the French in the town."</p>
+
+<p>"There was one Pierre Louis Lajeunais, was there not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and he was the most valuable. We took the two sentinels, because
+we did not know what de Peyster would do with you, and, as we wrote, we
+wanted hostages against ill-treatment. When we found at last that you
+were to be held only as a prisoner we sent them back, and, for the rest,
+we trusted to luck, skill and the chance that you might see the warrior
+in the canoe on the river and understand."</p>
+
+<p>"Fortune seemed to favor us through everything," said Henry, "and now I
+suppose we had better keep on until we are absolutely sure the Indians
+will not pick up our trail and give us a fight. As you boys probably
+know, we have no time to waste."</p>
+
+<p>"We know," said Paul. "Kentucky is calling to us and we are going there
+as fast as we can."</p>
+
+<p>The night found them far from Detroit. When the twilight turned into the
+night they were in woods so dense that it seemed as if man had never
+been there before. There was no turf under the close, spreading
+branches, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> the ground was densely covered with the fallen leaves of
+last year. Everywhere they lay, a soft, dry carpet, and the five sank
+down upon them luxuriously.</p>
+
+<p>"Here we rest," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, here we rest, all except one who will watch," said Shif'less Sol,
+who for the present was in command. "Now we'll eat a little, an' then I
+think sleep will be the most welcome thing in the world to us."</p>
+
+<p>Nobody said no, and the dried venison was brought from their packs. They
+also gave further proofs of their foresight for Henry by producing a
+pair of fine blankets from Tom's roll.</p>
+
+<p>"It was Lajeunais who got those for us," said Tom. "That wuz shorely a
+fine Frenchman. I hope that some day I'll go huntin' an' trappin' with
+him."</p>
+
+<p>It was arranged that Tom should keep the first watch and Jim the second,
+and the others disposed themselves in silence between their blankets. It
+was summer now, but the nights were cool and they were very snug within
+the blankets.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, as he relaxed mentally and physically, felt a deep sense of
+gratitude. It seemed to him in this life of his in the wilderness,
+engaged in a cause surrounded by dangers, that a protecting hand was
+constantly stretched out in his behalf. He saw through a narrow opening
+in the leaves the blue sky and the great stars sailing high. The intense
+feeling, half religious and half poetic, that often swayed woodsmen,
+both red and white, stirred him now. Surely there was a divinity in the
+skies, the God of the white man, the Aieroski of the Mohawk, the Manitou
+of the Wyandot, one and the same! Never would he despair when that
+mighty hand could stretch itself forth from the infinite and save him.
+Thinking thus, he fell asleep and slept peacefully all through the
+night.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII<br />
+<small>ON THE GREAT LAKE</small></h2>
+
+<p>When Henry awoke at dawn, all the weariness from his great efforts was
+gone, and he looked upon a world full of beauty. The unbroken forest of
+deep green bore a luminous tint, light and golden, from the early
+sunshine. Free of body and soul, it was the brilliant world that he had
+known so long, and he was ready once more for any task that might lie
+before them. Long Jim had already prepared breakfast, and he turned a
+benevolent gaze upon Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't it fine," he said, "to have all the family reunited ag'in?"</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly is," said Henry joyously, "and you surely stuck by the
+missing member in masterly fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Wa'al, you've stuck by us jest ez hard many a time," said Long Jim
+meditatively. "Paul, what wuz the name uv the feller that stuck by the
+other feller, the only big one, that got away from Troy after the Greeks
+rode into the town inside a hoss?"</p>
+
+<p>"You're thinking of the faithful Achates, Jim," replied Paul, "and &AElig;neas
+was the name of the big one to whom he was faithful."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's the feller. Henry, you're our &AElig;neas, an' I'm an Achates;
+Paul's another, Tom's another and Sol's another. Uv course we couldn't
+go away without our &AElig;neas, an' while I'm talkin' I want to say, Paul,
+that the tale about the takin' uv Troy is the tallest hoss story ever
+told. Ef it wuzn't writ in the books I wouldn't believe it. Think uv<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>
+your fightin' off a hull army fur ten years or so, an' then draggin'
+that army into your town inside a wooden hoss. It can't be so. I've
+knowed some pow'ful liars myself, but the tribe must hev gone down hill
+a lot since the days uv them ancients."</p>
+
+<p>Paul merely laughed and took another bite out of his venison steak.</p>
+
+<p>"Anyway, Henry," said Shif'less Sol, "ef you've been &AElig;neas you're goin'
+to be the wandering 'Lysses fur a while, an' we're goin' to be fightin'
+Greeks, sailin' right along with you."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" asked Henry in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him, Paul," said the shiftless one. "Saplin' hez cooked so well,
+an' I'm so busy eatin' I can't spare time fur talk."</p>
+
+<p>"We felt sure we'd rescue Henry," said Paul, "and we arranged everything
+so we could get back South as fast as we could. Knowing that the woods
+were full of warriors and that we didn't want to be interrupted in our
+travels, we took a big boat one night from Detroit&mdash;I suppose we stole
+it, but you have a right to steal from an enemy in war&mdash;and carried it
+off down the river, hiding it among thick bushes at the mouth of a
+creek, where we're sure it's now resting securely, say five or six miles
+from this spot. We also gathered a lot of stores, food and such things,
+and put them on the boat. It was another risk, but we took that also,
+and I'm confident that our good genius will save the boat and stores for
+us. If they're there waiting for us all right we're going down the river
+and then across Lake Erie. It will save us a lot of time."</p>
+
+<p>"Fine! fine!" exclaimed Henry with enthusiasm. "You've done well. It
+will be a lot easier and faster for us going so far by boat."</p>
+
+<p>"An' we'll see one uv the big lakes, too," said Long Jim.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We shorely will," said Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes they were on the march again, and found the boat
+undisturbed at the mouth of the creek. It was a stout craft with a sail,
+and lockers for stores. Doubtless Colonel de Peyster had attributed its
+disappearance to some of his own Indians who could not always be
+trusted, but in the press of military preparations he had found no time
+to seek it.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," said Shif'less Sol, "we'll take to the river. We may meet enemies
+thar, but it won't be ez long a trip ez the one we took down the Missip.
+Besides, ef we do meet enemies they ain't likely to be in big force ez
+most all the warriors seem to be drawed off fur the expeditions ag'inst
+Kentucky."</p>
+
+<p>"At any rate we'll risk it, as we have risked many other things," said
+Henry.</p>
+
+<p>The five embarked, and set sail fearlessly upon the river. Nevertheless,
+they did not neglect caution. They kept close to the Canadian shore,
+where they were in the shadow of the dense forest, and at least three
+were always on the watch with ready rifles across their knees. Yet they
+saw no enemy. This was the heart of the Indian country and the canoes of
+the warlike Northwestern tribes often floated on these waters, but
+to-day the five had the river to themselves. Peace was everywhere. Birds
+sang in the neighboring woods. Now and then a fish leaped from the water
+and sank back in a mass of bubbles. The broad river was a sheet of gold,
+and then a sheet of silver as the sun shifted.</p>
+
+<p>Henry appreciated all this rest and ease. He admired still more the
+foresight and daring of his comrades which enabled them to travel in
+such a luxurious way and so far. He examined carefully the weapons they
+had secured for him and saw that they were all of the first class. He
+also opened the various lockers and found them filled with veni<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>son,
+jerked buffalo meat, such luxuries as bread and coffee, and large
+quantities of powder and lead.</p>
+
+<p>"We found part of these in the boat," said Paul, "and it was your friend
+Lajeunais, who helped us to get the remainder. We do not go to sea
+unprovided."</p>
+
+<p>"You've all done so well," said Henry lazily, "that I'm not going to
+bother myself about anything."</p>
+
+<p>He put his double blankets under his head as a pillow and lay back
+luxuriously. Their good boat moved steadily on, the sail doing the work,
+while one of their number steered.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope the wind will continue to blow," said Jim Hart, gazing
+admiringly at Henry, "'cause ef it don't we'll then hev to git our oars
+an' row. An' it would spoil the purtiest picture uv a lazy feller I ever
+saw. Why, I never saw Shif'less Sol hisself look lazier or happier."</p>
+
+<p>Henry laughed. He knew that Jim Hart would have died in his defense.</p>
+
+<p>"I am lazy, Jim," he admitted. "I never felt so lazy in my life before.
+I like to lie here and look at the river and the country."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a fine big river," said Shif'less Sol, "but we can't see much of
+the country because of the trees, which shoot up so thick an' close on
+either bank, but I've heard that it ain't really a river, jest the
+stream o' water pourin' out o' them mighty lakes to the north into them
+lakes to the south, which ain't so mighty as the others, but which are
+mighty anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"It's true," said Paul. "All of this is lake water which runs through
+the other lakes, too, and then out by a tremendous big river, hundreds
+of miles to the Atlantic Ocean."</p>
+
+<p>"When God made this chain uv lakes an' rivers he done one uv his biggest
+an' finest jobs," said Tom Ross reverentially.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They moved on their course slowly but steadily. Once they saw a canoe
+near the further shore, containing a lone occupant.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a squaw," said Shif'less Sol, "an' she's pulled in near the land
+so she kin jump an' run ef we make for her."</p>
+
+<p>"Like ez not she thinks we're hunters or French from the fort," said
+Long Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"At any rate, we'll soon leave her far behind," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>The breeze stiffened and she quickly dropped out of sight. Nor did they
+see any other human being that day. At night they anchored close
+inshore, among bushes and reeds, where they remained undisturbed until
+the morning. The remainder of the journey down the river passed in the
+same peace and ease, and then Paul, who was in the prow, caught a
+glimpse of a broad expanse which looked silvery white in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"The lake! the lake!" he cried eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>They swept triumphantly over the last reach of the river and out upon
+the broad bosom of Lake Erie. In their earlier voyage down the
+Mississippi they had learned how to use a sail, and now when they were
+about a mile from land they took in the sail and looked about them.</p>
+
+<p>The great inland fresh water seas of North America aroused the greatest
+interest, even awe, among the earlier explorers, and there was not one
+among the five who did not look with eager eyes upon the ocean of
+waters. They were better informed, too, than the average woodsman
+concerning the size and shape of this mighty chain.</p>
+
+<p>"You look west and you look south an' you don't see nothin' but water,"
+said Long Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"And they say that the whole grand chain is fifteen hundred miles long,"
+said Paul, "and that Lake Superior reaches a width of three hundred
+miles."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It's a lot o' water," said Shif'less Sol, trailing his hand over the
+side, "an' while I'd like to explore it, I guess that the sooner we
+cross it the better it will be for what we're tryin' to do."</p>
+
+<p>"You're right," said Henry. "We'll set the sail again and tack as fast
+as we can to the south."</p>
+
+<p>The sail was set, and the boat, heeling over under a good breeze, moved
+rapidly. Paul and Henry watched with pleasure the white water foaming
+away on either side of the prow, and Long Jim also watched the trailing
+wake at the stern. Used to rivers but not to lakes, they did not really
+appreciate what dangers might await them on the bosom of Erie. Meanwhile
+the lake presented to them a most smiling surface. The waters rippling
+before the wind lay blue under a blue sky. The wind with its touch of
+damp was fresh and inspiring. Behind them the shore, with its great wall
+of green, sank lower and lower, until at last it passed out of sight.
+Long Jim, who sat in the stern watching, then spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Boys," he said, "fur the fust time in the life uv any uv us thar ain't
+no land. Look to the east an' look to the west, look to the north an'
+look to the south an' thar ain't nothin' but water. The world uv land
+hez left us."</p>
+
+<p>There was a certain awe in Jim's tone that impressed them as they looked
+and saw that he spoke the truth. Their world was now one of water, and
+they felt how small was the boat that lay between them and the
+tremendous power of the lake.</p>
+
+<p>It was now somewhat past midday and the sun was uncommonly bright. The
+wind began to die, and the little waves no longer chased one another
+over the surface of the lake. No air gathered in the sail and presently
+the boat stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"Now wouldn't this make you mad?" exclaimed Shif'less Sol. "We can't
+move at all unless we git out the oars<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> an' row, an' a lazy man like me
+ain't fond o' rowin' seventy or eighty miles across a big lake."</p>
+
+<p>Nor was the prospect pleasant to any of them. A little while ago they
+were moving swiftly at ease; now they rocked slightly in the swell, but
+did not go forward an inch. Hopeful that the wind would soon rise again
+they did not yet take to the oars. Meanwhile it was growing warmer. The
+reflection of the sun upon the water was dazzling, and they spread the
+sail again, not to catch the wind but as an awning to protect them from
+the burning rays.</p>
+
+<p>They also used the interval for food and drink, and as the wind still
+did not rise they were thinking of taking to the oars as a last resort
+when Henry called their attention to the southwest.</p>
+
+<p>"See that black spot down there," he said. "It seems to be only a few
+inches either way, but it doesn't look natural."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd call it a cloud," said Tom Ross judicially.</p>
+
+<p>"An' clouds ain't what we're wantin' jest now," said Jim Hart.</p>
+
+<p>Henry rose from his luxurious reclining position and gazed long and with
+great care at the black spot. He knew as well as Jim Hart that it was a
+cloud and he saw that it was growing. But a few inches across the
+horizon before, it stretched to feet and then to yards. Meanwhile not a
+breath of air stirred, the deep waters were waveless and the air hung
+hot and heavy about them. Henry had heard that dangerous storms came up
+very fast on the great lakes, and, although with no experience as a
+sailor except on rivers, he believed that one would soon be upon them.</p>
+
+<p>"Boys," he said, "look how that cloud grows. I believe we're in for a
+big wind and storm. We'd better take down our mast, make everything
+tight and strong, and get ready with the oars."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>All at once Henry resumed command, and the others instantly accepted it
+as the most natural and proper thing in the world. The mast was
+unshipped, it and the sail were lashed down, everything that was loose
+was put in the lockers, or was tied securely. Meanwhile the cloud grew
+with amazing rapidity. While the east and north were yet full of blazing
+light the south and west were darkening. A draught of cold wind came.
+The waters, motionless hitherto, suddenly heaved convulsively. Low
+thunder rolled, and the lightning flashed across the troubled waters.
+The five felt awe. They were familiar with great storms, but never
+before had they been in one with no land in sight. The little boat,
+which alone lay between them and the depths of the lake, became smaller
+and smaller. But the five, although they felt more tremors than when
+going into battle, sat with their oars in the thwarts, ready to fight as
+best they could the storm which would soon rush down upon them.</p>
+
+<p>The cold wind came in raw gusts, and there was rain on its edge which
+cut like hail. The boat rose and fell with the increasing waves. Henry
+took the helm, and, with the others at the oars, strove to keep the boat
+as steady as possible. With the usual foresight of borderers, they had
+already covered up their rifles, pistols and ammunition. Even on the
+water they would not neglect this precaution. Now the darkness spread to
+the entire heavens, the thunder crashed heavily, like invisible
+batteries firing, the lightning flared two or three times, showing the
+surface of the lake far and wide tinted a ghastly gray, and then, with a
+shriek and a roar, the wind struck them.</p>
+
+<p>The boat heeled over so far on its side that Henry thought at first they
+were gone, but after hanging for a moment or two, seemingly undecided,
+it righted itself, and the five uttered simultaneous sighs of relief.
+Yet the boat had shipped water which Paul began to bail out with his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>
+cap, while the others strove at the oars, seeking to meet and ride the
+waves which followed one another swiftly. The rain meanwhile was driving
+hard, and they were drenched, but they had no time to think of such
+things. Every effort was bent towards keeping afloat the boat, which was
+rushing before the wind they knew not whither.</p>
+
+<p>"There's a pail in that little locker," shouted Henry to Paul, "you can
+do better with that than with your cap."</p>
+
+<p>Paul opened the locker, and took out the pail. Then with great
+difficulty he closed the locker again, and set to work keeping the boat
+clear of water. He made much better progress with the pail, but now and
+then wind, rain and the rocking of the boat together threw him to his
+knees. His comrades were working full as hard. They made up for lack of
+experience with strength, intuitive quickness and courage. Often the
+boat seemed to be submerged by the crest of a great wave, but every time
+it emerged right side up with the industrious Paul still bailing.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the wind kept up a continuous screaming, almost like that of a
+wild animal, a fearful sound which got upon the nerves of them all.
+Except when the lightning flared they were surrounded by a darkness like
+that of night. Suddenly Tom Ross shouted in a voice that could be heard
+above the whistling of the wind:</p>
+
+<p>"Jim, you're seein' the Great Lakes at last!"</p>
+
+<p>Then he bent grimly to his oar.</p>
+
+<p>Luckily the boat they had taken was a strong one, built partly for the
+storms which sometimes drive with such force across Erie, the shallowest
+of the five Great Lakes, and with the aid of the strong arms at the helm
+and oars she managed to ride every wave and swell. But it was a long
+time before the wind began to abate and they were half dead with
+exhaustion. Moreover they were covered with bruises where they had been
+hurled against the sides of the boat, and now and then they were almost
+blinded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> by the water dashing into their faces. Shif'less Sol afterward
+said that he felt as if some strong-armed man were slapping his cheek
+every minute or two.</p>
+
+<p>Yet hope began to return. They had kept afloat so long that they felt
+sure of keeping afloat all the time. There came a moment when the water
+from the lake ceased to enter the boat, although the rain still drenched
+them. The darkness lightened somewhat and Henry looked anxiously about
+them. He was trying to reckon in what direction they had come, but there
+was nothing that would enable him to tell. He saw nothing but the waste
+of waters. He knew that the wind had changed its course and they might
+now be driving back toward Detroit. He longed for light that might show
+them whence they had come.</p>
+
+<p>Now the storm, after declining, suddenly acquired new strength. The
+darkness closed in again thicker than ever and the hearts of the five
+sank. They were so tired that they felt they could not repel a second
+attack. Yet they summoned their courage anew and strove even more
+desperately than before. Another hour passed and Henry, who was looking
+ahead, suddenly saw a dark mass. He recognized it instantly and gave the
+sharp cry:</p>
+
+<p>"Land!"</p>
+
+<p>The three who were straining at the oars looked up, and Paul in his
+surprise let drop his tin pail. Henry had made no mistake. They could
+see that it was land despite the darkness and the driving rain. There
+was a low shore, with trees growing almost to the water's edge, and they
+thought at first that it was the western coast of the lake, but as they
+swiftly drove nearer Henry saw water both to right and left, and he knew
+that it was a little island. If they kept a straight course they would
+strike upon it, but with such violence that shipwreck was inevitable.
+Strong and agile as they were they might possibly escape with their
+lives.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Boys!" cried Henry, above the shouting of the wind, "we must make that
+island or we'll surely be lost in the storm!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's so!" Shif'less Sol shouted back, "but how are we to do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Paul, you take the helm," said Henry, "and steer to the left of the
+island. The wind is blowing straight ahead and if we can come in behind
+the land we may strike a little stretch of comparatively smooth water."</p>
+
+<p>Paul took the helm and Henry seized a pair of oars. Paul could steer
+well, but Henry's strength would be needed now. On they drove, the rain
+beating hard on their backs, and the surf from the lake also driving
+into the boat. Paul steered steadily and the four bent powerfully on the
+oars, driving the boat in a wide curve to the left, where it would avoid
+possible rocks and shoals.</p>
+
+<p>Yet it was hard to bring the boat even diagonally against the wind. The
+waves turned it on its side and it trembled violently. The four labored
+at the oars until every pulse in their temples throbbed. Now the low
+shore and the green forest were coming very near, and Henry glanced at
+them from time to time. He was afraid that the wind and the waves would
+bring them back again and dash them upon the island, despite all their
+efforts. But the boat shot past fifty yards to the left, ran for a
+quarter of a mile along the edge of a low green island, and then with a
+mighty effort they brought it in behind the land.</p>
+
+<p>Here in a little space where the wind was beating itself to pieces
+against the trees in front of it, the sea was comparatively calm, and
+Paul deftly swung the boat about. His sharp eyes noticed a little cove,
+and, the four at the oars pulled for it with all their might. A minute,
+two minutes and they were in the cove and in safety. They had entered it
+by a channel not more than a dozen feet wide, and Paul's steering had
+been delicate and beautiful. Now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> the four drew in their oars and they
+swung in waters as quiet as those of a pond ruffled only by a little
+breeze. It it was an inlet not more than twenty yards across and it was
+sheltered about by mighty trees. The rain still poured upon them, but
+there was no longer any danger of shipwreck.</p>
+
+<p>The momentum had carried the boat to the far edge of the pool, and Henry
+sprang out. His muscles were so stiff and sore that, for a moment or
+two, he reeled, but he seized a bough and held fast. Then Tom tossed him
+a rope from the locker and in a minute the boat was secured head and
+stern to the trees. Then they stood upon land, wet but solid land, and
+in every heart was devout thankfulness.</p>
+
+<p>"The land for me every time," said Long Jim. "I like to feel something
+under my feet that I don't sink into. Ef an accident happens on land,
+thar you are, but ef an accident happens on the water, whar are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"What I need most is a pair o' kid gloves," said Shif'less Sol. "I've
+got purty tough hands, but I think them oars hez took all the skin off
+the inside o' 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"What we all need most," said Henry, "is shelter. We are soaked through
+and through, and we are stiff with bruises and exertion. Suppose we bail
+out the boat and try to use the sail as a sort of roof or cover."</p>
+
+<p>They were wedged in so closely among the trees that together with the
+boughs and the mast, which they set in place again, they managed to
+fasten the sail in such a manner that it caught most of the rain as it
+drove towards them. Everyone also gave up one of his pair of blankets
+for the same purpose, and then they were protected fairly. Still fearing
+colds and stiffness of the muscles they took off all their wet clothing
+and rubbed their bodies long and thoroughly. While they were at this
+work the rain decreased, and after a while ceased. The wind still blew
+and they heard branches crashing down from the trees,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> but none fell
+over them. They did not reclothe themselves but hung their soaked
+garments on boughs, and then everyone wrapped himself about with the dry
+blanket that he had left from his pair, the other still doing duty as a
+rain shield. Although the air was quite cool after the heavy rain, the
+blankets protected them and they began to feel a pleasant warmth. Their
+spirits indeed were improved so much that they could jest.</p>
+
+<p>"One would scarcely expect to see five Roman senators in their togas
+cast away on this little island in Lake Erie," said Paul, "but here we
+are."</p>
+
+<p>Long Jim with his bare legs as far as his knees protruding from his
+blanket was prowling among the lockers.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the noble senator lookin' fur?" asked Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm lookin' fur somethin' to help you an' all uv us," replied Long Jim,
+"while you're settin' thar lazy an' wuthless. We didn't search this boat
+very well when we took it, hevin' other pow'ful important matters on
+hand, but them that owned it wuz men uv sense. Lots uv useful things are
+hid away in these little lockers. Ah, look at this! Shorely it's
+industry an' enterprise that gits the rewards!"</p>
+
+<p>He drew triumphantly from the corner of a locker an iron coffee pot and
+a large package of ground coffee.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I've got the coffee an' the coffee pot," he said, "an' ef the rest
+uv you hev got sense enough to build a fire I'll hev you feelin' like
+kings ten minutes after that fire is built. Thar are two pewter cups in
+that locker also, so nothin' is lackin'."</p>
+
+<p>"You've certainly done your part, Jim," said Henry, "an' now we'll try
+to do ours, although it won't be any easy job."</p>
+
+<p>They had not been woodsmen all their lives for nothing. The ground under
+the trees was covered more than a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> foot deep with leaves, the
+accumulation of many years. It is difficult for water to penetrate all
+the way through such a carpet, and turning them over they found here and
+there some leaves fairly dry, which they put in a heap. They also cut
+off all the wet outside from some dead boughs with their strong hunting
+knives, and then shaved off dry splinters which they put with the
+leaves.</p>
+
+<p>The four gathered in a group about the little heap, looking very odd in
+their blankets, with their bare ankles and shoulders projecting, and
+Henry began work with the flint and steel. After many efforts he set
+fire to the finer of the splinters, and then the flames spread to the
+leaves and larger pieces of wood. They had succeeded, and as Shif'less
+Sol fed the fire, he said triumphantly to Long Jim:</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Jim, everything's ready fur you. Bring on your coffee an' b'il it.
+I want fourteen cups myself."</p>
+
+<p>Jim set to work at once, showing with pride his skill in such a task.
+The flames were not permitted to rise high, but they burned rapidly,
+making a fine bed of coals, and within ten minutes the coffee was ready.
+Then they drank, warming themselves through and through, and receiving
+new life. They also warmed some of the deer and buffalo steaks over the
+coals, and ate real bread from the lockers.</p>
+
+<p>"All things must come to an end," said Shif'less Sol, with a sigh, when
+he could eat no more. "It's on sech 'casions ez this that I realize it.
+I wish I wuz ez hungry ez I wuz a little while ago, an' could eat all
+over ag'in."</p>
+
+<p>"We've been in big luck," said Henry. "If it hadn't been for this little
+island I believe we would have been wrecked. It's true, too, that we'll
+have to go around in our blankets for a while yet, because I don't
+believe those clothes of ours will dry before morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Suits me," said Jim Hart, as with proverbial caution he put out the
+fire after finishing cooking. "I wouldn't mind goin' 'roun' in a blanket
+in summer. Injuns do it an' they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> find it pow'ful healthy. Now the wind
+is dyin' an' the clouds are passin' away, but it's goin' to be dark
+anyhow. Jedgin' from the looks uv things the night is right here."</p>
+
+<p>The wind undoubtedly was sinking fast. The great storm was blowing
+itself away as rapidly as it had blown up. The trees ceased to shake and
+moan, and looking down the channel whence they had entered, the five saw
+that the high waves no longer rolled across the surface of the lake. In
+a few minutes more the last breath of the wind whistled off to eastward.
+A cold twilight fell over the little isle of safety and the great lake,
+of whose rage they had been such vivid witnesses.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV<br />
+<small>A TIMELY RESCUE</small></h2>
+
+<p>Jim Hart sat down in the boat, drew his legs up under his blanket,
+shivered as he took a long look down the channel at the cold gray lake,
+and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Boys, you know how I wanted to see one of the great lakes; well, I hev
+saw, an' hevin' saw I think the look will last me a long time. I think
+Injuns wuz right when they put pow'ful spirits on these lakes, ready to
+make an end of anybody that come foolin' with thar region. The land fur
+me hereafter. Why, I wuz so skeered an' I had to work so hard I didn't
+hev time to git seasick."</p>
+
+<p>"But we have to go on the lake again, Jim," said Henry. "This is an
+island."</p>
+
+<p>Jim sighed.</p>
+
+<p>Henry looked at the dense forest that enclosed the cove, and he thought
+once of exploring the islet even if it were in the night, but the woods
+were so thick and they still dripped so heavily with the rain, although
+the latter had ceased some time ago, that he resolved to remain by the
+boat. Besides it was only an islet anyway, and there was no probability
+that it was inhabited.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," he said, "that we'd better fasten our clothes so tightly that
+they won't blow away, and sleep in the boat. Two will keep watch, and as
+I have had the most rest I'll be sentinel until about one in the
+morning, and then Tom can take my place."</p>
+
+<p>The agreement was quickly made. They took down the sail and the wet
+blankets, spread them out to dry, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> the four, disposing themselves
+as best they could, quickly went to sleep. Henry sat in the prow, rifle
+across his knees, and thought that, despite dangers passed and dangers
+to come, Providence had been very kind to them.</p>
+
+<p>The darkness thinned by and by and a fine moon came out. Beads of water
+still stood upon the leaves and boughs, and the moonshine turned them to
+silver. The bit of forest seemed to sparkle and in the blue heavens the
+great stars sprang out in clusters. The contrast between the night and
+the day was startling. Now everything seemed to breathe of peace, and of
+peace only. A light wind rose and then the silver beads disappeared from
+leaf and bough. But it was a friendly wind and it sang most pleasantly
+among the trees. Under its influence the garments of the five would dry
+fast, and as Henry looked at them and then down at his comrades, wrapped
+in their "togas" he felt an inclination to laugh. But this desire to
+laugh was only proof of his mental relaxation, of the ease and
+confidence that he felt after great dangers passed.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly his comrades were sleeping well. Not one of them moved, and he
+saw the blankets across their chests rising and falling with regularity.
+Once he stepped out of the boat and walked down to the entrance of the
+channel, whence he looked out upon the surface of the lake. Save for the
+islet he saw land nowhere, north, south, east or west. The great lake
+stretched away before them apparently as vast as the sea, not gray now,
+but running away in little liquid waves of silver in the moonlight.
+Henry felt its majesty as he had already felt its might. He had never
+before appreciated so keenly the power of nature and the elements.
+Chance alone had put in their way this little island that had saved
+their lives.</p>
+
+<p>He walked slowly back and resumed his place in the boat. That fine
+drying wind was still singing among the trees, making the leaves rustle
+softly together and filling Henry's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> mind with good thoughts. But these
+gave way after a while to feelings of suspicion. His was an exceedingly
+sensitive temperament. It often seemed to the others&mdash;and the wilderness
+begets such beliefs&mdash;that he received warnings through the air itself.
+He could not tell why his nerves were affected in this manner, but he
+resolved that he would not relax his vigilance a particle, and when the
+time came for him to awaken Tom Ross he decided to continue on guard
+with him.</p>
+
+<p>"'Tain't wuth while, Henry," remonstrated Ross. "Nothin's goin' to
+happen here on an islan' that ain't got no people but ourselves on it."</p>
+
+<p>"Tom," replied Henry, "I've got a feeling that I'd like to explore this
+island."</p>
+
+<p>"Mornin' will be time enough."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I think I'll do it now. I ought to go all over it in an hour. Don't
+take me for an Indian when I'm coming back and shoot at me."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd never mistake a Roman senator in his togy for an Injun," replied
+Tom Ross grinning.</p>
+
+<p>Henry looked at his clothes, but despite the drying wind they were still
+wet.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have to go as a Roman after all," he said.</p>
+
+<p>He fastened the blanket tightly about his body in the Indian fashion,
+secured his belt with pistol, tomahawk and knife around his waist, and
+then, rifle in hand, he stepped from the boat into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>"Watch good, Tom," he said. "I may be gone some time."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll find nothin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe so; maybe not."</p>
+
+<p>The woods through which Henry now passed were yet wet, and every time he
+touched a bough or a sapling showers of little drops fell upon him. The
+patch of forest was dense and the trees large. The trees also grew
+straight up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>ward, and Henry concluded at once that he would find a
+little distance ahead a ridge that sheltered this portion of the island
+from the cruel north and northwest winds.</p>
+
+<p>His belief was verified as the rise began within three hundred yards. It
+ascended rather abruptly, having a total height of seventy or eighty
+feet, and seeming to cross the island from east to west. Standing under
+the shadow of a great oak Henry looked down upon the northern half of
+the island, which was quite different in its characteristics from the
+southern half. A portion of it was covered with dwarfed vegetation, but
+the rest was bare rock and sand. There were two or three inlets or
+landing places on the low shore. As the moonlight was now good, Henry
+saw all over this portion of the island, but he could not detect any
+sign of human habitation.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose Tom is right," he said to himself, "and that there is nothing
+to be seen."</p>
+
+<p>But he had no idea of going back without exploring thoroughly, and he
+descended the slope toward the north. The way led for a little distance
+among the shrub bushes from which the raindrops still fell upon him as
+he passed, and then he came into an open space almost circular in shape
+and perhaps thirty yards in diameter. Almost in the center of the rock a
+spring spouted and flowed away through a narrow channel to the lake. On
+the far side of the spring rose four upright stakes in a row about six
+feet apart. Henry wondered what they meant and he approached cautiously,
+knowing that they had been put there by human hands.</p>
+
+<p>Some drifting clouds now passed and the moonlight shone with a sudden
+burst of splendor. Henry was close to the stakes and suddenly he
+shuddered in every vein. They were about as high as a man's head, firmly
+fastened in the ground, and all of them were blackened and charred
+somewhat by fire, although their strength was not impaired. At<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> the base
+of every one lay hideous relics. Henry shivered again. He knew. Here
+Indians brought their captives and burned them to death, partly for the
+sake of their own vengeance and partly to propitiate the mighty spirits
+that had their abode in the depths of the great lakes. He was sure that
+his comrades and he had landed upon a sacrificial island, and he
+resolved that they should depart at the very first light in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>This island which had seemed so fine and beautiful to him suddenly
+became ghastly and repellent, but his second thought told him that they
+had nothing to fear at present. It was not inhabited. The warriors
+merely came here for the burnings, and then it was quite likely that
+they departed at once.</p>
+
+<p>Henry examined further. On the bushes beyond the stakes he found amulets
+and charms of bone or wood, evidently hung there to ward off evil
+spirits, and among these bushes he saw more bones of victims. Then he
+noticed two paths leading away from the place, each to a small inlet,
+where the boats landed. Calculating by the moon and stars he could now
+obtain a general idea of the direction in which they had come and he was
+sure that the nearest part of the mainland lay to the west. He saw a
+dark line there, and he could not tell whether it was the shore or a low
+bank of mist.</p>
+
+<p>Then he made a diligent exploration of all this part of the island,
+assuring himself further that it had never been occupied permanently. He
+saw at one place the ruins of a temporary brush shelter, used probably
+during a period of storm like that of the night before, and on the beach
+he found the shattered remains of a large canoe. Henry looked down at
+the broken canoe thoughtfully. It may have been wrecked while on its way
+with a victim for the stake, and if the warriors had perished it might
+have been due to the wrath of the Great Spirit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He walked slowly back over the ridge through the forest and down to the
+boat. Tom saw him coming but said nothing until he stepped into the boat
+beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"You stayed a long time," he said, "but I see you've brought nothing
+back with you."</p>
+
+<p>"It's true that I've brought nothing with me, but I've found a lot."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you find, Henry?"</p>
+
+<p>"I found many bones, the bones of human beings."</p>
+
+<p>"Men's bones?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I'm sure that it is an island to which Indiana come to burn their
+prisoners, and although none are here now&mdash;I've looked it all over&mdash;I
+don't like it. There's something uncanny about it."</p>
+
+<p>"An' yet it's a pretty little islan', too," said Tom Ross, thoughtfully,
+"an' mighty glad we wuz to see it yes'day, when we wuz druv before that
+howlin' an' roarin' storm, with but one chance in a hundred uv livin'."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," said Henry. "We owe the island a debt of gratitude if
+others don't. I've no doubt that if it were not for this little piece of
+land we should have been drowned. Still, the sooner we get away the
+better. How have the others been getting on, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sleepin' ez reg'lar an' steady ez clocks. It's wuth while to see
+fellers snoozin' away so happy."</p>
+
+<p>Henry smiled. The three, as they lay in the boat, breathing deeply and
+unconscious of everything, were certainly a picture of rest.</p>
+
+<p>"How long do you calculate it is to daylight?" asked Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"Not more'n two hours, an' it's goin' to come bright an' clear, an' with
+a steady wind that will take us to the south."</p>
+
+<p>"That's good, and I think that you and I, Tom, ought to be getting
+ready. This drying wind has been blowing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> for a long time, and our
+clothes should be in condition again. Anyway I'm going to see."</p>
+
+<p>He took down the garments from the bushes, and found that all were quite
+dry. Then he and Tom reclothed themselves and laid the apparel for the
+other three by their sides, ready for them when they should awake. Tom
+puckered up his lips and blew out a deep breath of pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"It may be mighty fine to be a Roman senator in a togy," he said, "but
+not in these parts. Give me my good old huntin' shirt an' leggings.
+Besides, I feel a sight more respectable."</p>
+
+<p>Shortly, it was dawn, and the three sleepers awoke, glad to have their
+clothes dry again, and interested greatly in Henry's exploration of the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>"Jim, you do a little more cooking," said Henry, "and Sol, Tom and I
+will go over to the other end of the island again. When we come back
+we'll hoist our sail, have breakfast, and be off."</p>
+
+<p>They followed the path that Henry had taken during the night, leaving
+Paul and Jim busy with the cooking utensils. The little patch of forest
+was now entirely dry, and a great sun was rising from the eastern
+waters, tingeing the deep green of the trees with luminous gold. The
+lake was once more as smooth and peaceful as if no storm had ever passed
+over its surface.</p>
+
+<p>They stopped at the crest of the transverse ridge and saw in the west
+the dark line, the nature of which Henry had been unable to decipher by
+moonlight. Now they saw that it was land, and they saw, too, another
+sight that startled them. Two large canoes were approaching the island
+swiftly, and they were already so near that Henry and Shif'less Sol
+could see the features of their occupants. Neither of the boats had a
+sail. Both were propelled wholly by paddlers&mdash;six paddlers to each
+canoe&mdash;stalwart,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> painted Indians, bare of shoulders and chest. But in
+the center of the first canoe sat a man with arms bound.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a victim whom they are bringing for the stake and the sacrifice,"
+said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"He must be from some tribe in the far North," said Shif'less Sol,
+"'cause all the Indian nations in the valley are allied."</p>
+
+<p>"He is not from any tribe at all," said Henry. "The prisoner is a white
+man."</p>
+
+<p>"A white man!" exclaimed Shif'less Sol, "an' you an' me, Henry, know
+that most o' the prisoners who are brought to these parts are captured
+in Kentucky."</p>
+
+<p>"It's so, and I don't think we ought to go away in such a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' we might be o' help?"</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning we might be of help."</p>
+
+<p>Henry watched the boats a minute or two longer, and saw that they were
+coming directly for one of the little inlets on the north end of the
+island. Moreover, they were coming fast under the long sweep of the
+paddles swung by brown and sinewy arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom," he said to Ross, "you go back for Paul. Tell Jim to have the sail
+up and ready for us when we come, and meanwhile to guard the boat.
+That's a white man and they intend to burn him as a sacrifice to Manitou
+or the spirits of the lake. We've got to rescue him."</p>
+
+<p>The others nodded assent and Tom hurried away after Paul, while Henry
+and Sol continued to watch the oncoming boats. They crept down the slope
+to the very fringe of the trees and lay close there, although they had
+little fear of discovery, unless it was caused by their own lack of
+caution.</p>
+
+<p>The boats reached the inlet, and, for a few moments, they were hidden
+from the two watchers, by the bushes and rocks, but they heard the
+Indians talking, and Henry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> was confirmed in his opinion that they did
+not dream of any presence besides their own on the island. At length
+they emerged into view again, the prisoner walking between two warriors
+in front, and Henry gave a start of horror.</p>
+
+<p>"Sol," he said in a whisper, "don't you recognize that gray head?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you know that tall, slender figure?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm shore I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Tom, that can be nobody but Mr. Silas Pennypacker, to whom Paul and I
+went to school in Kentucky."</p>
+
+<p>"It's the teacher, ez shore ez you're born."</p>
+
+<p>Henry's thrill of horror came again. Mr. Pennypacker lived at Wareville,
+the home of his own family and Paul's. What had happened? There was the
+expedition of the harelipped Bird with his powerful force and with
+cannon! Could it be possible that he had swept Wareville away and that
+the teacher had been given to the Indians for sacrifice? A terrible
+anger seized him and Shif'less Sol, by his side, was swayed by the same
+emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"It is he, Sol! It is he!" he whispered in intense excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Henry," replied the shiftless one, "it's the teacher."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think his presence here means Wareville has been destroyed by
+Bird?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm hopin' that it doesn't, Henry."</p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol spoke steadily, but Henry could read the fear in his mind,
+and the reply made his own fears all the stronger.</p>
+
+<p>"They are going to sacrifice that good old man, Sol," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"They mean to do it, but people sometimes mean to do things that they
+don't do."</p>
+
+<p>They remained in silence until Tom returned with Paul,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> who was excited
+greatly when he learned that Mr. Pennypacker was there a prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"Lie perfectly still, all of you, until the time comes," said Henry.
+"We've got to save him, and we can only do it by means of a surprise and
+a rush."</p>
+
+<p>The Indians and their prisoner were now not more than a hundred yards
+away, having come into the center of the open circle used for the
+sacrifice, and they stood there a little while talking. Mr.
+Pennypacker's arms were bound, but he held himself erect. His face was
+turned toward the South, his home, and it seemed to Henry and
+Paul&mdash;although it was fancy, the distance being too great to see&mdash;that
+his expression was rapt and noble as if he already saw beyond this life
+into the future. They loved and respected him. Paul had been his
+favorite pupil, and now tears came into the eyes of the boy as he
+watched. The old man certainly had seen the stakes, and doubtless he had
+surmised their purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"What's your plan, Henry?" whispered Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"I think they're going to eat. Probably they've been rowing all the
+morning and are tired and hungry. They mean after that to go ahead with
+their main purpose, but we'll take 'em while they're eating. I hate to
+fire on anybody from ambush, but it's got to be done. There's no other
+way. We'll all lie close together here, and when the time comes to fire,
+I'll give the word."</p>
+
+<p>The Indians sat on the ground after their fashion and began to eat cold
+food. Apparently they paid little attention to their prisoner, who stood
+near, and to whom they offered nothing. Why should he eat? He would
+never be hungry again. Nor need they watch him closely now. They had
+left a man with each of the boats, and even if he should run he could
+not escape them on the island.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and Paul saw Mr. Pennypacker walk forward a few steps and look
+intently at the posts. Then he bowed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> his gray head and stood quite
+still. Both believed that he was praying. Water again rose in Paul's
+eyes and Henry's too were damp.</p>
+
+<p>"Boys," whispered Henry, "I think the time has come. Take aim. We'll
+pick the four on the left, Sol the first on the end, the second for me,
+Tom the third and Paul the fourth. Now, boys, cock your rifles, and take
+aim, the best aim that you ever took in your life, and when I say
+'Fire!' pull the trigger."</p>
+
+<p>Every man from the covert did as he was directed. When Henry looked down
+the sights and picked out the right place on the broad chest of a
+warrior, he shuddered a little. He repeated to himself that he did not
+like it, this firing from ambush, but there was the old man, whom they
+loved, doomed to torture and the sacrifice. His heart hardened like
+flint and he cried "Fire!"</p>
+
+<p>Four rifles flashed in the thicket. Two warriors fell without a sound.
+Two more leaped away, wounded, and all the others sprang to their feet
+with cries of surprise and alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"Up and at 'em!" cried Henry in a tremendous voice. "Cut them to
+pieces!"</p>
+
+<p>Drawing their pistols they rushed into the open space and charged upon
+the warriors, firing as they came.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians were Wyandots, men who knew little of fear, but the surprise
+and the deadly nature of the attack was too much for them. Perhaps
+superstition also mingled with their emotions. Doubtless the spirits of
+the lake were angry with them for some cause, and the best thing they
+could do was to leave it as soon as they could. But one as he ran did
+not forget to poise his hatchet for a cast at the prisoner. The Reverend
+Silas Pennypacker would have seen his last sun that day had not Henry
+noticed the movement and quickly fired his pistol at the uplifted hand.
+The bullet pierced the Indian's palm, the tomahawk was dashed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> from his
+hand, and with a howl of pain he sped after the others who were flying
+for the boats.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and his comrades did not pursue. They knew that they must act with
+all speed, as the Wyandots would quickly recover from their panic, and
+come back in a force that was still two to one. A single sweep of his
+knife and his old schoolmaster's arms were free. Then he shouted in the
+dazed man's ears:</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Mr. Pennypacker, we must run for it! Don't you see who we are?
+Here's Paul Cotter, and I'm Henry Ware, and these are Sol Hyde and Tom
+Ross! We've got a boat on the other side of the island and the sooner we
+get there the better!"</p>
+
+<p>He snatched up a rifle, powder horn and bullet pouch from one of the
+fallen warriors and thrust them in the old man's hands. Mr. Pennypacker
+was still staring at them in a dazed manner, but at last the light broke
+through.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my boys! my brave boys!" he cried. "It is really you, and you have
+saved me at the eleventh hour! I had given up all hope, but lo! the
+miracle is done!"</p>
+
+<p>Henry took him by the arm, and obeying the impulse he ran with them
+through the wood. Already Henry heard shouts which indicated to him that
+the Wyandots had turned, and, despite his anxiety about Wareville, he
+asked nothing of Mr. Pennypacker for the present.</p>
+
+<p>"You lead the way, Paul," he cried. "Jim, of course, has the boat ready
+with the sail up and the oars in place. We'll be out on the lake in a
+few minutes, Mr. Pennypacker. There, do you hear that? The Wyandots are
+now in full pursuit!"</p>
+
+<p>A long piercing cry came from the woods behind them. It was the Wyandot
+leader encouraging his warriors. Henry knew that they would come fast,
+and Mr. Pennypacker, old and not used to the ways of the wilderness,
+could go but slowly. Although Long Jim was sure to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> ready, the
+embarkation would be dangerous. It was evident that Mr. Pennypacker,
+extremely gaunt and thin, was exhausted already by a long march and
+other hardships. Now he labored heavily, drawing long breaths.</p>
+
+<p>"Those fellows will be on us in a minute or two, Sol," Henry whispered
+to the shiftless one, "unless we burn their faces."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we're able to do the burnin'," replied Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, Tom and Sol dropped to a walk, and in a few moments stopped
+altogether. Paul, with Mr. Pennypacker by his side, kept on for the boat
+as fast as the old man's strength would allow. Henry caught a glimpse of
+a figure running low in the thicket and fired. A cry came back, but he
+could not tell whether the wound was mortal. Shif'less Sol fired with a
+similar result. Two or three bullets were sent back at them, but none
+touched. Then the three, keeping themselves hidden resumed their flight.
+They reckoned that the check to the Wyandots would give Paul, with Mr.
+Pennypacker, time to reach the boat before the warriors could come
+within range of the latter.</p>
+
+<p>The three now ran very swiftly, and, in a few minutes, were at the edge
+of the inlet, where the boat lay, just in time to see Paul pick up the
+old schoolmaster, who had fallen with exhaustion, and lift him into the
+boat. The three sprang in after them.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll watch with the rifles, Sol," exclaimed Henry. "The rest of you
+row until we're outside, when the sail can do most of the pulling."</p>
+
+<p>It was quick work now and skillful. Mr. Pennypacker, scarcely able to
+draw a breath, lay like a log in the bottom of the boat, but in less
+than a half minute after the three leaped on board they were gliding
+down the inlet. Before they reached the open lake the Indians appeared
+among the trees and began to shout and fire. But they were in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> such
+haste that nothing was struck except the boat, which did not mind.
+Silent Tom, who had restrained his fire, now sent a bullet that struck
+the mark and the warriors rushed to cover. Then they were out of the
+inlet, the fine wind filled the sail, and away they sped toward the
+south.</p>
+
+<p>The warriors appeared at the edge of the water while the boat's crew
+were still within range, but when Henry and the shiftless one raised
+their rifles they shrank back. They had tested already the quality of
+their foes, and they did not like it. When they reappeared from the
+shelter of the trees the boat was out of range. Nevertheless they fired
+two or three shots that spattered on the water, waved their tomahawks
+and shouted in anger. Shif'less Sol stood up in the boat and shouted
+back at them:</p>
+
+<p>"Keep cool, my red brethren, keep cool! We have escaped and you see that
+we have! So do not waste good bullets which you may need another time!
+And above all keep your tempers! Wise men always do! Farewell!"</p>
+
+<p>It is not likely that they understood the words of the shiftless one,
+but certainly the derisive gestures that he made as he sat down were not
+lost upon them.</p>
+
+<p>"Sol, can't you ever be serious?" said Henry to his comrade.</p>
+
+<p>"Be serious? O' course I kin at the right time," replied the shiftless
+one, "but what's the use o' bein' serious now? Haven't we rescued
+ourselves an' the schoolmaster, too? Ain't we in a boat with a sail that
+kin leave the two boats o' them warriors far behind, an' ain't we got a
+bee-yu-ti-ful day to sail over a bee-yu-ti-ful lake? So what's the use
+o' bein' serious? The time fur that wuz ten minutes ago."</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that the Wyandots considered pursuit useless or that they
+feared the Kentucky rifles, as they gathered in a group on the beach and
+watched the flying boat recede.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Didn't I tell you it wuzn't wuth while to be serious now, Henry?" said
+Shif'less Sol. "We're hevin' the easiest kind o' a time an' them
+warriors standin' thar on the shore look too funny for anything. I wish
+I could see their faces. I know they would look jest like the faces o'
+wolves, when somethin' good had slipped from between their teeth."</p>
+
+<p>Paul and Henry were busy reviving Mr. Pennypacker. They threw fresh
+water from the lake over his face and poured more down his throat. As
+they worked with him they noted his emaciated figure. He was only a
+skeleton, and his fainting even in so short a flight was no cause for
+wonder. Gradually he revived, coughed and sat up.</p>
+
+<p>"I fell," he said. "It was because I was so weak. What has happened? Are
+we not moving?"</p>
+
+<p>His eyes were yet dim, and he was not more than half conscious.</p>
+
+<p>"You are with us, your friends. You remember?" said Henry. "We rescued
+you at the place of the stakes, and we all got away unhurt. We are in a
+boat now sailing over Lake Erie."</p>
+
+<p>"And I saved you a rifle and ammunition," said Paul. "Here they are,
+ready for you when you land."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Pennypacker's dim eyes cleared, and he gazed at the two youths in
+wonder and affection.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a miracle&mdash;a miracle!" he said. Then he added, after a moment's
+pause: "To escape thus after all the terrible things that I have seen!"</p>
+
+<p>Henry shivered a little, and then he asked the fateful questions.</p>
+
+<p>"And what of Wareville, Mr. Pennypacker? Has it been destroyed? Do
+Paul's people and mine still live? Have they been taken away as
+captives? Why were you a prisoner?"</p>
+
+<p>The questions came fast, then they stopped suddenly, and he and Paul
+waited with white faces for the answers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Wareville is not destroyed," replied Mr. Pennypacker. "An English
+officer named Bird, a harelipped man, came with a great force of
+Indians, some white men and cannon. They easily took Martin's and
+Ruddle's stations and all the people in them, but they did not go
+against Wareville and other places. I think they feared the power of the
+gathering Kentuckians. I was at Martin's Station on a visit to an old
+friend when I was captured with the others. Bird and his army then
+retreated North with the prisoners, more than three hundred in number,
+mostly women and children."</p>
+
+<p>The old man paused a moment and put his hands over his face.</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen many terrible things," he resumed, "and I cannot forget
+them. They said that we would be taken to Detroit and be held as
+prisoners there, but it has been a long and terrible march, many
+hundreds of miles through the wilderness, and the weak ones&mdash;they were
+many&mdash;could not stand it. They died in the wilderness, often under the
+Indian tomahawk, and I think that less than half of them will reach
+Detroit."</p>
+
+<p>The old schoolmaster paused, his voice choked with emotion, and every
+one of the five muttered something deep and wrathful under his breath.</p>
+
+<p>"I did the best I could," he resumed. "I helped whenever they let me,
+but the hardships were so great and they permitted us so little rest
+that I wasted away. I had no more than the strength of a little child.
+At last the warriors whom you saw took me from the others and turned to
+the east. We went through the woods until we came to the great lake. A
+terrible storm came up, but when it died we embarked in two boats and
+went to the island on which you found me. I did not know the purpose for
+which I was intended until I saw the stakes with those ghastly relics
+about them. Then I made up my mind to bear it as best I could."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You were to be made a burnt offering to the spirits of the lakes," said
+Henry. "Thank God we came in time. We go now to warn of another and
+greater expedition, led by Timmendiquas, the famous chief of the
+Wyandots."</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV<br />
+<small>THE PAGES OF A BOOK</small></h2>
+
+<p>None of the five knew how far they were down the lake, but they were
+able to guide their course by the sun, and, keeping the low bank of
+forest far beyond gunshot on their right, they moved before a favoring
+wind. The schoolmaster regained his strength fast. He was old, but a
+temperate life in the open air re&euml;nforced by plenty of exercise, had
+kept him wiry and strong. Now he sat up and listened to the long tale of
+the adventures of the five, whom he had not seen for many months
+previous to their great journey to New Orleans.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well&mdash;you have done more than well," he said. "You have
+performed magnificent deeds. It is a beautiful land for which we fight,
+and, although our enemies are many and terrible and we suffer much, we
+shall surely triumph in the end. Bird with his cannon was compelled to
+go back. He could have battered down the palisade walls of any of the
+stations, but he feared the gathering of the white hunters and fighters.
+Above all he feared the coming of George Rogers Clark, the shield of the
+border."</p>
+
+<p>Henry's heart throbbed at the name of Clark, renowned victor of
+Vincennes and Kaskaskia.</p>
+
+<p>"Clark!" he exclaimed. "Is he in Kentucky?"</p>
+
+<p>"There or to the northward. It is said that he is gathering a force to
+attack the Indian villages."</p>
+
+<p>"If it could only be true!" said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>The others echoed the wish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry remained silent, but for a long time he was very thoughtful. The
+news that Wareville was untouched by the raid had relieved him
+immensely, and he was very hopeful also that George Rogers Clark was
+coming again to the rescue. The name of Clark was one with which to
+conjure. It would draw all the best men of the border and moreover it
+would cause Timmendiquas, Caldwell and their great force to turn aside.
+Once more hope was in the ascendant. Meanwhile, the sparkling breeze
+blew them southward, and the eyes of all grew brighter. Fresh life
+poured into the veins of the schoolmaster, and he sat up, looking with
+pleasure at the rippling surface of the lake.</p>
+
+<p>"It reminds me in a way of the time when we fled from the place of the
+giant bones," he said, "and I hope and believe that our flight will end
+as happily."</p>
+
+<p>"That looks like a long time ago, Mr. Pennypacker," said Tom Ross, "an'
+we hev traveled a mighty lot since. I reckon that we've been to places
+that I never heard uv until Paul told about 'em, Troy and Rome an'
+Alexander&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Tom," broke in Shif'less Sol, "you're gettin' mixed. Troy's dead, an'
+we may hev got close to Rome, but we never did ackshally reach the town.
+An' ez fur Alexander, that wuz a man an' not a city."</p>
+
+<p>"It don't make no difference," replied Tom, not at all abashed. "What do
+all them old names amount to anyhow? Like ez not the people that lived
+in 'em got mixed about 'em themselves."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Pennypacker smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't make any difference about Rome and Troy," he said. "You've
+been all the way down to New Orleans and you've fought in the East with
+the Continental troops. Your adventures have been fully as wonderful as
+those of Ulysses, and you have traveled a greater distance."</p>
+
+<p>They sailed on all through the day, still seeing that low<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> shore almost
+like a cloud bank on their right, but nothing save water ahead of them.
+Henry was sure that it was not above sixty miles across the lake, but he
+calculated that they had been blown about a great deal in the storm, and
+for all they knew the island might have been far out of their course.</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that they could not reach the south shore before dusk,
+and they turned in toward the land. Shif'less Sol hailed the turning of
+the boat's course with delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Boats are all right fur travelin'," he said, "when the wind's blowin'
+an' you've a sail. A lazy man like me never wants nothin' better, but
+when the night comes on an' you need to sleep, I want the land. I never
+feel the land heavin' an' pitchin' under me, an' it gives me more of a
+safe an' home feelin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Watch, everybody, for a landing place," said Henry, "and Paul, you
+steer."</p>
+
+<p>The green shore began to rise, showing a long unbroken wall of forest,
+but the dusk was coming too, and all of them were anxious to make land.
+Presently, they were only three or four hundred yards from the coast and
+they skimmed rapidly along it, looking for an anchorage. It was full
+night before Henry's sharp eyes saw the mouth of a creek almost hidden
+by tall grass, and, taking down the sail, they pulled the boat into it.
+They tied their craft securely to a tree, and the night passed without
+alarm.</p>
+
+<p>They resumed the voyage early the next morning, and that day reached the
+southern coast of the lake. Here they reluctantly left the boat. They
+might have found a river emptying into the lake down which they could
+have gone a hundred or more miles further, but they were not
+sufficiently acquainted with this part of the country to spend their
+time in hunting for it. They drew their good little craft as far as they
+could among the weeds and bushes that grew at the water's edge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's two good boats we've got hid on the water ways," said Shif'less
+Sol, "besides a half dozen canoes scattered here an' thar, an' mebbe
+we'll find 'em an' use 'em some day."</p>
+
+<p>"This cost us nothin'," said Jim Hart, "so I reckon we ain't got any
+right to grieve, 'cause we're givin' up what we never paid fur."</p>
+
+<p>They took out of the boat all the supplies that they could conveniently
+carry, and then started toward the southwest. The course to Kentucky now
+led through the heart of the Indian country. Between them and the Ohio
+lay the great Indian villages of Chillicothe, Piqua and many others, and
+the journey in any event would be dangerous. But the presence of the old
+schoolmaster was likely to make it more so, since he could not travel
+with any approach to the speed and skill of the others. Yet no one
+thought, for a moment, of blaming him. They were happy to have rescued
+him, and, moreover, he had brought them the good news that Wareville was
+untouched by the Bird invasion. Yet speed was vital. The scattered
+stations must be warned against the second and greater expedition under
+Caldwell and Timmendiquas. Mr. Pennypacker himself perceived the fact
+and he urged them to go on and leave him. He felt sure that with a rifle
+and plenty of ammunition he could reach Wareville in safety.</p>
+
+<p>"You can give me a lot of food," he said, "and doubtless I shall be able
+to shoot some game. Now go ahead and leave me. Many lives may depend
+upon it."</p>
+
+<p>They only laughed, but Shif'less Sol and Henry, who had been whispering
+together, announced a plan.</p>
+
+<p>"This here expedition is goin' to split," said the shiftless one. "Henry
+is the fastest runner an' the best woodsman of us all. I hate to admit
+that he's better than me, but he is, an' he's goin' on ahead. Now you
+needn't say anything, Mr. Pennypacker, about your makin' trouble,
+'cause<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> you don't. We'd make Henry run on afore, even ef you wuzn't with
+us. That boy needs trainin' down, an' we intend to see that he gits the
+trainin'."</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing more to be said and the rest was done very quietly and
+quickly. A brief farewell, a handshake for everyone, and he was gone.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had never been in finer physical condition, and the feeling of
+responsibility seemed to strengthen him also in both body and mind. In
+one way he was sorry to leave his comrades and in another he was glad.
+Alone he would travel faster, and in the wilderness he never feared the
+loneliness and the silence. A sense, dead or atrophied in the ordinary
+human being, came out more strongly in him. It seemed to be a sort of
+divination or prescience, as if messages reached him through the air,
+like the modern wireless.</p>
+
+<p>He went southward at a long walk half a run for an hour or two before he
+stopped. Then he stood on the crest of a little hill and saw the deep
+woods all about him. There was no sign of his comrades whom he had left
+far behind, nor was there any indication of human life save himself. Yet
+he had seldom seen anything that appealed to him more than this bit of
+the wilderness. The trees, oak, beech and elm, were magnificent. Great
+coiling grape vines now and then connected a cluster of trees, but there
+was little undergrowth. Overhead, birds chattered and sang among the
+leaves, and far up in the sky a pair of eagles were speeding like black
+specks toward the lake. Henry inhaled deep breaths. The odors of the
+woods came to him and were sweet in his nostrils. All the wilderness
+filled him with delight. A black bear passed and climbed a tree in
+search of honey. Two deer came in sight, but the human odor reached them
+and they fled swiftly away, although they were in no danger from Henry.</p>
+
+<p>Then he, too, resumed his journey, and sped swiftly toward the south
+through the unbroken forest. He came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> after a while to marshy country,
+half choked with fallen wood from old storms. He showed his wonderful
+agility and strength. He leaped rapidly from one fallen log to another
+and his speed was scarcely diminished. Now and then he saw wide black
+pools, and once he crossed a deep creek on a fallen tree. Night found
+him yet in this marshy region, but he was not sorry as he had left no
+trail behind, and, after looking around some time, he found a little
+oasis of dry land with a mighty oak tree growing in the center. Here he
+felt absolutely secure, and, making his supper of dried venison, he lay
+down under the boughs of the oak, with one blanket beneath him and
+another above him and was soon in a deep and dreamless sleep.</p>
+
+<p>He awoke about midnight to find a gorgeous parade of the moon and all
+the stars, and he lay for a while watching them through the leaves of
+the oak. Powerful are nature and habit, and Henry's life was in
+accordance with both. Lying alone at midnight on that little knoll in
+the midst of a great marsh in the country of wary and cruel enemies, he
+was thankful that it had been given to him to be there, and that his lot
+had been cast among the conditions that surrounded him.</p>
+
+<p>He heard a slight noise to the left of him, but he knew that it was only
+another hungry bear stealing about. There was a light splash in the pool
+at the foot of the knoll, but it was only a large fish leaping up and
+making a noise as it fell back. Far to the south something gleamed
+fitfully among the trees, but it was only marsh fire. None of these
+things disturbed him, and knowing that the wilderness was at peace he
+laid his head back on the turf and fell asleep again. At break of day he
+was up and away, and until afternoon he sped toward the south in the
+long running walk which frontiersmen and Indians could maintain for
+hours with ease. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, he stopped as
+suddenly as if he had come to a river's brink. He had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> struck a great
+trail, not a path made by three or four persons but by hundreds. He
+could see their road a hundred yards wide. Here so many feet had trodden
+that the grass was yet thinner than elsewhere; there lay the bones of
+deer, eaten clean and thrown away. Further on was a feather trimmed and
+dyed that had fallen from a scalp lock, and beyond that, a blanket
+discarded as too old and ragged lay rotting.</p>
+
+<p>These were signs that spoke to Henry as plainly as if the words
+themselves were uttered. A great wilderness army had passed that way and
+for a while he was in doubt. Was it the force of Bird coming back to the
+North? But it was undoubtedly a trail several weeks old. Everything
+indicated it. The bones had been bleached by the sun, the feather was
+beaten partly into the earth by rain, and the tattered old blanket had
+been pawed and torn still further by wolves. But none of these things
+told what army it might be. He hunted, instead, for some low place that
+might have been soft and marshy when the warriors passed, and which,
+when it dried, would preserve the outline of a footstep. He advanced a
+full mile, following the broad trail which was like an open road to him
+until he came to such a place. Then he kneeled and examined it
+critically. In a half dozen places he saw held in the hard earth the
+outline of footsteps. They would have been traces of footsteps to most
+people and nothing more, but he knew that every one of them pointed to
+the south. A mile further on and in another low place he had full
+verification of that, which, in fact, he already knew. Here the prints
+were numerous. Chance had brought him upon the trail of Timmendiquas,
+and he resolved, for the present, to follow it.</p>
+
+<p>Henry came to this determination because it was extremely important to
+know the location and plans of the invading army. More news of an attack
+would not be nearly so valuable as the time and place at which the
+at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>tack was to be delivered. The course seemed plain to him and he
+followed the broad trail with speed and ardor, noting all along the
+indications that the army took no care to conceal itself or hide its
+trail. Why should it? There was nothing in these woods powerful enough
+to meet the Anglo-Indian combination.</p>
+
+<p>For four days and for a part of every night he followed without a break.
+He saw the trail grow fresher, and he judged that he was moving at least
+twice as fast as the army. He could see where English or Tory boots had
+crushed down the grass and he saw also the lighter imprints of
+moccasins. He passed numerous camps marked by ashes, bones of deer,
+buffalo, bear and smaller animals, and fragments of old worn-out
+garments, such as an army casts away as it goes along. He read in these
+things unlimited confidence on the part of both Indians and white men.</p>
+
+<p>An unusually large camp had been made at one place and some bark
+shelters had been thrown up. Henry inferred that the army had spent two
+or three days here, and he could account for the fact only on the ground
+that some division of counsels had occurred. Perhaps the weather had
+been stormy meanwhile, and the bark shelters had been constructed for
+the officers and chiefs.</p>
+
+<p>He spent a night in this camp and used one of the shelters, as it began
+to rain heavily just after dark. It was a little place, but it kept him
+dry and he watched with interest as the wind and rain drove across the
+opening and through the forest. He was as close and snug as a bear in
+its lair, but the storm was heavy with thunder and vivid with lightning.
+The lightning was uncommonly bright. Frequently the wet boughs and trees
+stood out in the glare like so much carving, and Henry was forced to
+shut his dazzled eyes. But he was neither lonely nor afraid. He
+recognized the tremendous power of nature, but it seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> to him that he
+had his part here, and the whole was to him a majestic and beautiful
+panorama.</p>
+
+<p>Henry remembered the fight that he and his comrades had had at the
+deserted village, and he found some similarity in his present situation,
+but he did not anticipate the coming of another enemy, and, secure in
+the belief, he slept while the storm still blew. When morning came, the
+rain had ceased. He replenished his food supplies with a deer that he
+had shot by the way and he cooked a little on one of the heaps of stones
+that the Indians had used for the same purpose. When he had eaten he
+glanced at the other bark shelters and he saw the name of Braxton Wyatt
+cut on one of them. Henry shuddered with aversion. He had seen so much
+of death and torture done on the border that he could not understand how
+Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and their like could do such deeds upon their
+own countrymen. But he felt that the day was coming fast when many of
+them would be punished.</p>
+
+<p>He began the great trail anew upon turf, now soft and springy from the
+rain, and, refreshed by the long night's sleep in the bark shelter, he
+went rapidly. Eight or ten miles beyond the camp the trail made an
+abrupt curve to the eastward. Perhaps they were coming to some large
+river of which the Indian scouts knew and the turn was made in order to
+reach a ford, but he followed it another hour and there was no river.
+The nature of the country also indicated that no great stream could be
+at hand, and Henry believed that it signified a change of plan, a belief
+strengthened by a continuation of the trail toward the east as he
+followed it hour by hour. What did it mean? Undoubtedly it was something
+of great significance to his enterprise, but now he grew more wary.
+Since the course of the army was changed bands of Indians might be
+loitering behind, and he must take every precaution lest he run into one
+of them. He noticed from time to time small trails<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> coming into the
+larger one, and he inferred that they were hunting parties sent off from
+the main body and now returning.</p>
+
+<p>The trail maintained the change and still bore toward the east. It had
+been obliterated to some extent by the rains, but it was as wide as
+ever, and Henry knew that no division had taken place. But he was yet
+convinced that some subject of great importance had been debated at the
+place of the long camp. On the following day he saw two warriors, and he
+lay in the bush while they passed only twenty yards away, close enough
+for him to see that they were Miamis. They were proceeding leisurely,
+perhaps on a hunting expedition, and it was well for them that they did
+not search at this point for any enemy. The most formidable figure on
+all the border lay in the thicket with both rifle and pistol ready.
+Henry heard them talking, but he had no wish for an encounter even with
+the advantage of ambush and surprise on his side. He was concerned with
+far more important business.</p>
+
+<p>The two Indians looked at the broad trail, but evidently they knew all
+about it, as it did not claim more than a half minute's attention. Then
+they went northward, and when Henry was sure that they were a mile or
+two away, he resumed his pursuit, a single man following an army. Now
+all his wonderful skill and knowledge and developed power of intuition
+came into play. Soon he passed the point where the trail had been made
+fainter by the latest rains, and now it became to his eyes broad and
+deep. He came to a place where many fires had been built obviously for
+cooking, and the ashes of the largest fires were near the center of the
+camp. A half circle of unburned logs lay around these ashes. As the logs
+were not sunk in the ground at all they had evidently been drawn there
+recently, and Henry, sitting down on one of them, began to study the
+problem.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On the other side of the ashes where no logs lay were slight traces in
+the earth. It seemed to him that they had been made by heels, and he
+also saw at one place a pinch of brown ashes unlike the white ashes left
+by the fire. He went over, knelt down and smelled of the brown pinch.
+The odor was faint, very faint, but it was enough to tell him that it
+had been made by tobacco. A pipe had been smoked here, not to soothe the
+mind or body, but for a political purpose. At once his knowledge and
+vivid imagination reconstructed the whole scene. An important council
+had been held. The logs had been drawn up as seats for the British and
+Tory officers. Opposite them on the bare ground the chiefs, after their
+custom, had sat in Turkish fashion, and the pipe had been passed from
+one to another until the circle was complete. It must have been a most
+vital question or they would not have smoked the pipe. He came back to
+the logs and found in one of them a cut recently made. Someone had been
+indulging in the western custom of whittling with a strong clasp knife
+and he had no doubt that it was Braxton Wyatt who had cut his name with
+the same knife on the bark shelter. It would take one whittling casually
+a long time to make so deep a cut. Then they had debated there for two
+or three hours. This meant that the leaders were in doubt. Perhaps
+Timmendiquas and Caldwell had disagreed. If it could only be true! Then
+the little stations would have time to renew their breath and strength
+before another great attack could be made.</p>
+
+<p>He sat on the log and concentrated his mind with great intensity upon
+the problem. He believed that the master mind in the council had been
+that of Timmendiquas. He also had inspired the change of route and
+perhaps Caldwell, Girty and Wyatt had tried to turn him back. Doubtless
+the course of Timmendiquas had been inspired by news from the South.
+Would the trail turn again?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He renewed the eager pursuit. He followed for a full day, but it still
+ran toward the east, and was growing fresher much faster than before. He
+argued from this fact that the speed of the army had slackened greatly.
+On the day after that, although the course of the main body was
+unchanged he saw where a considerable band had left it and gone
+northward. What did this mean? The band could not have numbered less
+than fifty. It must be making for some one of the great Indian towns,
+Chillicothe or Piqua. Once more the reader of the wilderness page
+translated. They had received news from the South, and it was not such
+as they wished. The Indian towns had been threatened by something, and
+the band had gone to protect or help them.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly before nightfall he noticed another trail made by perhaps twenty
+warriors coming from the south and joining that of the main body. The
+briers and grass were tangled considerably, and, as he looked closely,
+his eyes caught a tint of red on the earth. It was only a spot, and once
+more the wilderness reader read what was printed in his book. This band
+had brought wounded men with it, and the tribes were not fighting among
+themselves. They had encountered the Kentuckians, hunters perhaps, or a
+larger force maybe, and they had not escaped without damage. Henry
+exulted, not because blood had been shed, but because some prowling band
+intent upon scalps had met a check.</p>
+
+<p>He followed the ruddy trail until it emerged into the broader one and
+then to a point beside it, where a cluster of huge oaks flung a pleasant
+shade. Here the wounds of the warriors had been bandaged, as fragments
+of deerskin lay about. One of them had certainly suffered a broken arm
+or leg, because pieces of stout twigs with which they had made splints
+lay under one of the trees.</p>
+
+<p>The next day he turned another page in his book, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> read about the
+great feast the army had held. He reached one of the little prairies so
+common in that region. Not many days before it had been a great berry
+field, but now it was trampled, and stripped. Seven or eight hundred
+warriors had eaten of the berries and they had also eaten of much solid
+food. At the far edge of the prairie just within the shade of the forest
+he found the skeletons of three buffaloes and several deer, probably
+shot by the hunters on that very prairie. A brook of fine clear water
+flowed by, and both banks were lined with footsteps. Here the warriors
+after eating heavily had come to drink. Many of the trees near by
+contained the marks of hatchet strokes, and Henry read easily that the
+warriors had practiced there with their tomahawks, perhaps for prizes
+offered by their white leaders. Cut in the soft bark of a beech he read
+the words "Braxton Wyatt." So he had been at work with the clasp knife
+again, and Henry inferred that the young renegade was worried and
+nervous or he would not have such uneasy hands.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the heavier footprints, those that turned out, were on one side
+of the camp and Henry read from this the fact that the English and
+Tories had drawn somewhat apart, and that the differences between them
+and the Indians had become greater. He concentrated his mind again upon
+the problem, and at length drew his conclusion from what he had read.</p>
+
+<p>The doubts of Timmendiquas concerning his allies were growing stronger,
+so Henry construed. The great Wyandot chief had been induced with
+difficulty to believe that the soldiers of the British king would repay
+their red allies, and would defend the Indian villages if a large force
+from Kentucky were sent against them. The indications that such a force
+was moving or would move must be growing stronger. Doubtless the
+original turn to the eastward had been in order to deflect the attack
+against the settle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>ments on the upper Ohio, most probably against Fort
+Henry. Now it was likely that the second plan had been abandoned for a
+third. What would that third be?</p>
+
+<p>He slept that night in a dense covert about half a mile from the camp,
+and he was awakened once by the howling of wolves. He knew that they
+were prowling about the deserted camp in search of remnants of food, and
+he felt sure that others also were following close behind the Indian
+army, in order to obtain what they might leave at future camps. Perhaps
+they might trail him too, but he had his rifle and pistol and, unafraid,
+he went to sleep again.</p>
+
+<p>The broad trail led the next day to a river which Henry reached about
+noon. It was fordable, but the army had not crossed. It had stopped
+abruptly at the brink and then had marched almost due north. Henry read
+this chapter easily and he read it joyfully. The dissatisfaction among
+the Indian chiefs had reached a climax, and the river, no real obstacle
+in itself, had served as the straw to turn them into a new course.
+Timmendiquas had boldly led the way northward and from Kentucky. He, Red
+Eagle, Yellow Panther and the rest were going to the Indian villages,
+and Caldwell and the other white men were forced either to go with them
+or return to Detroit. He followed the trail for a day and a half, saw it
+swing in toward the west, and theory became certainty. The army was
+marching toward Chillicothe and Piqua.</p>
+
+<p>After this last great turn Henry studied the trail with the utmost care.
+He had read much there, but he intended to read every word that it said.
+He noticed that the division, the British and Tories on one side and the
+Indians on the other, continued, and he was quite sure now that he would
+soon come upon some important development.</p>
+
+<p>He found the next day that for which he was looking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> The army had
+camped in another of the little prairies, and the Indians had held a
+great dance. The earth, trampled heavily over a regulated space, showed
+it clearly. Most of the white men had stayed in one group on the right.
+Here were the deep traces of military boot heels such as the officers
+might wear.</p>
+
+<p>Again his vivid imagination and power of mental projection into the dark
+reconstructed the whole scene. The Indians, Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis
+and the others, had danced wildly, whirling their tomahawks about their
+heads, their naked bodies painted in many colors, their eyes glaring
+with the intoxication of the dance. Timmendiquas and the other chiefs
+had stood here looking on; over there, on the right, Caldwell and his
+officers had stood, and few words had passed between officers and
+chiefs.</p>
+
+<p>"Now the division will become more complete," said Henry to himself, as
+he followed the trail anew into the forest, and he was so sure of it
+that he felt no surprise when, within a mile, it split abruptly. The
+greater trail continued to the west, the smaller turned abruptly to the
+north, and this was the one that contained the imprints of the military
+boot heels. Once more he read his text with ease. Timmendiquas and
+Caldwell had parted company. The English and Tories were returning to
+Detroit. Timmendiquas, hot with wrath because his white allies would not
+help him, was going on with the warriors to the defense of their
+villages.</p>
+
+<p>Without beholding with his own eyes a single act of this army he had
+watched the growth of the quarrel between red and white and he had been
+a witness to its culmination. But all these movements had been
+influenced by some power of which he knew nothing. It was his business
+to discover the nature of this power, and he would follow the Indian
+trail a little while longer.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had not suffered for food. Despite the passage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> of the Indian army
+the country was so full of game that he was able to shoot what he wished
+almost when he wished, but he felt that he was now coming so near to the
+main body that he could not risk a shot which might be heard by outlying
+hunters or skirmishers. He also redoubled his care and rarely showed
+himself on the main trail, keeping to the woods at the side, where he
+would be hidden, an easy matter, as except for the little prairies the
+country was covered with exceedingly heavy forest.</p>
+
+<p>The second day after the parting of the two forces he saw smoke ahead,
+and he believed that it was made by the rear guard. It was a thin column
+rising above the trees, but the foliage was so heavy and the underbrush
+so dense that he was compelled to approach very close before he saw that
+the fire was not made by Indians, but by a group of white men, Simon
+Girty, Blackstaffe, Quarles, Braxton Wyatt and others, about a dozen in
+all. They had cooked their noonday meal at a small fire and were eating
+it apparently in perfect confidence of security. The renegades sat in
+the dense forest. Underbrush grew thickly to the very logs on which they
+were sitting, and, as Henry heard the continuous murmur of their voices,
+he resolved to learn what they were saying. He might discover then the
+nature of the menace that had broken up or deferred the great invasion.
+He knew well the great danger of such an attempt but he was fully
+resolved to make it.</p>
+
+<p>Lying down in the bushes and grass he drew himself slowly forward. His
+approach was like that of a wild animal stalking its prey. He lay very
+close to the earth and made no sound that was audible a yard away,
+pulling himself on, foot by foot. Yet his patience conquered, and
+presently he lay in the thickest of the undergrowth not far from the
+renegades, and he could hear everything they said. Girty was speaking,
+and his words soon showed that he was in no pleasant mood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Caldwell and the other English were too stiff," he said. "I don't like
+Timmendiquas because he doesn't like me, but the English oughtn't to
+forget that an alliance is for the sake of the two parties to it. They
+should have come with Timmendiquas and his friends to their villages to
+help them."</p>
+
+<p>"And all our pretty plans are broken up," said Braxton Wyatt viciously.
+"If we had only gone on and struck before they could recover from Bird's
+blows we might have swept Kentucky clean of every station."</p>
+
+<p>"Timmendiquas was right," said Girty. "We have to beware of that fellow
+at the Falls. He's dangerous. His is a great name. The Kentucky riflemen
+will come to the call of the man who took Kaskaskia and Vincennes."</p>
+
+<p>The prone figure in the bushes started. He was reading further into this
+most interesting of all volumes. What could the "Falls" mean but the
+Falls of the Ohio at the brand new settlement of Louisville, and the
+victor of Vincennes and Kaskaskia was none other than the great George
+Rogers Clark, the sword of the border. He understood. Clark's name was
+the menace that had turned back Timmendiquas. Undoubtedly the hero was
+gathering a new force and would give back Bird's blows. Timmendiquas
+wished to protect his own, but the English had returned to Detroit. The
+prone figure in the bushes rejoiced without noise.</p>
+
+<p>"What will be the result of it all?" asked Blackstaffe, his tone showing
+anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>Girty&mdash;most detested name in American history, next to that of Benedict
+Arnold&mdash;considered. The side of his face was turned to Henry, and the
+bold youth wished that they were standing in the open, face to face,
+arms in hand. But he was compelled to lie still and wait. Nor could he
+foresee that Girty, although he was not destined to fall in battle,
+should lose everything, become an exile, go blind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> and that no man
+should know when he met death or where his body lay. The renegade at
+length replied:</p>
+
+<p>"It means that we cannot now destroy Kentucky without a supreme effort.
+Despite all that we do, despite all our sieges and ambuscades, new men
+continually come over the mountains. Every month makes them stronger,
+and yet only this man Clark and a few like him have saved them so far.
+If Caldwell and a British force would make a campaign with us, we might
+yet crush Clark and whatever army he may gather. We may even do it
+without Caldwell. In this vast wilderness which the Indians know so well
+it is almost impossible for a white army to escape ambush. I am, for
+that reason, in favor of going on and joining Timmendiquas. I want a
+share in the victory that our side will win at the Indian towns. I am
+sure that the triumph will be ours."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems the best policy to me," said Braxton Wyatt. "Timmendiquas does
+not like me any more than he does you, but the Indians appreciate our
+help. I suppose we'd better follow at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Take it easy," said Girty. "There's no hurry. We can overtake
+Timmendiquas in a day, and we are quite sure that there are no
+Kentuckians in the woods. Besides, it will take Clark a considerable
+time to assemble a large force at the Falls, and weeks more to march
+through the forest. You will have a good chance then, Braxton, to show
+your skill as a forest leader. With a dozen good men hanging on his
+flank you ought to cause Mr. Clark much vexation."</p>
+
+<p>"It could be done," replied Wyatt, "but there are not many white men out
+here fighting on our side. In the East the Tories are numerous, and I
+had a fine band there, but it was destroyed in that last fight at the
+big Indian town."</p>
+
+<p>"Your old playmate, Henry Ware, had something to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> with that, did he
+not?" asked Girty, not without a touch of sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p>"He did," replied Wyatt venomously, "and it's a good thing that he's now
+a prisoner at Detroit. He and those friends of his could be both the
+eyes and ears of Clark. It would have been better if Timmendiquas had
+let the Indians make an end to him. Only in that manner could we be sure
+that he would always be out of the way."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you're right," said Girty.</p>
+
+<p>The prone figure in the bushes laughed silently, a laugh that did not
+cause the movement of a single muscle, but which nevertheless was full
+of heartfelt enjoyment. What would Wyatt and Girty have thought if they
+had known that the one of whom they were talking, whom they deemed a
+prisoner held securely at Detroit, was lying within ten feet of them, as
+free as air and with weapons of power?</p>
+
+<p>Henry had heard enough and he began to creep away, merely reversing the
+process by which he had come. It was a harder task than the first, but
+he achieved it deftly, and after thirty yards he rose to his feet,
+screening himself behind the trunk of an oak. He could still see the
+renegades, and the faint murmur of their voices yet reached him. That
+old temptation to rid the earth of one of these men who did so much harm
+came back to him, but knowing that he had other work to do he resisted
+it, and, passing in a wide circle about them, followed swiftly on the
+trail of Timmendiquas.</p>
+
+<p>He saw the Indian camp that night, pitched in a valley. Numerous fires
+were burning and discipline was relaxed somewhat, but so many warriors
+were about that there was no opportunity to come near. He did not wish,
+however, to make any further examination. Merely to satisfy himself that
+the army had made no further change in its course was enough. After
+lingering a half hour or so he turned to the north and traveled rapidly
+a long time, hav<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>ing now effected a complete circuit since he left his
+comrades. It was his purpose now to rejoin them, which he did not
+believe would prove a very difficult task. Shif'less Sol, the leader in
+his absence, was to come with the party down the bank of the Scioto,
+unless they found Indians in the way. Their speed would be that of the
+slowest of their number, Mr. Pennypacker, and he calculated that he
+would meet them in about three days.</p>
+
+<p>Bearing in toward the right he soon struck the banks of the Scioto and
+followed the stream northward all the next day. He saw several Indian
+canoes upon the river, but he was so completely hidden by the dense
+foliage on the bank that he was safe from observation. It was not a war
+party, the Indians were merely fishing. Some of the occupants of the
+boats were squaws. It was a pleasant and peaceful occupation, and for a
+few moments Henry envied them, but quickly dismissing such thoughts he
+proceeded northward again at the old running walk.</p>
+
+<p>On the afternoon of the second day Henry lay in the bushes and uttered
+their old signal, the cry of the wolf repeated with certain variations,
+and as unmistakable as are the telegrapher's dots and dashes of to-day.
+There was no answer. He had expected none. It was yet too soon,
+according to his calculations, but he would not risk their passing him
+through an unexpected burst of speed. All that afternoon and the next
+morning he repeated the signal at every half hour. Still the same
+silence. Nothing stirred in the great woods, but the leaves and bushes
+swaying before the wind. Several times he examined the Scioto, but he
+saw no more Indians.</p>
+
+<p>About noon of the third day when he uttered the signal an answer, very
+faint, came from a point far to the west. At first he was not sure of
+the variations, the sound had traveled such a great distance, but having
+gone in that direction a quarter of a mile, he repeated it. Then it
+came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> back, clear and unmistakable. Once more he read his book with
+ease. Shif'less Sol and the others were near by and they would await
+him. His pulse leaped with delight. He would be with these brave
+comrades again and he would bring them good news.</p>
+
+<p>He advanced another two or three hundred yards and repeated the cry. The
+answer instantly came from a point very near at hand. Then he pressed
+boldly through the bushes and Shif'less Sol walked forward to meet him
+followed by the others, all gaunt with travel, but strong and well.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI<br />
+<small>THE RIVER FIGHT</small></h2>
+
+<p>Henry shook hands with them all in turn and they sat down under the
+shade of an oak. Mr. Pennypacker looked him over slowly and rather
+quizzically.</p>
+
+<p>"Henry," he said, "I scarcely realize that you were a pupil of mine.
+Here in the wilderness I see that you are the teacher and that I am a
+pretty poor and limping sort of pupil."</p>
+
+<p>"You can teach us all many and useful things," said Henry modestly.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you learn, Henry?" asked Paul.</p>
+
+<p>Henry told the tale in brief, concise words, and the others expressed
+pleasure at his news.</p>
+
+<p>"And so Clark is coming," said the schoolmaster thoughtfully. "It is
+wonderful what the energy and directing mind of one man can do. That
+name alone is enough to change the nature of a whole campaign. 'Tis
+lucky that we have this C&aelig;sar of the backwoods to defend us. What is
+your plan now, Henry?"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Pennypacker, like the others, instinctively looked upon Henry as the
+leader.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll go straight to the Falls of the Ohio," replied Henry. "It will
+take us two or three weeks to get there, and we'll have to live mostly
+on our rifles, but that's where we're needed. Clark will want all the
+men he can get."</p>
+
+<p>"I am old," said the schoolmaster, "and it has not been my business
+hitherto to fight, but in this great crisis of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> Kentucky I shall try to
+do my part. I too shall offer my services to George Rogers Clark."</p>
+
+<p>"He'll be glad to get you," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>After the brief rest they began the long journey from what is now the
+middle part of the state of Ohio to the Falls of the Ohio and the new
+settlement of Louisville there. It was an arduous undertaking,
+particularly for the schoolmaster, as it led all the way through woods
+frequented by alert Indians, and, besides deep rivers there were
+innumerable creeks, which they could cross only by swimming. Bearing
+this in mind Henry's thoughts returned to the first boat which they had
+hidden in the bushes lining the banks of one of the Ohio's tributaries.
+As the whole country was now swarming with the warriors the passage down
+the Ohio would undoubtedly be more dangerous than the path through the
+woods, but the boat and the river would save a vast expenditure of
+strength. Henry laid the two plans before the others.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say, Sol?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm fur the boat an' the river," replied the shiftless one. "I'd rather
+be rowed by Jim Hart than walk five hundred miles."</p>
+
+<p>"And you, Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>"I say take to the boat. We may have to fight. We've held them off on
+the water before and I'm sure we can do it again."</p>
+
+<p>"And you, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"The boat."</p>
+
+<p>"And you, Jim?"</p>
+
+<p>"The boat, an' make Sol thar do his share uv the work."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say, Mr. Pennypacker?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not a forester, and as all of you are for the boat, so am I."</p>
+
+<p>"That seems to make it unanimous, and in an hour we'll start for our
+hidden navy. It's at the edge of the next big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> river east of the Scioto
+and we ought to steer a pretty straight course for it."</p>
+
+<p>They traveled at a good pace. Mr. Pennypacker, while not a woodsman, was
+a good walker, and, despite his age, proved himself tough and enduring.
+They crossed Indian trails several times, but did not come into contact
+with any of the warriors. They swam three or four deep creeks, but in
+four days they came to the river not many miles above the place at which
+they had hidden the boat. Then they descended the stream and approached
+the point with some anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose the boat isn't there," said Paul; "suppose the Indians have
+found it."</p>
+
+<p>"We ain't supposing'," said Shif'less Sol. "We're shore it's thar."</p>
+
+<p>They waded among the bushes growing at the water's edge and the
+shiftless one, who was in advance, uttered a suppressed cry of pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"Here it is, jest ez we left it," he said.</p>
+
+<p>The boat had been untouched, but Henry knew all the time the chances
+were in favor of their finding it so. With the keenest delight, they
+pulled it out into the stream and looked it over. They had made of it a
+cache and they had left in it many valuable articles which they would
+need. Among these were four extra rifles, two fine fowling pieces, a
+large supply of powder and lead, axes and hatchets, and extra clothing
+and blankets. They had stocked the boat well on leaving Pittsburgh, and
+now it was like retaking a great treasure. Shif'less Sol climbed aboard
+and with a deep sigh of pleasure reclined against the side.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Saplin'," he said, "I'll go to sleep while you row me down to
+Louisville."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll do most of our traveling by night," said Henry, "and as we'll
+have the current with us I don't think that you or Jim, Sol, will have
+to work yourselves to death."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After their examination of the boat to see that everything was all
+right, they pulled it back into the bushes, not intending to start until
+the dark set in. There was a considerable supply of salted food, coffee
+and tea on board, but Henry and Sol killed two deer farther up the river
+bank which they quickly cleaned and dressed. They now thought themselves
+provisioned for the trip to the Falls of the Ohio, and they carried, in
+addition, fishing tackle which they could use at any time.</p>
+
+<p>They pulled clear of the bushes about 8 o'clock in the evening and rowed
+down the river. But as the stream was bank full and running fast, they
+did not have to make any great effort. Toward midnight when they reached
+some of the wider parts of the river they set the sail and went ahead at
+a swifter pace. Henry calculated that they could reach the Ohio slightly
+after dawn, but as the night was uncommonly clear, with the promise of a
+very brilliant day to follow, they furled their sails at least two hours
+before sunrise, and, finding another shallow cove, drew their boat into
+it among the bushes.</p>
+
+<p>"Now for a sleep," said Henry. "Tom and I will keep watch until noon and
+then Sol and Paul will take our places. At night we will start again."</p>
+
+<p>"And where does my watch come, pray?" asked Mr. Pennypacker.</p>
+
+<p>"We want you to help us to-night," replied Henry. "We'll need your
+knowledge of the sail and the oars."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," replied the unsuspicious schoolmaster. "It is understood
+that I do extra work to-night, because I do not watch to-day."</p>
+
+<p>Henry, when he turned his face away, smiled a little. It was understood
+among them all that they were to spare the schoolmaster as much as
+possible, and to do so, they used various little devices. Theirs was a
+good roomy boat and those who were to sleep first disposed themselves
+com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>fortably, while Henry sat in the prow and Tom in the stern, both
+silent and apparently listless, but watching with eyes and ears alike.
+The dawn came, and, as they had foreseen, it was a bright, hot day. It
+was so close among the bushes that the sleepers stirred restlessly and
+beads of perspiration stood on the faces of the watchers. Not a breath
+of air stirred either in the woods or on the river. Henry was glad when
+it was their turn to sleep, and when he awoke, night had come with its
+cool shadows and a wind also that dispelled the breathless heat.</p>
+
+<p>Then they pulled out of the bushes and floated again with the stream,
+but they did not hoist their sail. The air after the close heat of the
+day was charged with electricity, and they looked for a storm. It came
+about 11 o'clock, chiefly as a display of thunder and lightning. The
+flashes of electricity dazzled them and continued without a break for
+almost an hour. The roar of the thunder was like the unbroken discharges
+of great batteries, but both wind and rain were light. Several times the
+lightning struck with a tremendous crash in the woods about them, but
+the boat glided on untouched. About midnight they came out into the
+flood of the Ohio, and, setting their sail, they steered down the center
+of the stream.</p>
+
+<p>All of them felt great relief, now that they were on the wide Ohio. On
+the narrower tributary they might have been fired upon from either
+shore, but the Ohio was a half mile and sometimes a full mile from bank
+to bank. As long as they kept in the middle of the stream they were
+practically safe from the bullets of ambushed Indians.</p>
+
+<p>They took turns at sleeping, but it was not necessary now to use the
+oars. The wind was still strong, and the sail carried them at great
+speed down the river. They felt safe and comfortable, but it was a wild
+and weird scene upon which they looked. The banks of the Ohio here were
+high and clothed in dense forest which, in the glare of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> the lightning,
+looked like gigantic black walls on either shore. The surface of the
+river itself was tinted under the blaze as if with fire, and often it
+ran in red waves before the wind. The darkness was intense, but the
+flashes of lightning were so vivid that they easily saw their way.</p>
+
+<p>"We're going back on our old path now, Paul," said Henry. "You remember
+how we came up the river with Adam Colfax, fought the fleet of
+Timmendiquas, and helped save the fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't well forget it," replied Paul. "Why, I can see it all again,
+just as if it happened only yesterday, but I'm mighty glad that
+Timmendiquas is not here now with a fleet."</p>
+
+<p>"Will we tie up to the bank by day as we did on the other river?" asked
+Mr. Pennypacker.</p>
+
+<p>"Not on the Ohio," replied Henry. "As white immigrants are now coming
+down it, Indians infest both shores, so we'll keep straight ahead in the
+middle of the stream. We may be attacked there, but perhaps we can
+either whip or get away from anything that the Indians now have on the
+river."</p>
+
+<p>While they talked Shif'less Sol looked carefully to their armament. He
+saw that all the extra rifles and pistols were loaded and that they lay
+handy. But he had little to say and the others, after the plan had been
+arranged, were silent. The wind became irregular. Now and then gusts of
+it lashed the surface of the giant stream, but toward morning it settled
+into a fair breeze. The thunder and lightning ceased by that time, and
+there was promise of a good day.</p>
+
+<p>The promise was fulfilled and they floated peacefully on until
+afternoon. Then shots were fired at them from the northern bank, but the
+bullets spattered the water a full fifty yards short. Henry and Sol, who
+had the keenest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> eyes, could make out the outlines of Indians on the
+shore, but they were not troubled.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure it's just a small hunting party," said Henry, "and they can do
+us no harm. Their bullets can't reach us, and you can't run along the
+banks of a great river and keep up with a boat in the stream."</p>
+
+<p>"That's true," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think I'll tell 'em so. I
+always like to hurt the feelin's of a bloodthirsty savage that's lookin'
+fur my scalp."</p>
+
+<p>He opened his mouth to its widest extent and gave utterance to a most
+extraordinary cry, the like of which had perhaps never before been heard
+in those woods. It rose in a series of curves and undulations. It had in
+it something of the howl of the wolf and also the human note. It was
+essentially challenging and contemptuous. Anybody who heard it was bound
+to take it as a personal insult, and it became most effective when it
+died away in a growling, spitting noise, like the defiance of an angry
+cat. Henry fairly jumped in his seat when he heard it.</p>
+
+<p>"Sol," he exclaimed, "what under the sun do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>The mouth of the shiftless one opened again, but this time in a wide
+grin of delight.</p>
+
+<p>"I wuz jest tellin' them Injuns that I didn't like 'em," he replied. "Do
+you reckon they understood?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think they did," replied Henry with emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>"That bein' so, I'll tell 'em ag'in. Look out, here she comes!"</p>
+
+<p>Again the mouth of Shif'less Sol swung wide, and again he uttered that
+fearful yell of defiance, abuse, contempt and loathing, a yell so
+powerful that it came back in repeated echoes without any loss of
+character. The Indians on the bank, stung by it, uttered a fierce shout
+and fired another volley, but the bullets fell further short than ever.
+Shif'less Sol smiled in deep content.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"See how I'm makin' 'em waste good ammunition," he said. "I learned that
+trick from Paul's tales o' them old Greeks an' Trojans. As fur ez I
+could make out when a Greek an' Trojan come out to fight one another,
+each feller would try to talk the other into throwin' his spear fust,
+an' afore he wuz close enough to take good aim. All them old heroes done
+a heap o' talkin' an' gen'ally they expected to get somethin' out o'
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly the Greeks and Trojans had thrilling war cries," said Mr.
+Pennypacker, "but I doubt, Mr. Hyde, whether they ever had any as weird
+as yours."</p>
+
+<p>"Which shows that I'm jest a leetle ahead o' any o' them old fellers,"
+said Shif'less Sol in tones of deep satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>The boat, moving swiftly before the wind, soon left the Indians on the
+northern bank far behind, and once more they were at peace with the
+wilderness. The river was now very beautiful. It had not yet taken on
+the muddy tint characteristic of its lower reaches, the high and sloping
+banks were covered with beautiful forest, and coming from north and
+south they saw the mouths of creeks and rivers pouring the waters of
+great regions into the vast main stream. Henry, as captain of the boat,
+regarded these mouths with a particularly wary and suspicious eye. Such
+as they formed the best ambush for Indian canoes watching to pounce upon
+the immigrant boats coming down the Ohio. Whenever he saw the entrance
+of a tributary he always had the boat steered in toward the opposite
+shore, while all except the steersman sat with their rifles across their
+knees until the dangerous locality was passed safely.</p>
+
+<p>They anchored a little after nightfall. The current was very gentle and
+fortunately their anchor would hold near the middle of the stream. Henry
+wished to give rest to a part of his crew and he knew also that in the
+night they would pass the mouth of the Licking, opposite the site of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>
+Cincinnati, a favorite place of ambush for the Indian boats. All the
+indications pointed to some dark hours ahead, and that was just the kind
+they needed for running such a gauntlet.</p>
+
+<p>This time it was he and Tom Ross who watched while the others slept, and
+some hours after dark they saw fitful lights on the northern shore,
+appearing and reappearing at three or four points. They believed them to
+be signals, but they could not read them.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course there are warriors in those woods," said Henry.
+"Timmendiquas, knowing that Clark has gathered or is gathering his
+forces at the Falls, will send his best scouts to watch him. They may
+have seen us, and they may be telling their friends on the south side of
+the river that we are here."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe so," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Changing their plans they took up the anchor and the boat, driven by
+wind and current, moved on at good speed. Tom steered and Henry sat near
+him, watching both shores. The others, stowed here and there, slept
+soundly. The lights flickered on the northern shore for a few minutes,
+and then a curve of the stream shut them out. The night itself was
+bright, a full moon and many stars turning the whole broad surface of
+the river to silver, and making distinct any object that might appear
+upon it. Henry would have preferred a dark and cloudy night for the
+passage by the mouth of the Licking, but since they did not have it they
+must go on anyhow.</p>
+
+<p>They sailed quietly with the current for several hours, and the night
+showed no signs of darkening. Once Henry thought he saw a light on the
+southern shore, but it was gone so quickly that keen-eyed as he was he
+could not tell whether it was reality or merely fancy.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see it, Tom?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I did, or at least I thought I did."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Then, since we both saw it, it must have been reality, and it indicates
+to my mind that Indians are on the south as well as on the north bank.
+Maybe they have seen us here."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe."</p>
+
+<p>"Which renders it more likely that they may be on watch at the mouth of
+the Licking for anything that passes."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe."</p>
+
+<p>"According to my calculation we'll be there in another hour. What do you
+think?"</p>
+
+<p>"I say one hour, too."</p>
+
+<p>"And we'll let the boys sleep on until we see danger, if danger comes."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I'd do," replied Tom, casting a glance at the sleeping
+figures.</p>
+
+<p>No word was spoken again for a long time, but, as they approached the
+dangerous mouth, Tom steered the boat further and further toward the
+northern bank. Both remembered the shores here from their passage up the
+Ohio, and Henry knew that the gap in the wall of trees on the south
+betokened the mouth of the Licking. Tom steadily bore in toward the
+northern bank until he was not more than thirty yards from the trees.
+The moon and the stars meanwhile, instead of favoring them, seemed to
+grow brighter. The river was a great moving sheet of silver, and the
+boat stood out upon it black and upright.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, with his eyes upon the black wall, saw two dots appear there and
+then two more, and he knew at once their full significance. The ambush
+had been laid, not for them in particular, but for any boat that might
+pass.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom," he said, "the Indian canoes are coming. Keep straight on down the
+river. I'll wake the others."</p>
+
+<p>The remaining four aroused, took their rifles and gazed at the black
+dots which had now increased from four to six, and which were taking the
+shape of long canoes with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> at least half a dozen paddlers in every one.
+Two of the canoes carried sails which indicated to Henry the presence of
+renegades.</p>
+
+<p>"In a fight at close quarters they'd be too strong for us," said Henry.
+"That force must include at least forty warriors, but we can run our
+boat against the northern shore and escape into the woods. Are you in
+favor of our doing that?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," they answered with one accord.</p>
+
+<p>Henry laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew your answer before I asked the question," he said, "and as we
+are not going to escape into the woods we must prepare for a river race
+and a battle. I think we could leave them behind without much trouble,
+if it were not for those two boats with the sails."</p>
+
+<p>"Let 'em come," said Shif'less Sol. "We've got plenty of rifles an' we
+can hit at longer range than they can."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, it's our business to avoid a fight if possible," said Henry.
+"George Rogers Clark wants whole men to fight, not patients to nurse.
+Tom, you keep on steering and all the rest of us will take a hand at the
+oars."</p>
+
+<p>The boat shot forward under the new impetus, but behind them the six
+canoes, particularly the two on which sails had been fitted, were coming
+fast. The night was so bright that they could see the warriors painted
+and naked to the waist sending their paddles in great sweeps through the
+water. It was evident also that they had enough extra men to work in
+relays, which gave them a great advantage.</p>
+
+<p>"It's to be a long chase," said Henry, "but I'm thinking that they'll
+overtake us unless we interfere with them in some rude manner."</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning these?" said Shif'less Sol, patting one of the rifles.</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning those," said Henry; "and it's lucky that we're so well
+provided. Those boats are not led by ordinary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> warriors. See how they're
+using every advantage. They're spreading out exactly as Indian pursuers
+do on land, in order that some portion of their force may profit by any
+turn or twist of ours."</p>
+
+<p>It was so. The pursuing fleet was spreading out like a fan, two boats
+following near the northern shore, two near the southern and two in the
+center. Evidently they intended neglecting no precaution to secure what
+many of them must already have regarded as a certain prize. Mr.
+Pennypacker regarded them with dilated eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"A formidable force," he said, "and I judge by their actions that they
+will prove tenacious."</p>
+
+<p>"Shorely," said Shif'less Sol, as he tapped the rifle again, "but you
+must rec'lect, Mr. Pennypacker, that we've oncommon good rifles an' some
+o' us are oncommon good shots. It might prove better fur 'em ef they
+didn't come so fast. Henry, kin you make out any white faces in them two
+boats in the center?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's pretty far to tell color, but a figure in the right-hand boat,
+sitting close to the mast, looks to me mightily like that of Braxton
+Wyatt."</p>
+
+<p>"I had just formed the same notion. That's the reason I asked, an' ef I
+ain't mistook, Simon Girty's in the other boat. Oh, Henry, do you think
+I kin git a shot at him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt it," replied Henry. "Girty is cunning and rarely exposes
+himself. There, they are firing, but it's too soon."</p>
+
+<p>Several shots were discharged from the leading boats, but they fell far
+short. Evidently they were intended as threats, but, besides Henry's
+comment, the pursued took no notice of them. Then the savages, for the
+first time, uttered their war cry, but the fugitives did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Ef they mean by that yell that they've got us," said Shif'less Sol,
+"then they might ez well yell ag'in."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, I think they're gaining upon us somewhat," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> Henry, "and it
+may be necessary before long to give them a hint or two."</p>
+
+<p>Now it was his turn to tap the rifle significantly, and Henry with a
+calculating eye measured the distance between their own and the leading
+boat. He saw that the warriors were gaining. It was a slow gain, but in
+time it would bring them within easy rifle shot. The fleeing boat
+carried many supplies which weighed her down to a certain extent, but
+the pursuing boats carried nothing except the pursuers themselves. Henry
+raised his rifle a little and looked again at the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"A little too fur yet, Henry," said Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"I think so, too," said Henry. "We'd best wait until we're absolutely
+sure."</p>
+
+<p>A cry broke from Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"Look ahead!" he cried. "We've enemies on both sides!"</p>
+
+<p>The alarming news was true. Two large boats loaded with warriors had
+shot out from the northern bank four or five hundred yards ahead, and
+were coming directly into the path of the fugitives. A yell full of
+malice and triumph burst from the savages in the pursuing canoes, and
+those in the canoes ahead answered it with equal malice and triumph. The
+fate of the fugitives seemed to be sealed, but the five had been in many
+a close place before, and no thought of despair entered their minds.
+Henry at once formed the plan and as usual they acted with swift
+decision and boldness. Tom was now steering and Henry cried to him:</p>
+
+<p>"Shelter yourself and go straight ahead. Lie low, the rest of you fire
+at those before us!"</p>
+
+<p>Their boat went swiftly on. The two ahead of them drew directly into
+their path, but veered a little to one side, when they saw with what
+speed the other boat was approaching. They also began to fire, but the
+six, shel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>tered well, heard the bullets patter upon the wooden sides and
+they bided their time. Henry, peeping over, marked the boat on the right
+and saw a face which he knew to be that of a white man. In an instant he
+recognized the renegade Quarles and rage rose within him. Without the
+aid of the renegades, more ruthless than the red men themselves, the
+Indians could never have accomplished so much on the border. He raised
+his rifle a little and now he cocked it. Shif'less Sol glanced up and
+saw the red fire in his eye.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, Henry?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"The renegade Quarles is in the boat on the right. As we have to run a
+gauntlet here, and there will be some shooting, I mean that one of the
+renegades shall never trouble us any more."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry it's not Girty or Wyatt," said the shiftless one, "but since
+it ain't either o' them it might ez well be Quarles. He might be missed,
+but he wouldn't be mourned."</p>
+
+<p>The boat, with Tom Ross steering, kept straight ahead with undiminished
+speed, the wind filling out the sail. The Indians in the two boats
+before them fired again, but the bullets as before thudded upon the
+wooden sides.</p>
+
+<p>But Henry, crouching now with his cocked rifle, saw his opportunity.
+Quarles, raising himself up in the canoe, had fired and he was just
+taking his rifle from his shoulder. Henry fired directly at the tanned
+forehead of this wicked man, who had so often shed the blood of his own
+people, and the bullet crashed through the brain. The renegade half
+rose, and then fell from the boat into the stream, which hid his body
+forever. A cry of rage and fear came from the Indians and the next
+moment four other marksmen, two from the right and two from the left,
+fired into the opposing canoes. The schoolmaster also fired, although he
+was not sure that he hit any foe; but it was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> terrible volley
+nevertheless. The two Indian boats contained both dead and wounded.
+Paddles were dropped into the water and floated out of reach. Moreover,
+Tom Ross, when his cunning eye saw the confusion, steered his own boat
+in such a manner that it struck the canoe on the right a glancing blow,
+sidewiping it, as it were.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and his comrades were staggered by the impact, but their boat,
+uninjured, quickly righted itself and went on. The Indian canoe was
+smashed in and sank, leaving its living occupants struggling in the
+water, while the other canoe was compelled to turn and pick them up.</p>
+
+<p>"Well done, Mr. Ross!" called Mr. Pennypacker. "That was a happy
+thought. You struck them as the old Roman galleys with their beaks
+struck their antagonists, and you have swept them from our path."</p>
+
+<p>"That's true, Mr. Pennypacker," said Shif'less Sol, "but don't you go to
+stickin' your head up too much. Thar, didn't I tell you! Ef many more
+bullets like that come, you'd git a nice hair cut an' no charge."</p>
+
+<p>A bullet had clipped a gray lock from the top of the schoolmaster's
+head, but flattening himself on the bottom of the boat he did not give
+the Indians a second shot. Meanwhile Henry and the others were sending
+bullets into the crews of the boats behind them. They did not get a
+chance at Girty and Wyatt, who were evidently concealing themselves from
+these foes, whom they knew to be such deadly sharpshooters, but they
+were making havoc among the warriors. It was a fire so deadly that all
+the canoes stopped and let the boat pass out of range. The little band
+sent back their own shout, taunting and triumphant, and then, laying
+aside their rifles, they took up the oars again. They sped forward and
+as the night darkened the Indian canoes sank quickly out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"I think we'll have the right of way now to the Falls," said Henry.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII<br />
+<small>THE ROAD TO WAREVILLE</small></h2>
+
+<p>Henry made no mistake when he predicted that they would have the right
+of way to the Falls. Days passed and the broad river bore them
+peacefully onward, the wind blowing into ripples its yellow surface
+which the sunshine turned into deep gold. The woods still formed a solid
+bank of dark green on either shore, and they knew that warriors might be
+lurking in them, but they kept to the middle of the current, and the
+Ohio was so wide that they were fairly safe from sharpshooters. In
+addition to the caution, habitual to borderers, they usually kept pretty
+well sheltered behind the stout sides of their boat.</p>
+
+<p>"Tain't no use takin' foolish risks," said Shif'less Sol wisely. "A
+bullet that you ain't lookin' fur will hurt jest ez bad ez one that
+you're expectin', an' the surprise gives a lot o' pain, too."</p>
+
+<p>Hence they always anchored at night, far out in the water, put out all
+lights, and never failed to keep watch. Several times they detected
+signs of their wary enemy. Once they saw flames twinkling on the
+northern shore, and twice they heard signal cries in the southern woods.
+But the warriors did not make any nearer demonstration, and they went
+on, content to leave alone when they were left alone.</p>
+
+<p>All were eager to see the new settlement at the Falls, of which reports
+had come to them through the woods, and they were particularly anxious
+to find it a tower of strength<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> against the fresh Indian invasion. Their
+news concerning it was not yet definite, but they heard that the first
+blockhouse was built on an island. Hence every heart beat a little
+faster when they saw the low outline of a wooden island rising from the
+bosom of the Ohio.</p>
+
+<p>"According to all we've heard," said Henry, "that should be the place."</p>
+
+<p>"It shorely is," said Shif'less Sol, "an' besides I see smoke risin'
+among them trees."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I see smoke rising on the southern shore also," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"Which may mean that they've made a second settlement, one on the
+mainland," said Paul.</p>
+
+<p>As they drew nearer Henry sent a long quavering cry, the halloo of the
+woodsman, across the waters, and an answering cry came from the edge of
+the island. Then a boat containing two white men, clad in deerskin, put
+out and approached the five cautiously. Henry and Paul stood up to show
+that they were white and friends, and the boat then came swiftly.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" called one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>Henry replied, giving their identity briefly, and the man said:</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Charles Curd, and this is Henry Palmer. We live at
+Louisville and we are on the watch for friends and enemies alike. We're
+glad to know that you're the former."</p>
+
+<p>They escorted the five back to the island, and curious people came down
+to the beach to see the forest runners land. Henry and his comrades for
+their part were no less curious and soon they were inspecting this
+little settlement which for protection had been cast in a spot
+surrounded by the waters of the Ohio. They saw Corn Island, a low
+stretch of soil, somewhat sandy but originally covered with heavy
+forest, now partly cleared away. Yet the ax had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> left sycamores ten feet
+through and one hundred feet high.</p>
+
+<p>The whole area of the island was only forty-three acres, but it already
+contained several fields in which fine corn and pumpkins were raised. On
+a slight rise was built the blockhouse in the form of an Egyptian cross,
+the blockhouse proper forming the body of the cross, while the cabins of
+the settlers constituted the arms. In addition to the sycamores, great
+cottonwoods had grown here, but nearly all of them had been cut down,
+and then had been split into rails and boards. Back of the field and at
+the western edge of the river, was a magnificent growth of cane, rising
+to a height of more than twenty feet.</p>
+
+<p>This little settlement, destined to be one of the great cities of the
+West, had been founded by George Rogers Clark only two or three years
+before, and he had founded it in spite of himself. Starting from
+Redstone on the Monongahela with one hundred and fifty militia for the
+conquest of the Illinois country he had been accompanied by twenty
+pioneer families who absolutely refused to be turned back. Finding that
+they were bound to go with him Clark gave them his protection, but they
+stopped at Corn Island in the Ohio and there built their blockhouse. Now
+it was a most important frontier post, a stronghold against the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Before they ate of the food offered to them Henry looked inquiringly at
+the smoke on the southern shore. Curd said with some pride:</p>
+
+<p>"We're growing here. We spread to the mainland in a year. Part of our
+people have moved over there, and some new ones have come from Virginia.
+On the island and the mainland together, we've now got pretty nearly two
+hundred people and we've named our town Louisville in honor of King
+Louis of France who is helping us in the East. We've got history, too,
+or rather it was made before we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> came here. An old chief, whom the
+whites called Tobacco, told George Rogers Clark that the Alligewi, which
+is their name for the Mound Builders, made their last stand here against
+the Shawnees, Miamis and other Indians who now roam in this region. A
+great battle occurred on an island at the Falls and the Mound Builders
+were exterminated. As for myself, I know nothing about it, but it's what
+Tobacco said."</p>
+
+<p>Paul's curiosity was aroused instantly and he made a mental note to
+investigate the story, when he found an opportunity, but he was never
+able to get any further than the Indian legend which most likely had a
+basis of truth. For the present, he and his comrades were content with
+the welcome which the people on Corn Island gave them, a welcome full of
+warmth and good cheer. Their hosts put before them water cooled in
+gourds, cakes of Indian meal, pies of pumpkin, all kinds of game, and
+beef and pork besides. While they ate and drank Henry, who as usual was
+spokesman, told what had occurred at Detroit, further details of the
+successful advance of the Indians and English under Bird, of which they
+had already heard, and the much greater but postponed scheme of
+destruction planned by Timmendiquas, de Peyster, Girty and their
+associates. Curd, Palmer and the others paled a little under their tan
+as they listened, but their courage came back swiftly.</p>
+
+<p>"At any rate," said Curd, "we've got a man to lead us against them, a
+man who strikes fast, sure and hard, George Rogers Clark, the hero of
+Vincennes and Kaskaskia, the greatest leader in all the West."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, is he here?" exclaimed Henry in surprise. "I thought he was
+farther East."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll see him inside of half an hour. He was at the other blockhouse
+on the southern shore, and we sent up a signal that strangers were here.
+There he comes now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A boat had put out from the southern bank. It contained three men, two
+of whom were rowing, while the third sat upright in a military fashion.
+All his body beneath his shoulders was hidden by the boat's sides, but
+his coat was of the Continental buff and blue, while a border cap of
+raccoon skin crowned his round head. Such incongruous attire detracted
+nothing from the man's dignity and presence. Henry saw that his face was
+open, his gaze direct, and that he was quite young. He was looking
+straight toward the five who had come with their new friends down to the
+river's edge, and, when he sprang lightly upon the sand, he gave them a
+military salute. They returned it in like manner, while they looked with
+intense curiosity at the famous leader of the border forces. Clark
+turned to Henry, whose figure and bearing indicated the chief.</p>
+
+<p>"You come from the North, from the depths of the Indian country, I take
+it," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"From the very heart of it," replied the youth. "I was a prisoner at
+Detroit, and my comrades were near by outside the walls. We have also
+seen Bird returning from his raid with his prisoners and we know that
+Timmendiquas, de Peyster, Girty, Caldwell, and the others are going to
+make a supreme effort to destroy every settlement west of the
+Alleghanies. A great force under Timmendiquas, Caldwell and Girty came
+part of the way but turned back, partly, I think, because of divisions
+among themselves and partly because they heard of your projected
+advance. But it will come again."</p>
+
+<p>The shoulders in the military coat seemed to stiffen and the eyes under
+the raccoon skin cap flashed.</p>
+
+<p>"I did want to go back to Virginia," said Clark, "but I'm glad that I'm
+here. Mr. Ware, young as you are, you've seen a lot of forest work, I
+take it, and so I ask you what is the best way to meet an attack?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"To attack first."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! good! That was my plan! Report spoke true! We'll strike first.
+We'll show these officers and chiefs that we're not the men to sit idly
+and wait for our foe. We'll go to meet him. Nay more, we'll find him in
+his home and destroy him. Doesn't that appeal to you, my lads?"</p>
+
+<p>"It does," said five voices, emphatic and all together, and then Henry
+added, speaking he knew for his comrades as well as himself:</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Clark, we wish to volunteer for the campaign that we know you
+have planned. Besides the work that we have done here in the West, we
+have seen service in the East. We were at Wyoming when the terrible
+massacre occurred, and we were with General Sullivan when he destroyed
+the Iroquois power. But, sir, I wish to say that we do best in an
+independent capacity, as scouts, skirmishers, in fact as a sort of
+vanguard."</p>
+
+<p>Clark laughed and clapped a sinewy hand upon Henry's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," he said. "You wish to go with me to war, but you wish at the
+same time to be your own masters. It might be an unreasonable request
+from some people, but, judging from what I see of you and what I have
+heard of you and your comrades, it is just the thing. You are to watch
+as well as fight for me. Were you not the eyes of the fleet that Adam
+Colfax brought up the Ohio?"</p>
+
+<p>Henry blushed and hesitated, but Clark exclaimed heartily:</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, do not be too modest, my lad! We are far apart here in the woods,
+but news spreads, nevertheless, and I remember sitting one afternoon and
+listening to an old friend, Major George Augustus Braithwaite, tell a
+tale of gallant deeds by river and forest, and how a fort and fleet were
+saved largely through the efforts of five forest runners, two of whom
+were yet boys. Major Braithwaite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> gave me detailed descriptions of the
+five, and they answer so exactly to the appearance of you and your
+comrades that I am convinced you are the same. Since you are so modest,
+I will tell you to your face that I'd rather have you five than fifty
+ordinary men. Now, young sir, blush again and make the most of it!"</p>
+
+<p>Henry did blush, and said that the Colonel gave them far too much
+credit, but at heart he, like the other four, felt a great swell of
+pride. Their deeds in behalf of the border were recognized by the great
+leader, and surely it was legitimate to feel that one had not toiled and
+fought in vain for one's people.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later they sat down with Clark and some of the others
+under the boughs of the big sycamore, and gave a detailed account of
+their adventures, including all that they had seen from the time they
+had left for New Orleans until the present moment.</p>
+
+<p>"A great tale! a great tale!" said Clark, meditatively, "and I wish to
+add, Mr. Ware, an illuminating one also. It throws light upon forest
+councils and forest plans. Besides your service in battle, you bring us
+news that shows us how to meet our enemy and nothing could be of greater
+value. Now, I wish to say to you that it will take us many weeks to
+collect the needful force, and that will give you two lads ample time,
+if you wish, to visit your home in Wareville, taking with you the worthy
+schoolmaster whom you have rescued so happily."</p>
+
+<p>Henry and Paul decided at once to accept the suggestion. Both felt the
+great pulses leap at mention of Wareville and home. They had not seen
+their people for nearly two years, although they had sent word several
+times that they were well. Now they felt an overwhelming desire to see
+once again their parents and the neat little village by the river,
+enclosed within its strong palisades. Yet they delayed a few days longer
+to attend to necessary preliminaries<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> of the coming campaign. Among
+other things they went the following morning to see the overflow
+settlement on the south shore, now but a year old.</p>
+
+<p>This seed of a great city was yet faint and small. The previous winter
+had been a terrible one for the immigrants. The Ohio had been covered
+with thick ice from shore to shore. Most of their horses and cattle had
+frozen to death. Nevertheless they had no thought of going away, and
+there were many things to encourage the brave. They had a good harbor on
+the river at the mouth of a fine creek, that they named Beargrass, and
+back of them was a magnificent forest of gum, buckeye, cherry, sycamore,
+maple and giant poplars. It had been proved that the soil was extremely
+fertile, and they were too staunch to give up so fair a place. They also
+had a strong fort overlooking the river, and, with Clark among them,
+they were ready to defy any Indian force that might come.</p>
+
+<p>But the time passed quickly, and Henry and Paul and the schoolmaster
+were ready for the last stage of their journey, deciding, in order that
+they might save their strength, to risk once more the dangers of the
+water passage. They would go in a canoe until they came to the mouth of
+the river that flowed by Wareville and then row up the current of the
+latter until they reached home. Shif'less Sol, Jim and Tom were going to
+remain with Clark until their return. But these three gave them
+hand-clasps of steel when they departed.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you get trapped by wanderin' Indians, Henry," said the shiftless
+one. "We couldn't get along very well without you fellers. Do most o'
+your rowin' at night an' lay by under overhangin' boughs in the day. You
+know more'n I do, Henry, but I'm so anxious about you I can't keep from
+givin' advice."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't any of you do too much talkin'," said Silent Tom. "Injuns hear
+pow'ful well, an' many a feller hez been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> caught in an ambush, an' hez
+lost his scalp jest 'cause he would go along sayin' idle words that told
+the Injuns whar he wuz, when he might hev walked away safe without thar
+ever knowin' he wuz within a thousand miles uv them."</p>
+
+<p>"An' be mighty particular about your cookin'," said Long Jim. "Many a
+good man hez fell sick an' died, jest 'cause his grub wuzn't fixed
+eggzackly right. An' when you light your fires fur ven'son an' buffalo
+steaks be shore thar ain't too much smoke. More than once smoke hez
+brought the savages down on people. Cookin' here in the woods is not
+cookin' only, it's also a delicate an' bee-yu-ti-ful art that saves
+men's lives when it's done right, by not leadin' Shawnees, Wyandots an'
+other ferocious warriors down upon 'em."</p>
+
+<p>Henry promised every one of the three to follow his advice religiously,
+and there was moisture in his and Paul's eyes when they caught the last
+view of them standing upon the bank and waving farewell. The next
+instant they were hidden by a curve of the shore, and then Henry said:</p>
+
+<p>"It's almost like losing one's right arm to leave those three behind. I
+don't feel complete without them."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor do I," said Paul. "I believe they were giving us all that advice
+partly to hide their emotion."</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly they were," said Mr. Pennypacker in a judicial tone, "and I
+wish to add that I do not know three finer characters, somewhat
+eccentric perhaps, but with hearts in the right place, and with sound
+heads on strong shoulders. They are like some ancient classic figures of
+whom I have read, and they are fortunate, too, to live in the right time
+and right place for them."</p>
+
+<p>They made a safe passage over a stretch of the Ohio and then turned up
+the tributary river, rowing mostly, as Shif'less Sol had suggested, by
+night, and hiding their canoe and themselves by day. It was not
+difficult to find a covert as the banks along the smaller river were
+nearly always<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> overhung by dense foliage, and often thick cane and
+bushes grew well into the water's edge. Here they would stop when the
+sun was brightest, and sometimes the heat was so great that not refuge
+from danger alone made them glad to lie by when the golden rays came
+vertically. Then they would make themselves as comfortable as possible
+in the boat and bearing Silent Tom's injunction in mind, talk in very
+low tones, if they talked at all. But oftenest two of them slept while
+the third watched.</p>
+
+<p>They had been three days upon the tributary when it was Henry who
+happened to be watching. Both Paul and the teacher slumbered very
+soundly. Paul lay at the stern of the boat and Mr. Pennypacker in the
+middle. Henry was in the prow, sitting at ease with his rifle across his
+knees. The boat was amid a tall growth of canes, the stalks and blades
+rising a full ten feet above their heads, and hiding them completely.
+Henry had been watching the surface of the river, but at last the action
+grew wholly mechanical. Had anything appeared there he would have seen
+it, but his thoughts were elsewhere. His whole life, since he had
+arrived, a boy of fifteen, in the Kentucky wilderness, was passing
+before him in a series of pictures, vivid and wonderful, standing out
+like reality itself. He was in a sort of twilight midway between the
+daylight and a dream, and it seemed to him once more that Providence had
+kept a special watch over his comrades and himself. How else could they
+have escaped so many dangers? How else could fortune have turned to
+their side, when the last chance seemed gone? No skill, even when it
+seemed almost superhuman, could have dragged them back from the pit of
+death. He felt with all the power of conviction that a great mission had
+been given to them, and that they had been spared again and again that
+they might complete it.</p>
+
+<p>While he yet watched and saw, he visited a misty world. The wind had
+risen and out of the dense foliage above him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> came its song upon the
+stalks and blades of the cane. A low note at first, it swelled into
+triumph, and it sounded clearly in his ear, bar on bar. He did not have
+the power to move, as he listened then to the hidden voice. His blood
+leaped and a deep sense of awe, and of the power of the unknown swept
+over him. But he was not afraid. Rather he shared in the triumph that
+was expressed so clearly in the mystic song.</p>
+
+<p>The note swelled, touched upon its highest note and then died slowly
+away in fall after fall, until it came in a soft echo and then the echo
+itself was still. Henry returned to the world of reality with every
+sense vivid and alert. He heard the wind blowing in the cane and nothing
+more. The surface of the river rippled lightly in the breeze, but
+neither friend nor enemy passed there. The stream was as lonely and
+desolate as if man had never come. He shook himself a little, but the
+spiritual exaltation, born of the song and the misty region that he had
+visited, remained.</p>
+
+<p>"A sign, a prophecy!" he murmured. His heart swelled. The new task would
+be achieved as the others had been. It did not matter whether he had
+heard or had dreamed. His confidence in the result was absolute. He sat
+a long time looking out upon the water, but never moving. Anyone
+observing him would have concluded after a while that he was no human
+being, merely an image. It would not have seemed possible that any
+living organism could have remained as still as a stone so many hours.</p>
+
+<p>When the sun showed that it was well past noon, Paul awoke. He glanced
+at Henry, who nodded. The nod meant that all was well. By and by Mr.
+Pennypacker, also, awoke and then Henry in his turn went to sleep so
+easily and readily that it seemed a mere matter of will. The
+schoolmaster glanced at him and whispered to Paul:</p>
+
+<p>"A great youth, Paul! Truly a great youth! It is far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> from old Greece to
+this forest of Kaintuckee, but he makes me think of the mighty heroes
+who are enshrined in the ancient legends and stories."</p>
+
+<p>"That thought has come to me, too," Paul whispered back. "I like to
+picture him as Hector, but Hector with a better fate. I don't think
+Henry was born for any untimely end."</p>
+
+<p>"No, that could not be," said the schoolmaster with conviction.</p>
+
+<p>Then they relapsed into silence and just about the time the first shadow
+betokened the coming twilight Paul heard a faint gurgling sound which he
+was sure was made by oars. He touched the schoolmaster and whispered to
+him to listen. Then he pulled Henry's shoulder slightly, and instantly
+the great youth sat up, wide awake.</p>
+
+<p>"Someone is near," whispered Paul. "Listen!"</p>
+
+<p>Henry bent his head close to the water and distinctly heard the swishing
+of paddles, coming in the direction that they had followed in the night.
+It was a deliberate sound and Henry inferred at once that those who
+approached were in no hurry and feared no enemy. Then he drew the second
+inference that it was Indians. White men would know that danger was
+always about them in these woods.</p>
+
+<p>"We have nothing to do but lie here and see them as they pass," he
+whispered to his companions. "We are really as safe among these dense
+canes as if we were a hundred miles away, provided we make no noise."</p>
+
+<p>There was no danger that any of them would make a noise. They lay so
+still that their boat never moved a hair and not even the wariest savage
+on the river would have thought that one of their most formidable
+enemies and two of his friends lay hidden in the canes so near.</p>
+
+<p>"Look!" whispered Henry. "There is Braxton Wyatt!"</p>
+
+<p>Henry and Paul were eager enough to see but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> schoolmaster was
+perhaps the most eager of all. This was something new in his experience.
+He had heard much of Braxton Wyatt, the renegade, once a pupil of his,
+and he did not understand how one of white blood and training could turn
+aside to join the Indians, and to become a more ruthless enemy of his
+own people than the savages themselves. Yet there could be no doubt of
+its truth, and now that he saw Wyatt he understood. Evil passions make
+an evil face. Braxton Wyatt's jaw was now heavy and projecting, his eyes
+were dark and lowering, and his cheek bones seemed to have become high
+like those of the warriors with whom he lived. The good Mr. Pennypacker
+shuddered. He had lived long and he could read the hearts of men. He
+knew now that Braxton Wyatt, despite his youth, was lost beyond
+redemption to honor and truth. The schoolmaster shuddered again.</p>
+
+<p>The boat&mdash;a large one&mdash;contained besides Wyatt a white man, obviously a
+renegade, and six sturdy Shawnee warriors who were wielding the paddles.
+The warriors were quite naked, save for the breechcloth, and their broad
+shoulders and chests were painted with many hideous decorations. Their
+rifles lay beside them. Braxton Wyatt's manner showed that he was the
+leader and Henry had no doubt that this was a party of scouts come to
+spy upon Wareville. It was wholly likely that Braxton Wyatt, who knew
+the place so thoroughly, should undertake such an errand.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was right. Timmendiquas, de Peyster and Girty as leaders of the
+allied forces preparing for invasion in case Clark could not gather a
+sufficient force for attack, were neglecting no precaution. They had
+sent forth small parties to examine into the condition of every station
+in Kentucky. These parties were not to make any demonstration, lest the
+settlers be put on their guard, but, after obtaining their information,
+were to retire as silently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> as they had come. Braxton Wyatt had promptly
+secured command of the little force sent toward Wareville, taking with
+him as lieutenant a young renegade, a kindred spirit named Early.</p>
+
+<p>Strange emotions agitated Wyatt when he started. He had a desire to see
+once more the place where he had been a boy with other boys of his own
+white race, and where he might yet have been with his own kind, if a
+soul naturally turning to malice had not sent him off to the savages.
+Because he was now an outcast, although of his own making, he hated his
+earlier associates all the more. He sought somehow to blame them for it.
+They had never appreciated him enough. Had they put him forward and
+given him his due, he would not now be making war upon them. Foolish and
+blind, they must suffer the consequences of their own stupidity. When
+Wareville was taken, he might induce the Indians to spare a few, but
+there were certainly some who should not be spared. His brow was black
+and his thoughts were blacker. It may be that Henry read them, because
+his hand slid gently forward to the hammer of his rifle. But his will
+checked the hand before it could cock the weapon, and he shook his head
+impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Not now," he said in the softest of whispers, "but we must follow that
+boat. It is going toward Wareville and that is our way. Since we have
+seen him it is for us to deal with Wyatt before he can do more
+mischief."</p>
+
+<p>Paul nodded, and even the soul of the good schoolmaster stirred with
+warlike ardor. He was not a child of the forest. He knew little of
+ambush and the trail, but he was ready to spend his strength and blood
+for the good of his own people. So he too nodded, and then waited for
+their young leader to act.</p>
+
+<p>Braxton Wyatt passed on southward and up the stream of the river. There
+was no song among the leaves for him, but his heart was still full of
+cruel passions. He did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> not dream that a boat containing the one whom he
+hated most had lain in the cane within twenty yards of him. He was
+thinking instead of Wareville and of the way in which he would spy out
+every weak place there. He and Early had become great friends, and now
+he told his second much about the village.</p>
+
+<p>"Wareville is strong," he said, "and they have many excellent riflemen.
+We were repulsed there once, when we made an attack in force, and we
+must take it by surprise. Once we are inside the palisade everything
+will soon be over. I hope that we will catch Ware and his comrades there
+when we catch the others."</p>
+
+<p>"He seems hard to hold," said Early. "That escape of his from Detroit
+was a daring and skillful thing. I could hardly believe it when we heard
+of it at the Ohio. You're bound to admit that, Braxton."</p>
+
+<p>"I admit it readily enough," said Wyatt. "Oh, he's brave and cunning and
+strong. He would not be so much worth taking if he were not all those
+things!"</p>
+
+<p>Early glanced at the face of his leader.</p>
+
+<p>"You do dislike him, that's sure!" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"You make no mistake when you say so," replied Wyatt. "There are not
+many of us here in the woods, and somehow he and I seem to have been
+always in opposition in the last two or three years. I think, however,
+that a new campaign will end in overwhelming victory for us, and
+Kaintuckee will become a complete wilderness again."</p>
+
+<p>The stalwart Shawnees paddled on all that afternoon without stopping or
+complaining once. It was a brilliant day in early summer, all golden
+sunshine, but not too warm. The river flowed in curve after curve, and
+its surface was always illumined by the bright rays save where the
+unbroken forest hung in a green shadow over either edge. Scarlet
+tanagers darted like flashes of flame from tree to tree, and from low
+boughs a bird now and then poured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> forth a full measure of song. Braxton
+Wyatt had never looked upon a more peaceful wilderness, but before the
+sun began to set he was afflicted with a strange disquiet. An expert
+woodsman with an instinct for the sounds and stirrings of the forest, he
+began to have a belief that they were not alone on the river. He heard
+nothing and saw nothing, yet he felt in a vague, misty way that they
+were followed. He tried to put aside the thought as foolish, but it
+became so strong that at last he gave a signal to stop.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Early, as the paddles ceased to sigh through the
+water.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I heard something behind us," replied Wyatt, although he had
+heard nothing, "and you know we cannot afford to be seen here by any
+white scout or hunter."</p>
+
+<p>The Indians listened intently with their trained ears and then shook
+their heads. There was no sound behind them, save the soft flowing of
+the river, as it lapped against either bank.</p>
+
+<p>"I hear nothing," said Early.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor do I," admitted Wyatt, "yet I could have sworn a few minutes ago
+that we were being followed. Instinct is sometimes a good guide in the
+forest."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I suggest," said Early, "that we turn back for a few miles. We can
+float with the current close up to the bank under the overhanging
+boughs, and, if hunters or scouts are following us, they'll soon wish
+they were somewhere else."</p>
+
+<p>He laughed and Braxton Wyatt joined him in his savage mirth.</p>
+
+<p>"Your idea is a good one," said Wyatt, "and we may catch a mouse or two
+in our trap."</p>
+
+<p>He gave another signal and the Shawnees turned the boat about,
+permitting it to float back with the stream, but as Early had suggested,
+keeping it in the shadow. Despite his experience and the lack of proof
+that anyone else was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> near, Wyatt's heart began to beat fast. Suppose
+the game was really there, and it should prove to be of the kind that he
+wanted most to take! This would be indeed a triumph worth while, and he
+would neglect no precaution to achieve it. They had gone back about a
+mile now, and he signaled to the warriors to swing the boat yet a little
+closer to the bank. He still heard no sound, but the belief was once
+more strong upon him that the quarry was there. They drifted slowly and
+yet there was nothing. His eye alighted upon a great mass of bushes
+growing in the shallow water at the edge of the river. He told the
+paddlers to push the boat among them until it should be completely
+hidden and then he waited.</p>
+
+<p>But time passed and nothing came. The sun dropped lower. The yellow
+light on the water turned to red, and the forest flamed under the
+setting sun. A light breeze sprang up and the foliage rustled under its
+touch. Braxton Wyatt, from his covert among the bushes, watched with
+anger gnawing at his heart. He had been wrong or whoever it was that
+followed had been too wary. He was crafty and had laid his trap well,
+but others were crafty, too, and would turn from the door of an open
+trap.</p>
+
+<p>The sun sank further. The red in the west deepened but gray shadows were
+creeping over the east and the surface of the river began to darken.
+Nothing had come. Nothing was coming. Braxton Wyatt said reluctantly to
+himself that his instinct had been wrong. He gave the word to pull the
+boat from the canes, and to proceed up the stream again. He was annoyed.
+He had laid a useless trap and he had made himself look cheap before the
+Indians. So he said nothing for a long time, but allowed his anger to
+simmer. When it was fully dark they tied up the boat and camped on
+shore, in the bushes near the water.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt was too cautious to permit a fire, and they ate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> cold food in the
+darkness. After a while, all slept but two of the Shawnees who kept
+watch. Wyatt's slumbers were uneasy. About midnight he awoke, and he was
+oppressed by the same presentiment that had made him turn back the boat.
+He heard nothing and saw nothing save his own men, but his instinct was
+at work once more, and it told him that his party was watched. He lay in
+dark woods in a vast wilderness, but he felt in every bone that near
+them was an alien presence.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt raised himself upon his arm and looked at the two red sentinels.
+Not a muscle of either had stirred. They were so much carven bronze.
+Their rifles lay across their knees and they stared fixedly at the
+forest. But he knew that their eyes and ears were of the keenest and
+that but little could escape their attention. Yet they had not
+discovered the presence. He rose finally to his feet. The Indians heard
+the faint noise that he made and glanced at him. But he was their
+commander and they said nothing, resuming in an instant their watch of
+the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt did not take his rifle. Instead, he kept his hand on the hilt of a
+fine double-barreled pistol in his belt. After some hesitation he walked
+to the river and looked at the boat. It was still there, tied securely.
+No one had meddled with it. The moon was obscured and the surface of the
+river looked black. No object upon it could be seen far away. He
+listened attentively and heard nothing. But he could not rid himself of
+the belief that they had been followed, that even now a foe was near. He
+walked back to the little camp and looked at Early who was sleeping
+soundly. He was impatient with himself because he could not do likewise,
+and then, shrugging his shoulders, he went further into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The trees grew closely where Wyatt stood and there were bushes
+everywhere. His concealment was good and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> he leaned against the trunk of
+a huge oak to listen. He could not see fifteen feet away, but he did not
+believe that any human being could pass near and escape his hearing. He
+stood thus in the darkness for a full ten minutes, and then he was quite
+sure that he did hear a sound as of a heavy body moving slightly. It was
+not instinct or prescience, the product of a vivid fancy, but a reality.
+He had been too long in the woods to mistake the fact. Something was
+stalking something else and undoubtedly the stalker was a man.</p>
+
+<p>What was the unknown stalking? Suddenly a cold sweat broke out on
+Braxton Wyatt's face. It was he who was being stalked and he was now
+beyond the sight of his own sentinels. He was, for the moment, alone in
+the midnight woods, and he was afraid. Braxton Wyatt was not naturally a
+coward, and he had been hardened in the school of forest warfare, but
+superstitious terrors assailed him now. He was sorry that he had left
+the camp. His curiosity had been too great. If he wished to explore the
+woods, why had he not brought some of the Indians with him?</p>
+
+<p>He called upon his courage, a courage that had seldom failed him, but it
+would not come now. He heard the stalker moving again in the bushes, not
+fifteen yards away, and the hand on the pistol belt became wet. He
+glanced up but there was no moon and clouds hid the sky. Only ear could
+tell when the danger was about to fall, and then it would be too late.</p>
+
+<p>He made a supreme effort, put his will in control of his paralyzed
+limbs, and wrenched himself away. He almost ran to the camp. Then
+bringing his pride to his aid he dropped to a walk, and stepped back
+into the circle of the camp. But he was barely able to restrain a cry of
+relief as the chill passed from his backbone. Angry and humiliated, he
+awakened four of the Shawnees and sent them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> into the woods in search of
+a foe. Early was aroused by the voices and sat up, rubbing his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, Braxton?" he asked. "Are we about to be attacked?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Wyatt, calming himself with a violent effort, "but I am
+convinced that there is someone in the bushes watching us. I know that I
+heard the noise of footsteps and I only hope that our Shawnees will run
+afoul of him."</p>
+
+<p>"If he's there they'll get him," said Early confidently.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said Braxton Wyatt.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians came back presently, and one of them spoke to Wyatt, who
+went with them into the bushes. The moon had come out a little and, by
+its faint light, they showed him traces of footsteps. The imprints were
+ever so light, but experienced trailers could not doubt that human
+beings had passed. The renegade felt at the same time a certain relief
+and a certain alarm, relief to know that he had not been a mere prey to
+foolish fears, and alarm because they had been stalked by some spy so
+skillful and wary that they could not follow him. The Indians had
+endeavored to pursue the trail, but after a rod or so it was lost among
+the bushes.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt, apprehensive lest his mission should fail, doubled the watch and
+then sought sleep. He did not find it for a long time, but toward
+morning he fell into a troubled slumber from which he was awakened by
+Early about an hour after the sun had appeared above the eastern forest.</p>
+
+<p>"We must be moving," said Early, "if we're going to spy out that
+Wareville of yours and tell our people how to get in."</p>
+
+<p>"You're right," said Wyatt, "but we must watch behind us now as well as
+before. It is certain that we are followed and I'm afraid that we're
+followed by an enemy most dangerous."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Neglecting no precaution, he ordered a warrior to follow along the bank
+about two miles in the rear. An Indian in the deep brush could not be
+seen and the renegade's savage heart thrilled at the thought that after
+all he might be setting a trap into which his enemy would walk. Then his
+boat moved forward, more slowly now, and hugging the bank more closely
+than ever. Wyatt knew the way well. He had been several times along this
+river, a fine broad stream. He meant to leave the boat and take to the
+forest when within twenty miles of Wareville, but, before doing so, he
+hoped to achieve a victory which would console him for many defeats.</p>
+
+<p>The warrior left behind for purposes of ambush was to rejoin them at
+noon, but at the appointed hour he did not come. Nor did he come at one
+o'clock or at two. He never came, and after Wyatt had raged with
+disappointment and apprehension until the middle of the afternoon he
+sent back a second warrior to see what had become of him. The second
+warrior was the best trailer and scout in the band, a Shawnee with a
+great reputation among his fellows, but when the night arrived neither
+he nor the other warrior arrived with it. They waited long for both.
+Three of the Indians in a group went back, but they discovered no sign.
+They returned full of superstitious terror which quickly communicated
+itself to the others and Wyatt and Early, despite their white blood,
+felt it also.</p>
+
+<p>A most vigilant watch was kept that night. No fire was lighted and
+nobody slept. The renegade still hoped that the two missing warriors
+would return, but they did not do so. The other Indians began to believe
+that the evil spirit had taken them, and they were sorry that they had
+come upon such an errand. They wished to go back down the stream and
+beyond the Ohio. Near morning a warrior saw something moving in the
+bushes and fired at it. The shot was returned quick as a flash, and the
+warrior, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> would fire no more, fell at the feet of the others and lay
+still. Wyatt and his men threw themselves upon their faces, and, after a
+long wait, searched the bushes, but found nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Now the Indians approached the point of rebellion. It was against the
+will of Manitou that they should prosper on their errand. The loss of
+three comrades was the gravest of warnings and they should turn back.
+But Wyatt rebuked them angrily. He did not mean to be beaten in such a
+way by an enemy who remained in hiding. The bullet had shown that it was
+an earthly foe, and, as far as Manitou was concerned, he always awarded
+the victory to courage, skill and luck. The Indians went forward
+reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>The next night they tied up again by the wooded bank. Wyatt wanted two
+of the warriors to remain in the boat, but they refused absolutely to do
+so. Despite all that he could say their superstitious fears were strong
+upon them, and they meant to stay close to their comrades upon the solid
+earth. Dreading too severe a test of his authority the renegade
+consented, and all of them, except the guards, lay down among the bushes
+near the shore. It was a fine summer night, not very dark, and Wyatt did
+not believe a foe could come near them without being seen. He felt more
+confidence, but again he was sleepless. He closed his eyes and sought
+slumber by every device that he knew, but it would not come. At last he
+made a circuit with Early and two of the Indians in the forest about the
+camp, but saw and heard nothing. Returning, he lay down on his blanket
+and once more wooed sleep with shut eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Sleep still refused obstinately to come, and in ten minutes the renegade
+reopened his eyes. His glance wandered idly over the recumbent Indians
+who were sound asleep, and then to those who watched. It passed from
+them to the river and the black blur of the boat lying upon the wa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>ter
+about twenty yards away. Then it passed on and after a while came back
+again to the boat.</p>
+
+<p>Braxton Wyatt knew that optical illusions were common, especially in the
+obscurity of night. One could look so long at a motionless object that
+it seemed to move. That was why the boat, tied securely to low boughs,
+did that curious trick of apparently gliding over the surface of the
+river. Wyatt laughed at himself. In the faint light, brain was superior
+to eye. He would not allow himself to be deceived, and the quality of
+mind that saved him from delusions gave him pride. He did not have a
+very good view of the boat from the point where he lay, but he saw
+enough of it to know that when he looked again it would be lying exactly
+where it had been all the time, despite that illusory trick of movement.
+So, to show the superiority of will over fancy, he kept his eyes shut a
+longer time than usual, and when he opened them once more he looked
+directly at the boat. Surely the shifting light was playing him new
+tricks. Apparently it was much farther out in the stream and was
+drifting with the current.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt reproved himself as an unsteady fool. His nerves were shaken, and
+in order to restore his calmness he closed his eyes once more. But the
+eyes would not stay shut. Will was compelled to yield at last to impulse
+and the lids came apart. He was somewhat angry at himself. He did not
+wish to look at the boat again, and repeat those foolish illusions, but
+he did so nevertheless.</p>
+
+<p>Braxton Wyatt sprang to his feet with a cry of alarm and warning. It was
+no trick of fancy. He saw with eyes that did not lie a boat out in the
+middle of the stream and every moment going faster with the current. The
+power that propelled it was unseen, but Wyatt knew it to be there.</p>
+
+<p>"Fire! Fire!" he shouted to his men. "Somebody is carrying off our
+boat!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Rifles flashed and bullets made the water spout. Two struck the boat
+itself, but it moved on with increasing swiftness. Wyatt, Early and the
+Indians dashed to the water's edge, but a sharp crack came from the
+further shore, and Early fell forward directly into the river. Wyatt and
+the Indians shrank back into the bushes where they lay hidden. But the
+renegade, with a sort of frightened fascination, watched the water
+pulling at the body of his slain comrade, until it was carried away by
+the current and floated out of sight. The boat, meanwhile, moved on
+until it, too, passed a curve, and was lost from view.</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt recovered his courage and presence of mind, but he sought in vain
+to urge the Shawnees in pursuit. Superstition held them in a firm grasp.
+It was true that Early had been slain by a bullet, but a mystic power
+was taking the boat away. The hand of Manitou was against them and they
+would return to the country north of the Ohio. They started at once, and
+Wyatt, raging, was compelled to go with them, since he did not dare to
+go southward alone.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII<br />
+<small>THE SHADOWY FIGURE</small></h2>
+
+<p>After Braxton Wyatt and the Indians had fled, their canoe proceeded
+steadily up the stream. Henry Ware, with his head only projecting, and
+sheltered fully by the boat, swam on. He heard neither shots nor the
+sound of men running through the bushes along the bank in pursuit. Nor
+did he expect to hear either. He had calculated well the power of hidden
+danger and superstition, and, confident of complete victory, he finally
+steered the boat toward the farther shore, bringing it under the
+overhanging boughs, about a mile from the point where Braxton Wyatt's
+canoe had been. As the prow struck the soft soil and he rose from the
+water, Paul came forward to meet him. Paul carried in his hands a rifle
+that he had just reloaded.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a success, Henry, more thorough even than we had hoped," Paul
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Henry as he stood up, a dripping water god. "Fortune was
+surely good to us. I have not been pursued, and I know it is because the
+Indians did not dare to follow. They will certainly flee as fast as they
+can to their own country, and meanwhile we are the gainer by one fine
+big boat, which I think is not empty."</p>
+
+<p>"No, it is not," said Mr. Pennypacker, appearing from the bushes, "but I
+will never again enter into such another enterprise. It may suit young
+foresters like you two, but it is not for me, an old man and a
+schoolmaster."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, we have turned back a scouting party which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> might have carried
+dangerous information," said Henry, "and I propose that we now look and
+see what is in our new boat."</p>
+
+<p>The spoils were richer than they had expected. They found two extra
+rifles of good make, a large quantity of powder and bullets, some
+blankets and much food.</p>
+
+<p>"We can use all these things," said Henry, "and we'll go to Wareville in
+this big canoe, tying our own little one behind. When we get there we'll
+contribute the rifles and other things to the general store."</p>
+
+<p>"Where they may be welcome enough," said Mr. Pennypacker. "Well, you
+lads achieved this deed, while I filled the r&ocirc;le of spectator and
+well-wisher. I am very glad, however, that you have secured this boat.
+It is a great improvement upon our own small one."</p>
+
+<p>The schoolmaster was a fine paddler, and he insisted that Henry and Paul
+rest, while he showed his skill. He was anxious, he said, to do his own
+part in the return, and this offered him the only chance. Henry and Paul
+acquiesced and he paddled stoutly on for a long time. But before morning
+he gave in, and the lads relieved him. Paul had slept for an hour or
+two, but Henry had remained wide awake.</p>
+
+<p>The river now flowed very slowly, and with but little opposition from
+the current, they were able to make good time. Both were full of eager
+anticipation. By the following night they ought to reach Wareville, the
+snug home of theirs that they had not seen in so long a time.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if they will know us," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at first sight. Of that I am sure," replied Paul. "It seems to me,
+Henry, that you have grown at least six inches since we were last at
+Wareville."</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't been any sluggard yourself, Paul, so far as growth is
+concerned. They may or may not know us, but I feel quite certain that
+they won't believe everything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> we tell them, although every word will be
+gospel truth."</p>
+
+<p>"No, it's not likely, and yet sooner or later we can bring the
+witnesses. I suppose they'll find it hardest to believe about Wyoming. I
+wish myself that it wasn't true."</p>
+
+<p>Paul shuddered at the black memory.</p>
+
+<p>"But we've already struck back for it," said Henry. "It caused the
+destruction of the Iroquois power."</p>
+
+<p>Then both were silent. The schoolmaster, lying on a roll of the captured
+blankets, slept soundly. His breathing was steady and rhythmic, and the
+two youths glanced at him.</p>
+
+<p>"At any rate we're bringing him back," said Paul. "They'll be glad to
+see him at Wareville. I've no doubt they gave him up for dead long ago."</p>
+
+<p>The day came with a splendid sun shining on the green world. The spring
+had been very rainy, and the summer thus far had rejoiced in frequent
+showers. Hence no brown had yet appeared in the foliage, and the world
+looked fresh and young. Although they were now approaching Wareville the
+forest was unbroken, and no sound of civilization came to their ears.
+Henry told Paul, who was very tired, to go to sleep as he could paddle
+the boat alone. Paul lay down on the blankets beside the schoolmaster,
+and in a couple of minutes was off to slumberland.</p>
+
+<p>Henry paddled on. Before him was a long reach of the river almost
+without current and the prow cut the still water, leaving behind it a
+long trailing wake of liquid gold. Henry had never seen a finer sun.
+Beneath it forest and river were vivid and intense. Birds of many kinds
+chattered and sang in the boughs. Battle and danger seemed far away.
+Peace and beauty were to attend their coming home and he was glad. His
+strong arms swept the paddle through the water for a long time. The
+action was purely mechanical. His muscles were so thoroughly trained
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> hardened that he was not conscious of action. He was watching
+instead for the first sign of Wareville's presence, and a little before
+noon he saw it, a thin spire of smoke rising high, until it stopped like
+the point of a spearhead against the sky. He knew at once that it hung
+over Wareville, and his heart throbbed. He loved the great wilderness
+with an intensity that few men felt for their own acres, but he had been
+away a long time, a time, moreover, so crowded with events that it
+seemed far greater than reality.</p>
+
+<p>He did not yet awaken Paul and the schoolmaster, but, putting more power
+in his arms, he sent the boat on more swiftly. When he turned a point
+where a little peninsula, covered with forest, jutted into the river, he
+let the paddle swing idly for a minute or two and listened. A steady
+thudding sound, as regular as the beat of a drum, though slower, came to
+his ears. It was the woodsman's ax, and, for a moment, Henry flinched as
+if he himself lay beneath the blade. That ax was eating into his beloved
+forest, and a hundred more axes were doing the same. Then he recovered
+himself. The hundred axes might eat on, the hundred might become a
+thousand, and the thousand ten thousand, but they could eat only the
+edge of his wilderness which stretched away thousands of miles in every
+direction. The trees, and with them the deer and the bear, would be
+there long beyond his time, though he might live to be a hundred, and
+beyond that of the generation after. He took comfort in the thought, and
+once more felt deep content.</p>
+
+<p>It was not solely as a hunter and scout that Henry loved the wilderness.
+Forest and river and lake touched far deeper springs in his nature. They
+were for him full of beauty and majesty. Green forest in spring and red
+forest in autumn alike appealed to him. Brooks, rivers and lakes were
+alive. When duty did not call he could sit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> perfectly motionless for
+hours, happy to see the wilderness and to feel that it was all about
+him.</p>
+
+<p>He swung the paddle again, and the boat moved leisurely forward. The
+ring of the ax grew louder, and he heard others to the right and to the
+left. Presently something struck with a crash and, in spite of all his
+reasoning with himself, Henry sighed. A great tree cut through by the ax
+had fallen. Many others had gone in the same way, and many more would
+follow. The spire of smoke was attended now by smaller spires and
+Wareville could not be more than three miles away. He awakened Paul and
+the schoolmaster.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall be at home in less than an hour," he said. "Listen to the
+axes!"</p>
+
+<p>Paul glanced quickly at him. His fine and sensitive mind understood at
+once the inflection in Henry's voice, and he sympathized.</p>
+
+<p>"But they are our own people," he said, "and they are making homes which
+we must help to defend."</p>
+
+<p>"A stronghold in the wilderness, where man, woman and child may be safe
+from wild beast and savage," said the schoolmaster oracularly. "Ah,
+boys&mdash;boys! how much do I owe you! Truly I thought I should never see
+this comfortable little village again, and here I am, sound and whole,
+returning in triumph upon a captured vessel."</p>
+
+<p>They saw at the right a cleared field, in which the young corn was
+growing amid the stumps, and on the left was the sheen of wheat also
+amid the stumps. Mr. Pennypacker rubbed his hands delightedly, but Henry
+was silent. Yet the feeling was brief with the youth. Thoughts of his
+people quickly crowded it out, and he swung the paddle more swiftly. The
+other two, who were now helping him, did likewise, and the boat doubled
+its pace. Through the thinned forest appeared the brown walls of a
+palisade, and Henry, putting a hand in the shape of a trumpet to his
+lips,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> uttered a long, mellow cry that the forest gave back in many
+echoes. Faces appeared on the palisade and three or four men, rifle on
+shoulder, approached the bank of the river. They did not know either
+Henry or Paul, but one of them exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Ef that ain't Mr. Pennypacker riz right up from the dead then I'm a
+ghost myself!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is Mr. Pennypacker," said the schoolmaster joyfully, "and I'm no
+more of a ghost than you are. I've come back from captivity, bringing
+with me two of those who saved me, young citizens of this village, Henry
+Ware and Paul Cotter."</p>
+
+<p>They turned the head of the boat to the bank and the whole population
+poured forth to meet them. Henry and Paul were greeted half with
+laughter and half with tears by their parents&mdash;border stoicism was
+compelled to melt away at this moment&mdash;and then they blushed at the
+words that were said about them. Their stature and strength attracted
+the attention of everybody. The borderers could not fail to note the
+ease and grace of their movements, the lightness with which they walked,
+and the dexterity with which they pulled the big boat upon the bank. It
+was evident that these two youths were far above the average of their
+kind, that naturally of a high quality they had been trained in a school
+that brought forth every merit. Henry towered above his own father, who
+no longer looked upon him as one to whom he should give tasks and
+reproofs. And the admiration with which they were regarded increased
+when the schoolmaster told how he had been rescued by them and their
+comrades.</p>
+
+<p>Henry sat that night in his father's house, and told long and true tales
+of their great wanderings and of danger and escape on land and water. He
+and Paul had eaten hugely, there was no escape, and he felt that he must
+sit quiet for a while. He was loth to talk of himself, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> there was no
+escape from that either, and his story was so vivid, so full that it
+fairly told itself. As he spoke of the great journey and its myriad
+events between New Orleans and the Great Lakes, the crowd in the big
+room thickened. No one was willing to lose a word of the magic tale, and
+it was past midnight when he lay down on the blankets and sought sleep.</p>
+
+<p>The next day and the next were passed in further welcome, but when Henry
+sought the blankets the third night he became conscious that the first
+flush of the return was over. The weather had turned very hot&mdash;it was
+now July&mdash;and the walls and ceiling of the room seemed to press upon him
+and suffocate him. He drew deep and long breaths, but there was not air
+enough to fill a chest that had long been used to the illimitable
+outside. It was very still in the room. He longed to hear the boughs of
+trees waving over him. He felt that only such a sound or the trickle of
+running water could soothe him to sleep. Yet he would make another
+effort. He closed his eyes and for a half hour lay motionless. Then,
+angry, he opened them again, as wide awake as ever. He listened, but he
+could hear no sound in either the house or the village.</p>
+
+<p>Henry Ware rose to his feet, slipped on his clothing, and went to the
+window. He looked forth upon a sleeping village. The houses, built of
+solid logs, stood in ordered rows, gray and silent. Nothing stirred
+anywhere. He took his rifle from the hooks, and leaped lightly out of
+the window. Then he slipped cautiously among the houses, scaled the
+palisade and darted into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>He lay down by the side of a cold spring about a mile from the village.
+The bank of turf was soft and cool, and the little stream ran over the
+pebbles with a faint sighing sound. The thick leaves that hung overhead
+rustled beneath the south wind, and played a pleasant tune. Henry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> felt
+a great throb of joy. His chest expanded and the blood leaped in every
+vein. He threw himself down upon the bank and grasped the turf with both
+hands. It seemed to him that like Ant&aelig;us of old he felt strength flowing
+back into his body through every finger tip. He could breathe here
+easily and naturally. What a wonderful thing the forest was! How its
+beauty shone in the moonlight! The trees silvered with mist stood in
+long rows, and the friendly boughs and leaves, moving before the wind,
+never ceased to sing their friendly song to him.</p>
+
+<p>Deep peace came over him. Lying on his side and soothed by the forest
+and flowing water his eyelids drooped of their own accord. Presently he
+slept, breathing deeply and regularly, and drawing the fresh air into
+his veins. But he awoke before daylight and re&euml;ntered the village and
+his father's house without being seen by anyone. To the questions of his
+parents he said that he had slept well, and he ate his breakfast with an
+appetite that he had not known since he came within the palisade.</p>
+
+<p>The news that Henry and Paul had brought of the great invasion
+threatened by an allied Indian and British force disturbed Wareville.
+Yet the settlers felt much safer when they learned that the redoubtable
+George Rogers Clark intended a counterstroke. More than twenty of the
+most stalwart colonists volunteered to go to Louisville and join Clark
+for the blow. Henry told his father that he and Paul would return with
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it is your nature," said Mr. Ware, "but do you not think,
+Henry, that you have already suffered enough hardship and danger for the
+sake of the border?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Father, I do not," replied Henry. "Not as long as hardship and
+danger are to be suffered. And I know, too, that it is my nature. I
+shall live all my life in the forest."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ware said nothing more. He knew that words<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> were useless. That
+question had been threshed out between them long ago. But he gave him an
+affectionate farewell, and, a week after their arrival in Wareville,
+Henry and Paul departed again for the North, the whole population of
+Wareville waving them good-by as they embarked upon the river.</p>
+
+<p>But the two youths were far from being alone. A score of strong men,
+mostly young, were with them in four boats, and they carried an ample
+supply of arms and ammunition. Mr. Pennypacker wanted to go back with
+them, but he was dissuaded from undertaking the task.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it is best that I stay in Wareville," he said regretfully. "I
+am really a man of peace and not of war, although war has looked for me
+more than once."</p>
+
+<p>Their boats now had oars instead of paddles, and with the current in
+their favor they moved rapidly toward the north. They also had a
+favoring breeze behind them and Henry and Paul, who were in the first
+boat, felt their hearts swell with the prospect of action. They were so
+habituated now to an eventful life that a week of rest seemed a long
+time to them. Already they were pining to be with George Rogers Clark on
+the great expedition.</p>
+
+<p>"How many men do you think Colonel Clark will be able to gather?" asked
+Ethan Burke, one of the stoutest of the Wareville contingent.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, but his name is something to conjure with," replied
+Henry. "He ought to get together six or seven hundred at least, and that
+many men, experienced in the woods, will make a formidable force."</p>
+
+<p>They rowed down the river for three or four days, stopping at intervals
+to beat up the woods for marauding Indian bands. They found no traces of
+an enemy. Henry surmised that the experience of Braxton Wyatt's party
+had been a warning, and that possibly also the chiefs had learned of
+Clark's plan. The news that he was coming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> would alone suffice to put an
+end for the time to the Indian raids.</p>
+
+<p>The voyage continued in unbroken peace until they entered the Ohio. Here
+they were assailed by a summer storm of great severity and one of the
+boats, struck by lightning, narrowly escaped sinking. A rower was
+knocked senseless, but nobody was seriously injured, and by great
+efforts, they got the boat into condition to resume the journey.</p>
+
+<p>The little fleet came to the Falls, and turned in to the southern shore,
+where the main settlement of Louisville now stood. Several spires of
+smoke rose, and they knew that no Indian disaster had befallen. As they
+drew nearer they saw many boats along the bank, far more than the
+inhabitants of a little village could use.</p>
+
+<p>"A big force has gathered already," said Henry. "Ah, see there!"</p>
+
+<p>A boat shot out from the mass and came rapidly toward them.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you know them?" said Henry to Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"My eyes may be dim from old age," replied Paul, "and perhaps I only
+guess, but I should say that the one nearest us is a shiftless character
+whom I used to know in my youth, a man who, despite his general
+worthlessness and incapacity, had a certain humorous and attractive
+quality of mind that endeared him to his friends."</p>
+
+<p>"I am of the opinion that you are right," said Henry, looking under his
+hand, "and the second, I think, is a voluble person named Thomas Ross,
+who has talked a wide circle of acquaintances nearly to death."</p>
+
+<p>"Even so, and the third is a long thin fellow, one James Hart, noted for
+his aversion to the delicacies of the table and his dismissal of cookery
+as a triviality unworthy of the consideration of a serious man. Am I
+right, Mr. Ware?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You are right, Mr. Cotter. Hey you, Sol, how have you been?"</p>
+
+<p>His voice rose in a mellow peal across the waters, and three shouts
+simultaneous and joyous came back.</p>
+
+<p>"Hey, Henry!" cried Shif'less Sol in a voice that could have been heard
+a mile. "We're mighty glad to see you, an' we're mighty glad that you've
+brought such good company with you."</p>
+
+<p>In a few more moments their boat was alongside and there was a mighty
+shaking of hands. The three knew all the Wareville men and Shif'less Sol
+said the re&euml;nforcement would be very welcome.</p>
+
+<p>"But we've got an army already," he said. "You just come and see it."</p>
+
+<p>As they tied their boats to the bank Henry noticed many tents along the
+sloping shore. One larger than the rest was surmounted by the new flag
+of the United States.</p>
+
+<p>"That's Colonel Clark's tent," said Shif'less Sol, noticing the
+direction of his eyes, "but the Colonel won't sleep in a tent many more
+nights. We start soon up the Ohio and all these are to be left behind."</p>
+
+<p>Henry was received that very day in the Colonel's tent. Clark, apt to
+grow sluggish and careless in idleness, was now all energy and keenness.
+The confidence of the borderer in him was not misplaced. Henry left his
+comrades behind when he was summoned to the Colonel's presence, but when
+he entered the big tent he saw others there whom he knew. A tall man,
+much bronzed by weather, blue of eyes and gentle of manner, greeted him
+warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"It's pleasant to see you again, young Mr. Ware," he said, "an' it's
+still more pleasant to know that we're to serve together under Colonel
+Clark."</p>
+
+<p>Daniel Boone, as gentle of speech as a woman, held out his hand and
+Henry fairly blushed with pride as he grasped it. Another man, darkened
+by weather like Boone, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> Abe Thomas, also a celebrated scout, and
+there were yet others whose names were household words all along the
+border.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down, Mr. Ware, sit down," said Colonel Clark genially. "We're to
+hold a council of war, and we felt that it would not be complete without
+you."</p>
+
+<p>Henry experienced another throb of gratified pride, but as he was much
+the youngest present he spoke only when he was addressed directly. The
+debate was long and earnest. Colonel Clark had assembled between six and
+seven hundred good men, and he intended to go with this force up the
+Ohio to the mouth of the Licking. There they would be joined by another
+force under Colonel Benjamin Logan coming down the Licking. The united
+army after camping on the north shore of the Ohio, on the site of the
+present city of Cincinnati, would march straight for the Indian country.
+Boone, Henry Ware and other accomplished scouts would go ahead and guard
+against ambush. It was dark when the council ended, and when they
+prepared to leave, Clark said in his most sanguine tones:</p>
+
+<p>"If we do not strike a blow that will pay back Bird's and with interest
+then I'm not fit to lead. Our Indian friends will find that though they
+may destroy a village or two of ours their own villages will have to pay
+for it. And this great invasion that they've been planning will have to
+wait for another time."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll strike, and you're the man to lead us," said the others.</p>
+
+<p>It was night now and they stepped forth into the darkness. Henry passed
+among the tents toward the edge of the woods where his comrades were
+camped, and he saw a tall figure moving in the shadow of the trees. He
+would not have looked twice at the figure had not something familiar
+about it attracted his attention. It was the height, the breadth of the
+shoulders, and a certain haughty poise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> of the head that struck him all
+at once with the intensity of conviction. His friends had left him,
+going their respective ways, but Henry immediately darted toward the
+shadow.</p>
+
+<p>The tall and dusky figure melted away immediately among the trees, but
+the young forest runner pursued at his utmost speed. He did not doubt.
+It was no figment of fancy. It was the great chief himself spying with
+incredible daring upon his enemies. If he were permitted to escape, the
+advance of Clark would be surrounded with numberless dangers. The
+fertile brain and the invincible spirit of the great Wyandot would plant
+an ambush at every turn. The thought made Henry increase his speed.</p>
+
+<p>The figure flitted away among the oaks and beeches. Henry might have
+called for help earlier, but he was now too far away for anyone to hear,
+and, confident in his own strength and skill, he pressed on. The shadow
+was running eastward, and the way grew rough. Yet he did not lose sight
+of it flitting there among the trees. There was no swifter runner than
+he, but the distance between them did not decrease. It seemed to him
+that it remained always the same.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop or I shoot," he cried.</p>
+
+<p>The shadow did not stop and, raising his rifle, he fired. The figure
+never wavered for an instant, but continued its rapid and even flight,
+until it reached the crest of a little hill. There it suddenly turned
+about, leveled a rifle and fired in its turn. The bullet burned Henry's
+cheek and for a moment he hesitated, but only for a moment. Reloading
+his own rifle he continued the pursuit, the figure running steadily
+eastward, the gap between them remaining the same.</p>
+
+<p>The fugitive reached Beargrass Creek, darted swiftly through the water,
+climbed the opposite bank and was again among the trees. Henry crossed
+also and hung on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> with tenacity. He knew that Timmendiquas had probably
+reloaded also, but in the excitement and rush of the moment, he did not
+think of another return bullet. When he did recall the fact, as the
+chase lengthened, he felt sure that the chief would not stop to fight at
+close quarters. He could not afford to risk his life in an encounter
+with a single person, when he was the very keystone of the great Indian
+campaign.</p>
+
+<p>The chase still led northward through the deep woods that ran down to
+the shore of the Ohio. Strive as he would Henry could not gain. He did
+not forget that Timmendiquas had twice saved his life, but he in return
+had spared that of Timmendiquas, and now greater things were at stake
+than the feeling that one brave soul has for another. The light grew
+worse in the shadow of the giant trees and only at times could he see
+the flitting figure distinctly. At last was he able to secure what he
+considered a good aim, and he pulled the trigger a second time.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was an unerring marksman, perhaps the finest on all the border.
+The target at that moment was good, a shaft of clear moonlight falling
+directly upon the broad chest, and yet the bullet clipped a bush three
+feet away. Henry was conscious that, at the supreme instant when his
+finger pressed the trigger, he had been shaken by a sudden emotion. The
+muzzle of the rifle which bore directly upon the body of the chief had
+shifted just a little, and he was not surprised when the bullet went
+wide.</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas stopped, raised his own rifle, but fired straight up into
+the air. Then uttering a long whoop which the night gave back in clear
+echoes, he rushed directly to the river, and sprang far out into the
+dark waters. Henry was too astonished to move for a few moments. Then
+he, too, ran to the bank. He saw far out a dark head moving swiftly
+toward the northern shore. He might have reloaded, and even yet he might
+have taken a third shot with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> tolerable accuracy, but he made no effort
+to do so. He stood there, silent and motionless, watching the black head
+grow smaller and smaller until at last it was lost in the darkness that
+hung over the northern bank. But though hidden now he knew that the
+great chief had reached the far shore. In fancy he could see him as he
+walked into the woods, the glistening drops falling from his tall
+figure. Timmendiquas and he must fight on opposing sides, but real
+enemies they could never be. He felt that they were sure to meet again
+in conflict, and this would be the great decisive struggle. Timmendiquas
+himself knew that it was so, or he would not have come to look with his
+own eyes upon the force of Clark.</p>
+
+<p>Henry walked slowly back toward the little settlement. He waded the
+waters of Beargrass Creek, and soon saw the log cabins again. He and his
+comrades, when the ground was not wet, slept in neither a cabin nor a
+tent, but spread their blankets on the turf under a mighty beech. The
+four were already waiting for him there, and, in the darkness, they did
+not notice any unusual expression on Henry's face. He sat down beside
+them and said quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"I have just seen Timmendiquas."</p>
+
+<p>"What!" exclaimed four voices together.</p>
+
+<p>"I have just seen Timmendiquas. Moreover, I fired twice at him and he
+fired once at me. All three bullets missed."</p>
+
+<p>Then Shif'less Sol, experienced and wise, raised himself up on his
+blanket, looked at Henry, and said in a tone of conviction:</p>
+
+<p>"Henry Ware, you an' Timmendiquas together might miss with one bullet,
+but miss with three is impossible. I believe that you've seen him ez you
+say so, but I don't believe that you two missed three times."</p>
+
+<p>"We fired three times, as I said, and I should add that Timmendiquas
+fired a fourth time also, but he must have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> been aiming at a star, as he
+pointed his rifle straight upward."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" said four voices together again, but now the four understood.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," said Henry, "that he came to see for himself what Colonel
+Clark is doing. Now he is gone with the facts. I came here merely to
+tell you first, and I leave at once to tell the Colonel next."</p>
+
+<p>He found Colonel Clark still in the council tent, but alone and poring
+over a rude map. A burning wick in a basin of tallow scarcely dispelled
+the darkness, but Henry could see that the commander's face was knit and
+anxious. He turned expectantly to the youth.</p>
+
+<p>"You have some news of importance or you would not come back at this
+hour," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"I have," replied Henry. "When I left this tent I passed through the
+edge of the woods and I saw a figure there. It was that of an Indian, a
+chief whom I have seen before. It was Timmendiquas, the great Wyandot,
+the bravest, wisest and most daring of all the Western chiefs. I pursued
+him, fired at him, but missed. It was evidently not his object to fight
+anyone here. He sprang into the Ohio, swam to the northern shore, and no
+doubt is now on his way to his own people."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark gazed thoughtfully at the flickering candle and did not
+speak for a long time.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you saw him," he said finally. "We know now that the allied
+tribes will be on their guard. They may meet us in force many days
+before we reach the Indian towns. Timmendiquas is a born leader,
+energetic and wary. Well, well hasten our own departure, and try to
+strike before they're ready. What do you say to that, my lad?"</p>
+
+<p>"My opinion is worth little, but I would say that we ought to strike as
+soon as we can."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't think a man among us will take any other view. We can leave
+with seven hundred men now, and we'll meet Logan with three hundred more
+at the mouth of the Licking. Then we shall have the largest white force
+ever gathered in the West, and it will be strange if we do not pay some
+of the debt we owe to the Indians and their allies. I wish, Mr. Ware,
+that you and your friends would march with Boone on the southern bank of
+the river. It is only a wish, however, as I have agreed that you should
+choose your own method of helping us."</p>
+
+<p>"It is just what we should wish most to do," said Henry, "and we shall
+be with Mr. Boone when he crosses to the other side."</p>
+
+<p>Henry walked back to the big beech and found his comrades yet wide awake
+and glad to hear that they would march in thirty-six hours.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll be back in the thick of it," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I'm
+thinkin', Henry, that we'll have all we kin do."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt," said Henry.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX<br />
+<small>A HERALD BY WATER</small></h2>
+
+<p>The start from Louisville was made and the great expedition began among
+the cheers of the women and children of the little place and from the
+men who were left behind. Most of the army were in boats which also
+carried great quantities of arms, ammunition and food. All of the little
+settlements buried in the deep woods of Kentucky, though exposed at any
+time to sudden and terrible raids, had sent volunteers. They took the
+risk nevertheless, and dispatched their best to the redoubtable hero,
+George Rogers Clark. Few people have ever given more supreme examples of
+dauntless courage and self-sacrifice than these borderers. Tiny outposts
+only, they never failed to respond to the cry for help. There was
+scarcely a family which did not lose someone under the Indian tomahawk,
+but their courage never faltered, though for nearly twenty years no man
+was safe a single hour from savage ambush. They stood fast and endured
+everything.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, Paul and their comrades were not in the boats, but were with
+Daniel Boone who led a party of the best scouts on the southern shore.
+It was not only their business to find their enemy if he should be
+there, but to clear him out, unless he were in too great force, and it
+was a task that required supreme skill and caution. Throughout its whole
+course dense forests grew along the Ohio, and an ambush might be planted
+anywhere. The foliage was still thick and heavy on the trees, as it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>
+not yet August, and one seldom saw more than a hundred yards ahead.</p>
+
+<p>The boats, keeping near the southern shore where their flank was
+protected by Boone's scouts, started, the sunlight streaming down upon
+them and the water flashing from their oars. The scouts had already gone
+on ahead, and the five were among the foremost. In a few minutes the
+last sign of the new settlement disappeared and they were in the
+wilderness. At Boone's orders the scouts formed in small bodies,
+covering at least two miles from the river. The five formed one of these
+little groups, and they began their work with zeal and skill. No enemy
+in the underbrush could have escaped their notice, but the whole day
+passed without a sign of a foe. When night came on they saw the boats
+draw into a cove on the southern bank, and, after a conference with
+Boone, they spread their blankets again under the trees, the watch not
+falling to their share until the following night. Having eaten from the
+food which they carried in knapsacks they looked contentedly at the
+river.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this will be twice that we have gone up the Ohio, once on the
+water, and once on the shore," said Paul. "But as before we have
+Timmendiquas to face."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so," said Shif'less Sol, "but I'm thinkin' that nothin' much
+will happen, until we get up toward the mouth of the Lickin'. It's been
+only two nights since Timmendiquas hisself was spyin' us out, an' afore
+he strikes he's got to go back to his main force."</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe so an' mebbe not," said Tom Ross. "My eyes ain't so bad and this
+bein' a good place to look from I think I see a canoe over thar right
+under the fur shore uv the Ohio. Jest look along thar, Henry, whar the
+bank kinder rises up."</p>
+
+<p>The point that Tom indicated was at least a mile away, but Henry agreed
+with him that a shape resembling a canoe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> lay close to the bank.
+Shif'less Sol and the others inclined to the same belief.</p>
+
+<p>"If so, it's a scout boat watching us," said Paul, "and Timmendiquas
+himself may be in it."</p>
+
+<p>Henry shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't likely," he said. "Timmendiquas knows all that he wants to
+know, and is now going northeastward as fast as he can. But his warriors
+are there. Look! You can see beyond a doubt now that it is a canoe, and
+it's going up the river at full speed."</p>
+
+<p>The canoe shot from the shadow of the bank. Apparently it contained
+three or four Indians, and they had strong arms. So it sped over the
+water and against the current at a great rate.</p>
+
+<p>"They've seen all they want to see to-night," said Henry, "but that
+canoe and maybe others will be watching us all the way."</p>
+
+<p>A half hour later a light appeared in the northern woods and then
+another much further on. Doubtless the chain was continued by more, too
+far away for them to see. The men in the main camp saw them also, and
+understood. Every foot of their advance would be watched until the
+Indian army grew strong enough, when it would be attacked. Yet their
+zeal and courage rose the higher. They begged Clark to start again at
+dawn that no time might be lost. Boone joined the five under the tree.</p>
+
+<p>"You saw the lights, didn't you, boys?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"We saw them," replied Henry, "and we know what they mean. Don't you
+think, Mr. Boone, that for a while the most dangerous part of the work
+will fall on you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Upon those with me an' myself," replied Boone in his gentle manner,
+"but all of us are used to it."</p>
+
+<p>For two successive nights they saw the fiery signals on the northern
+shore, carrying the news into the deep woods that the Kentucky army was
+advancing. But they were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> not molested by any skirmishers. Not a single
+shot was fired. The fact was contrary to the custom of Indian warfare,
+and Henry saw in it the wisdom and restraint of Timmendiquas. Indians
+generally attack on impulse and without system, but now they were
+wasting nothing in useless skirmishing. Not until all the warriors were
+gathered, and the time was ripe would Timmendiquas attempt the blow.</p>
+
+<p>It gave the little white army a peculiar feeling. The men knew all the
+time that they were being watched, yet they saw no human being save
+themselves. Boone's scouts found the trail of Indians several times, but
+never an Indian himself. Yet they continued their patient scouting. They
+did not intend that the army should fall into an ambush through any
+fault of theirs. Thus they proceeded day after day, slowly up the river,
+replenishing their supplies with game which was abundant everywhere.</p>
+
+<p>They came to the wide and deep mouth of the Kentucky, a splendid stream
+flowing from the Alleghany Mountains, and thence across the heart of
+Kentucky into the Ohio. Henry thought that its passage might be
+disputed, and the five, Boone, Thomas and some others crossed cautiously
+in one of the larger boats. They watched to see anything unusual stir in
+the thickets on the farther shore of the Kentucky, but no warrior was
+there. Timmendiquas was not yet ready, and now the land portion of the
+army was also on the further shore, and the march still went on
+uninterrupted. Paul began to believe that Timmendiquas was not able to
+bring the warriors to the Ohio; that they would stand on the defensive
+at their own villages. But Henry was of another opinion, and he soon
+told it.</p>
+
+<p>"Timmendiquas would never have come down to Louisville to look us over,"
+he said, "if he meant merely to act on the defensive at places two or
+three hundred miles away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> No, Paul, we'll hear from him while we're
+still on the river, and I think it will be before Logan will join us."</p>
+
+<p>Boone and Thomas took the same view, and now the scouting party doubled
+its vigilance.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow morning," said Boone, "we'll come to the Licking. There are
+always more Indians along that river than any other in Kentucky and I
+wish Logan and his men were already with us."</p>
+
+<p>The face of the great frontiersman clouded.</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians have been too peaceful an' easy," he resumed. "Not a shot
+has been fired since we left Louisville an' now we're nearly to
+Tuentahahewaghta (the site of Cincinnati, that is, the landing or place
+where the road leads to the river). It means that Timmendiquas has been
+massing his warriors for a great stroke."</p>
+
+<p>Reasoning from the circumstances and his knowledge of Indian nature,
+Henry believed that Daniel Boone was right, yet he had confidence in the
+result. Seven hundred trained borderers were not easily beaten, even if
+Logan and the other three hundred should not come. Yet he and Boone and
+all the band knew that the watch that night must miss nothing. The
+boats, as usual, were drawn up on the southern shore, too far away to be
+reached by rifle shots from the northern banks. The men were camped on a
+low wooded hill within a ring of at least fifty sentinels. The Licking,
+a narrow but deep stream, was not more than five miles ahead. Clark
+would have gone on to its mouth, had he not deemed it unwise to march at
+night in such a dangerous country. The night itself was black with
+heavy, low clouds, and the need to lie still in a strong position was
+obvious.</p>
+
+<p>Boone spread out his scouts in advance. The five, staying together as
+usual, and now acting independently, advanced through the woods near the
+Ohio. It was one of the hottest of July nights, and nature was restless
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> uneasy. The low clouds increased in number, and continually grew
+larger until they fused into one, and covered the heavens with a black
+blanket from horizon to horizon. From a point far off in the southwest
+came the low but menacing mutter of thunder. At distant intervals,
+lightning would cut the sky in a swift, vivid stroke. The black woods
+would stand out in every detail for a moment, and they would catch
+glimpses of the river's surface turned to fiery red. Then the night
+closed down again, thicker and darker than ever, and any object twenty
+yards before them would become only a part of the black blur. A light
+wind moaned among the trees, weirdly and without stopping.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a bad night for Colonel Clark's army," said Shif'less Sol. "Thar
+ain't any use o' our tryin' to hide the fact from one another, 'cause we
+all know it."</p>
+
+<p>"That's so, Sol," said Long Jim Hart, "but we've got to watch all the
+better 'cause of it. I've knowed you a long time, Solomon Hyde, an'
+you're a lazy, shiftless, ornery, contrary critter, but somehow or other
+the bigger the danger the better you be, an' I think that's what's
+happenin' now."</p>
+
+<p>If it had not been so dark Long Jim would have seen Shif'less Sol's
+pleased grin. Moreover the words of Jim Hart were true. The spirit of
+the shiftless one, great borderer that he was, rose to the crisis, but
+he said nothing. The little group continued to advance, keeping a couple
+of hundred yards or so from the bank of the Ohio, and stopping every ten
+or twelve minutes to listen. On such a night ears were of more use than
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The forest grew more dense as they advanced. It consisted chiefly of
+heavy beech and oak, with scattered underbrush of spice wood and pawpaw.
+It was the underbrush particularly that annoyed, since it offered the
+best hiding for a foe in ambush. Henry prayed for the moon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> and the
+stars, but both moon and stars remained on the other side of
+impenetrable clouds. It was only by the occasional flashes of lightning
+that they saw clearly and then it was but a fleeting glimpse. But it was
+uncommonly vivid lightning. They noticed that it always touched both
+forest and river with red fire, and the weird moaning of the wind,
+crying like a dirge, never ceased. It greatly affected the nerves of
+Paul, the most sensitive of the five, but the others, too, were affected
+by it.</p>
+
+<p>Henry turned his attention for a while from the forest to the river. He
+sought to see by the flashes of lightning if anything moved there, and,
+when they were about half way to the mouth of the Licking, he believed
+that he caught sight of something in the shape of a canoe, hovering near
+the farther shore. He asked them all to watch at the point he indicated
+until the next flash of lightning came. It was a full minute until the
+electric blade cut the heavens once more, but they were all watching and
+there was the dark shape. When the five compared opinions they were sure
+that it was moving slowly northward.</p>
+
+<p>"It's significant," said Henry. "Daniel Boone isn't often mistaken, and
+the warriors are drawing in. We'll be fighting before dawn, boys."</p>
+
+<p>"An' it's for us to find out when an' whar the attack will come," said
+Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"We're certainly going to try," said Henry. "Hark! What was that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Injuns walkin' an' talkin'," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Henry listened, and he felt sure that Ross was right. Under his
+leadership they darted into a dense clump of pawpaws and lay motionless,
+thankful that such good shelter was close at hand. The footsteps, light,
+but now heard distinctly, drew nearer.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had a sure instinct about those who were coming. He saw Braxton
+Wyatt, Blackstaffe, and at least<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> twenty warriors emerge into view. The
+night was still as dark as ever, but the band was so near that the
+hidden five could see the features of every man. Henry knew by their
+paint that the warriors belonged to different tribes. Wyandots, Miamis,
+Shawnees, and Delawares were represented. Wyatt and Blackstaffe were
+talking. Henry gathered from the scattered words he heard that
+Blackstaffe doubted the wisdom of an attack, but Wyatt was eager for it.</p>
+
+<p>"I was at Wyoming," said the younger renegade with a vicious snap of his
+teeth, "and it was the rush there that did it. We enveloped them on both
+front and flank and rushed in with such force that we beat them down in
+a few minutes. Nor did many have a chance to escape."</p>
+
+<p>"But they were mostly old men and boys," said Blackstaffe, "and they had
+little experience in fighting the tribes. Clark has a bigger force here,
+and they are all borderers. You know how these Kentuckians can use the
+rifle."</p>
+
+<p>Wyatt made a reply, but Henry could not hear it as the two renegades and
+the warriors passed on in the underbrush. But he did hear the click of a
+gun lock and he quickly pushed down the hand of Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"Not now! not now, Sol!" he whispered. "Wyatt and Blackstaffe deserve
+death many times over, but if you fire they'd all be on us in a whoop,
+and then we'd be of no further use."</p>
+
+<p>"You're right, Henry," said the shiftless one, "but my blood was mighty
+hot for a minute."</p>
+
+<p>The band disappeared, turning off toward the south, and the five,
+feeling that they had now gone far enough, returned to the camp. On the
+way they met Boone and the remainder of the scouts. Henry told what they
+had seen and heard and the great frontiersman agreed with them that the
+attack was at hand.</p>
+
+<p>"You saw the war paint of four nations," he said, "an' that proves that
+a great force is here. I tell you I wish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> I knew about Logan, an' the
+men that are comin' down the Lickin'."</p>
+
+<p>It was now nearly midnight and they found Colonel Clark sitting under a
+tree at the eastern edge of the camp. He listened with the greatest
+attention to every detail that they could give him, and then his jaw
+seemed to stiffen.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well, lads," he said. "There is nothing more dangerous
+than the calling of a scout in the Indian wars, but not one of you has
+ever shirked it. You have warned us and now we are willing for
+Timmendiquas and Girty to attack whenever they choose."</p>
+
+<p>Many of the men were asleep, but Clark did not awaken them. He knew
+fully the value of rest, and they were borderers who would spring to
+their feet at the first alarm, alive in every sense and muscle. But at
+least a third of his force was on guard. No attack was feared on the
+water. Nevertheless many of the men were there with the boats. It was,
+however, the semicircle through the forest about the camp that was made
+thick and strong. Throughout its whole course the frontiersmen stood
+close together and keen eyes and trained ears noted everything that
+passed in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and his four comrades were at the point of the segment nearest to
+the confluence of the Ohio and the Licking. Here they sat upon the
+ground in a close group in the underbrush, speaking but rarely, while
+time passed slowly. The character of the night had not changed. The
+solemn wind never ceased to moan among the trees, and far off in the
+west the thunder yet muttered. The strokes of lightning were far
+between, but as before they cast a blood red tinge over forest and
+river. The five were some hundreds of yards beyond the camp, and they
+could see nothing then, although they heard now and then the rattle of
+arms and a word or two from the officers. Once they heard the sound of
+heavy wheels, and they knew that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> cannon had been wheeled into
+position. Clark had even been able to secure light artillery for his
+great expedition.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think them big guns will be of any use?" asked Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at night," replied Henry, "but in the daytime if we come to close
+quarters they'll certainly say something worth hearing."</p>
+
+<p>It was now nearly half way between midnight and morning when the
+vitality is lowest. Paul, as he lay among the pawpaws, was growing very
+sleepy. He had not moved for so long a time and the night was so warm
+that his eyes had an almost invincible tendency to close, but his will
+did not permit it. Despite the long silence he had no doubt that the
+attack would come. So he looked eagerly into the forest every time the
+lightning flashed, and always he strained his ears that he might hear,
+if anything was to be heard.</p>
+
+<p>The melancholy wind died, and the air became close, hot and heavy. The
+leaves ceased to move, and there was no stir in the bushes, but Henry
+thought that he heard a faint sound. He made a warning gesture to his
+companions, and they, too, seemed to hear the same noise. All of Paul's
+sleepiness disappeared. He sat up, every nerve and muscle attuned for
+the crisis. Henry and he, at almost the same moment, saw the bushes move
+in front of them. Then they saw the bronze faces with the scalp lock
+above them, peering forth. The five sat perfectly silent for a few
+moments and more bronze faces appeared. The gaze of one of the Indians
+wandered toward the clump of pawpaws, and he saw there one of the five
+who had now risen a little higher than the rest to look. He knew that it
+was a white face, and, firing instantly at it, he uttered the long and
+thrilling war whoop. It was the opening cry of the battle.</p>
+
+<p>The five at once returned the fire and with deadly effect. Two of the
+warriors fell, and the rest leaped back,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> still shouting their war cry,
+which was taken up and repeated in volume at a hundred points. Far above
+the forest it swelled, a terrible wolfish cry, fiercest of all on its
+dying note. From river and deep woods came the echo, and the warriors in
+multitudes rushed forward upon the camp.</p>
+
+<p>Henry and his comrades when they discharged their rifles ran back toward
+the main force, reloading as they ran. The air was filled with terrible
+cries and behind them dark forms swarmed forward, running and bounding.
+From trees and underbrush came a hail of rifle bullets that whistled
+around the five, but which luckily did nothing save to clip their
+clothing and to sing an unpleasant song in their ears. Yet they had
+never run faster, not from fear, but because it was the proper thing to
+do. They had uncovered the enemy and their work as scouts was over.</p>
+
+<p>They were back on the camp and among the frontiersmen, in less than a
+minute. Now they wheeled about, and, with rifles loaded freshly, faced
+the foe who pressed forward in a great horde, yelling and firing. Well
+it was for the white army that it was composed of veteran borderers. The
+sight was appalling to the last degree. The defenders were ringed around
+by flashes of fire, and hundreds of hideous forms leaped as if in the
+war dance, brandishing their tomahawks. But Colonel Clark was everywhere
+among his men, shouting to them to stand fast, not to be frightened by
+the war whoop, and that now was the time to win a victory. Boone, Abe
+Thomas and the five gave him great help.</p>
+
+<p>The riflemen stood firm in their semicircle, each end of it resting upon
+the river. Most of them threw themselves upon the ground, and, while the
+bullets whistled over their heads, poured forth an answering fire that
+sent many a warrior to explore the great hereafter. Yet the tribes
+pressed in with uncommon courage, charging like white men, while their
+great chiefs Timmendiquas, Red Eagle,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> Black Panther, Moluntha, Captain
+Pipe and the others led them on. They rushed directly into the faces of
+the borderers, leaping forward in hundreds, shouting the war whoop and
+now and then cutting down a foe. The darkness was still heavy and close,
+but it was lit up by the incessant flashes of the rifles. The smoke from
+the firing, with no breeze to drive it away, hung low in a dense bank
+that stung the mouths and nostrils of the combatants.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep low, Paul! Keep low!" cried Henry, dragging his young comrade down
+among some spicewood bushes. "If you are bound to stick your head up
+like that it will be stopping a tomahawk soon."</p>
+
+<p>Paul did not have to wait for the truth of Henry's words, as a shining
+blade whizzed directly where his head had been, and, passing on,
+imbedded itself in the trunk of a mighty beech. Paul shuddered. It
+seemed to him that he felt a hot wind from the tomahawk as it flew by.
+In his zeal and excitement he had forgotten the danger for a moment or
+two, and once more Henry had saved his life.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish it would grow lighter," muttered Shif'less Sol. "It's hard to
+tell your friends from your enemies on a black night like this, and
+we'll be all mixed up soon."</p>
+
+<p>"We five at least must keep close together," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>A fierce yell of victory came from the southern side of the camp, a yell
+that was poured from Indian throats, and every one of the five felt
+apprehension. Could their line be driven in? Driven in it was! Fifty
+Wyandots and as many Shawnees under Moluntha, the most daring of their
+war chiefs, crashed suddenly against the weakest part of the half
+circle. Firing a heavy volley they had rushed in with the tomahawk, and
+the defenders, meeting them with clubbed rifles, were driven back by the
+fury of the attack and the weight of numbers. There was a confused and
+terrible medley of shouts and cries, of thudding tomahawks and rifle
+butts, of crashing brushwood and falling bodies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> It was all in the hot
+dark, until the lightning suddenly flared with terrifying brightness.
+Then it disclosed the strained faces of white and red, the sweat
+standing out on tanned brows, and the bushes torn and trampled in the
+wild struggle. The red blaze passed and the night shot down in its place
+as thick and dark as ever. Neither red men nor white were able to drive
+back the others. In this bank of darkness the cries increased, and the
+cloud of smoke grew steadily.</p>
+
+<p>It was not only well that these men were tried woodsmen, but it was
+equally well that they were led by a great wilderness chief. George
+Rogers Clark saw at once the point of extreme danger, and, summoning his
+best men, he rushed to the rescue. The five heard the call. Knowing its
+urgency, they left the spicewood and swept down with the helping band.
+Another flash of lightning showed where friends and foe fought face to
+face with tomahawk and clubbed rifle, and then Clark and the new force
+were upon the warriors. Paul, carried away by excitement, was shouting:</p>
+
+<p>"Give it to 'em! Give it to 'em! Drive 'em back!"</p>
+
+<p>But he did not know that he was uttering a word. He saw the high cheek
+bones and close-set eyes, and then he felt the shock as they struck the
+hostile line. Steel and clubbed rifle only were used first. They did not
+dare fire at such close quarters as friend and foe were mingled closely,
+but the warriors were pushed back by the new weight hurled upon them,
+and then the woodsmen, waiting until the next flash of lightning, sent
+in a volley that drove the Indians to the cover of the forest. The
+attack at that point had failed, and the white line was yet complete.</p>
+
+<p>Once more the five threw themselves down gasping among the bushes,
+reloaded their rifles and waited. In front of them was silence. The
+enemy there had melted away without a sound, and he too lay hidden, but
+from left and right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> the firing and the shouting came with undiminished
+violence. Henry, also, at the same time heard in all the terrible uproar
+the distant and low muttering of the thunder, like a menacing
+under-note, more awful than the firing itself. The smoke reached them
+where they lay. It was floating now all through the forest, and not only
+stung the nostrils of the defenders, but heated their brains and made
+them more anxious for the combat.</p>
+
+<p>"We were just in time," said Shif'less Sol. "Ef Colonel Clark hadn't led
+a hundred or so o' us on the run to this place the warriors would hev
+been right in the middle o' the camp, smashin' us to pieces. How they
+fight!"</p>
+
+<p>"Their chiefs think this army must be destroyed and they're risking
+everything," said Henry. "Girty must be here, too, urging them on,
+although he's not likely to expose his own body much."</p>
+
+<p>"But he's a real gen'ral an' a pow'ful help to the Injuns," said Tom
+Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Clark's summons came again. The sound on the flank indicated that the
+line was being driven in at another point to the eastward, and the
+"chosen hundred," as the shiftless one called them, were hurled against
+the assailants, who were here mostly Miamis and Delawares. The Indians
+were driven back in turn, and the circle again curved over the ground
+that the defenders had held in the beginning. Jim Hart and Tom Ross were
+wounded slightly, but they hid their scratches from the rest, and went
+on with their part. A third attack in force at a third point was
+repulsed in the same manner, but only after the most desperate fighting.
+Each side suffered a heavy loss, but the Indians, nevertheless, were
+repulsed and the defenders once again lay down among the bushes, their
+pulses beating fast.</p>
+
+<p>Then ensued the fiery ring. The white circle was complete, but the
+Indians formed another and greater one facing it. The warriors no longer
+tried to rush the camp,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> but flat on their stomachs among the bushes
+they crept silently forward, and fired at every white man who exposed a
+head or an arm or a hand.</p>
+
+<p>They seemed to have eyes that pierced the dark, and, knowing where the
+target lay, they had an advantage over the defenders who could not tell
+from what point the next shot would come.</p>
+
+<p>It was a sort of warfare, annoying and dangerous in the extreme, and
+Clark became alarmed. It got upon the nerves of the men. They were
+compelled to lie there and await this foe who stung and stung. He sought
+eagerly by the flashes of lightning to discover where they clustered in
+the greatest numbers, but they hugged the earth so close that he saw
+nothing, even when the lightning was so vivid that it cast a blood red
+tinge over both trees and bushes. He called Boone, Henry, Thomas and
+others, the best of the scouts, to him.</p>
+
+<p>"We must clear those Indians out of the woods," he said, "or they will
+pick away at us until nothing is left to pick at. A charge with our best
+men will drive them off. What do you say, Mr. Boone?"</p>
+
+<p>Daniel Boone shook his head, and his face expressed strong disapproval.</p>
+
+<p>"We'd lose too many men, Colonel," he replied. "They're in greater
+numbers than we are, an' we drove them back when they charged. Now if we
+charged they'd shoot us to pieces before we got where we wanted to go."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you're right," said Clark. "In fact, I know you are. Yes, we
+have to wait, but it's hard. Many of our men have been hit, and they
+can't stand this sort of thing forever."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you send forward a hundred of the best woodsmen and
+sharpshooters," said Boone. "They can creep among the bushes an' maybe
+they can worry the Indians as much as the Indians are worrying us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark considered. They were standing then near the center of the
+camp, and, from that point they could see through the foliage the dusky
+surface of the water, and when they looked in the other direction they
+saw puffs of fire as the rifles were discharged in the undergrowth.</p>
+
+<p>"It's risky," he said at last, "but I don't see anything else for us to
+do. Be sure that you choose the best men, Mr. Boone."</p>
+
+<p>Daniel Boone rapidly told off a hundred, all great marksmen and cautious
+woodsmen. Henry, Paul, Shif'less Sol, Long Jim and Tom Ross were among
+the first whom he chose. Then while the defenders increased their fire
+on the eastern side, he and his hundred, hugging the ground, began to
+creep toward the south. It was slow work for so large a body, and they
+had to be exceedingly careful. Boone wished to effect a surprise and to
+strike the foe so hard that he would be thrown into a panic. But Henry
+and Paul were glad to be moving. They had something now to which they
+could look forward. The two kept side by side, paying little attention
+to the firing which went on in unbroken volume on their left.</p>
+
+<p>Boone moved toward a slight elevation about a hundred yards away. He
+believed that it was occupied by a small Indian force which his gallant
+hundred could easily brush aside, if they ever came into close contact.
+Amid so much confusion and darkness he could reach the desired place
+unless they were revealed by the lightning. There was not another flash
+until they were more than half way and then the hundred lay so low among
+the bushes that they remained hidden.</p>
+
+<p>"We're beatin' the savages at their own game," said Shif'less Sol. "They
+are always bent on stalkin' us, but they don't 'pear to know now that
+we're stalkin' them. Keep your eye skinned, Henry; we don't want to run
+into 'em afore we expect it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'm watching," replied Henry in the same tone, "but I don't think I'll
+have to watch much longer. In two or three minutes more they'll see us
+or we'll see them."</p>
+
+<p>Fifty yards more and another red flash of lightning came. Henry saw a
+feathered head projecting over a log. At the same time the owner of the
+feathered head saw him, fired and leaped to his feet. Henry fired in
+return, and the next instant he and his comrades were upon the
+skirmishers, clearing them out of the bushes and sending them in
+headlong flight. They had been so long in the darkness now that their
+eyes had grown used to it, and they could see the fleeing forms. They
+sent a decimating volley after them, and then dropped down on the ridge
+that they had won. They meant to hold it, and they were fortunate enough
+to find there many fallen trees swept down by a tornado.</p>
+
+<p>"We've cut their line," said Boone, "an' we must keep it cut. I've sent
+a messenger to tell Colonel Clark that we've taken the place, an' since
+we've broke their front they'll be mighty good men, Indians and
+renegades, if they're ever able to join it together again."</p>
+
+<p>The warriors returned in great force to the attack. They appreciated the
+value of the position, but the sharpshooters fired from the shelter of
+the logs.</p>
+
+<p>The five, following their long custom, kept close together, and when
+they threw themselves down behind the logs they took a rapid accounting.
+Paul was the only one who had escaped unhurt. A tomahawk, thrown at
+short range, had struck Henry on the side of the head, but only with the
+flat of the blade. His fur cap and thick hair saved him, but the force
+of the blow had made him reel for a minute, and a whole constellation of
+stars had danced before his eyes. Now his head still rung a little, but
+the pain was passing, and all his faculties were perfectly clear and
+keen. A bullet had nicked Tom Ross's wrist, but, cutting a piece<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> of
+buckskin from his shirt, he tied it up well and gave it no further
+attention. Jim Hart and Shif'less Sol had received new scratches, but
+they were not advertising them.</p>
+
+<p>They lay panting for a few minutes among the fallen trees, and all
+around them they heard the low words of the gallant hundred; though
+there were not really a hundred now. Boone was so near that Henry could
+see the outline of the great forest-fighter's figure.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we succeeded, did we not, Colonel Boone?" he said, giving him a
+title that had been conferred upon him a year or two before.</p>
+
+<p>"We have so far," replied Boone, guardedly, "and this is a strong
+position. We couldn't have taken it if we hadn't been helped by
+surprise. I believe they'll make an effort to drive us out of this
+place. Timmendiquas and Girty know the need of it. Come with me, Mr.
+Ware, and see that all our men are ready."</p>
+
+<p>Henry, very proud to serve as the lieutenant of such a man, rose from
+his log and the two went among the men. Everyone was ready with loaded
+weapons. Many had wounds, but they had tied them up, and, rejoicing now
+in their log fortifications, they waited with impatience the Indian
+onset. Henry returned to his place. A red flare of lightning showed his
+eager comrades all about him, their tanned faces, set and lean, every
+man watching the forest. But after the lightning, the night, heavy with
+clouds, swept down again, and it seemed to Henry that it was darker than
+ever. He longed for the dawn. With the daylight disclosing the enemy,
+and helping their own aim, their log fortress would be impregnable.
+Elsewhere the battle seemed to be dying. The shots came in irregular
+clusters, and the war whoop was heard only at intervals. Directly in
+front of them the silence was absolute and Henry's rapid mind divined
+the reason for all these things. Girty and Timmendiquas were assembling
+their main force<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> there and they, too, would rely upon surprise and the
+irresistible rush of a great mass. He crawled over to Boone and told him
+his belief. Boone nodded.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are right," he said, "an' right now I'll send a messenger
+back to Colonel Clark to be ready with help. The attack will come soon,
+because inside of an hour you'll see dawn peeping over the eastern
+trees."</p>
+
+<p>Henry crawled back to his comrades and lay down with them, waiting
+through that terrible period of suspense. Strain their ears as they
+would, they could hear nothing in front. If Timmendiquas and Girty were
+gathering their men there, they were doing it with the utmost skill and
+secrecy. Yet the watch was never relaxed for an instant. Every finger
+remained on the trigger and every figure was taut for instant action.</p>
+
+<p>A half hour had passed. In another half hour the day would come, and
+they must fight when eyes could see. The lightning had ceased, but the
+wind was moaning its dirge among the leaves, and then to Henry's ears
+came the sound of a soft tread, of moccasined feet touching the earth
+ever so lightly.</p>
+
+<p>"They are coming! They are coming!" he cried in a sharp, intense
+whisper, and the next instant the terrible war whoop, the fiercest of
+all human sounds, was poured from the hundreds of throats, and dusky
+figures seemed to rise from the earth directly in front of them, rushing
+upon them, seeking to close with the tomahawk before they could take aim
+with their rifles in the darkness. But these were chosen men, ready and
+wonderfully quick. Their rifles leaped to their shoulders and then they
+flashed all together, so close that few could miss. The front of the
+Indian mass was blown away, but the others were carried on by the
+impetus of their charge, and a confused, deadly struggle took place once
+more, now among the logs. Henry, wielding his clubbed rifle again, was
+sure that he heard the pow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>erful voice of Timmendiquas urging on the
+warriors, but he was not able to see the tall figure of the great
+Wyandot chieftain.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't the help from Colonel Clark come?" panted Shif'less Sol. "If
+you don't get help when you want it, it needn't come at all."</p>
+
+<p>But help was near. With a great shout more than two hundred men rushed
+to the rescue. Yet it was hard in the darkness to tell friend from
+enemy, and, taking advantage of it, the warriors yet held a place among
+the fallen trees. Now, as if by mutual consent, there was a lull in the
+battle, and there occurred something that both had forgotten in the
+fierce passions of the struggle. The dawn came. The sharp rays of the
+sun pierced the clouds of darkness and smoke, and disclosed the face of
+the combatants to one another.</p>
+
+<p>Then the battle swelled afresh, and as the light swung higher and
+higher, showing all the forest, the Indian horde was driven back, giving
+ground at first slowly. Suddenly a powerful voice shouted a command and
+all the warriors who yet stood, disappeared among the trees, melting
+away as if they had been ghosts. They sent back no war cry, not another
+shot was fired, and the rising sun looked down upon a battlefield that
+was still, absolutely still. The wounded, stoics, both red and white,
+suppressed their groans, and Henry, looking from the shelter of the
+fallen tree, was awed as he had never been before by Indian combat.</p>
+
+<p>The day was of uncommon splendor. The sun shot down sheaves of red gold,
+and lighted up all the forest, disclosing the dead, lying often in
+singular positions, and the wounded, seeking in silence to bind their
+wounds. The smoke, drifting about in coils and eddies, rose slowly above
+the trees and over everything was that menacing silence.</p>
+
+<p>"If it were not for those men out there," said Paul, "it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> would all be
+like a dream, a nightmare, driven away by the day."</p>
+
+<p>"It's no dream," said Henry; "we've repulsed the Indians twice, but
+they're going to try to hold us here. They'll surround us with hundreds
+of sharpshooters, and every man who tries to go a hundred yards from the
+rest of us will get a bullet. I wish I knew where Logan's force is or
+what has become of it."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a mighty important thing to us," said Boone, "an' it'll grow
+more important every hour. I guess Logan has been attacked too, but he
+and Clark have got to unite or this campaign can't go on."</p>
+
+<p>Henry said nothing but he was very thoughtful. A plan was forming
+already in his mind. Yet it was one that compelled waiting. The day
+deepened and the Indian force was silent and invisible. The
+inexperienced would have thought that it was gone, but these borderers
+knew well enough that it was lying there in the deep woods not a quarter
+of a mile away, and as eager as ever for their destruction. Colonel
+Clark re&euml;nforced the detachment among the fallen trees, recognizing the
+great strength of the position, and he spoke many words of praise.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll send food to you," he said, "and meat and drink in plenty. After a
+night such as we have had refresh yourselves as much as you can."</p>
+
+<p>They had an abundance of stores in the boats, and the men were not
+stinted. Nor did they confine themselves to cold food. Fires were
+lighted in the woods nearest to the river, and they cooked beef,
+venison, pork and buffalo meat. Coffee was boiled in great cans of sheet
+iron, and breakfast was served first to the gallant hundred.</p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol, as he lay behind his tree, murmured words of great
+content. "It's a black night that don't end," he said, "an' I like fur
+mine to end jest this way. Provided I don't get hurt bad I'm willin' to
+fight my way to hot coffee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> an' rich buff'ler steak. This coffee makes
+me feel good right down to my toes, though I will say that there is a
+long-legged ornery creatur that kin make it even better than this. Hey,
+thar, Saplin'!"</p>
+
+<p>Long Jim Hart's mouth opened in a chasm of a grin.</p>
+
+<p>"I confess," he said, "I'm a purty good cook, ef I do tell it myself.
+But what are we goin' to do now, Henry?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's for Colonel Clark to say, and I don't think he'll say anything
+just yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Nice day," said Tom Ross, looking about approvingly.</p>
+
+<p>All the others laughed, yet Tom told the truth. The clouds were gone and
+the air had turned cooler. The forest looked splendid in its foliage,
+and off to the south they could see wild flowers.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothin' goin' to happen for some time," said Shif'less Sol, "an' me
+bein' a lazy man an' proud o' the fact, I think I'll go to sleep."</p>
+
+<p>Nobody said anything against it, and stretching himself out among the
+bushes which shaded his face, he was sleeping peacefully in a few
+minutes. Paul looked at him, and the impression which the slumbering man
+made upon him was so strong that his own eyelids drooped.</p>
+
+<p>"You go to sleep, too," said Henry. "You'll have nothing to do for
+hours, and sleep will bring back your strength."</p>
+
+<p>Paul had eaten a heavy breakfast, and he needed nothing more than
+Henry's words. He lay down by the side of his comrade, and soon he too
+was slumbering as soundly as Shif'less Sol. Several hours passed. The
+sun moved on in its regular course toward the zenith. Paul and the
+shiftless one still slept. Toward the eastern end of the camp someone
+ventured a little distance from the others, and received a bullet in his
+shoulder. A scout fired at the figure of an Indian that he saw for a
+moment leaping from one tree to another, but he could not tell whether
+he hit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> anything. At the other end of the camp there were occasional
+shots, but Paul and the shiftless one slept on.</p>
+
+<p>Henry glanced at the sleepers now and then and was pleased to see that
+they rested so well. He suggested to Jim Hart that he join them, and Jim
+promptly traveled to the same blissful country. Henry himself did not
+care to go to sleep. He was still meditating. All this sharpshooting by
+the two sides meant nothing. It was more an expression of restlessness
+than of any serious purpose, and he paid it no attention. Silent Tom
+noticed the corrugation of his brow, and he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Thinkin' hard, Henry?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; that is, I'm trying," replied Henry.</p>
+
+<p>Tom, his curiosity satisfied, relapsed into silence. He, too, cared
+little for the casual shots, but he was convinced that Henry had a plan
+which he would reveal in good time.</p>
+
+<p>The sniping went on all day long. Not a great deal of damage was done
+but it was sufficient to show to Colonel Clark that his men must lie
+close in camp. If the white army assumed the offensive, the great Indian
+force from the shelter of trees and bushes would annihilate it. And
+throughout the day he was tormented by fears about Logan. That leader
+was coming up the Licking with only three or four hundred men, and
+already they might have been destroyed. If so, he must forego the
+expedition against Chillicothe and the other Indian towns. It was a
+terrible dilemma, and the heart of the stout leader sank. Now and then
+he went along the semicircle, but he found that the Indians were always
+on watch. If a head were exposed, somebody sent a bullet at it. More
+than once he considered the need of a charge, but the deep woods forbade
+it. He was a man of great courage and many resources, but as he sat
+under the beech tree he could think of nothing to do.</p>
+
+<p>The day&mdash;one of many alarms and scattered firing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>&mdash;drew to its close.
+The setting sun tinted river and woods with red, and Colonel Clark,
+still sitting under his tree and ransacking every corner of his brain,
+could not yet see a way. While he sat there, Henry Ware came to him, and
+taking off his hat, announced that he wished to make a proposition.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Henry, my lad," said the Colonel, kindly, "what is it that you
+have to say? As for me, I confess I don't know what to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Somebody must go down the Licking and communicate with Colonel Logan,"
+replied the youth. "I feel sure that he has not come up yet, and that he
+has not been in contact with the Indians. If his force could break
+through and join us, we could drive the Indians out of our path."</p>
+
+<p>"Your argument is good as far as it goes," said Colonel Clark somewhat
+sadly, "but how are we to communicate with Logan? We are surrounded by a
+ring of fire. Not a man of ours dare go a hundred yards from camp. What
+way is there to reach Logan?"</p>
+
+<p>"By water."</p>
+
+<p>"By water? What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Down the Ohio and up the Licking."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark stared at Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"That's an easy thing to talk about," he said, "but who's going down the
+Ohio and then up the Licking for Logan?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;with your permission."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark stared still harder, and his eyes widened a little with
+appreciation, but he shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a patriotic and daring thing for you to propose, my boy," he said,
+"but it is impossible. You could never reach the mouth of the Licking
+even, and yours is too valuable a life to be thrown away in a wild
+attempt."</p>
+
+<p>But Henry was not daunted. He had thought over his plan long and well,
+and he believed that he could succeed.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been along the Ohio before, and I have also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> been down the
+Licking," he said. "The night promises to be cloudy and dark like last
+night and I feel sure that I can get through. I have thought out
+everything, and I wish to try. Say that you are willing for me to go,
+Colonel."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark hesitated. He had formed a strong liking for the tall
+youth before him, and he did not wish to see his life wasted, but the
+great earnestness of Henry's manner impressed him. The youth's quiet
+tone expressed conviction, and expressed it so strongly that Colonel
+Clark, in his turn, felt it.</p>
+
+<p>"What is your plan?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"When the night reaches its darkest I will start with a little raft,
+only four or five planks fastened together. I do not want a canoe. I
+want something that blends with the surface of the water. I'll swim,
+pushing it before me until I am tired, and then I'll rest upon it. Then
+I'll swim again."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think you can get through?" asked the Colonel.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure of it."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark paced back and forth for a minute or two.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks terribly dangerous," he said at last, "but from all I have
+heard you've done some wonderful things, and if you can reach Logan in
+time, it will relieve us from this coil."</p>
+
+<p>"I can do it! I can do it!" said Henry eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark looked at him long and scrutinizingly. He noted his
+height, his powerful figure, the wonderful elasticity that showed with
+every step he took, and his firm and resourceful gaze.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, go," he said, "and God be with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall start the moment full darkness comes," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"But we must arrange a signal in case you get through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> to Logan," said
+Colonel Clark. "He has a twelve pound bronze gun. I know positively that
+he left Lexington with it. Now if he approaches, have him fire a shot.
+We will reply with two shots from our guns, you answer with another from
+yours, and the signal will be complete. Then Logan is to attack the
+Indian ring from the outside with all his might, and, at the same moment
+and at the same point, we will attack from the inside with all of ours.
+Then, in truth, it will be strange if we do not win the victory."</p>
+
+<p>Henry returned to his comrades and told them the plan. They were loth to
+see him go, but they knew that attempts to dissuade him would be
+useless. Nevertheless, Shif'less Sol had an amendment.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me go with you, Henry," he said. "Two are better than one."</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Henry, "I must go alone, Sol. In this case the smaller the
+party the less likely it is to be seen. I'll try, and then if I fail, it
+will be your time."</p>
+
+<p>The night, as Henry had foreseen, was cloudy and dark. The moon and
+stars were hidden again, and two hundred yards from shore the surface of
+the river blended into the general blur. His little raft was made all
+ready. Four broad planks from the wagons had been nailed securely
+together with cross-strips. Upon them he laid his rifle and pistols&mdash;all
+in holsters&mdash;ammunition secured from the wet, and food and his clothing
+in tight bundles. He himself was bare, save for a waist cloth and belt,
+but in the belt he carried a hatchet and his long hunting knife.</p>
+
+<p>Only his four comrades, Colonel Clark and Boone were present when he
+started. Every one of the six in turn, wrung his hand. But the four who
+had known him longest and best were the most confident that he would
+reach Logan and achieve his task.</p>
+
+<p>Henry slipped silently into the water, and, pushing his raft before him,
+was gone like a wraith. He did not look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> back, knowing that for the
+present he must watch in front if he made the perilous passage. The
+boats belonging to the army were ranged toward the shore, but he was
+soon beyond them. Then he turned toward the bank, intending to keep deep
+in its shadows, and also in the shade of the overhanging boughs.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians had no fleet, but beyond a doubt they were well provided
+with canoes which would cruise on both rivers beyond the range of rifle
+shot, and keep a vigilant watch for messengers from either Clark or
+Logan. Hence Henry moved very slowly for a while, eagerly searching the
+darkness for any sign of his vigilant foe. He rested one arm upon his
+little raft, and with the other he wielded a small paddle which sent him
+along easily.</p>
+
+<p>As it nears Cincinnati the Ohio narrows and deepens, and the banks rise
+more abruptly. Henry kept close to the southern shore, his body often
+touching the soft earth. Fortunately the bushes grew thickly, even on
+the steep cliff, to the water's edge. When he had gone three or four
+hundred yards he pulled in among them and lay still awhile. He heard the
+sound of distant shots and he knew that the Indians were still sniping
+the camp. The curve of the Ohio hid the boats of his friends, and before
+him the river seemed to be deserted. Yet he was sure that the Indian
+canoes were on watch. They might be hovering within fifty yards of him.</p>
+
+<p>He listened for the noise of paddles, but no such sound came, and
+pushing his tiny craft from the coil of bushes, he set out once more
+upon the Ohio. Still hearing and seeing nothing, he went a little
+faster. Henry was a powerful swimmer, and the raft, small as it was,
+gave him ample support. Meanwhile, he sought sedulously to avoid any
+noise, knowing that only an incautious splash made by his paddle would
+almost certainly be heard by an Indian ear.</p>
+
+<p>Presently he saw on the northern bank a light, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> another light
+farther up the stream. Probably the Indians were signaling to one
+another, but it did not matter to him, and he swam on towards the mouth
+of the Licking, now about a half mile away. Another hundred yards and he
+quickly and silently drew in to the bank again, pushing the raft far
+back, until it, as well as himself, was hidden wholly. He had heard the
+distant sounds of paddles coming in his direction, and soon two Indian
+canoes in file came in sight. Each canoe contained two warriors. Henry
+inferred from the way in which they scrutinized the river and the bank,
+that they were sentinels. Well for him that the bushes grew thick and
+high. The penetrating Indian eyes passed unsuspecting over his hiding
+place, and went on, dropping slowly down the river to a point where they
+could watch the white boats. A hundred yards in that darkness was
+sufficient to put them out of sight, and Henry again pushed boldly into
+the stream.</p>
+
+<p>The young blockade runner now had a theory that the sentinel boats of
+the Indians would keep close in to the shore. That would be their
+natural procedure, and to avoid them he swam boldly far out into the
+river. Near the middle of the current he paddled once more up stream.
+Only his head showed above the surface and the raft was so low that no
+one was likely to notice it. The wisdom of his movement soon showed as
+he made out three more canoes near the Kentucky shore, obviously on
+watch. Toward the north, at a point not more than seventy or eighty
+yards away he saw another canoe containing three warriors and apparently
+stationary. Others might be further ahead, but the darkness was too
+great for him to tell. Clearly, there was no passage except in the
+middle of the stream, the very point that he had chosen.</p>
+
+<p>Many a stout heart would have turned back, but pride commanded Henry to
+go on. Fortunately, the water lying long under the summer heat was very
+warm, and one could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> stay in it indefinitely, without fear of chill.
+While he deliberated a little, he sank down until he could breathe only
+through his nostrils, keeping one hand upon the raft. Then he began to
+swim slowly with his feet and the other hand and all the while he kept
+his eyes upon the stationary boat containing the three warriors. By dint
+of staring at them so long they began to appear clear and sharp in the
+darkness. Two were middle-aged, and one young. He judged them to be
+Wyandots, and they had an anchor as they did not use the paddles to
+offset the current. Undoubtedly they were sentinels, as their gaze made
+a continuous circle about them. Henry knew, too, that they were using
+ears as well as eyes and that nobody could hear better than the
+Wyandots.</p>
+
+<p>He decreased his pace, merely creeping through the water, and at the
+same time he swung back a little toward the southern shore and away from
+the Wyandots in the canoe. But the movement was a brief one. To the
+right of him he saw two more canoes and he knew that they formed a part
+of the chain of sentinels stretched by Timmendiquas across the river. It
+was obvious to Henry that the Wyandot leader was fully aware of the
+advance of Logan, and was resolved to prevent the passage of any
+messenger between him and Clark.</p>
+
+<p>Henry paused again, still clinging to his little raft, and holding his
+place in the current with a slight motion of his feet. Then he advanced
+more slowly than ever, choosing a point which he thought was exactly
+half way between the Wyandots and the other canoes, but he feared the
+Wyandots most. Twenty yards, and he stopped. One of the Wyandot warriors
+seemed to have seen something. He was looking fixedly in Henry's
+direction. Boughs and stumps of every sort often floated down the Ohio.
+He might have caught a glimpse of Henry's head. He would take it for a
+small stump, but he would not stop to surmise.</p>
+
+<p>Holding the planks with but one hand, Henry dived about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> two feet
+beneath the surface and swam silently but powerfully up the stream. He
+swam until his head seemed to swell and the water roared in his ears. He
+swam until his heart pounded from exhaustion and then he rose slowly to
+the surface, not knowing whether or not he would rise among his enemies.</p>
+
+<p>No one greeted him with a shot or blow as he came up, and, when his eyes
+cleared themselves of water, he saw the Wyandot canoe cruising about
+sixty or seventy yards down the stream, obviously looking for the dark
+spot that one of them had seen upon the surface of the river. They might
+look in his direction, but he believed that he was too far away to be
+noticed. Still, he could not tell, and one with less command of himself
+would have swam desperately away. Henry, instead, remained perfectly
+still, sunk in the water up to his nostrils, one hand only yet clinging
+to the raft. The Wyandots turned southward, joined their brethren from
+the Kentucky shore and talked earnestly with them. Henry used the
+opportunity to swim about a hundred yards further up the stream, and
+then, when the canoes separated, he remained perfectly still again. In
+the foggy darkness he feared most the Indian ear which could detect at
+once any sound out of the common. But the Wyandot canoe returned to its
+old place and remained stationary there. Evidently the warriors were
+convinced that they had seen only a stump.</p>
+
+<p>Henry now swam boldly and swiftly, still remaining in the middle of the
+stream. He saw several lights in the woods on the southern shore, not
+those of signals, but probably the luminous glow from camp fires as they
+burned with a steady blaze. The Indians were on watch, and the faint
+sound of two or three rifle shots showed that the night did not keep
+them from buzzing and stinging about Colonel Clark's force. Yet Henry's
+pulse leaped in throat and temple. He had passed one formidable obstacle
+and it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> a good omen. The stars in their courses were fighting for
+him, and he would triumph over the others as they came.</p>
+
+<p>But he checked his speed, thinking that the Indian canoes would be thick
+around the mouth of the Licking, and presently he became conscious of a
+great weariness. He had been in the water a long time and one could not
+dive and swim forever. His arms and legs ached and he felt a soreness in
+his chest. It was too dangerous to pull in to the bank at that point,
+and he tried a delicate experiment. He sought to crawl upon his little
+raft and lie there flat upon his back, a task demanding the skill of an
+acrobat.</p>
+
+<p>Three or four times Henry was within an inch of overturning his frail
+craft with the precious freight, but he persisted, and by skillfully
+balancing himself and the raft too he succeeded at last. Then he was
+compelled to lie perfectly still, with his arms outstretched and his
+feet in the water. He was flat upon his back and he could look at only
+the heavens, which offered to his view nothing&mdash;no bright stars and
+shining moon, only lowering clouds. If an enemy appeared, he must depend
+upon his ear to give warning. But the physical difficulty of his
+position did not keep him from feeling a delightful sense of rest. The
+soreness left his chest, the ache disappeared from his arms and legs,
+and he drew the fresh air into his lungs in deep and easy breaths. An
+occasional kick of his feet kept the raft from floating down stream,
+and, for a while, he lay there, studying the clouds, and wondering how
+long it would be until the twinkle of a star would break through them.
+He heard the sound of both paddles and oars, the first to the north and
+the other to the south. But his experienced ear told him that each was
+at least two hundred yards away, which was too far for anyone to see him
+stretched out upon his boards. So he rested on and waited for his ears
+to tell him whether the sounds were coming any nearer. The boat with the
+oars passed out of hearing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> and the sound of the oars became fainter and
+fainter. Henry's heart ticked a note of thankfulness. He would not be
+disturbed for the present, and he continued his study of the low clouds,
+while the strength flowed back into every part of his body.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred to him presently that he could steer as well as propel his
+float with his feet. So he set to work, threshing the water very slowly
+and carefully, and turning his head towards the mouth of the Licking.
+Occasionally he heard the sounds of both oars and paddles, but he judged
+very accurately that those who wielded them were not near enough to see
+him. He was thankful that the night was not broken like the one before
+with flashes of lightning which would infallibly have disclosed him to
+the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>After a half hour of this work, he felt a strange current of water
+against his feet, and at first he was puzzled, but the solution came in
+a few minutes. He was opposite the mouth of the Licking, and he had come
+into contact with the stream before it was fully merged into the Ohio.
+What should he do next? The cordon across the Licking, a much narrower
+river, would be harder to pass than that on the Ohio.</p>
+
+<p>But he was rested fully now, and, sliding off his boards into the water,
+he took a long survey of his situation. No break had yet occurred in the
+clouds, and this was a supreme good fortune. To the east, he dimly saw
+two boats, and to the south, the high black bank. No lights were visible
+there, but he saw them further down the shore, where it was likely that
+the majority of the warriors were gathered. Henry resolved to make
+directly for the angle of land between the mouth of the Licking and the
+Ohio, and he swam toward it with swift, powerful strokes, pushing his
+raft before him.</p>
+
+<p>He calculated that at this angle of land he would be between the two
+Indian cordons, and there, if anywhere, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> could find the way to Logan.
+He reached the point, found it well covered with bushes, and drew the
+little raft into concealment. Then he climbed cautiously to the top and
+looked long in every direction, seeking to trace the precise alignment
+of the Indian force. He saw lights in the woods directly to the south
+and along the shore of the Licking. The way there was closed and he knew
+that the watch would be all the more vigilant in order to intercept the
+coming of Logan. He could not pass on land. Hence, he must pass on
+water.</p>
+
+<p>There were yet many long hours before daylight, and he did not hasten.
+Although the water was warm he had been in it a long time and he took
+every precaution to maintain his physical powers. He did not dress, but
+he rubbed thoroughly every part of his body that he could reach. Then he
+flexed and tensed his muscles until he had thrown off every chance of
+chill, after which he lowered himself into the water, and pushed out
+with his raft once more.</p>
+
+<p>He turned the angle of land and entered the Licking, a narrow, deep, and
+muddy stream, lined there, like all the other rivers of that region,
+with high and thick forests. Ahead of him, he saw in the stream a half
+dozen boats with warriors, yet he continued his course towards the
+cordon, keeping his float very close to the western banks. It is said
+that fortune favors the daring, and Henry had often proved the truth of
+it. Once more the saying held good. Clouds heavier and thicker than any
+of the others floated up and plunged river and shores into deeper
+obscurity. Henry believed that if he could avoid all noise, he might, by
+hugging the bank, get by.</p>
+
+<p>He went in so close to the shore that he could wade, but finding that he
+was likely to become tangled among bushes and vines, thus making sounds
+which the warriors would not fail to hear, he returned to deeper water.
+Now the most critical moment of the river gauntlet was approaching. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>
+saw about one hundred yards before him, and directly across his course,
+a boat containing two warriors. The space between this boat and the
+western shore was not more than thirty yards. Could he pass them,
+unseen? The chances were against it, but he resolved to try.</p>
+
+<p>Swimming silently, he approached the opening. He had sunk deep in the
+water again, with only one hand on the float, and there was yet nothing
+from the boat to indicate that the two warriors had either seen or heard
+him. Despite all his experience, his heart beat very fast, and his hand
+on the float trembled. But he had no thought of going back. Now he was
+almost parallel with the boat. Now, he was parallel, and the watchful
+eye of one of the warriors caught a glimpse of the darker object on the
+surface of the dark water. He stared a moment in surprise, and then with
+a yell of warning to his comrade, raised his rifle and fired at the
+swimming head.</p>
+
+<p>Henry had seen the upraised rifle, and diving instantly, he swam with
+all his might up stream. As he went down, he heard the bullet go zip
+upon the water. Knowing that he could not save his little craft, he had
+loosed his hold upon it and swam under water as long as he could. Yet
+those boards and the packages upon them saved his life. They were the
+only things that the warriors now saw, and all rowed straight towards
+the raft. Meanwhile, Henry rose in the bushes at the edge of the bank
+and took long and deep breaths, while they examined his rifle and
+clothing. Before they had finished, he dived into the deep water once
+more, and was again swimming swiftly against the current of the
+Licking.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX<br />
+<small>THE COUNTER-STROKE</small></h2>
+
+<p>Colonel Benjamin Logan was standing in a small opening near the banks of
+the Licking about five miles south of its junction with the Ohio. Dawn
+had just come but it had been a troubled night. The country around him
+was beautiful, a primeval wilderness with deep fertile soil and splendid
+forest. His company, too, was good&mdash;several hundred stalwart men from
+Lexington, Boonesborough, Harrod's Station and several other settlements
+in the country, destined to become so famous as the Bluegrass region of
+Kentucky. Yet, as has been said, the night was uneasy and he saw no
+decrease of worry.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Logan was a man of stout nerves, seldom troubled by insomnia,
+but he had not slept. His scouts had told him that there were Indians in
+the forest ahead. One or two incautious explorers had been wounded by
+bullets fired from hidden places. He and the best men with him had felt
+that they were surrounded by an invisible enemy, and just at the time
+that he needed knowledge, it was hardest to achieve it. It was important
+for him to move on, highly important because he wanted to effect a
+junction for a great purpose with George Rogers Clark, a very famous
+border leader. Yet he could learn nothing of Clark. He did not receive
+any news from him, nor could he send any to him. Every scout who tried
+it was driven back, and after suffering agonies of doubt through that
+long and ominous night, the brave leader and skillful borderer had
+concluded that the most powerful Indian force ever sent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> to Kentucky was
+in front of him. His men had brought rumors that it was led by the
+renowned Wyandot chief, Timmendiquas, with Red Eagle, Black Panther,
+Moluntha, Captain Pipe and the renegade Girty as his lieutenants.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Logan, brave man that he was, was justified when he felt many
+fears. His force was not great, and, surrounded, it might be overwhelmed
+and cut off. For the border to lose three or four hundred of its best
+men would be fatal. Either he must retreat or he must effect a junction
+with Clark of whose location he knew nothing. A more terrible choice has
+seldom been presented to a man. Harrod, Kenton and other famous scouts
+stood with him and shared his perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall we do, gentlemen?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>There was no answer save the sound of a rifle shot from the woods in
+front of them.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't blame you for not answering," said the Colonel moodily,
+"because I don't know of anything you can say. Listen to those shots! We
+may be fighting for our lives before noon, but, by all the powers, I
+won't go back. We can't do it! Now in the name of all that's wonderful
+what is that?"</p>
+
+<p>Every pair of eyes was turned toward the muddy surface of the Licking,
+where a white body floated easily. As they looked the body came to the
+bank, raised itself up in the shape of a human being and stepped ashore,
+leaving a trail of water on the turf. It was the figure of a youth, tall
+and powerful beyond his kind and bare to the waist. He came straight
+toward Logan.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, who under the sun are you and what do you want!" exclaimed the
+startled Colonel.</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Henry Ware," replied the youth in a pleasant voice, "and
+what I want is first a blanket and after that some clothes, but
+meanwhile I tell you that I am a messenger from Colonel Clark whom you
+wish to join."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"A messenger from Colonel Clark?" exclaimed Logan. "How do we know
+this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Simon Kenton there knows me well and he can vouch for me; can't you
+Simon?" continued the youth in the same pleasant voice.</p>
+
+<p>"And so I can!" exclaimed Kenton, springing forward and warmly grasping
+the outstretched hand. "I didn't know you at first, Henry, which is
+natural, because it ain't your habit to wander around in the daytime
+with nothing on but a waist band."</p>
+
+<p>"But how is it that you came up the Licking," persisted Colonel Logan,
+still suspicious. "Is Colonel Clark in the habit of sending unclothed
+messengers up rivers?"</p>
+
+<p>"I came that way," replied Henry, "because all the others are closed.
+I've been swimming nearly all night or rather floating, because I had a
+little raft to help me. I came up the Ohio and then up the Licking. I
+ran the Indian gauntlet on both rivers. At the gauntlet on the Licking I
+lost my raft which carried my rifle, clothes and ammunition. However
+here I am pretty wet and somewhat tired, but as far as I know, sound."</p>
+
+<p>"You can rely on every word he says, Colonel," exclaimed Simon Kenton.</p>
+
+<p>"I do believe him absolutely," said Colonel Logan, "and here, Mr. Ware,
+is my blanket. Wear it until we get your clothes. And now what of
+Clark?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is only about six miles away with seven hundred veterans. He was
+attacked night before last by Timmendiquas, Girty and all the power of
+the allied tribes, but we drove them off. Colonel Clark and his men are
+in an impregnable position, and they await only your coming to beat the
+whole Indian force. He has sent me to tell you so."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Logan fairly sprang up in his joy.</p>
+
+<p>"Only six miles away!" he exclaimed. "Then we'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> soon be with him.
+Young sir, you shall have the best clothes and the best rifle the camp
+can furnish, for yours has been a daring mission and a successful one.
+How on earth did you ever do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think luck helped me," replied Henry modestly.</p>
+
+<p>"Luck? Nonsense! Luck can't carry a man through such an ordeal as that.
+No, sir; it was skill and courage and strength. Now here is breakfast,
+and while you eat, your new clothes and your new rifle shall be brought
+to you."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Logan was as good as his word. When Henry finished his breakfast
+and discarded the blanket he arrayed himself in a beautifully tanned and
+fringed suit of deerskin, and ran his hand lovingly along the long
+slender barrel of a silver-mounted rifle, the handsomest weapon he had
+ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>"It is yours," said Colonel Logan, "in place of the one that you have
+lost, and you shall have also double-barreled pistols. And now as we are
+about to advance, we shall have to call upon you to be our guide."</p>
+
+<p>Henry responded willingly. He was fully rested, and at such a moment he
+had not thought of sleep. Preceded by scouts, Logan's force advanced
+cautiously through the woods near the Licking. About a score of shots
+were fired at them, but, after the shots, the Indian skirmishers fell
+back on their main force. When they had gone about two miles Logan
+stopped his men, and ordered a twelve-pound cannon of which they were
+very proud to be brought forward.</p>
+
+<p>It was rolled into a little open space, loaded only with blank
+cartridges and fired. Doubtless many of the men wondered why it was
+discharged seemingly at random into the forest, because Colonel Logan
+had talked only with Henry Ware, Simon Kenton and a few others. But the
+sound of the shot rolled in a deep boom through the woods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Will he hear?" asked Colonel Logan.</p>
+
+<p>"He'll hear," replied Simon Kenton with confidence. "The sound will
+travel far through this still air. It will reach him."</p>
+
+<p>They waited with the most intense anxiety one minute, two minutes, and
+out of the woods in the north came the rolling report in reply. A half
+minute more and then came the second sound just like the first.</p>
+
+<p>"The signal! They answer! They answer!" exclaimed Colonel Logan
+joyously. "Now to make it complete."</p>
+
+<p>When the last echo of the second shot in the north had died, the
+twelve-pounder was fired again. Then it was reloaded, but not with blank
+cartridges, and the word to advance was given. Now the men pressed
+forward with increased eagerness, but they still took wilderness
+precaution. Trees and hillocks were used for shelter, and from the trees
+and hillocks in front of them the Indian skirmishers poured a heavy
+fire. Logan's men replied and the forest was alive with the sounds of
+battle. Bullets cut twigs and bushes, and the white man's shout replied
+to the red man's war whoop. The cannon was brought up, and fired
+cartridges and then grape shot at the point where the enemy's force
+seemed to be thickest. The Indians gave way before this terrifying fire,
+and Logan's men followed them. But the Colonel always kept a heavy force
+on either flank to guard against ambush, and Henry was continually by
+his side to guide. They went a full mile and then Henry, who was
+listening, exclaimed joyfully:</p>
+
+<p>"They're coming to meet us! Don't you hear their fire?"</p>
+
+<p>Above the crash of his own combat Colonel Logan heard the distant
+thudding of cannon, and, as he listened, that thudding came nearer.
+These were certainly the guns of Clark, and he was as joyous as Henry.
+Their co&ouml;peration<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> was now complete, and the courage and daring of one
+youth had made it possible. His own force pushed forward faster, and
+soon they could hear the rifles of the heavier battle in the north.</p>
+
+<p>"We've got 'em! We've got 'em!" shouted Simon Kenton. "They are caught
+between the two jaws of a vice, and the bravest Indians that ever lived
+can never stand that."</p>
+
+<p>Logan ordered his men to spread out in a longer and thinner line,
+although he kept at least fifty of his best about the cannon to prevent
+any attempt at capture. The twelve-pounder may not have done much
+execution upon an enemy who fought chiefly from shelter, but he knew
+that its effect was terrifying, and he did not mean to lose the gun. His
+precaution was taken well, as a picked band of Wyandots, Shawnees and
+Miamis, springing suddenly from the undergrowth, made a determined
+charge to the very muzzle of the cannon. There was close fighting, hand
+to hand, the shock of white bodies against red, the flash of exploding
+powder and the glitter of steel, but the red band was at last driven
+back, although not without loss to the defenders. The struggle had been
+so desperate that Colonel Logan drew more men about the cannon, and then
+pressed on again. The firing to the north was growing louder, indicating
+that Clark, too, was pushing his way through the forest. The two forces
+were now not much more than a mile apart, and Simon Kenton shouted that
+the battle would cease inside of five minutes.</p>
+
+<p>Kenton was a prophet. Almost at the very moment predicted by him the
+Indian fire stopped with a suddenness that seemed miraculous. Every
+dusky flitting form vanished. No more jets of flame arose, the smoke
+floated idly about as if it had been made by bush fires, and Logan's men
+found that nobody was before them. There was something weird and uncanny
+about it. The sudden disappearance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> of so strong and numerous an enemy
+seemed to partake of magic. But Henry understood well. Always a shrewd
+general, Timmendiquas, seeing that the battle was lost, and that he
+might soon be caught in an unescapable trap, had ordered the warriors to
+give up the fight, and slip away through the woods.</p>
+
+<p>Pressing forward with fiery zeal and energy, Clark and Logan met in the
+forest and grasped hands. The two forces fused at the same time and
+raised a tremendous cheer. They had beaten the allied tribes once more,
+and had formed the union which they believed would make them invincible.
+A thousand foresters, skilled in every wile and strategy of Indian war
+were indeed a formidable force, and they had a thorough right to
+rejoice, as they stood there in the wilderness greeting one another
+after a signal triumph. Save for the fallen, there was no longer a sign
+of the warriors. All their wounded had been taken away with them.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard your cannon shot, just when I was beginning to give up hope,"
+said Colonel Clark to Colonel Logan.</p>
+
+<p>"And you don't know how welcome your reply was," replied Logan, "but it
+was all due to a great boy named Henry Ware."</p>
+
+<p>"So he got through?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he did. He arrived clothed only in a waist band, and the first we
+saw of him was his head emerging from the muddy waters of the Licking.
+He swam, floated and dived all night long until he got to us. He was
+chased by canoes, and shot at by warriors, but nothing could stop him,
+and without him we couldn't have done anything, because there was no
+other way for us to hear a word from you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, there he is now. But I see that he is clothed and armed."</p>
+
+<p>Henry had appeared just then with his comrades, looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> among the
+bushes to see if any savage yet lay there in ambush, and the two
+Colonels seized upon him. They could not call him by complimentary names
+enough, and they told him that he alone had made the victory possible.
+Henry, blushing, got away from them as quickly as he could, and rejoined
+his friends.</p>
+
+<p>"That shorely was a great swim of yours, Henry," said Shif'less Sol,
+"an' you're pow'ful lucky that the water was warm."</p>
+
+<p>"My little raft helped me a lot," rejoined Henry, "and I'm mighty sorry
+I lost it, although Colonel Logan has given me the best rifle I ever
+saw. I wonder what will be our next movement."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark, who was now in command of the whole force, the other
+officers co&ouml;perating with him and obeying him loyally, deemed it wise to
+spend the day in rest. The men had gone through long hours of waiting,
+watching and fighting and their strength must be restored. Scouts
+reported that the Indians had crossed the Licking and then the Ohio, and
+were retreating apparently toward Chillicothe, their greatest town. Some
+wanted Colonel Clark to follow them at once and strike another blow, but
+he was too wise. The Indian facility for retreat was always great. They
+could scatter in the forest in such a way that it was impossible to find
+them, but if rashly followed they could unite as readily and draw their
+foe into a deadly ambush. Clark, a master of border warfare, who was
+never tricked by them, let them go and bided his time. He ordered many
+fires to be lighted and food in abundance to be served. The spirits of
+the men rose to the highest pitch. Even the wounded rejoiced.</p>
+
+<p>After eating, Henry found that he needed sleep. He did not feel the
+strain and anxiety of the long night and of the morning battle, until it
+was all over. Then his whole system relaxed, and, throwing himself down
+on the turf, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> went sound asleep. When he awoke the twilight was
+coming and Paul and Shif'less Sol sat near him.</p>
+
+<p>"We had to guard you most of the time, Henry," said Shif'less Sol,
+"'cause you're a sort of curiosity. Fellers hev kep' comin' here to see
+the lad what swam the hull len'th o' the Ohio an' then the hull len'th
+o' the Lickin', most o' the time with his head under water, an' we had
+to keep 'em from wakin' you. We'd let 'em look at you, but we wouldn't
+let 'em speak or breathe loud. You wuz sleepin' so purty that we could
+not bear to hev you waked up."</p>
+
+<p>Henry laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Quit making fun of me, Sol," he said, "and tell me what's happened
+since I've been asleep."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothin' much. The Indians are still retreatin' through the woods across
+the Ohio an' Colonel Clark shows his good hoss sense by not follerin'
+'em, ez some o' our hot heads want him to do. Wouldn't Timmendiquas like
+to draw us into an ambush,&mdash;say in some valley in the thick o' the
+forest with a couple o' thousand warriors behind the trees an' on the
+ridges all aroun' us. Oh, wouldn't he? An' what would be left of us
+after it wuz all over? I ask you that, Henry."</p>
+
+<p>"Mighty little, I'm afraid."</p>
+
+<p>"Next to nothin', I know. I tell you Henry our Colonel Clark is a real
+gin'ral. He's the kind I like to foller, an' we ain't goin' to see no
+sich sight ez the one we saw at Wyomin'."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure we won't," said Henry. "Now have any of you slept to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"All o' us hev took naps, not long but mighty deep an' comfortin'. So
+we're ready fur anythin' from a fight to a foot race, whichever 'pears
+to be the better fur us."</p>
+
+<p>"Where are Paul and Tom and Jim?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cruisin' about in their restless, foolish way. I told 'em<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> to sit right
+down on the groun' and keep still an' enjoy theirselves while they
+could, but my wise words wuz wasted. Henry, sometimes I think that only
+lazy men like me hev good sense."</p>
+
+<p>The missing three appeared a minute or two later and were received by
+the shiftless one with the objurgations due to what he considered
+misspent energy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm for a scout to-night," said Henry. "Are all of you with me?"</p>
+
+<p>Three answered at once:</p>
+
+<p>"Of course."</p>
+
+<p>But Shif'less Sol groaned.</p>
+
+<p>"Think o' going out after dark when you might lay here an' snooze
+comf'ably," he said; "but sence you fellers are so foolish an'
+headstrong you'll need some good sens'ble man to take keer o' you."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Sol," said Henry, with much gravity. "Now that we have your
+reluctant consent we need only to ask Colonel Clark."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark had no objection. In fact, he would not question any act
+of the five, whom he knew to be free lances of incomparable skill and
+knowledge in the wilderness.</p>
+
+<p>"You know better than I what to do," he said, smiling, "and as for you,
+Mr. Ware, you have already done more than your share in this campaign."</p>
+
+<p>They left shortly after dark. The united camp was pitched at the
+junction of the Ohio and Licking, but along the bank of the larger
+river. Most of the boats were tied to the shore, and they had a heavy
+guard. There was also a strong patrol across the mouth of the Licking,
+and all the way to the northern bank of the Ohio.</p>
+
+<p>The five embarked in a large boat with four oarsmen and they lay at ease
+while they were pulled across the broad stream. Behind them they saw the
+numerous lights of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> camp, twinkling in the woods. Clark meant that
+his men should be cheerful, and light ministers to good spirits. Ahead
+of him there was no break in the dark line of forest, but they
+approached it without apprehension, assured by other scouts that the
+Indian retreat had not ceased.</p>
+
+<p>They were landed on the northern bank and stating to the boatmen that
+they would be back in the morning, they plunged into the woods. There
+was some moonlight, and in a short time they picked up the trail of the
+main Indian force. They followed it until midnight and found that it
+maintained a steady course toward Chillicothe. Henry was satisfied that
+Timmendiquas meant to fall back on the town, and make a stand there
+where he could hope for victory, but he was not sure that smaller bands
+would not lurk in Clark's path, and try to cut up and weaken his force
+as it advanced. Hence, he left the great trail and turned to the right.
+In a mile or so they heard sounds and peering through the woods saw
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and about a dozen Shawnee warriors sitting
+about a small fire. Paul incautiously stepped upon a dead bough which
+cracked beneath his weight, and the Indians at once leaped up, rifle in
+hand. They fired several shots into the bushes whence the sound had
+come, but the five had already taken shelter, and they sent bullets in
+return. Rifles cracked sharply and jets of smoke arose.</p>
+
+<p>A combat did not enter into Henry's calculation. It was one thing that
+he wished especially to avoid, but neither he nor any other of the five
+could bear to make a hasty retreat before Braxton Wyatt. They held their
+ground, and sent in a fire so rapid and accurate that Wyatt and
+Blackstaffe thought they were attacked by a force larger than their own,
+and, fearing to be trapped, finally retreated. The result appealed
+irresistibly to Shif'less Sol's sense of humor.</p>
+
+<p>"Ef they hadn't run, we would," he said. "Jest think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> how often that's
+the case. Many a feller gits beat 'cause he don't wait for the other to
+beat hisself."</p>
+
+<p>They were all buoyant over the affair, and they followed some distance,
+until they saw that Wyatt and Blackstaffe had changed their course in
+order to join the main band, when they started back to Clark, having
+seen all they wished. They arrived at the river about daylight, and were
+ordered to the southern shore where they made a report that was greatly
+satisfactory to the commander. Clark passed his whole force over the
+Ohio the next day and then built a small fort on the site of Cincinnati,
+placing in it all the surplus stores and ammunition.</p>
+
+<p>Several days were spent here, and, throughout that time, Henry and his
+comrades scouted far and wide, going as far as thirty miles beyond the
+fort. But the woods were bare of Indians, and Henry was confirmed in his
+belief that Timmendiquas, after the failure at the mouth of the Licking,
+was concentrating everything on Chillicothe, expecting to resist to the
+utmost.</p>
+
+<p>"Thar's bound to be a pow'ful big battle at that town," said Shif'less
+Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"I think so, too," said Henry, "and we've got to guard against walking
+into any trap. I wish I knew what thought is lying just now in the back
+of the head of Timmendiquas."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll soon know, 'cause it won't take us many days to git to
+Chillicothe," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>The army took up its march the next day, going straight toward
+Chillicothe. It was the most formidable white force that had yet
+appeared in the western woods, and every man in it was full of
+confidence. It was not only an army, but it marched in the shape and
+fashion of one. The borderers, used to their own way, yielded readily to
+the tact and great name of Clark. The first division under Clark's own
+command, with the artillery, military stores and baggage in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> the center,
+led; Logan, who ranked next to Clark, commanded the rear.</p>
+
+<p>The men walked in four lines, with a space of forty yards between every
+two lines. On each flank was a band of veteran scouts and skirmishers.
+In front of the white army, but never out of sight, marched a strong
+detachment of skilled woodsmen and marksmen. In the rear and at a
+similar distance, came another such band.</p>
+
+<p>Clark also took further precautions against surprise and confusion. He
+issued an order that in case of attack in front the vanguard was to
+stand fast while the two lines on the right of the artillery were to
+wheel to the right, and the two on the left were to wheel to the left.
+Then the cannon and the whole line were to advance at the double quick
+to the support of the vanguard. If they were attacked from behind, the
+vanguard was to stand fast, and the whole proceeding was to be reversed.
+If they were attacked on either flank, the two lines on that flank and
+the artillery were to stand where they were, while the other two lines
+wheeled and formed, one on the van and the other on the rear. The men
+had been drilled repeatedly in their movements, and they executed them
+with skill. It now remained to be seen whether they would do as much
+under the influence of surprise and a heavy fire. Everyone believed they
+would stand against any form of attack.</p>
+
+<p>The commanders seemed to think of all things, and the training of the
+army excited the admiration of Henry and his comrades. They felt that it
+would be very hard to catch such a force in a trap, or, if it should be
+caught, there was nothing in the wilderness to hold it there. The five
+were not in the line. In fact, they kept ahead of the vanguard itself,
+but they often came back to make their reports to Clark. It was now the
+beginning of August, and the heat was great in the woods. The men were
+compelled to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> rest in the middle of the day and they drank thirstily
+from every brook they passed.</p>
+
+<p>Clark expected that they would be annoyed by the Indian skirmishers, but
+the first day passed, and then the second and not a shot was fired. The
+five and the other scouts assured him that no warriors were near, but he
+did not like the silence. Bowman and a strong force had attacked
+Chillicothe the year before, but had been repulsed. Undoubtedly it would
+now have a still stronger defense and he wondered what could be the plan
+of Timmendiquas. A border leader, in a land covered with great forests
+was compelled to guard every moment against the cunning and stratagem of
+a foe who lived by cunning and stratagem.</p>
+
+<p>The second night a council was held, and Henry and all his comrades were
+summoned to it. Would or would not the Indians fight before the white
+force reached Chillicothe? The country was rough and presented many good
+places for defense. Colonel Clark asked the question, and he looked
+anxiously around at the little group. Daniel Boone spoke first. He
+believed that no resistance would be offered until they reached
+Chillicothe. Simon Kenton and Abe Thomas shared his opinion. Henry stood
+modestly in the background and waited until Colonel Clark put the
+question. Then he replied with a proposition:</p>
+
+<p>"I think that Colonel Boone is right," he said, "but I and four others
+have been associated a long time in work of this kind. We are used to
+the forest, and we can move faster in it. Let us go ahead. We will see
+what is being prepared at Chillicothe, and we will report to you."</p>
+
+<p>"But the risk to you five?"</p>
+
+<p>"We're ready to take it. Everybody in the army is taking it."</p>
+
+<p>Henry's plan was so promising that he soon had his way. He and the
+others were to start immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"Go, my boy, and God bless you," said Colonel Clark.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> "We want all the
+information you can bring, but don't take excessive risks."</p>
+
+<p>Henry gave his promise, left the council, and in five minutes he and his
+comrades were deep in the forest, and beyond the sight of their own camp
+fires. The weather was now clear and there was a good moon and many
+stars. Far to the right of them rose the hoot of an owl, but it was a
+real owl and they paid no attention to it.</p>
+
+<p>"Jest what are you figurin' on, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that if we travel hard all of to-night," replied Henry, "and
+then take it easy to-morrow that we can reach Chillicothe early
+to-morrow night. We ought to learn there in a few hours all that we want
+to know, and we can be back with the army on the following day."</p>
+
+<p>None of the five had ever been at Chillicothe, but all of them knew very
+well its location. It was the largest Indian village in the Ohio River
+Valley, and many a foray had gone from it. They knew that the forest ran
+continuously from where they were almost to its edge, and they believed
+that they could approach without great difficulty. After a consultation
+they settled upon the exact point toward which they would go, and then,
+Henry leading the way, they sped onward in a silent file. Hour after
+hour they traveled without speaking. The moon was out, but they kept to
+the deepest parts of the forest and its rays rarely reached them. They
+used the long running walk of the frontiersman and their toughened
+muscles seemed never to tire. Every one of them breathed regularly and
+easily, but the miles dropped fast behind them. They leaped little
+brooks, and twice they waded creeks, in one of which the water went far
+past their knees, but their buckskin trousers dried upon them as they
+ran on. The moon went behind floating clouds, and then came back again
+but it made no difference to them. They went on at the same swift, even
+pace, and it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> was nearly morning when Henry gave the signal to stop.</p>
+
+<p>He saw a place that he thought would suit them for their informal camp,
+a dense thicket of bushes and vines on a hill, a thicket that even in
+the daylight would be impervious to the keenest eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose we crawl in here and rest awhile," he said. "We mustn't break
+ourselves down."</p>
+
+<p>"Looks all right," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>They crept into the dense covert, and all went to sleep except Henry and
+Ross who lay down without closing their eyes, theirs being the turn to
+watch. Henry saw the sun rise and gild the forest that seemed to be
+without human being save themselves. Beyond the thicket in which they
+lay there was not much underbrush and as Henry watched on all sides for
+a long time he was sure that no Indian had come near. He was confirmed
+in this opinion by two deer that appeared amid the oak openings and
+nibbled at the turf. They were a fine sight, a stag and doe each of
+splendid size, and they moved fearlessly about among the trees. Henry
+admired them and he had no desire whatever to harm them. Instead, they
+were now friends of his, telling him by their presence that the savages
+were absent.</p>
+
+<p>Henry judged that they were now about two-thirds of the way to
+Chillicothe, and, shortly before noon, he and Tom awakened the others
+and resumed their journey, but in the brilliant light of the afternoon
+they advanced much more slowly. Theirs was a mission of great importance
+and discovery alone would ruin it. They kept to the thicket, and the
+stony places where they would leave no trail, and once, when a brook
+flowed in their direction, they waded in its watery bed for two or three
+miles. But the intensity of their purpose and the concentration of their
+faculties upon it did not keep them from noticing the magnificence of
+the country. Everywhere the soil was deep and dark,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> and, springing from
+it, was the noblest of forests. It was well watered, too, with an
+abundance of creeks and brooks, and now and then a little lake. Further
+on were large rivers. Henry did not wonder that the Indians fought so
+bitterly against trespassers upon their ancient hunting grounds.</p>
+
+<p>The twilight of the second night came, and, lying in the thicket, the
+five ate and drank a little, while the twilight turned into dark. Then
+they prepared their plans. They did not believe that Chillicothe was
+more than three miles ahead, and the Indians, knowing that the army
+could not come up for two days yet, were not likely to be keeping a very
+strict watch. They meant to penetrate to the town in the night. But they
+waited a long time, until they believed most of the children and squaws
+would be asleep, and then they advanced again.</p>
+
+<p>Their surmise was correct. In a half hour they were on the outskirts of
+Chillicothe, the great Indian town. It was surrounded by fields of maize
+and pumpkin, but it seemed to the five to consist of several hundred
+lodges and modern houses. As they made this reckoning they stood at the
+edge of a large corn field that stretched between them and the town. The
+stalks of corn were higher than a man's head, and the leaves had begun
+to turn brown under the August sun.</p>
+
+<p>"We must go nearer," said Henry, "and it seems to me that this corn
+field offers a way of approach. The corn will hide us until we come to
+the very edge of the town."</p>
+
+<p>The others agreed, and they set off across the field. After they entered
+it they could see nothing but the corn itself. The dying stalks rustled
+mournfully above their heads, as they advanced between the rows, but no
+sounds came from the town. It was about three hundred yards across the
+field, and when they reached its far edge they saw several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> lights which
+came from Chillicothe itself. They paused, while still in the corn, and,
+lying upon the ground, they got a good view of the big village.</p>
+
+<p>Chillicothe seemed to run a long distance from north to south, but Henry
+at once noticed among the buildings, obviously of a permanent character,
+many tepees such as the Indians erect only for a night or two. His
+logical mind immediately drew the inference. Chillicothe was full of
+strange warriors. The Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis, Delawares, Ottawas,
+Illinois, all were there and the circumstance indicated that they would
+not try to lay an ambush for Clark, but would await him at Chillicothe.
+He whispered to his comrades and they agreed with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see how far this corn field runs down to the right?" he asked
+Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"'Bout two hundred yards, I reckon."</p>
+
+<p>"Then let's drop down its edge and see if the new tepees are scattered
+everywhere through the town."</p>
+
+<p>The trip revealed an abundance of the temporary lodges and farther down
+they saw signs of an embankment freshly made. But this breastwork of
+earth did not extend far. Evidently it had been left incomplete.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you make of that, Henry?" asked Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"That the Indians are in a state of indecision," replied Henry promptly.
+"They intended to fortify and fight us here, and now they are thinking
+that maybe they won't. If they had made up their minds thoroughly they
+would have gone on with the earthwork."</p>
+
+<p>"That certainly sounds reasonable," said Paul, "but if they don't fight
+here where will they fight? I can't believe that Timmendiquas will
+abandon the Indian towns without resistance and flee to the woods."</p>
+
+<p>"They have another big town farther on&mdash;Piqua they call it. It may be
+more defensible than Chillicothe, and, if so, they might decide to
+concentrate there. But we can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> be sure of one thing. They have not yet
+left Chillicothe. It is for us to discover within the next few hours
+just what they mean to do."</p>
+
+<p>At the lower end of the corn field they found a garden of tall pea and
+bean vines which they entered. This field projected into the village and
+when they reached its end they saw a great increase of lights and heard
+the hum of voices. Peeping from their precarious covert they beheld the
+dusky figures of warriors in large numbers, and they surmised that some
+sort of a council was in progress.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was eager to know what was being said at this council, but for a
+long time he could think of no way. At last he noticed a small wooden
+building adjoining the garden, the door of which stood half open,
+revealing ears of corn from the preceding season lying in a heap upon
+the floor. He resolved to enter this rude corncrib knowing it would
+contain many apertures, and see and hear what was being done. He told
+the others his plan. They tried to dissuade him from it but he
+persisted, being sure that he would succeed.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm bound to take the risk," he said. "We must find out what the
+Indians intend to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Then if you're bent on throwin' away your life," said Shif'less Sol,
+"I'm goin' in with you."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Henry firmly. "One is enough, and it is enough to risk one.
+But if you fellows wish, lie here behind the vines, and, if I have to
+make a run for it, you can cover me with your fire."</p>
+
+<p>The four at last agreed to this compromise, although they were loth to
+see Henry go. Every one of them made up his mind to stand by their
+leader to the last. Henry left the shelter of the vines, but he lay down
+almost flat, and crept across the narrow open space to the corncrib.
+When he saw that no one was looking he darted inside, and cautiously
+pushed the door shut.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As he expected, there were plenty of cracks between the timbers and also
+a small open window at one end. The ears of corn were heaped high at the
+window, and, pushing himself down among them until he was hidden to the
+shoulders, he looked out.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI<br />
+<small>THE BATTLE OF PIQUA</small></h2>
+
+<p>The window, doubtless intended merely for letting in air, was very
+small, but Henry had a fine view of a wide open space, evidently the
+central court of the village. It was grassy and shady, with large oak
+and beech trees. About fifteen yards from the corncrib burned a fire,
+meant for light rather than heat, as the night was warm. Around it were
+gathered about fifty men, of whom six or seven were white, although they
+were tanned by exposure almost to the darkness of Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Henry knew a number of them well. Upon a slightly raised seat sat
+Timmendiquas, the famous White Lightning of the Wyandots. He wore only
+the waist cloth, and the great muscles of his chest and arms were
+revealed by the firelight. His head was thrown back as if in defiance,
+and above it rose a single red feather twined in the scalp lock. Just
+beyond Timmendiquas sat Moluntha, the Shawnee; Captain Pipe and Captain
+White Eyes, the Delawares; Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the
+Shawnee. Beyond them were Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt, Moses Blackstaffe
+and the other renegades. There was also a Mohawk chief at the head of a
+small detachment sent by Thayendanegea. All the chiefs were in war paint
+tattooed to the last note of Indian art.</p>
+
+<p>Henry knew from the number of chiefs present and the gravity of their
+faces that this was a council of great importance. He heard at first
+only the rumble of their voices, but when he had become used to the
+place, and had listened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> attentively he was able to discern the words.
+Timmendiquas, true to his brave and fierce nature, was urging the allied
+chiefs to stay and fight Clark for Chillicothe. In the East before the
+battle on the Chemung, he had been in a sense a visitor, and he had
+deferred to the great Iroquois, Thayendanegea, but here he was first,
+the natural leader, and he spoke with impassioned fervor. As Henry
+looked he rose, and swinging a great tomahawk to give emphasis to his
+words, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"The one who retreats does not find favor with Manitou. It is he who
+stays and fights. It is true that we were defeated in the battle across
+from Tuentahahewaghta (the site of Cincinnati), but with great warriors
+a defeat is merely the beginning of the way that leads to victory in the
+end. This is the greatest town of our race in all the valley of
+Ohezuhyeandawa (the Ohio), and shall we give it up, merely because Clark
+comes against it with a thousand men? Bowman came last year, but you
+beat him off and killed many of his men. The soldiers of the king have
+failed us as we feared. The promises of de Peyster and Caldwell have not
+been kept, but we can win without them!"</p>
+
+<p>He paused and swung the great war tomahawk. The firelight tinted red the
+glittering blade, and it made a circle of light as he whirled it about
+his head. A murmur ran around the circle, and swelled into a chorus of
+approval. These were the words that appealed to the hearts of the
+warlike tribes, but Simon Girty, crafty, politic and far-seeing, arose.</p>
+
+<p>"Your words are those of a brave man and a great leader, Timmendiquas,"
+he said, speaking in Shawnee, "but there are many things that the chiefs
+must consider. When the white men are slain, others come from the East
+to take their places; when our warriors fall their lodges stay empty and
+we are always fewer than before. You were across the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> mountains,
+Timmendiquas, with the chief of the Iroquois, Thayendanegea, and so was
+my friend who sits here by my side. The Iroquois fought there on the
+Chemung River, and brave though they were, they could not stand against
+the Yengees and their cannon. They were scattered and their country was
+destroyed. It would have been better had they fallen back, fighting
+wherever they could lay a good ambush.</p>
+
+<p>"Now Kentucky comes against us in great force. It is not such an army as
+that which Bowman led. They are all trained, even as our own, to the
+forest and its ways. This army, as it marches, looks before and behind,
+and to right and to left. It will not stick its head in a trap, and when
+its cannon thunder against your Chillicothe, smashing down your houses
+and your lodges, what will you do? Clark, who leads the men from
+Kentucky, has beaten our allies, the British, at Vincennes and
+Kaskaskia. Hamilton, the governor at Detroit before de Peyster, was
+captured by him, and the Yengees held him a prisoner in Virginia. This
+Clark is cunning like the fox, and has teeth like the wolf. He is the
+winner of victories, and the men from Kentucky are ready to fight around
+him to the last."</p>
+
+<p>Another murmur came from the circle and it also indicated approval of
+Girty's words. Always greatly influenced by oratory, the opinion of the
+chiefs now swung to the latest speaker. Timmendiquas flashed a look of
+scorn at Girty and at some of the chiefs near him.</p>
+
+<p>"I know that Girty thinks much and is wise," he said. "He is faithful to
+us, too, because he dare not go back to his own white people, who would
+tear him to pieces."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas paused a moment for his taunt to take effect, and looked
+directly at the renegade. Girty winced, but he had great self-control,
+and he replied calmly:</p>
+
+<p>"What you say is true, Timmendiquas, and no one knows it better than I.
+The whites would surely tear me in pieces<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> if they could catch me,
+because my deeds in behalf of the Indians, whom I have chosen to be my
+brethren, are known to all men."</p>
+
+<p>Girty had replied well, and the older and more cautious chiefs gave him
+another murmur of approval. Timmendiquas flashed him a second glance of
+contempt and hate, but the renegade endured it firmly.</p>
+
+<p>"What, then, do you say for us to do, Girty?" asked the Wyandot chief.</p>
+
+<p>"As the enemy comes near Chillicothe fall back to Piqua. It is only
+twelve miles away, yet not all the warriors of Piqua are here ready to
+help us. But they will wait for us if we come to them, and then we shall
+be in stronger force to fight Clark. And Piqua is better suited to
+defense than Chillicothe. The enemy cannot come upon the town without
+receiving from us a hidden fire."</p>
+
+<p>Girty spoke on, and to the listening youth he seemed to speak plausibly.
+Certainly many of the chiefs thought so, as more than once they nodded
+and murmured their approval. Timmendiquas replied, and several of the
+younger chiefs supported him, but Henry believed that the burden of
+opinion was shifting the other way. The tribes were probably shaken by
+the defeat at the mouth of the Licking, and the name of Clark was
+dreaded most of all.</p>
+
+<p>Indians love to talk, and the debate went on for a long time, but at
+last it was decided, much against the will of Timmendiquas, that if they
+could not catch Clark in an ambush they would abandon Chillicothe and
+retreat toward Piqua. The decisive argument was the fact that they could
+gather at Piqua a much larger force than at Chillicothe. The advance of
+Clark had been more rapid than was expected. They would not only have
+all the Piqua men with them, but many more warriors from distant
+villages who had not yet arrived.</p>
+
+<p>The fire was now permitted to die down, the crowd broke<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> up and the
+chiefs walked away to their lodgings. Henry left the little place from
+which he had been peeping, drew himself from the corn and prepared to
+open the door. Before he had pulled it back more than an inch he stopped
+and remained perfectly still. Two warriors were standing outside within
+three feet of him. They were Miamis, and they were talking in low tones
+which he could not understand. He waited patiently for them to pass on,
+but presently one of them glanced at the door. He may have been the
+owner of the crib, and he noticed that the door was shut or nearly shut,
+when it had been left open. He stepped forward and gave it a push,
+sending it against the youth who stood on the other side.</p>
+
+<p>The Miami uttered an exclamation, but Henry acted promptly. He did not
+wish to fire a shot and bring hundreds of warriors down upon himself and
+his friends, but he sprang out of the door with such violence that he
+struck the first Miami with his shoulder and knocked him senseless. The
+second warrior, startled by this terrifying apparition, was about to
+utter a cry of alarm, but Henry seized him by the throat with both
+hands, compressed it and threw him from him as far as he could. Then he
+sprang among the vines, where he was joined by his comrades, and,
+bending low, they rushed for the corn field and its protection.</p>
+
+<p>The second Miami was the first to recover. He sprang to his feet and
+opened his mouth to let forth the war cry. It did not come. Instead an
+acute pain shot along his throat. He did not know how powerful were the
+hands that had constricted him there. Nevertheless he persisted and at
+the fourth trial the war cry came, sending its signal of alarm all
+through the village. Warriors poured out of the dark, and led by the
+Miamis they dashed through the garden in eager pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>The five were already in the field, running down among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> the corn rows.
+Over them waved the highest blades of the corn, still rustling dryly in
+the wind.</p>
+
+<p>"We are as good runners ez they are," said Shif'less Sol. "An' they
+can't see us here in the corn, but ain't that a pack o' them on our
+heels. Listen to that yelp."</p>
+
+<p>The war cry came from hundreds of throats, and behind them they heard
+the patter of many feet on the soft earth of the field, but they were
+not in despair. Not far beyond lay the woods, and they had full faith
+that they would reach their cover in time. The rows of corn guided them
+in a perfectly straight line, and the number of their pursuers were of
+no avail. They reached the woods in a few minutes, and, although the
+warriors then caught dim glimpses of them, and fired a few shots, no
+bullets struck near, and they were soon hidden among the trees and
+thickets. But they were too wise to stop merely because they were out of
+sight. They continued at good speed for a long time on the return
+journey to Clark.</p>
+
+<p>Henry's comrades asked him no questions, knowing that when they stopped
+he would tell them everything, unasked. But they saw that he was in an
+excellent humor, and so they inferred that he brought valuable
+information from Chillicothe.</p>
+
+<p>"I call it luck," said Shif'less Sol, "that when you have to run for
+your life you can at the same time run the way you want to go."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it's our lucky night," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>Stopping occasionally to listen for pursuit, they ran about four hours,
+and then took a long rest by the side of a cool little brook from which
+they drank deeply. Then Henry told what he had heard.</p>
+
+<p>"It's not their intention to fight at Chillicothe," he said.
+"Timmendiquas, of course, wanted to make a stand, but Girty and the
+older chiefs prevented him and decided on Piqua. It's likely, I think,
+that the authority of White<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> Lightning has been weakened by their defeat
+at the mouth of the Licking."</p>
+
+<p>Then he related every word that he had been able to catch.</p>
+
+<p>"This is mighty important," said Paul, "and Colonel Clark will surely be
+glad to hear your news."</p>
+
+<p>After a rest of one hour they pushed on at great speed and they did not
+stop the next day until they saw Colonel Clark's vanguard. Clark himself
+was at the front and with him were Boone, Kenton and Thomas. The face of
+the Colonel became eager when he saw the five emerge from the
+undergrowth.</p>
+
+<p>"Anything to tell?" he asked briefly.</p>
+
+<p>When Henry related what he had heard from the window of the corncrib,
+the Colonel uttered short but earnest words of thanks, and put his hand
+upon the lad's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Once more we are in great debt to you, young sir," he said. "You
+brought our forces together at the Licking, and now you guide our main
+campaign. This news that the savages will not defend Chillicothe will
+give our men great encouragement. Already they will see the enemy
+fleeing before them."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark was a good prophet. The men cheered when they heard that
+the Indian force was likely to abandon Chillicothe and they were anxious
+to press forward at increased speed, but the leader would not permit,
+nor would he allow them to disarrange their marching order in the
+slightest. He had never been defeated by the Indians, because he had
+never given them a chance to trap and surprise him, and he did not mean
+to do so now.</p>
+
+<p>"Plenty of time, boys&mdash;plenty of time," he said, soothingly. "Before we
+finish this campaign you'll get all the fighting you want. Don't forget
+that."</p>
+
+<p>That night, which was to be the last before reaching Chillicothe, he
+doubled the guard. Except the five, who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> fully earned the right to
+sleep, the very best of the scouts and sharpshooters were on watch.
+Skirmishers were thrown far out among the bushes, and no matter how dark
+the night might be, no considerable Indian force could ever get near
+enough for surprise. Boone, Kenton, Thomas and others heard signals, the
+hoots of owls and the howls of wolves, but they continued their watch
+undisturbed. So long as a thousand good men were there in the wilderness
+in a heavy square, bristling with rifles and artillery, they did not
+care how many signals the savages made to one another.</p>
+
+<p>Morning came, bright and hot. It was the sixth of August, the month when
+the great heats that sometimes hang over the Ohio River Valley usually
+reach their uttermost.</p>
+
+<p>This promised to be such a day. After the bright dawn the atmosphere
+became thick and heavy. Sweat stood on every face. Exertion was an
+effort. Yet the men felt no abatement of zeal. In three or four hours
+more, they would reach Chillicothe unless the enemy gave battle first.
+Nevertheless little was said. The veteran frontiersmen knew the valor of
+their enemy, and his wonderful skill as a forest fighter. This was no
+festival to which they were going. Many of them would never return to
+Kentucky.</p>
+
+<p>They marched about three miles. It was noon now, and the sun from its
+vantage point in the center of the heavens poured down a flood of
+burning rays upon them. Colonel Clark, with his usual patience, made the
+men halt for a few minutes and take food. Their formation had never been
+broken for a moment. No matter from what side the attack came the whole
+army could face it inside of two minutes.</p>
+
+<p>The five with Boone, Kenton and Thomas were just ahead of the vanguard,
+and Colonel Clark who was now on horseback rode up to them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How far would you say it is to Chillicothe?" he asked Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"We should be there in an hour."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark looked at his watch.</p>
+
+<p>"One o'clock in the afternoon," he said. "That will give us plenty of
+time for a battle, if they choose to offer it to us, but it looks as if
+we would receive no such offer. All that you have said, young sir, is
+coming to pass."</p>
+
+<p>They were following the broad trail left by the Indian army on its
+retreat, but not a single warrior appeared to oppose them. There were no
+sounds in the woods save those made by themselves. No bark of dog or
+signal of savage came from the village which was now just beyond a thin
+veil of forest.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark's iron self-control yielded a little. He allowed the men
+to hasten somewhat, and they came all at once into the corn field which
+Henry and his friends had entered. They saw, beyond, the walls and roofs
+of Chillicothe. Colonel Clark instantly ordered a halt. A field of
+waving corn could hold a thousand hidden warriors, but Boone, Henry and
+the others were already in the corn and announced that nobody was there.
+Then the army with a great shout advanced on the run, the wheels of the
+cannon grinding down the corn.</p>
+
+<p>In five minutes they were at Chillicothe, and then they saw flames
+leaping from the highest houses. The town was on fire and all its people
+had fled. The broad trail, littered with fragments, showed that they had
+gone towards Piqua. But the army, still kept in battle order, did not
+follow yet. It watched the burning of Chillicothe and helped it along.
+The soldiers, with the cannon in the center, were drawn up just on the
+outside of the town, and, under order of the officers, many of them
+seized torches and lighted tepee and wigwam. The dry corn in the fields
+and everything else that would burn was set on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> fire. What would not
+burn was trampled to a pulp beneath the feet of men and horses.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the flames spread to every part of the village, united and
+fused into one vast conflagration. The sight thrilled and awed even
+Henry, Paul, and the others who had seen similar things in the Iroquois
+country. But there were not many in that army of white men who felt
+pity. This was Chillicothe, the greatest of the Western Indian towns.
+Some of them had been held prisoners there. Others had seen their
+friends tortured to death at this very place. The wives and children of
+many had been taken away to Chillicothe and no one had ever seen or
+heard of them again. Here the great Indian forays started and the very
+name of Chillicothe was hateful to the white men who had come from
+beyond the Ohio to destroy it and the warriors who lived there. They
+were glad to see it burning. They rejoiced when wigwams and Council
+House crashed down in blazing timbers. It pleased them to see the corn
+and beans and all the Indian stores destroyed, because then the warriors
+must hunt in the forest for food, and would have no time to hunt in the
+Kentucky woods for white scalps.</p>
+
+<p>The five stayed on the side of the town somewhat away from the
+conflagration. The heat was tremendous. It was a big town and the flames
+rose in an enormous red tower waving under the wind, and roaring as they
+ate into fresh food. Light tepees were licked up in an instant. Sparks
+flew in myriads and red coals were carried by the wind. Orchards and
+fields were swept away with the rest by the fiery blast. A great pall of
+ashes began to settle over the country surrounding the town.</p>
+
+<p>"I've never seen anything before on the same scale," said Paul, "and it
+will certainly be a terrible blow to the Indians."</p>
+
+<p>"But it will not break either their spirit or their power,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> said Henry.
+"To do that we've got to beat them in battle, and they'll be waiting for
+us at Piqua."</p>
+
+<p>The fire burned all the afternoon, but when the twilight came the town
+was wholly consumed. Not a house or tepee was left standing. Over a wide
+area there was nothing but a mass of burning coals, which glowed and
+cast a bright light against the coming dark. Clouds of smoke gathered,
+but the wind blew them off to the eastward and the site of Chillicothe
+was yet almost as light as day. On the outward edges of this mass of
+coals the men cooked their suppers.</p>
+
+<p>The night advanced. Again it was very hot and close, with but little
+wind stirring. All about them it was still as light as day. For more
+than a mile the embers, yet red and glowing, lay, and in the orchards
+tree trunks smoldered casting out alternate flame and smoke. Save for
+those melancholy ruins everything was swept bare. At the edge of the
+woods an Indian dog poked his nose at the sky and howled dismally. It
+affected the nerves of Henry and Paul, who walked across the corn fields
+and chased him away with stones.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry," said Paul, looking back at the wide range of ruin, "that
+these things have to be done, even in war."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I, Paul," said Henry, "but think how many bands have gone forth
+from this place to do destruction upon our people. We have to fight such
+a foe with the weapons that we can use."</p>
+
+<p>They did not stay long at the edge of the woods, knowing that Indian
+sharpshooters might be lurking there, but went back to their friends and
+the army. The men having eaten amply and having looked upon the
+destruction of Chillicothe were in joyous mood, but their leader did not
+permit them to relax caution a particle. Too often the borderers,
+thinking victory won, permitted themselves to fall into disorder, when
+their victory was turned into defeat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> by the shrewd foe. Now the men
+spread their blankets far enough away from the woods to be safe from
+sharpshooters hidden there. The guard was made of unusual strength, and
+gunners were always at the cannon in case of a night attack.</p>
+
+<p>The five were not on duty that night, in view of what they had done
+already, and they spread their blankets near the edge of the corn field,
+across which they had run at such good speed. The coals still glowed.
+Far off they heard the howling of wolves.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any danger of a night attack?" asked Paul.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so," replied Henry. "Of course the Indians have spies in
+the woods and they will report that it is impossible to surprise us."</p>
+
+<p>It was a long time before Henry could go to sleep. The great events
+through which he had been crowded upon his mind. He had seen the
+Iroquois win and then he had seen them destroyed. The western tribes had
+won victories too and now a great commander was striking at their very
+heart. Their capital lay in ruins, and, unless Timmendiquas could defeat
+the white men in battle, when they marched on Piqua, then the western
+tribes also would receive a blow from which they could never recover.
+Despite himself, he was sorry for Timmendiquas. Nevertheless he was
+loyal in every fiber to his own people.</p>
+
+<p>The howling of the wolves came nearer. They would find little for their
+teeth among these ruins, but they knew somehow that destruction had been
+done, and instinct called them to the place. It was an unpleasant sound
+and it made Henry shiver a little. It made him think of what was to come
+for the Indians. Even savages, in the fierce winters of the North, would
+suffer for lost Chillicothe. Wooden houses and lodges could not be
+replaced in a day. While the great beds of coals were still glowing he
+fell asleep, but he was up with the others at dawn.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was one of the most somber days that Henry had ever seen. The heat,
+close, heavy and thick, like a mist, endured, but the sun did not shine.
+The whole circle of the sky was covered with gray clouds. Everything was
+sullen and ugly. Some timbers in the vast ruin of Chillicothe yet burned
+and showed red edges, but it would be impossible to conceive of a more
+desolate heap. Piles of ashes and dead coals were everywhere. The fires
+that were soon lighted served the double purpose of cooking and of
+making cheer. But while they ate, the skies grew perceptibly darker. No
+ray of the sun broke anywhere through the steel-colored atmosphere.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark became anxious. He had intended to start early for Piqua,
+but storms in the woods must be reckoned with, as one reckons with an
+enemy. He delayed and sent forward a scouting party of fifteen men under
+Boone, who, of course, included the five in the fifteen. Boone, owing to
+his captivity among the Indians, knew something about the country, and
+he led them straight toward Piqua. As Piqua and Chillicothe, two large
+Indian towns, were only twelve miles apart, there was an Indian road or
+broad trail between them, and they followed it for some distance.</p>
+
+<p>The road showed the haste with which the inhabitants of Chillicothe had
+fled. Here and there were feathers which had fallen from the scalp locks
+of the men or the braids of the women. Now they came to a gourd, or a
+rude iron skillet bought at a British post.</p>
+
+<p>After four or five miles Boone deemed it wiser to turn into the thick
+woods. The Indians with such a formidable force only twelve miles away
+would certainly have out sentries and skirmishers, and his cautious
+movement was just in time, as less than three hundred yards further on
+they were fired upon from the bushes. They replied with a few shots, but
+it was not Boone's intention to precipitate a real skirmish. He merely
+wished to know if the Indians<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> were on guard, and, in a few minutes, he
+drew off his men and retired.</p>
+
+<p>They were followed by derisive yells which said plainly enough that, in
+the opinion of the Indians, they were afraid. Some of the younger men
+wanted to go back, but Boone remained firm in purpose and tranquil in
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Let 'em yell at us all they want to," he said in his peculiarly gentle
+voice. "We can stand it, and we'll see how they can stand the battle
+to-day or to-morrow when the army comes up."</p>
+
+<p>They were back at the camp about two hours after noon, and reported that
+the Indians had sentinels and skirmishers on the way to Piqua. But Clark
+thought they could be brushed aside, and as the clouds had lightened
+somewhat, they started at four o'clock. Good humor was restored at once
+to the men. They were moving now and in a few hours they might bring the
+campaign to a head, if the Indians only stood. Some believed that they
+would not stand even at Piqua.</p>
+
+<p>The order of march that had been preserved all the way from the mouth of
+the Licking remained unbroken. Colonel Clark led, Colonel Logan
+commanded the rear guard, the soldiers were in four lines, ready to
+wheel in any direction, and the cannon were in the center. They followed
+the Indian road, but ahead of all were Henry and his comrades, always
+searching the woods for a sight of some flitting Indian figure. Henry
+did not believe there would be any skirmishes before they reached Piqua,
+but he was not among those who did not think the Indians would make a
+stand there. He knew Timmendiquas too well. The Wyandot leader had
+yielded, when the majority of the chiefs favored Piqua instead of
+Chillicothe, but now he would certainly hold them to the agreement. The
+trail led on unceasingly, but the brightening of the skies was
+deceptive. The clouds soon closed in again, heavier and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> blacker than
+ever. Although it was only mid-afternoon it became almost as dark as
+night. Then the lightning began to play in swift flashes, so bright that
+the men were dazzled, and the thunder cracked and roared in tremendous
+volume.</p>
+
+<p>"If I live through the campaign," said Paul, "I shall certainly remember
+it by this storm, if by nothing else."</p>
+
+<p>The thunder was so great that he was compelled fairly to shriek out his
+words. Save when the lightning flashed he could see only the head of the
+army. Presently both thunder and lightning ceased, the wind set up a
+vast moaning and then the rain came. Colonel Clark and his officers were
+already at work, instructing the men to put up as many tents as
+possible, and, under any circumstances to keep their arms and powder
+dry. Here again discipline and experience told, as the orders were
+obeyed to the last detail.</p>
+
+<p>The five sheltered themselves as well as they could under the trees and
+they felt that Paul's words about the storm were true. Certainly they
+could never forget it. The bottom had dropped out of the clouds, and all
+the rain, stowed for months, was pouring down in a few hours. They soon
+abandoned any attempt to protect themselves, and devoted all their care
+to their ammunition.</p>
+
+<p>For more than two hours the rain fell in seemingly solid sheets. Then it
+ceased abruptly, and the late afternoon sun broke out, tingeing the
+forest with gold. Yet every bush and tree still ran water. Pools and
+often little lakes stood in the valleys. The earth was soaked deep. The
+precious ammunition and most of the stores were dry, but every man
+whether in a tent or not was wet to the skin.</p>
+
+<p>It was obvious that they could not go on and attack Piqua at once, as
+they would arrive far in the night, and the most skilled of the
+borderers were ordered to try their cunning at lighting fires. Patience
+and persistence had their reward. The bark was stripped from fallen
+trees, and dry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> splinters were cut from it. When these were lighted with
+flint and steel the problem was solved. Heat triumphed over wet, and
+soon twenty glorious fires were blazing in the forest. The men were
+allowed to dry their clothes in relays, each relay baring itself and
+holding its clothes before the fire until the last touch of damp was
+gone.</p>
+
+<p>All the time a vigilant watch was kept in the woods. Indians might
+attack when their enemy was depressed by storm and wet, but nothing to
+disturb the peace of the drying army occurred. Wolves howled again far
+away but they were still prowling among the ruins of Chillicothe,
+seeking unburned portions of venison or other meat. After the storm the
+close oppressive heat disappeared. A fresh and cool wind blew. Out came
+the moon and stars and they shone in a silky blue. The leaves and grass
+began to dry. The five lay down within range of the fires. Shif'less Sol
+made himself very comfortable on his blanket.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want anybody to bother me now," he said, "'cause I'm goin' to
+sleep all through the night. No Injuns will be roun' here disturbin' me,
+an' I don't want no white man to try it either."</p>
+
+<p>The shiftless one knew what he was talking about, as there was no alarm
+in the night and early the next morning the army began its march again.
+But Henry was sure there would be a fierce fight at Piqua.</p>
+
+<p>They still followed the Indian road, and now went a little faster,
+although never breaking their old formation for a single instant. Yet
+every heart throbbed. They would soon be at Piqua, face to face with the
+allied forces led by their best chiefs. It was likely that their fire
+would burst from their undergrowth at any moment. But the scouts still
+reported nothing. Most of the morning was gone and they came to a broad
+but shallow stream. It was Mad River, and Piqua was not more than a mile
+up its stream.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely they will fight us here," was the thought of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> Clark. He halted
+his army and the scouts crossed the stream at many points. They beat up
+the woods and found no enemy, although Piqua was so near. Then the order
+to march was given again, and the whole army plunged into the stream.
+The heavy wheels of the cannon grated on the bottom, but they were still
+kept in the very center of the force. Clark never abated his resolve to
+protect these guns at all hazards from capture. But the cannon passed
+safely, and then came Logan with the rear guard. It, too, crossed and
+the commander drew a mighty breath of relief.</p>
+
+<p>"How far away is Piqua now?" he asked of a man who had once been a
+prisoner there.</p>
+
+<p>"Not more than a mile," he replied. "Soon you can see the smoke from it
+rising above the trees."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I see it now. Then they have not set their town on fire, and they
+are not running away. We shall have a battle."</p>
+
+<p>The news was quickly passed throughout the army, and eagerness began to
+show. The men wanted to be led on at once. It was nearly noon, and grass
+and foliage were dry again. There was not a cloud in the heavens, and
+the sun was a golden circle in a solid blue dome.</p>
+
+<p>"Finest day for a fight I ever saw," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Paul laughed but it was a nervous laugh, coming from high tension. He
+was not afraid, but he knew they were going into battle. They passed
+into the forest and beyond in an open space they saw the houses, wigwams
+and tepees of Piqua scattered along Mad River. Just before them was a
+sort of prairie covered with weeds as high as a man's head. Henry threw
+himself flat upon the ground and peered in among the weeds.</p>
+
+<p>"Back! back!" he cried in a tremendous voice. "The warriors are here!"</p>
+
+<p>His sharp eyes had caught glimpses of hundreds of forms<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> lying among the
+weeds. The whole army recoiled, and then a sheet of flame burst from the
+field, followed by the fierce war whoop of the Indians. The bullets sung
+in swarms like bees over his head, but knowing that all would fire at
+once after the Indian custom, he leaped to his feet, and ran to the
+shelter of the forest before they could reload and deliver the second
+volley.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's a tree, Henry," said Shif'less Sol; "a lot of officers wanted
+it, but I've saved it for you."</p>
+
+<p>But it was good-natured banter. There was not a sign of panic in the
+army. The men at once formed themselves into line of battle, according
+to their instructions, and opened a terrible fire upon the weeds in
+which the warriors lay concealed. Hundreds of bullets swept every part
+of the cover, and then the cannon sent in round shot and grape, cutting
+down weeds and warriors together, and driving the savage force in flight
+to shelter.</p>
+
+<p>But Timmendiquas, who had chosen the position, had reckoned well. The
+field was not only covered with high weeds, but the portion near the
+town was intersected with deep gullies. The warriors fell back in good
+order and sought refuge in these gullies which would hold hundreds. Here
+bullets, cannon balls and grape shot alike passed over their heads, and
+suffering but little loss, they sent back a storm of their own bullets.</p>
+
+<p>The army advanced to the edge of the woods, and was ready to charge
+across them but Colonel Clark hesitated. Before they could reach the
+gullies his men might be cut in pieces by a protected foe. The five,
+Boone, and many other of the best frontiersmen had already sought the
+shelter of stones or little hillocks, and were firing at every head that
+appeared above the edge of the gullies. Before the smoke became too
+dense Henry saw beyond the gullies that Piqua was a large town, larger
+than they had supposed. It would perhaps be impossible for the army to
+envelop it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> In fact,
+it was built in the French-Canadian style and ran three miles up and
+down Mad River.</p>
+
+<p>Henry heard the fierce war whoop rising again and again above the firing
+which was now an unbroken crash. He also heard another and shriller
+note, and he knew it was the shouting that came from the vast swarm of
+squaws and children in Piqua. The yell of the Indians also took on a
+triumphant tone. It seemed that the beginning of the battle was in their
+front, and the ambushed warriors in the gullies were strengthened by
+other forces on their right and left that crept forward and opened a
+heavy fire from cover. Along a range of more than a mile there was a
+steady flash of firing, and it seemed impossible for any force to
+advance into it and live.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunate, again fortunate, and thrice fortunate were the frontiersmen
+who were veterans, also! The cannon were sheltered in the wood and the
+men were made to lie down. The great guns still thundered across the
+field, but the riflemen held their fire, while the Indian shout of
+triumph swelled higher and higher. In this terrible moment when many
+another commander would have lost his head, the staunch heart of Clark
+never faltered. He hastily called his leading officers and scouts, and
+while the battle flamed before them, he gave his orders behind a screen
+of bushes. He bade Colonel Logan, assisted by Colonel Floyd and Colonel
+Harrod, to take four hundred men, circle to the east of the town as
+quickly as he could, and attack with all his might. After giving a
+little time for the circuit, Clark, with the artillery, would march
+straight across the field in the face of the main Indian force. He gave
+Henry and his comrades their choice as to which body with which they
+would march.</p>
+
+<p>"We go with you and the artillery across the field," replied Henry at
+once.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so," said Clark with a smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The five lay down at the edge of the forest. Full of experience, they
+knew that it was not worth while now to be sending bullets toward the
+gullies. They knew, also, that the charge in which they were about to
+take part would offer as much danger as anything they had ever met. It
+is likely that every one of them thought of Wareville, and their kin,
+but they said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>A few men in front maintained the fire in order to keep the Indians
+across the field busy, but the great majority, lying quiet, waited to
+hear the rifles of Logan and the four hundred. Meanwhile this flanking
+force emerged from the woods, and having now become the left wing of the
+American army, sought to rush the town. It was immediately assailed by a
+powerful Indian force, and a furious battle followed. One side of it was
+exposed to another field from which Indians sent in bullets in showers.
+Nevertheless the men, encouraged by Logan, Floyd, and Harrod, drove
+straight toward Piqua. The Indians in front of them were led by Girty,
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and Moluntha, the Shawnee, and they fought
+alike from open and covert, offering the most desperate resistance. The
+four hundred were compelled now and then to yield a few yards, but
+always they gained it back, and more. Slowly the town came nearer, and
+now Logan's men heard to their right a welcome crash that told them
+Clark was advancing.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Clark heard the sound of Logan's battle, he gave the signal
+to his men to attack. In front of them, much of the smoke had lifted,
+and they could see the field now, with most of its weeds cut away.
+Beyond was a strip of woods, and on the other side of the woods but
+already visible through the bushes, lay the long town.</p>
+
+<p>"Now for it!" cried Henry to his comrades who were close about him.</p>
+
+<p>"Forward!" shouted Clark, and with a tremendous shout the men charged
+into the field, the artillery drawn as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> always in the center and blazing
+the way. From the gullies came the answering fire in shower after shower
+of bullets. Henry heard them thudding upon human bodies, and he heard
+the low cries of men as they fell, but the smoke and the odor of
+gunpowder were in his nostrils, and his head was hot. Everything was red
+before him, and he had a furious desire to reach the gullies and rush in
+among the Indians. It was only two hundred yards across the field, but
+already the smoke was gathering in dense clouds, split apart now and
+then by the discharges of the cannon. Behind them the charging men left
+a trail of dead and dying. Henry took a hasty look to see if his
+comrades were still upon their feet. Two were on one side of him and two
+on the other. There was a patch of red on Jim Hart's shoulder and
+another on Tom Ross's, but they did not seem to amount to anything.</p>
+
+<p>Half way across the field the column staggered for a moment under the
+heavy fire which never slackened for an instant, but it recovered itself
+quickly and went on. The smoke lifted and Henry saw Timmendiquas at the
+edge of the nearest gully, a splendid figure stalking up and down,
+obviously giving orders. He had expected to find him there. He knew that
+wherever the battle was thickest Timmendiquas would be. Then the smoke
+drifted down again, and his head grew hotter than ever. The firing
+increased in rapidity and volume, both before them and on their left.
+The crash of the second battle moved on with them. Even in those rushing
+moments Henry knew that the left flank under Logan was forcing its way
+forward, and his heart gave a leap of joy. If the two commands ever
+united in the village they might crush everything. So eager did he
+become that he began to shout: "On! On!" without knowing it.</p>
+
+<p>They were nearing the gullies now and once more Henry saw Timmendiquas
+who seemed to be shouting to his men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> It was a fleeting glimpse but so
+vivid and intense that Henry never forgot it. The great Wyandot chief
+was a very war god. His eyes flamed and fiercely brandishing his great
+tomahawk, he shouted to the warriors to stand.</p>
+
+<p>The left flank under Logan and the larger force under Clark were now
+almost in touch. The American line of battle was a mile long and
+everywhere they were faced by a foe superior in numbers. Despite the
+cannon, always terrifying to them, the Indians stood firm, and behind
+them thousands of women and children urged them on to the conflict. They
+knew, too, the greatness of the crisis. The war that they had carried so
+often to the white settlements in Kentucky was now brought to them. One
+of their great towns, Chillicothe, was already destroyed. Should Piqua,
+the other, share the same fate? Timmendiquas, the greatest of the
+leaders, the bravest of men said no, and they sought to equal his
+courage. No Indian chief that day shirked anything; yet the white foe
+always advanced, and the boom of the cannon sounded in their ears like
+the crack of doom. Some of the balls now passed over the fields through
+the strip of woods and smashed into the houses of the town. The shouting
+of the women became shriller.</p>
+
+<p>Nearer and nearer came the white enemy. The great barrels and wheels of
+the cannon loomed terribly through the smoke. The blasts of fire from
+their muzzles were like strokes of lightning. The Indians in the first
+gully began to leap out and dart back. Henry saw the dusky figures
+giving way and he shouted, still unconsciously,&mdash;"On! On! They're
+running! They're running!" Others had seen the same movement, and a roar
+of triumph passed up and down the white line, thinned now by the rifle
+fire, but no longer in doubt of victory.</p>
+
+<p>They rushed upon the gullies, they cleaned out the first and second and
+third and all; they helped the cannon across, and now the contact
+between the two forces was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> perfect. They bore down upon the town, but
+they encountered a new obstacle. Rallied by Timmendiquas and others the
+warriors filled the strip of woods between the fields and Piqua. They
+lay down in the undergrowth, they hid behind every tree, and shouting
+their war cries, they refused to give another step. But Clark, the
+astute, would not permit any diminution in the zeal of his men, now
+carried to the highest pitch by seeming victory. He knew the danger of
+allowing the fire of battle to grow cold.</p>
+
+<p>He ordered a rifle fire of unparalleled rapidity to be poured into the
+wood, and then the cannon were loaded and discharged at the same spot as
+fast as possible. Not an Indian could show his head. Boughs and twigs
+rattled down upon them. Saplings cut through at the base by cannon shot
+fell with a crash. Although Timmendiquas, Moluntha, Captain Pipe and
+others raged up and down, the warriors began to lose spirit. It was soon
+told among them that Girty and all the other renegades had ceased
+fighting and had retired to the town. Girty was a white man but he was
+wise; he was faithful to the Indians; he had proved it many times, and
+if he gave up the battle it must be lost. Never had the Indians fought
+better than they had fought that day but it seemed to them that the face
+of Manitou was turned from them.</p>
+
+<p>While they doubted, while the moment of gloom was present, Clark with
+his whole united force rushed into the wood, drove every warrior before
+him, followed them into Piqua, and the Indian host was beaten.</p>
+
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII<br />
+<small>THE LAST STAND</small></h2>
+
+<p>Every one of the five felt an immense exhilaration as they drove the
+Indians back into the town. They were not cruel. They did not wish to
+exult over a defeated enemy, but they had witnessed the terrible
+suffering of the border, and they knew from the testimony of their own
+eyes what awful cruelties a savage enemy in triumph could inflict. Now
+Clark and the Kentuckians had struck directly at the heart of the Indian
+power in the West. Chillicothe was destroyed and Piqua was taken. The
+arms and ammunition sent to them by the power, seated in Canada, had not
+availed them.</p>
+
+<p>Henry did not know until much later that it was the cunning and crafty
+Girty who had given up first. He had suddenly announced to those near
+him that Piqua could not be defended against the American army. Then he
+had precipitately retreated to the other side of the town followed by
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and all the renegades. The Indians were
+shaken by this retreat because they had great confidence in Girty. The
+Delawares gave up, then the Ottawas and Illinois, the Wyandots,
+Shawnees, Miamis and the little detachment of Mohawks, as usual, stood
+to the bitter last. At the very edge of the village the great war
+chiefs, Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the Shawnee, fell
+almost side by side, and went to the happy hunting grounds together.
+Moluntha, the other famous Shawnee chief, received two wounds, but lived
+to secure a momentary revenge at the great Indian victory of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> the Blue
+Licks, two years later. Timmendiquas would have died in the defense, but
+a half dozen of his faithful warriors fairly dragged him beyond the
+range of the Kentucky rifles.</p>
+
+<p>Yet Timmendiquas, although the Kentuckians were in the town, did not
+cease to fight. He and a hundred of the warriors threw themselves into
+the strongest of the houses, those built of timber, and opened a
+dangerous fire from doors and windows. The woodsmen were ordered to
+charge and to take every house by assault, no matter what the loss, but
+Clark, always resourceful, sternly ordered a halt.</p>
+
+<p>"You forget our cannon," he said. "Logan, do you, Floyd and Harrod keep
+the riflemen back, and we'll drive the enemy out of these houses without
+losing a single man on our side."</p>
+
+<p>"Thar speaks wisdom," said Shif'less Sol to the other. "Now in all the
+excitement I had clean forgot that we could blow them houses to pieces,
+but the Colonel didn't forget it."</p>
+
+<p>"No, he didn't," replied Henry. "Stand back and we'll see the fun. A lot
+of destruction will be done soon."</p>
+
+<p>The twilight had not yet come, although the sun was slowly dimming in
+the East. A great cloud of smoke from the firing hung over Piqua and the
+bordering fields that had witnessed so fierce a combat. The smoke and
+the burned gunpowder made a bitter odor. Flashes of firing from the
+strong houses, and from ambushed Indians here and there pierced the
+smoke. Then came a tremendous report and a twelve-pound cannon ball
+smashed through a wooden house. Another and another and it was
+demolished. The defenders fled for their lives. Every other house that
+could be used for shelter was served in the same way. The last ambushed
+foe was swept from his covert, and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> the twilight fell Piqua,
+throughout its whole length of three miles along Mad River, was held by
+the Kentuckians.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian women and children had fled already to the forest, and there
+they were slowly followed by the warriors, their hearts filled with rage
+and despair. Beaten on ground of their own choosing, and not even able
+to bring away their dead, they saw their power crumbling. Fierce words
+passed between Timmendiquas and Simon Girty. The Wyandot chieftain
+upbraided the renegade. He charged him with giving up too soon, but
+Girty, suave and diplomatic, said, after his first wrath was over, that
+he had not yielded until it was obvious that they were beaten. Instead
+of a fruitless defense it was better to save their warriors for another
+campaign. They could yet regain all that they had lost. There was some
+truth in Girty's words. Blue Lick and St. Clair's terrible defeat were
+yet to come, but Clark's blow had destroyed the very nerve-center of the
+Indian confederacy. The Kentuckians had shown that not only could they
+fight successfully on the defensive, but they could also cross the Ohio
+and shatter the Indian power on its own chosen ground. Neither the valor
+of the warriors, nor the great aid that they received from their white
+allies could save them from ultimate defeat.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, Paul, the officers, and many others felt these things as the
+night came down, and as they roamed through Piqua, now deserted by the
+enemy. Paul and Jim Hart went in one direction to look at the big
+Council House, but Henry, the shiftless one, and Tom Ross remained with
+Colonel Clark.</p>
+
+<p>"We've won a great victory, though we've lost many good men," said the
+Colonel, "and now we must consign Piqua to the fate that Chillicothe has
+just suffered. It's a pity, but if we leave this nest, the hornets will
+be back in it as soon as we leave it, snug and warm, and with a
+convenient base for raiding across the Ohio."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to give it to the flames," said Colonel Logan.</p>
+
+<p>The other Colonels nodded. First they gathered up all the dead, whether
+red or white and buried them. At Henry's instance the two old chiefs,
+Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the Shawnee, were laid side by
+side in the same grave. Then he fixed a board at their head upon which
+he cut this inscription:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">In this grave Lie<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Yellow Panther, the Miami,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And Red Eagle, the Shawnee;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">They were great Chiefs,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And died fighting<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">For Their People.</span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Not a white man disturbed the epitaph. But as soon as the last of the
+fallen were buried, and the soldiers had eaten and refreshed themselves,
+the torch was set to Piqua, even as it had been set to Chillicothe. In
+an hour the town was a huge mass of flames, three miles long, and
+lighting up the neighboring forest for many miles. The Indian refugees,
+thousands of them, from both towns saw it, and they knew to the full how
+terrible was the blow that had been inflicted upon them. Timmendiquas
+sought to rally the warriors for a daring attack upon an enemy who,
+flushed with victory, might not be very cautious, but they would not
+make the attempt. Timmendiquas then saw that it would take time to
+restore their shaken courage and he desisted.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross watched the fire for a long time,
+while the soldiers destroyed all the orchards, gardens and crops. They
+saw the flames reach their highest until the country around them was as
+bright as day, and then they saw them sink until nothing was left but
+darkness made luminous by the coals. The great village was gone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think we'd better get Paul and Jim and go to sleep," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," said Shif'less Sol, and they looked around for the two. But
+they were not found easily.</p>
+
+<p>"Ought to have stayed with us," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"An' they'd have saved a lazy man a lot of trouble, lookin' through this
+big place fur 'em," said Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Jim became still harder to find. The three hunted everywhere.
+They hunted an hour. They hunted two hours, and there was not a sign of
+their two comrades. They asked many about them and nobody could tell a
+word. It was nearly midnight when they stopped and looked at one another
+in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"They are not in the camp&mdash;that is sure," said Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"And they've got too much sense to go out in the woods," said Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"Which means that they've been took," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Tom's words carried conviction, sudden and appalling, to all three. Paul
+and Jim Hart, going about the burning town, had been seized by some
+lurking party and carried off, or&mdash;they would not admit to themselves
+the dreadful alternative&mdash;but they hoped they had been merely taken
+away, which they deemed likely, as hostages would be of great value to
+the Indians now. The three sat down on a log at the northern edge of the
+town. They saw little now but the river, and the clouds of smoke rising
+from it.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll never desert Paul and Jim," said Shif'less Sol. "Now what is the
+fust thing fur us to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"We've got to find this trail, and the trail of those who took them,"
+replied Henry. "The army, of course, cannot follow all through the
+northern woods in order to rescue two persons, and it's not fitted for
+such a task anyhow. We three will do it, won't we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ez shore ez the sun rises an' sets," said Shif'less Sol.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we will," said Tom Ross.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And we must start upon the road this minute," said Henry. "Come, we'll
+see Colonel Clark and tell him that we have to go."</p>
+
+<p>They found the commander about a mile away, encamped as near the burned
+town as the heat would allow. Logan, Floyd, Harrod, Boone, Thomas, and
+others were with him. They were talking together earnestly, but when
+Henry approached and saluted, Colonel Clark greeted him pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's young Mr. Ware!" he exclaimed, "the lad to whom we owe so
+much. And I see two of your comrades with you. Where are the other two?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is why we have come, Colonel Clark," Henry replied. "We do not
+know where the other two are, but we fear that they have been taken by
+the retreating Indians. The campaign, I suppose, is over. We wish
+therefore to resign from the army, follow and rescue our comrades if we
+can."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark sprang to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Two of your friends taken, and we to desert you after what you have
+done for us!" he exclaimed. "That cannot be. The army must march to
+their rescue!"</p>
+
+<p>The other officers raised their voices in affirmation. Henry and his
+friends bowed. All three were affected deeply. But Henry said:</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Clark, you can't know how much we thank you for such an offer,
+but we three must go alone. If the army followed into the woods, and
+pressed the Indians closely, they would put their prisoners to death the
+very first thing. They always do it. In a case like this, only silence
+and speed can succeed. We must follow alone."</p>
+
+<p>Daniel Boone spoke up in his gentle, but singularly impressive tones.</p>
+
+<p>"The boy is right, Colonel Clark," he said. "If the job can be done it
+is these three alone who can do it."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you are right," said Colonel Clark regret<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span>fully, "but it does
+hurt me to see you leave us, unhelped. When do you wish to go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now," replied Henry.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Clark held out his hand. There were actual tears in his eyes. He
+shook hands with the three, one by one, and all the others did the same.
+Boone and Kenton went with them a little distance into the woods.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, lads," said Boone, "don't ever forget to be careful. You got to
+get your friends back by stealth and cunnin'. Keep out of a fight unless
+the time comes when everything depends on it. Then if you've got to
+fight, fight with all your might."</p>
+
+<p>The three thanked him. Last hand-clasps were given and then Boone and
+Kenton heard for a brief second or two only faint and dying footfalls in
+the forest. They went back quietly to camp ready for the return with the
+army to Kentucky, but the three were already deep in the forest, and far
+beyond the area of light.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thinkin'," said Ross, "that the Indians hev crossed the river. It's
+likely that they'd want to keep the water between themselves an' us."</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like good argument to me," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>Henry being of the same opinion, they decided to cross Mad River also,
+and approach as nearly as they could to the chief body of the Indians.
+It was probable that many bands were wandering about and they would be
+in great danger from them, but it was their business to follow the
+advice of Daniel Boone and avoid them. They exercised now their greatest
+skill and patience. At a distance of eight or ten miles from Piqua they
+found two Indian camps, but, after a thorough examination, they became
+satisfied that Paul and Jim were not in either of them. Just before
+daylight they found a valley in which a great mass of warriors, women
+and children were huddled. Evidently this was the chief point of
+retreat, and creeping as near as they could, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> saw Timmendiquas,
+Moluntha, Girty and Braxton Wyatt passing about the camp.</p>
+
+<p>The three lay close in the bushes and they observed Wyatt intently. Two
+or three times he passed between them and a camp fire, and they studied
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't look like that of one who has lost," whispered Henry.</p>
+
+<p>"No, it don't," said Shif'less Sol. "O' course he don't mourn much about
+the Indians, an' I reckon he's got somethin' to make him happy."</p>
+
+<p>"And what he's got is Paul an' Jim," said Tom Ross.</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt you're right," said Henry. "I think it likely that they were
+trapped by a band under Braxton Wyatt, and that they are his especial
+prisoners. Look! There they are now, by the tree!"</p>
+
+<p>Some shifting of the Indians gave a distant view of the two prisoners
+bound securely and leaning against a tree. Wyatt passed by, and looked
+upon them with an air of possession. They were sure now that it was he
+who had taken them, and, drawing further back into the forest, they
+waited patiently for the next move in the great game of life and death.</p>
+
+<p>Indian scouts several times passed within a few yards of them, but they
+knew that the minds of these men were upon the army not upon them. They
+were scouting to see whether Clark would follow them into the forest
+and, when they became certain about noon that he would not do so, they
+gathered their own numbers together and started northward to the
+villages of their brethren.</p>
+
+<p>Henry, Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross followed closely enough to know what
+was going on, but not so closely that they would walk into a trap.
+Fortunately the country was heavily wooded with evergreen and there was
+still an abundance of leaves on the trees. Fortified by such a long
+experience as theirs it was not difficult to keep under cover,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> and when
+the tribes went into camp that night, the three pursuers were not a
+quarter of a mile away.</p>
+
+<p>The three hung around the camp half the night, but they saw no chance to
+rescue their comrades. The crowd about them was too great. They followed
+in the same way the next day, and continued thus a week. Henry began to
+feel sure now that Paul and Jim were in no immediate danger of death,
+and he ascribed the fact to the influence of Timmendiquas. Even if they
+were Wyatt's own prisoners, he would not dare to go directly contrary to
+the wishes of the great Wyandot chieftain.</p>
+
+<p>Now a change occurred, the motive of which baffled the three for a
+while. Timmendiquas, Braxton Wyatt, about twenty warriors, and the two
+prisoners, leaving the main body of the Indians, turned toward the
+Northwest, following a course which would lead them around the lower
+curve of Lake Michigan. The three sitting among the bushes debated it a
+long time.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," said Henry, "that Timmendiquas is making a last desperate
+effort to lead a great force against us. He is going into the far
+Northwest to see if he can bring down the Sacs and Foxes, and even the
+Ojibways, Chippewas, and Sioux to help against us."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why do they take Paul and Jim along?" asked the shiftless one.</p>
+
+<p>"As trophies to impress the distant Indians or maybe as a sacrifice.
+Braxton Wyatt goes, too, because they are his prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>"It may be so," said Tom Ross. "The more I think about it, the more I
+think you're right. Anyhow it'll give us a better chance to get at Jim
+and Paul."</p>
+
+<p>"But we've got to play the Injuns' own game," said Shif'less Sol. "We
+must follow them a long time without lettin' them know we're on their
+track. Then they'll begin to go easy and won't keep much guard."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Shif'less Sol was undoubtedly right, and for many days they followed
+this band deep into the Northwestern woods. August passed, September
+came. Whenever the wind blew, the dead leaves fell fast, and there was a
+crisp touch in the air. The nights became so cool that they were
+compelled to sleep between the two blankets that everyone carried at his
+back. They were thoroughly convinced now that Timmendiquas was in search
+of help in the far Northwest, and that Paul and Jim would be offered as
+trophies or bribes. Several times the Indians stopped at small villages,
+and, after a brief and hospitable stay, passed on. It became evident,
+too, that neither Timmendiquas nor Wyatt thought any longer of possible
+pursuit. Both knew how the five would stand by one another but it had
+been so long since the battle at Piqua, and they had traveled so many
+hundreds of miles from the burned town that pursuit now seemed out of
+the question. So they traveled at ease, through an extremely fertile and
+beautiful region, onward and onward until they began to near the shores
+of the greatest of all lakes, Superior.</p>
+
+<p>The cold in the air increased but the three pursuers did not mind it.
+They were inured to every hardship of the wilderness, and the colder it
+grew the more pleasant was the fresh air to the lungs. They felt strong
+enough for any task. Now that the guard was relaxed somewhat they hoped
+for a chance to save Paul and Jim, but none came. Three separate nights
+they went near enough to see them by the camp fire, but they could not
+approach any closer. Henry surmised that they would soon reach a large
+village of the Chippewas, and then their chances would decrease again.
+The attempt must be made soon.</p>
+
+<p>It was now late October and all the forests were dyed the varied and
+beautiful colors of an American autumn. The camp of Timmendiquas was
+pitched on a beautiful stream that ran a few miles further on into an
+equally beau<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>tiful little lake. Food had become scarce and that morning
+he had sent most of the warriors on a hunting expedition. He sat with
+Braxton Wyatt and only two warriors by the side of the small camp fire.
+The two prisoners were there also, their arms bound, but not in a manner
+to hurt. Motives of policy had compelled Timmendiquas and Wyatt to be
+seeming friends, but the heart of the great chief was full of
+bitterness. He had not wanted to bring Wyatt with him and yet it had
+been necessary to do so. Wyatt had taken the two prisoners who were
+intended as offerings to the Northwestern tribes, and, under tribal law,
+they belonged to him, until they were willingly given to others. His
+presence would also convince the Ojibways, Chippewas and others that
+white men, too, were on their side. Yet nothing could make Timmendiquas
+like Wyatt. It seemed unnatural to him for a man to fight against his
+own race, and he knew the young renegade to be treacherous and cruel.</p>
+
+<p>They were sitting in silence. Wyatt spoke once or twice to Timmendiquas,
+but the chieftain made no reply. Timmendiquas stared into the fire, and
+planned how he would bring down the Northwestern tribes. The two
+warriors were as still as statues. Paul and Long Jim were leaning
+against the fallen tree, and Braxton Wyatt's eyes wandered over them. He
+sneered at Paul, but the boy took no notice. Wyatt had often tried to
+annoy the two prisoners on the march, but he was afraid to go very far
+because of Timmendiquas. Yet he remembered with great satisfaction how
+he had trapped them that night after the battle of Piqua, when they
+wandered too near the edge of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>His eyes passed from them, wandering around the circle, and came back to
+them again. Did he see Long Jim start? Did he see a flash of
+intelligence appear in the eyes of the hunter? Could he have heard
+something? He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> looked again. Long Jim Hart's face expressed nothing.
+Braxton Wyatt felt that he was growing nervous, and the next instant he
+sprang to his feet with a shout of alarm. Three figures sprang from the
+undergrowth and, with leveled weapons, commanded the four unbound men
+who sat by the fire to throw up their hands. Up went the hands of the
+four, and Timmendiquas smiled sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"Your patience has been greater than ours," he said, "and the reward
+that you are about to take belongs to you."</p>
+
+<p>"We could fire upon you, Timmendiquas," said Henry, "and for the moment
+the advantage is ours, but even if we should win the victory, in the end
+some of us would fall. Those who are bound, and for whom we have come,
+would surely be slain. Then, I say to you, mighty chief, give us our
+friends, promise that you will forbid pursuit, and we go."</p>
+
+<p>Timmendiquas stood up and his face bore a singular look of dignity and
+kindness.</p>
+
+<p>"You speak fairly," he said, "and I wish, Ware, that we could be friends
+in peace. Cut the bonds of the prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>He spoke to the two warriors, but at that moment some demon leaped up in
+the soul of Braxton Wyatt. "I will do it," he said. But his rage and
+disappointment were so great that they nearly blinded him. He snatched
+out his knife and rushed at Paul Cotter, but the blade was turned toward
+the bound boy's throat, and not toward the thongs.</p>
+
+<p>Henry uttered a cry and sprang forward, but the great war tomahawk of
+Timmendiquas left his hand, and flew through the air so swiftly that the
+eye saw only a flash. The glittering edge struck the head of Braxton
+Wyatt, and he fell, cloven to the chin. He was dead before he touched
+the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"We keep faith," said Timmendiquas.</p>
+
+<p>The five bade the great Wyandot chieftain farewell and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> ten minutes
+later were on their return journey. They knew that they were safe from
+any pursuit by the band of Timmendiquas. They returned to Wareville and
+they fought always with distinction throughout the border wars. They
+were at the Blue Licks that dreadful day when Timmendiquas and Moluntha,
+Caldwell and Girty, who finally came, with the Wyandots and Shawnees
+destroyed more than half of the Kentucky force. Strangely enough they
+went with Clark from the mouth of the Licking just two years after the
+first expedition, again with a thousand riflemen against Piqua which had
+been rebuilt, and they destroyed it, as before, in revenge for Blue
+Licks.</p>
+
+<p>Years later they were in the terrible slaughter of St. Clair's army, and
+they were with Wayne when he inflicted the crushing and final defeat
+upon the allied tribes at the Fallen Timbers. After the peace all the
+five, every one of whom lived to a very great age, became the fast
+friends of Timmendiquas, famous war chief of the Wyandots, the nation
+that knew no fear.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><b>THE END</b></p>
+
+<hr />
+<div class="tnote">
+<p><b>Transcriber's Notes:</b></p>
+
+<p>Page 59, "tattoed" corrected to "tattooed". (bear tattooed upon his
+chest)</p>
+
+<p>Page 69, removed duplicate "to". (large enough to keep three men)</p>
+
+<p>page 77, a comma is presumed as text is unclear. (Fowler, and six savage)</p>
+
+<p>Page 84 and 97, spelling "hare lip" retained. Elsewhere in text it is
+spelled "harelip". (a hare lip. Then he)(wrinkled his ugly hare lip)</p>
+
+<p>Page 90, "dear" corrected to "deer". (of buffalo, deer, bear)</p>
+
+<p>Page 97, retained comma although question mark probably more
+appropriate. (South with you," he said)</p>
+
+<p>Page 100, and Page 156, "Kentucy" corrected to "Kentucky". (prospect of
+victory. The Kentucky) (doubtless had reached Kentucky)</p>
+
+<p>Page 130, inserted missing period. (watched him shrewdly.)</p>
+
+<p>Page 163, a colon is presumed as original is unclear. (flushed, but he
+continued:)</p>
+
+<p>Page 196, a character named "Tom" is addressed in dialogue. Context
+shows it should be the character "Sol" instead. Original text retained.
+("Tom, that can be)</p>
+
+<p>Page 240, unusual word "sidewiping" retained. Author possibly meant
+"sideswiping". (a glancing blow, sidewiping it)</p>
+
+<p>Page 241, a comma is presumed as text is unclear. (come to them through
+the woods,)</p>
+
+<p>Page 271, "house" corrected to "houses". (houses, built of solid logs,
+stood in ordered rows)</p>
+
+<p>Page 279, inserted missing period. (toward the little settlement.)</p>
+
+<p>Page 293 and 317, "Black Panther" (name of a chief) probably refers to
+"Yellow Panther", a name which occurs more frequently in the text.
+Original text retained.</p>
+
+<p>Page 295, "menancing" corrected to "menacing". (like a menacing
+under-note)</p>
+
+<p>Page 313, inserted missing period. (sound of oars became fainter and
+fainter.)</p>
+
+<p>Page 335, removed duplicate "the". (cracks between the timbers)</p>
+
+<p>Page 353, inserted missing period. ( the army to envelop it.)</p>
+
+<p>Page 365, a dialogue attributed to character "Ross" should probably be
+"Sol" since in the next paragraph "Tom Ross" answers. However the
+original text has been retained. (said Ross, "that the Indians hev
+crossed)</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Watch, by Joseph A. Altsheler
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+</body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,13117 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Watch, by Joseph A. Altsheler
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Border Watch
+       A Story of the Great Chief's Last Stand
+
+Author: Joseph A. Altsheler
+
+Release Date: April 26, 2008 [EBook #25186]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BORDER WATCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+_The_ BORDER WATCH
+
+
+BOOKS BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER
+
+
+THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES
+
+The Hunters of the Hills
+The Rulers of the Lakes
+The Lords of the Wild
+The Shadow of the North
+The Masters of the Peaks
+The Sun of Quebec
+
+
+THE YOUNG TRAILERS SERIES
+
+The Young Trailers
+The Forest Runners
+The Keepers of the Trail
+The Eyes of the Woods
+The Free Rangers
+The Riflemen of the Ohio
+The Scouts of the Valley
+The Border Watch
+
+
+THE TEXAN SERIES
+
+The Texan Scouts
+The Texan Star
+The Texan Triumph
+
+
+THE CIVIL WAR SERIES
+
+The Guns of Bull Run
+The Guns of Shiloh
+The Scouts of Stonewall
+The Sword of Antietam
+The Star of Gettysburg
+The Rock of Chickamauga
+The Shades of the Wilderness
+The Tree of Appomattox
+
+
+THE GREAT WEST SERIES
+
+The Lost Hunters
+The Great Sioux Trail
+
+
+THE WORLD WAR SERIES
+
+The Forest of Swords
+The Guns of Europe
+The Hosts of the Air
+
+
+BOOKS NOT IN SERIES
+
+Apache Gold
+The Quest of the Four
+The Last of the Chiefs
+In Circling Camps
+The Last Rebel
+A Soldier of Manhattan
+The Sun of Saratoga
+A Herald of the West
+The Wilderness Road
+My Captive
+The Candidate
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "He saw two warriors, and he lay in the bush while they
+passed only twenty yards away." Page 214.]
+
+
+
+
+_The_ BORDER WATCH
+
+A STORY OF THE GREAT
+CHIEF'S LAST STAND
+
+
+BY
+
+JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER
+
+AUTHOR OF
+
+"THE YOUNG TRAILERS," "THE FREE RANGERS,"
+"THE SCOUTS OF THE VALLEY," ETC.
+
+
+D. APPLETON-CENTURY COMPANY
+INCORPORATED
+NEW YORK          LONDON
+1941
+
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY
+D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
+
+Printed in the United States of America
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+"The Border Watch" closes the series which began with "The Young
+Trailers," and which was continued successively in "The Forest Runners,"
+"The Keepers of the Trail," "The Eyes of the Woods," "The Free Rangers,"
+"The Riflemen of the Ohio," and "The Scouts of the Valley." All the
+eight volumes deal with the fortunes and adventures of two boys, Henry
+Ware and Paul Cotter, and their friends Shif'less Sol Hyde, Silent Tom
+Ross and Long Jim Hart, in the early days of Kentucky. The action moves
+over a wide area, from New Orleans in the South to Lake Superior in the
+North, and from the Great Plains in the West to the land of the Iroquois
+in the East.
+
+It has been the aim of the author to present a picture of frontier life,
+and to show the immense hardships and dangers endured by our people, as
+they passed through the wilderness from ocean to ocean. So much of it
+occurred in the shadow of the forest, and so much more of it was taken
+as a matter of course that we, their descendants, are likely to forget
+the magnitude of their achievement. The conquest of the North American
+continent at a vast expense of life and suffering is in reality one of
+the world's great epics.
+
+The author has sought to verify every statement that touches upon
+historical events. He has read or examined nearly all the books and
+pamphlets and many of the magazine articles formerly in the Astor and
+Lenox, now in the New York Public Library, dealing with Indian wars and
+customs. In numerous cases, narratives written by observers and
+participants have been available. He believes that all the border
+battles are described correctly, and the Indian songs, dances and
+customs are taken from the relations of witnesses.
+
+But the great mass of material dealing with the frontier furnishes
+another striking illustration of the old saying that truth is stranger
+than fiction. No Indian story has ever told of danger and escape more
+marvelous than those that happened hundreds of times. The Indian
+character, as revealed in numerous accounts, is also a complex and
+interesting study. The same Indian was capable of noble actions and of
+unparalleled cruelty. As a forest warrior he has never been excelled. In
+the woods, fighting according to his ancient methods, he was the equal
+alike of Frenchman, Englishman and American, and often their superior.
+Many of the Indian chiefs were great men. They had the minds of
+statesmen and generals, and they prolonged, for generations, a fight
+that was doomed, from the beginning.
+
+We lost more people in our Indian wars than in all the others combined,
+except the Civil War. More American soldiers fell at St. Clair's defeat
+by the Northwestern Indians than in any other battle we had ever fought
+until Bull Run. The British dead at Braddock's disaster in the American
+wilderness outnumbered the British dead at Trafalgar nearly two to one.
+So valiant a race has always appealed to youth, at least, as a fit
+subject of romance.
+
+The long struggle with the brave and wary red men bred a type of white
+foresters who became fully their equals in the craft and lore of the
+wilderness. Such as these stood as a shield between the infant
+settlements and the fierce tribes, and, in this class, the author has
+placed his heroes.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                           PAGE
+
+    I PASSING FLEET                  1
+
+   II THE SILVER BULLET             16
+
+  III THE HOT SPRING                30
+
+   IV THE SEVEN HERALDS             39
+
+    V THE WYANDOT COUNCIL           51
+
+   VI THE RUINED VILLAGE            63
+
+  VII THE TAKING OF HENRY           79
+
+ VIII THE NORTHWARD MARCH           96
+
+   IX AT DETROIT                   109
+
+    X THE LETTER OF THE FOUR       126
+
+   XI THE CRY FROM THE FOREST      143
+
+  XII THE CANOE ON THE RIVER       157
+
+ XIII ON THE GREAT LAKE            173
+
+  XIV A TIMELY RESCUE              188
+
+   XV THE PAGES OF A BOOK          205
+
+  XVI THE RIVER FIGHT              226
+
+ XVII THE ROAD TO WAREVILLE        241
+
+XVIII THE SHADOWY FIGURE           265
+
+  XIX A HERALD BY WATER            282
+
+   XX THE COUNTER-STROKE           316
+
+  XXI THE BATTLE OF PIQUA          336
+
+ XXII THE LAST STAND               359
+
+
+
+
+THE BORDER WATCH
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE PASSING FLEET
+
+
+A late sun, red and vivid, cast beams of light over a dark river,
+flowing slowly. The stream was a full half mile from shore to shore, and
+the great weight of water moved on in silent majesty. Both banks were
+lined with heavy forest, dark green by day, but fused now into solid
+blackness by the approach of night.
+
+The scene was wild and primordial. To an eye looking down it would have
+seemed that man had never come there, and that this was the dawn of
+time. The deep waters lapped the silent shore until a gentle sighing
+sound arose, a sound that may have gone on unheard for ages. Close to
+the water a file of wild ducks flew like an arrow to the north, and, in
+a little cove where the current came in shallow waves, a stag bent his
+head to drink.
+
+The sun lingered in the west and then sank behind the vast wall of
+forest. The beams of red and gold lasted for a little space on the
+surface of the river, and then faded into the universal night. Under the
+great cloak of the dark, the surface of the river showed but dimly, and
+the rising wind blew through the forest with a chill and uncanny sound.
+
+The ordinary soul would have been appalled by the mighty isolation of
+the wilderness, yet the river itself was not without the presence of
+human life. Close to the northern shore, where the shadow of the tall
+forest lay deepest, floated a long boat, containing five figures that
+rested easily. Two of the crew were boys, but as tall and strong as men.
+The other three were somewhat older. The boat carried four pairs of
+oars, but only one man rowed, and he merely pulled on an oar from time
+to time to give direction, while the current did the work. His comrades
+leaned comfortably against the sides of the boat, and with keen eyes,
+trained to the darkness, watched for a break in the black battlement of
+the trees.
+
+It was Henry Ware who first saw the opening. It was nearly always he who
+was the first to see, and he pointed to the place where the dark line
+made a loop towards the north.
+
+"It's a wide break," he said a moment or two later. "It must be the
+mouth of the river."
+
+"You're shorely right, Henry," said Shif'less Sol, who sat just behind
+him, "an' from the looks o' the break thar, it's a good, big river, too.
+S'pose we pull up in it a spell afore we make a landin'."
+
+"It seems a good idea to me," replied Henry. "What say you, Paul?"
+
+"I'm for it," replied Paul Cotter. "I'd like to see this new river
+coming down from the north, and it's pretty sure, too, that we'd be
+safer camping on it for the night than on the Ohio."
+
+Jim Hart had been guiding with a single oar. Now he took the pair in his
+hands and rowed into the mouth of the tributary stream. The smaller
+river, smaller only by contrast, poured a dark flood into the Ohio, and,
+seeing that the current was strong, the others took oars and rowed also,
+all except Paul, who was at the helm. Driven by powerful arms, the boat
+went swiftly up the new river. Henry in the prow watched with all the
+interest that he had for new things, and with all the need for watching
+that one always had in the great forests of the Ohio Valley.
+
+The banks of this river were higher than those of the Ohio, but were
+clothed also in dense forests, which, from the surface of the stream no
+human eye could penetrate in the darkness of the night. They rowed in
+silence for a full hour, seeing no good place for an anchorage, and
+then, at a sign from Henry, came to rest on the stream. Shif'less Sol,
+strong of eye and mind, saw an unusual expression on the face of the
+leader.
+
+"What is it, Henry?" he whispered.
+
+"I thought I heard the sound of an incautious paddle, one that splashed
+water, but I'm not sure."
+
+"Ah," said the shiftless one, "then we'll listen a little longer."
+
+The others heard the words also, but, saying nothing, they, too,
+listened. Very soon all heard the splashing of the single paddle and
+then the swishing sound of many moved steadily in the waters by strong
+and practiced hands.
+
+"It's a fleet behind us," said Henry, "and a fleet on this river can
+mean only Indians. Shall we pull ahead with all our might?"
+
+"No," said Shif'less Sol. "Look how thick the bushes grow at the water's
+edge. We can run our boat in among them and in all this darkness, the
+Indians, whether Wyandot, Miami or Shawnee, will not know that we are
+thar. Besides, curiosity is gnawin' at me hard. I want to see what's in
+this Indian fleet."
+
+"So do I," said Silent Tom Ross, speaking for the first time, and the
+others also gave their assent. The boat shot diagonally across the
+stream towards the dark mass of bushes, into which it was pushed slowly
+and without noise by the guiding arms of the rowers. Here it came to
+rest, completely hidden in the dense covert of leaves and twigs, while
+its occupants could see anything that passed on the surface of the
+river.
+
+"They'll come soon," said Henry, as the sound of the paddles grew
+louder, "and I should judge that they are many."
+
+"Maybe a hundred boats and canoes," said Shif'less Sol. "It's my guess
+that it's a big war party of some kind or other."
+
+"The allied Indian nations, no doubt," said Henry thoughtfully. "Despite
+their defeats in the East, they are yet almost supreme here in the
+valley, and they hang together."
+
+"Which means," said Shif'less Sol, a warlike tone coming into his voice,
+"that ef some big movement is afoot, it's our task to find out what it
+is an' beat it if we kin."
+
+"Certainly," Henry whispered back. "It's what we've been doing, Sol, for
+the last two or three years, and we won't stop until the work is done."
+
+The tone of the great youth was low, but it was marked by the resolution
+that he always showed in times of danger. He and his comrades were on
+the return journey to Wareville, after taking part in the campaigns of
+Wyoming and the Chemung, but it was scarcely the thought of any one of
+the five that they would travel the vast distance without interruption.
+Henry, as he sat in the boat in the darkness, felt that once more they
+were on the verge of great events. Used so long to the life of the
+wilderness and its countless dangers, the sudden throb of his heart told
+not of fear, but rather of exultation. It was the spirit rising to meet
+what lay before it. The same strength of soul animated his comrades, but
+everyone took his resolution in silence.
+
+The boat, hidden deep in the mass of foliage, lay parallel with the
+current of the stream, and it tipped a little on one side, as the five
+leaned forward and watched eagerly for the fleet that was coming up the
+river. The regular and rhythmic sound of oars and paddles grew louder,
+and then the head of the fleet, trailing itself like a long serpent,
+came into view. A great canoe with many men at the paddles appeared
+first, and behind it, in lines of four, followed the other canoes, at
+least a hundred in number, bearing perhaps five hundred warriors.
+
+The five thrilled at the sight, which was ominous and full of majesty.
+The moon was now coming out, and the surface of the dark stream turned
+to melted silver. But the high banks were still in darkness, and only
+the savage fleet was thrown into relief.
+
+The paddles rose and fell in unison, and the steady swishing sound was
+musical. The moonlight deepened and poured its stream of silver over
+hundreds of savage faces, illuminating the straight black hair, the high
+cheek bones, and the broad chests, naked, save for the war paint. None
+of them spoke, but their silence made the passing of this savage array
+in the night all the more formidable.
+
+Henry's attention was soon caught by a figure in the large boat that
+led. It was that of a man who did not use the paddle, but who sat near
+the prow with folded arms. The upper half of his body was so rigidly
+upright that in another place he might have posed for a figurehead of
+some old Roman galley. He was of magnificent build. Like the others, he
+was naked to the waist, and the moonlight showed the great muscles upon
+his powerful shoulders and chest. The pose of the head expressed pride
+that nothing could quench.
+
+Henry recognized the man at once. Had he not seen the face, the figure
+and attitude alone were sufficient to tell him that this was
+Timmendiquas, the great White Lightning of the Wyandots, returning from
+the East, where he had helped the Indians in vain, but at the head of a
+great force, once more in his own country.
+
+Henry put his hand upon that of Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I see," whispered his comrade very low. "It is Timmendiquas, an' whar
+he comes, big things come, too."
+
+Henry knew in his heart that the shiftless one was right. The coming of
+Timmendiquas with so large an army meant great events, and it was good
+fortune that had placed himself and his comrades there that night that
+they might see. His old feeling of admiration for the chief was as
+strong as ever, and he felt a certain sympathy, too. Here was a man who
+had failed despite courage, energy and genius. His help had not been
+able to save the Iroquois, and his own people might some day meet the
+same fate.
+
+The long line of the fleet passed on in silence, save for the musical
+swishing of the paddles. That sound, too, soon died away. Then all the
+canoes blended together like a long arrow of glittering silver, and the
+five in the bushes watched the arrow until it faded quite away on the
+surface of the stream.
+
+Henry and his comrades did not yet come forth from their covert, but
+they talked frankly.
+
+"What do you think it means?" asked the young leader.
+
+"Another raid on Kentucky," said Tom Ross.
+
+"But not jest yet," said the shrewd and far-seeing Shif'less Sol.
+"Timmendiquas will go North to gather all the warriors in the valley if
+he kin. He may even get help in Canada."
+
+"I think so, too," said Paul.
+
+"'Pears likely to me," said Long Jim.
+
+"That being the case," said Henry, "I think we ought to follow. Do you
+agree with me?"
+
+"We do," said the four together, speaking with the greatest emphasis.
+
+The decision made, nothing more was said upon the point, but they
+remained fully an hour longer in the covert. It would not be wise to
+follow yet, because a canoe or two might drop behind to serve as a rear
+guard. Nor was there any need to hurry.
+
+The five were in splendid shape for a new campaign. They had enjoyed a
+long rest, as they floated down the Ohio, rarely using the oars. They
+carried a large supply of ammunition and some extra rifles and other
+weapons, and, used to success, they were ready to dare anything. When
+they thought the Indian fleet was several miles ahead, they pulled their
+boat from the covert and followed. But they did not take the middle of
+the stream. Theirs was not a large force which could move rapidly,
+fearing nothing. Instead, they clung close to the eastern shore, in the
+shadow of the bank and trees, and rowed forward at an even pace, which
+they slackened only at the curves, lest they plunge suddenly into a
+hostile force.
+
+About midnight they heard faintly the splash of the paddles, and then
+they drew in again among the bushes at the bank, where they decided to
+remain for the rest of the night. Henry was to watch about three hours
+and Shif'less Sol would be on guard afterward. The four wrapped
+themselves in their blankets, lay down in the bottom of the boat, and
+were sound asleep in a few minutes. Henry, rifle across his knees,
+crouched in the stern. Now that he did not have the exercise of the
+oars, the night felt cold, and he drew his own blankets over his
+shoulders.
+
+Henry expected no danger, but he watched closely, nevertheless. Nothing
+could have passed on the stream unnoticed by him, and every sound on the
+bank above would have attracted his attention at once. Despite the fact
+that they were about to embark upon a new task attended by many dangers,
+the boy felt a great peace. In the perilous life of the wilderness he
+had learned how to enjoy the safety and physical comfort of the moment.
+He looked down at his comrades and smiled to himself. They were merely
+dark blurs on the bottom of the boat, sleeping soundly in their
+blankets. What glorious comrades they were! Surely no one ever had
+better.
+
+Henry himself did not move for a long time. He leaned against the side
+of the boat, and the blanket remained drawn up about his neck and
+shoulders. The rifle across his knee was draped by the same blanket, all
+except the steel muzzle. Only his face was uncovered, but his eyes never
+ceased to watch. The wind was blowing lightly through the trees and
+bushes, and the current of the river murmured beside the boat, all these
+gentle sounds merging into one note, the song of the forest that he
+sometimes heard when he alone was awake--he and everything else being
+still.
+
+Henry's mind was peaceful, imaginative, attentive to all the wonders of
+the forest, beholding wonders that others could not see, and the song
+went on, the gentle murmur of the river fusing and melting into the wind
+among the leaves. While he watched and listened, nothing escaping him,
+his mind traveled far, down the great rivers, through the many battles
+in which he had borne his share, and up to those mighty lakes of which
+he had often heard, but which he had never seen.
+
+The moonlight brightened again, clothing all the forest and river in a
+veil of silver gauze. It was inexpressibly beautiful to Henry who, like
+the Indians, beheld with awe and admiration the work of Manitou.
+
+A light sound, not in unison with the note of the forest, came from the
+bank above. It was very faint, nothing more than the momentary
+displacement of a bough, but the crouching figure in the boat moved ever
+so slightly, and then was still. The sound was repeated once and no
+more, but Henry's mind ceased to roam afar. The great river that he had
+seen and the great lakes that he had not seen were forgotten. With all
+the power of his marvelous gift he was concentrating his faculties upon
+the point from which the discord had come once, twice and then no more.
+Eye, ear and something greater--divination, almost--were bent upon it.
+
+He listened several minutes, but the sound did not come a third time.
+Forest and river were singing together again, but Henry was not
+satisfied. He rose to his feet, laid the blanket softly in the boat, and
+then with a glance at the river to see that nothing was passing there,
+leaped lightly to the land.
+
+The bank rose above him to a height of thirty feet, but the bushes were
+thick along its face, and the active youth climbed easily and without
+noise. Before he reached the crest he flattened himself against the
+earth and listened. He was quite confident that someone had been passing
+and was, perhaps, very near. He was too good a forester to ignore the
+event. He heard nothing and then drew himself up cautiously over the
+edge of the cliff.
+
+He saw before him thick forest, so heavy and dark that the moon did not
+light it up. An ordinary scout or sentinel would have turned back,
+satisfied that nothing was to be found, but Henry entered the woods and
+proceeded carefully in the direction from which the sound had come. He
+soon saw faint signs of a trail, evidently running parallel with the
+river, and, used from time to time, by the Indians. Now Henry was
+satisfied that his senses had not deceived him, and he would discover
+who had passed. He judged by the difference between the first and second
+sounds that the journey was leading northward, and he followed along the
+trail. He had an idea that it would soon lead him to a camp, and he
+reckoned right, because in a few minutes he saw a red bead of light to
+his right.
+
+Henry knew that the light betokened a camp-fire, and he was sure that he
+would find beside it the cause of the noise that he had heard. He
+approached with care, the woods offering an ample covert. He soon saw
+that the fire was of good size, and that there were at least a dozen
+figures around it.
+
+"More warriors," he said to himself, "probably bound for the same place
+as the fleet."
+
+But as he drew yet nearer he saw that not all the men around the
+camp-fire were warriors. Three, despite their faces, browned by wind and
+rain, belonged to the white race, and in the one nearest to him, Henry,
+with a leap of the heart, recognized his old enemy, Braxton Wyatt.
+
+Wyatt, like Timmendiquas, had come back to the scene of his earlier
+exploits and this conjunction confirmed Henry in his belief that some
+great movement was intended.
+
+Wyatt was on the far side of the fire, where the flames lighted up his
+face, and Henry was startled by the savagery manifested there. The
+renegade's face, despite his youth, was worn and lined. His black hair
+fell in dark locks upon his temples. He still wore the British uniform
+that he had adopted in the East, but sun and rain had left little of its
+original color. Wyatt had returned to the West unsuccessful, and Henry
+knew that he was in his most evil mind.
+
+The short, thick man sitting by Wyatt was Simon Girty, the most famous
+of all the renegades, and just beyond him was Blackstaffe. The Indians
+were Shawnees.
+
+The three white men were deep in conversation and now and then they
+pointed towards the north. Henry would have given much to have heard
+what they said, but they did not speak loudly enough. He was tempted to
+take a shot at the villain, Simon Girty. A single bullet would remove a
+scourge from the border and save hundreds of lives. The bullet sent, he
+might easily escape in the darkness. But he could not pull the trigger.
+He could not fire upon anyone from ambush, and watching a little while
+longer, he crept back through the forest to the boat, which he regained
+without trouble.
+
+Henry awakened his comrades and told them all that he had seen. They
+agreed with him that it was of the utmost importance. Wyatt and Girty
+were, no doubt, cooperating with Timmendiquas, and somewhere to the
+north the great Wyandot intended to rally his forces for a supreme
+effort.
+
+"This leaves us without the shadow of a pretext for going on to
+Wareville," said Henry.
+
+"It shorely does," said Shif'less Sol. "It's now our business to follow
+the Indians an' the renegades all the way to the Great Lakes ef they go
+that fur."
+
+"I hope they will," said Paul. "I'd like to see those lakes. They say
+you can sail on them there for days and days and keep out of sight of
+land. They're one of the wonders of the world."
+
+"The trail may lead us that far," said Henry. "Who knows! But since the
+enemy is on both land and water, I think we'll have to hide our boat and
+take to the forest."
+
+The truth of his words was obvious to them. The renegades or Indians in
+the woods would certainly see their boat if they continued that method
+of progress, but on land they could choose their way and hide whenever
+they wished. Reluctantly they abandoned their boat, which was staunch
+and strong, but they hid it as well as possible among bushes and reeds.
+In such a vast wilderness, the chances were twenty to one that it would
+remain where they had put it until they returned to claim their own. Too
+wise to burden themselves, they buried all their extra weapons and
+stores at the base of a great oak, marked well the place, and then,
+everyone with a blanket and light pack, started forward through the
+forest. They intended to go ahead of the renegades, observe the
+anchorage of the boats, and then withdrawing some distance from the
+river, let Wyatt, Girty and their friends pass them.
+
+Although it was yet several hours until daylight, they resumed their
+journey along the eastern bank of the stream, Henry leading and Silent
+Tom Ross bringing up the rear. In this manner they advanced rapidly and
+just when the first beams of dawn were appearing, they saw the Indian
+fleet at anchor on the west shore.
+
+They examined them at their leisure from the dense covert of the
+thickets, and saw that their estimate of five hundred warriors, made the
+night before, was correct. They also saw Timmendiquas more than once and
+it was evident that he was in complete command. Respect and attention
+followed wherever he went. Paint and dress indicated that warriors of
+all the tribes inhabiting the Ohio Valley were there.
+
+The Indians seemed to be in no hurry, as they lighted fires on the bank,
+and cooked buffalo and deer meat, which they ate in great quantities.
+Many, when they had finished their breakfast, lay down on the grass and
+slept again. Others slept in the larger canoes.
+
+"They are waiting for more of their friends to come up," whispered Henry
+to his comrades. A few minutes later, Wyatt, Girty and their party
+hailed the great war band from the east bank. Canoes were sent over for
+them, and they were taken into the Indian camp, but without much sign of
+rejoicing.
+
+"We know that Timmendiquas does not like Wyatt," said Henry, "and I
+don't believe that he really likes any of the renegades, not even
+Girty."
+
+"Red man ought to stick to red man, an' white man to white," said
+Shif'less Sol, sententiously. "I think that's the way Timmendiquas looks
+at it, an' I'd like to stan' ez high ez a white man, ez he does ez a red
+man."
+
+"I kin smell that cookin' buffler an' venison all the way across the
+river," said Jim Hart, "an' it's makin' me pow'ful hungry."
+
+"It'll have to be cold meat for us this time, Jim," said Henry.
+
+They had been so engrossed in the spectacle passing before them that
+they had forgotten food until the savory odors came across the stream
+and recalled it to Jim Hart's attention. Now they took out strips of
+dried venison with which they were always provided, and ate it slowly.
+It was not particularly delicious to the taste, but it furnished
+sustenance and strength. All the while they were lying in a dense
+thicket, and the sun was steadily climbing to the zenith, touching the
+vast green forest with bright gold.
+
+A shout came from a point far down the river. It was faint, but the five
+in the covert heard it. Someone in the fleet of Timmendiquas sent back
+an answering cry, a shrill piercing whoop that rose to an extraordinary
+pitch of intensity, and then sank away gradually in a dying note. Then
+the first cry came again, not so remote now, and once more it was
+answered in a similar way from the fleet of Timmendiquas.
+
+"Another fleet or detachment is comm'," said Shif'less Sol, "an' its
+expected. That's the reason why White Lightnin' has been lingerin' here,
+ez ef time didn't hev no meanin' at all."
+
+Many of the Indians, and with them Girty, Wyatt and Blackstaffe were
+looking down the stream. The eyes of the five followed theirs and
+presently they saw a fleet of thirty or forty canoes emerge into view,
+welcomed with loud shouts by the men of Timmendiquas. When the
+re-enforcement was fused into the main fleet, all took their place in
+line and once more started northward, the five following in the woods on
+shore.
+
+Henry and his comrades kept up this odd pursuit for a week, curving back
+and forth, but in the main keeping a northern course. Sometimes they
+left the river several miles away to the left, and saved distance by
+making a straight line between curves, but they knew that they would
+always come back to the stream. Thus it was easy traveling for such
+capable woodsmen as they. They saw the fleet joined by three more
+detachments, two by water and one by land. One came on a small tributary
+stream flowing from the West, and the total force was now increased to
+nearly a thousand warriors.
+
+On the sixth night of the parallel pursuit the five discussed it sitting
+in a thicket.
+
+"We must be drawing near to a village," said Henry.
+
+"I believe with you," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think it likely that
+it's a Wyandot town."
+
+"It's probable," said Paul, "and now for what purpose is such a great
+Indian force gathering? Do they mean to go South against Kentucky? Do
+they mean to go East against New York and Pennsylvania, or do they mean
+to go northward to join the British in Canada?"
+
+"That's what we've got to find out," said Long Jim tersely.
+
+"That's just it," said Henry. "We've got to stick to 'em until we learn
+what they mean to try. Then we must follow again. It's my opinion that
+they intend to go further northward or they wouldn't be gathering at a
+point two or three hundred miles above the Ohio."
+
+"Reckon you are right, Henry," said Shif'less Sol. "Ez for me I don't
+care how fur north this chase takes us, even ef we come right spang up
+ag'in' the Great Lakes. I want to see them five wonders o' the world
+that Paul talks about."
+
+"We may go to them," said Henry, "but it seems probable to me that we'll
+reach a big Wyandot village first."
+
+The Indians resumed their voyage in the usual leisurely fashion the next
+morning, and the five on shore followed at a convenient distance. They
+observed that the water of the river was now shallowing fast. The Indian
+boats were of light draft, but they could not go much further, and the
+village must be near.
+
+That evening just before sunset long cries were heard in the forest, and
+those in the boat replied with similar signals. Then the fleet swung to
+the bank, and all the warriors disembarked. Other warriors came through
+the woods to meet them, and leaving a guard with the boats the whole
+army marched away through the forest.
+
+The five were observers of all that passed, and they knew that the
+Indian village was at hand--perhaps not more than three or four miles
+away. Still keeping their distance, they followed. The sun was now gone,
+and only a band of red light lingered on the horizon in the West. It,
+too, faded quickly as they marched through the woods, and the night came
+down, enveloping the forest in darkness. The five were glad that the
+landing had occurred at such a time, as it made their own pursuit much
+safer and easier.
+
+The Indians, feeling perfectly safe, carried torches and talked and
+laughed with great freedom. The five in the covert had both the light
+and the noise to guide them, and they followed silently.
+
+They passed over a gently rolling country, heavily wooded, and in a half
+hour they saw lights ahead, but yet at some distance. The lights, though
+scattered, were numerous, and seemed to extend along an arc of half a
+mile. The five knew that the Indian village now lay before them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SILVER BULLET
+
+
+The village, the largest belonging to the Wyandots, the smallest, but
+most warlike of the valley tribes, lay in a warm hollow, and it did not
+consist of more than a hundred and fifty skin tepees and log cabins. But
+it was intended to be of a permanent nature, else a part of its houses
+would not have been of wood. There was also about it a considerable area
+of cleared land where the squaws raised corn and pumpkins. A fine creek
+flowed at the eastern edge of the clearing. Henry and his comrades
+paused, where the line of forest met the open, and watched the progress
+of the army across the cleared ground. Everybody in the village, it
+seemed, was coming forward to meet the chief, the warriors first and
+then the old men, squaws and children, all alive with interest.
+
+Timmendiquas strode ahead, his tall figure seeming taller in the light
+of the torches. But it was no triumphant return for him. Suddenly he
+uttered a long quavering cry which was taken up by those who followed
+him. Then the people in the village joined in the wail, and it came over
+and over again from the multitude. It was inexpressibly mournful and the
+dark forest gave it back in weird echoes. The procession poured on in a
+great horde toward the village, but the cry, full of grief and lament
+still came back.
+
+"They are mournin' for the warriors lost in the East," said Tom Ross. "I
+reckon that after Wyomin' an' Chemung, Timmendiquas wasn't able to
+bring back more than half his men."
+
+"If the Wyandots lost so many in trying to help the Iroquois, won't that
+fact be likely to break up the big Indian league?" asked Paul.
+
+Tom Ross shook his head, but Henry answered in words:
+
+"No, the Indians, especially the chiefs, are inflamed more than ever by
+their losses. Moreover, as Timmendiquas has seen how the allied Six
+Nations themselves could not hold back the white power, he will be all
+the more anxious to strike us hard in the valley."
+
+"I've a notion," said Shif'less Sol, "that bands o' the Iroquois,
+'specially the Mohawks, may come out here, an' try to do fur
+Timmendiquas what he tried to do fur them. The savages used to fight
+ag'in' one another, but I think they are now united ag'in' us, on an'
+off, all the way from the Atlantic to the Great Plains."
+
+"Guess you're right, Sol," said Long Jim, "but ez fur me, jest now I
+want to sleep. We had a purty hard march to-day. Besides walkin' we had
+to be watchin' always to see that our scalps were still on our heads,
+an' that's a purty wearyin' combination."
+
+"I speak for all, and all are with you," said Paul, so briskly that the
+others laughed.
+
+"Any snug place that is well hid will do," said Henry, "and as the
+forest is so thick I don't think it will take us long to find it."
+
+They turned southward, and went at least three miles through heavy woods
+and dense thickets. All they wanted was a fairly smooth spot with the
+bushes growing high above them, and, as Henry had predicted, they
+quickly found it--a small depression well grown with bushes and weeds,
+but with an open space in the center where some great animal, probably a
+buffalo had wallowed. They lay down in this dry sandy spot, rolled in
+their blankets, and felt so secure that they sought sleep without
+leaving anyone to watch.
+
+Henry was the first to awake. The dawn was cold and he shivered a little
+when he unrolled himself from his blanket. The sun showed golden in the
+east, but the west was still dusky. He looked for a moment or two at his
+four friends, lying as still as if they were dead. Then he stretched his
+muscles, and beat his arms across his chest to drive away the frost of
+the morning that had crept into his blood. Shif'less Sol yawned and
+awoke and the others did likewise, one by one.
+
+"Cold mornin' fur this time o' year," said Shif'less Sol. "Jim, light
+the fire an' cook breakfast an' the fust thing I want is a good hot cup
+o' coffee."
+
+"Wish I could light a fire," said Long Jim, "an' then I could give you a
+cup shore 'nuff. I've got a little pot an' a tin cup inside an' three
+pounds o' ground coffee in my pack. I brought it from the boat, thinkin'
+you fellers would want it afore long."
+
+"What do you say, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol. "Coffee would be pow'ful
+warmin'. None o' us hez tasted anything but cold vittles for more'n a
+day now. Let's take the chances on it."
+
+Henry hesitated but the chill was still in his blood and he yielded.
+Besides the risk was not great.
+
+"All right," he said; "gather dead wood and we'll be as quick about it
+as we can."
+
+The wood was ready in a minute. Tom Ross whittled off shavings with his
+knife. Shif'less Sol set fire to them with flint and steel. In a few
+minutes something was bubbling inside Jim Hart's coffee pot, and sending
+out a glorious odor.
+
+Shif'less Sol sniffed the odor.
+
+"I'm growin' younger," he said. "I'm at least two years younger than I
+wuz when I woke up. I wish to return thanks right now to the old Greek
+feller who invented fire. What did you say his name was, Paul?"
+
+"Prometheus. He didn't invent fire, Sol, but according to the story he
+brought it down from the heavens."
+
+"It's all the same," said the shiftless one as he looked attentively at
+the steaming coffee pot. "I guess it wuz about the most useful trip
+Promethy ever made when he brought that fire down."
+
+Everyone in turn drank from the cup. They also heated their dried
+venison over the coals, and, as they ate and drank, they felt fresh
+strength pouring into every vein. When the pot was empty Jim put it on
+the ground to cool, and as he scattered the coals of fire with a kick,
+Henry, who was sitting about a yard away suddenly lay flat and put his
+ear to the earth.
+
+"Do you hear anything, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol, who knew the meaning
+of the action.
+
+"I thought I heard the bark of a dog," replied Henry, "but I was not
+sure before I put my ear to the ground that it was not imagination. Now
+I know it's truth. I can hear the barking distinctly, and it is coming
+this way."
+
+"Some o' them ornery yellow curs hev picked up our trail," said
+Shif'less Sol, "an' o' course the warriors will follow."
+
+"Which, I take it, means that it is time for us to move from our present
+abode," said Paul.
+
+Long Jim hastily thrust the coffee pot, not yet cold, and the cup back
+into his pack, and they went towards the South at a gait that was half a
+run and half a walk, easy but swift.
+
+"This ain't a flight," said Shif'less Sol. "It's just a masterly
+retreat. But I'll tell you, boys, I don't like to run away from dogs. It
+humiliates me to run from a brute, an' an inferior. Hark to their
+barkin'."
+
+They now heard the baying of the dogs distinctly, a long wailing cry
+like the howling of hounds. The note of it was most ominous to Paul's
+sensitive mind. In the mythology that he had read, dogs played a great
+role, nearly always as the enemy of man. There were Cerberus and the
+others, and flitting visions of them passed through his mind now. He was
+aware, too, that the reality was not greatly inferior to his fancies.
+The dogs could follow them anywhere, and the accidental picking-up of
+their trail might destroy them all.
+
+The five went on in silence, so far as they were concerned, for a long
+time, but the baying behind them never ceased. It also grew louder, and
+Henry, glancing hastily back, expected that the dogs would soon come
+into sight.
+
+"Judging from their barking, the Wyandots must love dogs of uncommon
+size and fierceness," he said.
+
+"'Pears likely to me," said Shif'less Sol. "We're good runners, all five
+o' us. We've shaken the warriors off, but not the dogs."
+
+"It's just as you say," said Henry. "We can't run on forever, so we must
+shoot the trailers--that is--the dogs. Listen to them. They are not more
+than a couple of hundred yards away now."
+
+They crossed a little open space, leaped a brook and then entered the
+woods again. But at a signal from Henry, they stopped a few yards
+further on.
+
+"Now, boys," he said, "be ready with your rifles. We must stop these
+dogs. How many do you think they are, Tom?"
+
+"'Bout four, I reckon."
+
+"Then the moment they come into the open space, Tom, you and Paul and
+Jim shoot at those on the left, and Sol and I will take the right."
+
+The Indian dogs sprang into the open space and five rifles cracked
+together. Three of them--they were four in number, as Tom had said--were
+killed instantly, but the fourth sprang aside into the bushes, where he
+remained. The five at once reloaded their rifles as they ran. Now they
+increased their speed, hoping to shake off their pursuers. Behind them
+rose a long, fierce howl, like a note of grief and revenge.
+
+"That's the dog we did not kill," said Paul, "and he's going to hang
+on."
+
+"I've heard tell," said Tom Ross, "that 'cordin' to the Indian belief,
+the souls o' dead warriors sometimes get into dogs an' other animals,
+an' it ain't fur me to say that it ain't true. Mebbe it's really a dead
+Injun, 'stead o' a live dog that's leadin' the warriors on."
+
+Paul shuddered. Tom's weird theory chimed in with his own feelings. The
+fourth dog, the one that had hid from the bullets, was a phantom,
+leading the savages on to vengeance for his dead comrades. Now and then
+he still bayed as he kept the trail, but the fleeing five sought in vain
+to make him a target for their bullets. Seemingly, he had profited by
+the death of his comrades, as his body never showed once among the
+foliage. Search as they would with the sharpest of eyes, none of the
+five could catch the faintest glimpse of him.
+
+"He's a ghost, shore," said Tom Ross. "No real, ordinary dog would keep
+under cover that way. I reckon we couldn't kill him if we hit him, 'less
+we had a silver bullet."
+
+The savages themselves uttered the war cry only two or three times, but
+it was enough to show that with the aid of the dog they followed
+relentlessly. The situation of the five had become alarming to the last
+degree. They had intended to pursue, not to be pursued. Now they were
+fleeing for their lives, and there would be no escape, unless they could
+shake off the most terrible of all that followed--the dog. And at least
+one of their number, Silent Tom Ross, was convinced thoroughly that the
+dog could not be killed, unless they had the unobtainable--a silver
+bullet. In moments of danger, superstition can take a strong hold, and
+Paul too, felt a cold chill at his heart.
+
+Their course now took them through a rolling country, clad heavily in
+forest, but without much undergrowth, and they made good speed. They
+came to numerous brooks, and sometimes they waded in them a little
+distance, but they did not have much confidence in this familiar device.
+It might shake off the warriors for a while, but not that terrible dog
+which, directed by the Indians, would run along the bank and pick up the
+trail again in a few seconds. Yet hope rose once. For a long time they
+heard neither bark nor war cry, and they paused under the branches of a
+great oak. They were not really tired, as they had run at an easy gait,
+but they were too wise to let pass a chance for rest. Henry was hopeful
+that in some manner they had shaken off the dog, but there was no such
+belief in the heart of the silent one. Tom Ross had taken out his
+hunting knife and with his back to the others was cutting at something.
+Henry gave him a quick glance, but he did not deem it wise to ask him
+anything. The next moment, all thought of Tom was put out of his mind by
+the deep baying of the dog coming down through the forest.
+
+The single sound, rising and swelling after the long silence was uncanny
+and terrifying. The face of Tom Ross turned absolutely pale through the
+tan of many years. Henry himself could not repress a shudder.
+
+"We must run for it again," he said. "We could stay and fight, of
+course, but it's likely that the Indians are in large numbers."
+
+"If we could only shake off the hound," muttered Tom Ross. "Did you pay
+'tention to his voice then, Henry? Did you notice how deep it was? I
+tell you that ain't no common dog."
+
+Henry nodded and they swung once more into flight. But he and Shif'less
+Sol, the best two marksmen on the border, dropped to the rear.
+
+"We must get a shot at that dog," whispered Henry. "Very likely it's a
+big wolf hound."
+
+"I think so," said Shif'less Sol, "but I tell you, Henry, I don't like
+to hear it bayin'. It sounds to me jest ez ef it wuz sayin': 'I've got
+you! I've got you! I've got you!' Do you reckon there kin be anything in
+what Tom says?"
+
+"Of course not. Of course not," replied Henry. "Tom's been picking up
+too much Indian superstition."
+
+At that moment the deep baying note so unlike the ordinary bark of an
+Indian dog came again, and Henry, despite himself, felt the cold chill
+at his heart once more. Involuntarily he and the shiftless one glanced
+at each other, and each read the same in the other's eyes.
+
+"We're bound to get that dog, hound, cur, or whatever he may be!"
+exclaimed Henry almost angrily.
+
+Shif'less Sol said nothing, but he cast many backward glances at the
+bushes. Often he saw them move slightly in a direction contrary to the
+course of the wind, but he could not catch a glimpse of the body that
+caused them to move. Nor could Henry. Twice more they heard the war cry
+of the savages, coming apparently from at least a score of throats, and
+not more than three or four hundred yards away. Henry knew that they
+were depending entirely upon the dog, and his eagerness for a shot
+increased. He could not keep his finger away from the trigger. He longed
+for a shot.
+
+"We must kill that dog," he said to Shif'less Sol; "we can't run on
+forever."
+
+"No, we can't, but we kin run jest as long as the Injuns kin," returned
+the shiftless one, "an' while we're runnin' we may get the chance we
+want at the dog."
+
+The pursuit went on for a long time. The Indians never came into view,
+but the occasional baying of the hound told the fleeing five that they
+were still there. It was not an unbroken flight. They stopped now and
+then for rest, but, when the voice of the hound came near again, they
+would resume their easy run toward the South. At every stop Tom Ross
+would turn his back to the others, take out his hunting knife and begin
+to whittle at something. But when they started again the hunting knife
+was back in its sheath once more, and Tom's appearance was as usual.
+
+The sun passed slowly up the arch of the heavens. The morning coolness
+had gone long since from the air, but the foliage of the great forest
+protected them. Often, when the shade was not so dense they ran over
+smooth, springy turf, and they were even deliberate enough, as the hours
+passed, to eat a little food from their packs. Twice they knelt and
+drank at the brooks.
+
+They made no attempt to conceal their trail, knowing that it was
+useless, but Henry and Shif'less Sol, their rifles always lying in the
+hollows of their arms, never failed to seek a glimpse of the relentless
+hound. It was fully noon when the character of the country began to
+change slightly. The hills were a little higher and there was more
+underbrush. Just as they reached a crest Henry looked back. In the far
+bushes, he saw a long dark form and a pointed gray head with glittering
+eyes. He knew that it was the great dog, a wolf hound; he was sure now,
+and, quick as a flash, he raised his rifle and fired at a point directly
+between the glittering eyes. The dog dropped out of sight and the five
+ran on.
+
+"Do you think you killed him, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol breathlessly.
+
+"I don't know; I hope so."
+
+Behind them rose a deep bay, the trailing note of the great dog, but now
+it seemed more ferocious and uncanny than ever. Shif'less Sol shuddered.
+Tom Ross' face turned not pale, but actually white, through its many
+layers of tan.
+
+"Henry," said Shif'less Sol, "I never knowed you to miss at that range
+afore."
+
+The eyes of the two met again and each asked a question of the other.
+
+"I think I was careless, Sol," said Henry. His voice shook a little.
+
+"I hope so," said Shif'less Sol, whose mind was veering more and more
+toward the belief of Tom Ross, "but I'd like pow'ful well to put a
+bullet through that animal myself. Them awful wolf howls o' his hit on
+my nerves, they do."
+
+The chance of the shiftless one came presently. He, too, saw among the
+bushes the long dark body, the massive pointed head and the glittering
+eyes. He fired as quickly as Henry had done. Then came that silence,
+followed in a few minutes by the deep and sinister baying note of the
+great hound.
+
+"I reckon I fired too quick, too," said Shif'less Sol. But the hands
+that grasped his rifle were damp and cold.
+
+"'Tain't no use," said Tom Ross in a tone of absolute conviction. "I've
+seen you and Henry fire afore at harder targets than that, an' hit 'em
+every time. You hit this one, too."
+
+"Then why didn't we kill the brute?" exclaimed Henry.
+
+"'Cause lead wuzn't meant to kill him. Your bullets went right through
+him an' never hurt him."
+
+Henry forced a laugh.
+
+"Pshaw, Tom," he said. "Don't talk such foolishness.'"
+
+"I never talked solider sense in my life," said Ross.
+
+Henry and Shif'less Sol reloaded their rifles as they ran, and both were
+deeply troubled. In all their experience of every kind of danger they
+had met nothing so sinister as this, nothing so likely to turn the
+courage of a brave man. Twice sharpshooters who never missed had missed
+a good target. Or could there be anything in the words of Tom Ross?
+
+They left the warriors some distance behind again and paused for another
+rest, until the terrible hound should once more bring the pursuers near.
+All five were much shaken, but Tom Ross as usual in these intervals
+turned his back upon the others, and began to work with his hunting
+knife. Henry, as he drew deep breaths of fresh air into his lungs,
+noticed that the sun was obscured. Many clouds were coming up from the
+southwest, and there was a damp touch in the air. The wind was rising.
+
+"Looks as if a storm was coming," he said. "It ought to help us."
+
+But Tom Ross solemnly shook his head.
+
+"It might throw off the warriors," he said, "but not the dog. Hark,
+don't you hear him again?"
+
+They did hear. The deep booming note, sinister to the last degree, came
+clearly to their ears.
+
+"It's time to go ag'in," said Shif'less Sol, with a wry smile. "Seems to
+me this is about the longest footrace I ever run. Sometimes I like to
+run, but I like to run only when I like it, and when I don't like it I
+don't like for anybody to make me do it. But here goes, anyhow. I'll
+keep on runnin' I don't know whar."
+
+Sol's quaint remarks cheered them a little, and their feet became
+somewhat lighter. But one among them was thinking with the utmost
+concentration. Tom Ross, convinced that something was a fact, was
+preparing to meet it. He would soon be ready. Meanwhile the darkness
+increased and the wind roared, but there was no rain. The country grew
+rougher. The underbrush at times was very dense, and one sharp little
+stony hill succeeded another. The running was hard.
+
+Henry was growing angry. He resented this tenacious pursuit. It had
+been so unexpected, and the uncanny dog had been so great a weapon
+against them. He began to feel now that they had run long enough. They
+must make a stand and the difficult country would help them.
+
+"Boys," he said, "we've run enough. I'm in favor of dropping down behind
+these rocks and fighting them off. What do you say?"
+
+All were for it, and in a moment they took shelter. The heavy clouds and
+the forest about them made the air dim, but their eyes were so used to
+it that they could see anyone who approached them, and they were glad
+now that they had decided to put the issue to the test of battle. They
+lay close together, watching in front and also for a flank movement, but
+for a while they saw nothing. The hound had ceased to bay, but, after a
+while, both Henry and Sol saw a rustling among the bushes, and they knew
+that the savages were at hand.
+
+But of all the watchers at that moment Silent Tom Ross was the keenest.
+He also occupied himself busily for a minute or so in drawing the bullet
+from his rifle. Henry did not notice him until this task was almost
+finished.
+
+"Why, in the name of goodness, Tom," he exclaimed, "are you unloading
+your rifle at such a time?"
+
+Tom looked up. The veteran scout's eyes shone with grim fire.
+
+"I know what I'm doin'," he said. "Mebbe I'm the only one in this crowd
+who knows what ought to be did. I'm not unloadin' my rifle, Henry. I'm
+jest takin' out one bullet an' puttin' in another in its place. See
+this?"
+
+He held up a small disc that gleamed in the dim light.
+
+"That," said Tom, "is a silver bullet. It's flat an' it ain't shaped
+like a bullet, but it's a bullet all the same. I've been cuttin' it out
+uv a silver sixpence, an' now it exactly fits my rifle. You an' Sol--an'
+I ain't sayin' anything ag'in' your marksmanship--could shoot at that
+dog all day without hurtin' him, but I'm goin' to kill him with this
+silver bullet."
+
+"Don't talk foolishness, Tom," said Henry.
+
+"You'll see," said the veteran in a tone of such absolute conviction
+that the others could not help being impressed. Tom curled himself up
+behind one rock, and in front of another. Then he watched with the full
+intensity that the danger and his excitement demanded. He felt that all
+depended upon him, his own life and the lives of those four comrades so
+dear to him.
+
+Tom Ross, silent, reserved, fairly poured his soul into his task.
+Nothing among the bushes and trees in front of them escaped his
+attention. Once he saw a red feather move, but he knew that it was stuck
+in the hair of an Indian and he was looking for different game. He
+became so eager that he flattened his face against the rock and thrust
+forward the rifle barrel that he might lose no chance however fleeting.
+
+Silent Tom's figure and face were so tense and eager that Henry stopped
+watching the bushes a moment or two to look at him. But Tom continued to
+search for his target. He missed nothing that human eye could see among
+those bushes, trees and rocks. He saw an eagle feather again, but it did
+not interest him. Then he heard the baying of a hound, and he quivered
+from head to foot, but the sound stopped in a moment, and he could not
+locate the long dark figure for which he looked. But he never ceased to
+watch, and his eagerness and intensity did not diminish a particle.
+
+The air darkened yet more, and the moan of the wind rose in the forest.
+But there was no rain. The five behind the rocks scarcely moved, and
+there was silence in the bushes in front of them. Tom Ross, intent as
+ever, saw a bush move slightly and then another. His eyes fastened upon
+the spot. So eager was he that he seemed fairly to double his power of
+sight. He saw a third bush move, and then a patch of something dark
+appear where nothing had been before. Tom's heart beat fast. He thought
+of the comrades so dear to him, and he thought of the silver bullet in
+his rifle. The dark patch grew a little larger. He quivered all over,
+but the next instant he was rigid. He was watching while the dark patch
+still grew. He felt that he would have but a single chance, and that if
+ever in his life he must seize the passing moment it was now.
+
+Tom was staring so intently that his gaze pierced the shadows, and now
+he saw the full figure of a huge hound stealing forward among the
+bushes. He saw the massive pointed head and glittering eyes, and his
+rifle muzzle shifted until he looked down the barrel upon a spot
+directly between those cruel eyes. He prayed to the God of the white man
+and the Manitou of the red man, who are the same, to make him steady of
+eye and hand in this, their moment of great need. Then he pulled the
+trigger.
+
+The great dog uttered a fierce howl of pain, leaped high into the air,
+and fell back among the bushes. But even as he fell Tom saw that he was
+stiffening into death, and he exclaimed to his comrades:
+
+"It got him! The silver bullet got him! He'll never follow us any more."
+
+"I believe you're right," said Henry, awed for the moment despite his
+clear and powerful mind, "and since he's dead we'll shake off the
+warriors. Come, we'll run for it again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE HOT SPRING
+
+
+Bending low, they ran again swiftly forward toward the south. A great
+cry rose behind them, the whoop of the warriors, a yell of rage and
+disappointment. A dozen shots were fired, but the bullets either flew
+over their heads or dropped short. The five did not take the trouble to
+reply. Confidence had returned to them with amazing quickness, and the
+most confident and joyous of all was Tom Ross.
+
+"I had the big medicine that time," he exclaimed exultantly. "It's lucky
+I found the silver sixpence in my pocket, or that hound would have had
+the savages trailing us forever."
+
+Henry was cooler now, but he did not argue with him about it. In fact,
+none of them ever did. Both he and Sol were now noting the heavens which
+had become more overcast. The clouds spread from the horizon to the
+zenith. Not a ray of sunlight showed. The wind was dropping, but far
+into the southwest the earth sighed.
+
+"It's the rain," said Henry. "Let it come. It and all this blackness
+will help our escape."
+
+Low thunder muttered along the western horizon. There were three or four
+flashes of lightning but when the rain came presently with a sweep, both
+thunder and lightning ceased, and they ran on clothed in a mantle of
+darkness.
+
+"Let's stay close together," said Henry, "and after awhile we'll turn to
+the east and bear back toward the village. Nobody on earth can trail us
+in all this gloom, with the rain, too, washing out every trace of our
+footsteps."
+
+Henry's judgment was good. Now that the hound was gone they shook off
+the savages with ease. The rain was coming down in a steady pour, and,
+as the twilight also was at hand, they were invisible to anyone fifty
+yards away. Hence their speed dropped to a walk, and, in accordance with
+their plan, they turned to the right. They walked on through dark woods,
+and came to a smoother country, troubled little by rocks and underbrush.
+The night was fully come, and the rain, that was still pouring out of a
+black sky, was cold. They had paid no attention to it before except for
+its concealment, but, as their figures relaxed after long effort, chill
+struck into the bone. They had kept their rifles dry with their hunting
+shirts, but now they took their blankets from the packs and wrapped them
+about their shoulders. The blankets did not bring them warmth. Their
+soaked clothing chilled them more and more.
+
+They had become inured long since to all kinds of hardships, but one
+cannot stand everything. Now and then a spurt of hail came with the
+rain, and it beat in their faces, slipped between the blankets and down
+their necks, making them shiver. Their weariness after so much exertion
+made them all susceptible to the rain and cold. Finally Henry called a
+halt.
+
+"We must find shelter somewhere," he said. "If we don't, we'll be so
+stiff in the morning we can't walk, and we'll be lucky to escape chills
+and pneumonia, or something of that kind."
+
+"That's right," said Shif'less Sol. "So we'll jest go into the inn,
+which ain't more'n a hundred yards further on, git dry clothing, eat a
+big supper, have a steaming hot drink apiece of something strong an'
+then crawl in on feather beds with warm dry blankets over us. Oh, I'll
+sleep good an' long! Don't you worry about that!"
+
+"Solomon Hyde," said Long Jim Hart indignantly, "ef you don't stop
+talkin' that way I'll hit you over the head with the barrel uv my rifle.
+I'm cold enough an' wet enough already without you conjurin' up happy
+dreams an' things that ain't. Them contrasts make me miserabler than
+ever, an' I'm likely to get wickeder too. I give you fair warning'."
+
+"All right," replied Shif'less Sol resignedly. "I wuz jest tryin' to
+cheer you up, Jim, but a good man never gits any reward in this world,
+jest kicks. How I wish that rain would stop! I never knowed such a cold
+rain afore at this time o' the year."
+
+"We must certainly find some sort of shelter," Henry repeated.
+
+They searched for a long time, hoping for an alcove among the rocks or
+perhaps a thick cluster of trees, but they found nothing. Several hours
+passed. The rain grew lighter, and ceased, although the clouds remained,
+hiding the moon. But the whole forest was soaked. Water dripped from
+every twig and leaf, and the five steadily grew colder and more
+miserable. It was nearly midnight when Henry spied the gleam of water
+among the tree trunks.
+
+"Another spring," he said. "What a delightful thing to see more water.
+I've been fairly longing for something wet."
+
+"Yes, and the spring has been rained on so much that the steam is rising
+from it," said Paul.
+
+"That's so," said Jim Hart. "Shore ez you live thar's a mist like a
+smoke."
+
+But Henry looked more closely and his tone was joyous as he spoke.
+
+"Boys," he said, "I believe we're in luck, great luck. I think that's a
+hot spring."
+
+"So do I," said Shif'less Sol in the same joyous tone, "an' ef it is a
+hot spring, an' it ain't too almighty hot, why, we'll all take pleasant
+hot baths in it, go to bed an' sleep same ez ef we wuz really on them
+feather beds in that inn that ain't."
+
+Sol approached and put his hand in the water which he found warm, but
+not too hot.
+
+"It's all that we hoped, boys," he exclaimed joyfully. "So I'm goin' to
+enjoy these baths of Lucully right away. After my bath I'll wrap myself
+in my blanket, an' ez the rain hez stopped I'll hang out my clothes to
+dry."
+
+It was really a hot spring of the kind sometimes found in the West. The
+water from the base of a hill formed a large pool, with a smooth bottom
+of stone, and then flowed away in a little brook under the trees.
+
+It was, indeed, a great piece of luck that they should find this hot
+bath at a time when it was so badly needed. The teeth of both Paul and
+Sol were chattering, and they were the first to throw off their clothes
+and spring into the pool.
+
+"Come right in and be b'iled," exclaimed the shiftless one. "Paul has
+bragged of the baths o' Caracally but this beats 'em."
+
+There were three splashes as the other three hit the water at once. Then
+they came out, rolled themselves lightly in the warm blankets, and felt
+the stiffness and soreness, caused by the rain and cold, departing from
+their bodies. A light wind was blowing, and their clothes, hung on
+boughs, were beginning already to dry. An extraordinary sense of peace
+and ease, even of luxury, stole over them all. The contrast with what
+they had been suffering put them in a physical heaven.
+
+"I didn't think I could ever be so happy, a-layin' 'roun' in the woods
+wrapped up in nothin' but a blanket," said Shif'less Sol. "I guess the
+baths o' Rome that Paul tells about wuz good in their day, which wuz a
+mighty long time ago, but not needin' 'em ez bad ez we did, mebbe, them
+Roman fellers didn't enjoy 'em ez much. What do you say to that, Paul,
+you champion o' the ancient times which hev gone forever?"
+
+The only answer was a long regular breathing. Paul had fallen asleep.
+
+"Good boy," said Shif'less Sol, sympathetically, "I hope he'll enjoy his
+nap."
+
+"Hope the same fur me," said Long Jim, "'cause I'm goin' to foller him
+in less than two minutes."
+
+Jim Hart made good his words. Within the prescribed time a snore, not
+loud nor disagreeable, but gentle and persistent, rose on the night air.
+One by one the others also fell asleep, all except Henry, who forced
+himself to keep awake, and who was also pondering the question of
+Timmendiquas. What were the great chief's plans? What vast scheme had
+been evolved from the cunning brain of that master Indian? And how were
+the five--only five--to defeat it, even should they discover its nature?
+
+The light wind blew through all the rest of the night. The foliage
+became dry, but the earth had been soaked so thoroughly with water that
+it remained heavy with damp. The night was bright enough for him to
+observe the faces of his comrades. They were sleeping soundly and
+everyone was ruddy with health.
+
+"That was certainly a wonderful hot bath," said Henry to himself, as he
+looked at the pool. He moved a little in his blanket, tested his muscles
+and found them all flexible. Then he watched until the first tinge of
+gray appeared in the east, keeping his eyes upon it, until it turned to
+silver and then to rose and gold, as the bright sun came. The day would
+be clear and warm, and, after waiting a little longer, he awakened the
+others.
+
+"I think you'd better dress for breakfast," he said.
+
+Their clothing was now thoroughly dry, and they clothed themselves anew,
+but breakfast was wholly lacking. They had eaten all the venison, and
+every man had an aching void.
+
+"The country hez lots o' deer, o' course," said Shif'less Sol, "but jest
+when you want one most it's pretty shore that you can't find it."
+
+"I'm not so certain about that," said Henry. "When you find a hot spring
+you are pretty likely to find a mineral spring or two, also, especially
+one of salt."
+
+"And if it's salt," finished Paul, "we'll see the deer coming there to
+drink."
+
+"Sound reasonin'," said Tom Ross.
+
+They began the search. About a hundred yards east of the hot spring they
+found one of sulphur water, and, two hundred yards further, one of salt.
+Innumerable tracks beside it showed that it was well patronized by the
+wilderness people, and the five, hiding in a clump of bushes at a point
+where the wind would not betray them, bided their time. Some small
+animals came down to drink at the healing salt spring, but the five did
+not pull a trigger. This was not the game they wanted, and they never
+killed wantonly. They were waiting for a fine fat deer, and they felt
+sure that he would come. A great yellow panther padded down to the
+spring, frightening everything else away and lapped the water greedily,
+stopping now and then for suspicious looks at the forest. They longed to
+take a shot at the evil brute, and, under the circumstances, everyone of
+the five would have pulled the trigger, but now none did so. The panther
+took his time, but finally he slunk back into the forest, leaving the
+salt spring to better wilderness people than himself.
+
+At last the sacrifice came, a fat and splendid stag, walking proudly and
+boldly down to the pool. He sniffed the morning air, but the wind was
+not blowing from the fire toward him, and, with no feeling of danger,
+he bent down his regal head to drink. The five felt regret that so noble
+an animal must give his life for others, but hunger was hunger and in
+the wilderness there was no other way. By common consent they nodded
+towards Henry, who was the best shot, and he raised his rifle. It
+reminded him of the time far back, when, under the tutelage of Tom Ross,
+he had shot his first stag. But now, although he did not say it to
+himself or even think of it, he was Tom Ross' master in all the arts of
+hunting, and in mind as well.
+
+Henry pulled the trigger. The stag leaped high into the air, ran a few
+yards, fell and was still. They dressed his body quickly, and in a half
+hour Long Jim Hart, with all the skill and soul of a culinary artist was
+frying strips of deer meat over the coals that Shif'less Sol had
+kindled. There was danger of Indians, of course, but they kept a sharp
+watch, and as they ate, they neither saw nor heard any sign.
+
+"It is pretty sure," said Henry, "that no savage was lingering about
+when I fired the rifle, because we would have heard something from him
+by this time."
+
+"You are shorely right," said Shif'less Sol. "Jim, give me another
+strip. My appetite hez took a fresh hold ez I'm eatin' now with a free
+mind."
+
+"Here you are, Sol," said Long Jim. "It's a pow'ful pleasure to me to
+see you eat my cookin'. The health an strength uv a lazy man like you
+who hez been nourished by my hand is livin' proof that I'm the best cook
+in the woods."
+
+"We all give you that credit, Jim," said Shif'less Sol contentedly.
+
+After breakfast they took with them as large a supply of the meat as
+they could carry with convenience and regretfully left the rest to the
+wolves and panthers. Then they began their journey toward the Wyandot
+village. Their misadventure and their long flight from the terrible
+hound had not discouraged them in the least. They would return directly
+to the storm center and keep watch, as well as they could, upon the
+movements of Timmendiquas and his allies.
+
+But they chose another and more easterly course now and traveled all day
+through beautiful sunshine and a dry forest. Their precautions of the
+night before had served them well, as the rain and cold left no trace of
+ill, and their spirits rose to heights.
+
+"But thar's one thing we've got to guard ag'in'," said Shif'less Sol. "I
+don't want to be tracked by any more dogs. Besides bein' dangerous, it
+gives you a creepy uncomf'table feelin'."
+
+"We'll keep a good watch for them," said Henry.
+
+As they saw no reason for haste, they slept in the woods another night,
+and the next night thereafter they approached the Indian village. They
+hung about it a long time, and, at great risk, discovered that a new
+movement was on foot. Timmendiquas would soon depart for a journey
+further into the North. With him would go the famous chiefs, Yellow
+Panther of the Miamis, and Red Eagle of the Shawnees, and the renegades,
+Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and Blackstaffe. They would have a retinue of
+a hundred warriors, chosen from the different tribes, but with
+precedence allotted to the Wyandots. These warriors, however, were
+picked men of the valley nations, splendidly built, tall, lean and full
+of courage and ferocity. They were all armed with improved rifles, and
+every man carried a tomahawk and hunting knife. They were also amply
+supplied with ammunition and provisions.
+
+The five having watched these preparations by night when they could come
+close to the village, considered them carefully as they lay in a dense
+covert. So far they had not been able to discover anything that would
+indicate the intention of Timmendiquas, except that he would march
+northward, and there were many guesses.
+
+"I'm thinking that he will go to Detroit," said Henry. "That's the
+strongest British post in the West. The Indians get their arms and
+ammunition there, and most of the raids on Kentucky have been made from
+that point."
+
+"Looks ez likely ez anything to me," said Shif'less Sol, "but I'm
+guessin' that ef Timmendiquas goes to Detroit he won't stop there. He's
+a big man an' he may then go westward to raise all the tribes o' the
+Great Lakes."
+
+"It may be so," said Henry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE SEVEN HERALDS
+
+
+Henry, late the next night, was near the Wyandot village, watching it
+alone. They had decided to divide their work as the border watch. Part
+of them would sleep in the covert, while the others would scout about
+the village. That night it was the turn of Shif'less Sol and himself,
+but they had separated in order to see more. The shiftless one was now
+on the other side of the town, perhaps a mile away.
+
+Henry was in a thick clump of bushes that lay to the north of the house
+and tepees. Dogs might stray that way or they might not. If they did, a
+rifle shot would silence the first that gave tongue, and he knew that
+alone he was too swift in flight to be overtaken by any Indian force.
+
+Although past midnight the heavens were a fine silky blue, shot with a
+myriad of stars, and a full rich moon hanging low. Henry, lying almost
+flat upon his stomach, with his rifle by his side, was able to see far
+into the village. He noted that, despite the lateness of the hour, fires
+were burning there, and that warriors, carrying torches, were passing
+about. This was unusual. It was always characteristic of his mind not
+only to see, but to ask where, when and, above all, why? Now he was
+repeatedly asking why of himself, but while asking he never failed to
+observe the slightest movement in the village.
+
+Presently he saw Timmendiquas walk from a large lodge and stop by one of
+the fires. Standing in the rays of the moon, light from above and
+firelight from his side falling upon him the figure of the chief was
+like that of some legendary Titan who had fought with the gods. A red
+blanket hung over his shoulder, and a single red feather rose aloft in
+the defiant scalp lock.
+
+Henry saw the renegade, Simon Girty, approach, and talk with the chief
+for a few moments, but he was much too far away to hear what they said.
+Then six warriors, one of them, by his dress, a sub-chief, came from the
+lodges and stood before Timmendiquas, where they were joined, an instant
+later, by the renegade Blackstaffe. The chief took from beneath his
+blanket four magnificent belts of wampum, two of which he handed to the
+sub-chief and two to the renegade. Timmendiquas said a few words to
+every one of them, and, instantly leaving the village they traveled
+northward at the swift running walk of the Indian. They passed near
+Henry in single file, the sub-chief at the head and Blackstaffe in the
+rear, and he noticed then that they carried supplies as if for a long
+journey. Their faces were turned toward the Northwest.
+
+Timmendiquas and Girty stood for a moment, watching the men, then turned
+back and were lost among the lodges. But Henry rose from his covert and,
+hidden among the bushes, came to a rapid conclusion. He knew the
+significance of wampum belts and he could guess why these seven men had
+departed so swiftly. They were heralds of war. They were on their way to
+the far northwest tribes, in order that they might bring them to the
+gathering of the savage clans for the invasion of Kentucky.
+
+Henry felt a powerful impulse, an impulse that speedily became a
+conviction. Every delay and every reduction of force was a help to the
+white men and white women and children down below the Ohio. A week of
+time, or the difference of twenty warriors might be their salvation. He
+must turn back the messengers, and he must do it with his single hand.
+How he longed for the help of the brave and resourceful Shif'less Sol.
+But he was a mile away, somewhere in the dark woods and Henry could not
+delay. The seven heralds were speeding toward the Northwest, at a pace
+that would soon take them far beyond his reach, unless he followed at
+once.
+
+Dropping his rifle in the hollow of his arm he swung in behind them. One
+could not pick up a trail in dense woods at night, but he had observed
+their general direction, and he followed them so swiftly that within a
+half hour he saw them, still traveling in Indian file, the chief as
+before at the head of the line and Blackstaffe at the rear. The moon had
+now faded a little, and the light over the forest turned from silver to
+gray. Many of the stars had withdrawn, but on sped the ghostly
+procession of seven. No, not of seven only, but of eight, because behind
+them at a distance of two hundred yards always followed a youth of great
+build, and of wilderness instinct and powers that none of them could
+equal.
+
+Chaska, the sub-chief, the Shawnee who led, was an eager and zealous
+man, filled with hatred of the white people who had invaded the hunting
+grounds of his race. He was anxious to bring as many warriors as he
+could to their mighty gathering, even if he had to travel as far as the
+farthest and greatest of the Great Lakes. Moreover he was swift of foot,
+and he did not spare himself or the others that night. He led them
+through bushes and weeds and grass and across the little brooks. Always
+the others followed, and no sound whatever came from the file of seven
+which was really the file of eight.
+
+The seven heralds traveled all night and all of the next day, always
+through forest, and at no time was the eighth figure in the file more
+than four hundred yards behind them.
+
+The Indian, through centuries of forest life, had gifts of insight and
+of physical faculties amounting to a sixth sense, yet the keenest among
+them never suspected, for an instant, that they were eight and not
+seven. At noon they sat down in the dry grass of a tiny prairie and ate
+dried deer meat. Henry, in the edge of the woods a quarter of a mile
+away, also ate dried deer meat. When the seven finished their food and
+resumed the march the eighth at the same time finished his food and
+resumed the march. Nothing told the seven that the eighth was there, no
+voice of the wood, no whisper from Manitou.
+
+The stop had not lasted more than half an hour and the journey led on
+through great forests, broken only by tiny prairies. Game abounded
+everywhere, and Henry judged that the Indians, according to the custom
+among some of the more advanced tribes, had not hunted over it for
+several seasons, in order that it might have plenty when they came
+again. Ten or a dozen buffaloes were grazing on nearly every little
+prairie, splendid deer were in the open and in the woods, but the seven
+and also the eighth stopped for none of these, although they would have
+been sorely tempted at any other time.
+
+Their speed was undiminished throughout the afternoon, but Henry knew
+that they must camp that night. They could not go on forever, and he
+could secure, too, the rest that he needed. It might also give him the
+chance to do what he wished to do. At least he would have time to plan.
+
+In the late afternoon the character of the day changed. The sun set in a
+mackerel sky. A soft wind came moaning out of the Southwest, and drops
+of rain were borne on its edge. Darkness shut down close and heavy. No
+moon and no stars came out. The rain fell gently, softly, almost as if
+it were ashamed, and the voice of the wind was humble and low.
+
+Chaska, Blackstaffe and their men stopped under the interlacing boughs
+of two giant oaks, and began to collect firewood. Henry, who had been
+able to come much nearer in the dark, knew then that they would remain
+there a long time, probably all night, and he was ready to prepare for
+his own rest. But he did not do anything until the seven had finished
+their task.
+
+He kept at a safe distance, shifting his position from time to time,
+until the Indians had gathered all the firewood they needed and were
+sitting in a group around the heap. Chaska used the flint and steel and
+Henry saw the fire at last blaze up. The seven warmed their food over
+the fire and then sat around it in a close and silent circle, with their
+blankets drawn over their bodies, and their rifles covered up in their
+laps. Sitting thus, Blackstaffe looked like the others and no one would
+have known him from an Indian.
+
+Henry had with him, carried usually in a small pack on his back, two
+blankets, light in weight but of closely woven fiber, shedding rain, and
+very warm. He crouched in a dense growth of bushes, three or four
+hundred yards from the Indian fire. Then he put one blanket on the
+ground, sat upon it, after the Indian fashion, and put the other blanket
+over his head and shoulders, just as the warriors had done. He locked
+his hands across his knees, while the barrel of the rifle which rested
+between his legs protruded over his shoulder and against the blanket.
+Some of the stronger and heavier bushes behind him supported his weight.
+He felt perfectly comfortable, and he knew that he would remain so,
+unless the rain increased greatly, and of that there was no sign.
+
+Henry, though powerful by nature, and inured to great exertions, was
+tired. The seven, including the eighth, had been traveling at a great
+pace for more than twenty hours. While the Indians ate their food,
+warmed over the fire, he ate his cold from his pocket. Then the great
+figure began to relax. His back rested easily against the bushes. The
+tenseness and strain were gone from his nerves and muscles. He had not
+felt so comfortable, so much at peace in a long time, and yet not three
+hundred yards away burned a fire around which sat seven men, any one of
+whom would gladly have taken his life.
+
+The clouds moved continually across the sky, blotting out the moon and
+every star. The soft, light rain fell without ceasing and its faint
+drip, drip in the woods was musical. It took the last particle of strain
+and anxiety from Henry's mind and muscles. This voice of the rain was
+like the voice of his dreams which sometimes sang to him out of the
+leaves. He would triumph in his present task. He was bound to do so,
+although he did not yet know the way.
+
+He watched the fire with sleepy eyes. He saw it sink lower and lower. He
+saw the seven figures sitting around it become dim and then dimmer,
+until they seemed to merge into one solid circle.
+
+As long as he looked at them he did not see a single figure move, and he
+knew that they were asleep. He knew that he too would soon be sleeping
+and he was willing. But he was resolved not to do so until the darkness
+was complete, that is, not until the fire had gone entirely out. He
+watched it until it seemed only a single spark in the night. Then it
+winked and was gone. At the same time the darkness blotted out the ring
+of seven figures.
+
+Henry's eyelids drooped and closed. He raised them weakly once or twice,
+but the delicate voice of the light rain in the forest was so soothing
+that they stayed down, after the second attempt, and he floated
+peacefully to unknown shores, hidden as safely as if he were a thousand
+miles from the seven seated and silent figures.
+
+He awoke about midnight and found himself a little stiff from his
+crouching position, but dry and rested. The rain was still falling in
+gentle, persistent fashion. He rolled up the blanket that had lain
+under him but kept the other around his shoulders. All was dark where
+the fire and the ring of seven had been, but he knew instinctively that
+they were there, bent forward with the blankets about their heads and
+shoulders.
+
+He stole forward until he could see them. He was right. Not one in the
+circle was missing and not one had moved. Then he passed around them,
+and, picking his way in the darkness, went ahead. He had a plan, vague
+somewhat, but one which he might use, if the ground developed as he
+thought it would. He had noticed that, despite inequalities, the general
+trend of the earth was downward. The brooks also ran northward, and he
+believed that a river lay across their path not far ahead.
+
+Now he prayed that the rain would cease and that the clouds would go
+away so that he might see, and his prayers were answered. A titanic hand
+dragged all the clouds off to the eastward, and dim grayish light came
+once more over the dripping forest. He saw forty or fifty yards ahead,
+and he advanced much faster. The ground continued to drop down, and his
+belief came true. At a point four or five miles north of the Indian camp
+he reached a narrow but deep river that he could cross only by swimming.
+But it was likely a ford could be found near and he looked swiftly for
+it.
+
+He went a mile down the stream, without finding shallow water, and, then
+coming back, discovered the ford only a hundred yards above his original
+point of departure. The water here ran over rocks, and, for a space of
+ten or fifteen yards, it was not more than four feet deep. The Indians
+undoubtedly knew of this ford, and here they would attempt to cross.
+
+He waded to the other side, rolled up the second blanket, crouched
+behind rocks among dense bushes, ate more cold food, and waited. His
+rifle lay across his knees, and, at all times, he watched the woods on
+the far shore. He was the hunter now, the hunter of men, the most
+dangerous figure in the forest, all of his wonderful five senses attuned
+to the utmost.
+
+The darkness faded away, as the dawn came up, silver and then gold.
+Golden light poured down in a torrent on river, forest and hills. Every
+leaf and stem sprang out clear and sharp in the yellow blaze. The
+waiting youth never stirred. From his covert in the thicket behind the
+rocks he saw everything. He saw a bush stir, when there was no wind, and
+then he saw the face of the Indian chief Chaska, appear beside the bush.
+After him came the remainder of the seven and they advanced toward the
+ford.
+
+Henry raised his rifle and aimed at Chaska. He picked a spot on the
+broad and naked chest, where he could make his bullet strike with
+absolute certainty. Then he lowered it. He could not fire thus upon an
+unsuspecting enemy, although he knew that Chaska would have no such
+scruples about him. Pursing his lips he uttered a loud sharp whistle, a
+whistle full of warning and menace.
+
+The seven sprang back among the bushes. The eighth on the other side of
+the river lay quite still for a little while. Then a sudden puff of wind
+blew aside some of the bushes and disclosed a portion of his cap. Chaska
+who was the farthest forward of the seven saw the cap and fired. The
+Indian is not usually a good marksman, and his bullet cut the bushes,
+but Henry, who now had no scruples, was a sharpshooter beyond compare.
+Chaska had raised up a little to take aim, and, before the smoke from
+his own weapon rose, the rifle on the other side of the river cracked.
+Chaska threw up his hands and died as he would have wished to die, on
+the field of battle, and with his face to the foe. The others shrank
+farther back among the bushes, daunted by the deadly shot, and the
+hidden foe who held the ford.
+
+Henry reloaded quietly, and then lay very close among the bushes. Not
+only did he watch the forest on the other shore, but all his senses were
+keenly alert. For a distance of a full half mile none of the Indians
+could cross the river unseen by him, but, in case they went farther and
+made the passage he relied upon his ears to warn him of their approach.
+
+For a time nothing stirred. Boughs, bushes and leaves were motionless
+and the gold on the surface of the river grew deeper under the rising
+sun. Blackstaffe, after the fall of Chaska, was now commander of the
+seven heralds, who were but six, and at his word the Indians too were
+lying close, for the soul of Blackstaffe, the renegade, was disturbed.
+The bullet that had slain Chaska had come from the rifle of a
+sharpshooter. Chaska had exposed himself for only an instant and yet he
+had been slain. Blackstaffe knew that few could fire with such swift and
+deadly aim, but, before this, he had come into unpleasantly close
+contact with some who could. His mind leaped at once to the conclusion
+that the famous five were in front of him, and he was much afraid.
+
+An hour passed. The beauty of the morning deepened. The river flowed, an
+untarnished sheet, now of silver, now of gold as the light fell. Henry
+crept some distance to the right, and then an equal distance to left. He
+could not hear the movement of any enemy in front of him, and he
+believed that they were all yet in the bushes on the other side of the
+river. He returned to his old position and the duel of patience went on.
+His eyes finally fixed themselves upon a large bush, the leaves of which
+were moving. He took the pistol from his belt, cocked it, and put it
+upon the rock in front of him. Then he slowly pushed forward the muzzle
+of his long and beautiful Kentucky rifle.
+
+It was certainly a duel to the death. No other name described it, and
+hundreds of such have been fought and forgotten in the great forests of
+North America. The Indian behind the bush was crafty and cunning, one of
+the most skillful among the Shawnees. He had marked the spot where an
+enemy lay, and was rising a little higher for a better look.
+
+Henry had marked him, too, or rather the movement that was the precursor
+of his coming, and when the Shawnee rose in the bush he raised a little
+and fired. There was a terrific yell, a figure leaped up convulsively,
+and then falling, disappeared. Five shots were fired at Henry, or rather
+at the flame from his rifle, but he merely sank back a little, snatched
+up the pistol, and sent a second bullet, striking a brown figure which
+retreated with a cry to the woods. The remainder, Blackstaffe first
+among them, also sprang to cover.
+
+The renegade and the four remaining Indians, one of whom was severely
+wounded, conferred as they lay among the trees. Blackstaffe was no
+coward, yet his heart was as water within him. He was absolutely sure
+now that the terrible five were before them. Two shots had been fired,
+but the others were only waiting their chance. His own force was but
+five now, only four of whom were effective. He was outnumbered, and he
+did not know what to do. The Indians would want to carry out the
+important orders of Timmendiquas, but there was the river, and they did
+not dare to attempt the crossing.
+
+Henry, in his old position, awaited the result with serene confidence.
+The seven heralds were now but five, really four, and not only the
+stars, but the sun, the day, time, circumstance and everything were
+working for him. He had reloaded his weapons, and he was quite sure now
+that Blackstaffe and the Indians would stay together. None of them nor
+any two of them would dare to go far upstream or down stream, cross and
+attempt to stalk him. Nevertheless he did not relax his vigilance. He
+was as much the hunter as ever. Every sense was keenly alert, and that
+superior sense or instinct, which may be the essence and flower of the
+five was most alert of all.
+
+The duel of patience, which was but a phase of the duel of death, was
+resumed. On went the sun up the great concave arch of the heavens,
+pouring its beams upon the beautiful earth, but on either side of the
+river nothing stirred. The nerves of Blackstaffe, the renegade, were the
+first to yield to the strain. He began to believe that the five had gone
+away, and, creeping forward to see, he incautiously exposed one hand. It
+was only for an instant, but a bullet from the other side of the river
+cut a furrow all the way across the back of the hand, stinging and
+burning as if a red hot bar had been laid upon it.
+
+Blackstaffe dropped almost flat upon the ground, and looked at his hand
+from which the blood was oozing. He knew that it was not hurt seriously,
+but the wound stung horribly and tears of mingled pain and mortification
+rose to his eyes. He suggested to the warriors that they go back, but
+they shook their heads. They feared the wrath of Timmendiquas and the
+scorn of their comrades. So Blackstaffe waited, but he was without hope.
+He had been miserably trapped by his belief that the five had gone. They
+were there, always watching, deadlier sharpshooters than ever.
+
+It was noon now, and a Wyandot, the most zealous of the remaining
+Indians, lying flat on his stomach, crept almost to the water's edge,
+where he lay among the grass and reeds. Yet he never crept back again.
+He stirred the grass and weeds too much, and a bullet, fired by
+calculation of his movements, and not by any sight of his figure, slew
+him where he lay.
+
+Then a great and terrible fear seized upon the Indians as well as
+Blackstaffe. Such deadly shooting as this was beyond their
+comprehension. The bullets from the rifles of the unseen marksmen were
+guided by the hand of Manitou. The Great Spirit had turned his face away
+from them, and helping their wounded comrade, they fled southward as
+fast as they could. Blackstaffe, his blazed hand burning like fire, went
+with them gladly.
+
+In that journey of twenty hours' northward the seven heralds had
+traveled far from the Wyandot village and it was equally as far back to
+it. Going northward they had zeal and energy to drive them on, and going
+southward they had terror and superstition to drive them back. They
+returned as fast as they had gone, and all the time they felt that the
+same mysterious and deadly enemy was behind them. Once a bullet, cutting
+the leaves near them, hastened their footsteps. The renegade wished to
+abandon the wounded man, but the Indians, more humane, would not allow
+it.
+
+Henry could have reduced the number of the heralds still further, but
+his mind rebelled at useless bloodshed and he was satisfied to let
+terror and superstition do their work. He followed them until they were
+in sight of the village, guessing the surprise and consternation that
+their news would cause. Then he turned aside to find his comrades in the
+covert and to tell them what he had done. They admired, but they were
+not surprised, knowing him so well.
+
+Meanwhile they waited.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE WYANDOT COUNCIL
+
+
+Henry and his comrades, spying anew from the woods and seeing the
+village full of stir, thought Timmendiquas and his warriors would depart
+that day, but they soon gathered that some important ceremonial was at
+hand, and would be celebrated first. It reminded Henry of the great
+gathering of the Iroquois before the advance on Wyoming. He was as eager
+now as then to enter the village and see the rites, which it was quite
+evident were going to be held at night. Already the dangers of his
+adventure with the seven heralds were forgotten and he was ready for new
+risks.
+
+"If I only had a little paint for my face and body," he said, "I could
+go into the place without much danger, and I'd learn a lot that would be
+of use to us."
+
+No one answered, but Shif'less Sol, who had been listening attentively,
+stole away. The sun was then about an hour high, and, a little after
+twilight, the shiftless one returned with a package wrapped in a piece
+of deerskin. He held it aloft, and his face was triumphant.
+
+"What have you been doing, Sol?" exclaimed Henry.
+
+"Me? I've been stealin'. An' I tell you I've been a good thief, too, fur
+a lazy man. You said you wanted paint, Henry. Well, here it is an' the
+little brushes an' feathers with which you put it on, too. The people
+are all driftin' toward the center o' the village, an' without any
+partic'lar trouble to myself or anybody else I entered an outlyin'--an'
+fur the time empty--lodge an' took away this vallyble paintin' outfit."
+
+"Good," said Henry with delight. "Now you shall paint me, Sol, and in an
+hour I'll be among the Wyandots. Let's see the paint."
+
+But Shif'less Sol firmly retained his precious package.
+
+"Takin's are keepings," he said. "These paints are mine, an' I 'low you
+to make use o' them on one condition only."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"When I paint you, you paint me, an' then we'll go into this mighty
+Injun metropolis together. Mebbe you'll need me, Henry, an' I'm goin'
+with you anyway. You've got to agree to it."
+
+Henry and the shiftless one looked each other squarely in the face.
+Henry read resolve, and also an anxious affection in the gaze of his
+comrade.
+
+"All right, Sol," he said, "it's agreed. Now let's see which is the
+better painter."
+
+While the others stood by and gave advice Sol painted Henry. The great
+youth bared himself to the skin, and Sol, with a deft hand, laid on the
+Wyandot colors over chest, shoulders, arms, face and hands. Then Henry
+painted the shiftless one in the same fashion. They also, but with more
+difficulty, colored their hair black. It was artistic work, and when all
+was done the two stood forth in the perfect likeness of two splendid
+Wyandot warriors.
+
+"I think," said Henry, "that if we keep away from Timmendiquas, Wyatt,
+Girty and those who know us so well, nobody will suspect us."
+
+"But don't run any unnecessary risks," said Paul anxiously. "You know
+how hard it will be on us waiting out here in the woods, an' if you were
+captured it's not likely we could save you."
+
+"We'll take every precaution, Paul," said Henry, "and we'll rejoin you
+here in the morning."
+
+"All right," said Paul, "we'll wait at this point."
+
+They were in an exceedingly dense part of the forest about two miles
+from the Indian village, and Tom Ross, the phlegmatic, was already
+selecting a place for his blanket. The moon was not yet out and the
+light over the forest was dim, but Paul, Long Jim and Silent Tom could
+see very distinctly the two magnificent young Wyandots who stood near
+them, bare to the waist, painted wondrously and armed with rifle,
+tomahawk and knife.
+
+"Henry," said Long Jim, "ef I didn't see your face I could swear that
+you wuz Timmendiquas his very self. I see Timmendiquas--his shoulders
+an' the way he carries himself."
+
+"An' I guess you see somethin' gran' an' wonderful in me, too, don't
+you, Saplin'?" said Shif'less Sol in his most ingratiating tone.
+
+Long Jim gazed at him in his most scornful manner, before he deigned to
+reply.
+
+"No, I don't see no great chief in you, Sol Hyde," he replied. "I see
+nothin' but an ornery Wyandot, who's so lazy he has to be fed by squaws,
+an' who ef he saw a white man would run so fast he'd never stop until he
+hit Lake Superior an' got beyond his depth."
+
+Shif'less Sol laughed and held out his hand.
+
+"Put 'er thar," he said. "You wouldn't abuse me ef you didn't like me,
+an' ef I never come back I guess a tear or two would run down that brown
+face o' yours."
+
+Long Jim returned in kind the iron grasp of his friend.
+
+"Them words o' yours is mighty near to the truth," he said.
+
+Both Henry and Sol said all their good-byes, and then they slid away
+through the thickets toward the town. As they came to its edge they saw
+a multitude of lights, fires burning here and there, and many torches
+held aloft by women and children. There was also the chatter of hundreds
+of voices, melting into a pleasant river of sound and the two, not even
+finding the Indian dogs suspicious, advanced boldly across the maize
+fields. Henry, remembering his size, which was the chief danger, now
+stooped and held himself in a shrunken position as much as possible.
+Thus they came to the town, and they saw that all its inhabitants were
+converging upon the common in the center.
+
+Both Henry and Sol looked anxiously at the village, which was of a
+permanent character, containing both single and communal wigwams. The
+permanent wigwams were of an oblong form, built of poles interwoven with
+bark. Many were, as Shif'less Sol called them, double-barreled--that is,
+in two sections, a family to each section, but with a common hall in
+which the fire was built, each family sitting on its side of the fire.
+But all these were empty now, as men, women and children had gone to the
+open space in the center of the village. The communal lodges were much
+larger, often holding six or seven families, but with entirely distinct
+partitions for every family. Here in the woods was a rude germ of the
+modern apartment house.
+
+Henry and Sol drew near to the common, keeping concealed within the
+shadow of the lodges. The open space was blazing with light from big
+fires and many squaws carried torches also. Within this space were
+grouped the guests of the Wyandots, the Shawnees and the Miamis, with
+their chiefs at their head. They were painted heavily, and were in the
+finest attire of the savage, embroidered leggings and moccasins, and red
+or blue blankets. From every head rose a bright feather twined in the
+defiant scalp lock. But the Shawnees and Miamis stood motionless, every
+man resting the stock of his rifle upon the ground and his hands upon
+the muzzle. They were guests. They were not to take any part in the
+ceremony, but they were deeply interested in the great rites of an
+allied and friendly nation, the great little tribe of the Wyandots, the
+woman-ruled nation, terrible in battle, the bravest of the brave the
+finest savage fighters the North American continent ever produced, the
+Mohawks not excepted. And the fact remains that they were ruled by
+women.
+
+The Wyandot warriors had not yet entered the open, which was a great
+circular grassy space. But as Henry and Shif'less Sol leaned in the
+shadow of a lodge, a tall warrior painted in many colors came forth into
+the light of the fires, and uttered a loud cry, which he repeated twice
+at short intervals. Meanwhile the torches among the women and children
+had ceased to waver, and the Shawnees and Miamis stood immovable, their
+hands resting on the muzzles of their rifles. The great fires blazed up,
+and cast a deep red light over the whole scene. A minute or so elapsed
+after the last cry, and Henry and Shif'less Sol noticed the expectant
+hush.
+
+Then at the far side of the circle appeared the Wyandot warriors, six
+abreast coming between the lodges. They were naked except for the breech
+cloth and moccasins, but their bodies were gorgeously painted in many
+colors. Mighty men were they. Few among them were less than six feet in
+height, and all were splendidly built for strength, skill and endurance.
+They held their heads high, too, and their eyes flashed with the haughty
+pride of those who considered themselves first. Not in vain were the
+woman-ruled Wyandots the bravest of the brave.
+
+The Wyandot people advanced and waited on the outer rim of the circle in
+the order of their gentes or clans. Their rank like that of all the
+leading North American tribes was perfect and was never violated. There
+were eleven clans with the following names in their language: The Bear,
+the Deer, the Highland Striped Turtle, the Highland Black Turtle, the
+Mud Turtle, the Large Smooth Turtle, the Hawk, the Beaver, the Wolf, the
+Snake, and the Porcupine. The rank of the sachem of the nation was
+inherent in the clan of the Bear, and the rank of military chief had
+always belonged hitherto to the clan of the Porcupine, but now the right
+was about to be waived and for an ample reason.
+
+The Wyandot warriors continued to march steadily into the circle until
+all were there, and then a deep murmur of approval came from the
+watching Shawnees and Miamis.
+
+The flower of the Wyandot nation here in its own home was all that
+wilderness fame had made it. At the head of the first clan, that of the
+Bear, stood Timmendiquas, and Henry and Shif'less Sol had never seen him
+appear more commanding. Many tall men were there, but he over-topped
+them all, and his eyes shone with a deep, bright light, half triumph and
+half expectancy.
+
+Now all the Wyandots were within the circle, standing as they always
+camped when on the war path or the hunt. They were arranged in the form
+of a horseshoe. The head was on the left and the clans ran to the right
+in this way: The Bear, the Deer, the Highland Striped Turtle, the
+Highland Black Turtle, the Mud Turtle, the Large Smooth Turtle, the
+Hawk, the Beaver, the Wolf, the Snake and the Porcupine. These clans
+were also incorporated into four phratries, or larger divisions. The
+first phratry included the Bear, the Deer, and the Highland Striped
+Turtle; the second, the Highland Black Turtle, the Mud Turtle, and the
+Large Smooth Turtle; the third, the Hawk, the Beaver, and the Wolf, and
+the fourth, the Snake, and the Porcupine.
+
+Every clan was ruled by a council of five, and of those five, four were
+women. The fifth, the man, was chosen by the four women from the men of
+their clan. The four women of the Board of Council had been selected
+previously by the married women or heads of families of the clans. The
+wife, not the husband, was the head of the family, nor did he own
+anything in their home except his clothes and weapons. He was merely a
+hunter and warrior. All property and rank descended through the female
+line. The lands of the village which were communal were partitioned for
+cultivation by the women. The clan council of five was called the
+Zu-wai-yu-wa, and the lone man was always deferential in the presence of
+the four women who had elected him. The men councilors, however, had
+some privilege. When it became necessary to choose the Grand Sachem of
+the whole nation, they alone did it. But they were compelled to heed the
+voices of the women who constituted the whole voting population, and who
+also owned all the property. There was, too, a separate military council
+of men who chose the military chief. Every clan had a distinctive way of
+painting the face, and the four women councilors and their man comrade
+wore on state occasions distinctive chaplets of wild flowers, leaves and
+grass.
+
+Much of this lore Henry and Shif'less Sol knew already and more they
+learned later. Now as they watched the impressive ceremonies they often
+divined what was to come.
+
+After the horseshoe was formed, forty-four women and eleven men in a
+compact body advanced to the inside of the circle. The women were mostly
+middle-aged, and they were better looking than the women of other
+tribes. Seen in the firelight they had primitive dignity and a
+wilderness majesty, that was brightened by the savage richness of their
+dress. They wore their hair in long dark braids, adorned by shells and
+small red and blue feathers. Their tunics, which fell nearly to the
+knee, were made of the finest dressed deerskin, fastened at the waist
+with belts of the same material, dyed red or blue. As they watched, the
+little beads on their leggings and moccasins tinkled and gave forth the
+colors of the firelight. The expression of all was one of great gravity
+and dignity. Here was the real senatorial body of the nation. Though
+they might not fight nor lead in war, they were the lawmakers of the
+Wyandots. Great deference was paid to them as they passed.
+
+Henry and Shif'less Sol, flattened in the dark against the side of a
+tepee, watched everything with eager interest. Henry, a keen observer
+and quick to draw inferences, had seen other but somewhat similar
+ceremonies among the Iroquois. Women had taken a part there also and
+some of them had the rank of chieftainess, but they were not predominant
+as they were among the Wyandots.
+
+The council of the eleven clans stopped in the center of the circle, and
+a silence, broken only by the crackling of the fires and the sputtering
+of the torches, came once more over the great assembly. But a thousand
+eager faces were turned toward them. The Shawnees and Miamis apparently
+had not yet moved, still standing in rows, every face an impenetrable
+bronze mask.
+
+The tall warrior of the clan of the Wolf who had made the signal for the
+ceremony now came forward again. His name was Atuetes (Long Claws) and
+he was at once the herald and sheriff of the nation. He superintended
+the erection of the Council House, and had charge of it afterwards. He
+called the council which met regularly on the night of the full moon,
+and at such other times as the Grand Sachem might direct. The present
+was an unusual meeting summoned for an unusual purpose, and owing to the
+uncommon interest in it, it was held in the open instead of in the
+Council House.
+
+Timmendiquas, already by common consent and in action the Grand Sachem
+of the Wyandots, was now about to be formally invested with the double
+power of Grand Sachem and military chief. The clan of the Porcupine in
+which the military chieftainship was hereditary had willingly yielded it
+to Timmendiquas, whose surpassing fitness to meet the coming of the
+white man was so obvious to everybody.
+
+Atuetes, the herald, advanced to the very center of the ring and shouted
+three times in loud, piercing tones:
+
+"Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas!"
+
+Then the whole nation, with their guests the Shawnees and Miamis,
+uttered the name in one great cry. After that the deep breathless
+silence came again and the eager brown faces were bent yet further
+forward. Timmendiquas standing motionless hitherto at the head of his
+clan, the Bear, now walked forth alone. The shout suddenly rose again,
+and then died as quickly as before.
+
+Timmendiquas had thrown aside his magnificent blue blanket, and he stood
+bare to the waist. The totem of the bear tattooed upon his chest shone
+in the firelight. His figure seemed to grow in height and to broaden.
+Never before in all the history and legends of the Wyandots had so
+mighty an honor been conferred upon so young a warrior. It was all the
+more amazing because his predominance was so great that none challenged
+it, and other great warriors were there.
+
+Among the famous chiefs who stood with the councilors or the clan were
+Dewatire (Lean Deer), Shayantsawat (Hard Skull), Harouyu (The Prowler),
+Tucae (Slow Walker), and Tadino (Always Hungry).
+
+Timmendiquas continued to walk slowly forward to the point, where the
+long row of the chieftainesses stood. He would not have been human had
+he not felt exaltation, and an immense pride as he faced the women, with
+the hundreds and hundreds of admiring eyes looking on. He came presently
+within a few feet of them and stopped. Then Ayajinta (Spotted Fawn), the
+tallest and most majestic of the women, stepped forward, holding in both
+hands a woven chaplet of flowers and grass. The entire circle was now
+lighted brilliantly by the fires and torches, and Henry and Shif'less
+Sol, although at a distance, saw well.
+
+Ayajinta, holding the chaplet in her outstretched hands, stood directly
+before Timmendiquas. She was a tall woman, but the chief towered nearly
+a head above her. Nevertheless her dignity was the equal of his and
+there was also much admiration in her looks.
+
+"Timmendiquas," she said, in tones so clearly that everyone could hear,
+"you have proved yourself both a great chief and a mighty warrior. For
+many moons now you have led the Wyandots on the war trail, and you have
+also been first among them in the Council House. You have gone with our
+warriors far toward the rising sun and by the side of the great kindred
+nation, the Iroquois, you have fought with your warriors against the
+Long Knives. After victory the Iroquois have seen their houses
+destroyed, but you and your warriors fought valiantly to defend them.
+
+"We, the women of the Wyandots, chosen to the council by the other
+women, the heads of the families, look upon you and admire you for your
+strength, your courage and your wisdom. Seldom does Manitou give so much
+to a single warrior, and, when he does give, then it is not so much for
+him as it is for the sake of his tribe."
+
+Ayajinta paused and the multitude uttered a deep "Hah!" which signified
+interest and approval. But Timmendiquas stood upright, unchanging eyes
+looking at her from the impenetrable brown mask.
+
+"So," she said, "O Timmendiquas, thou hast been chosen Grand Sachem of
+the Wyandots, and also the leader of the war chiefs. We give you the
+double crown. Wear it for your own glory, and yet more for the glory of
+the Wyandot nation."
+
+Timmendiquas bent his lofty head and she put upon it the great flowery
+crown. Then as he raised his crowned head and looked proudly around the
+circle, a tremendous shout burst from the multitude. Once more they
+cried:
+
+"Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas! Timmendiquas!"
+
+Before the third utterance of the name had died, fifty young girls, the
+fairest of the tribe, dressed in tanned deerskin adorned with beads and
+feathers, streamed into the inner circle and began to dance before the
+great chief. Meanwhile they sang:--
+
+    Behold the great Timmendiquas!
+    Mightiest of great chiefs,
+    Wisest of all in council,
+    He leads the warriors to battle,
+    He teaches the old men wisdom,
+    Timmendiquas, first of men.
+
+    Behold the great Timmendiquas!
+    As strong as the oak on the mountain,
+    As cunning as the wolf of the valley,
+    He has fought beside the great Iroquois,
+    The Yengees flee at the sound of his name,
+    Timmendiquas, first of men.
+
+Then they joined hands and circled about him to a tune played by four
+men on whistles, made from the bones of eagles. The song died, and the
+girls flitted away so quickly through the outer ring that they were gone
+like shadows.
+
+Responsive as they were to wilderness life, the scene was making a
+mighty impression upon Henry and Shif'less Sol. With the firelight about
+him and the moonlight above him, the figure of Timmendiquas was
+magnified in every way. Recognized long since as the most redoubtable of
+red champions, he showed himself more formidable than ever.
+
+The crowd slowly dispersed, but Atuetes of the clan of the Hawk called a
+military council in the Council House. Timmendiquas, as became his rank,
+led the way, and the renegades, Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt, and Moses
+Blackstaffe were admitted. Inside the Council House, which was hung with
+skins and which much resembled those of the Iroquois, the chiefs, after
+being called to order by Atuetes, the herald and sheriff, sat down in a
+circle, with Timmendiquas a little further forward than the others.
+
+Atuetes took a great trumpet-shaped pipe, lighted it with a coal that
+was burning in a small fire in a corner, and inhaled two whiffs of
+smoke. He breathed out the first whiff toward the heavens and the second
+toward the earth. He handed the pipe to Timmendiquas, who inhaled the
+smoke until his mouth was filled. Then, turning from left to right, he
+slowly puffed out the smoke over the heads of all the chiefs. When the
+circle was complete, he handed the pipe to the next chief on his left,
+who puffed out the smoke in the same manner. This was done gravely and
+in turn by every chief. Then the Grand Sachem, Timmendiquas, announced
+the great military subject for which they were called together, and they
+proceeded to discuss it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE RUINED VILLAGE
+
+
+The military council, presided over by Timmendiquas, sat long in the
+Council House, and about the moment it had concluded its labors, which
+was some time after midnight, Henry and Shif'less Sol skipped away from
+the village. Wyandot warriors had passed them several times in the
+darkness, but they had escaped close notice. Nevertheless, they were
+glad when they were once more among the trees. The forest had many
+dangers, but it also offered much shelter.
+
+They rejoined their comrades, slept heavily until daylight, and when
+they scouted again near the Wyandot village they found that Timmendiquas
+and his force were gone, probably having started at the dawn and
+marching swiftly. But they knew that they would have no trouble in
+finding so large a trail, and as long as they were in proximity of the
+village they traveled with great care. It was nearly night when they
+found the broad trail through the woods, leading north slightly by east.
+All five were now of the belief that the destination of the savages was
+Detroit, the British post, which, as a depot of supplies and a rallying
+point for the Indians, served the same purpose as Niagara and Oswego in
+the East. To Detroit, Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis, and all the others
+turned for weapons and ammunition. There went the renegades and there
+many Kentuckians, who had escaped the tomahawk or the stake, had been
+taken captive, including such famous men as Boone and Kenton. It was a
+name that inspired dread and hate on the border, but the five were full
+of eagerness to see it, and they hoped that the march of Timmendiquas
+would take them thither.
+
+"I hear they've got big forts thar," said Shif'less Sol, "but ef we
+don't lose our cunnin', an' I don't think we will, we five kin spy among
+'em an' read thar secrets."
+
+"There are many white men at Detroit," said Henry, "and I've no doubt
+that we can slip in among them without being detected. Tories and
+renegades who are strangers to the British officers at Detroit must be
+continually arriving there. In that lies our chance."
+
+Later in the night they approached the Wyandot camp, but they did not
+dare to go very close, as they saw that it was everywhere guarded
+carefully and that but few lights were burning. They slept in the woods
+two or three miles away, and the next day they followed the trail as
+before. Thus the northward march went on for several days, the great
+White Lightning of the Wyandots and his warriors moving swiftly, and
+Henry and his comrades keeping the same pace six or seven miles in the
+rear.
+
+They advanced through country that none of the five had ever seen
+before, but it was a beautiful land that appealed alike to the eye and
+ear of the forest runner. It was not inferior to Kentucky, and in
+addition it had many beautiful little lakes. Game, however, was not
+abundant as here were the villages of the Indian tribes, and the forests
+were hunted more. But the five found deer and buffalo sufficient for
+their needs, although they took great risks when they fired. Once the
+shot was heard by a detachment of the Shawnees who also were after game,
+and they were trailed for a long time, but when night came they shook
+them off, and the next morning they followed Timmendiquas, as usual,
+though at a much greater distance.
+
+Their escape in this instance had been so easy that they took enjoyment
+from it, but they prudently resolved to retain their present great
+distance in the rear. The trail could not be lost and the danger would
+be less. The course that Timmendiquas maintained also led steadily on
+toward Detroit, and they felt so sure now of his destination that they
+even debated the advisability of passing ahead of the column, in order
+to reach the neighborhood of Detroit before him. But they decided
+finally in the negative, and maintained their safe distance in the rear.
+
+As they continued northward the Indian signs increased. Twice they
+crossed the trails of Indian hunting parties, and at last they came to a
+deserted village. Either it had been abandoned because of warfare or to
+escape an unhealthy location, but the five examined it with great
+curiosity. Many of the lodges built of either poles or birch bark were
+still standing, with fragments of useless and abandoned household goods
+here and there. Paul found in one of the lodges a dried scalp with long
+straight hair, but, obeying a sensitive impulse he hid it from the
+others, thrusting it between two folds of the birch bark.
+
+They also found fragments of arrows and broken bows. The path leading
+down to a fine spring was not yet overgrown with grass, and they
+inferred from it that the Indians had not been gone many months. There
+was also an open space showing signs of cultivation. Evidently maize and
+melons had grown there.
+
+"I wonder why they went away?" said Long Jim to Shif'less Sol. "You've
+made two guesses--unhealthiness or danger from Injuns. Now this site
+looks purty good to me, an' the Injun tribes up here are generally
+friendly with one another."
+
+"Them's only guesses," said Sol, "an' we'll never know why. But I take
+it that Delawares lived here. This is just about thar country. Mebbe
+they've gone North to be near Detroit, whar the arms an' supplies are."
+
+"Likely enough," said Henry, "but suppose we populate this village for
+to-night. It looks as if rain were coming on, and none of us is fond of
+sleeping out in the wet."
+
+"You're talkin' wisdom," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think we kin find a
+place in the big wigwam over thar that looks like a Council House."
+
+He pointed to a rough structure of bark and poles, with a dilapidated
+roof and walls, but in better state of preservation than any of the
+wigwams, probably because it had been built stronger. They entered it
+and found that it originally had a floor of bark, some portions of which
+remained, and there was enough area of sound roof and walls to shelter
+them from the rain. They were content and with dry bark beneath them and
+on all sides of them they disposed themselves for the night.
+
+It yet lacked an hour or so of sunset, but the heavy clouds already
+created a twilight, and the wind began to moan through the forest,
+bringing with it a cold rain that made a monotonous and desolate patter
+on leaves and grass. The comrades were glad enough now of their shelter
+in the abandoned Council House. They had made at Pittsburg a purchase
+which conduced greatly to their comfort, that is, a pair of exceedingly
+light but warm blankets for everyone--something of very high quality.
+They always slept between these, the under blankets fending off the cold
+that rose from the ground.
+
+Now they lay, dry and warm against the wall of the old Council House,
+and listened to the steady drip, drip of the rain on the roof, and
+through the holes in the roof upon the floor. But it did not reach them.
+They were not sleepy, and they talked of many things, but as the
+twilight came on and the thick clouds still hovered, the abandoned
+village took on a ghostly appearance. Nearly all the wall opposite that
+against which they lay was gone, and, as it faced the larger part of the
+village, they could see the ruined wigwams and the skeleton frames that
+had been used for drying game. Out of the forest came the long lonesome
+howl of a wolf, some ragged, desolate creature that had not yet found
+shelter with his kind. The effect upon everyone was instantaneous and
+the same. This flight from the Indians and the slaying of the great
+hound by Tom Ross with his silver bullet came back in vivid colors.
+
+But the howl was not repeated and the steady drip of the cold rain
+remained unbroken. It gathered finally in little puddles on the floor
+not far from them, but their own corner remained dry and impervious.
+They noticed these things little, however, as the mystic and ghostly
+effect of the village was deepening. Seen through the twilight and the
+rain it was now but a phantom. Henry's mind, always so sensitive to the
+things of the forest, repeopled it. From under his drooping lids he saw
+the warriors coming in from the hunt or the chase, the women tanning
+skins or curing game, and the little Indian boys practicing with bows
+and arrows. He felt a sort of sympathy for them in this wild life, a
+life that he knew so well and that he had lived himself. But he came
+quickly out of his waking dream, because his acute ear had heard
+something not normal moving in the forest. He straightened up and his
+hand slid to the breech of his rifle. He listened for a few minutes and
+then glanced at Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Someone comes our way," said Henry.
+
+"Yes," said Shif'less Sol, "but it ain't more'n two or three. Thar, you
+kin hear the footsteps ag'in, an' their bodies brushing ag'in' the wet
+bushes."
+
+"Three at the utmost," said Henry, "so we'll sit here and wait."
+
+It was not necessary to tell them to be ready with their weapons. That
+was a matter of course with every borderer in such moments. So the five
+remained perfectly still in a sitting position, every one with his back
+pressed against the bark wall, a blanket wrapped around his figure, and
+a cocked rifle resting upon his knees. They were so quick that in the
+darkness and falling rain they might have passed for so many Indian
+mummies, had it not been for the long slender-barreled rifles and their
+threatening muzzles.
+
+Yet nobody could have been more alert than they. Five pairs of trained
+ears listened for every sound that rose above the steady drip of the
+rain, five pairs of eyes, uncommonly keen in their keenness, watched the
+bushes whence the first faint signals of approach had come. Now they
+heard more distinctly that brushing of clothing against the bushes, and
+then a muttered oath or two. Evidently the strangers were white men,
+perhaps daring hunters who were not afraid to enter the very heart of
+the Indian country. Nevertheless the hands still remained on their
+rifles and the muzzles still bore on the point whence the sounds came.
+
+Three white men, dripping with rain, emerged from the forest. They were
+clad in garb, half civilized and half that of the hunter. All were well
+armed and deeply tanned by exposure, but the attention of the five was
+instantly concentrated upon the first of the strangers, a young man of
+medium height, but of the most extraordinary ugliness. His skin, even
+without the tan, would have been very dark. His eyes, narrow and
+oblique, were almost Oriental in cast and his face was disfigured by a
+hideous harelip. The whole effect was sinister to the last degree, but
+Henry and his comrades were fair enough to credit it to a deformity of
+nature and not to a wicked soul behind. The two with him were a little
+older. They were short, thickly built, and without anything unusual in
+their appearance.
+
+The three strangers were dripping with water and when they came into the
+abandoned village they stood for a few moments talking together. Then
+their eyes began to roam around in search of shelter.
+
+"They'll be coming this way soon," whispered Henry to Paul, "because
+it's about the only place large enough to keep three men dry."
+
+"Of course they'll come here," Paul whispered back; "now I wonder who
+and what they are."
+
+Henry did not reply and the five remained as motionless as ever, five
+dusky figures in a row, sitting on the bark floor, and leaning against
+the bark wall. But every sense in them was acutely alive, and they
+watched the strangers look into one ruined lodge after another. None
+offered sufficient shelter and gradually they came toward the Council
+House. Always the man with the harelip and ugly face led. Henry watched
+him closely. The twilight and the rain did not allow any very clear view
+of him, just enough to disclose that his face was hideous and sinister.
+But Henry had a singularly clear mind and he tried to trace the
+malignant impression to the fact of physical ugliness, unwilling to do
+injury, even in thought merely, to anyone.
+
+At last the eyes of the three alighted upon the old Council House, and
+they came forward quickly toward the open end. They were about to enter,
+but they saw the five figures against the wall and stopped abruptly. The
+man with the harelip bent forward and gazed at them. Henry soon saw by
+the expression of his face that he knew they were no mummies. He now
+thrust his rifle forward and his hand slipped down toward the trigger.
+Then Henry spoke.
+
+"Come in," he said quickly; "we are white like yourselves, and we claim
+no exclusive rights to this Council House, which is about the only real
+shelter left in the Indian town. We are hunters and scouts."
+
+"So are we," said the man with the harelip, speaking grammatically and
+with a fair degree of courtesy. "We are hardened to the wilderness, but
+we are thankful for the shelter which you seem to have found before us."
+
+"There is room for all," said Henry. "You will observe the large dry
+place at the south end. The bark floor there is solid and no matter how
+the wind blows the rain cannot reach you."
+
+"We'll use it," said the ugly man, and now his teeth began to chatter,
+"but I confess that I need more than mere shelter. The rain and cold
+have entered my system, and I shall suffer severely unless we have a
+fire. Is it not possible to build one here near the center of the
+Council House? The dry bark will feed it, until it is strong enough to
+take hold of the wet wood."
+
+"It is the Indian country," said Henry, and yet he pitied him of the
+harelip.
+
+"I know," replied the man, "I know too that all the tribes are on the
+war path, and that they are exceedingly bitter against us. My name is
+Holdsworth, and I am from Connecticut. These are my men, Fowler and
+Perley, also from the East. We're not altogether hunters, as we have
+seen service in the Eastern army, and we are now scouting toward Detroit
+with the intention of carrying back news about the British and Indian
+power there. But I feel that I must light the fire, despite all Indian
+danger."
+
+He shook violently and Henry again felt sorry for him. So did the rest
+of the five. These three had become their comrades for the night, and it
+would not be fair to prevent the fire that the man so evidently needed.
+
+"We can see that what you say is true," said Henry, "and we'll help you
+kindle a blaze. These friends of mine are Tom Ross, Jim Hart, Solomon
+Hyde, and Paul Cotter. My own name is Henry Ware."
+
+He saw the ugly man start a little, and then smile in a way that made
+his disfigured lip more hideous than ever.
+
+"I've heard the names," said the stranger. "The woods are immense, but
+there are not many of us, and those of marked qualities soon become
+known. It seems to me that I've heard you were at Wyoming and the
+Chemung."
+
+"Yes," said Henry, "we were at both places. But since we're going to
+have a fire, it's best that we have it as soon as possible."
+
+They fell to work with flint and steel on the dry bark. The two men,
+Fowler and Perley, had said nothing.
+
+"Not especially bright," said Holdsworth to Henry in a whisper, as he
+nodded toward them, "but excellent foresters and very useful in the work
+that I have to do."
+
+"You can't always tell a man by his looks," replied Henry in the same
+tone.
+
+It was not a difficult matter to light the fire. They scraped off the
+inside of the bark until they accumulated a little heap of tinder. It
+was ignited with a few sparks of the flint and steel, and then the bark
+too caught fire. After that they had nothing to do but feed the flames
+which grew and grew, casting a luminous red glare in every corner of the
+old Council House. Then it was so strong that it readily burned the wet
+bark from the dismantled lodges near by.
+
+The cold rain still came down steadily and the night, thick and dark,
+had settled over the forest. Henry and his comrades were bound to
+confess that the fire was a vivid core of cheer and comfort. It thrust
+out a grateful heat, the high flames danced, and the coals, red and
+yellow, fell into a great glowing heap. Holdsworth, Fowler and Perley
+took off nearly all their clothing, dried their bodies, and then their
+wet garments. Holdsworth ceased to shiver, and while Fowler and Perley
+still fed the fire, the five resumed their places against the wall,
+their rifles again lying across their knees, a forest precaution so
+customary that no one could take exception to it. Apparently they
+dozed, but they were nevertheless wide awake. Holdsworth and his men
+reclothed themselves in their dry raiment, and when they finished the
+task, Henry said:
+
+"We've three kinds of dried meat, venison, bear and buffalo, and you can
+take your choice, one kind, two kinds, or all kinds."
+
+"I thank you, sir," said Holdsworth, "but we also carry a plentiful
+supply of provisions in our knapsacks, and we have partaken freely of
+them. We are now dry, and there is nothing else for us to do but sleep."
+
+"Then we had better put out the fire," said Henry. "As we agreed before,
+we're in the heart of the Indian country, and we do not wish to send up
+a beacon that will bring the savages down upon us."
+
+But Holdsworth demurred.
+
+"The Indians themselves would not be abroad on such a night," he said.
+"There can be no possible danger of an attack by them, and I suggest
+that we keep it burning. Then we will be all the stronger and warmer in
+the morning."
+
+Henry was about to say something, but he changed his mind and said
+something else.
+
+"Let it burn, then," he acquiesced. "The flame is hidden on three sides
+anyhow and, as you say, the savages themselves will keep under cover
+now. Perhaps, Mr. Holdsworth, as you have come from the East since we
+have, you can tell us about our future there."
+
+"Not a great deal," replied the man, "but I fear that we are not
+prospering greatly. Our armies are weak. Although their country is
+ruined, war parties under Brant came down from the British forts, and
+ravaged the Mohawk valley anew. 'Tis said by many that the Americans
+cannot hold out much longer against the forces of the king."
+
+"Your words coming from a great patriot are discouraging," said Henry.
+
+"It is because I cannot make them otherwise," replied Holdsworth.
+
+Henry, from under the edge of his cap, again examined him critically.
+Holdsworth and his men were reclining against the bark wall in the
+second largest dry spot, not more than ten feet away. The man was ugly,
+extremely ugly beyond a doubt, and in the glow of the firelight he
+seemed more sinister than ever. Yet the young forest runner tried once
+more to be fair. He recalled all of Holdsworth's good points. The man
+had spoken in a tone of sincerity, and he had been courteous. He had not
+said or done anything offensive. If he was discouraged over the patriot
+cause, it was because he could not help it.
+
+While Henry studied him, there was a silence for a little space.
+Meantime the rain increased in volume, but it came straight down, making
+a steady, droning sound that was not unpleasant. The heavy darkness
+moved up to the very door of the old Council House, and, despite the
+fire, the forest beyond was invisible. Holdsworth was still awake, but
+the two men with him seemed to doze. Shif'less Sol was also watching
+Holdsworth with keen and anxious eyes, but he left the talk to his young
+comrade, their acknowledged leader.
+
+"You know," said Henry at length, "that some great movement among the
+Indians is on foot."
+
+Holdsworth stirred a little against the bark wall, and it seemed to
+Henry that a new eagerness came into his eyes. But he replied:
+
+"No, I have not heard of it yet. You are ahead of me there. But the
+Indians and British at Detroit are always plotting something against us.
+What particular news do you have?"
+
+"That Timmendiquas, the Wyandot, the greatest of the western chiefs,
+accompanied by the head chiefs of the Shawnees and Miamis, and a body of
+chosen warriors is marching to Detroit. We have been following them,
+and they are now not more than twenty-five or thirty miles ahead of us.
+I take it that there will be a great council at Detroit, composed of the
+British, the Tories, the Western Indians with Timmendiquas at their
+head, and perhaps also the Iroquois and other Eastern Indians with
+Thayendanegea leading them. The point of attack will be the settlements
+in Kentucky. If the allied forces are successful the tomahawk and the
+scalping knife will spare none. Doesn't the prospect fill you with
+horror, Mr. Holdsworth?"
+
+Holdsworth shaded his face with his hand, and replied slowly:
+
+"It does inspire fear, but perhaps the English and Indian leaders will
+be merciful. These are great matters of which you tell me, Mr. Ware. I
+had heard some vague reports, but yours are the first details to reach
+me. Perhaps if we work together we can obtain information that will be
+of great service to the settlements."
+
+"Perhaps," said Henry, and then he relapsed into silence. Holdsworth
+remained silent too and gazed into the fire, but Henry saw that his
+thoughts were elsewhere. A long time passed and no one spoke. The fire
+had certainly added much to the warmth and comfort of the old house.
+They were all tired with long marches, and the steady droning sound of
+the rain, which could not reach them, was wonderfully soothing. The
+figures against the bark walls relaxed, and, as far as the human eye
+could see, they dropped asleep one by one, the five on one side and the
+three on the other.
+
+The fire, well fed in the beginning, burned for two or three hours, but
+after awhile it begun to smolder, and sent up a long thin column of
+smoke. The rain came lighter and then ceased entirely. The clouds parted
+in the center as if they had been slashed across by a sword blade, and
+then rolled away to left and right. The heavens became a silky blue, and
+the stars sprang out in sparkling groups.
+
+It was past midnight when Holdsworth moved slightly, like one half
+awakening from a deep sleep. But his elbow touched the man Fowler, and
+he said a few words to him in a whisper. Then he sank back into his
+relaxed position, and apparently was asleep again. Fowler himself did
+not move for at least ten minutes. Then he arose, slipped out of the
+Council House, and returned with a great armful of wet leaves, which he
+put gently upon the fire. Quickly and quietly he sank back into his old
+position by the wall.
+
+Dense smoke came from the coals and heap of leaves, but it rose in a
+strong spire and passed out through the broken part of the roof, the
+great hole there creating a draught. It rose high and in the night, now
+clear and beautiful, it could be seen afar. Yet all the eight--five on
+one side and three on the other--seemed to be sound asleep once more.
+
+The column of smoke thickened and rose higher into the sky, and
+presently the man Fowler was at work again. Rising and stepping, with
+wonderful lightness for a thick-set heavy man, he spread his open
+blanket over the smoke, and then quickly drew it away. He repeated the
+operation at least twenty times and at least twenty great coiling rings
+of smoke arose, sailing far up into the blue sky, and then drifting away
+over the forest, until they were lost in the distance.
+
+Fowler folded the blanket again, but he did not resume his place against
+the wall. Holdsworth and Perley rose lightly and joined him. Then the
+three gazed intently at the five figures on the other side of the smoke.
+Not one of them stirred. So far as the three could see, the five were
+buried in the most profound slumber.
+
+Holdsworth made a signal and the three, their rifles in the hollows of
+their arms, glided from the Council House and into the forest.
+
+As soon as they were lost in the darkness, Henry Ware sprang to his
+feet, alive in every nerve and fiber, and tingling with eagerness.
+
+"Up; up, boys!" he cried. "Those three men are Tories or English, and
+they are coming back with the savages. The rings of smoke made the
+signal to their friends. But we'll beat them at their own trick."
+
+All were on their feet in an instant--in fact, only Jim Hart and Paul
+had fallen asleep--and they ran silently into the forest in a direction
+opposite to that which the three had chosen. But they did not go far. At
+Henry's whispered signal, they sank down among some dense bushes where
+they could lie hidden, and yet see all that passed at the Council House.
+The water from the bushes that they had moved dropped upon them, but
+they did not notice it. Nor did they care either that the spire of smoke
+still rose through the roof of the old Council House. Five pairs of
+uncommonly keen eyes were watching the forest to see their enemies come
+forth.
+
+"I saw the fellow make the big smoke," said Shif'less Sol, "but I knowed
+that you saw, too. So I jest waited till you give the word, Henry."
+
+"I wanted them to go through to the end with it," replied Henry. "If we
+had stopped the man when he was bringing in the leaves he might have
+made some sort of excuse, and we should have had no proof at all against
+them."
+
+"Them's false names they gave o' course."
+
+"Of course. It is likely that the man who called himself Holdsworth is
+somebody of importance. His manner indicated it. How ugly that
+harelipped fellow was!"
+
+"How long do you think it will be before they come back?" asked
+Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Not long. The Indian force could not have been more than a mile or so
+away, or they would not have relied on smoke signals in the night. It
+will be only a short wait, Sol, until we see something interesting. Now
+I wish I knew that harelipped man!"
+
+Henry and his comrades could have slipped away easily in the darkness,
+but they had no mind to do so. Theirs was a journey of discovery, and,
+since here was an opportunity to do what they wished, they would not
+avoid it, no matter how great the risk. So they waited patiently. The
+forest still dripped water, but they had seldom seen the skies a
+brighter blue at night. The spire of smoke showed against it sharp and
+clear, as if it had been day. In the brilliant moonlight the ruined
+village assumed another ghostly phase. All the rugged outlines of
+half-fallen tepees were silvered and softened. Henry, with that
+extraordinary sensitiveness of his to nature and the wilderness, felt
+again the mysticism and unreality of this place, once inhabited by man
+and now given back to the forest. In another season or two the last
+remnant of bark would disappear, the footpaths would be grown up with
+bushes, and the wild animals would roam there unafraid.
+
+All these thoughts passed like a succession of mental flashes through
+the mind of the forest dreamer--and a dreamer he was, a poet of the
+woods--as he waited there for what might be, and what probably would be,
+a tragedy. But as these visions flitted past there was no relaxation of
+his vigilance. It was he who first heard the slight swishing sound of
+the bushes on the far side of the Council House; it was he who first
+heard the light tread of an approaching moccasin, and it was he who
+first saw the ugly harelipped face of a white man appear at the forest
+edge. Then all saw, and slow, cold anger rose in five breasts at the
+treacherous trick.
+
+Behind the harelipped man appeared Perley and Fowler, and six savage
+warriors, armed fully, and coated thickly with war paint. Now Henry knew
+that the sinister effect of Holdsworth's face was not due wholly to his
+harelip, and the ugliness of all his features. He was glad in a way
+because he had not done the man injustice.
+
+The three white men and the six Indians waited a long time at the edge
+of the woods. They were using both eye and ear to tell if the five in
+the old Council House slept soundly. The fire now gave forth nothing but
+smoke, and they could not see clearly into the depths. They must come
+nearer if they would make sure of their victims. They advanced slowly
+across the open, their weapons ready. All the idealist was gone from
+Henry now. They had taken these three men into what was then their
+house; they had been warmed and dried by their fire, and now they came
+back to kill. He watched them slip across the open space, and he saw in
+the moonlight that their faces were murderous, the white as bad as the
+red.
+
+The band reached the end of the Council House and looked in, uttering
+low cries of disappointment when they saw nothing there. None of the
+five ever knew whether they had waited there for the purpose of giving
+battle to the raiding band, but at this moment Paul moved a little in
+order to get a better view, and a bush rustled under his incautious
+moccasin. One of the savages heard it, gave a warning cry, and in an
+instant the whole party threw themselves flat upon the earth, with the
+wall of the Council House between themselves and that point in the
+forest from which the sound had come. Silence and invisibility followed,
+yet the forest battle was on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE TAKING OF HENRY
+
+
+"I'm sorry my foot slipped," whispered Paul.
+
+"Don't you worry, Paul," Henry whispered back. "We're as anxious to meet
+them as they are to meet us. If they are willing to stay and have the
+argument out, we're willing to give them something to think about."
+
+"An' I'd like to get a shot at that harelipped villain," interjected
+Shif'less Sol. "I'd give him somethin' he wouldn't furgit."
+
+"Suppose we move a little to the right," said Henry. "They've noted the
+direction from which the sound came, and they may send a bullet into the
+bushes here."
+
+They crept quietly to the right, a distance of perhaps ten yards; and
+they soon found the precaution to be a wise one, as a crack came from
+the forest, and a bullet cut the twigs where they had lately been.
+Shif'less Sol sent a return bullet at the flash of the rifle and they
+heard a suppressed cry.
+
+"It doesn't do to be too keerless," said the shiftless one in a
+contented tone as he reloaded his rifle. "Whoever fired that shot ought
+to hev known that something would come back to him."
+
+Several more bullets came from the forest, and now they cut the bushes
+close by, but the comrades lay flat upon the ground and all passed over
+their heads.
+
+After Shif'less Sol's single shot they did not return the fire for the
+present, but continued to move slowly to the right. Thus a full half
+hour passed without a sign from either side. Meanwhile a wind, slowly
+rising, was blowing so steadily that all the trees and bushes were
+drying fast.
+
+Neither Henry nor his comrades could now tell just where their enemies
+were, but they believed that the hostile band had also been circling
+about the open space in which the ruined village stood. They felt sure
+that the Indians and the three white men would not go away. The Indians
+were never keener for scalps than they were that year, and with a force
+of nearly two to one they would not decline a combat, even if it were
+not the surprise that they had expected.
+
+"We may stay here until daylight," whispered Henry. "They are now sure
+we're not going to run away, and with the sunrise they may think that
+they will have a better chance at us."
+
+"If the daylight finds them here, it will find us too," said Shif'less
+Sol. They shifted around a little further, and presently another shot
+was fired from a point opposite them in the forest. Henry sent a bullet
+in return, but there was nothing to indicate whether it had struck a
+foe. Then ensued another long silence which was broken at last by a shot
+from the interior of the old Council House. It was sent at random into
+the bushes, but the bullet cut the leaves within an inch of Henry's
+face, and they grew exceedingly cautious. Another bullet soon whistled
+near them, and they recognized the fact that the Indians who had
+succeeded in creeping into the Council House had secured an advantage.
+
+But they succeeded in keeping themselves covered sufficiently to escape
+any wounds, and, turning a thought over in his mind, Henry said:
+
+"Sol, don't you think that this wind which has been blowing for hours
+has dried things out a good deal?"
+
+"It shorely has," answered Sol.
+
+"And you have noticed, too, Sol, that we are now at a point where the
+old village touches the forest? You can reach out your hand and put it
+on that ruined wigwam, can't you?"
+
+"I kin shorely do it, Henry."
+
+"You have noticed also, Sol, that the wind, already pretty fair, is
+rising, and that it is blowing directly from us against the old Council
+House in which some of the savages are, and across to the forest at the
+point where we are certain that the rest of the enemy lie."
+
+"Sounds like good and true reasonin' to me, an eddicated man, Henry."
+
+"Then you and I will get to work with our flint and steel and set this
+old wigwam afire. It's still high enough to shelter ourselves behind it,
+and I think we ought to do the task in two or three minutes. Tom, you
+and Paul and Jim cover us with your rifles."
+
+"Henry, you shorely hev a great head," said Sol, "an' this looks to me
+like payin' back to a man what belongs to him. That harelipped scoundrel
+and his fellows warmed by our fire in the Council House, and now we'll
+jest give 'em notice that thar's another warmin'."
+
+Lying almost flat upon their faces they worked hard with the flint and
+steel, and in a minute or two a little spark of light leaped up. It laid
+hold of the thin, dry bark at the edge of the old wigwam and blazed up
+with extraordinary rapidity. Then the flames sprang to the next wigwam.
+It, too, was quickly enveloped, and the bark cracked as they ate into
+it. Not even the soaking given by the rain offered any effective
+resistance.
+
+Henry and Shif'less Sol put away their flint and steel and quickly
+slipped into the bushes whence they looked with admiration at the work
+of their hands. The lodges were burning far faster than they had
+expected. All the old Indian village would soon go, and now they watched
+attentively the Council House where the sharpshooters lay. Meanwhile
+several shots were fired from the forest without effect and the five
+merely lay close, biding their time.
+
+The flames made a great leap and caught the Council House. It burned so
+fast that it seemed to be enveloped all at once, and three men, two red
+and one white burst from it, rushing toward the forest. Henry and his
+comrades could easily have shot down all three, but Silent Tom Ross was
+the only one who pulled a trigger and he picked the white man. At the
+crack of his rifle the fugitive fell. By the flare of the flames Henry
+caught a glimpse of his face and saw that it was Perley. He fell just at
+the edge of the forest, but where the fire would not reach him.
+
+The village was now a mass of flames. The whole open space was lighted
+up brilliantly, and the sparks flew in myriads. Ashes and burning
+fragments carried by the wind fell thickly through the forest. The vivid
+flare penetrated the forest itself and the five men saw their foes
+crouching in the bushes. They advanced, using all the skill of those to
+whom the wilderness is second nature and a battle from tree to tree
+ensued. The five were more than a match for the eight who were now
+against them. The man who had passed as Fowler was quickly wounded in
+the shoulder, the harelipped leader himself had his cap shot from his
+head, and one of the Indians was slain. Then they took to flight, and,
+after a pursuit of some distance, the five returned toward the village,
+where the flames were now dying down.
+
+Paul had been flicked across the hand by a bullet and Jim Hart shook two
+bullets out of his clothing, but they were practically unhurt and it was
+their object now to see the man Perley, who had been left at the edge of
+the forest. By the time they reached the open where the village had
+stood, the day was fully come. The Council House had fallen in and the
+poles and fragments of bark smoked on the ground. Nothing was left of
+the wigwam but ashes which the wind picked up and whirled about. The
+wounded man lay on his side and it was quite evident that his hurt was
+mortal, but his look became one of terror when the five came up.
+
+"We do not mean to hurt you," said Henry; "we will make it as easy for
+you as we can."
+
+"And the others," gasped the man. "You have beaten them in the battle,
+and they have fled, the Colonel with them."
+
+"Yes," replied Henry, "they are gone, and with them Colonel--?"
+
+The man looked up and smiled faintly. At the edge of death he read
+Henry's mind. He knew that he wished to obtain the name of the
+harelipped man and, sincere enemy of his own people though Perley was,
+he no longer had any objection to telling.
+
+"Prop me up against that tree trunk," he gasped.
+
+Henry did so, and Paul brought some water from the spring in his cap.
+The man drank and seemed a little stronger.
+
+"You're better to me perhaps than I'd have been to you if it had been
+the other way round," he said, "an' I might as well tell you that the
+man with the harelip was Colonel Bird, a British officer, who is most
+active against your settlements, and who has become a great leader among
+the Indians. He's arranging now with the people at Detroit to strike you
+somewhere."
+
+"Then I'm sorry my bullet didn't find him instead of you," said Tom
+Ross.
+
+"So am I," said the man with a faint attempt at humor.
+
+Paul, who had been trying to remember, suddenly spoke up.
+
+"I heard of that man when we were in the East," he said. "He fell in
+love with a girl at Oswego or some other of the British posts, and she
+rejected him because he was so ugly and had a hare lip. Then he seemed
+to have a sort of madness and ever since he's been leading expeditions
+of the Indians against our settlements."
+
+"It's true," said Perley, "he's the man that you're talking about and
+he's mad about shedding blood. He's drumming up the Indian forces
+everywhere. His--"
+
+Perley stopped suddenly and coughed. His face became ghastly pale, and
+then his head fell over sideways on his shoulders.
+
+"He's dead," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I'm sorry, too, Tom, that your
+bullet didn't hit Colonel Bird 'stead o' him."
+
+"Do you think," asked Paul, "that they are likely to come back and
+attack us?"
+
+"No," replied Henry, "they've had enough. Besides they can't attack us
+in broad daylight. Look how open the forest is. We'd be sure to see them
+long before they could get within rifle shot."
+
+"Then," said Paul, "let's bury Perley before we go on. I don't like to
+think of a white man lying here in the forest to be devoured by wild
+beasts, even if he did try to kill us."
+
+Shif'less Sol heartily seconded Paul's suggestion, and soon it was done.
+They had no spades with which to dig a grave for Perley's body, but they
+built over him a little cairn of fallen timber, sufficient to protect
+him from the wolves and bears, and then prepared to march anew.
+
+But they took a last look at the large open space in which the abandoned
+Indian village had stood. Nothing was left there but ashes and dying
+coals. Not a fragment of the place was standing. But they felt that it
+was better for it to be so. If man had left, then the forest should
+resume its complete sway. The grass and the bushes would now cover it up
+all the more quickly. Then they shouldered their rifles and went ahead,
+never looking back once.
+
+The morning was quite cool. It was only the second week in April, the
+spring having come out early bringing the buds and the foliage with it,
+but in the variable climate of the great valley they might yet have
+freezing and snow. They had left Pittsburg in the winter, but they were
+long on the way, making stops at two or three settlements on the
+southern shore of the Ohio, and also going on long hunts. At another
+time they had been stopped two weeks by the great cold which froze the
+surface of the river from bank to bank. Thus it was the edge of spring
+and the forests were green, when they turned up the tributary river, and
+followed in the trail of Timmendiquas.
+
+Now they noticed this morning as they advanced that it was growing quite
+cold again. They had also come so much further North that the spring was
+less advanced than on the Ohio. Before noon a little snow was flying,
+but they did not mind it. It merely whipped their blood and seemed to
+give them new strength for their dangerous venture. But Henry was
+troubled. He was sorry that they had not seen an enemy in the man Bird
+whose name was to become an evil one on the border. But how were they to
+know? It is true that he could now, with the aid of the dead man's story
+recall something about Bird and his love affair, his disappointment
+which seemed to have given him a perfect mania for bloodshed. But again
+how were they to know?
+
+They pressed on with increased speed, as they knew that Timmendiquas,
+owing to their delay at the abandoned village must now be far ahead. The
+broad trail was found easily, and they also kept a sharp watch for that
+of Bird and his band which they felt sure would join it soon. But when
+night came there was no sign of Bird and his men. Doubtless they had
+taken another course, with another object in view. Henry was greatly
+perplexed. He feared that Bird meant deep mischief, and he should have
+liked to have followed him, but the main task was to follow
+Timmendiquas, and they could not turn aside from it.
+
+They would have traveled all that night, but the loss of sleep the night
+before, and the strain of the combat compelled them to take rest about
+the twilight hour. The night winds were sharp with chill, and they
+missed the bark shelter that the ruined Council House had given them. As
+they crouched in the bushes with their blankets about them and ate cold
+venison, they were bound to regret what they had lost.
+
+"Still I like this country," said Jim Hart. "It looks kinder firm an'
+strong ez ef you could rely on it. Then I want to see the big lakes. We
+come pretty nigh to one uv them that time we went up the Genesee Valley
+an' burned the Iroquois towns, but we didn't quite git thar. Cur'us so
+much fresh water should be put here in a string uv big lakes on our
+continent."
+
+"And the Canadian _voyageurs_ say there are big lakes, too, away up in
+Canada that no white man has ever seen, but of which they hear from the
+Indians," said Paul.
+
+"I reckon it's true," said Jim Hart, "'cause this is an almighty big
+continent, an' an almighty fine one. I ain't s'prised at nothin' now. I
+didn't believe thar wuz any river ez big ez the Missip, until I saw it,
+an' thar ain't no tellin' what thar is out beyond the Missip, all the
+thousands uv miles to the Pacific. I'd shorely like to live a thousand
+years with you fellers an' tramp 'roun' and see it all. It would be
+almighty fine."
+
+"But I wouldn't like to be spendin' all that thousan' years tryin' to
+keep my scalp on top o' my head," said Shif'less Sol. "It would be
+pow'ful wearin' on a lazy man like me."
+
+Thus they talked as the twilight deepened into the night. The feel of
+the North was in them all. Their minds kindled at the thought of the
+vast lakes that lay beyond and of the great forest, stretching, for all
+they knew, thousands of miles to the great ocean. The bushes and their
+blankets protected them from the cold winds, and it was so dark that no
+enemy could trail them to their lair. Moreover the five were there,
+intact, and they had the company of one another to cheer.
+
+"I imagine," said Paul, "that Timmendiquas and the officers at Detroit
+will make this the biggest raid that they have ever yet planned against
+Kentucky."
+
+"By surprise an' numbers they may win victories here an' thar," said
+Shif'less Sol, "but they'll never beat us. When people git rooted in the
+ground you jest can't drive 'em away or kill 'em out. Our people will
+take root here, too, an' everywhar the Injuns, the British an' the
+Tories will have to go."
+
+"An' as our people ain't come up here yet, we've got to look out for our
+scalps before the rootin' season comes," said Tom Ross.
+
+"An' that's as true as Gospel," said Shif'less Sol, thoughtfully.
+
+After that they spoke little more, but they drew and matted the thick
+bushes over their heads in such manner that the chill winds were turned
+aside. Beneath were the dry leaves of last year which they had raked up
+into couches, and thus, every man with a blanket beneath and another
+above him, they did not care how the wind blew. They were as snug as
+bears in their lairs, but despite the darkness of the night and the
+exceeding improbability of anyone finding them both Henry and Tom Ross
+lay awake and watched. The others slept peacefully, and the two
+sentinels could hear their easy breathing only a few feet away.
+
+In the night Henry began to grow uneasy. Once or twice he thought he
+heard cries like the hoot of the owl or the howl of the wolf, but they
+were so far away that he was uncertain. Both hoot and howl might be a
+product of the imagination. He was so alive to the wilderness, it was so
+full of meaning to him that his mind could create sounds when none
+existed. He whispered to Tom, but Ross, listening as hard as he could,
+heard nothing but the rustling of the leaves and twigs before the wind.
+
+Henry was sure now that what he had heard was the product of a too vivid
+fancy, but a little later he was not so sure. It must be the faint cry
+of a wolf that he now heard or its echo. He had the keenest ear of them
+all, and that Tom Ross did not hear the sound, was no proof. A vivid
+imagination often means a prompt and powerful man of action, and Henry
+acted at once.
+
+"Tom," he whispered, "I'm going to scout in the distance from which I
+thought the sounds came. Don't wake the boys; I'll be back before
+morning."
+
+Tom Ross nodded. He did not believe that Henry had really heard
+anything, and he would have remonstrated with him, but he knew that it
+was useless. He merely drew his blanket a little closer, and resolved
+that one pair of eyes should watch as well as two had watched before.
+
+Henry folded his blankets, put them in his little pack, and in a minute
+was gone. It was dark, but not so dark that one used to the night could
+not see. The sounds that he had seemed to hear came from the southwest,
+and the road in the direction was easy, grown up with forest but
+comparatively free from undergrowth. He walked swiftly about a mile,
+then he heard the cry of the wolf again. Now, the last doubt was gone
+from his mind. It was a real sound, and it was made by Indian calling to
+Indian.
+
+He corrected his course a little, and went swiftly on. He heard the cry
+once more, now much nearer, and, in another mile, he saw a glow among
+the trees. He went nearer and saw detached cones of light. Then he knew
+that it was a camp fire, and a camp fire built there boldly in that
+region, so dangerous to the Kentuckian, indicated that it was surely the
+Indians themselves and their allies. He did not believe that it was the
+force of Timmendiquas which could only have reached this spot by turning
+from its course, but he intended to solve the doubt.
+
+The camp was in one of the little prairies so numerous in the old
+Northwest, and evidently had been pitched there in order to secure room
+for the fires. Henry concluded at once that it must be a large force,
+and his eagerness to know increased. As he crept nearer and nearer, he
+was amazed by the number of the fires. This was a much larger band than
+the one led by Timmendiquas. He also heard the sound of many voices and
+of footsteps. From his place among the trees he saw dark figures passing
+and repassing. He also caught now and then a metallic glitter from
+something not a rifle or a tomahawk, but which he could not clearly make
+out in the dark.
+
+This was a formidable force bent upon some great errand, and his
+curiosity was intense. The instinct that had sent him upon the journey
+through the woods was not wrong, and he did not mean to go away until he
+knew for what purpose this army was gathered. He lay upon the ground in
+the thickest shadow of the woods, and crept forward a little closer.
+Then he saw that the camp contained at least five hundred warriors. As
+nearly as he could make out they were mostly Shawnees, probably from the
+most easterly villages, but there seemed to be a sprinkling of Delawares
+and Miamis. White men, Tories, Canadians and English, fifty or sixty in
+number were present also and a few of them were in red uniform.
+
+All the Indians were in war paint, and they sat in great groups around
+the fires feasting. Evidently the hunters had brought in plenty of game
+and they were atoning for a fast. They ate prodigiously of buffalo,
+deer, bear and wild turkey, throwing the bones behind them when they had
+gnawed them clean. Meanwhile they sang in the Shawnee tongue a wild
+chant:
+
+    To the South we, the great warriors, go
+    To the far, fair land of Kaintuckee;
+    We carry death for the Yengees,
+    Our hands are strong, our hearts are fierce;
+    None of the white face can escape us.
+
+    We cross the river and steal through the woods;
+    In the night's dark hour the tomahawk falls,
+    The burning houses send flames to the sky,
+    The scalps of the Yengees hang at our belts;
+    None of the white face can escape us.
+
+Henry's heart began to pump heavily. Little specks danced before his
+eyes. Here was a great war party, one that he had not foreseen, one that
+was going to march against Kentucky. Evidently this enterprise was
+distinct from that of Timmendiquas. In his eagerness to see, Henry crept
+nearer and nearer to the utmost verge of the danger line, lying in a
+clump of bushes where the warriors were passing, not twenty feet away.
+Suddenly he started a little, as a new figure came into the light,
+thrown into distinct relief by the blazing background of the fires.
+
+He recognized at once the harelipped man, Bird, now in the uniform of a
+Colonel in the King's army. His ugliness was in no whit redeemed by his
+military attire. But Henry saw that deference was paid him by white men
+and red men alike, and he had the walk and manner of one who commanded.
+The youth was sorry now that they had not hunted down this man and slain
+him. He felt instinctively that he would do great harm to those
+struggling settlers south of the Ohio.
+
+While Henry waited three loud shouts were heard, uttered at the far end
+of the camp. Instantly the eating ceased, and all the warriors rose to
+their feet. Then they moved with one accord toward the point from which
+the shouts proceeded. Henry knew that someone of importance was coming,
+and he crept along the edge of the forest to see.
+
+Colonel Bird, several subordinate officers, and some chiefs gathered in
+front of the mass of warriors and stood expectant. Forth from the forest
+came a figure more magnificent than any in that group, a great savage,
+naked to the waist, brilliantly painted, head erect and with the air of
+a king of men. It was Timmendiquas, and Henry realized, the moment he
+appeared, that he was not surprised to see him there. Behind him came
+Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and
+Blackstaffe. Bird went forward, eager to meet them, and held out his
+hand in white man's fashion to Timmendiquas. The great Wyandot took it,
+held it only a moment, and then dropped it, as if the touch were hateful
+to him. Henry had noticed before that Timmendiquas never seemed to care
+for the white allies of the Indians, whether English, Canadian or Tory.
+He used them, but he preferred, if victory were won, that it should be
+won by men of his own race. The manner of the chief seemed to him to
+indicate repulsion, but Wyatt, Girty and the others greeted the Colonel
+with great warmth. They were birds of a feather, and it pleased them to
+flock together there in the great forest.
+
+Timmendiquas and his chiefs walked toward the larger and central fire,
+whither Bird and his men showed the way. Then pipes were lighted and
+smoked by all who were high enough in rank to sit in the Council, while
+the mass of the warriors gathered at a respectful distance. But the
+fires were replenished, and they blazed up, filling all the camp with
+ruddy light. Then Henry found the meaning of the metallic gleam that he
+had seen from the forest. Near the center of the camp and standing in a
+row were six cannon, fine, bronze guns of large caliber, their dark
+muzzles, as if by some sinister chance, pointing toward the South. Then
+full knowledge came in all its gloomy truth. This was an expedition
+against Kentucky more formidable than any of the many that had yet gone.
+It carried a battery of large cannon, and plenty of white gunners to man
+them. The wooden palisades of the new settlements could not stand five
+minutes before great guns.
+
+In his eagerness to see more of these hateful cannon, Henry, for the
+first time in years, forgot his customary caution. He made a bush rustle
+and he did not notice it. A scouting Indian passed near, and he did not
+hear him. But the scouting Indian, a Shawnee, alert and suspicious,
+heard the rustling of the bush. He dropped down, crept near and saw the
+long figure among the bushes. Then he crept away and signaled to his
+comrades.
+
+Henry was straining forward for a better view of the cannon, when there
+was a sudden sound behind him. He drew his body quickly together like a
+powerful animal about to spring, but before he could reach his feet a
+half dozen warriors hurled themselves upon him.
+
+He fell under the impact of so great a weight and the rifle which he
+could not use at close quarters was torn from his hands. The warriors
+uttered a triumphant shout which caused all those sitting by the fire to
+spring to their feet.
+
+Henry was at the very summit of his youthful strength. There was no one
+in the forest who matched him in either height or muscular strength,
+save, possibly Timmendiquas, and with a tremendous effort he rose to his
+feet, the whole yelling pack clinging to him, one on each arm, one at
+each leg, and two at his shoulders and waist. He hurled loose the one on
+his right arm and snatched at a pistol in his belt, but quick as a
+flash, two others loosing their hold elsewhere, seized the arm. Then
+they pressed all their weight upon him again, seeking to throw him.
+Evidently they wished to take him a captive. But Henry remained erect
+despite the immense weight pulling at him. He was bent slightly forward,
+and, for a few moments, his efforts exactly balanced the strength of the
+six who sought to pull him down. In that brief space they remained
+immovable. The sweat broke out on his forehead in great beads. Then with
+an effort, convulsive and gigantic, he threw them all from him, standing
+clear for one brief instant. His hand was on the pistol butt, but the
+yelling pack were back too quick, leaping at him like wolves. He was
+dragged to his knees, but once more he struggled to his feet, drenched
+in perspiration, his heart beating loudly as he made his mighty efforts.
+
+In their struggle they came free of the woods, and out into the open
+where the light from the fires cast a red glow over the tall figure of
+the white youth, and the six naked and sinewy brown forms that tore at
+him. The chief and the white men in the camp rushed forward.
+
+Braxton Wyatt cried exultingly: "It is Ware!" and drew his pistol, but
+Timmendiquas struck down his arm.
+
+"It is not for you to shoot," he said; "let him be taken alive."
+
+Bird was commander in that camp, and the Wyandot was only a visitor
+there, but the tone of Timmendiquas was so strong and masterful that
+Bird himself recognized his predominance, and did not resist it.
+
+And there were others among the Indians who looked with admiration upon
+the tall youth as he made his magnificent struggle for life and liberty.
+A deep hum ran through the great circle that had formed about the
+fighters. Excitement, the joy of a supreme sport, showed upon their
+savage faces. One or two started forward to help the six, but
+Timmendiquas waved them back. Then the circle pressed a little closer,
+and other rows of dark faces behind peered over brown shoulders. Henry
+was scarcely conscious that hundreds looked on. The pulses in temples
+and throat were beating heavily, and there was a mist before his eyes.
+Nobody was present for him, save the six who strove to pull him down.
+His soul swelled with fierce anger and he hurled off one after another
+to find them springing back like the rebound of a rubber ball.
+
+His anger increased. These men annoyed him terribly. He was bathed in
+perspiration and nearly all the clothing was torn from his body, but he
+still fought against his opponents. The ring had come in closer and
+closer, and now the savages uttered low cries of admiration as he sent
+some one of his antagonists spinning. They admired, too, his massive
+figure, the powerful neck, the white shoulders now bare and the great
+muscles which bunched up as he put forth supreme efforts.
+
+"Verily, this is a man," said the old chief, Yellow Panther.
+
+Timmendiquas nodded, but he never took his absorbed eyes from the
+contest. He, too, uttered a low cry as Henry suddenly caught one of the
+warriors with his fist and sent him like a shot to the earth. But this
+warrior, a Wyandot, was tough. He sprang up again, the dark blood
+flowing from his face, but was caught and sent down a second time, to
+lay where he had fallen, until some of the watchers took him by the legs
+and dragged him out of the way of the struggle. Henry was rid of one of
+his opponents for the time, and the five who were left did not dare use
+their weapons in face of the command from Timmendiquas to take him
+alive. Yet they rushed in as full of zeal as ever. It may be that they
+enjoyed the struggle in their savage way, particularly when the prize to
+be won was so splendid.
+
+Henry's successful blow with his fist reminded him that he might use it
+again. In the fury of the sudden struggle he had not thought before to
+fight by this method. A savage had him by the left shoulder. He struck
+the up-turned face with his right fist and the warrior went down
+unconscious.
+
+Only four now! The hands of another were seeking his throat. He tore the
+hands loose, seized the warrior in his arms, and hurled him ten feet
+away, where he fell with a sprained ankle. A deep cry, and following it,
+a long-drawn sigh of admiration, came from the crowd.
+
+Only three now! He tripped and threw one so heavily that he could not
+renew the combat, and the terrible fist sent down the fifth. Once more
+came that cry and long-drawn sigh from the multitude! A single opponent
+was left, but he was a powerful fellow, a Wyandot, with long thick arms
+and a mighty chest. His comrades had been much in his way in the
+struggle, and, now comparatively fresh and full of confidence, he closed
+with his white antagonist.
+
+Henry had time to draw a breath or two, and he summoned his last reserve
+of will and strength. He grasped the Wyandot as he ran in, pinned his
+arms to his sides, tripped his feet from under him, and, seizing him by
+shoulders and waist, lifted him high above his head. He held him poised
+there for a moment while the multitude gazed, tense and awed. Then,
+hurling him far out, he turned, faced the Wyandot chief, and said:
+
+"To you, Timmendiquas, I surrender myself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE NORTHWARD MARCH
+
+
+The great Wyandot chief inclined his head slightly, and received the
+pistol, hatchet, and knife which Henry drew from his belt. Then he said
+in the grave Wyandot tongue:
+
+"It is the second time that Ware has become my prisoner, and I am proud.
+He is truly a great warrior. Never have I seen such a fight as that
+which he has just made, the strength of one against six, and the one was
+triumphant."
+
+A murmur of approval from the warriors followed his words. Like the old
+Greeks, the Indians admired size, symmetry and strength, qualities so
+necessary to them in their daily lives, and Henry, as he stood there,
+wet with perspiration and breathing heavily, exemplified all that they
+considered best in man. Few of these savage warriors had any intention
+of sparing him. They would have burned him at the stake with delight,
+and, with equal delight, they would have praised him had he never
+uttered a groan--it would only be another proof of his greatness.
+
+Braxton Wyatt pressed nearer. There was joy in his evil heart over the
+capture of his enemy, but it was not unalloyed. He knew the friendship
+that Timmendiquas bore for Henry, and he feared that through it the
+prisoner might escape the usual fate of captives. It was his part to
+prevent any such disaster and he had thought already of a method. He
+dreaded the power of Timmendiquas, but he was bold and he proposed to
+dare it nevertheless.
+
+"Will you take the prisoner South with you," he said to Colonel Bird.
+
+"I have surrendered to Timmendiquas," said Henry.
+
+"This is the camp of Colonel Bird," said Wyatt in as mild a tone as he
+could assume, "and of course anyone taken here is his prisoner."
+
+"That is true," said Simon Girty, whose influence was great among the
+Indians, particularly the Shawnees.
+
+Timmendiquas said not a word, nor did Henry. Both saw the appeal to the
+pride of Bird who pulled his mustache, while his ugly face grew uglier.
+
+"Yes, it is so," he said at last. "The prisoner is mine, since he was
+taken in my camp."
+
+Then Timmendiquas spoke very quietly, but, underlying every word, was a
+menace, which Wyatt, Girty and Bird alike felt and heeded.
+
+"The prisoner surrendered to me," he said. "The Wyandot warriors helped
+in his capture--their bruises prove it. Colonel Bird even now marches
+south against Kaintuckee, and he has no need of prisoners. The words of
+Wyatt are nothing. Girty has become one of our chiefs, but it is not for
+him to judge in this case. When the council is finished and Timmendiquas
+resumes his march to Detroit, Ware goes with him as a captive, the prize
+of his warriors."
+
+His fierce eyes roamed around the circle, challenging one by one those
+who opposed him. Braxton Wyatt's own eyes dropped, and fear was in his
+soul. He, a renegade, an enemy to his own people could not afford to
+lose the favor of the Indians. Girty, also, evaded. Full of craft, it
+was no part of his policy to quarrel with Timmendiquas. Bird alone was
+disposed to accept the gage. It was intolerable that he, a colonel in
+the British army, should be spoken to in such a manner by an Indian. He
+wrinkled his ugly hare lip and said stubbornly:
+
+"The prisoner was taken in my camp, and he is mine."
+
+But Girty said low in his ear:
+
+"Let Timmendiquas have him. It is not well to alienate the Wyandots. We
+need them in our attack on Kentucky, and already they are dissatisfied
+with their heavy losses there. We can do nothing for the king without
+the Indians."
+
+Bird was not without suppleness. He spoke to Timmendiquas, as if he were
+continuing his former words:
+
+"But I give up my claim to you, White Lightning of the Wyandots. Take
+the prisoner and do with him as you choose."
+
+Timmendiquas smiled slightly. He understood perfectly. Braxton Wyatt
+retired, almost sick with rage. Timmendiquas motioned to two of his
+warriors who bound Henry's arms securely, though not painfully, and led
+him away to one of the smaller fires. Here he sat down between his
+guards who adjusted his torn attire, but did not annoy him, and waited
+while the council went on.
+
+After the glow of physical triumph had passed, Henry felt a deep
+depression. It seemed to him that he could never forgive himself when so
+much depended upon him. He had full knowledge that this expedition was
+marching southward, and now he could send no warning. Had he returned to
+his comrades with the news, they might have solved the problem by
+dividing their force. Two could have hurried to Kentucky ahead of Bird's
+army, and three might have gone to Detroit to watch what preparations
+were made there. He condemned himself over and over again, and it is
+only just to say that he did not think then of his personal danger. He
+thought instead of those whom he might have saved, but who now would
+probably fall beneath the Indian tomahawk, with no one to warn them.
+
+But he permitted none of his chagrin and grief to show in his face. He
+would not allow any Indian or renegade to see him in despair or in
+anything bordering upon it. He merely sat motionless, staring into the
+fire, his face without expression. Henry had escaped once from the
+Wyandots. Perhaps it was a feat that could not be repeated a second
+time--indeed all the chances were against it--but in spite of everything
+his courage came back. He had far too much strength, vitality and youth
+to remain in despair, and gradually new resolutions formed almost
+unconsciously in his mind. Under all circumstances, fate would present
+at least a bare chance to do what one wished, and courage gradually
+became confidence.
+
+Then Henry, remembering that there was nothing he could do at present,
+lay down on his side before the fire. It was not altogether an assumed
+manner to impress his guard, because he was really very tired, and, now
+that his nerves were relaxing, he believed he could go to sleep.
+
+He closed his eyes, and, although he opened them now and then, the lids
+were heavier at every successive opening. He saw the camp dimly, the
+dark figures of the warriors becoming shadowy now, the murmur of voices
+sinking to a whisper that could scarcely be heard, and then, in spite of
+his bound arms and precarious future, he slept.
+
+Henry's two guards, both Wyandots, regarded him with admiration, as he
+slept peacefully with the low firelight flickering across his tanned
+face. Great in body, he was also great in mind, and whatever torture the
+chief, Timmendiquas, intended for him he would endure it magnificently.
+Braxton Wyatt and Simon Girty also came to look at him, and whispered to
+each other.
+
+"It would have been better if they had made an end of him in the fight
+for his capture," said Wyatt.
+
+"That is true," said Girty thoughtfully. "As long as he's alive, he's
+dangerous. Timmendiquas cannot tie him so tight that there is no
+possibility of escape, and there are these friends of his whom you have
+such cause to remember, Braxton."
+
+"I wish they were all tied up as he is," said Wyatt venomously.
+
+Girty laughed softly.
+
+"You show the right spirit, Braxton," he said. "To live among the
+Indians and fight against one's own white race one must hate well. You
+need not flush, man. I have found it so myself, and I am older in this
+business and more experienced than you."
+
+Wyatt choked down words that were leaping to his lips, and presently he
+and Girty rejoined the white men, who were camped around Bird, their
+commander. But neither of them felt like sleeping and after a little
+while there, they went to look at the cannon, six fine guns in a row,
+constituting together the most formidable weapon that had ever been
+brought into the western forest. When they looked at them, the spirit of
+Wyatt and Girty sprang high. They exulted in the prospect of victory.
+The Kentucky sharpshooters behind their light palisades had been able
+hitherto to defeat any number of Indians. But what about the big guns?
+Twelve pound cannon balls would sweep down the palisades like a
+hurricane among saplings. As there is no zeal like that of the convert,
+so there is no hate like that of the renegade and they foresaw the easy
+capture of settlement after settlement by Bird's numerous and
+irresistible army.
+
+Henry, meanwhile, slept without dreams. It was a splendid tribute to his
+nerves that he could do so. When he awoke the sun was an hour above the
+horizon and the camp was active with the preparations of Bird's army to
+resume its march southward. Timmendiquas stood beside him, and, at his
+order, one of the Wyandot guards cut the thongs that bound his arms.
+Henry stretched out his wrists and rubbed them, one after the other,
+until the impeded circulation was restored. Then he uttered his thanks
+to the chief.
+
+"I am grateful to you, Timmendiquas," he said, "for insisting last night
+that I was your prisoner, and should go with you to Detroit. As you have
+seen, the renegades, Girty and Wyatt do not love me, and whatever I may
+receive at your hands, it is not as bad as that which they would have
+incited the warriors to do, had I remained in the power of Bird."
+
+"Neither do I care for Girty or Wyatt," said Timmendiquas, as he smiled
+slightly, "but they help us and we need all the allies we can get. So we
+permit them in our lodges. I may tell you now that they debated last
+night whether to go South with Bird, or to continue to Detroit with me.
+They go to Detroit."
+
+"I do not care for their company," said Henry, "but I am glad that they
+are not going to Kentucky."
+
+"I have also to tell you now, Ware," continued Timmendiquas, "that
+parties were sent out last night to search for your comrades, the four
+who are always with you."
+
+Henry moved a little and then looked inquiringly at Timmendiquas. The
+chief's face expressed nothing.
+
+"They did not find them?" he said.
+
+"No," he replied. "The friends of Ware were wary, but we are proud to
+have taken the leader. Here is food; you can eat, and then we march."
+
+They brought him an abundance of good food, and fresh water in a gourd,
+and he ate and drank heartily. The morning had become clear and crisp
+again, and with it came all the freshness and courage that belong to
+youth. Time was everything, and certainly nothing would be done to him
+until they reached Detroit. Moreover, his four comrades would discover
+why he did not return and they would follow. Even if one were helpless
+himself, he must never despair with such friends free and near at hand.
+
+After he had eaten, his hands were bound again. He made no resistance,
+knowing that under the Indian code he had no right to ask anything
+further of Timmendiquas, and he began the march northward in the center
+of the Wyandot force. At the same time, Bird and his army resumed their
+southern advance. Henry heard twigs and dead boughs cracking under the
+wheels of the cannon, and the sound was a menacing one that he did not
+forget for a long time. He looked back, but the savage army disappeared
+with amazing quickness in the forest.
+
+They marched all day without interruption, eating their food as they
+marched. Timmendiquas was at the head of the column, and he did not
+speak again with Henry. The renegades, probably fearing the wrath of the
+chief, also kept away. The country, hilly hitherto, now became level and
+frequently swampy. Here the travelling was difficult. Often their feet
+sank in the soft mud above the ankles, Briars reached out and scratched
+them, and, in these damp solitudes, the air was dark and heavy. Yet the
+Indians went on without complaint, and Henry, despite his bound arms,
+could keep his balance and pace with the rest, stride for stride.
+
+They marched several days and nights without interruption through a
+comparatively level country, still swampy at times, thickly grown with
+forest, and with many streams and little lakes. Most of the lakes were
+dotted with wild fowl, and often they saw deer in the shallow portions.
+Two or three of the deer were shot, but the Indians devoted little time
+to the hunting of game, as they were well provided with food.
+
+Henry, who understood both Wyandot and Shawnee, gathered from the talk
+of those about him that they were at last drawing near to Detroit, the
+great Northwestern fort of the British and Indians. They would arrive
+there to-morrow, and they spent that last night by camp fires, the
+Indians relaxing greatly from their usual taciturnity and caution, and
+eating as if at a banquet.
+
+Henry sat on a log in the middle of the camp. His arms were unbound and
+he could eat with the others as much as he chose. Since they were not to
+burn him or torture him otherwise, they would treat him well for the
+present. But warriors, Shawnees, Miamis and Wyandots, were all about
+him. They took good care that such a prisoner should not have a chance
+to escape. He might overthrow two or three, even four or five, but a
+score more would be on him at once. Henry knew this well and bore
+himself more as if he were a member of the band than a captive. It was a
+part of his policy to appear cheerful and contented. No Indian should
+surpass him in careless and apparent indifference, but to-night he felt
+gloomier than at any time since the moments that immediately followed
+his capture. He had relied upon the faithful four, but days had passed
+without a sign from them. There had been no chance, of course, for them
+to rescue him. He had not expected that, but what he had expected was a
+sign. They were skillful, masters of wilderness knowledge, but accidents
+might happen--one had happened to him--and they might have fallen into
+the hands of some other band.
+
+Waiting is a hard test, and Henry's mind, despite his will, began to
+imagine dire things. Suppose he should never see his comrades again. A
+thousand mischances could befall, and the neighborhood of Detroit was
+the most dangerous part of all the Indian country. Besides the villages
+pitched near, bands were continually passing, either coming to the fort
+for supplies, or going away, equipped for a fresh raid upon the
+settlements.
+
+The laughter and talk among the Indians went on for a long time, but
+Henry, having eaten all that he wanted, sat in silence. Besides the
+noise of the camp, he heard the usual murmur of the night wind among the
+trees. He listened to it as one would to a soft low monotone that
+called and soothed. He had an uncommonly acute ear and his power of
+singleness and concentration enabled him to listen to the sound that he
+wished to hear, to the exclusion of all others. The noises in the camp,
+although they were as great as ever, seemed to die. Instead, he heard
+the rustling of the young leaves far away, and then another sound
+came--a faint, whining cry, the far howl of a wolf, so far that it was
+no more than a whisper, a mere under-note to the wind. It stopped, but,
+in a moment or two, was repeated. Henry's heart leaped, but his figure
+never moved; nor was there any change in the expression of his face,
+which had been dreamy and sad.
+
+But he knew. Just when he wished to hear a voice out of the dark, that
+voice came. It was the first part of a signal that he and his comrades
+often used, and as he listened, the second part was completed. He longed
+to send back a reply, but it was impossible and he knew that it would
+not be expected. Joy was under the mask of his sad and dreaming face. He
+rejoiced, not only for himself, but for two other things; because they
+were safe and because they were near, following zealously and seeking
+every chance. He looked around at the Indians. None of them had heard
+the cry of the wolf, and he knew if it had reached them, they would not
+have taken it for a signal. They were going on with their feasting, but
+while Henry sat, still silent, Timmendiquas came to him and said:
+
+"To-morrow we reach Detroit, the great post of the soldiers of the king.
+We go there to confer with the commander, de Peyster, and to receive
+many rifles and much ammunition. It is likely, as you already know, that
+we shall march against your people."
+
+"I know it, Timmendiquas," said Henry, "but I would that it were not so.
+Why could we not dwell in peace in Kentucky, while the Wyandots, the
+Shawnees, the Miamis and others ranged their vast hunting grounds in
+the same peace on this side of the Ohio?"
+
+A spark of fire shot from the dark eyes of Timmendiquas.
+
+"Ware," he said, "I like you and I do not believe that your heart
+contains hatred towards me. Yet, there cannot be any peace between our
+races. Peace means that you will push us back, always push us back. Have
+I not been in the East, where the white men are many and where the
+mighty confederation of the Six Nations, with their great chief,
+Thayendanegea, at their head, fight against them in vain? Have I not
+seen the rich villages of the Indians go up in smoke? The Indians
+themselves still fight. They strike down many of the Yengees and
+sometimes they burn a village of the white people, but unless the king
+prevails in the great war, they will surely lose. Their Aieroski, who is
+the Manitou of the Wyandots, and your God, merely looks on, and permits
+the stronger to be the victor."
+
+"Then," said Henry, "why not make peace with us here in the West, lest
+your tribes meet the same fate?"
+
+The nostrils of Timmendiquas dilated.
+
+"Because in the end we should be eaten up in the same way. Here in the
+West you are few and your villages are tiny. The seed is not planted so
+deep that it cannot be uprooted."
+
+Henry sighed.
+
+"I can see the question from your side as well as from mine, White
+Lightning," he replied. "It seems as you say, that the white men and the
+red men cannot dwell together. Yet I could wish that we were friends in
+the field as well as at heart."
+
+Timmendiquas shook his head and replied in a tone tinged with a certain
+sadness:
+
+"I, too, could wish it, but you were born of one race and I of another.
+It is our destiny to fight to the end."
+
+He strode away through the camp. Henry watched the tall and splendid
+figure, with the single small scarlet feather set in the waving scalp
+lock, and once more he readily acknowledged that he was a forest king, a
+lofty and mighty spirit, born to rule in the wilderness. Then he took
+the two blankets which had been left him, enfolded himself between them,
+and, despite the noises around him, slept soundly all through the night.
+Early the next morning they began the last stretch of the march to
+Detroit.
+
+It was with a deep and peculiar interest that they approached Detroit,
+then a famous British and Indian post, now a great American city.
+Founded by the French, who lost it to the British, who, in turn, were
+destined to lose it to the Americans, it has probably sent forth more
+scalping parties of Indians than any other place on the North American
+continent. Here the warlike tribes constantly came for rifles,
+ammunition, blankets and other supplies, and here the agents of the king
+incited them with every means in their power to fresh raids on the young
+settlements in the South. Here the renegades, Girty, Blackstaffe and
+their kind came to confer, and here Boone, Kenton and other famous
+borderers had been brought as prisoners.
+
+The Indians in the party of Timmendiquas already showed great
+jubilation. In return for the war that they had made and should make,
+they expected large gifts from the king, and with such great chiefs as
+White Lightning, Red Eagle and Yellow Panther at their head, it was not
+likely that they would be disappointed.
+
+As they drew near, they passed several Indian camps, containing parties
+from the Northwest, Sacs, Winnebagoes and others, including even some
+Chippewas from the far shores of the greatest of all lakes. Many of
+these looked admiringly at the prisoner whom Timmendiquas had brought,
+and were sorry that they had not secured such a trophy. At the last of
+these camps, where they stopped for a little while, a short, thick man
+approached Henry and regarded him with great curiosity.
+
+The man was as dark as an Indian, but he had a fierce black mustache
+that curled up at the ends. His hair was black and long and his eyes,
+too, were black. His dress differed but little from that of a warrior,
+but his features were unmistakably Caucasian.
+
+"Another renegade," thought Henry, and his detestation was so thorough
+that he scorned to take further notice of the fellow. But he was
+conscious that the stranger was eyeing him from head to foot in the most
+scrutinizing manner, just as one looks at an interesting picture. Henry
+felt his anger rise, but he still simulated the most profound
+indifference.
+
+"You are the prisoner of Timmendiquas, _mon petit garcon, mais oui_?"
+
+Henry looked up at the French words and the French accent that he did
+not understand. But the tone was friendly, and the man, although he
+might be an enemy, was no renegade.
+
+"Yes," he replied. "I am the prisoner of Timmendiquas, and I am going
+with him and his men to Detroit. Do you belong in Detroit?"
+
+The man grinned, showing two magnificent rows of strong white teeth.
+
+"I belong to Detroit?" he replied. "Nevaire! I belong to no place. I am
+ze Frenchman; le Canadien; voyageur, coureur du bois, l'homme of ze wind
+ovair ze mountains an' ze plain. I am Pierre Louis Lajeunais, who was
+born at Trois Rivieres in ze Province of Quebec, which is a long way
+from here."
+
+The twinkle in his eye was infectious. Henry knew that he was a man of
+good heart and he liked him. Perhaps also he might find here a friend.
+
+"Since you have given me your name," he replied, "I will give you mine.
+I am Henry Ware, and I am from Kentucky. I was captured by Timmendiquas
+and his warriors a few days ago. They're taking me to Detroit, but I do
+not know what they intend to do with me there. I suppose that you, of
+course, are among our enemies."
+
+No Indian was within hearing then, and Lajeunais replied:
+
+"W'y should I wish you harm? I go to Detroit. I sell furs to ze
+commandaire for powder and bullets. I travel an' hunt wit' mes amis, ze
+Indians, but I do not love ze Anglais. When I was a boy, I fight wit' ze
+great Montcalm at Quebec against Wolfe an' les Anglais. We lose an' ze
+Bourbon lilies are gone; ze rouge flag of les Anglais take its place.
+Why should I fight for him who conquers me? I love better ze woods an'
+ze riviere an' ze lakes where I hunt and fish."
+
+"I am glad that you are no enemy of ours, Mr. Lajeunais," said Henry,
+"and I am certain that my people are no enemies of the French in Canada.
+Perhaps we shall meet in Detroit."
+
+"Eet ees likely, mon brav," said Lajeunais, "I come into the town in
+four days an' I inquire for ze great boy named Ware."
+
+Timmendiquas gave the signal and in another hour they were in Detroit.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+AT DETROIT
+
+
+Henry missed nothing as he went on with the warriors. He saw many lodges
+of Indians, and some cabins occupied by French-Canadians. In places the
+forest had been cleared away to make fields for Indian corn, wheat and
+pumpkins. Many columns of smoke rose in the clear spring air, and
+directly ahead, where he saw a cluster of such columns, Henry knew the
+fort to be. Timmendiquas kept straight on, and the walls of the fort
+came into view.
+
+Detroit was the most formidable fortress that Henry had yet seen. Its
+walls, recently enlarged, were of oak pickets, rising twenty-five feet
+above the ground and six inches in diameter at the smaller end. It had
+bastions at every corner, and four gates, over three of which were built
+strong blockhouses for observation and defense. The gates faced the four
+cardinal points of the compass, and it was the one looking towards the
+south that was without a blockhouse. There was a picket beside every
+gate. The gates were opened at sunrise and closed at sunset, but the
+wickets were left open until 9 o'clock at night.
+
+This fortification, so formidable in the wilderness, was armed in a
+manner fitting its strength. Every blockhouse contained four
+six-pounders and two batteries of six large guns each, faced the river,
+which was only forty feet away and with very steep banks. Inside the
+great palisade were barracks for five hundred men, a brick store, a
+guard house, a hospital, a governor's house, and many other buildings.
+At the time of Henry's arrival about four hundred British troops were
+present, and many hundreds of Indian warriors. The fort was thoroughly
+stocked with ammunition and other supplies, and there were also many
+English and Canadian traders both inside and outside the palisade.
+
+The British had begun the erection of another fort, equally powerful, at
+some distance from the present one, but they were not far advanced with
+it at that time. The increase in protective measures was due to a
+message that they had received from the redoubtable George Rogers Clark,
+the victor of Vincennes and Kaskaskia, the man who delivered the
+heaviest of all blows against the British, Indian and Tory power in the
+Northwest. He had said that he was coming to attack them.
+
+Henry asked no questions, but he watched everything with the most
+intense curiosity. The warriors of Timmendiquas stopped about three
+hundred yards from the palisade, and, without a word to anyone, began to
+light their camp fires and erect lodges for their chiefs. Girty,
+Blackstaffe, and Wyatt went away toward the fort, but Henry knew well
+that Timmendiquas would not enter until messengers came to receive him.
+Henry himself sat down by one of the fires and waited as calmly as if he
+had been one of the band. While he was sitting there, Timmendiquas came
+to him.
+
+"Ware," he said, "we are now at the great post of the King, and you will
+be held a prisoner inside. I have treated you as well as I could. Is
+there anything of which you wish to complain?"
+
+"There is nothing," replied Henry. "Timmendiquas is a chief, great alike
+of heart and hand."
+
+The Wyandot smiled slightly. It seemed that he was anxious for the good
+opinion of his most formidable antagonist. Henry noticed, too, that he
+was in his finest attire. A splendid blue blanket hung from his
+shoulders, and his leggings and moccasins of the finest tanned deerskin
+were also blue. Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, who stood not far away,
+were likewise arrayed in their savage best.
+
+"We are now about to go into the fort," said Timmendiquas, "and you are
+to go with us, Ware."
+
+Four British officers were approaching. Their leader was a stocky man of
+middle age in the uniform of a colonel. It would have been apparent to
+anyone that the Wyandot chief was the leader of the band, and the
+officers saluted him.
+
+"I am speaking to Timmendiquas, the great White Lightning of the
+Wyandots, am I not?" he asked.
+
+"I am Timmendiquas of the Wyandots, known in your language as White
+Lightning," replied the chief gravely.
+
+"I am Colonel William Caldwell of the King's army," said the chief, "and
+I am sent by Colonel de Peyster, the commandant at Detroit, to bid you
+welcome, and to ask you and your fellow chiefs to meet him within the
+walls. My brother officers and I are to be your escort of honor, and we
+are proud of such a service."
+
+Henry saw at once that Caldwell was a man of abundant experience with
+the Indians. He knew their intense pride, and he was going to see that
+Timmendiquas and the other chiefs were received in a manner befitting
+their station among their own people.
+
+"It is well," said Timmendiquas. "We will go with you and Ware will go
+with us."
+
+"Who is Ware?" asked Caldwell, as Henry stood up. At the same time the
+Englishman's eyes expressed admiration. The height and splendid figure
+of the youth impressed him.
+
+"Ware, though young, is the greatest of all the white warriors," replied
+Timmendiquas. "He is my prisoner and I keep him with me until Manitou
+tells me what I shall do with him."
+
+His tone was final. Caldwell was a clever man, skilled in forest
+diplomacy. He saw that nothing was to be gained, and that much might be
+lost by opposing the will of Timmendiquas.
+
+"Of course he comes with you if you wish it, White Lightning," he said.
+"Now may we go? Colonel de Peyster awaits us to do you honor."
+
+Timmendiquas inclined his head and he, with nine other chiefs, including
+Yellow Panther and Red Eagle, and with Henry in the center, started
+toward the fort. The British officers went with Colonel Caldwell,
+marching by the side of Timmendiquas. They approached the western gate,
+and, when they were within a few yards of it, a soldier on top of the
+palisade began to play a military air on a bugle. It was an inspiring
+tune, mellow and sweet in the clear spring air, and Caldwell looked up
+proudly. The chiefs said not a word, but Henry knew that they were
+pleased. Then the great gate was thrown open and they passed between two
+files of soldiers, who held their rifles at attention. The music of the
+bugle ceased, the great gate closed behind them, and the Indians and
+their escort marched on towards an open square, where a corps of honor,
+with the commander himself at their head, was drawn up to receive them.
+
+Henry's gaze turned at once towards the commander, whose name filled him
+with horror and detestation. Arent Schuyler de Peyster had succeeded to
+Hamilton, the "hair buyer," captured by George Rogers Clark and sent in
+chains to Virginia. He had shown great activity in arming and inciting
+the Indians against the settlers in Kentucky, and Henry hated him all
+the more because he was an American and not an Englishman. He could not
+understand how an American, Tory though he might be, could send his own
+people to fire and the stake, and doom women and little children to a
+horrible death.
+
+Arent Schuyler de Peyster, born in the city of New York, was now a man
+of middle years, strongly built, haughty in manner, proud of his family
+and of his rank in the army of the King. He was confident that the royal
+arms would triumph ultimately, and, meanwhile he was doing his best to
+curb the young settlements beyond the Ohio, and to prevent the rebel
+extension to the West. Now the expedition of Bird had gone forth from
+Detroit against Kentucky and he was anxious to send another and greater
+one which should have as its core the Wyandots, the bravest and most
+daring of all the western tribes. He had never seen Timmendiquas before,
+but he was familiar with his name, and, after a single glance, it was
+impossible to mistake him. His roving eye also saw the tall white youth,
+and, for the present, he wondered, but his mind soon turned to his
+welcome to the warlike chief.
+
+A salute of four guns was fired from one of the batteries in the
+bastion. Then Colonel de Peyster greeted Timmendiquas and after him, the
+other chiefs one by one. He complimented them all upon their bravery and
+their loyalty to the King, their great white father across the ocean. He
+rejoiced to hear of their great deeds against the rebels, and promised
+them splendid rewards for the new deeds they would achieve. Then, saying
+that they had marched far and must be hungry and tired, he invited them
+to a feast which he had prepared, having been warned by a runner of
+their coming.
+
+Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, and Yellow Panther heard him in silence and
+without a change of countenance, but the eyes of the other chiefs
+sparkled. They loved blankets of brilliant colors, beads, and the many
+gaudy trinkets that were sold or given away at the post. New rifles and
+fresh ammunition, also, would be acceptable, and, in order to deserve
+than in increasing quantities, they resolved that the next quest for
+scalps should be most zealous.
+
+Having finished his address, which had been studied carefully, de
+Peyster nodded toward Henry.
+
+"A new recruit, I suppose," he said. "One who has seen the light. Truly,
+he is of an admirable figure, and might do great service in our cause.
+But he bears no arms."
+
+Henry himself answered before Timmendiquas could say a word, and he
+answered all the more promptly, because he knew that the renegades,
+Girty, Wyatt and Blackstaffe had drawn near and were listening.
+
+"I am no recruit," he said. "I don't want to die, but I'd sooner do it
+than make war upon my own people as you and your friends are doing,
+Colonel de Peyster, and be responsible for the murder of women and
+children, as you and your friends are. I was at Wyoming and I saw the
+terrible deeds done there. I am no renegade and I never can be one."
+
+The face of the well-fed Colonel flushed an apoplectic purple, and
+Braxton Wyatt thrust his hand to the butt of the pistol in his belt, but
+Girty, inured to everything, laughed and said:
+
+"Don't take it so hard, young man."
+
+"Then tell us who you are!" exclaimed Colonel de Peyster angrily.
+
+Now it was Timmendiquas who replied.
+
+"He is my prisoner," he said. "He is the most valiant of all the
+Kentuckians. We took him after a great struggle in which he overthrew
+many of our young men. I have brought him as a present to you at
+Detroit."
+
+Did the words of Timmendiquas contain some subtle irony? De Peyster
+looked at him sharply, but the coppery face of the great chief expressed
+nothing. Then the diplomacy which he was compelled to practice
+incessantly with his red allies came to his aid.
+
+"I accept the present," he replied, "because he is obviously a fine
+specimen of the _genus_ rebel, and we may be able to put him to use. May
+I ask your name, young sir?"
+
+"Ware--Henry Ware."
+
+"Very well, Master Ware, since you are here with us, you can join in the
+little banquet that we have prepared, and see what a happy family the
+King's officers and the great chiefs make."
+
+Now it was de Peyster who was ironical. The words of Henry about
+renegades and Wyoming and the slaying of women and children had stung
+him, but he would not show the sting to a boy; instead, he would let him
+see how small and weak the Kentuckians were, and how the King's men and
+the tribes would be able to encompass their complete destruction.
+
+"Timmendiquas has given you to me as my prisoner," he said, "but for an
+hour or two you shall be my guest."
+
+Henry bowed. He was not at all averse. His was an inquiring mind, and if
+de Peyster had anything of importance to show, he wished to see it.
+
+"Lead the way, Catesby," said the commandant to a young officer,
+evidently an aide.
+
+Catesby proceeded to a large house near the north end of the court.
+Colonel de Peyster and Timmendiquas, side by side, followed him. The
+others came in a group.
+
+Catesby led them into a great room, evidently intended as a public
+banquet hall, as it had a long and wide table running down its center.
+But several large windows were opened wide and Henry conjectured that
+this effect--half out of doors--was created purposely. Thus it would be
+a place where the Indian chiefs could be entertained without feeling
+shut in.
+
+Colonel de Peyster evidently had prepared well. Huge metal dishes held
+bear meat, buffalo meat and venison, beef and fish. Bread and all the
+other articles of frontier food were abundant. Four soldiers stood by
+as waiters. De Peyster sat at the head of the table with Timmendiquas on
+his right and Simon Girty on his left. Henry had a seat almost at the
+foot, and directly across the table from him was the frowning face of
+Braxton Wyatt. Colonel Caldwell sat at the foot of the table and several
+other British or Tory officers also were present. The food was served
+bountifully, and, as the chiefs had come a long distance and were
+hungry, they ate with sharp appetites. Many of them, scorning knives and
+forks, cracked the bones with their hands. For a long time the Indians
+preserved the calm of the woods, but Colonel de Peyster was bland and
+beaming. He talked of the success of the King's army and of the Indian
+armies. He told how the settlements had been destroyed throughout
+Western New York and Pennsylvania, and he told how those of Kentucky
+would soon share the same fate. A singular spirit seemed to possess him.
+The Americans, patriots or rebels, as they were variously called, always
+hated the Tories more bitterly than they hated the English, and this
+hatred was returned in full measure.
+
+Now it seemed to Henry that de Peyster intended his remarks largely for
+him. He would justify himself to the captive youth, and at the same time
+show him the power of the allied Indians, Tories, and English. He talked
+quite freely of the great expedition of Bird and of the cannon that he
+carried with him.
+
+"I don't think that your palisades will stand before heavy cannon balls,
+will they, Ware?"
+
+"I fear not," replied Henry, "and it is likely that many of our people
+will suffer, but you must bear in mind, Colonel de Peyster, that
+whenever a man falls in Kentucky another comes to take his place. We are
+fighting for the land on which we stand, and you are fighting for an
+alien ruler, thousands of miles away. No matter how many defeats we may
+suffer, we shall win in the end."
+
+De Peyster frowned.
+
+"You do not know the strength of Britain," he said, "nor do you know the
+power of the warriors. You say that you were at Wyoming. Well, you have
+seen what we could do."
+
+Girty broke into a sneering laugh at Henry and then seconded the words
+of his chief.
+
+"All we want is union and organization," he said. "Soon our own troops
+and the red warriors will form one army along the whole line of the war.
+The rebel cause is already sinking in the East, and in another year the
+King will be triumphant everywhere."
+
+Girty was a crafty man, something of a forest statesman. He had given
+the Indians much help on many occasions and they usually deferred to
+him. Now he turned to them.
+
+"When Colonel Bird achieves his victories south of the Ohio, as he is
+sure to do," he said, "and when Timmendiquas and his great force marches
+to destroy all that is left, then you, O chiefs, will have back your
+hunting grounds for your villages and your people. The deer and the
+buffalo will be as numerous as ever. Fire will destroy the houses and
+the forests will grow where they have been. Their cornfields will
+disappear, and not a single one of the Yengees will be found in your
+great forests beyond the Beautiful River."
+
+The nostrils of the chiefs dilated. A savage fire, the desire for
+scalps, began to sparkle in the dark eyes of the wilderness children. At
+this crucial moment of excitement Colonel de Peyster caused cups to be
+brought and wine to be passed. All drank, except Henry and the great
+chief, the White Lightning of the Wyandots. De Peyster himself felt the
+effect of the strong liquor, and Girty and Wyatt did not seek to hide
+it.
+
+"There is fire in your veins, my children," exclaimed de Peyster. "You
+will fight for the King. You will clear the woods of the rebels, and he
+will send you great rewards. As a proof of what he will do he gives you
+many presents now."
+
+He made a signal and the soldiers began to bring in gifts for the
+chiefs, gifts that seemed to them beautiful and of great value. There
+were silver-mounted rifles for Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, Yellow Panther,
+and also for another Shawnee chief of uncommon ferocity, Moluntha. Their
+eyes sparkled as they received them, and all uttered thanks except
+Timmendiquas, who still did not say a word. Then came knives, hatchets,
+blankets--always of bright colors--beads and many little mirrors. The
+Indians were excited with the wine and the variety and splendor of the
+presents. A young chief, Yahnundasis, a Shawnee, sprang from the table
+and burst into a triumphant chant:
+
+    The great chief beyond the seas
+    Sends us the rifle and the knife;
+    He bids us destroy the hated Yengees,
+    And the day of our wrath has come.
+
+    We search the forest for white scalps;
+    The cannon, the great guns will help us,
+    Not a foe in Kentucky will be left,
+    None can escape the rage of the warriors.
+
+He sang other verses in the Shawnee tongue, and all the while he was
+growing more excited with his chant and leapings. He drew his tomahawk
+and swung it in a glittering circle above his head. The red and black
+paint upon his face, moistened by his own perspiration, dripped slowly
+upon his shoulders. He was a wild and terrible figure, a true exponent
+of primitive savagery, but no one interfered with him. In the minds of
+the renegades he awoke corresponding emotions.
+
+Caldwell at the foot of the table looked inquiringly at de Peyster at
+the head of it, but de Peyster raised neither hand nor voice to stay
+dance and song. It may be that the wine and the intoxication of so wild
+a scene had gone to his own head. He listened attentively to the song,
+and watched the feet of the dancer, while he drummed upon the table with
+his forefingers. One of the chiefs took from his robe a small whistle
+made of the bone of an eagle, and began to blow upon it a shrill
+monotonous tune. This inflamed the dancer still further, and he grew
+wilder and wilder. The note of the whistle, while varying but little,
+was fierce, piercing, and abundant. It thrilled the blood of red men and
+white, all save Timmendiquas, who sat, face and figure alike unmoving.
+
+Yahnundasis now began to gaze steadily at Henry. However he gyrated, he
+did not take his eyes from those of the captive youth. Henry's blood
+chilled, and for a moment stopped its circulation. Then it flowed in its
+wonted tide, but he understood. Yahnundasis was seeing red. Like the
+Malay he was amuck. At any moment he might throw the glittering hatchet
+at the prisoner. Henry recognized the imminence of his danger, but he
+steeled his nerves. He saw, too, that much depended upon himself, upon
+the power of the spirit that radiated from his eyes. Hence, he, too,
+looked steadily into the eyes of Yahnundasis. He poured all his nervous
+strength and force into the gaze.
+
+He felt that he was holding the dancing chief in a sort of a spell by
+the power of a spirit greater than that of Yahnundasis. Yet it could not
+last; in a minute or two the chief must break the charm, and then,
+unless someone interfered, he would cast the tomahawk. Obviously the
+interference should come from de Peyster. But would he do it? Henry did
+not dare take his eyes from those of Yahnundasis in order to look at the
+Tory Colonel.
+
+The savage now was maddened completely with his song, the dance, and
+the wine that he had drunk. Faster and faster whirled the hatchet, but
+with his powerful gaze deep into the eyes of the other, Henry still
+sought to restrain the hand that would hurl the deadly weapon. It became
+a pain, both physical and mental, to strain so. He wanted to look aside,
+to see the others, and to know why they did not stop so wild a scene. He
+was conscious of a great silence, save for the singing and dancing of
+the Indian and the beating of his own heart. He felt convinced now that
+no one was going to interfere, and his hand stole towards one of the
+large knives that had been used for cutting meat.
+
+The voice of Yahnundasis rose to a shriek and he leaped like a
+snake-dancer. Henry felt sure that the tomahawk was going to come, but
+while he yet stared at the savage he caught a glimpse of a tall,
+splendidly arrayed figure springing suddenly upright. It was
+Timmendiquas and he, too, drew a tomahawk. Then with startling quickness
+he struck Yahnundasis with the flat of the blade. Yahnundasis fell as if
+he had been slain. The tomahawk flew wildly from his hand, and dark
+blood from his broken crown mingled with the red and black paint on his
+face. Timmendiquas stood up, holding his own tomahawk threateningly, an
+angry look darting from his eyes.
+
+"Take him away," he said, indicating Yahnundasis, in a contemptuous
+tone. "To-morrow let him nurse his bruised head and reflect that it is
+not well to be a fool. It is not meet that a warrior, even be he a
+chief, should threaten a prisoner, when we come to a feast to talk of
+great things."
+
+As a murmur of assent came from the chiefs about him, he resumed his
+seat in dignified silence. Henry said nothing, nor did he allow his
+countenance to change, but deep in his heart he felt that he owed
+another debt to the Wyandot chieftain. De Peyster and Caldwell exchanged
+glances. Both knew that they had allowed the affair to go too far, but
+both alike resented the stern rebuke contained in the words of
+Timmendiquas. Yet each glance said the same, that it was wise to
+dissimulate and take no offense.
+
+"You have spoken well, as usual, Timmendiquas," said Colonel de Peyster.
+"Now as you and the other chiefs are rested after your long march we
+will talk at once of the great things that we have in mind, since time
+is of value. Colonel Bird with the cannon has gone against Kentucky. As
+I have already said we wish to send another force which will seek out
+and destroy every station, no matter how small, and which will not even
+leave a single lone cabin unburned. Colonel Caldwell will command the
+white men, but you, Timmendiquas, and the allied tribes will have the
+greater task and the greater glory. The King will equip you amply for
+the work. He will present a rifle, much ammunition and a fine blanket to
+every warrior who goes. Rifles, blankets and ammunition are all in our
+storehouses here in Detroit, and they will be distributed the moment the
+expedition starts."
+
+The renegades clapped their hands. Most of the chiefs uttered cries of
+approval and shook their tomahawks in exultation, but Timmendiquas
+remained silent.
+
+"Does it not appeal to you, Timmendiquas?" said de Peyster. "You have
+been the most zealous of all the chiefs. You have led great attacks
+against the settlers, and you have been most eager in battle."
+
+Timmendiquas rose very deliberately and speaking in Wyandot, which
+nearly all present understood, he said:
+
+"What the Colonel of the King says is true. I have fought many times
+with the Kentuckians, and they are brave men. Sometimes we have beaten
+them, and sometimes they have beaten us. They have great warriors,
+Clark, Boone, Kenton, Harrod and the tall youth who sits here, my
+captive. Let not the colonel of the King forget that with Clark at their
+head they crossed the Ohio, took Vincennes and Kaskaskia and him who
+was then the commander of Detroit, Hamilton, now held prisoner in a far
+land beyond the mountains."
+
+De Peyster's face flushed darkly, and the other white men moved
+uneasily.
+
+"The things you tell are true, Timmendiquas," said de Peyster, "but what
+bearing do they have upon our expedition?"
+
+"I wish to speak of many things," resumed the chief. "I am for war to
+the end against those who have invaded our hunting grounds. But let not
+Colonel de Peyster and Caldwell and Girty forget that the villages of
+the Indians lie between Kaintuckee and Detroit."
+
+"What of it?" said de Peyster. "The Kentuckians reduced so low will not
+dare to come against them."
+
+"That we do not know," said Timmendiquas. "When we destroy the men in
+Kaintuckee others come to take their places. It is the duty of the
+Wyandots and all the allied tribes to look into the future. Listen, O
+Colonel of the King. I was at Wyoming in the East when the Indians and
+their white friends won a great victory. Never before had I seen such a
+taking of scalps. There was much joy and feasting, dancing and singing.
+It was the Iroquois, the great Six Nations who won the victory, and they
+thought that their Aieroski, who is our Manitou, would never forsake
+them. They swept the whole valley of Wyoming and many other valleys.
+They left the country as bare as my hand. But it was not the end."
+
+Timmendiquas seemed to grow in stature, and he looked fiercely into the
+eyes of the English officers. Despite themselves de Peyster and Caldwell
+quailed.
+
+"It was not the end," continued Timmendiquas, and his tone was severe
+and accusing. "The Iroquois had destroyed the rear of the Yengees and
+great were the thanks of the King's men. The mighty Thayendanegea, the
+Mohawk, was called the first of all warriors, but the great chief of
+the Long Knives far away in the East did not forget. By and by a great
+army came against the Iroquois. Where were the King's men then? Few came
+to help. Thayendanegea had to fight his battle almost alone. He was
+beaten, his army was scattered like sand before the wind, and the army
+of the Long Knives trod out the Iroquois country. Their great villages
+went up in flames, their Council Houses were destroyed, the orchards
+that had been planted by their grandfathers were cut down, their fields
+were deserted, the whole Iroquois country was ruined, and the Six
+Nations, never before conquered, now huddle by the British posts at
+Niagara and Oswego for shelter."
+
+"It is a great misfortune, but the brave Iroquois will repair it," said
+de Peyster. "Why do you tell of it, Timmendiquas?"
+
+"For this reason," replied the chief. "The Iroquois would not have been
+without a country, if the King's men had helped them as they had helped
+the King's men. Shall we, in the West, the Wyandots, the Shawnees, the
+Miamis and the others meet the same fate? Shall we go against
+Kaintuckee, destroy the settlements there, and then, when an avenging
+army comes against our villages, lose our country, because the King's
+men who should help us are far away, as the Iroquois lost theirs?"
+
+He folded his arms across his broad chest and, stern and accusing,
+awaited the answer. De Peyster quailed again, but he quickly recovered.
+He was a flexible man skilled in diplomacy, and he saw that he must
+promise, promise much and promise it in convincing tones. He noticed
+moreover the deep murmur of approval that the chiefs gave to the words
+of White Lightning. Then he in turn rose also and assuming his most
+imposing manner said:
+
+"On behalf of the King, Timmendiquas, I promise you the help of his full
+strength. It is not likely that the Kentuckians will ever be able to
+come against your villages, but if they do I will march forth with all
+my force to your help. Nay, I will send East for others, to Niagara and
+Oswego and to Canada. It shall never be said of us that we deserted the
+tribes in their hour of need, if such an hour should come. I myself
+would gladly march now against these intruders if my duty did not hold
+me here."
+
+He looked around the table and his eye encountered Caldwell's. The
+officer instantly saw his cue and springing to his feet he cried:
+
+"What our brave commander says is true, Timmendiquas. I myself and some
+of our best men, we will fight beside you."
+
+Now the chiefs murmured approval of the words of de Peyster and
+Caldwell, as they had approved those of Timmendiquas. The great Wyandot
+himself seemed to be convinced, and said that it was well. Henry had
+listened to it all in silence, but now de Peyster turned his attention
+to him.
+
+"I think that we have given enough of our hospitality to this prisoner,"
+he said, "and since you have turned him over to me, Timmendiquas, I will
+send him to a place which will hold him for a while."
+
+Henry rose at once.
+
+"I am willing to go," he said. "I thank you for your food and drink, but
+I think I shall feel more at home in any prison that you may have than
+here among those who are planning the destruction of my people."
+
+Girty was about to speak, but de Peyster waved his hand, and the words
+stopped unsaid.
+
+"Take him to the jail, Holderness," he said to one of the younger
+officers. "He can wait there. We shall have plenty of time to decide
+concerning his fate."
+
+Henry walked by the side of the officer across the court. Holderness was
+quite young, ruddy, and evidently not long in America. He looked with
+admiration at Henry's height and magnificent shoulders.
+
+"You are from that far land they call Kaintuckee?" he said.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"One of the best of the countries belonging to the Indians?"
+
+"It is a good country, but I do not know that it ever belonged to the
+Indians. No doubt they have hunted there and fought there for hundreds
+of years, but so far as I know, they've never lived there."
+
+"Then it belongs to the King," said Holderness.
+
+Henry smiled. He rather liked this ingenuous young man who was not much
+older than himself.
+
+"A country like Kentucky," he replied, "belongs to those who can hold
+it. Once the French King claimed it, but how could he enforce a claim to
+a country separated from him by thousands of miles of sea and
+wilderness? Now the English King makes the same claim, and perhaps he
+has a better chance, but still that chance is not good enough."
+
+The young officer sighed a little.
+
+"I'm sorry we have to fight you," he said. "I've heard ugly tales since
+I came about the savages and the white men, too."
+
+"You're likely to hear more," said Henry. "But this I take it is our
+jail."
+
+"It is. I'll go in and see that you're as comfortable as possible."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE LETTER OF THE FOUR
+
+
+The building into which Henry was taken was built of brick and rough
+stone, two stories in height, massive and very strong. The door which
+closed the entrance was of thick oak, with heavy crosspieces, and the
+two rows of small windows, one above the other, were fortified with iron
+bars, so close together that a man could not pass between. Henry's quick
+eye noticed it all, as they entered between the British guards at the
+door. The house inside was divided into several rooms, none containing
+more than a rude pallet bed, a small pine table, a tin pitcher, a cup of
+water, and a pine stool.
+
+Henry followed Holderness into one of these rooms, and promptly sat on
+the pine stool by the window. Holderness looked at him with a mixture of
+admiration and pity.
+
+"I'm sorry, old chap," he said, "that I have to lock you up here. Come
+now, do be reasonable. These rebels are bound to lose, and, if you can't
+join us, take a parole and go somewhere into Canada until all the
+trouble is over."
+
+Henry laughed lightly, but his heart warmed again toward young
+Holderness who had come from some easy and sheltered spot in England,
+and who knew nothing of the wilderness and its hardships and terrors.
+
+"Don't you be sorry for me," he said. "As for this room, it's better
+than anything that I've been used to for years. And so far as giving a
+parole and going into Canada, I wouldn't dream of such a thing. It would
+interfere with my plans. I'm going back into the South to fight against
+your people and the Indians."
+
+"But you're a prisoner!"
+
+"For the present, yes, but I shall not remain so."
+
+"You can't escape."
+
+"I always escape. It's true I was never before in so strong a prison,
+but I shall go. I am willing to tell you, Lieutenant Holderness, because
+others will tell you anyhow, that I have outside four very faithful and
+skillful friends. Nothing would induce them to desert me, and among us
+we will secure my escape."
+
+Into the look of mingled admiration and pity with which Holderness had
+regarded Henry crept a touch of defiance.
+
+"You're deucedly confident, old chap," he said. "You don't seem to think
+that we amount to much here, and yet Colonel de Peyster has undoubtedly
+saved you from the Indians. You should be grateful to him for that
+much."
+
+Henry laughed. This ingenuous youth now amused him.
+
+"What makes you think it was Colonel de Peyster or any other English or
+Tory officer who saved me from the Indians? Well, it wasn't. If Colonel
+Bird and your other white friends had had their way when I was taken I
+should have been burned at the stake long before this. It was the
+Wyandot chief, Timmendiquas, known in our language as White Lightning,
+who saved me."
+
+The young officer's red face flushed deeper red.
+
+"I knew that we had been charged with such cruelties," he said, "but I
+had hoped that they were not true. Now, I must leave you here, and, upon
+my soul, I do not wish you any harm."
+
+He went out and Henry felt a heavy key turn in the lock. A minute or two
+after he had gone the prisoner tried the door, and found that it was
+made of heavy oak, with strong crosspieces of the same material. He
+exerted all his great strength, and, as he expected, he could not shake
+it. Then he went back to the pine stool, which he drew up near a barred
+window, and sitting there watched as well as he could what was passing
+in the great court.
+
+Henry had too much natural wisdom and experience to beat his head
+uselessly against bars. He would remain quiet, preserving the strength
+of both body and mind, until the time for action came. Meanwhile he was
+using his eyes. He saw some of the chiefs pass, always accompanied by
+white officers. But he saw officers alone, and now and then women, both
+red and white. He also saw the swarthy faces of woods runners, and among
+them, one whose face and figure were familiar, that same Pierre Louis
+Lajeunais, whom he had met outside the fort.
+
+Lajeunais carried his rifle on one shoulder and a pack of furs on the
+other. It was a heavy pack, probably beaver skins, but he moved easily,
+and Henry saw that he was very strong. Henry regarded him thoughtfully.
+This man had been friendly, he had access to the fort, and he might be
+induced to give him aid. He did not see just then how Lajeunais could be
+of help to him, but he stored the idea in the back of his head, ready
+for use if there should be occasion.
+
+He presently saw Timmendiquas go by with Colonel de Peyster on one side
+of him and Colonel Caldwell on the other. Henry smiled. Evidently they
+were paying assiduous court to the Wyandot, and well they might. Without
+the aid of the powerful Indian tribes the British at Detroit could do
+nothing. In a few moments they were gone and then the twilight began to
+come over the great western post. From his window Henry caught a view of
+a distant reach of the broad river, glittering gold in the western sun.
+It came ultimately from one great lake and would empty into another.
+Paul's words returned to him. Those mysterious and mighty great lakes!
+would he live to see them with his comrades? Once in his early
+captivity with the Indians he had wandered to the shores of the farthest
+and greatest of them all, and he remembered the awe with which he had
+looked upon the vast expanse of waters like the sea itself. He wished to
+go there again. Hundreds of stories and legends about the mighty chain
+had come from the Indians and this view of the river that flowed from
+the upper group stirred again all his old curiosity. Then he remembered
+his position and with a low laugh resumed his seat on the pine stool.
+
+Yet he watched the advance of the night. It seemed that the vast
+wilderness was coming down on Detroit and would blot it out completely,
+fortress, soldiers, village and all. In a little while the darkness
+covered everything save a few flickering lights here and there. Henry
+sat at the window a while, gazing absently at the lights. But his mind
+was away with his comrades, Paul, Shif'less Sol, Long Jim and Silent
+Tom, the faithful four with whom he had passed through a world of
+dangers. Where were they now? He had no doubt that they were near
+Detroit. It was no idle boast that he made to Colonel de Peyster when he
+said they would help rescue him. He awaited the result with absolute
+confidence. He was in truth so lacking in nervous apprehension that when
+he lay down on the rude pallet he was asleep in two minutes.
+
+He was awakened the next morning by Lieutenant Holderness who informed
+him that in the daytime, for the present at least, he would be allowed
+the liberty of the court. He could also eat outside.
+
+"I'm grateful," said Henry. "I wish to thank Colonel de Peyster, or
+whoever the man may be who has given me this much liberty."
+
+"It is Colonel de Peyster, of course," said the ruddy one.
+
+But Henry shrewdly suspected that his modicum of liberty was due to
+Timmendiquas, or rather the fear of de Peyster that he would offend
+Timmendiquas, and weaken the league, if he ill treated the prisoner.
+
+Henry went outside and bathed his face at a water barrel. Then at the
+invitation of Holderness he joined some soldiers and Canadian Frenchmen
+who were cooking breakfast together beside a great fire. They made room
+readily at the lieutenant's request and Henry began to eat. He noticed
+across the fire the brown face of Lajeunais, and he nodded in a friendly
+manner. Lajeunais nodded in return and his black eyes twinkled. Henry
+thought that he saw some significance in the twinkle, but when he looked
+again Lajeunais was busy with his own breakfast. Then the incident
+passed out of his mind and he quickly found himself on good terms with
+both soldiers and woods runners.
+
+"You give your parole," said Lajeunais, "an' go North wiz me on the
+great huntin' an' trappin'. We will go North, North, North, beyon' the
+Great Lakes, an' to other lakes almost as great, a thousan', two
+thousan' miles beyon' the home of white men to trap the silver fox, the
+pine marten an' the other furs which bring much gold. Ah, le bon Dieu,
+but it is gran'! an' you have ze great figure an' ze great strength to
+stan' ze great cold. Then come wiz me. Ze great lakes an' woods of ze
+far North is better zan to fret your life out here in ze prison. You
+come?"
+
+He spoke entreatingly, but Henry smiled and replied in a tone full of
+good humor:
+
+"It's a tempting offer, and it's very kind of you, Monsieur Lajeunais,
+but I cannot accept it. Neither am I going to fret my life out within
+these walls. I'm going to escape."
+
+All the soldiers and woods runners laughed together except Lajeunais.
+Henry's calm assurance seemed a great joke to them, but the Frenchman
+watched him shrewdly. He was familiar with men of the woods, and it
+seemed to him that the great youth was not boasting, merely stating a
+fact.
+
+"Confidence is ze gran' thing," he said, "but these walls are high an'
+the ears are many."
+
+While Henry sat there with the men, Colonel de Peyster passed. The
+commander was in an especially good humor that morning. He was convinced
+that his negotiations with the Indian were going well. He had sworn to
+Timmendiquas again that if the Western tribes would fight for the King,
+the King would help them in return should their villages be attacked.
+More presents had been distributed judiciously among the chiefs. The
+renegades also were at work. All of Girty's influence, and it was large,
+had been brought to bear in favor of the invasion, and it seemed to de
+Peyster that everything was now settled. He saw Henry sitting by the
+fire, gave him an ironical look, and, as he passed, sang clearly enough
+for the captive to hear a song of his own composition. He called it "The
+Drill Sergeant," written to the tune of "The Happy Beggars," and the
+first verse ran:
+
+    Come, stand well to your order,
+    Make not the least false motion;
+          Eyes to the right,
+          Thumb, muzzle height;
+    Lads, you have the true notion.
+          Here and there,
+          Everywhere
+    That the King's boys may be found,
+          Fight and die,
+          Be the cry,
+    'Ere in battle to give ground.
+
+De Peyster was not only a soldier, but being born in New York and having
+grown up there he prided himself upon being a man of the world with
+accomplishments literary and otherwise. The privilege of humming one's
+own poetry is great and exalting, and the commander's spirits, already
+high, rose yet higher. The destruction of Kentucky was not only going to
+be accomplished, it was in fact accomplished already. He would extirpate
+the impudent settlers west of the mountains, and, when the King's
+authority was reestablished everywhere and the time came for rewards, he
+would ask and receive a great one.
+
+As Colonel de Peyster walked toward the western gate a Tory soldier,
+with bruises and excitement upon his face, and a torn uniform upon his
+body, hurried toward him, accompanied by Lieutenant Holderness.
+
+"This is Private Doran, sir," said Holderness, "and he has an important
+letter for you."
+
+Colonel de Peyster looked critically at Private Doran.
+
+"You seem to have been manhandled," he said.
+
+"I was set upon by a band of cutthroats," said Private Doran, the memory
+of his wrongs becoming very bitter, "and they commanded me upon pain of
+death to deliver this letter to you."
+
+He held out a dirty sheet of folded paper.
+
+Colonel de Peyster felt instinctively that it was something that was
+going to be of great interest, and, before he opened it, he tapped it
+with a thoughtful forefinger.
+
+"Where did you get this?"
+
+"About five o'clock this morning," replied Private Doran with hesitation
+and in an apologetic tone, "I was on guard on the western side of the
+village, near the woods. I was watching as well as I could with my eyes
+open, and listening too, but I neither heard nor saw anything when four
+men suddenly threw themselves upon me. I fought, but how could I
+overcome four? I suffered many bruises, as you can see. I thought they
+were going to kill me, but they bound me, and then the youngest of 'em
+wrote this note which they told me to give to you, saying that they
+would send a rifle bullet through my head some dark night, if I
+disobeyed 'em, and I believe, sir, they would do it."
+
+"Report to your sergeant," said de Peyster, and Private Doran gladly
+went away. Then the commander opened the letter and as he read it his
+face turned a deep red with anger. He read it over again to see that he
+made no mistake, but the deep red of anger remained.
+
+"What do you think of such impertinence as this, Holderness?" he
+exclaimed, and then he read:
+
+    "To Colonel Arent Schuyler de Peyster, Commander of the King's
+    forces at Detroit:
+
+    "_Sir_:
+
+    "You have a prisoner in your fort, one Henry Ware, our comrade. We
+    warn you that if he is subjected to any ill-treatment whatever, you
+    and your men shall suffer punishment. This is not an idle threat. We
+    are able to make good our promises.
+
+                                              "SOLOMON HYDE.
+                                              "PAUL COTTER.
+                                              "THOMAS ROSS.
+                                              "JAMES HART."
+
+"It's impertinence and mummery," repeated de Peyster, "I'll have that
+man Doran tied to a cannon and lashed on his bare back!"
+
+But Lieutenant Holderness was young and impressionable.
+
+"It's impertinent, of course, Colonel," he said, "and it sounds wild,
+too, but I believe the signers of this paper mean what they say.
+Wouldn't it be a good idea to treat this prisoner well, and set such a
+good watch that we can capture his friends, too? They'll be hanging
+about."
+
+"I don't know," said de Peyster. "No, I think I have a better plan.
+Suppose we answer the letter of these fellows. I have had no intention
+of treating Ware badly. I expected to exchange him or use him profitably
+as a hostage, but I'll tell his friends that we are going to subject him
+to severe punishment, and then we'll draw them into our net, too."
+
+"I've heard from Girty and Wyatt that they do wonderful things," said
+Holderness. "Suppose they should rescue Ware after all?"
+
+De Peyster laughed incredulously.
+
+"Take him away from us!" he said. "Why, he's as safely caged here as if
+he were in a stone prison in England. Just to show him what I think of
+their threat I'll let him read this letter."
+
+He approached Henry, who was still sitting by the fire and handed him
+the sheet of paper.
+
+"A letter from some friends of yours; the four most delightful humorists
+that these woods can furnish, I take it."
+
+Henry thrilled with delight when he read the paper, but he did not
+permit his face to show his joy. Like de Peyster he read it over twice,
+and then he handed it back to the Colonel.
+
+"Well," said de Peyster, "what do you think of it?"
+
+"It speaks for itself," replied Henry. "They mean exactly what they
+say."
+
+De Peyster chose to adopt a light, ironical tone.
+
+"Do you mean to tell me, my good fellow," he asked, "that four beggarly
+rebels, hiding for their lives in the wilderness, can punish me for
+anything that I may do to you?"
+
+"I do not merely tell you so, I know it."
+
+"Very well; it is a game, a play and we shall see what comes of it. I am
+going to send an answer to their letter, but I shall not tell you the
+nature of that answer, or what comes of it."
+
+"I've no doubt that I'll learn in time," said Henry quietly.
+
+The boy's calmness annoyed de Peyster, and he left him abruptly,
+followed by Holderness. While his temper was still warm, he wrote a
+letter to the four stating that Henry Ware would be delivered to the
+savages for them to do with as they chose,--the implication being
+torture and death--and that unless the four gave Detroit a very wide
+berth they would soon be treated in the same way. Then he called the
+miserable Doran before him, and told him, when he took the late watch
+again the next night, to hook the letter on the twig of a tree near
+where he had been attacked before, and then watch and see what would
+occur. Doran promised strictly to obey, and, since he was not called
+upon to fight the terrific four, some of his apprehension disappeared.
+
+Henry meanwhile had left the fire beside which he had eaten breakfast,
+and--though closely guarded--strolled about the great enclosure. He felt
+an uncommon lightness of heart. It was almost as if he were the jailer
+and not the jailed. That letter from his four comrades was a message to
+him as well as to de Peyster. He knew that the soldiers of de Peyster
+and the Indians would make every effort to take them, but the woods
+about Detroit were dense and they would be on guard every second. There
+was no certainty, either, that all the French-Canadians were warmly
+attached to the King's cause. Why should they be? Why should they fight
+so zealously for the country that had conquered them not many years
+before? He saw once more in the afternoon the square, strong figure of
+Lajeunais, crossing the court. When the Frenchman noticed him he stopped
+and came back, smiling and showing his great white teeth.
+
+"Ah, mon brav," he said, "doesn't the great North yet call to you?"
+
+"No," replied Henry, with an answering smile. "As I told you, I am going
+to escape."
+
+"You may," said Lajeunais, suddenly lowering his voice. "I met one of
+your friends in the forest. I cannot help, but I will not hinder. C'est
+une pitie that a garcon so gran' an' magnificent as you should pine an'
+die within prison walls."
+
+Then he was gone before Henry could thank him. Toward nightfall he was
+notified that he must return to his prison and now he felt the full
+weight of confinement when the heavy walls closed about him. But
+Holderness came with the soldier who brought his supper and remained to
+talk. Henry saw that Holderness, not long from England, was lonesome and
+did not like his work. It was true also that the young Englishman was
+appalled by the wilderness, not in the sense of physical fear, but the
+endless dark forest filled him with the feeling of desolation as it has
+many another man. He had found in Henry, prisoner though he was, the
+most congenial soul, that he had yet met in the woods. As he lingered
+while Henry ate the hard-tack and coffee, it was evident that he wanted
+to talk.
+
+"These friends of yours," he said. "They promise wonderful things. Do
+you really think they will rescue you, or did you merely say so to
+impress Colonel de Peyster? I ask, as man to man, and forgetting for the
+time that we are on opposing sides."
+
+Henry liked him. Here, undoubtedly, was an honest and truthful heart. He
+was sorry that they were official enemies, but he was glad that it did
+not keep them from being real friends.
+
+"I meant it just as I said it," he replied. "My friends will keep their
+words. If I am harmed some of your people here at Detroit will suffer.
+This no doubt sounds amazing to you, but strange things occur out here
+in the woods."
+
+"I'm very curious to see," said Holderness. "Colonel de Peyster has sent
+them a message, telling them in effect that no attention will be paid to
+their warning, and that he will do with you as he chooses."
+
+"I am curious about it too," said Henry, "and if there is nothing in
+your duty forbidding it, I ask you to let me know the result."
+
+"I think it's likely that I can tell if there is anything to be told.
+Well, good night to you, Mr. Ware. I wish you a pleasant sleep."
+
+"Thank you. I always sleep well."
+
+The night was no exception to Henry's statement, but he was awake early
+the next morning. Colonel de Peyster also rose early, because he wished
+to hear quickly from Private Doran. But Private Doran did not come at
+the usual hour of reporting from duty, nor did he return the next hour,
+nor at any hour. De Peyster, furious with anger, sent a detachment which
+found his letter gone and another there. It said that as proof of their
+power they had taken his sentinel and they warned him again not to harm
+the prisoner.
+
+De Peyster raged for several reasons. It hurt his personal pride, and it
+injured his prestige with the Indians. Timmendiquas was still
+troublesome. He was demanding further guarantees that the King's
+officers help the Indians with many men and with cannon, in case a
+return attack should be delivered against their villages, and the White
+Lightning of the Wyandots was not a chief with whom one could trifle.
+
+Timmendiquas had returned to the camp of his warriors outside the walls
+and de Peyster at once visited him there. He found the chief in a fine
+lodge of buffalo skin that the Wyandots had erected for him, polishing
+the beautiful new rifle that had been presented to him as coming from
+the King. He looked up when he saw de Peyster enter, and his smile
+showed the faintest trace of irony. But he laid aside the rifle and
+arose with the courtesy befitting a red chief who was about to receive a
+white one.
+
+"Be seated, Timmendiquas," said de Peyster with as gracious a manner as
+he could summon. "I have come to consult with you about a matter of
+importance. It seems to me that you alone are of sufficient judgment and
+experience to give me advice in this case."
+
+Timmendiquas bowed gravely.
+
+De Peyster then told him of the threatening letter from the four, and of
+the disappearance of Private Doran. The nostrils of Timmendiquas
+dilated.
+
+"They are great warriors," he said, "but the white youth, Ware, whom you
+hold, is the greatest of them all. It was well done."
+
+De Peyster frowned. In his praise of the woodsmen Timmendiquas seemed to
+reflect upon the skill of his own troops. But he persisted in his plan
+to flatter and to appeal to the pride of Timmendiquas.
+
+"White Lightning," he said, "you know the forest as the bird knows its
+nest. What would you advise me to do?"
+
+The soothing words appealed to Timmendiquas and he replied:
+
+"I will send some of my warriors to trail them from the spot where your
+man was taken, and do you send soldiers also to take them when they are
+found. It is my business to make war upon these rangers from Kentucky,
+and I will help you all I can."
+
+De Peyster, who felt that his honor was involved, left the lodge much
+more hopeful. It was intolerable that he, a soldier and a poet, should
+be insulted in such a manner by four wild woodsmen, and he selected ten
+good men who, following two Wyandot trailers, would certainly avenge
+him.
+
+Henry heard the details of Private Doran's misadventure from Lieutenant
+Holderness, who did not fail to do it full justice.
+
+"I should not have believed it," said the young Englishman, "if the
+facts were not so clear. Private Doran is not a small man. He must weigh
+at least one hundred and eighty, but he is gone as completely as if the
+earth had opened and swallowed him up."
+
+Henry smiled and pretended to take it lightly. At heart he was hugely
+delighted at this new proof of the prowess of his friends.
+
+"I told you what they were," he said. "They are keeping their promises,
+are they not?"
+
+"So far they have, but they will reach the end very soon. The Chief
+Timmendiquas, the tall one, who thinks he is as good as the King of
+England, has furnished two Wyandot trailers--they say the beggars can
+come pretty near following the trail left by the flight of a bird
+through the air--and they will take a detachment of ten good men against
+these four friends of yours."
+
+The prisoner's eyes sparkled. It did not seem to Holderness that he was
+at all cast down as he should be.
+
+"Shif'less Sol will lead them a glorious chase," said Henry. "The
+Wyandots are fine trailers, but they are no better than he, maybe not as
+good, and no detachment of heavy-footed soldiers can surprise him in the
+woods."
+
+"But if overtaken they will certainly be defeated. All of them will be
+slain or captured," said Holderness. "There can be no doubt of it."
+
+"It is to be seen," said Henry, "and we must wait patiently for the
+result."
+
+Henry was allowed to go in the court again that day. He knew that strong
+influences were working for his good treatment, and with the
+impossibility of escape in broad daylight under scores of watchful eyes
+there was no reason why he should be confined in the big jail. He hoped
+to see Timmendiquas there, but the chief still stayed outside with his
+Wyandot warriors. Instead he met another who was not so welcome. As he
+turned a corner of a large log building he came face to face with
+Braxton Wyatt. Henry turned abruptly away, indicating that he would
+avoid the young renegade as he would a snake. But Wyatt called to him:
+
+"Henry, I've got a few words to say to you. You know that you and I were
+boys together down there in Wareville, and if I've done you any harm it
+seems that the score is about even between us. I've helped to make war
+on the rebels in the East. I had gathered together a fine band there. I
+was leader of it and a man of importance, but that band was destroyed
+and you were the chief instrument of its destruction."
+
+"Why do you say all this?" asked Henry shortly.
+
+"To show you that I am in the right, and that I am now a Loyalist not
+for profit, but in face of the fact that I suffer for it."
+
+Henry looked at him in amazement. Why should Braxton Wyatt say these
+things to him whom he hated most? Then he suddenly knew the reason. Deep
+down in the heart of everyone, no matter how perverted he may become, is
+some desire for the good opinion of others. The renegade was seeking to
+justify himself in the eyes of the youth who had been for a while a
+childhood comrade. He felt a sort of pity, but he knew that nothing good
+could come of any further talk between Braxton Wyatt and himself.
+
+"Of course you are entitled to your opinion, Braxton," he said, "but it
+can never be mine. Your hands are red with the blood of your people, our
+people, and there can never be any friendship between us."
+
+He saw the angry light coming into Wyatt's eyes, and he turned away. He
+felt that under the circumstances he could not quarrel with him, and he
+knew that if they were in the forest again they would be as bitter
+enemies as ever. It was a relief to him to meet Holderness and another
+young officer, Desmond, also a recent arrival from England, and quite as
+ignorant as Holderness of wilderness ways and warfare. He found them
+fair and generous opponents and, in his heart, he absolved them from
+blame for the terrible consequences following upon the British alliance
+with the Indians.
+
+They took Henry on the entire inside circuit of the walls, and he, as
+well as they, was specially interested in the outlook over the river. A
+platform four feet wide was built against the palisade the same distance
+from the top. It was reached at intervals by flights of narrow steps,
+and here in case of attack the riflemen would crouch and fire from their
+hidden breastwork. Close by and under the high bank flowed the river, a
+broad, deep stream, bearing the discharge from those mighty inland seas,
+the upper chain of the Great Lakes. The current of the river, deep, blue
+and placid and the forests beyond, massive, dark, and green, made Henry
+realize how bitter it was to be a prisoner. Here separated from him by
+only a few feet was freedom, the great forest with its sparkling waters
+that he loved. In spite of himself, he sighed, and both Holderness and
+Desmond, understanding, were silent.
+
+Near them was a sort of trestle work that ran out toward the river,
+although it did not reach it by many feet.
+
+"What is that?" asked Henry, as he looked at it curiously.
+
+"It was intended to be a pier or wharf for loading or unloading boats,"
+replied Holderness. "They tell me that Colonel Hamilton started it, in
+the belief that it would be useful in an emergency, but when Colonel de
+Peyster succeeded to the command he stopped the work there, thinking
+that it might be of as much service to an enemy as to a friend."
+
+Henry took little more notice of the unfinished pier, and they descended
+from the platform to the ground, their attention being attracted by a
+noise at the most distant gate. When they took a second look at the
+cause of the tumult, they hurried forward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE CRY FROM THE FOREST
+
+
+The spectacle that met the eyes of Henry and his English friends was one
+likely to excite curiosity and interest. The party of ten soldiers and
+two Wyandots that had gone forth to take the youth's four comrades was
+returning, but they brought with them no prisoners, nor any trophies
+from the slain. Instead, one of the Wyandots carried an arm in a rude
+sling, one soldier was missing, and four others bore wounds.
+
+Henry laughed inwardly, and it was a laugh full of satisfaction and
+triumph. The party had found the four, but his prevision had not failed
+him. Shif'less Sol and the others were on watch. They had been found,
+because they permitted themselves to be found, and evidently they had
+fought with all the advantage of ambush and skill. He felt instinctively
+that they had not suffered any serious harm.
+
+"They do not bring your friends," said Holderness.
+
+"No," said Henry, "nor do they bring back all of themselves. I do not
+wish to boast, gentlemen, but I warned you that my comrades would be
+hard to take."
+
+Henry saw Colonel de Peyster join the group and he saw, too, that his
+face expressed much chagrin. So, not wishing to exult openly, he deemed
+it wise to turn aside.
+
+"If you don't mind," he said to the young officers, "I'm willing to go
+into my cell, and, if you care to tell me later about what has happened,
+you know I shall be glad to hear it."
+
+"It might be advisable," said Holderness, and accordingly they locked
+him in, where he waited patiently. He heard the noise of many voices
+outside, but those to whom the voices belonged did not come within the
+range of his window, and he waited, alive with curiosity. He did not
+hear until nearly night, when Holderness came in with the soldier who
+brought him his supper. Holderness seemed somewhat chagrined at the
+discomfiture of de Peyster's party, and he sat a little while in
+silence. Henry, knowing that the young Englishman must have a certain
+feeling for his own, waited until he should choose to speak.
+
+"I'm bound to confess, old chap," said Holderness at last, "that you
+were right all the way through. I didn't believe you, but you knew your
+own friends. It was a facer for us and, 'pon my word, I don't see how
+they did it. The Wyandots, it seems, found the trail very soon, and it
+led a long distance through the woods until they came to a deep creek.
+Our men could wade the creek by holding their rifles and muskets above
+their heads, which they undertook to do, but a man standing in water up
+to his neck is not ready for a fight. At that point fire was opened upon
+them, and they were compelled to beat as hasty a retreat as they could.
+You must admit, Mr. Ware, that they were taken at a disadvantage."
+
+"I admit it freely enough," said Henry. "It's a dangerous thing to try
+to cross a deep stream in the face of a bold enemy who knows how to
+shoot. And of course it was an ambush, too. That is what one has to
+beware of in these woods."
+
+"It's a truth that I'm learning every day," said Holderness, who left,
+wishing the prisoner, since he would not give a parole and go into
+Canada, a speedy exchange with the Americans for some British captive of
+importance. Henry was not sorry to be left alone as he was trying to
+fathom through their characters the plan of his comrades. Paul would
+seek speedy action, Jim Hart would agree with him, but the crafty
+Shif'less Sol, with a patience equaling that of any Indian, would risk
+nothing, until the time was ripe, and he would be seconded by the
+cautious temperament of Silent Tom. Undoubtedly Shif'less Sol would have
+his way. It behooved him also to show extreme patience; a quality that
+he had learned long since, and he disposed himself comfortably on his
+pallet for his night's rest.
+
+The second exploit of his comrades had encouraged him wonderfully. He
+was not talking folly, when he had said to more than one that he would
+escape. The five had become long since a beautiful machine that worked
+with great precision and power, and it was their first principles that,
+when one was in trouble, all the rest should risk everything for him.
+
+He fell asleep, but awoke some time before midnight. A bright moon was
+shining in at his window and the little village within the walls was
+very quiet and peaceful. He turned over and closed his eyes in order
+that he might go to sleep again, but he was restless and sleep would not
+come. Then he got up and stood by the window, looking at the part of the
+court that lay within range. Nothing stirred. There were sentinels, of
+course, but they did not pass over the area commanded by his window. The
+silence was very deep, but presently he heard a sound very faint and
+very distant. It was the weird cry of the owl that goes so far on a
+still night. No wilderness note could have been more characteristic, but
+it was repeated a certain number of times and with certain intonations,
+and a little shiver ran down Henry's back. He knew that cry. It was the
+signal. His friends were speaking to him, while others slept, sending a
+voice across the woods and waters, telling him that they were there to
+help.
+
+Then, a strange, capricious idea occurred to him. He would reply. The
+second window on the side of the river, too narrow for a man to pass
+through, was open, and putting his face to it, he sent back the
+answering cry, the long, weird, wailing note. He waited a little and
+again he heard a voice from the far shore of the river, the exact
+rejoinder to his own, and he knew that the four out there understood.
+The chain of communication had been established. Now he went back to his
+pallet, fell asleep with ease, and slept peacefully until morning.
+
+The next day, superstition assailed the French-Canadians in the village,
+and many of the Indians. A second private who had a late beat near the
+forest had been carried off. There were signs of a struggle. No blood
+had been shed, but Private Myers had vanished as completely as his
+predecessor. To many of the people who sat about the lodges or cabins it
+seemed uncanny, but it filled the heart of de Peyster with rage. He
+visited Timmendiquas a second time in his lodge of skins and spoke with
+some heat.
+
+"You have great warriors," he said, "men who can trail anything through
+the forest. Why is it that they cannot find this petty little band of
+marauders, only four?"
+
+"They did find them," returned Timmendiquas gravely; "they took your
+soldiers, but your soldiers returned without them. Now they hold two of
+your men captive, but it is no fault of the Wyandots or their brethren
+of the allied tribes. We wait here in peace, while the other presents
+that you have promised us come from Niagara."
+
+De Peyster bit his lip. He had rashly promised more and greater gifts
+for which he would have to send to Niagara, and Timmendiquas had
+announced calmly that the warriors would remain at Detroit until they
+came. This had made another long delay and de Peyster raged internally,
+although he strove to hide it. Now he made the same effort at
+self-command, and replied pacifically:
+
+"I keep all my promises, Timmendiquas, and yet I confess to you that
+this affair annoys me greatly. As a malignant rebel and one of the most
+troublesome of our enemies, I would subject Ware to close confinement,
+but two of my men are in the power of his friends, and they can take
+revenge."
+
+"De Peyster speaks wisely," said Timmendiquas. "It is well to choose
+one's time when to strike."
+
+Getting no satisfaction there, de Peyster returned to the court, where
+he saw Henry walking back and forth very placidly. The sight filled him
+with rage. This prisoner had caused him too much annoyance, and he had
+no business to look so contented. He began to attribute the delay in the
+negotiations to Henry. He, or at least his comrades, were making him
+appear ignorant and foolish before the chiefs. He could not refrain from
+a burst of anger. Striding up to Henry he put his hand violently upon
+his shoulder. The great youth was surprised but he calmly lifted the
+hand away and said:
+
+"What do you wish, Colonel de Peyster?"
+
+"I wish many things, but what I especially don't wish just now is to see
+you walking about here, apparently as free as ourselves!"
+
+"I am in your hands," said Henry.
+
+"You can stay in the prison," said de Peyster. "You'll be out of the way
+and you'll be much safer there."
+
+"You're in command here."
+
+"I know it," said de Peyster grimly, "and into the prison you go."
+
+Henry accordingly was placed in close confinement, where he remained for
+days without seeing anybody except the soldier who brought him his food
+and water, and from whom he could obtain no news at all. But he would
+make no complaint to this soldier, although the imprisonment was
+terribly irksome. He had been an entire week within walls. Such a thing
+had never happened before in his life, and often he felt as if he were
+choking. It seemed also at times that the great body which made him
+remarkable was shrinking. He knew that it was only the effect of
+imagination, but it preyed upon him, and he understood now how one could
+wither away from mere loneliness and inaction.
+
+His mind traveled over the countless scenes of tense activity that had
+been crowded into the last three or four years of his life. He had been
+many times in great and imminent danger, but it was always better than
+lying here between four walls that seemed to come closer every day. He
+recalled the deep woods, the trees that he loved, the sparkling waters,
+lakes, rivers and brooks; he recalled the pursuit of the big game, the
+deer and the buffalo; he recalled the faces of his comrades, how they
+jested with one another and fought side by side, and once more he
+understood what a terrible thing it is for a man to have his comings and
+goings limited to a space a few feet square. But he resolved that he
+would not complain, that he would ask no favor of de Peyster or Caldwell
+or any of them.
+
+Once he saw Braxton Wyatt come to a window and gaze in. The look of the
+renegade was full of unholy triumph, and Henry knew that he was there
+for the special purpose of exultation. He sat calm and motionless while
+the renegade stared at him. Wyatt remained at the window a full half
+hour, seeking some sign of suffering, or at least an acknowledgment of
+his presence, but he obtained neither, and he went on, leaving the
+silent figure full of rage.
+
+On the tenth day Holderness came in with the soldier. Henry knew by his
+face that he had something to say, but he waited for the lieutenant to
+speak first. Holderness fidgeted and did not approach the real subject
+for a little while. He spoke with sympathy of Henry's imprisonment and
+remarked on the loss of his tan.
+
+"It's hard to be shut up like this, I know," he said, "but it is the
+fortune of war. Now I suppose if I were taken by the Americans they
+would do to me what Colonel de Peyster has done to you."
+
+"I don't know," replied Henry, truthfully.
+
+"Neither do I, but we'll suppose it, because I think it's likely. Now
+I'm willing to tell you, that we're going to let you out again. Some of
+us rather admire your courage and the fact that you have made no
+complaint. In addition there has been another letter from those impudent
+friends of yours."
+
+"Ah!" said Henry, and now he showed great interest.
+
+"Yes, another letter. It came yesterday. It seems that there must be
+some collusion--with the French-Canadians, I suppose. Woodsmen, I'm
+sure, do not usually carry around with them paper on which to write
+notes. Nor could they have known that you were locked up in here unless
+someone told them. But to come back to the point. Those impudent rascals
+say in their letter that they have heard of your close imprisonment and
+that they are retaliating on Privates Doran and Myers."
+
+Henry turned his face away a little to hide a smile. He knew that none
+of his comrades would torture anybody.
+
+"They have drawn quite a dreadful picture, 'pon honor," continued
+Lieutenant Holderness, "and most of us have been moved by the sufferings
+of Doran and Myers. We have interceded with Colonel de Peyster, we have
+sought to convince him that your confinement within these four walls is
+useless anyhow, and he has acceded to our request. To-morrow you go
+outside and walk upon the grass, which I believe will feel good to your
+feet."
+
+"Lieutenant Holderness, I thank you," said Henry in such a tone of
+emphatic gratitude that Holderness flushed with pleasure.
+
+"I have learned," continued Henry, "what a wonderful thing it is to
+walk on a little grass and to breathe air that I haven't breathed
+before."
+
+"I understand," said Lieutenant Holderness, looking at the narrow walls,
+"and by Jove, I'm hoping that your people will never capture me."
+
+"If they do, and they lock you up and I'm there, I shall do my best to
+get you out into the air, even as you have done it for me."
+
+"By Jove, I think you would," said Holderness.
+
+The hands of the two official enemies met in a hearty clasp. They were
+young and generous. The delights of life even as a prisoner now came in
+a swelling tide upon Henry. He had not known before that air could be so
+pure and keen, such a delight and such a source of strength to the
+lungs. The figure that had seemed to shrink within the narrow walls
+suddenly expanded and felt capable of anything. Strength flowed back in
+renewed volume into every muscle. Before him beyond the walls curved the
+dark green world, vital, intense, full of everything that he loved. It
+was there that he meant to go, and his confidence that he would escape
+rose higher than ever.
+
+A swart figure passed him and a low voice said in his ear: "Watch the
+river! Always watch the river!"
+
+It was Lajeunais who had spoken, and already he was twenty feet away,
+taking no notice of either Henry or Holderness, hurrying upon some
+errand, connected with his business of trapping and trading. But Henry
+knew that his words were full of meaning. Doubtless he had communicated
+in some manner with the four, and they were using him as a messenger. It
+looked probable. Lajeunais, like many of his race, had no love for the
+conquerors. He had given the word to watch the river, and Henry meant to
+do so as well as he could.
+
+He waited some time in order to arouse no suspicion, and then he
+suggested to Holderness that they walk again upon the platform of the
+palisade. The lieutenant consented willingly enough, and presently they
+stood there, looking far up and down the river and across at the forests
+of Canada. There were canoes upon the stream, most of them small,
+containing a single occupant, but all of these occupants were Indians.
+Some of the savages had come from the shores of the Northern waters.
+Chippewas or Blackfeet, who were armed with bows and arrows and whose
+blankets were of skins. But they had heard of Detroit, and they brought
+furs. They would go back with bright blankets and rifles or muskets.
+Henry watched them with interest. He was trying to read some
+significance for him into this river and its passengers. But if the text
+was there it was unintelligible. He saw only the great shining current,
+breaking now and then into crumbling little waves under the gentle wind,
+and the Indian canoes, with their silent occupants reflected vividly
+upon its surface, like pictures in a burnished mirror. Again he strained
+with eye and mind. He examined every canoe. He forced his brain to
+construct ingenious theories that might mean something, but all came to
+naught.
+
+"Strange people," said Holderness, who thought that Henry was watching
+the Indians with a curiosity like his own, merely that of one who sees
+an alien race.
+
+"Yes, they're strange," replied Henry. "We must always consider the
+difference. In some things like the knowledge of nature and the
+wilderness, they are an old, old race far advanced. In most others they
+are but little children. Once I was a captive among them for a long
+time."
+
+"Tell me about it," said Holderness eagerly.
+
+Henry was willing for a double reason. He had no objection to telling
+about his captivity, and he wished to keep Holderness there on the
+palisade, where he could watch the river. While his eyes watched his
+tongue told a good tale. He had the power of description, because he
+felt intensely what he was saying. He told of the great forests and
+rivers of the West, of the vast plains beyond, of the huge buffalo herds
+that were a day in passing, and of the terrible storms that sometimes
+came thundering out of the endless depths of the plains. Holderness
+listened without interruption, and at the end he drew a long breath.
+
+"Ah! that was to have lived!" he said. "One could never forget such a
+life, such adventures, but it would take a frame of steel to stand it!"
+
+"I suppose one must be born to it," said Henry. "I've known no life but
+that of the wilderness, but my friend Paul, who has read books, often
+tells me of the world of cities beyond."
+
+"Wouldn't you like to go there?" asked Holderness.
+
+"To see it, yes, perhaps," replied Henry thoughtfully, "but not to stay
+long. I've nothing against people. I've some of the best friends that a
+man ever had, and we have great men in Kentucky, too, Boone, Kenton,
+Harrod, Logan, and the others, but think what a glorious thing it is to
+roam hundreds of miles just as you please, to enter regions that you've
+never seen before, to find new rivers, and new lakes, and to feel that
+with your rifle you can always defend yourself--that suits me. I suppose
+the time will come when such a life can't be lived, but it can be lived
+now and I'm happy that this is my time."
+
+Holderness was quiet. He still felt the spell of the wilderness that
+Henry had cast over him, but, after a moment or two, it began to pass.
+His nature was wholly different. In his veins flowed the blood of
+generations that had lived in the soft and protected English lands, and
+the vast forests and the silence, brave man though he was, inspired him
+with awe.
+
+Henry, meanwhile, still watched the passing canoes. The last of them was
+now far down the river, and he and Holderness looked at it, while it
+became a dot on the water, and then, like the others, sank from sight.
+Then he and his English friend walked out from the palisade upon the
+unfinished pier, and watched the twilight come over the great forest.
+This setting of the sun and the slow red light falling over the branches
+of the trees always appealed to Henry, but it impressed Holderness, not
+yet used to it, with the sense of mystery and awe.
+
+"I think," said he, "that it is the silence which affects me most. When
+I stand here and look upon that unbroken forest I seem face to face with
+a primeval world into which man has not yet come. One in fancy almost
+could see the mammoth or great sabre tooth tiger drinking at the far
+edge of the river."
+
+"You can see a deer drinking," said Henry, pointing with a long
+forefinger. Holderness was less keen-eyed, but he was able at length to
+make out the figure of the animal. The two watched, but soon the
+deepening twilight hid the graceful form, and then darkness fell over
+the stream which now flowed in a slow gray current. Behind them they
+heard the usual noises in the fort, but nothing came from the great
+forest in front of them.
+
+"Still the same silence," said Holderness. "It grows more uncanny."
+
+The last words had scarcely left his lips when out of that forest came a
+low and long wailing cry, inexpressibly sad, and yet with a decisive
+touch of ferocity. It sounded as if the first life, lonely and fierce,
+had just entered this primitive world. Holderness shivered, without
+knowing just why.
+
+"It is the cry of a wolf," said Henry, "perhaps that of some outcast
+from the pack. He is probably both hungry and lonesome, and he is
+telling the world about it. Hark to him again!"
+
+Henry was leaning forward, listening, and young Holderness did not
+notice his intense eagerness. The cry was repeated, and the wolf gave it
+inflections like a scale in music.
+
+"It is almost musical," said Holderness. "That wolf must be singing a
+kind of song."
+
+"He is," said Henry, "and, as you notice, it is almost a human sound. It
+is one of the easiest of the animal cries to imitate. It did not take me
+long to learn to do it."
+
+"Can you really repeat that cry?" asked Holderness with incredulity.
+
+Henry laughed lightly.
+
+"I can repeat it so clearly that you cannot tell the difference," he
+said. "All the money I have is one silver shilling and I'll wager it
+with you that I succeed, you yourself to be the judge."
+
+"Done," said Holderness, "and I must say that you show a spirit of
+confidence when you let me, one of the wagerers, decide."
+
+Henry crouched a little on the timbers, almost in the manner of a wolf,
+and then there came forth not three feet from Holderness a long whining
+cry so fierce and sibilant that, despite his natural bravery, a
+convulsive shudder swept over the young lieutenant. The cry, although
+the whining note was never lost, rose and swelled until it swept over
+the river and penetrated into the great Canadian forest. Then it died
+slowly, but that ferocious under note remained in it to the last.
+
+"By Jove!" was all that Holderness could say, but, in an instant, the
+cry rose again beside him, and now it had many modulations and
+inflections. It expressed hunger, anger and loneliness. It was an almost
+human cry, and, for a moment, Holderness felt an awe of the strange
+youth beside him. When the last variation of the cry was gone and the
+echo had died away, the lieutenant gravely took a shining shilling from
+his pocket and handed it to Henry.
+
+"You win with ease," he said. "Listen, you do it so well that the real
+wolf himself is fooled."
+
+An answering cry came from the wolf in the Canadian woods, and then the
+deep silence fell again over forest and river.
+
+"Yes, I fooled him," said Henry carelessly, as he put the shilling in
+his pocket. "I told you it was one of the easiest of the animal cries to
+imitate."
+
+But he was compelled to turn his face away again in order that
+Holderness might not see his shining eyes. They were there, the faithful
+four. Doubtless they had signaled many times before, but they had never
+given up hope, they had persisted until the answering cry came.
+
+"Shall we go in?" he said to Holderness.
+
+"I'm willing," replied the lieutenant. "You mustn't think any the less
+of me, will you, if I confess that I am still a little bit afraid of the
+wilderness at night? I've never been used to it, and to-night in
+particular that wolf's howl makes it all the more uncanny to me."
+
+The night had come on, uncommonly chill for the period of the year, and
+Henry also was willing to go. But when he returned to his little room it
+seemed littler than ever. This was not a fit place to be a home for a
+human being. The air lay heavy on his lungs, and he felt that he no
+longer had the patience to wait. The signal of his comrades had set
+every pulse in his veins to leaping.
+
+But he forced himself to sit down calmly and think it over. Lajeunais
+had told him to watch the river; he had watched and from that point the
+first sign had come. Then Lajeunais beyond a doubt meant him well, and
+he must watch there whenever he could, because, at any time, a second
+sign might come.
+
+The next day and several days thereafter he was held in prison by order
+of Colonel de Peyster. The commander seemed to be in a vacillating
+mood. Now he was despondent, and then he had spells of courage and
+energy. Henry heard through Holderness that the negotiations with
+Timmendiquas were not yet concluded, but that they were growing more
+favorable. A fresh supply of presents, numerous and costly, had arrived
+from Niagara. The Shawnees and Miamis were eager to go at once against
+Kentucky. Only the Wyandots still demurred, demanding oaths from the
+King's commanders at Montreal and Quebec that all the tribes should be
+aided in case of a return attack by the Kentuckians.
+
+"But I think that in a week or so--two weeks at the
+furthest--Timmendiquas will be on the march," said Holderness. "A few of
+our soldiers will go with them and the whole party will be nominally
+under the command of Colonel William Caldwell, but Timmendiquas, of
+course, will be the real leader."
+
+"Are you going with them?" asked Henry.
+
+"No, I remain here."
+
+"I am very glad of that."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because you do not really know what an Indian raid is."
+
+Henry's tone was so significant that Holderness flushed deeply, but he
+remained silent. In a little while he left, and Henry was again a prey
+to most dismal thoughts. Bird, with his army and his cannon, doubtless
+had reached Kentucky by this time and was doing destruction.
+Timmendiquas would surely start very soon--he believed the words of
+Holderness--and perhaps not a single settlement would escape him. It was
+a most terrible fate to be laid by the heels at such a time. Before, he
+had always had the power to struggle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE CANOE ON THE RIVER
+
+
+Two more weeks passed and de Peyster's conduct in regard to Henry was
+regulated again by fits and starts. Sometimes he was allowed to walk in
+the great court within the palisade. On the fourth night he heard the
+signal cry once more from the Canadian woods. Now, as on the first
+night, it was the voice of the owl, and he answered it from the window.
+
+On the sixth day he was allowed to go outside, and, as before,
+Holderness was his escort. He noticed at once an unusual bustle and all
+the signs of extensive preparations. Many Indians of the various tribes
+were passing, and from the large brick building, used as a storehouse of
+arms and ammunition, they were receiving supplies. Despite their usual
+reserve all of them showed expectancy and delight and Henry knew at once
+that the great expedition under Timmendiquas, Caldwell and Girty was
+about to depart. If he had not known, there was one at hand who took a
+pleasure in enlightening him. Braxton Wyatt, in a royal uniform, stood
+at his elbow and said:
+
+"Sorry to bid you good-by, Henry, because the stay at Detroit has been
+pleasant, but we go to-morrow, and I don't think much will be left of
+Kentucky when we get through. Pity that you should have to spend the
+time here while it is all going on. Timmendiquas himself leads us and
+you know what a man he is."
+
+Lieutenant Holderness, who was with Henry, eyed Wyatt with strong
+disfavor.
+
+"I do not think it fitting, Captain Wyatt, that you should speak in such
+a manner to a prisoner," he said.
+
+But Wyatt, at home in the woods and sure of his place, had all the
+advantage. He rejoined insolently:
+
+"You must realize, Lieutenant Holderness, that war in the American woods
+is somewhat different from war in the open fields of Europe. Moreover,
+as a lieutenant it is hardly your place to rebuke a captain."
+
+Holderness flushed deeply and was about to speak, but Henry put his hand
+on his arm.
+
+"Don't pay any attention to him, Lieutenant," he said. "He's a sort of
+mad dog, ready to bite anything that gets in his way. Come on, let's
+take another look at the river."
+
+Holderness hesitated a moment, and then went with Henry. Wyatt's face
+was black with anger, but he did not dare to follow them and create a
+scene. While they were in the court the tumult was increased by an
+unexpected arrival at the western gate. Private Doran, unarmed, his
+hands bound behind him, his eyes bandaged, but otherwise undamaged, had
+suddenly appeared in the village, and was at once taken to the fort.
+Now, surrounded by a curious crowd, he seemed to be dazed, and to be
+frightened also. Henry saw at once that his fear was of his officers,
+and that it had not been caused by any suffering in captivity. In truth,
+Private Doran looked very well, having suffered no diminution of either
+girth or ruddiness. His fears in regard to his officers were justified,
+as he was taken at once before Colonel de Peyster, who examined him with
+the greatest severity.
+
+But Private Doran's apprehensions gave him ready and clear answers. He
+had been taken, it was true, but it was by men of superhuman skill and
+intelligence. Then, blindfolded and arms bound, he had been driven away
+in the woods. How far he traveled he did not know, but when a camp was
+made it was in a dense forest. Nor did he have any idea in what
+direction it lay from Detroit. He was joined there by Private Myers who
+had been abducted in the same way. Their four captors had told them that
+they were held as hostages, and had many terrible threats, but they had
+not really suffered anything. One man called Shif'less Sol by the others
+had been menacing them with strange punishments of which they had never
+heard before, but with the juice of some herb he cured Private Myers of
+a bruise that he had received in the struggle when he was captured.
+
+This examination was held in public in the court and Henry heard it all.
+He smiled at the mention of Shif'less Sol, knowing his flow of language,
+and his genuine aversion to all forms of cruelty. Finally, according to
+the continuation of Doran's tale, they had decided that the hostages
+were no longer necessary. Evidently they believed their friend had
+suffered no ill treatment, or some important movement was pending.
+Accordingly he was blindfolded, his arms bound, and he was led away in
+the night by the two men called Long Jim and Silent Tom. They left him
+toward morning, saying that the other captive would be delivered on the
+day following. When curs began to snap at his ankles he knew that he was
+near the village outside Detroit, and he shouted for help. The rest told
+itself.
+
+Doran, after a severe rating, was sent about his business. Henry was
+very thoughtful. Private Doran had not told of crossing any river and
+hence the camp of his comrades must be on this side of the Detroit. But
+all the signals had come from the far shore. Doubtless Shif'less Sol had
+crossed over there to utter the cries and they must possess a boat, a
+supposition that chimed in well with the warning to him to watch the
+river. Reflection only deepened his conviction, and he resolved if
+possible to avoid the anger of de Peyster, as to be shut up again might
+ruin everything. He felt that the time to act, although he did not know
+just how and where, was coming soon.
+
+A strong watch was set about both fort and village in order to trap the
+four the following night, when they came to deliver Private Myers. Both
+Girty and Blackstaffe told Colonel de Peyster that the forest runners
+would keep their promise, and the commander was exceedingly anxious to
+take the impudent rovers who had annoyed him so much. Henry heard
+something of it from Holderness and, for a moment, he felt apprehension,
+but he recalled all the skill and craft of his comrades. They would
+never walk into a trap.
+
+The night turned quite dark with fleeting showers of rain. There was no
+moon and the stars were hidden. But about two hours before daylight
+there was a great outcry, and the sentinels, running to the spot, found
+a white man blindfolded and hands bound, tied in a thicket of briers. It
+was Private Myers, and his tale was practically the same as that of
+Private Doran. He had been led in the night, he knew not whither. Then,
+one of his captors, which one he could not say, as he was blindfolded,
+gave him a little push and he neither saw nor heard them any more. He
+had tried to come in the direction in which he thought Detroit lay, but
+he had become tangled among the briers, and then he had shouted at the
+top of his voice.
+
+Colonel de Peyster was deeply disgusted. He addressed stern reproofs to
+the wretched private, who was not to blame, and bade him join his
+comrade in disgrace. The best Indian trackers were sent to seek the
+trail of the forest runners, which they found and followed only to end
+against the wide and deep river. The Indian trailers concurred in
+Henry's belief that the four had secured a boat, and they felt that it
+was useless to search on the other side.
+
+Henry heard of it all very early, and that day during his hours of
+liberty in the court he kept a close watch on the river, but nothing
+occurred. Evidently the hour had not come for his friends to make
+whatever attempt they had in mind. He was convinced of it when from the
+palisade he saw that de Peyster had instituted a patrol on the river.
+Several Indian canoes, containing warriors, were constantly moving up
+and down. Henry's heart sank at the sight. He had felt sure all the time
+that his line of escape lay that way. Meanwhile Timmendiquas, the
+renegades and their powerful force were marching southward to destroy
+what Bird had left. He was seized with a terrible impatience that became
+a real torture. He learned that the patrol on the river had been
+established as a guard against the dreaded George Rogers Clark, who had
+made the threats against Detroit. Clark was so crafty that he might
+circle above the town and come down by the river, but in a week or so
+the alarm passed.
+
+Henry spent the period of alarm in his prison, but when de Peyster's
+fears relaxed he was allowed the liberty of the court again. Neither
+Holderness nor Desmond was visible and he walked back and forth for a
+long time. He had grown thinner during his imprisonment, and much of the
+tan was gone from his face, but he did not feel any decrease of
+strength. As he walked he tested his muscles, and rejoiced that they
+were still flexible and powerful like woven wire. That morning he heard
+the call of the wolf from the Canadian shore, but he did not dare reply.
+A half hour later Colonel de Peyster himself accosted him.
+
+"Well," said the commander in a tone of irony, "I see, young Mr. Ware,
+that you have not yet escaped."
+
+"Not yet," replied Henry, "but I shall certainly do so."
+
+Colonel de Peyster laughed. He was in great good humor with himself. Why
+should he not be? He had smoothed away the doubts of Timmendiquas and
+now that formidable chieftain was gone with a great force against
+Kentucky. The settlements would be destroyed, men, women and children,
+and de Peyster would have the credit of it.
+
+"You are surely a confident youth," he said. "This boast of yours was
+made some time ago, and I do not see that you have made any progress.
+I'm afraid that you're a great talker and a small performer."
+
+Henry was stung by his words, but he did not show any chagrin.
+
+"I'm going to escape," he said, "and it will not be long, now, until I
+do so."
+
+Colonel de Peyster laughed again and more loudly than before.
+
+"Well, that's a proper spirit," he said, "and when you've gone you shall
+tell your friends that on the whole I have not treated you badly."
+
+"I make no complaint," said Henry.
+
+"And now, to show my generous feeling toward you," continued de Peyster,
+in whom the spirit of humor was growing, "you shall have luncheon with
+me in honor of your coming escape."
+
+"I'm willing," said Henry, adapting himself to his mood. A life such as
+his and wonderful natural perception had endowed him with a sort of
+sixth sense. He began to have a premonition that what de Peyster
+intended as a joke would be the truth, and it made him all the more
+willing to join in what the commander intended should be a mockery.
+
+De Peyster led the way to the room in which the first banquet with the
+Indian chiefs had been held, but now only Henry and he were present,
+except a soldier who brought food from the kitchen and who waited upon
+them.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Ware," said de Peyster with a flourish of both hand and
+voice. Henry quietly took the seat indicated on the opposite side of the
+table, and then the commander took his own also, while the attendant
+brought the food and drink. Henry saw that de Peyster was in an uncommon
+mood, and he resolved to humor it to the full.
+
+"I regret more than ever that you're not one of us, my young friend,"
+said the commander, surveying his prisoner's splendid proportions.
+"Expert as you are in the woods, you could soon rise to high command."
+
+"Having started in on one side," said Henry lightly, "I cannot change to
+the other."
+
+"Wyatt, who I understand was a youthful comrade of yours, has done it."
+
+"Pray do not ask me to imitate any example furnished by Braxton Wyatt."
+
+Colonel de Peyster laughed again.
+
+"He is not an attractive youth, I confess," he said, "but you would
+count for much more than Braxton Wyatt with us."
+
+"I shall never count at all," replied Henry. "I am for my own people
+always."
+
+Colonel de Peyster, the Tory, flushed, but he continued:
+
+"Think of the rewards under the King. This is a vast and fertile
+continent, and those who hold it for him will surely receive vast
+estates. Any one of us may be as great a feudal lord as Sir William
+Johnson has been."
+
+"If you triumph," said Henry, although he spoke purposely in a light
+tone.
+
+"There is no 'if'; we are bound to succeed, and now, sir, as we have
+eaten we shall drink to your escape."
+
+The attendant poured two glasses of wine and Colonel de Peyster raised
+his, looking for a minute or two at the little bubbles as they broke.
+
+"Here's to your escape," he said, casting an ironical glance over the
+edge.
+
+"Here's to my escape," said Henry, meeting his gaze firmly and
+earnestly.
+
+Then they drank.
+
+"Upon my word, I believe that you mean what you say."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+De Peyster looked curiously at Henry.
+
+"Come," he said, "we'll go outside. I think I'll keep my own eye on you
+for a little while."
+
+When they emerged from the house a long plaintive howl came from the
+Canadian forest. A sort of shiver, as if he were looking into the
+future, ran through Henry's veins. All his premonitions were coming
+true.
+
+"Did you hear that wolf?" asked de Peyster. "It is but a wilderness
+after all, and this is merely a point in it like a lighthouse in the
+sea. Come, we'll walk that way; it's about the only view we have."
+
+Again that strange quiver ran through Henry's veins. Colonel de Peyster
+himself was leading exactly where the captive wished to go.
+
+"I have often noticed you walking on the palisade with Lieutenant
+Holderness," said Colonel de Peyster; "now you can go there with me."
+
+"I thank you for the invitation," said Henry, as the two climbed up one
+of the little ladders and stood side by side on the palisade. "Does not
+this view of the great river and the limitless forest beyond appeal to
+you, Colonel?"
+
+"At times," replied Colonel de Peyster in a somewhat discontented tone.
+"It is the edge of a magnificent empire that we see before us, and I
+like the active service that I have been able to do for the King, but
+there are times when I wish that I could be back in New York, where I
+was born, and which the royal troops occupy. It is a trim city, with
+wealth and fashion, and one can enjoy life there. Now I wonder if that
+is one of the Indians whom I have had on watch on the river."
+
+A light canoe containing a single warrior put out from the farther
+shore, where evidently it had been lying among the dense foliage on the
+bank. No particular purpose seemed to animate the warrior who sat in it.
+Both Colonel de Peyster and Henry could see that he was a powerful
+fellow, evidently a Wyandot. With easy, apparently careless strokes of
+the paddle, he brought his canoe in a diagonal course to a point near
+the middle of the stream. Then he began to play with the canoe, sending
+it hither and thither in long, gliding reaches, or bringing it up with a
+sharp jerk that would have caused it to overturn in hands less skillful.
+But so keen was the judgment and so delicate the touch of the warrior
+that it never once shipped water.
+
+"Wonderful fellows, those Indians," said Colonel de Peyster. "How they
+do handle a canoe! It is almost like magic! I verily believe the fellow
+is showing off for our benefit."
+
+"Maybe," said Henry.
+
+"And it is a good show, too. Ah, I thought he would go that time; but
+look how quickly and delicately he righted himself. Such skill is truly
+marvelous!"
+
+"It is," said Henry, who was watching the canoe and its occupant with an
+interest even greater than that of de Peyster. Up at the far corner of
+the palisade a sentinel was walking back and forth, his rifle on his
+shoulder, and at the other end another was doing likewise. Three or four
+officers off duty had also mounted the palisade and were watching the
+Indian's exhibition of skill.
+
+Suddenly the warrior turned the canoe in toward the palisade at the
+point where the unfinished pier ran out toward the river. Raising
+himself on the canoe he uttered the long weird cry of the wolf, the same
+that had come more than once from the depths of the Canadian woods.
+
+Then an extraordinary thing occurred. De Peyster was standing on the
+platform nearest the unfinished pier. Henry suddenly seized him by the
+shoulders, thrust him down as if he were shot, ran along the platform
+and down the unfinished pier at his utmost speed. De Peyster was on his
+feet in an instant, and both sentinels on the alert, raised their rifles
+to take aim.
+
+Henry did not check his speed for a second. A marvelous power, born of
+great strength and a great spirit, infused his whole frame. He rushed to
+the end of the pier, and concentrating his whole strength in one mighty
+effort, he leaped.
+
+Never before had Detroit seen such a leap. The long body shot outward,
+the arms thrown parallel with the head, pointing toward the water. It
+was many feet from the head of the unfinished pier to the river, a leap
+that seemed superhuman, but Henry had the advantage of the run down the
+incline and the bracing of every nerve for the supreme effort. After he
+sprang, and for the few brief moments that he was cutting the air, he
+was scarcely conscious of what was passing, but he heard the crack of a
+rifle, and a bullet whizzing by him zip-zipped upon the surface of the
+water. One of the sentinels, exceeding alert, had fired instantly, but
+the other, finger on trigger, waited. Colonel de Peyster also drew a
+pistol and waited. Low cries, half of admiration, came from most of
+those on the battlements. The warrior in the canoe shot his little craft
+nearer in shore and then dropped gently over the far side. The canoe
+moved slowly down stream but its recent occupant was invisible.
+
+Henry, flying like an arrow taking its downward slope, fell into the
+deep water. The tremendous leap was accomplished. He was dazed for a few
+moments and he was conscious of nothing except that his body was cutting
+through the current of the river. Then strength and memory came back,
+and he knew that the marksmen were watching. Turning slightly on his
+side he swam down stream but bearing toward the farther shore as fast as
+he could. The crack of that rifle shot, by some sort of mental
+reproduction roared in his ears, and the waters sang there also, but he
+was swimming for his life, and he still swam, while head and chest
+seemed ready to burst. Suddenly he saw a dark shape above him and at
+first he thought it was some huge fish. Then he saw that it was the body
+of a man hanging from another dark shape that seemed to rest upon the
+surface of the river.
+
+Light came to him in an instant. It was the warrior in the canoe who had
+given him the signal. It could be none other than the incomparable
+Shif'less Sol. He shot upward, panting for air, and rose directly by the
+man and the canoe.
+
+"Keep your head low, Henry," exclaimed the undoubted voice of the
+shiftless one. "So long as they can't see us behind the canoe they can't
+take certain aim, and we've more than a chance."
+
+Henry held lightly to the side of the canoe and panted.
+
+"That wuz shorely a mighty jump o' yourn," continued Shif'less Sol. "I
+don't think anybody else could hev done it, an' you come true ez a
+bullet when I give the signal. We've won, Henry! We've won ag'in' all
+the odds. Look out! Duck! that second fellow's goin' to shoot!"
+
+The second sentinel had fired with good aim, so far as the canoe was
+concerned, as his bullet went through the upper part of it, but he could
+catch only glimpses of the figures behind it, and they were untouched.
+Colonel de Peyster also fired his pistol, but the bullet fell short. Two
+or three others on the battlements had rifles and they also took shots,
+without avail. The canoe was going very fast now, and always it bore
+steadily toward the further shore.
+
+Henry felt the great tension relax. Glancing over the canoe he saw
+figures running up and down the palisade, but he knew that they were out
+of range. Blessed freedom! Once more before him lay the wilderness that
+he loved, and in which he was free to roam as he pleased. He had told
+de Peyster that he would escape and he had kept his word. He looked now
+at Shif'less Sol, his faithful comrade, and, despite himself, he
+laughed. The water had washed most of the paint off the face of the
+shiftless one, leaving only stripes and bars.
+
+"Sol," he said, "you're the best and smartest friend a man ever had, but
+just now you don't look like either an Indian or a white man."
+
+"O' course not," replied Shif'less Sol readily, "an' fur the minute I
+ain't either. I'm a water dog, trampin' 'roun' in the Detroit River, an'
+enjoyin' myself. Ain't you happy, too, Henry?"
+
+"I was never more so in my life," replied Henry emphatically, "and I can
+say, too, that this is about the finest swim I ever took. Are the others
+all right, Sol?"
+
+"They shorely are. They're settin' over thar in the bushes waitin' for
+our boy Henry, who hez been out late, to come back home. I reckon, too,
+that they've seen everything that hez happened, includin' that
+everlastin' mighty big jump o' yourn."
+
+"When a fellow jumps for his life he is apt to jump well," said Henry.
+
+"I know I would," said Shif'less Sol. "Look, Henry, we're goin' to be
+pursued."
+
+Henry glanced back toward the palisade, and saw troops and Indians at
+the water's edge, jumping into two boats. The Indians were especially
+quick, and, in a few moments, a boat under the influence of many
+paddles, shot far out into the stream. The Detroit is a wide river, and
+Henry glanced anxiously at the farther shore. Shif'less Sol noticed the
+look and he said:
+
+"Tom an' Jim an' Paul haven't forgot how to shoot. Besides, my rifle is
+lyin' in the canoe, an' ez them fellers are comin' within range I think
+I'll give 'em a hint."
+
+Henry held the boat steady with one hand and maintained their diagonal
+course toward the farther shore. Sol lifted his rifle from the canoe,
+and holding it across the gunwale with a single arm took aim and fired.
+One of the paddlers in the pursuing boat sprang up convulsively, then
+fell over the side and disappeared. But the boat came steadily on, the
+paddlers probably knowing that it would be a matter of great difficulty
+for the marksman to reload while in the water. The second boat
+containing the soldiers was also now coming fast.
+
+But the shiftless one made no attempt to reload. He took another look at
+the Canadian shore and said to Henry:
+
+"Both o' them boats will soon be in the range o' three fellers who are
+settin' on somethin' that don't move, an' who won't miss when they
+shoot."
+
+He put his unloaded rifle back in the canoe, and the two, still keeping
+the little boat between them and their pursuers, swam with all their
+might. But the big boats filled with rowers or paddlers were gaining
+fast, when a crack came from the Canadian shore, and a warrior fell in
+the boat. A second shot wounded another in the shoulder. The boat
+hesitated, and when a third bullet found a mark, it stopped. The second
+boat stopped also. Henry and Sol made another great spurt, and in ten
+seconds their feet touched the earth.
+
+"Quick, in here among the bushes!" cried the voice of Tom Ross.
+
+Shif'less Sol, first taking his rifle from it, gave the canoe a push
+that sent it floating with the current, then he and Henry ran through
+the shallow water and up among the bushes and trees, just as bullets
+fired from both boats fell in the water behind them. Strong hands
+grasped Henry's and again the same strong hands pounded him on the back.
+Paul, Long Jim and Silent Tom welcomed him jubilantly.
+
+"We thought it a risky scheme, but it's gone through," said Paul.
+
+"So it has," said Shif'less Sol, "an' now we won't waste any time
+waitin' here for Injuns, Tories an' British to come an' take us."
+
+He led the way into the deep forest, which closed completely about them
+after the first three or four steps, and Henry followed. Little streams
+of water ran from them as if they were young water gods, but Henry
+thought only of that most precious of all gifts, his recovered freedom,
+and, drawing deep breaths of delight, ran at Shif'less Sol's heels. Paul
+was just behind him, Long Jim followed Paul, and Tom Ross covered the
+rear.
+
+Thus they continued for a long time. They had little fear of pursuit by
+the soldiers, but they knew the Indians might pick up the trail and
+follow. Yet it would be a hard thing to do, as Shif'less Sol led across
+brooks and through thickets and deep wood. He did not stop for a full
+hour, when they all sat down on fallen logs, and drew deep breaths.
+Henry did not notice until then that Long Jim carried an extra rifle.
+Shif'less Sol observed Henry's glance and he laughed with quiet
+satisfaction.
+
+"It's fur you, Henry," he said. "We took it from one o' them soldiers we
+captured. He had no business with a good Kentucky rifle, which must hev
+been took from some o' our own people, an' so we saved it fur you. Paul
+has a double-barreled pistol fur you which we got from a Frenchman, Tom
+has an extra hatchet an' knife, an' among us we hev plenty o' ammunition
+fur both rifle an' pistol."
+
+They passed over the complete equipment and again Henry rejoiced. He had
+not only escaped, but once more he was fully armed, ready to dare
+anything, and able to do anything.
+
+"What a good lot of fellows you are!" he said to his comrades.
+
+"But we couldn't hev done anything ef you hadn't been such a terrible
+long jumper," said Shif'less Sol with a grin.
+
+"Do you hear any sounds of pursuit?" asked Paul.
+
+None could detect anything, and Tom went back a little space on their
+trail, returning in a few minutes with the news that there were no
+indications of a hostile presence. Hence they rested a while longer and
+the clothing of Henry and Shif'less Sol dried in the sunshine. When they
+renewed their flight they proceeded at ease, all the while through a
+densely wooded country, and Paul gave Henry a brief account of the
+doings of the four.
+
+"We could tell by the signs just how you were captured," he said, "and
+we followed close. We came to the very walls of Detroit and we secretly
+made friends with some of the French in the town."
+
+"There was one Pierre Louis Lajeunais, was there not?"
+
+"Yes, and he was the most valuable. We took the two sentinels, because
+we did not know what de Peyster would do with you, and, as we wrote, we
+wanted hostages against ill-treatment. When we found at last that you
+were to be held only as a prisoner we sent them back, and, for the rest,
+we trusted to luck, skill and the chance that you might see the warrior
+in the canoe on the river and understand."
+
+"Fortune seemed to favor us through everything," said Henry, "and now I
+suppose we had better keep on until we are absolutely sure the Indians
+will not pick up our trail and give us a fight. As you boys probably
+know, we have no time to waste."
+
+"We know," said Paul. "Kentucky is calling to us and we are going there
+as fast as we can."
+
+The night found them far from Detroit. When the twilight turned into the
+night they were in woods so dense that it seemed as if man had never
+been there before. There was no turf under the close, spreading
+branches, but the ground was densely covered with the fallen leaves of
+last year. Everywhere they lay, a soft, dry carpet, and the five sank
+down upon them luxuriously.
+
+"Here we rest," said Paul.
+
+"Yes, here we rest, all except one who will watch," said Shif'less Sol,
+who for the present was in command. "Now we'll eat a little, an' then I
+think sleep will be the most welcome thing in the world to us."
+
+Nobody said no, and the dried venison was brought from their packs. They
+also gave further proofs of their foresight for Henry by producing a
+pair of fine blankets from Tom's roll.
+
+"It was Lajeunais who got those for us," said Tom. "That wuz shorely a
+fine Frenchman. I hope that some day I'll go huntin' an' trappin' with
+him."
+
+It was arranged that Tom should keep the first watch and Jim the second,
+and the others disposed themselves in silence between their blankets. It
+was summer now, but the nights were cool and they were very snug within
+the blankets.
+
+Henry, as he relaxed mentally and physically, felt a deep sense of
+gratitude. It seemed to him in this life of his in the wilderness,
+engaged in a cause surrounded by dangers, that a protecting hand was
+constantly stretched out in his behalf. He saw through a narrow opening
+in the leaves the blue sky and the great stars sailing high. The intense
+feeling, half religious and half poetic, that often swayed woodsmen,
+both red and white, stirred him now. Surely there was a divinity in the
+skies, the God of the white man, the Aieroski of the Mohawk, the Manitou
+of the Wyandot, one and the same! Never would he despair when that
+mighty hand could stretch itself forth from the infinite and save him.
+Thinking thus, he fell asleep and slept peacefully all through the
+night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ON THE GREAT LAKE
+
+
+When Henry awoke at dawn, all the weariness from his great efforts was
+gone, and he looked upon a world full of beauty. The unbroken forest of
+deep green bore a luminous tint, light and golden, from the early
+sunshine. Free of body and soul, it was the brilliant world that he had
+known so long, and he was ready once more for any task that might lie
+before them. Long Jim had already prepared breakfast, and he turned a
+benevolent gaze upon Henry.
+
+"Ain't it fine," he said, "to have all the family reunited ag'in?"
+
+"It certainly is," said Henry joyously, "and you surely stuck by the
+missing member in masterly fashion."
+
+"Wa'al, you've stuck by us jest ez hard many a time," said Long Jim
+meditatively. "Paul, what wuz the name uv the feller that stuck by the
+other feller, the only big one, that got away from Troy after the Greeks
+rode into the town inside a hoss?"
+
+"You're thinking of the faithful Achates, Jim," replied Paul, "and AEneas
+was the name of the big one to whom he was faithful."
+
+"Yes, that's the feller. Henry, you're our AEneas, an' I'm an Achates;
+Paul's another, Tom's another and Sol's another. Uv course we couldn't
+go away without our AEneas, an' while I'm talkin' I want to say, Paul,
+that the tale about the takin' uv Troy is the tallest hoss story ever
+told. Ef it wuzn't writ in the books I wouldn't believe it. Think uv
+your fightin' off a hull army fur ten years or so, an' then draggin'
+that army into your town inside a wooden hoss. It can't be so. I've
+knowed some pow'ful liars myself, but the tribe must hev gone down hill
+a lot since the days uv them ancients."
+
+Paul merely laughed and took another bite out of his venison steak.
+
+"Anyway, Henry," said Shif'less Sol, "ef you've been AEneas you're goin'
+to be the wandering 'Lysses fur a while, an' we're goin' to be fightin'
+Greeks, sailin' right along with you."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Henry in astonishment.
+
+"Tell him, Paul," said the shiftless one. "Saplin' hez cooked so well,
+an' I'm so busy eatin' I can't spare time fur talk."
+
+"We felt sure we'd rescue Henry," said Paul, "and we arranged everything
+so we could get back South as fast as we could. Knowing that the woods
+were full of warriors and that we didn't want to be interrupted in our
+travels, we took a big boat one night from Detroit--I suppose we stole
+it, but you have a right to steal from an enemy in war--and carried it
+off down the river, hiding it among thick bushes at the mouth of a
+creek, where we're sure it's now resting securely, say five or six miles
+from this spot. We also gathered a lot of stores, food and such things,
+and put them on the boat. It was another risk, but we took that also,
+and I'm confident that our good genius will save the boat and stores for
+us. If they're there waiting for us all right we're going down the river
+and then across Lake Erie. It will save us a lot of time."
+
+"Fine! fine!" exclaimed Henry with enthusiasm. "You've done well. It
+will be a lot easier and faster for us going so far by boat."
+
+"An' we'll see one uv the big lakes, too," said Long Jim.
+
+"We shorely will," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+In a few minutes they were on the march again, and found the boat
+undisturbed at the mouth of the creek. It was a stout craft with a sail,
+and lockers for stores. Doubtless Colonel de Peyster had attributed its
+disappearance to some of his own Indians who could not always be
+trusted, but in the press of military preparations he had found no time
+to seek it.
+
+"Now," said Shif'less Sol, "we'll take to the river. We may meet enemies
+thar, but it won't be ez long a trip ez the one we took down the Missip.
+Besides, ef we do meet enemies they ain't likely to be in big force ez
+most all the warriors seem to be drawed off fur the expeditions ag'inst
+Kentucky."
+
+"At any rate we'll risk it, as we have risked many other things," said
+Henry.
+
+The five embarked, and set sail fearlessly upon the river. Nevertheless,
+they did not neglect caution. They kept close to the Canadian shore,
+where they were in the shadow of the dense forest, and at least three
+were always on the watch with ready rifles across their knees. Yet they
+saw no enemy. This was the heart of the Indian country and the canoes of
+the warlike Northwestern tribes often floated on these waters, but
+to-day the five had the river to themselves. Peace was everywhere. Birds
+sang in the neighboring woods. Now and then a fish leaped from the water
+and sank back in a mass of bubbles. The broad river was a sheet of gold,
+and then a sheet of silver as the sun shifted.
+
+Henry appreciated all this rest and ease. He admired still more the
+foresight and daring of his comrades which enabled them to travel in
+such a luxurious way and so far. He examined carefully the weapons they
+had secured for him and saw that they were all of the first class. He
+also opened the various lockers and found them filled with venison,
+jerked buffalo meat, such luxuries as bread and coffee, and large
+quantities of powder and lead.
+
+"We found part of these in the boat," said Paul, "and it was your friend
+Lajeunais, who helped us to get the remainder. We do not go to sea
+unprovided."
+
+"You've all done so well," said Henry lazily, "that I'm not going to
+bother myself about anything."
+
+He put his double blankets under his head as a pillow and lay back
+luxuriously. Their good boat moved steadily on, the sail doing the work,
+while one of their number steered.
+
+"I hope the wind will continue to blow," said Jim Hart, gazing
+admiringly at Henry, "'cause ef it don't we'll then hev to git our oars
+an' row. An' it would spoil the purtiest picture uv a lazy feller I ever
+saw. Why, I never saw Shif'less Sol hisself look lazier or happier."
+
+Henry laughed. He knew that Jim Hart would have died in his defense.
+
+"I am lazy, Jim," he admitted. "I never felt so lazy in my life before.
+I like to lie here and look at the river and the country."
+
+"It's a fine big river," said Shif'less Sol, "but we can't see much of
+the country because of the trees, which shoot up so thick an' close on
+either bank, but I've heard that it ain't really a river, jest the
+stream o' water pourin' out o' them mighty lakes to the north into them
+lakes to the south, which ain't so mighty as the others, but which are
+mighty anyhow."
+
+"It's true," said Paul. "All of this is lake water which runs through
+the other lakes, too, and then out by a tremendous big river, hundreds
+of miles to the Atlantic Ocean."
+
+"When God made this chain uv lakes an' rivers he done one uv his biggest
+an' finest jobs," said Tom Ross reverentially.
+
+They moved on their course slowly but steadily. Once they saw a canoe
+near the further shore, containing a lone occupant.
+
+"It's a squaw," said Shif'less Sol, "an' she's pulled in near the land
+so she kin jump an' run ef we make for her."
+
+"Like ez not she thinks we're hunters or French from the fort," said
+Long Jim.
+
+"At any rate, we'll soon leave her far behind," said Henry.
+
+The breeze stiffened and she quickly dropped out of sight. Nor did they
+see any other human being that day. At night they anchored close
+inshore, among bushes and reeds, where they remained undisturbed until
+the morning. The remainder of the journey down the river passed in the
+same peace and ease, and then Paul, who was in the prow, caught a
+glimpse of a broad expanse which looked silvery white in the distance.
+
+"The lake! the lake!" he cried eagerly.
+
+They swept triumphantly over the last reach of the river and out upon
+the broad bosom of Lake Erie. In their earlier voyage down the
+Mississippi they had learned how to use a sail, and now when they were
+about a mile from land they took in the sail and looked about them.
+
+The great inland fresh water seas of North America aroused the greatest
+interest, even awe, among the earlier explorers, and there was not one
+among the five who did not look with eager eyes upon the ocean of
+waters. They were better informed, too, than the average woodsman
+concerning the size and shape of this mighty chain.
+
+"You look west and you look south an' you don't see nothin' but water,"
+said Long Jim.
+
+"And they say that the whole grand chain is fifteen hundred miles long,"
+said Paul, "and that Lake Superior reaches a width of three hundred
+miles."
+
+"It's a lot o' water," said Shif'less Sol, trailing his hand over the
+side, "an' while I'd like to explore it, I guess that the sooner we
+cross it the better it will be for what we're tryin' to do."
+
+"You're right," said Henry. "We'll set the sail again and tack as fast
+as we can to the south."
+
+The sail was set, and the boat, heeling over under a good breeze, moved
+rapidly. Paul and Henry watched with pleasure the white water foaming
+away on either side of the prow, and Long Jim also watched the trailing
+wake at the stern. Used to rivers but not to lakes, they did not really
+appreciate what dangers might await them on the bosom of Erie. Meanwhile
+the lake presented to them a most smiling surface. The waters rippling
+before the wind lay blue under a blue sky. The wind with its touch of
+damp was fresh and inspiring. Behind them the shore, with its great wall
+of green, sank lower and lower, until at last it passed out of sight.
+Long Jim, who sat in the stern watching, then spoke.
+
+"Boys," he said, "fur the fust time in the life uv any uv us thar ain't
+no land. Look to the east an' look to the west, look to the north an'
+look to the south an' thar ain't nothin' but water. The world uv land
+hez left us."
+
+There was a certain awe in Jim's tone that impressed them as they looked
+and saw that he spoke the truth. Their world was now one of water, and
+they felt how small was the boat that lay between them and the
+tremendous power of the lake.
+
+It was now somewhat past midday and the sun was uncommonly bright. The
+wind began to die, and the little waves no longer chased one another
+over the surface of the lake. No air gathered in the sail and presently
+the boat stopped.
+
+"Now wouldn't this make you mad?" exclaimed Shif'less Sol. "We can't
+move at all unless we git out the oars an' row, an' a lazy man like me
+ain't fond o' rowin' seventy or eighty miles across a big lake."
+
+Nor was the prospect pleasant to any of them. A little while ago they
+were moving swiftly at ease; now they rocked slightly in the swell, but
+did not go forward an inch. Hopeful that the wind would soon rise again
+they did not yet take to the oars. Meanwhile it was growing warmer. The
+reflection of the sun upon the water was dazzling, and they spread the
+sail again, not to catch the wind but as an awning to protect them from
+the burning rays.
+
+They also used the interval for food and drink, and as the wind still
+did not rise they were thinking of taking to the oars as a last resort
+when Henry called their attention to the southwest.
+
+"See that black spot down there," he said. "It seems to be only a few
+inches either way, but it doesn't look natural."
+
+"I'd call it a cloud," said Tom Ross judicially.
+
+"An' clouds ain't what we're wantin' jest now," said Jim Hart.
+
+Henry rose from his luxurious reclining position and gazed long and with
+great care at the black spot. He knew as well as Jim Hart that it was a
+cloud and he saw that it was growing. But a few inches across the
+horizon before, it stretched to feet and then to yards. Meanwhile not a
+breath of air stirred, the deep waters were waveless and the air hung
+hot and heavy about them. Henry had heard that dangerous storms came up
+very fast on the great lakes, and, although with no experience as a
+sailor except on rivers, he believed that one would soon be upon them.
+
+"Boys," he said, "look how that cloud grows. I believe we're in for a
+big wind and storm. We'd better take down our mast, make everything
+tight and strong, and get ready with the oars."
+
+All at once Henry resumed command, and the others instantly accepted it
+as the most natural and proper thing in the world. The mast was
+unshipped, it and the sail were lashed down, everything that was loose
+was put in the lockers, or was tied securely. Meanwhile the cloud grew
+with amazing rapidity. While the east and north were yet full of blazing
+light the south and west were darkening. A draught of cold wind came.
+The waters, motionless hitherto, suddenly heaved convulsively. Low
+thunder rolled, and the lightning flashed across the troubled waters.
+The five felt awe. They were familiar with great storms, but never
+before had they been in one with no land in sight. The little boat,
+which alone lay between them and the depths of the lake, became smaller
+and smaller. But the five, although they felt more tremors than when
+going into battle, sat with their oars in the thwarts, ready to fight as
+best they could the storm which would soon rush down upon them.
+
+The cold wind came in raw gusts, and there was rain on its edge which
+cut like hail. The boat rose and fell with the increasing waves. Henry
+took the helm, and, with the others at the oars, strove to keep the boat
+as steady as possible. With the usual foresight of borderers, they had
+already covered up their rifles, pistols and ammunition. Even on the
+water they would not neglect this precaution. Now the darkness spread to
+the entire heavens, the thunder crashed heavily, like invisible
+batteries firing, the lightning flared two or three times, showing the
+surface of the lake far and wide tinted a ghastly gray, and then, with a
+shriek and a roar, the wind struck them.
+
+The boat heeled over so far on its side that Henry thought at first they
+were gone, but after hanging for a moment or two, seemingly undecided,
+it righted itself, and the five uttered simultaneous sighs of relief.
+Yet the boat had shipped water which Paul began to bail out with his
+cap, while the others strove at the oars, seeking to meet and ride the
+waves which followed one another swiftly. The rain meanwhile was driving
+hard, and they were drenched, but they had no time to think of such
+things. Every effort was bent towards keeping afloat the boat, which was
+rushing before the wind they knew not whither.
+
+"There's a pail in that little locker," shouted Henry to Paul, "you can
+do better with that than with your cap."
+
+Paul opened the locker, and took out the pail. Then with great
+difficulty he closed the locker again, and set to work keeping the boat
+clear of water. He made much better progress with the pail, but now and
+then wind, rain and the rocking of the boat together threw him to his
+knees. His comrades were working full as hard. They made up for lack of
+experience with strength, intuitive quickness and courage. Often the
+boat seemed to be submerged by the crest of a great wave, but every time
+it emerged right side up with the industrious Paul still bailing.
+
+Meantime the wind kept up a continuous screaming, almost like that of a
+wild animal, a fearful sound which got upon the nerves of them all.
+Except when the lightning flared they were surrounded by a darkness like
+that of night. Suddenly Tom Ross shouted in a voice that could be heard
+above the whistling of the wind:
+
+"Jim, you're seein' the Great Lakes at last!"
+
+Then he bent grimly to his oar.
+
+Luckily the boat they had taken was a strong one, built partly for the
+storms which sometimes drive with such force across Erie, the shallowest
+of the five Great Lakes, and with the aid of the strong arms at the helm
+and oars she managed to ride every wave and swell. But it was a long
+time before the wind began to abate and they were half dead with
+exhaustion. Moreover they were covered with bruises where they had been
+hurled against the sides of the boat, and now and then they were almost
+blinded by the water dashing into their faces. Shif'less Sol afterward
+said that he felt as if some strong-armed man were slapping his cheek
+every minute or two.
+
+Yet hope began to return. They had kept afloat so long that they felt
+sure of keeping afloat all the time. There came a moment when the water
+from the lake ceased to enter the boat, although the rain still drenched
+them. The darkness lightened somewhat and Henry looked anxiously about
+them. He was trying to reckon in what direction they had come, but there
+was nothing that would enable him to tell. He saw nothing but the waste
+of waters. He knew that the wind had changed its course and they might
+now be driving back toward Detroit. He longed for light that might show
+them whence they had come.
+
+Now the storm, after declining, suddenly acquired new strength. The
+darkness closed in again thicker than ever and the hearts of the five
+sank. They were so tired that they felt they could not repel a second
+attack. Yet they summoned their courage anew and strove even more
+desperately than before. Another hour passed and Henry, who was looking
+ahead, suddenly saw a dark mass. He recognized it instantly and gave the
+sharp cry:
+
+"Land!"
+
+The three who were straining at the oars looked up, and Paul in his
+surprise let drop his tin pail. Henry had made no mistake. They could
+see that it was land despite the darkness and the driving rain. There
+was a low shore, with trees growing almost to the water's edge, and they
+thought at first that it was the western coast of the lake, but as they
+swiftly drove nearer Henry saw water both to right and left, and he knew
+that it was a little island. If they kept a straight course they would
+strike upon it, but with such violence that shipwreck was inevitable.
+Strong and agile as they were they might possibly escape with their
+lives.
+
+"Boys!" cried Henry, above the shouting of the wind, "we must make that
+island or we'll surely be lost in the storm!"
+
+"It's so!" Shif'less Sol shouted back, "but how are we to do it?"
+
+"Paul, you take the helm," said Henry, "and steer to the left of the
+island. The wind is blowing straight ahead and if we can come in behind
+the land we may strike a little stretch of comparatively smooth water."
+
+Paul took the helm and Henry seized a pair of oars. Paul could steer
+well, but Henry's strength would be needed now. On they drove, the rain
+beating hard on their backs, and the surf from the lake also driving
+into the boat. Paul steered steadily and the four bent powerfully on the
+oars, driving the boat in a wide curve to the left, where it would avoid
+possible rocks and shoals.
+
+Yet it was hard to bring the boat even diagonally against the wind. The
+waves turned it on its side and it trembled violently. The four labored
+at the oars until every pulse in their temples throbbed. Now the low
+shore and the green forest were coming very near, and Henry glanced at
+them from time to time. He was afraid that the wind and the waves would
+bring them back again and dash them upon the island, despite all their
+efforts. But the boat shot past fifty yards to the left, ran for a
+quarter of a mile along the edge of a low green island, and then with a
+mighty effort they brought it in behind the land.
+
+Here in a little space where the wind was beating itself to pieces
+against the trees in front of it, the sea was comparatively calm, and
+Paul deftly swung the boat about. His sharp eyes noticed a little cove,
+and, the four at the oars pulled for it with all their might. A minute,
+two minutes and they were in the cove and in safety. They had entered it
+by a channel not more than a dozen feet wide, and Paul's steering had
+been delicate and beautiful. Now the four drew in their oars and they
+swung in waters as quiet as those of a pond ruffled only by a little
+breeze. It it was an inlet not more than twenty yards across and it was
+sheltered about by mighty trees. The rain still poured upon them, but
+there was no longer any danger of shipwreck.
+
+The momentum had carried the boat to the far edge of the pool, and Henry
+sprang out. His muscles were so stiff and sore that, for a moment or
+two, he reeled, but he seized a bough and held fast. Then Tom tossed him
+a rope from the locker and in a minute the boat was secured head and
+stern to the trees. Then they stood upon land, wet but solid land, and
+in every heart was devout thankfulness.
+
+"The land for me every time," said Long Jim. "I like to feel something
+under my feet that I don't sink into. Ef an accident happens on land,
+thar you are, but ef an accident happens on the water, whar are you?"
+
+"What I need most is a pair o' kid gloves," said Shif'less Sol. "I've
+got purty tough hands, but I think them oars hez took all the skin off
+the inside o' 'em."
+
+"What we all need most," said Henry, "is shelter. We are soaked through
+and through, and we are stiff with bruises and exertion. Suppose we bail
+out the boat and try to use the sail as a sort of roof or cover."
+
+They were wedged in so closely among the trees that together with the
+boughs and the mast, which they set in place again, they managed to
+fasten the sail in such a manner that it caught most of the rain as it
+drove towards them. Everyone also gave up one of his pair of blankets
+for the same purpose, and then they were protected fairly. Still fearing
+colds and stiffness of the muscles they took off all their wet clothing
+and rubbed their bodies long and thoroughly. While they were at this
+work the rain decreased, and after a while ceased. The wind still blew
+and they heard branches crashing down from the trees, but none fell
+over them. They did not reclothe themselves but hung their soaked
+garments on boughs, and then everyone wrapped himself about with the dry
+blanket that he had left from his pair, the other still doing duty as a
+rain shield. Although the air was quite cool after the heavy rain, the
+blankets protected them and they began to feel a pleasant warmth. Their
+spirits indeed were improved so much that they could jest.
+
+"One would scarcely expect to see five Roman senators in their togas
+cast away on this little island in Lake Erie," said Paul, "but here we
+are."
+
+Long Jim with his bare legs as far as his knees protruding from his
+blanket was prowling among the lockers.
+
+"What's the noble senator lookin' fur?" asked Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I'm lookin' fur somethin' to help you an' all uv us," replied Long Jim,
+"while you're settin' thar lazy an' wuthless. We didn't search this boat
+very well when we took it, hevin' other pow'ful important matters on
+hand, but them that owned it wuz men uv sense. Lots uv useful things are
+hid away in these little lockers. Ah, look at this! Shorely it's
+industry an' enterprise that gits the rewards!"
+
+He drew triumphantly from the corner of a locker an iron coffee pot and
+a large package of ground coffee.
+
+"Now I've got the coffee an' the coffee pot," he said, "an' ef the rest
+uv you hev got sense enough to build a fire I'll hev you feelin' like
+kings ten minutes after that fire is built. Thar are two pewter cups in
+that locker also, so nothin' is lackin'."
+
+"You've certainly done your part, Jim," said Henry, "an' now we'll try
+to do ours, although it won't be any easy job."
+
+They had not been woodsmen all their lives for nothing. The ground under
+the trees was covered more than a foot deep with leaves, the
+accumulation of many years. It is difficult for water to penetrate all
+the way through such a carpet, and turning them over they found here and
+there some leaves fairly dry, which they put in a heap. They also cut
+off all the wet outside from some dead boughs with their strong hunting
+knives, and then shaved off dry splinters which they put with the
+leaves.
+
+The four gathered in a group about the little heap, looking very odd in
+their blankets, with their bare ankles and shoulders projecting, and
+Henry began work with the flint and steel. After many efforts he set
+fire to the finer of the splinters, and then the flames spread to the
+leaves and larger pieces of wood. They had succeeded, and as Shif'less
+Sol fed the fire, he said triumphantly to Long Jim:
+
+"Now, Jim, everything's ready fur you. Bring on your coffee an' b'il it.
+I want fourteen cups myself."
+
+Jim set to work at once, showing with pride his skill in such a task.
+The flames were not permitted to rise high, but they burned rapidly,
+making a fine bed of coals, and within ten minutes the coffee was ready.
+Then they drank, warming themselves through and through, and receiving
+new life. They also warmed some of the deer and buffalo steaks over the
+coals, and ate real bread from the lockers.
+
+"All things must come to an end," said Shif'less Sol, with a sigh, when
+he could eat no more. "It's on sech 'casions ez this that I realize it.
+I wish I wuz ez hungry ez I wuz a little while ago, an' could eat all
+over ag'in."
+
+"We've been in big luck," said Henry. "If it hadn't been for this little
+island I believe we would have been wrecked. It's true, too, that we'll
+have to go around in our blankets for a while yet, because I don't
+believe those clothes of ours will dry before morning."
+
+"Suits me," said Jim Hart, as with proverbial caution he put out the
+fire after finishing cooking. "I wouldn't mind goin' 'roun' in a blanket
+in summer. Injuns do it an' they find it pow'ful healthy. Now the wind
+is dyin' an' the clouds are passin' away, but it's goin' to be dark
+anyhow. Jedgin' from the looks uv things the night is right here."
+
+The wind undoubtedly was sinking fast. The great storm was blowing
+itself away as rapidly as it had blown up. The trees ceased to shake and
+moan, and looking down the channel whence they had entered, the five saw
+that the high waves no longer rolled across the surface of the lake. In
+a few minutes more the last breath of the wind whistled off to eastward.
+A cold twilight fell over the little isle of safety and the great lake,
+of whose rage they had been such vivid witnesses.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A TIMELY RESCUE
+
+
+Jim Hart sat down in the boat, drew his legs up under his blanket,
+shivered as he took a long look down the channel at the cold gray lake,
+and said:
+
+"Boys, you know how I wanted to see one of the great lakes; well, I hev
+saw, an' hevin' saw I think the look will last me a long time. I think
+Injuns wuz right when they put pow'ful spirits on these lakes, ready to
+make an end of anybody that come foolin' with thar region. The land fur
+me hereafter. Why, I wuz so skeered an' I had to work so hard I didn't
+hev time to git seasick."
+
+"But we have to go on the lake again, Jim," said Henry. "This is an
+island."
+
+Jim sighed.
+
+Henry looked at the dense forest that enclosed the cove, and he thought
+once of exploring the islet even if it were in the night, but the woods
+were so thick and they still dripped so heavily with the rain, although
+the latter had ceased some time ago, that he resolved to remain by the
+boat. Besides it was only an islet anyway, and there was no probability
+that it was inhabited.
+
+"I think," he said, "that we'd better fasten our clothes so tightly that
+they won't blow away, and sleep in the boat. Two will keep watch, and as
+I have had the most rest I'll be sentinel until about one in the
+morning, and then Tom can take my place."
+
+The agreement was quickly made. They took down the sail and the wet
+blankets, spread them out to dry, while the four, disposing themselves
+as best they could, quickly went to sleep. Henry sat in the prow, rifle
+across his knees, and thought that, despite dangers passed and dangers
+to come, Providence had been very kind to them.
+
+The darkness thinned by and by and a fine moon came out. Beads of water
+still stood upon the leaves and boughs, and the moonshine turned them to
+silver. The bit of forest seemed to sparkle and in the blue heavens the
+great stars sprang out in clusters. The contrast between the night and
+the day was startling. Now everything seemed to breathe of peace, and of
+peace only. A light wind rose and then the silver beads disappeared from
+leaf and bough. But it was a friendly wind and it sang most pleasantly
+among the trees. Under its influence the garments of the five would dry
+fast, and as Henry looked at them and then down at his comrades, wrapped
+in their "togas" he felt an inclination to laugh. But this desire to
+laugh was only proof of his mental relaxation, of the ease and
+confidence that he felt after great dangers passed.
+
+Certainly his comrades were sleeping well. Not one of them moved, and he
+saw the blankets across their chests rising and falling with regularity.
+Once he stepped out of the boat and walked down to the entrance of the
+channel, whence he looked out upon the surface of the lake. Save for the
+islet he saw land nowhere, north, south, east or west. The great lake
+stretched away before them apparently as vast as the sea, not gray now,
+but running away in little liquid waves of silver in the moonlight.
+Henry felt its majesty as he had already felt its might. He had never
+before appreciated so keenly the power of nature and the elements.
+Chance alone had put in their way this little island that had saved
+their lives.
+
+He walked slowly back and resumed his place in the boat. That fine
+drying wind was still singing among the trees, making the leaves rustle
+softly together and filling Henry's mind with good thoughts. But these
+gave way after a while to feelings of suspicion. His was an exceedingly
+sensitive temperament. It often seemed to the others--and the wilderness
+begets such beliefs--that he received warnings through the air itself.
+He could not tell why his nerves were affected in this manner, but he
+resolved that he would not relax his vigilance a particle, and when the
+time came for him to awaken Tom Ross he decided to continue on guard
+with him.
+
+"'Tain't wuth while, Henry," remonstrated Ross. "Nothin's goin' to
+happen here on an islan' that ain't got no people but ourselves on it."
+
+"Tom," replied Henry, "I've got a feeling that I'd like to explore this
+island."
+
+"Mornin' will be time enough."
+
+"No, I think I'll do it now. I ought to go all over it in an hour. Don't
+take me for an Indian when I'm coming back and shoot at me."
+
+"I'd never mistake a Roman senator in his togy for an Injun," replied
+Tom Ross grinning.
+
+Henry looked at his clothes, but despite the drying wind they were still
+wet.
+
+"I'll have to go as a Roman after all," he said.
+
+He fastened the blanket tightly about his body in the Indian fashion,
+secured his belt with pistol, tomahawk and knife around his waist, and
+then, rifle in hand, he stepped from the boat into the forest.
+
+"Watch good, Tom," he said. "I may be gone some time."
+
+"You'll find nothin'."
+
+"Maybe so; maybe not."
+
+The woods through which Henry now passed were yet wet, and every time he
+touched a bough or a sapling showers of little drops fell upon him. The
+patch of forest was dense and the trees large. The trees also grew
+straight upward, and Henry concluded at once that he would find a
+little distance ahead a ridge that sheltered this portion of the island
+from the cruel north and northwest winds.
+
+His belief was verified as the rise began within three hundred yards. It
+ascended rather abruptly, having a total height of seventy or eighty
+feet, and seeming to cross the island from east to west. Standing under
+the shadow of a great oak Henry looked down upon the northern half of
+the island, which was quite different in its characteristics from the
+southern half. A portion of it was covered with dwarfed vegetation, but
+the rest was bare rock and sand. There were two or three inlets or
+landing places on the low shore. As the moonlight was now good, Henry
+saw all over this portion of the island, but he could not detect any
+sign of human habitation.
+
+"I suppose Tom is right," he said to himself, "and that there is nothing
+to be seen."
+
+But he had no idea of going back without exploring thoroughly, and he
+descended the slope toward the north. The way led for a little distance
+among the shrub bushes from which the raindrops still fell upon him as
+he passed, and then he came into an open space almost circular in shape
+and perhaps thirty yards in diameter. Almost in the center of the rock a
+spring spouted and flowed away through a narrow channel to the lake. On
+the far side of the spring rose four upright stakes in a row about six
+feet apart. Henry wondered what they meant and he approached cautiously,
+knowing that they had been put there by human hands.
+
+Some drifting clouds now passed and the moonlight shone with a sudden
+burst of splendor. Henry was close to the stakes and suddenly he
+shuddered in every vein. They were about as high as a man's head, firmly
+fastened in the ground, and all of them were blackened and charred
+somewhat by fire, although their strength was not impaired. At the base
+of every one lay hideous relics. Henry shivered again. He knew. Here
+Indians brought their captives and burned them to death, partly for the
+sake of their own vengeance and partly to propitiate the mighty spirits
+that had their abode in the depths of the great lakes. He was sure that
+his comrades and he had landed upon a sacrificial island, and he
+resolved that they should depart at the very first light in the morning.
+
+This island which had seemed so fine and beautiful to him suddenly
+became ghastly and repellent, but his second thought told him that they
+had nothing to fear at present. It was not inhabited. The warriors
+merely came here for the burnings, and then it was quite likely that
+they departed at once.
+
+Henry examined further. On the bushes beyond the stakes he found amulets
+and charms of bone or wood, evidently hung there to ward off evil
+spirits, and among these bushes he saw more bones of victims. Then he
+noticed two paths leading away from the place, each to a small inlet,
+where the boats landed. Calculating by the moon and stars he could now
+obtain a general idea of the direction in which they had come and he was
+sure that the nearest part of the mainland lay to the west. He saw a
+dark line there, and he could not tell whether it was the shore or a low
+bank of mist.
+
+Then he made a diligent exploration of all this part of the island,
+assuring himself further that it had never been occupied permanently. He
+saw at one place the ruins of a temporary brush shelter, used probably
+during a period of storm like that of the night before, and on the beach
+he found the shattered remains of a large canoe. Henry looked down at
+the broken canoe thoughtfully. It may have been wrecked while on its way
+with a victim for the stake, and if the warriors had perished it might
+have been due to the wrath of the Great Spirit.
+
+He walked slowly back over the ridge through the forest and down to the
+boat. Tom saw him coming but said nothing until he stepped into the boat
+beside him.
+
+"You stayed a long time," he said, "but I see you've brought nothing
+back with you."
+
+"It's true that I've brought nothing with me, but I've found a lot."
+
+"What did you find, Henry?"
+
+"I found many bones, the bones of human beings."
+
+"Men's bones?"
+
+"Yes. I'm sure that it is an island to which Indiana come to burn their
+prisoners, and although none are here now--I've looked it all over--I
+don't like it. There's something uncanny about it."
+
+"An' yet it's a pretty little islan', too," said Tom Ross, thoughtfully,
+"an' mighty glad we wuz to see it yes'day, when we wuz druv before that
+howlin' an' roarin' storm, with but one chance in a hundred uv livin'."
+
+"That's so," said Henry. "We owe the island a debt of gratitude if
+others don't. I've no doubt that if it were not for this little piece of
+land we should have been drowned. Still, the sooner we get away the
+better. How have the others been getting on, Tom?"
+
+"Sleepin' ez reg'lar an' steady ez clocks. It's wuth while to see
+fellers snoozin' away so happy."
+
+Henry smiled. The three, as they lay in the boat, breathing deeply and
+unconscious of everything, were certainly a picture of rest.
+
+"How long do you calculate it is to daylight?" asked Henry.
+
+"Not more'n two hours, an' it's goin' to come bright an' clear, an' with
+a steady wind that will take us to the south."
+
+"That's good, and I think that you and I, Tom, ought to be getting
+ready. This drying wind has been blowing for a long time, and our
+clothes should be in condition again. Anyway I'm going to see."
+
+He took down the garments from the bushes, and found that all were quite
+dry. Then he and Tom reclothed themselves and laid the apparel for the
+other three by their sides, ready for them when they should awake. Tom
+puckered up his lips and blew out a deep breath of pleasure.
+
+"It may be mighty fine to be a Roman senator in a togy," he said, "but
+not in these parts. Give me my good old huntin' shirt an' leggings.
+Besides, I feel a sight more respectable."
+
+Shortly, it was dawn, and the three sleepers awoke, glad to have their
+clothes dry again, and interested greatly in Henry's exploration of the
+island.
+
+"Jim, you do a little more cooking," said Henry, "and Sol, Tom and I
+will go over to the other end of the island again. When we come back
+we'll hoist our sail, have breakfast, and be off."
+
+They followed the path that Henry had taken during the night, leaving
+Paul and Jim busy with the cooking utensils. The little patch of forest
+was now entirely dry, and a great sun was rising from the eastern
+waters, tingeing the deep green of the trees with luminous gold. The
+lake was once more as smooth and peaceful as if no storm had ever passed
+over its surface.
+
+They stopped at the crest of the transverse ridge and saw in the west
+the dark line, the nature of which Henry had been unable to decipher by
+moonlight. Now they saw that it was land, and they saw, too, another
+sight that startled them. Two large canoes were approaching the island
+swiftly, and they were already so near that Henry and Shif'less Sol
+could see the features of their occupants. Neither of the boats had a
+sail. Both were propelled wholly by paddlers--six paddlers to each
+canoe--stalwart, painted Indians, bare of shoulders and chest. But in
+the center of the first canoe sat a man with arms bound.
+
+"It's a victim whom they are bringing for the stake and the sacrifice,"
+said Henry.
+
+"He must be from some tribe in the far North," said Shif'less Sol,
+"'cause all the Indian nations in the valley are allied."
+
+"He is not from any tribe at all," said Henry. "The prisoner is a white
+man."
+
+"A white man!" exclaimed Shif'less Sol, "an' you an' me, Henry, know
+that most o' the prisoners who are brought to these parts are captured
+in Kentucky."
+
+"It's so, and I don't think we ought to go away in such a hurry."
+
+"Meanin' we might be o' help?"
+
+"Meaning we might be of help."
+
+Henry watched the boats a minute or two longer, and saw that they were
+coming directly for one of the little inlets on the north end of the
+island. Moreover, they were coming fast under the long sweep of the
+paddles swung by brown and sinewy arms.
+
+"Tom," he said to Ross, "you go back for Paul. Tell Jim to have the sail
+up and ready for us when we come, and meanwhile to guard the boat.
+That's a white man and they intend to burn him as a sacrifice to Manitou
+or the spirits of the lake. We've got to rescue him."
+
+The others nodded assent and Tom hurried away after Paul, while Henry
+and Sol continued to watch the oncoming boats. They crept down the slope
+to the very fringe of the trees and lay close there, although they had
+little fear of discovery, unless it was caused by their own lack of
+caution.
+
+The boats reached the inlet, and, for a few moments, they were hidden
+from the two watchers, by the bushes and rocks, but they heard the
+Indians talking, and Henry was confirmed in his opinion that they did
+not dream of any presence besides their own on the island. At length
+they emerged into view again, the prisoner walking between two warriors
+in front, and Henry gave a start of horror.
+
+"Sol," he said in a whisper, "don't you recognize that gray head?"
+
+"I think I do."
+
+"Don't you know that tall, slender figure?"
+
+"I'm shore I do."
+
+"Sol, that can be nobody but Mr. Silas Pennypacker, to whom Paul and I
+went to school in Kentucky."
+
+"It's the teacher, ez shore ez you're born."
+
+Henry's thrill of horror came again. Mr. Pennypacker lived at Wareville,
+the home of his own family and Paul's. What had happened? There was the
+expedition of the harelipped Bird with his powerful force and with
+cannon! Could it be possible that he had swept Wareville away and that
+the teacher had been given to the Indians for sacrifice? A terrible
+anger seized him and Shif'less Sol, by his side, was swayed by the same
+emotion.
+
+"It is he, Sol! It is he!" he whispered in intense excitement.
+
+"Yes, Henry," replied the shiftless one, "it's the teacher."
+
+"Do you think his presence here means Wareville has been destroyed by
+Bird?"
+
+"I'm hopin' that it doesn't, Henry."
+
+Shif'less Sol spoke steadily, but Henry could read the fear in his mind,
+and the reply made his own fears all the stronger.
+
+"They are going to sacrifice that good old man, Sol," he said.
+
+"They mean to do it, but people sometimes mean to do things that they
+don't do."
+
+They remained in silence until Tom returned with Paul, who was excited
+greatly when he learned that Mr. Pennypacker was there a prisoner.
+
+"Lie perfectly still, all of you, until the time comes," said Henry.
+"We've got to save him, and we can only do it by means of a surprise and
+a rush."
+
+The Indians and their prisoner were now not more than a hundred yards
+away, having come into the center of the open circle used for the
+sacrifice, and they stood there a little while talking. Mr.
+Pennypacker's arms were bound, but he held himself erect. His face was
+turned toward the South, his home, and it seemed to Henry and
+Paul--although it was fancy, the distance being too great to see--that
+his expression was rapt and noble as if he already saw beyond this life
+into the future. They loved and respected him. Paul had been his
+favorite pupil, and now tears came into the eyes of the boy as he
+watched. The old man certainly had seen the stakes, and doubtless he had
+surmised their purpose.
+
+"What's your plan, Henry?" whispered Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I think they're going to eat. Probably they've been rowing all the
+morning and are tired and hungry. They mean after that to go ahead with
+their main purpose, but we'll take 'em while they're eating. I hate to
+fire on anybody from ambush, but it's got to be done. There's no other
+way. We'll all lie close together here, and when the time comes to fire,
+I'll give the word."
+
+The Indians sat on the ground after their fashion and began to eat cold
+food. Apparently they paid little attention to their prisoner, who stood
+near, and to whom they offered nothing. Why should he eat? He would
+never be hungry again. Nor need they watch him closely now. They had
+left a man with each of the boats, and even if he should run he could
+not escape them on the island.
+
+Henry and Paul saw Mr. Pennypacker walk forward a few steps and look
+intently at the posts. Then he bowed his gray head and stood quite
+still. Both believed that he was praying. Water again rose in Paul's
+eyes and Henry's too were damp.
+
+"Boys," whispered Henry, "I think the time has come. Take aim. We'll
+pick the four on the left, Sol the first on the end, the second for me,
+Tom the third and Paul the fourth. Now, boys, cock your rifles, and take
+aim, the best aim that you ever took in your life, and when I say
+'Fire!' pull the trigger."
+
+Every man from the covert did as he was directed. When Henry looked down
+the sights and picked out the right place on the broad chest of a
+warrior, he shuddered a little. He repeated to himself that he did not
+like it, this firing from ambush, but there was the old man, whom they
+loved, doomed to torture and the sacrifice. His heart hardened like
+flint and he cried "Fire!"
+
+Four rifles flashed in the thicket. Two warriors fell without a sound.
+Two more leaped away, wounded, and all the others sprang to their feet
+with cries of surprise and alarm.
+
+"Up and at 'em!" cried Henry in a tremendous voice. "Cut them to
+pieces!"
+
+Drawing their pistols they rushed into the open space and charged upon
+the warriors, firing as they came.
+
+The Indians were Wyandots, men who knew little of fear, but the surprise
+and the deadly nature of the attack was too much for them. Perhaps
+superstition also mingled with their emotions. Doubtless the spirits of
+the lake were angry with them for some cause, and the best thing they
+could do was to leave it as soon as they could. But one as he ran did
+not forget to poise his hatchet for a cast at the prisoner. The Reverend
+Silas Pennypacker would have seen his last sun that day had not Henry
+noticed the movement and quickly fired his pistol at the uplifted hand.
+The bullet pierced the Indian's palm, the tomahawk was dashed from his
+hand, and with a howl of pain he sped after the others who were flying
+for the boats.
+
+Henry and his comrades did not pursue. They knew that they must act with
+all speed, as the Wyandots would quickly recover from their panic, and
+come back in a force that was still two to one. A single sweep of his
+knife and his old schoolmaster's arms were free. Then he shouted in the
+dazed man's ears:
+
+"Come, Mr. Pennypacker, we must run for it! Don't you see who we are?
+Here's Paul Cotter, and I'm Henry Ware, and these are Sol Hyde and Tom
+Ross! We've got a boat on the other side of the island and the sooner we
+get there the better!"
+
+He snatched up a rifle, powder horn and bullet pouch from one of the
+fallen warriors and thrust them in the old man's hands. Mr. Pennypacker
+was still staring at them in a dazed manner, but at last the light broke
+through.
+
+"Oh, my boys! my brave boys!" he cried. "It is really you, and you have
+saved me at the eleventh hour! I had given up all hope, but lo! the
+miracle is done!"
+
+Henry took him by the arm, and obeying the impulse he ran with them
+through the wood. Already Henry heard shouts which indicated to him that
+the Wyandots had turned, and, despite his anxiety about Wareville, he
+asked nothing of Mr. Pennypacker for the present.
+
+"You lead the way, Paul," he cried. "Jim, of course, has the boat ready
+with the sail up and the oars in place. We'll be out on the lake in a
+few minutes, Mr. Pennypacker. There, do you hear that? The Wyandots are
+now in full pursuit!"
+
+A long piercing cry came from the woods behind them. It was the Wyandot
+leader encouraging his warriors. Henry knew that they would come fast,
+and Mr. Pennypacker, old and not used to the ways of the wilderness,
+could go but slowly. Although Long Jim was sure to be ready, the
+embarkation would be dangerous. It was evident that Mr. Pennypacker,
+extremely gaunt and thin, was exhausted already by a long march and
+other hardships. Now he labored heavily, drawing long breaths.
+
+"Those fellows will be on us in a minute or two, Sol," Henry whispered
+to the shiftless one, "unless we burn their faces."
+
+"I reckon we're able to do the burnin'," replied Shif'less Sol.
+
+Henry, Tom and Sol dropped to a walk, and in a few moments stopped
+altogether. Paul, with Mr. Pennypacker by his side, kept on for the boat
+as fast as the old man's strength would allow. Henry caught a glimpse of
+a figure running low in the thicket and fired. A cry came back, but he
+could not tell whether the wound was mortal. Shif'less Sol fired with a
+similar result. Two or three bullets were sent back at them, but none
+touched. Then the three, keeping themselves hidden resumed their flight.
+They reckoned that the check to the Wyandots would give Paul, with Mr.
+Pennypacker, time to reach the boat before the warriors could come
+within range of the latter.
+
+The three now ran very swiftly, and, in a few minutes, were at the edge
+of the inlet, where the boat lay, just in time to see Paul pick up the
+old schoolmaster, who had fallen with exhaustion, and lift him into the
+boat. The three sprang in after them.
+
+"We'll watch with the rifles, Sol," exclaimed Henry. "The rest of you
+row until we're outside, when the sail can do most of the pulling."
+
+It was quick work now and skillful. Mr. Pennypacker, scarcely able to
+draw a breath, lay like a log in the bottom of the boat, but in less
+than a half minute after the three leaped on board they were gliding
+down the inlet. Before they reached the open lake the Indians appeared
+among the trees and began to shout and fire. But they were in such
+haste that nothing was struck except the boat, which did not mind.
+Silent Tom, who had restrained his fire, now sent a bullet that struck
+the mark and the warriors rushed to cover. Then they were out of the
+inlet, the fine wind filled the sail, and away they sped toward the
+south.
+
+The warriors appeared at the edge of the water while the boat's crew
+were still within range, but when Henry and the shiftless one raised
+their rifles they shrank back. They had tested already the quality of
+their foes, and they did not like it. When they reappeared from the
+shelter of the trees the boat was out of range. Nevertheless they fired
+two or three shots that spattered on the water, waved their tomahawks
+and shouted in anger. Shif'less Sol stood up in the boat and shouted
+back at them:
+
+"Keep cool, my red brethren, keep cool! We have escaped and you see that
+we have! So do not waste good bullets which you may need another time!
+And above all keep your tempers! Wise men always do! Farewell!"
+
+It is not likely that they understood the words of the shiftless one,
+but certainly the derisive gestures that he made as he sat down were not
+lost upon them.
+
+"Sol, can't you ever be serious?" said Henry to his comrade.
+
+"Be serious? O' course I kin at the right time," replied the shiftless
+one, "but what's the use o' bein' serious now? Haven't we rescued
+ourselves an' the schoolmaster, too? Ain't we in a boat with a sail that
+kin leave the two boats o' them warriors far behind, an' ain't we got a
+bee-yu-ti-ful day to sail over a bee-yu-ti-ful lake? So what's the use
+o' bein' serious? The time fur that wuz ten minutes ago."
+
+It was evident that the Wyandots considered pursuit useless or that they
+feared the Kentucky rifles, as they gathered in a group on the beach and
+watched the flying boat recede.
+
+"Didn't I tell you it wuzn't wuth while to be serious now, Henry?" said
+Shif'less Sol. "We're hevin' the easiest kind o' a time an' them
+warriors standin' thar on the shore look too funny for anything. I wish
+I could see their faces. I know they would look jest like the faces o'
+wolves, when somethin' good had slipped from between their teeth."
+
+Paul and Henry were busy reviving Mr. Pennypacker. They threw fresh
+water from the lake over his face and poured more down his throat. As
+they worked with him they noted his emaciated figure. He was only a
+skeleton, and his fainting even in so short a flight was no cause for
+wonder. Gradually he revived, coughed and sat up.
+
+"I fell," he said. "It was because I was so weak. What has happened? Are
+we not moving?"
+
+His eyes were yet dim, and he was not more than half conscious.
+
+"You are with us, your friends. You remember?" said Henry. "We rescued
+you at the place of the stakes, and we all got away unhurt. We are in a
+boat now sailing over Lake Erie."
+
+"And I saved you a rifle and ammunition," said Paul. "Here they are,
+ready for you when you land."
+
+Mr. Pennypacker's dim eyes cleared, and he gazed at the two youths in
+wonder and affection.
+
+"It is a miracle--a miracle!" he said. Then he added, after a moment's
+pause: "To escape thus after all the terrible things that I have seen!"
+
+Henry shivered a little, and then he asked the fateful questions.
+
+"And what of Wareville, Mr. Pennypacker? Has it been destroyed? Do
+Paul's people and mine still live? Have they been taken away as
+captives? Why were you a prisoner?"
+
+The questions came fast, then they stopped suddenly, and he and Paul
+waited with white faces for the answers.
+
+"Wareville is not destroyed," replied Mr. Pennypacker. "An English
+officer named Bird, a harelipped man, came with a great force of
+Indians, some white men and cannon. They easily took Martin's and
+Ruddle's stations and all the people in them, but they did not go
+against Wareville and other places. I think they feared the power of the
+gathering Kentuckians. I was at Martin's Station on a visit to an old
+friend when I was captured with the others. Bird and his army then
+retreated North with the prisoners, more than three hundred in number,
+mostly women and children."
+
+The old man paused a moment and put his hands over his face.
+
+"I have seen many terrible things," he resumed, "and I cannot forget
+them. They said that we would be taken to Detroit and be held as
+prisoners there, but it has been a long and terrible march, many
+hundreds of miles through the wilderness, and the weak ones--they were
+many--could not stand it. They died in the wilderness, often under the
+Indian tomahawk, and I think that less than half of them will reach
+Detroit."
+
+The old schoolmaster paused, his voice choked with emotion, and every
+one of the five muttered something deep and wrathful under his breath.
+
+"I did the best I could," he resumed. "I helped whenever they let me,
+but the hardships were so great and they permitted us so little rest
+that I wasted away. I had no more than the strength of a little child.
+At last the warriors whom you saw took me from the others and turned to
+the east. We went through the woods until we came to the great lake. A
+terrible storm came up, but when it died we embarked in two boats and
+went to the island on which you found me. I did not know the purpose for
+which I was intended until I saw the stakes with those ghastly relics
+about them. Then I made up my mind to bear it as best I could."
+
+"You were to be made a burnt offering to the spirits of the lakes," said
+Henry. "Thank God we came in time. We go now to warn of another and
+greater expedition, led by Timmendiquas, the famous chief of the
+Wyandots."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE PAGES OF A BOOK
+
+
+None of the five knew how far they were down the lake, but they were
+able to guide their course by the sun, and, keeping the low bank of
+forest far beyond gunshot on their right, they moved before a favoring
+wind. The schoolmaster regained his strength fast. He was old, but a
+temperate life in the open air reenforced by plenty of exercise, had
+kept him wiry and strong. Now he sat up and listened to the long tale of
+the adventures of the five, whom he had not seen for many months
+previous to their great journey to New Orleans.
+
+"You have done well--you have done more than well," he said. "You have
+performed magnificent deeds. It is a beautiful land for which we fight,
+and, although our enemies are many and terrible and we suffer much, we
+shall surely triumph in the end. Bird with his cannon was compelled to
+go back. He could have battered down the palisade walls of any of the
+stations, but he feared the gathering of the white hunters and fighters.
+Above all he feared the coming of George Rogers Clark, the shield of the
+border."
+
+Henry's heart throbbed at the name of Clark, renowned victor of
+Vincennes and Kaskaskia.
+
+"Clark!" he exclaimed. "Is he in Kentucky?"
+
+"There or to the northward. It is said that he is gathering a force to
+attack the Indian villages."
+
+"If it could only be true!" said Paul.
+
+The others echoed the wish.
+
+Henry remained silent, but for a long time he was very thoughtful. The
+news that Wareville was untouched by the raid had relieved him
+immensely, and he was very hopeful also that George Rogers Clark was
+coming again to the rescue. The name of Clark was one with which to
+conjure. It would draw all the best men of the border and moreover it
+would cause Timmendiquas, Caldwell and their great force to turn aside.
+Once more hope was in the ascendant. Meanwhile, the sparkling breeze
+blew them southward, and the eyes of all grew brighter. Fresh life
+poured into the veins of the schoolmaster, and he sat up, looking with
+pleasure at the rippling surface of the lake.
+
+"It reminds me in a way of the time when we fled from the place of the
+giant bones," he said, "and I hope and believe that our flight will end
+as happily."
+
+"That looks like a long time ago, Mr. Pennypacker," said Tom Ross, "an'
+we hev traveled a mighty lot since. I reckon that we've been to places
+that I never heard uv until Paul told about 'em, Troy and Rome an'
+Alexander--"
+
+"Tom," broke in Shif'less Sol, "you're gettin' mixed. Troy's dead, an'
+we may hev got close to Rome, but we never did ackshally reach the town.
+An' ez fur Alexander, that wuz a man an' not a city."
+
+"It don't make no difference," replied Tom, not at all abashed. "What do
+all them old names amount to anyhow? Like ez not the people that lived
+in 'em got mixed about 'em themselves."
+
+Mr. Pennypacker smiled.
+
+"It doesn't make any difference about Rome and Troy," he said. "You've
+been all the way down to New Orleans and you've fought in the East with
+the Continental troops. Your adventures have been fully as wonderful as
+those of Ulysses, and you have traveled a greater distance."
+
+They sailed on all through the day, still seeing that low shore almost
+like a cloud bank on their right, but nothing save water ahead of them.
+Henry was sure that it was not above sixty miles across the lake, but he
+calculated that they had been blown about a great deal in the storm, and
+for all they knew the island might have been far out of their course.
+
+It was evident that they could not reach the south shore before dusk,
+and they turned in toward the land. Shif'less Sol hailed the turning of
+the boat's course with delight.
+
+"Boats are all right fur travelin'," he said, "when the wind's blowin'
+an' you've a sail. A lazy man like me never wants nothin' better, but
+when the night comes on an' you need to sleep, I want the land. I never
+feel the land heavin' an' pitchin' under me, an' it gives me more of a
+safe an' home feelin'."
+
+"Watch, everybody, for a landing place," said Henry, "and Paul, you
+steer."
+
+The green shore began to rise, showing a long unbroken wall of forest,
+but the dusk was coming too, and all of them were anxious to make land.
+Presently, they were only three or four hundred yards from the coast and
+they skimmed rapidly along it, looking for an anchorage. It was full
+night before Henry's sharp eyes saw the mouth of a creek almost hidden
+by tall grass, and, taking down the sail, they pulled the boat into it.
+They tied their craft securely to a tree, and the night passed without
+alarm.
+
+They resumed the voyage early the next morning, and that day reached the
+southern coast of the lake. Here they reluctantly left the boat. They
+might have found a river emptying into the lake down which they could
+have gone a hundred or more miles further, but they were not
+sufficiently acquainted with this part of the country to spend their
+time in hunting for it. They drew their good little craft as far as they
+could among the weeds and bushes that grew at the water's edge.
+
+"That's two good boats we've got hid on the water ways," said Shif'less
+Sol, "besides a half dozen canoes scattered here an' thar, an' mebbe
+we'll find 'em an' use 'em some day."
+
+"This cost us nothin'," said Jim Hart, "so I reckon we ain't got any
+right to grieve, 'cause we're givin' up what we never paid fur."
+
+They took out of the boat all the supplies that they could conveniently
+carry, and then started toward the southwest. The course to Kentucky now
+led through the heart of the Indian country. Between them and the Ohio
+lay the great Indian villages of Chillicothe, Piqua and many others, and
+the journey in any event would be dangerous. But the presence of the old
+schoolmaster was likely to make it more so, since he could not travel
+with any approach to the speed and skill of the others. Yet no one
+thought, for a moment, of blaming him. They were happy to have rescued
+him, and, moreover, he had brought them the good news that Wareville was
+untouched by the Bird invasion. Yet speed was vital. The scattered
+stations must be warned against the second and greater expedition under
+Caldwell and Timmendiquas. Mr. Pennypacker himself perceived the fact
+and he urged them to go on and leave him. He felt sure that with a rifle
+and plenty of ammunition he could reach Wareville in safety.
+
+"You can give me a lot of food," he said, "and doubtless I shall be able
+to shoot some game. Now go ahead and leave me. Many lives may depend
+upon it."
+
+They only laughed, but Shif'less Sol and Henry, who had been whispering
+together, announced a plan.
+
+"This here expedition is goin' to split," said the shiftless one. "Henry
+is the fastest runner an' the best woodsman of us all. I hate to admit
+that he's better than me, but he is, an' he's goin' on ahead. Now you
+needn't say anything, Mr. Pennypacker, about your makin' trouble,
+'cause you don't. We'd make Henry run on afore, even ef you wuzn't with
+us. That boy needs trainin' down, an' we intend to see that he gits the
+trainin'."
+
+There was nothing more to be said and the rest was done very quietly and
+quickly. A brief farewell, a handshake for everyone, and he was gone.
+
+Henry had never been in finer physical condition, and the feeling of
+responsibility seemed to strengthen him also in both body and mind. In
+one way he was sorry to leave his comrades and in another he was glad.
+Alone he would travel faster, and in the wilderness he never feared the
+loneliness and the silence. A sense, dead or atrophied in the ordinary
+human being, came out more strongly in him. It seemed to be a sort of
+divination or prescience, as if messages reached him through the air,
+like the modern wireless.
+
+He went southward at a long walk half a run for an hour or two before he
+stopped. Then he stood on the crest of a little hill and saw the deep
+woods all about him. There was no sign of his comrades whom he had left
+far behind, nor was there any indication of human life save himself. Yet
+he had seldom seen anything that appealed to him more than this bit of
+the wilderness. The trees, oak, beech and elm, were magnificent. Great
+coiling grape vines now and then connected a cluster of trees, but there
+was little undergrowth. Overhead, birds chattered and sang among the
+leaves, and far up in the sky a pair of eagles were speeding like black
+specks toward the lake. Henry inhaled deep breaths. The odors of the
+woods came to him and were sweet in his nostrils. All the wilderness
+filled him with delight. A black bear passed and climbed a tree in
+search of honey. Two deer came in sight, but the human odor reached them
+and they fled swiftly away, although they were in no danger from Henry.
+
+Then he, too, resumed his journey, and sped swiftly toward the south
+through the unbroken forest. He came after a while to marshy country,
+half choked with fallen wood from old storms. He showed his wonderful
+agility and strength. He leaped rapidly from one fallen log to another
+and his speed was scarcely diminished. Now and then he saw wide black
+pools, and once he crossed a deep creek on a fallen tree. Night found
+him yet in this marshy region, but he was not sorry as he had left no
+trail behind, and, after looking around some time, he found a little
+oasis of dry land with a mighty oak tree growing in the center. Here he
+felt absolutely secure, and, making his supper of dried venison, he lay
+down under the boughs of the oak, with one blanket beneath him and
+another above him and was soon in a deep and dreamless sleep.
+
+He awoke about midnight to find a gorgeous parade of the moon and all
+the stars, and he lay for a while watching them through the leaves of
+the oak. Powerful are nature and habit, and Henry's life was in
+accordance with both. Lying alone at midnight on that little knoll in
+the midst of a great marsh in the country of wary and cruel enemies, he
+was thankful that it had been given to him to be there, and that his lot
+had been cast among the conditions that surrounded him.
+
+He heard a slight noise to the left of him, but he knew that it was only
+another hungry bear stealing about. There was a light splash in the pool
+at the foot of the knoll, but it was only a large fish leaping up and
+making a noise as it fell back. Far to the south something gleamed
+fitfully among the trees, but it was only marsh fire. None of these
+things disturbed him, and knowing that the wilderness was at peace he
+laid his head back on the turf and fell asleep again. At break of day he
+was up and away, and until afternoon he sped toward the south in the
+long running walk which frontiersmen and Indians could maintain for
+hours with ease. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, he stopped as
+suddenly as if he had come to a river's brink. He had struck a great
+trail, not a path made by three or four persons but by hundreds. He
+could see their road a hundred yards wide. Here so many feet had trodden
+that the grass was yet thinner than elsewhere; there lay the bones of
+deer, eaten clean and thrown away. Further on was a feather trimmed and
+dyed that had fallen from a scalp lock, and beyond that, a blanket
+discarded as too old and ragged lay rotting.
+
+These were signs that spoke to Henry as plainly as if the words
+themselves were uttered. A great wilderness army had passed that way and
+for a while he was in doubt. Was it the force of Bird coming back to the
+North? But it was undoubtedly a trail several weeks old. Everything
+indicated it. The bones had been bleached by the sun, the feather was
+beaten partly into the earth by rain, and the tattered old blanket had
+been pawed and torn still further by wolves. But none of these things
+told what army it might be. He hunted, instead, for some low place that
+might have been soft and marshy when the warriors passed, and which,
+when it dried, would preserve the outline of a footstep. He advanced a
+full mile, following the broad trail which was like an open road to him
+until he came to such a place. Then he kneeled and examined it
+critically. In a half dozen places he saw held in the hard earth the
+outline of footsteps. They would have been traces of footsteps to most
+people and nothing more, but he knew that every one of them pointed to
+the south. A mile further on and in another low place he had full
+verification of that, which, in fact, he already knew. Here the prints
+were numerous. Chance had brought him upon the trail of Timmendiquas,
+and he resolved, for the present, to follow it.
+
+Henry came to this determination because it was extremely important to
+know the location and plans of the invading army. More news of an attack
+would not be nearly so valuable as the time and place at which the
+attack was to be delivered. The course seemed plain to him and he
+followed the broad trail with speed and ardor, noting all along the
+indications that the army took no care to conceal itself or hide its
+trail. Why should it? There was nothing in these woods powerful enough
+to meet the Anglo-Indian combination.
+
+For four days and for a part of every night he followed without a break.
+He saw the trail grow fresher, and he judged that he was moving at least
+twice as fast as the army. He could see where English or Tory boots had
+crushed down the grass and he saw also the lighter imprints of
+moccasins. He passed numerous camps marked by ashes, bones of deer,
+buffalo, bear and smaller animals, and fragments of old worn-out
+garments, such as an army casts away as it goes along. He read in these
+things unlimited confidence on the part of both Indians and white men.
+
+An unusually large camp had been made at one place and some bark
+shelters had been thrown up. Henry inferred that the army had spent two
+or three days here, and he could account for the fact only on the ground
+that some division of counsels had occurred. Perhaps the weather had
+been stormy meanwhile, and the bark shelters had been constructed for
+the officers and chiefs.
+
+He spent a night in this camp and used one of the shelters, as it began
+to rain heavily just after dark. It was a little place, but it kept him
+dry and he watched with interest as the wind and rain drove across the
+opening and through the forest. He was as close and snug as a bear in
+its lair, but the storm was heavy with thunder and vivid with lightning.
+The lightning was uncommonly bright. Frequently the wet boughs and trees
+stood out in the glare like so much carving, and Henry was forced to
+shut his dazzled eyes. But he was neither lonely nor afraid. He
+recognized the tremendous power of nature, but it seemed to him that he
+had his part here, and the whole was to him a majestic and beautiful
+panorama.
+
+Henry remembered the fight that he and his comrades had had at the
+deserted village, and he found some similarity in his present situation,
+but he did not anticipate the coming of another enemy, and, secure in
+the belief, he slept while the storm still blew. When morning came, the
+rain had ceased. He replenished his food supplies with a deer that he
+had shot by the way and he cooked a little on one of the heaps of stones
+that the Indians had used for the same purpose. When he had eaten he
+glanced at the other bark shelters and he saw the name of Braxton Wyatt
+cut on one of them. Henry shuddered with aversion. He had seen so much
+of death and torture done on the border that he could not understand how
+Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt and their like could do such deeds upon their
+own countrymen. But he felt that the day was coming fast when many of
+them would be punished.
+
+He began the great trail anew upon turf, now soft and springy from the
+rain, and, refreshed by the long night's sleep in the bark shelter, he
+went rapidly. Eight or ten miles beyond the camp the trail made an
+abrupt curve to the eastward. Perhaps they were coming to some large
+river of which the Indian scouts knew and the turn was made in order to
+reach a ford, but he followed it another hour and there was no river.
+The nature of the country also indicated that no great stream could be
+at hand, and Henry believed that it signified a change of plan, a belief
+strengthened by a continuation of the trail toward the east as he
+followed it hour by hour. What did it mean? Undoubtedly it was something
+of great significance to his enterprise, but now he grew more wary.
+Since the course of the army was changed bands of Indians might be
+loitering behind, and he must take every precaution lest he run into one
+of them. He noticed from time to time small trails coming into the
+larger one, and he inferred that they were hunting parties sent off from
+the main body and now returning.
+
+The trail maintained the change and still bore toward the east. It had
+been obliterated to some extent by the rains, but it was as wide as
+ever, and Henry knew that no division had taken place. But he was yet
+convinced that some subject of great importance had been debated at the
+place of the long camp. On the following day he saw two warriors, and he
+lay in the bush while they passed only twenty yards away, close enough
+for him to see that they were Miamis. They were proceeding leisurely,
+perhaps on a hunting expedition, and it was well for them that they did
+not search at this point for any enemy. The most formidable figure on
+all the border lay in the thicket with both rifle and pistol ready.
+Henry heard them talking, but he had no wish for an encounter even with
+the advantage of ambush and surprise on his side. He was concerned with
+far more important business.
+
+The two Indians looked at the broad trail, but evidently they knew all
+about it, as it did not claim more than a half minute's attention. Then
+they went northward, and when Henry was sure that they were a mile or
+two away, he resumed his pursuit, a single man following an army. Now
+all his wonderful skill and knowledge and developed power of intuition
+came into play. Soon he passed the point where the trail had been made
+fainter by the latest rains, and now it became to his eyes broad and
+deep. He came to a place where many fires had been built obviously for
+cooking, and the ashes of the largest fires were near the center of the
+camp. A half circle of unburned logs lay around these ashes. As the logs
+were not sunk in the ground at all they had evidently been drawn there
+recently, and Henry, sitting down on one of them, began to study the
+problem.
+
+On the other side of the ashes where no logs lay were slight traces in
+the earth. It seemed to him that they had been made by heels, and he
+also saw at one place a pinch of brown ashes unlike the white ashes left
+by the fire. He went over, knelt down and smelled of the brown pinch.
+The odor was faint, very faint, but it was enough to tell him that it
+had been made by tobacco. A pipe had been smoked here, not to soothe the
+mind or body, but for a political purpose. At once his knowledge and
+vivid imagination reconstructed the whole scene. An important council
+had been held. The logs had been drawn up as seats for the British and
+Tory officers. Opposite them on the bare ground the chiefs, after their
+custom, had sat in Turkish fashion, and the pipe had been passed from
+one to another until the circle was complete. It must have been a most
+vital question or they would not have smoked the pipe. He came back to
+the logs and found in one of them a cut recently made. Someone had been
+indulging in the western custom of whittling with a strong clasp knife
+and he had no doubt that it was Braxton Wyatt who had cut his name with
+the same knife on the bark shelter. It would take one whittling casually
+a long time to make so deep a cut. Then they had debated there for two
+or three hours. This meant that the leaders were in doubt. Perhaps
+Timmendiquas and Caldwell had disagreed. If it could only be true! Then
+the little stations would have time to renew their breath and strength
+before another great attack could be made.
+
+He sat on the log and concentrated his mind with great intensity upon
+the problem. He believed that the master mind in the council had been
+that of Timmendiquas. He also had inspired the change of route and
+perhaps Caldwell, Girty and Wyatt had tried to turn him back. Doubtless
+the course of Timmendiquas had been inspired by news from the South.
+Would the trail turn again?
+
+He renewed the eager pursuit. He followed for a full day, but it still
+ran toward the east, and was growing fresher much faster than before. He
+argued from this fact that the speed of the army had slackened greatly.
+On the day after that, although the course of the main body was
+unchanged he saw where a considerable band had left it and gone
+northward. What did this mean? The band could not have numbered less
+than fifty. It must be making for some one of the great Indian towns,
+Chillicothe or Piqua. Once more the reader of the wilderness page
+translated. They had received news from the South, and it was not such
+as they wished. The Indian towns had been threatened by something, and
+the band had gone to protect or help them.
+
+Shortly before nightfall he noticed another trail made by perhaps twenty
+warriors coming from the south and joining that of the main body. The
+briers and grass were tangled considerably, and, as he looked closely,
+his eyes caught a tint of red on the earth. It was only a spot, and once
+more the wilderness reader read what was printed in his book. This band
+had brought wounded men with it, and the tribes were not fighting among
+themselves. They had encountered the Kentuckians, hunters perhaps, or a
+larger force maybe, and they had not escaped without damage. Henry
+exulted, not because blood had been shed, but because some prowling band
+intent upon scalps had met a check.
+
+He followed the ruddy trail until it emerged into the broader one and
+then to a point beside it, where a cluster of huge oaks flung a pleasant
+shade. Here the wounds of the warriors had been bandaged, as fragments
+of deerskin lay about. One of them had certainly suffered a broken arm
+or leg, because pieces of stout twigs with which they had made splints
+lay under one of the trees.
+
+The next day he turned another page in his book, and read about the
+great feast the army had held. He reached one of the little prairies so
+common in that region. Not many days before it had been a great berry
+field, but now it was trampled, and stripped. Seven or eight hundred
+warriors had eaten of the berries and they had also eaten of much solid
+food. At the far edge of the prairie just within the shade of the forest
+he found the skeletons of three buffaloes and several deer, probably
+shot by the hunters on that very prairie. A brook of fine clear water
+flowed by, and both banks were lined with footsteps. Here the warriors
+after eating heavily had come to drink. Many of the trees near by
+contained the marks of hatchet strokes, and Henry read easily that the
+warriors had practiced there with their tomahawks, perhaps for prizes
+offered by their white leaders. Cut in the soft bark of a beech he read
+the words "Braxton Wyatt." So he had been at work with the clasp knife
+again, and Henry inferred that the young renegade was worried and
+nervous or he would not have such uneasy hands.
+
+Most of the heavier footprints, those that turned out, were on one side
+of the camp and Henry read from this the fact that the English and
+Tories had drawn somewhat apart, and that the differences between them
+and the Indians had become greater. He concentrated his mind again upon
+the problem, and at length drew his conclusion from what he had read.
+
+The doubts of Timmendiquas concerning his allies were growing stronger,
+so Henry construed. The great Wyandot chief had been induced with
+difficulty to believe that the soldiers of the British king would repay
+their red allies, and would defend the Indian villages if a large force
+from Kentucky were sent against them. The indications that such a force
+was moving or would move must be growing stronger. Doubtless the
+original turn to the eastward had been in order to deflect the attack
+against the settlements on the upper Ohio, most probably against Fort
+Henry. Now it was likely that the second plan had been abandoned for a
+third. What would that third be?
+
+He slept that night in a dense covert about half a mile from the camp,
+and he was awakened once by the howling of wolves. He knew that they
+were prowling about the deserted camp in search of remnants of food, and
+he felt sure that others also were following close behind the Indian
+army, in order to obtain what they might leave at future camps. Perhaps
+they might trail him too, but he had his rifle and pistol and, unafraid,
+he went to sleep again.
+
+The broad trail led the next day to a river which Henry reached about
+noon. It was fordable, but the army had not crossed. It had stopped
+abruptly at the brink and then had marched almost due north. Henry read
+this chapter easily and he read it joyfully. The dissatisfaction among
+the Indian chiefs had reached a climax, and the river, no real obstacle
+in itself, had served as the straw to turn them into a new course.
+Timmendiquas had boldly led the way northward and from Kentucky. He, Red
+Eagle, Yellow Panther and the rest were going to the Indian villages,
+and Caldwell and the other white men were forced either to go with them
+or return to Detroit. He followed the trail for a day and a half, saw it
+swing in toward the west, and theory became certainty. The army was
+marching toward Chillicothe and Piqua.
+
+After this last great turn Henry studied the trail with the utmost care.
+He had read much there, but he intended to read every word that it said.
+He noticed that the division, the British and Tories on one side and the
+Indians on the other, continued, and he was quite sure now that he would
+soon come upon some important development.
+
+He found the next day that for which he was looking. The army had
+camped in another of the little prairies, and the Indians had held a
+great dance. The earth, trampled heavily over a regulated space, showed
+it clearly. Most of the white men had stayed in one group on the right.
+Here were the deep traces of military boot heels such as the officers
+might wear.
+
+Again his vivid imagination and power of mental projection into the dark
+reconstructed the whole scene. The Indians, Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis
+and the others, had danced wildly, whirling their tomahawks about their
+heads, their naked bodies painted in many colors, their eyes glaring
+with the intoxication of the dance. Timmendiquas and the other chiefs
+had stood here looking on; over there, on the right, Caldwell and his
+officers had stood, and few words had passed between officers and
+chiefs.
+
+"Now the division will become more complete," said Henry to himself, as
+he followed the trail anew into the forest, and he was so sure of it
+that he felt no surprise when, within a mile, it split abruptly. The
+greater trail continued to the west, the smaller turned abruptly to the
+north, and this was the one that contained the imprints of the military
+boot heels. Once more he read his text with ease. Timmendiquas and
+Caldwell had parted company. The English and Tories were returning to
+Detroit. Timmendiquas, hot with wrath because his white allies would not
+help him, was going on with the warriors to the defense of their
+villages.
+
+Without beholding with his own eyes a single act of this army he had
+watched the growth of the quarrel between red and white and he had been
+a witness to its culmination. But all these movements had been
+influenced by some power of which he knew nothing. It was his business
+to discover the nature of this power, and he would follow the Indian
+trail a little while longer.
+
+Henry had not suffered for food. Despite the passage of the Indian army
+the country was so full of game that he was able to shoot what he wished
+almost when he wished, but he felt that he was now coming so near to the
+main body that he could not risk a shot which might be heard by outlying
+hunters or skirmishers. He also redoubled his care and rarely showed
+himself on the main trail, keeping to the woods at the side, where he
+would be hidden, an easy matter, as except for the little prairies the
+country was covered with exceedingly heavy forest.
+
+The second day after the parting of the two forces he saw smoke ahead,
+and he believed that it was made by the rear guard. It was a thin column
+rising above the trees, but the foliage was so heavy and the underbrush
+so dense that he was compelled to approach very close before he saw that
+the fire was not made by Indians, but by a group of white men, Simon
+Girty, Blackstaffe, Quarles, Braxton Wyatt and others, about a dozen in
+all. They had cooked their noonday meal at a small fire and were eating
+it apparently in perfect confidence of security. The renegades sat in
+the dense forest. Underbrush grew thickly to the very logs on which they
+were sitting, and, as Henry heard the continuous murmur of their voices,
+he resolved to learn what they were saying. He might discover then the
+nature of the menace that had broken up or deferred the great invasion.
+He knew well the great danger of such an attempt but he was fully
+resolved to make it.
+
+Lying down in the bushes and grass he drew himself slowly forward. His
+approach was like that of a wild animal stalking its prey. He lay very
+close to the earth and made no sound that was audible a yard away,
+pulling himself on, foot by foot. Yet his patience conquered, and
+presently he lay in the thickest of the undergrowth not far from the
+renegades, and he could hear everything they said. Girty was speaking,
+and his words soon showed that he was in no pleasant mood.
+
+"Caldwell and the other English were too stiff," he said. "I don't like
+Timmendiquas because he doesn't like me, but the English oughtn't to
+forget that an alliance is for the sake of the two parties to it. They
+should have come with Timmendiquas and his friends to their villages to
+help them."
+
+"And all our pretty plans are broken up," said Braxton Wyatt viciously.
+"If we had only gone on and struck before they could recover from Bird's
+blows we might have swept Kentucky clean of every station."
+
+"Timmendiquas was right," said Girty. "We have to beware of that fellow
+at the Falls. He's dangerous. His is a great name. The Kentucky riflemen
+will come to the call of the man who took Kaskaskia and Vincennes."
+
+The prone figure in the bushes started. He was reading further into this
+most interesting of all volumes. What could the "Falls" mean but the
+Falls of the Ohio at the brand new settlement of Louisville, and the
+victor of Vincennes and Kaskaskia was none other than the great George
+Rogers Clark, the sword of the border. He understood. Clark's name was
+the menace that had turned back Timmendiquas. Undoubtedly the hero was
+gathering a new force and would give back Bird's blows. Timmendiquas
+wished to protect his own, but the English had returned to Detroit. The
+prone figure in the bushes rejoiced without noise.
+
+"What will be the result of it all?" asked Blackstaffe, his tone showing
+anxiety.
+
+Girty--most detested name in American history, next to that of Benedict
+Arnold--considered. The side of his face was turned to Henry, and the
+bold youth wished that they were standing in the open, face to face,
+arms in hand. But he was compelled to lie still and wait. Nor could he
+foresee that Girty, although he was not destined to fall in battle,
+should lose everything, become an exile, go blind and that no man
+should know when he met death or where his body lay. The renegade at
+length replied:
+
+"It means that we cannot now destroy Kentucky without a supreme effort.
+Despite all that we do, despite all our sieges and ambuscades, new men
+continually come over the mountains. Every month makes them stronger,
+and yet only this man Clark and a few like him have saved them so far.
+If Caldwell and a British force would make a campaign with us, we might
+yet crush Clark and whatever army he may gather. We may even do it
+without Caldwell. In this vast wilderness which the Indians know so well
+it is almost impossible for a white army to escape ambush. I am, for
+that reason, in favor of going on and joining Timmendiquas. I want a
+share in the victory that our side will win at the Indian towns. I am
+sure that the triumph will be ours."
+
+"It seems the best policy to me," said Braxton Wyatt. "Timmendiquas does
+not like me any more than he does you, but the Indians appreciate our
+help. I suppose we'd better follow at once."
+
+"Take it easy," said Girty. "There's no hurry. We can overtake
+Timmendiquas in a day, and we are quite sure that there are no
+Kentuckians in the woods. Besides, it will take Clark a considerable
+time to assemble a large force at the Falls, and weeks more to march
+through the forest. You will have a good chance then, Braxton, to show
+your skill as a forest leader. With a dozen good men hanging on his
+flank you ought to cause Mr. Clark much vexation."
+
+"It could be done," replied Wyatt, "but there are not many white men out
+here fighting on our side. In the East the Tories are numerous, and I
+had a fine band there, but it was destroyed in that last fight at the
+big Indian town."
+
+"Your old playmate, Henry Ware, had something to do with that, did he
+not?" asked Girty, not without a touch of sarcasm.
+
+"He did," replied Wyatt venomously, "and it's a good thing that he's now
+a prisoner at Detroit. He and those friends of his could be both the
+eyes and ears of Clark. It would have been better if Timmendiquas had
+let the Indians make an end to him. Only in that manner could we be sure
+that he would always be out of the way."
+
+"I guess you're right," said Girty.
+
+The prone figure in the bushes laughed silently, a laugh that did not
+cause the movement of a single muscle, but which nevertheless was full
+of heartfelt enjoyment. What would Wyatt and Girty have thought if they
+had known that the one of whom they were talking, whom they deemed a
+prisoner held securely at Detroit, was lying within ten feet of them, as
+free as air and with weapons of power?
+
+Henry had heard enough and he began to creep away, merely reversing the
+process by which he had come. It was a harder task than the first, but
+he achieved it deftly, and after thirty yards he rose to his feet,
+screening himself behind the trunk of an oak. He could still see the
+renegades, and the faint murmur of their voices yet reached him. That
+old temptation to rid the earth of one of these men who did so much harm
+came back to him, but knowing that he had other work to do he resisted
+it, and, passing in a wide circle about them, followed swiftly on the
+trail of Timmendiquas.
+
+He saw the Indian camp that night, pitched in a valley. Numerous fires
+were burning and discipline was relaxed somewhat, but so many warriors
+were about that there was no opportunity to come near. He did not wish,
+however, to make any further examination. Merely to satisfy himself that
+the army had made no further change in its course was enough. After
+lingering a half hour or so he turned to the north and traveled rapidly
+a long time, having now effected a complete circuit since he left his
+comrades. It was his purpose now to rejoin them, which he did not
+believe would prove a very difficult task. Shif'less Sol, the leader in
+his absence, was to come with the party down the bank of the Scioto,
+unless they found Indians in the way. Their speed would be that of the
+slowest of their number, Mr. Pennypacker, and he calculated that he
+would meet them in about three days.
+
+Bearing in toward the right he soon struck the banks of the Scioto and
+followed the stream northward all the next day. He saw several Indian
+canoes upon the river, but he was so completely hidden by the dense
+foliage on the bank that he was safe from observation. It was not a war
+party, the Indians were merely fishing. Some of the occupants of the
+boats were squaws. It was a pleasant and peaceful occupation, and for a
+few moments Henry envied them, but quickly dismissing such thoughts he
+proceeded northward again at the old running walk.
+
+On the afternoon of the second day Henry lay in the bushes and uttered
+their old signal, the cry of the wolf repeated with certain variations,
+and as unmistakable as are the telegrapher's dots and dashes of to-day.
+There was no answer. He had expected none. It was yet too soon,
+according to his calculations, but he would not risk their passing him
+through an unexpected burst of speed. All that afternoon and the next
+morning he repeated the signal at every half hour. Still the same
+silence. Nothing stirred in the great woods, but the leaves and bushes
+swaying before the wind. Several times he examined the Scioto, but he
+saw no more Indians.
+
+About noon of the third day when he uttered the signal an answer, very
+faint, came from a point far to the west. At first he was not sure of
+the variations, the sound had traveled such a great distance, but having
+gone in that direction a quarter of a mile, he repeated it. Then it
+came back, clear and unmistakable. Once more he read his book with
+ease. Shif'less Sol and the others were near by and they would await
+him. His pulse leaped with delight. He would be with these brave
+comrades again and he would bring them good news.
+
+He advanced another two or three hundred yards and repeated the cry. The
+answer instantly came from a point very near at hand. Then he pressed
+boldly through the bushes and Shif'less Sol walked forward to meet him
+followed by the others, all gaunt with travel, but strong and well.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE RIVER FIGHT
+
+
+Henry shook hands with them all in turn and they sat down under the
+shade of an oak. Mr. Pennypacker looked him over slowly and rather
+quizzically.
+
+"Henry," he said, "I scarcely realize that you were a pupil of mine.
+Here in the wilderness I see that you are the teacher and that I am a
+pretty poor and limping sort of pupil."
+
+"You can teach us all many and useful things," said Henry modestly.
+
+"What did you learn, Henry?" asked Paul.
+
+Henry told the tale in brief, concise words, and the others expressed
+pleasure at his news.
+
+"And so Clark is coming," said the schoolmaster thoughtfully. "It is
+wonderful what the energy and directing mind of one man can do. That
+name alone is enough to change the nature of a whole campaign. 'Tis
+lucky that we have this Caesar of the backwoods to defend us. What is
+your plan now, Henry?"
+
+Mr. Pennypacker, like the others, instinctively looked upon Henry as the
+leader.
+
+"We'll go straight to the Falls of the Ohio," replied Henry. "It will
+take us two or three weeks to get there, and we'll have to live mostly
+on our rifles, but that's where we're needed. Clark will want all the
+men he can get."
+
+"I am old," said the schoolmaster, "and it has not been my business
+hitherto to fight, but in this great crisis of Kentucky I shall try to
+do my part. I too shall offer my services to George Rogers Clark."
+
+"He'll be glad to get you," said Tom Ross.
+
+After the brief rest they began the long journey from what is now the
+middle part of the state of Ohio to the Falls of the Ohio and the new
+settlement of Louisville there. It was an arduous undertaking,
+particularly for the schoolmaster, as it led all the way through woods
+frequented by alert Indians, and, besides deep rivers there were
+innumerable creeks, which they could cross only by swimming. Bearing
+this in mind Henry's thoughts returned to the first boat which they had
+hidden in the bushes lining the banks of one of the Ohio's tributaries.
+As the whole country was now swarming with the warriors the passage down
+the Ohio would undoubtedly be more dangerous than the path through the
+woods, but the boat and the river would save a vast expenditure of
+strength. Henry laid the two plans before the others.
+
+"What do you say, Sol?" he asked.
+
+"I'm fur the boat an' the river," replied the shiftless one. "I'd rather
+be rowed by Jim Hart than walk five hundred miles."
+
+"And you, Paul?"
+
+"I say take to the boat. We may have to fight. We've held them off on
+the water before and I'm sure we can do it again."
+
+"And you, Tom?"
+
+"The boat."
+
+"And you, Jim?"
+
+"The boat, an' make Sol thar do his share uv the work."
+
+"What do you say, Mr. Pennypacker?"
+
+"I'm not a forester, and as all of you are for the boat, so am I."
+
+"That seems to make it unanimous, and in an hour we'll start for our
+hidden navy. It's at the edge of the next big river east of the Scioto
+and we ought to steer a pretty straight course for it."
+
+They traveled at a good pace. Mr. Pennypacker, while not a woodsman, was
+a good walker, and, despite his age, proved himself tough and enduring.
+They crossed Indian trails several times, but did not come into contact
+with any of the warriors. They swam three or four deep creeks, but in
+four days they came to the river not many miles above the place at which
+they had hidden the boat. Then they descended the stream and approached
+the point with some anxiety.
+
+"Suppose the boat isn't there," said Paul; "suppose the Indians have
+found it."
+
+"We ain't supposing'," said Shif'less Sol. "We're shore it's thar."
+
+They waded among the bushes growing at the water's edge and the
+shiftless one, who was in advance, uttered a suppressed cry of pleasure.
+
+"Here it is, jest ez we left it," he said.
+
+The boat had been untouched, but Henry knew all the time the chances
+were in favor of their finding it so. With the keenest delight, they
+pulled it out into the stream and looked it over. They had made of it a
+cache and they had left in it many valuable articles which they would
+need. Among these were four extra rifles, two fine fowling pieces, a
+large supply of powder and lead, axes and hatchets, and extra clothing
+and blankets. They had stocked the boat well on leaving Pittsburgh, and
+now it was like retaking a great treasure. Shif'less Sol climbed aboard
+and with a deep sigh of pleasure reclined against the side.
+
+"Now, Saplin'," he said, "I'll go to sleep while you row me down to
+Louisville."
+
+"We'll do most of our traveling by night," said Henry, "and as we'll
+have the current with us I don't think that you or Jim, Sol, will have
+to work yourselves to death."
+
+After their examination of the boat to see that everything was all
+right, they pulled it back into the bushes, not intending to start until
+the dark set in. There was a considerable supply of salted food, coffee
+and tea on board, but Henry and Sol killed two deer farther up the river
+bank which they quickly cleaned and dressed. They now thought themselves
+provisioned for the trip to the Falls of the Ohio, and they carried, in
+addition, fishing tackle which they could use at any time.
+
+They pulled clear of the bushes about 8 o'clock in the evening and rowed
+down the river. But as the stream was bank full and running fast, they
+did not have to make any great effort. Toward midnight when they reached
+some of the wider parts of the river they set the sail and went ahead at
+a swifter pace. Henry calculated that they could reach the Ohio slightly
+after dawn, but as the night was uncommonly clear, with the promise of a
+very brilliant day to follow, they furled their sails at least two hours
+before sunrise, and, finding another shallow cove, drew their boat into
+it among the bushes.
+
+"Now for a sleep," said Henry. "Tom and I will keep watch until noon and
+then Sol and Paul will take our places. At night we will start again."
+
+"And where does my watch come, pray?" asked Mr. Pennypacker.
+
+"We want you to help us to-night," replied Henry. "We'll need your
+knowledge of the sail and the oars."
+
+"Very well," replied the unsuspicious schoolmaster. "It is understood
+that I do extra work to-night, because I do not watch to-day."
+
+Henry, when he turned his face away, smiled a little. It was understood
+among them all that they were to spare the schoolmaster as much as
+possible, and to do so, they used various little devices. Theirs was a
+good roomy boat and those who were to sleep first disposed themselves
+comfortably, while Henry sat in the prow and Tom in the stern, both
+silent and apparently listless, but watching with eyes and ears alike.
+The dawn came, and, as they had foreseen, it was a bright, hot day. It
+was so close among the bushes that the sleepers stirred restlessly and
+beads of perspiration stood on the faces of the watchers. Not a breath
+of air stirred either in the woods or on the river. Henry was glad when
+it was their turn to sleep, and when he awoke, night had come with its
+cool shadows and a wind also that dispelled the breathless heat.
+
+Then they pulled out of the bushes and floated again with the stream,
+but they did not hoist their sail. The air after the close heat of the
+day was charged with electricity, and they looked for a storm. It came
+about 11 o'clock, chiefly as a display of thunder and lightning. The
+flashes of electricity dazzled them and continued without a break for
+almost an hour. The roar of the thunder was like the unbroken discharges
+of great batteries, but both wind and rain were light. Several times the
+lightning struck with a tremendous crash in the woods about them, but
+the boat glided on untouched. About midnight they came out into the
+flood of the Ohio, and, setting their sail, they steered down the center
+of the stream.
+
+All of them felt great relief, now that they were on the wide Ohio. On
+the narrower tributary they might have been fired upon from either
+shore, but the Ohio was a half mile and sometimes a full mile from bank
+to bank. As long as they kept in the middle of the stream they were
+practically safe from the bullets of ambushed Indians.
+
+They took turns at sleeping, but it was not necessary now to use the
+oars. The wind was still strong, and the sail carried them at great
+speed down the river. They felt safe and comfortable, but it was a wild
+and weird scene upon which they looked. The banks of the Ohio here were
+high and clothed in dense forest which, in the glare of the lightning,
+looked like gigantic black walls on either shore. The surface of the
+river itself was tinted under the blaze as if with fire, and often it
+ran in red waves before the wind. The darkness was intense, but the
+flashes of lightning were so vivid that they easily saw their way.
+
+"We're going back on our old path now, Paul," said Henry. "You remember
+how we came up the river with Adam Colfax, fought the fleet of
+Timmendiquas, and helped save the fort?"
+
+"I couldn't well forget it," replied Paul. "Why, I can see it all again,
+just as if it happened only yesterday, but I'm mighty glad that
+Timmendiquas is not here now with a fleet."
+
+"Will we tie up to the bank by day as we did on the other river?" asked
+Mr. Pennypacker.
+
+"Not on the Ohio," replied Henry. "As white immigrants are now coming
+down it, Indians infest both shores, so we'll keep straight ahead in the
+middle of the stream. We may be attacked there, but perhaps we can
+either whip or get away from anything that the Indians now have on the
+river."
+
+While they talked Shif'less Sol looked carefully to their armament. He
+saw that all the extra rifles and pistols were loaded and that they lay
+handy. But he had little to say and the others, after the plan had been
+arranged, were silent. The wind became irregular. Now and then gusts of
+it lashed the surface of the giant stream, but toward morning it settled
+into a fair breeze. The thunder and lightning ceased by that time, and
+there was promise of a good day.
+
+The promise was fulfilled and they floated peacefully on until
+afternoon. Then shots were fired at them from the northern bank, but the
+bullets spattered the water a full fifty yards short. Henry and Sol, who
+had the keenest eyes, could make out the outlines of Indians on the
+shore, but they were not troubled.
+
+"I'm sure it's just a small hunting party," said Henry, "and they can do
+us no harm. Their bullets can't reach us, and you can't run along the
+banks of a great river and keep up with a boat in the stream."
+
+"That's true," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I think I'll tell 'em so. I
+always like to hurt the feelin's of a bloodthirsty savage that's lookin'
+fur my scalp."
+
+He opened his mouth to its widest extent and gave utterance to a most
+extraordinary cry, the like of which had perhaps never before been heard
+in those woods. It rose in a series of curves and undulations. It had in
+it something of the howl of the wolf and also the human note. It was
+essentially challenging and contemptuous. Anybody who heard it was bound
+to take it as a personal insult, and it became most effective when it
+died away in a growling, spitting noise, like the defiance of an angry
+cat. Henry fairly jumped in his seat when he heard it.
+
+"Sol," he exclaimed, "what under the sun do you mean?"
+
+The mouth of the shiftless one opened again, but this time in a wide
+grin of delight.
+
+"I wuz jest tellin' them Injuns that I didn't like 'em," he replied. "Do
+you reckon they understood?"
+
+"I think they did," replied Henry with emphasis.
+
+"That bein' so, I'll tell 'em ag'in. Look out, here she comes!"
+
+Again the mouth of Shif'less Sol swung wide, and again he uttered that
+fearful yell of defiance, abuse, contempt and loathing, a yell so
+powerful that it came back in repeated echoes without any loss of
+character. The Indians on the bank, stung by it, uttered a fierce shout
+and fired another volley, but the bullets fell further short than ever.
+Shif'less Sol smiled in deep content.
+
+"See how I'm makin' 'em waste good ammunition," he said. "I learned that
+trick from Paul's tales o' them old Greeks an' Trojans. As fur ez I
+could make out when a Greek an' Trojan come out to fight one another,
+each feller would try to talk the other into throwin' his spear fust,
+an' afore he wuz close enough to take good aim. All them old heroes done
+a heap o' talkin' an' gen'ally they expected to get somethin' out o'
+it."
+
+"Undoubtedly the Greeks and Trojans had thrilling war cries," said Mr.
+Pennypacker, "but I doubt, Mr. Hyde, whether they ever had any as weird
+as yours."
+
+"Which shows that I'm jest a leetle ahead o' any o' them old fellers,"
+said Shif'less Sol in tones of deep satisfaction.
+
+The boat, moving swiftly before the wind, soon left the Indians on the
+northern bank far behind, and once more they were at peace with the
+wilderness. The river was now very beautiful. It had not yet taken on
+the muddy tint characteristic of its lower reaches, the high and sloping
+banks were covered with beautiful forest, and coming from north and
+south they saw the mouths of creeks and rivers pouring the waters of
+great regions into the vast main stream. Henry, as captain of the boat,
+regarded these mouths with a particularly wary and suspicious eye. Such
+as they formed the best ambush for Indian canoes watching to pounce upon
+the immigrant boats coming down the Ohio. Whenever he saw the entrance
+of a tributary he always had the boat steered in toward the opposite
+shore, while all except the steersman sat with their rifles across their
+knees until the dangerous locality was passed safely.
+
+They anchored a little after nightfall. The current was very gentle and
+fortunately their anchor would hold near the middle of the stream. Henry
+wished to give rest to a part of his crew and he knew also that in the
+night they would pass the mouth of the Licking, opposite the site of
+Cincinnati, a favorite place of ambush for the Indian boats. All the
+indications pointed to some dark hours ahead, and that was just the kind
+they needed for running such a gauntlet.
+
+This time it was he and Tom Ross who watched while the others slept, and
+some hours after dark they saw fitful lights on the northern shore,
+appearing and reappearing at three or four points. They believed them to
+be signals, but they could not read them.
+
+"Of course there are warriors in those woods," said Henry.
+"Timmendiquas, knowing that Clark has gathered or is gathering his
+forces at the Falls, will send his best scouts to watch him. They may
+have seen us, and they may be telling their friends on the south side of
+the river that we are here."
+
+"Mebbe so," said Tom Ross.
+
+Changing their plans they took up the anchor and the boat, driven by
+wind and current, moved on at good speed. Tom steered and Henry sat near
+him, watching both shores. The others, stowed here and there, slept
+soundly. The lights flickered on the northern shore for a few minutes,
+and then a curve of the stream shut them out. The night itself was
+bright, a full moon and many stars turning the whole broad surface of
+the river to silver, and making distinct any object that might appear
+upon it. Henry would have preferred a dark and cloudy night for the
+passage by the mouth of the Licking, but since they did not have it they
+must go on anyhow.
+
+They sailed quietly with the current for several hours, and the night
+showed no signs of darkening. Once Henry thought he saw a light on the
+southern shore, but it was gone so quickly that keen-eyed as he was he
+could not tell whether it was reality or merely fancy.
+
+"Did you see it, Tom?" he asked.
+
+"I did, or at least I thought I did."
+
+"Then, since we both saw it, it must have been reality, and it indicates
+to my mind that Indians are on the south as well as on the north bank.
+Maybe they have seen us here."
+
+"Mebbe."
+
+"Which renders it more likely that they may be on watch at the mouth of
+the Licking for anything that passes."
+
+"Mebbe."
+
+"According to my calculation we'll be there in another hour. What do you
+think?"
+
+"I say one hour, too."
+
+"And we'll let the boys sleep on until we see danger, if danger comes."
+
+"That's what I'd do," replied Tom, casting a glance at the sleeping
+figures.
+
+No word was spoken again for a long time, but, as they approached the
+dangerous mouth, Tom steered the boat further and further toward the
+northern bank. Both remembered the shores here from their passage up the
+Ohio, and Henry knew that the gap in the wall of trees on the south
+betokened the mouth of the Licking. Tom steadily bore in toward the
+northern bank until he was not more than thirty yards from the trees.
+The moon and the stars meanwhile, instead of favoring them, seemed to
+grow brighter. The river was a great moving sheet of silver, and the
+boat stood out upon it black and upright.
+
+Henry, with his eyes upon the black wall, saw two dots appear there and
+then two more, and he knew at once their full significance. The ambush
+had been laid, not for them in particular, but for any boat that might
+pass.
+
+"Tom," he said, "the Indian canoes are coming. Keep straight on down the
+river. I'll wake the others."
+
+The remaining four aroused, took their rifles and gazed at the black
+dots which had now increased from four to six, and which were taking the
+shape of long canoes with at least half a dozen paddlers in every one.
+Two of the canoes carried sails which indicated to Henry the presence of
+renegades.
+
+"In a fight at close quarters they'd be too strong for us," said Henry.
+"That force must include at least forty warriors, but we can run our
+boat against the northern shore and escape into the woods. Are you in
+favor of our doing that?"
+
+"No," they answered with one accord.
+
+Henry laughed.
+
+"I knew your answer before I asked the question," he said, "and as we
+are not going to escape into the woods we must prepare for a river race
+and a battle. I think we could leave them behind without much trouble,
+if it were not for those two boats with the sails."
+
+"Let 'em come," said Shif'less Sol. "We've got plenty of rifles an' we
+can hit at longer range than they can."
+
+"Still, it's our business to avoid a fight if possible," said Henry.
+"George Rogers Clark wants whole men to fight, not patients to nurse.
+Tom, you keep on steering and all the rest of us will take a hand at the
+oars."
+
+The boat shot forward under the new impetus, but behind them the six
+canoes, particularly the two on which sails had been fitted, were coming
+fast. The night was so bright that they could see the warriors painted
+and naked to the waist sending their paddles in great sweeps through the
+water. It was evident also that they had enough extra men to work in
+relays, which gave them a great advantage.
+
+"It's to be a long chase," said Henry, "but I'm thinking that they'll
+overtake us unless we interfere with them in some rude manner."
+
+"Meaning these?" said Shif'less Sol, patting one of the rifles.
+
+"Meaning those," said Henry; "and it's lucky that we're so well
+provided. Those boats are not led by ordinary warriors. See how they're
+using every advantage. They're spreading out exactly as Indian pursuers
+do on land, in order that some portion of their force may profit by any
+turn or twist of ours."
+
+It was so. The pursuing fleet was spreading out like a fan, two boats
+following near the northern shore, two near the southern and two in the
+center. Evidently they intended neglecting no precaution to secure what
+many of them must already have regarded as a certain prize. Mr.
+Pennypacker regarded them with dilated eyes.
+
+"A formidable force," he said, "and I judge by their actions that they
+will prove tenacious."
+
+"Shorely," said Shif'less Sol, as he tapped the rifle again, "but you
+must rec'lect, Mr. Pennypacker, that we've oncommon good rifles an' some
+o' us are oncommon good shots. It might prove better fur 'em ef they
+didn't come so fast. Henry, kin you make out any white faces in them two
+boats in the center?"
+
+"It's pretty far to tell color, but a figure in the right-hand boat,
+sitting close to the mast, looks to me mightily like that of Braxton
+Wyatt."
+
+"I had just formed the same notion. That's the reason I asked, an' ef I
+ain't mistook, Simon Girty's in the other boat. Oh, Henry, do you think
+I kin git a shot at him?"
+
+"I doubt it," replied Henry. "Girty is cunning and rarely exposes
+himself. There, they are firing, but it's too soon."
+
+Several shots were discharged from the leading boats, but they fell far
+short. Evidently they were intended as threats, but, besides Henry's
+comment, the pursued took no notice of them. Then the savages, for the
+first time, uttered their war cry, but the fugitives did not answer.
+
+"Ef they mean by that yell that they've got us," said Shif'less Sol,
+"then they might ez well yell ag'in."
+
+"Still, I think they're gaining upon us somewhat," said Henry, "and it
+may be necessary before long to give them a hint or two."
+
+Now it was his turn to tap the rifle significantly, and Henry with a
+calculating eye measured the distance between their own and the leading
+boat. He saw that the warriors were gaining. It was a slow gain, but in
+time it would bring them within easy rifle shot. The fleeing boat
+carried many supplies which weighed her down to a certain extent, but
+the pursuing boats carried nothing except the pursuers themselves. Henry
+raised his rifle a little and looked again at the distance.
+
+"A little too fur yet, Henry," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I think so, too," said Henry. "We'd best wait until we're absolutely
+sure."
+
+A cry broke from Paul.
+
+"Look ahead!" he cried. "We've enemies on both sides!"
+
+The alarming news was true. Two large boats loaded with warriors had
+shot out from the northern bank four or five hundred yards ahead, and
+were coming directly into the path of the fugitives. A yell full of
+malice and triumph burst from the savages in the pursuing canoes, and
+those in the canoes ahead answered it with equal malice and triumph. The
+fate of the fugitives seemed to be sealed, but the five had been in many
+a close place before, and no thought of despair entered their minds.
+Henry at once formed the plan and as usual they acted with swift
+decision and boldness. Tom was now steering and Henry cried to him:
+
+"Shelter yourself and go straight ahead. Lie low, the rest of you fire
+at those before us!"
+
+Their boat went swiftly on. The two ahead of them drew directly into
+their path, but veered a little to one side, when they saw with what
+speed the other boat was approaching. They also began to fire, but the
+six, sheltered well, heard the bullets patter upon the wooden sides and
+they bided their time. Henry, peeping over, marked the boat on the right
+and saw a face which he knew to be that of a white man. In an instant he
+recognized the renegade Quarles and rage rose within him. Without the
+aid of the renegades, more ruthless than the red men themselves, the
+Indians could never have accomplished so much on the border. He raised
+his rifle a little and now he cocked it. Shif'less Sol glanced up and
+saw the red fire in his eye.
+
+"What is it, Henry?" he asked.
+
+"The renegade Quarles is in the boat on the right. As we have to run a
+gauntlet here, and there will be some shooting, I mean that one of the
+renegades shall never trouble us any more."
+
+"I'm sorry it's not Girty or Wyatt," said the shiftless one, "but since
+it ain't either o' them it might ez well be Quarles. He might be missed,
+but he wouldn't be mourned."
+
+The boat, with Tom Ross steering, kept straight ahead with undiminished
+speed, the wind filling out the sail. The Indians in the two boats
+before them fired again, but the bullets as before thudded upon the
+wooden sides.
+
+But Henry, crouching now with his cocked rifle, saw his opportunity.
+Quarles, raising himself up in the canoe, had fired and he was just
+taking his rifle from his shoulder. Henry fired directly at the tanned
+forehead of this wicked man, who had so often shed the blood of his own
+people, and the bullet crashed through the brain. The renegade half
+rose, and then fell from the boat into the stream, which hid his body
+forever. A cry of rage and fear came from the Indians and the next
+moment four other marksmen, two from the right and two from the left,
+fired into the opposing canoes. The schoolmaster also fired, although he
+was not sure that he hit any foe; but it was a terrible volley
+nevertheless. The two Indian boats contained both dead and wounded.
+Paddles were dropped into the water and floated out of reach. Moreover,
+Tom Ross, when his cunning eye saw the confusion, steered his own boat
+in such a manner that it struck the canoe on the right a glancing blow,
+sidewiping it, as it were.
+
+Tom and his comrades were staggered by the impact, but their boat,
+uninjured, quickly righted itself and went on. The Indian canoe was
+smashed in and sank, leaving its living occupants struggling in the
+water, while the other canoe was compelled to turn and pick them up.
+
+"Well done, Mr. Ross!" called Mr. Pennypacker. "That was a happy
+thought. You struck them as the old Roman galleys with their beaks
+struck their antagonists, and you have swept them from our path."
+
+"That's true, Mr. Pennypacker," said Shif'less Sol, "but don't you go to
+stickin' your head up too much. Thar, didn't I tell you! Ef many more
+bullets like that come, you'd git a nice hair cut an' no charge."
+
+A bullet had clipped a gray lock from the top of the schoolmaster's
+head, but flattening himself on the bottom of the boat he did not give
+the Indians a second shot. Meanwhile Henry and the others were sending
+bullets into the crews of the boats behind them. They did not get a
+chance at Girty and Wyatt, who were evidently concealing themselves from
+these foes, whom they knew to be such deadly sharpshooters, but they
+were making havoc among the warriors. It was a fire so deadly that all
+the canoes stopped and let the boat pass out of range. The little band
+sent back their own shout, taunting and triumphant, and then, laying
+aside their rifles, they took up the oars again. They sped forward and
+as the night darkened the Indian canoes sank quickly out of sight.
+
+"I think we'll have the right of way now to the Falls," said Henry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE ROAD TO WAREVILLE
+
+
+Henry made no mistake when he predicted that they would have the right
+of way to the Falls. Days passed and the broad river bore them
+peacefully onward, the wind blowing into ripples its yellow surface
+which the sunshine turned into deep gold. The woods still formed a solid
+bank of dark green on either shore, and they knew that warriors might be
+lurking in them, but they kept to the middle of the current, and the
+Ohio was so wide that they were fairly safe from sharpshooters. In
+addition to the caution, habitual to borderers, they usually kept pretty
+well sheltered behind the stout sides of their boat.
+
+"Tain't no use takin' foolish risks," said Shif'less Sol wisely. "A
+bullet that you ain't lookin' fur will hurt jest ez bad ez one that
+you're expectin', an' the surprise gives a lot o' pain, too."
+
+Hence they always anchored at night, far out in the water, put out all
+lights, and never failed to keep watch. Several times they detected
+signs of their wary enemy. Once they saw flames twinkling on the
+northern shore, and twice they heard signal cries in the southern woods.
+But the warriors did not make any nearer demonstration, and they went
+on, content to leave alone when they were left alone.
+
+All were eager to see the new settlement at the Falls, of which reports
+had come to them through the woods, and they were particularly anxious
+to find it a tower of strength against the fresh Indian invasion. Their
+news concerning it was not yet definite, but they heard that the first
+blockhouse was built on an island. Hence every heart beat a little
+faster when they saw the low outline of a wooden island rising from the
+bosom of the Ohio.
+
+"According to all we've heard," said Henry, "that should be the place."
+
+"It shorely is," said Shif'less Sol, "an' besides I see smoke risin'
+among them trees."
+
+"Yes, and I see smoke rising on the southern shore also," said Henry.
+
+"Which may mean that they've made a second settlement, one on the
+mainland," said Paul.
+
+As they drew nearer Henry sent a long quavering cry, the halloo of the
+woodsman, across the waters, and an answering cry came from the edge of
+the island. Then a boat containing two white men, clad in deerskin, put
+out and approached the five cautiously. Henry and Paul stood up to show
+that they were white and friends, and the boat then came swiftly.
+
+"Who are you?" called one of the men.
+
+Henry replied, giving their identity briefly, and the man said:
+
+"My name is Charles Curd, and this is Henry Palmer. We live at
+Louisville and we are on the watch for friends and enemies alike. We're
+glad to know that you're the former."
+
+They escorted the five back to the island, and curious people came down
+to the beach to see the forest runners land. Henry and his comrades for
+their part were no less curious and soon they were inspecting this
+little settlement which for protection had been cast in a spot
+surrounded by the waters of the Ohio. They saw Corn Island, a low
+stretch of soil, somewhat sandy but originally covered with heavy
+forest, now partly cleared away. Yet the ax had left sycamores ten feet
+through and one hundred feet high.
+
+The whole area of the island was only forty-three acres, but it already
+contained several fields in which fine corn and pumpkins were raised. On
+a slight rise was built the blockhouse in the form of an Egyptian cross,
+the blockhouse proper forming the body of the cross, while the cabins of
+the settlers constituted the arms. In addition to the sycamores, great
+cottonwoods had grown here, but nearly all of them had been cut down,
+and then had been split into rails and boards. Back of the field and at
+the western edge of the river, was a magnificent growth of cane, rising
+to a height of more than twenty feet.
+
+This little settlement, destined to be one of the great cities of the
+West, had been founded by George Rogers Clark only two or three years
+before, and he had founded it in spite of himself. Starting from
+Redstone on the Monongahela with one hundred and fifty militia for the
+conquest of the Illinois country he had been accompanied by twenty
+pioneer families who absolutely refused to be turned back. Finding that
+they were bound to go with him Clark gave them his protection, but they
+stopped at Corn Island in the Ohio and there built their blockhouse. Now
+it was a most important frontier post, a stronghold against the Indians.
+
+Before they ate of the food offered to them Henry looked inquiringly at
+the smoke on the southern shore. Curd said with some pride:
+
+"We're growing here. We spread to the mainland in a year. Part of our
+people have moved over there, and some new ones have come from Virginia.
+On the island and the mainland together, we've now got pretty nearly two
+hundred people and we've named our town Louisville in honor of King
+Louis of France who is helping us in the East. We've got history, too,
+or rather it was made before we came here. An old chief, whom the
+whites called Tobacco, told George Rogers Clark that the Alligewi, which
+is their name for the Mound Builders, made their last stand here against
+the Shawnees, Miamis and other Indians who now roam in this region. A
+great battle occurred on an island at the Falls and the Mound Builders
+were exterminated. As for myself, I know nothing about it, but it's what
+Tobacco said."
+
+Paul's curiosity was aroused instantly and he made a mental note to
+investigate the story, when he found an opportunity, but he was never
+able to get any further than the Indian legend which most likely had a
+basis of truth. For the present, he and his comrades were content with
+the welcome which the people on Corn Island gave them, a welcome full of
+warmth and good cheer. Their hosts put before them water cooled in
+gourds, cakes of Indian meal, pies of pumpkin, all kinds of game, and
+beef and pork besides. While they ate and drank Henry, who as usual was
+spokesman, told what had occurred at Detroit, further details of the
+successful advance of the Indians and English under Bird, of which they
+had already heard, and the much greater but postponed scheme of
+destruction planned by Timmendiquas, de Peyster, Girty and their
+associates. Curd, Palmer and the others paled a little under their tan
+as they listened, but their courage came back swiftly.
+
+"At any rate," said Curd, "we've got a man to lead us against them, a
+man who strikes fast, sure and hard, George Rogers Clark, the hero of
+Vincennes and Kaskaskia, the greatest leader in all the West."
+
+"Why, is he here?" exclaimed Henry in surprise. "I thought he was
+farther East."
+
+"You'll see him inside of half an hour. He was at the other blockhouse
+on the southern shore, and we sent up a signal that strangers were here.
+There he comes now."
+
+A boat had put out from the southern bank. It contained three men, two
+of whom were rowing, while the third sat upright in a military fashion.
+All his body beneath his shoulders was hidden by the boat's sides, but
+his coat was of the Continental buff and blue, while a border cap of
+raccoon skin crowned his round head. Such incongruous attire detracted
+nothing from the man's dignity and presence. Henry saw that his face was
+open, his gaze direct, and that he was quite young. He was looking
+straight toward the five who had come with their new friends down to the
+river's edge, and, when he sprang lightly upon the sand, he gave them a
+military salute. They returned it in like manner, while they looked with
+intense curiosity at the famous leader of the border forces. Clark
+turned to Henry, whose figure and bearing indicated the chief.
+
+"You come from the North, from the depths of the Indian country, I take
+it," he said.
+
+"From the very heart of it," replied the youth. "I was a prisoner at
+Detroit, and my comrades were near by outside the walls. We have also
+seen Bird returning from his raid with his prisoners and we know that
+Timmendiquas, de Peyster, Girty, Caldwell, and the others are going to
+make a supreme effort to destroy every settlement west of the
+Alleghanies. A great force under Timmendiquas, Caldwell and Girty came
+part of the way but turned back, partly, I think, because of divisions
+among themselves and partly because they heard of your projected
+advance. But it will come again."
+
+The shoulders in the military coat seemed to stiffen and the eyes under
+the raccoon skin cap flashed.
+
+"I did want to go back to Virginia," said Clark, "but I'm glad that I'm
+here. Mr. Ware, young as you are, you've seen a lot of forest work, I
+take it, and so I ask you what is the best way to meet an attack?"
+
+"To attack first."
+
+"Good! good! That was my plan! Report spoke true! We'll strike first.
+We'll show these officers and chiefs that we're not the men to sit idly
+and wait for our foe. We'll go to meet him. Nay more, we'll find him in
+his home and destroy him. Doesn't that appeal to you, my lads?"
+
+"It does," said five voices, emphatic and all together, and then Henry
+added, speaking he knew for his comrades as well as himself:
+
+"Colonel Clark, we wish to volunteer for the campaign that we know you
+have planned. Besides the work that we have done here in the West, we
+have seen service in the East. We were at Wyoming when the terrible
+massacre occurred, and we were with General Sullivan when he destroyed
+the Iroquois power. But, sir, I wish to say that we do best in an
+independent capacity, as scouts, skirmishers, in fact as a sort of
+vanguard."
+
+Clark laughed and clapped a sinewy hand upon Henry's shoulder.
+
+"I see," he said. "You wish to go with me to war, but you wish at the
+same time to be your own masters. It might be an unreasonable request
+from some people, but, judging from what I see of you and what I have
+heard of you and your comrades, it is just the thing. You are to watch
+as well as fight for me. Were you not the eyes of the fleet that Adam
+Colfax brought up the Ohio?"
+
+Henry blushed and hesitated, but Clark exclaimed heartily:
+
+"Nay, do not be too modest, my lad! We are far apart here in the woods,
+but news spreads, nevertheless, and I remember sitting one afternoon and
+listening to an old friend, Major George Augustus Braithwaite, tell a
+tale of gallant deeds by river and forest, and how a fort and fleet were
+saved largely through the efforts of five forest runners, two of whom
+were yet boys. Major Braithwaite gave me detailed descriptions of the
+five, and they answer so exactly to the appearance of you and your
+comrades that I am convinced you are the same. Since you are so modest,
+I will tell you to your face that I'd rather have you five than fifty
+ordinary men. Now, young sir, blush again and make the most of it!"
+
+Henry did blush, and said that the Colonel gave them far too much
+credit, but at heart he, like the other four, felt a great swell of
+pride. Their deeds in behalf of the border were recognized by the great
+leader, and surely it was legitimate to feel that one had not toiled and
+fought in vain for one's people.
+
+A few minutes later they sat down with Clark and some of the others
+under the boughs of the big sycamore, and gave a detailed account of
+their adventures, including all that they had seen from the time they
+had left for New Orleans until the present moment.
+
+"A great tale! a great tale!" said Clark, meditatively, "and I wish to
+add, Mr. Ware, an illuminating one also. It throws light upon forest
+councils and forest plans. Besides your service in battle, you bring us
+news that shows us how to meet our enemy and nothing could be of greater
+value. Now, I wish to say to you that it will take us many weeks to
+collect the needful force, and that will give you two lads ample time,
+if you wish, to visit your home in Wareville, taking with you the worthy
+schoolmaster whom you have rescued so happily."
+
+Henry and Paul decided at once to accept the suggestion. Both felt the
+great pulses leap at mention of Wareville and home. They had not seen
+their people for nearly two years, although they had sent word several
+times that they were well. Now they felt an overwhelming desire to see
+once again their parents and the neat little village by the river,
+enclosed within its strong palisades. Yet they delayed a few days longer
+to attend to necessary preliminaries of the coming campaign. Among
+other things they went the following morning to see the overflow
+settlement on the south shore, now but a year old.
+
+This seed of a great city was yet faint and small. The previous winter
+had been a terrible one for the immigrants. The Ohio had been covered
+with thick ice from shore to shore. Most of their horses and cattle had
+frozen to death. Nevertheless they had no thought of going away, and
+there were many things to encourage the brave. They had a good harbor on
+the river at the mouth of a fine creek, that they named Beargrass, and
+back of them was a magnificent forest of gum, buckeye, cherry, sycamore,
+maple and giant poplars. It had been proved that the soil was extremely
+fertile, and they were too staunch to give up so fair a place. They also
+had a strong fort overlooking the river, and, with Clark among them,
+they were ready to defy any Indian force that might come.
+
+But the time passed quickly, and Henry and Paul and the schoolmaster
+were ready for the last stage of their journey, deciding, in order that
+they might save their strength, to risk once more the dangers of the
+water passage. They would go in a canoe until they came to the mouth of
+the river that flowed by Wareville and then row up the current of the
+latter until they reached home. Shif'less Sol, Jim and Tom were going to
+remain with Clark until their return. But these three gave them
+hand-clasps of steel when they departed.
+
+"Don't you get trapped by wanderin' Indians, Henry," said the shiftless
+one. "We couldn't get along very well without you fellers. Do most o'
+your rowin' at night an' lay by under overhangin' boughs in the day. You
+know more'n I do, Henry, but I'm so anxious about you I can't keep from
+givin' advice."
+
+"Don't any of you do too much talkin'," said Silent Tom. "Injuns hear
+pow'ful well, an' many a feller hez been caught in an ambush, an' hez
+lost his scalp jest 'cause he would go along sayin' idle words that told
+the Injuns whar he wuz, when he might hev walked away safe without thar
+ever knowin' he wuz within a thousand miles uv them."
+
+"An' be mighty particular about your cookin'," said Long Jim. "Many a
+good man hez fell sick an' died, jest 'cause his grub wuzn't fixed
+eggzackly right. An' when you light your fires fur ven'son an' buffalo
+steaks be shore thar ain't too much smoke. More than once smoke hez
+brought the savages down on people. Cookin' here in the woods is not
+cookin' only, it's also a delicate an' bee-yu-ti-ful art that saves
+men's lives when it's done right, by not leadin' Shawnees, Wyandots an'
+other ferocious warriors down upon 'em."
+
+Henry promised every one of the three to follow his advice religiously,
+and there was moisture in his and Paul's eyes when they caught the last
+view of them standing upon the bank and waving farewell. The next
+instant they were hidden by a curve of the shore, and then Henry said:
+
+"It's almost like losing one's right arm to leave those three behind. I
+don't feel complete without them."
+
+"Nor do I," said Paul. "I believe they were giving us all that advice
+partly to hide their emotion."
+
+"Undoubtedly they were," said Mr. Pennypacker in a judicial tone, "and I
+wish to add that I do not know three finer characters, somewhat
+eccentric perhaps, but with hearts in the right place, and with sound
+heads on strong shoulders. They are like some ancient classic figures of
+whom I have read, and they are fortunate, too, to live in the right time
+and right place for them."
+
+They made a safe passage over a stretch of the Ohio and then turned up
+the tributary river, rowing mostly, as Shif'less Sol had suggested, by
+night, and hiding their canoe and themselves by day. It was not
+difficult to find a covert as the banks along the smaller river were
+nearly always overhung by dense foliage, and often thick cane and
+bushes grew well into the water's edge. Here they would stop when the
+sun was brightest, and sometimes the heat was so great that not refuge
+from danger alone made them glad to lie by when the golden rays came
+vertically. Then they would make themselves as comfortable as possible
+in the boat and bearing Silent Tom's injunction in mind, talk in very
+low tones, if they talked at all. But oftenest two of them slept while
+the third watched.
+
+They had been three days upon the tributary when it was Henry who
+happened to be watching. Both Paul and the teacher slumbered very
+soundly. Paul lay at the stern of the boat and Mr. Pennypacker in the
+middle. Henry was in the prow, sitting at ease with his rifle across his
+knees. The boat was amid a tall growth of canes, the stalks and blades
+rising a full ten feet above their heads, and hiding them completely.
+Henry had been watching the surface of the river, but at last the action
+grew wholly mechanical. Had anything appeared there he would have seen
+it, but his thoughts were elsewhere. His whole life, since he had
+arrived, a boy of fifteen, in the Kentucky wilderness, was passing
+before him in a series of pictures, vivid and wonderful, standing out
+like reality itself. He was in a sort of twilight midway between the
+daylight and a dream, and it seemed to him once more that Providence had
+kept a special watch over his comrades and himself. How else could they
+have escaped so many dangers? How else could fortune have turned to
+their side, when the last chance seemed gone? No skill, even when it
+seemed almost superhuman, could have dragged them back from the pit of
+death. He felt with all the power of conviction that a great mission had
+been given to them, and that they had been spared again and again that
+they might complete it.
+
+While he yet watched and saw, he visited a misty world. The wind had
+risen and out of the dense foliage above him came its song upon the
+stalks and blades of the cane. A low note at first, it swelled into
+triumph, and it sounded clearly in his ear, bar on bar. He did not have
+the power to move, as he listened then to the hidden voice. His blood
+leaped and a deep sense of awe, and of the power of the unknown swept
+over him. But he was not afraid. Rather he shared in the triumph that
+was expressed so clearly in the mystic song.
+
+The note swelled, touched upon its highest note and then died slowly
+away in fall after fall, until it came in a soft echo and then the echo
+itself was still. Henry returned to the world of reality with every
+sense vivid and alert. He heard the wind blowing in the cane and nothing
+more. The surface of the river rippled lightly in the breeze, but
+neither friend nor enemy passed there. The stream was as lonely and
+desolate as if man had never come. He shook himself a little, but the
+spiritual exaltation, born of the song and the misty region that he had
+visited, remained.
+
+"A sign, a prophecy!" he murmured. His heart swelled. The new task would
+be achieved as the others had been. It did not matter whether he had
+heard or had dreamed. His confidence in the result was absolute. He sat
+a long time looking out upon the water, but never moving. Anyone
+observing him would have concluded after a while that he was no human
+being, merely an image. It would not have seemed possible that any
+living organism could have remained as still as a stone so many hours.
+
+When the sun showed that it was well past noon, Paul awoke. He glanced
+at Henry, who nodded. The nod meant that all was well. By and by Mr.
+Pennypacker, also, awoke and then Henry in his turn went to sleep so
+easily and readily that it seemed a mere matter of will. The
+schoolmaster glanced at him and whispered to Paul:
+
+"A great youth, Paul! Truly a great youth! It is far from old Greece to
+this forest of Kaintuckee, but he makes me think of the mighty heroes
+who are enshrined in the ancient legends and stories."
+
+"That thought has come to me, too," Paul whispered back. "I like to
+picture him as Hector, but Hector with a better fate. I don't think
+Henry was born for any untimely end."
+
+"No, that could not be," said the schoolmaster with conviction.
+
+Then they relapsed into silence and just about the time the first shadow
+betokened the coming twilight Paul heard a faint gurgling sound which he
+was sure was made by oars. He touched the schoolmaster and whispered to
+him to listen. Then he pulled Henry's shoulder slightly, and instantly
+the great youth sat up, wide awake.
+
+"Someone is near," whispered Paul. "Listen!"
+
+Henry bent his head close to the water and distinctly heard the swishing
+of paddles, coming in the direction that they had followed in the night.
+It was a deliberate sound and Henry inferred at once that those who
+approached were in no hurry and feared no enemy. Then he drew the second
+inference that it was Indians. White men would know that danger was
+always about them in these woods.
+
+"We have nothing to do but lie here and see them as they pass," he
+whispered to his companions. "We are really as safe among these dense
+canes as if we were a hundred miles away, provided we make no noise."
+
+There was no danger that any of them would make a noise. They lay so
+still that their boat never moved a hair and not even the wariest savage
+on the river would have thought that one of their most formidable
+enemies and two of his friends lay hidden in the canes so near.
+
+"Look!" whispered Henry. "There is Braxton Wyatt!"
+
+Henry and Paul were eager enough to see but the schoolmaster was
+perhaps the most eager of all. This was something new in his experience.
+He had heard much of Braxton Wyatt, the renegade, once a pupil of his,
+and he did not understand how one of white blood and training could turn
+aside to join the Indians, and to become a more ruthless enemy of his
+own people than the savages themselves. Yet there could be no doubt of
+its truth, and now that he saw Wyatt he understood. Evil passions make
+an evil face. Braxton Wyatt's jaw was now heavy and projecting, his eyes
+were dark and lowering, and his cheek bones seemed to have become high
+like those of the warriors with whom he lived. The good Mr. Pennypacker
+shuddered. He had lived long and he could read the hearts of men. He
+knew now that Braxton Wyatt, despite his youth, was lost beyond
+redemption to honor and truth. The schoolmaster shuddered again.
+
+The boat--a large one--contained besides Wyatt a white man, obviously a
+renegade, and six sturdy Shawnee warriors who were wielding the paddles.
+The warriors were quite naked, save for the breechcloth, and their broad
+shoulders and chests were painted with many hideous decorations. Their
+rifles lay beside them. Braxton Wyatt's manner showed that he was the
+leader and Henry had no doubt that this was a party of scouts come to
+spy upon Wareville. It was wholly likely that Braxton Wyatt, who knew
+the place so thoroughly, should undertake such an errand.
+
+Henry was right. Timmendiquas, de Peyster and Girty as leaders of the
+allied forces preparing for invasion in case Clark could not gather a
+sufficient force for attack, were neglecting no precaution. They had
+sent forth small parties to examine into the condition of every station
+in Kentucky. These parties were not to make any demonstration, lest the
+settlers be put on their guard, but, after obtaining their information,
+were to retire as silently as they had come. Braxton Wyatt had promptly
+secured command of the little force sent toward Wareville, taking with
+him as lieutenant a young renegade, a kindred spirit named Early.
+
+Strange emotions agitated Wyatt when he started. He had a desire to see
+once more the place where he had been a boy with other boys of his own
+white race, and where he might yet have been with his own kind, if a
+soul naturally turning to malice had not sent him off to the savages.
+Because he was now an outcast, although of his own making, he hated his
+earlier associates all the more. He sought somehow to blame them for it.
+They had never appreciated him enough. Had they put him forward and
+given him his due, he would not now be making war upon them. Foolish and
+blind, they must suffer the consequences of their own stupidity. When
+Wareville was taken, he might induce the Indians to spare a few, but
+there were certainly some who should not be spared. His brow was black
+and his thoughts were blacker. It may be that Henry read them, because
+his hand slid gently forward to the hammer of his rifle. But his will
+checked the hand before it could cock the weapon, and he shook his head
+impatiently.
+
+"Not now," he said in the softest of whispers, "but we must follow that
+boat. It is going toward Wareville and that is our way. Since we have
+seen him it is for us to deal with Wyatt before he can do more
+mischief."
+
+Paul nodded, and even the soul of the good schoolmaster stirred with
+warlike ardor. He was not a child of the forest. He knew little of
+ambush and the trail, but he was ready to spend his strength and blood
+for the good of his own people. So he too nodded, and then waited for
+their young leader to act.
+
+Braxton Wyatt passed on southward and up the stream of the river. There
+was no song among the leaves for him, but his heart was still full of
+cruel passions. He did not dream that a boat containing the one whom he
+hated most had lain in the cane within twenty yards of him. He was
+thinking instead of Wareville and of the way in which he would spy out
+every weak place there. He and Early had become great friends, and now
+he told his second much about the village.
+
+"Wareville is strong," he said, "and they have many excellent riflemen.
+We were repulsed there once, when we made an attack in force, and we
+must take it by surprise. Once we are inside the palisade everything
+will soon be over. I hope that we will catch Ware and his comrades there
+when we catch the others."
+
+"He seems hard to hold," said Early. "That escape of his from Detroit
+was a daring and skillful thing. I could hardly believe it when we heard
+of it at the Ohio. You're bound to admit that, Braxton."
+
+"I admit it readily enough," said Wyatt. "Oh, he's brave and cunning and
+strong. He would not be so much worth taking if he were not all those
+things!"
+
+Early glanced at the face of his leader.
+
+"You do dislike him, that's sure!" he said.
+
+"You make no mistake when you say so," replied Wyatt. "There are not
+many of us here in the woods, and somehow he and I seem to have been
+always in opposition in the last two or three years. I think, however,
+that a new campaign will end in overwhelming victory for us, and
+Kaintuckee will become a complete wilderness again."
+
+The stalwart Shawnees paddled on all that afternoon without stopping or
+complaining once. It was a brilliant day in early summer, all golden
+sunshine, but not too warm. The river flowed in curve after curve, and
+its surface was always illumined by the bright rays save where the
+unbroken forest hung in a green shadow over either edge. Scarlet
+tanagers darted like flashes of flame from tree to tree, and from low
+boughs a bird now and then poured forth a full measure of song. Braxton
+Wyatt had never looked upon a more peaceful wilderness, but before the
+sun began to set he was afflicted with a strange disquiet. An expert
+woodsman with an instinct for the sounds and stirrings of the forest, he
+began to have a belief that they were not alone on the river. He heard
+nothing and saw nothing, yet he felt in a vague, misty way that they
+were followed. He tried to put aside the thought as foolish, but it
+became so strong that at last he gave a signal to stop.
+
+"What is it?" asked Early, as the paddles ceased to sigh through the
+water.
+
+"I thought I heard something behind us," replied Wyatt, although he had
+heard nothing, "and you know we cannot afford to be seen here by any
+white scout or hunter."
+
+The Indians listened intently with their trained ears and then shook
+their heads. There was no sound behind them, save the soft flowing of
+the river, as it lapped against either bank.
+
+"I hear nothing," said Early.
+
+"Nor do I," admitted Wyatt, "yet I could have sworn a few minutes ago
+that we were being followed. Instinct is sometimes a good guide in the
+forest."
+
+"Then I suggest," said Early, "that we turn back for a few miles. We can
+float with the current close up to the bank under the overhanging
+boughs, and, if hunters or scouts are following us, they'll soon wish
+they were somewhere else."
+
+He laughed and Braxton Wyatt joined him in his savage mirth.
+
+"Your idea is a good one," said Wyatt, "and we may catch a mouse or two
+in our trap."
+
+He gave another signal and the Shawnees turned the boat about,
+permitting it to float back with the stream, but as Early had suggested,
+keeping it in the shadow. Despite his experience and the lack of proof
+that anyone else was near, Wyatt's heart began to beat fast. Suppose
+the game was really there, and it should prove to be of the kind that he
+wanted most to take! This would be indeed a triumph worth while, and he
+would neglect no precaution to achieve it. They had gone back about a
+mile now, and he signaled to the warriors to swing the boat yet a little
+closer to the bank. He still heard no sound, but the belief was once
+more strong upon him that the quarry was there. They drifted slowly and
+yet there was nothing. His eye alighted upon a great mass of bushes
+growing in the shallow water at the edge of the river. He told the
+paddlers to push the boat among them until it should be completely
+hidden and then he waited.
+
+But time passed and nothing came. The sun dropped lower. The yellow
+light on the water turned to red, and the forest flamed under the
+setting sun. A light breeze sprang up and the foliage rustled under its
+touch. Braxton Wyatt, from his covert among the bushes, watched with
+anger gnawing at his heart. He had been wrong or whoever it was that
+followed had been too wary. He was crafty and had laid his trap well,
+but others were crafty, too, and would turn from the door of an open
+trap.
+
+The sun sank further. The red in the west deepened but gray shadows were
+creeping over the east and the surface of the river began to darken.
+Nothing had come. Nothing was coming. Braxton Wyatt said reluctantly to
+himself that his instinct had been wrong. He gave the word to pull the
+boat from the canes, and to proceed up the stream again. He was annoyed.
+He had laid a useless trap and he had made himself look cheap before the
+Indians. So he said nothing for a long time, but allowed his anger to
+simmer. When it was fully dark they tied up the boat and camped on
+shore, in the bushes near the water.
+
+Wyatt was too cautious to permit a fire, and they ate cold food in the
+darkness. After a while, all slept but two of the Shawnees who kept
+watch. Wyatt's slumbers were uneasy. About midnight he awoke, and he was
+oppressed by the same presentiment that had made him turn back the boat.
+He heard nothing and saw nothing save his own men, but his instinct was
+at work once more, and it told him that his party was watched. He lay in
+dark woods in a vast wilderness, but he felt in every bone that near
+them was an alien presence.
+
+Wyatt raised himself upon his arm and looked at the two red sentinels.
+Not a muscle of either had stirred. They were so much carven bronze.
+Their rifles lay across their knees and they stared fixedly at the
+forest. But he knew that their eyes and ears were of the keenest and
+that but little could escape their attention. Yet they had not
+discovered the presence. He rose finally to his feet. The Indians heard
+the faint noise that he made and glanced at him. But he was their
+commander and they said nothing, resuming in an instant their watch of
+the forest.
+
+Wyatt did not take his rifle. Instead, he kept his hand on the hilt of a
+fine double-barreled pistol in his belt. After some hesitation he walked
+to the river and looked at the boat. It was still there, tied securely.
+No one had meddled with it. The moon was obscured and the surface of the
+river looked black. No object upon it could be seen far away. He
+listened attentively and heard nothing. But he could not rid himself of
+the belief that they had been followed, that even now a foe was near. He
+walked back to the little camp and looked at Early who was sleeping
+soundly. He was impatient with himself because he could not do likewise,
+and then, shrugging his shoulders, he went further into the forest.
+
+The trees grew closely where Wyatt stood and there were bushes
+everywhere. His concealment was good and he leaned against the trunk of
+a huge oak to listen. He could not see fifteen feet away, but he did not
+believe that any human being could pass near and escape his hearing. He
+stood thus in the darkness for a full ten minutes, and then he was quite
+sure that he did hear a sound as of a heavy body moving slightly. It was
+not instinct or prescience, the product of a vivid fancy, but a reality.
+He had been too long in the woods to mistake the fact. Something was
+stalking something else and undoubtedly the stalker was a man.
+
+What was the unknown stalking? Suddenly a cold sweat broke out on
+Braxton Wyatt's face. It was he who was being stalked and he was now
+beyond the sight of his own sentinels. He was, for the moment, alone in
+the midnight woods, and he was afraid. Braxton Wyatt was not naturally a
+coward, and he had been hardened in the school of forest warfare, but
+superstitious terrors assailed him now. He was sorry that he had left
+the camp. His curiosity had been too great. If he wished to explore the
+woods, why had he not brought some of the Indians with him?
+
+He called upon his courage, a courage that had seldom failed him, but it
+would not come now. He heard the stalker moving again in the bushes, not
+fifteen yards away, and the hand on the pistol belt became wet. He
+glanced up but there was no moon and clouds hid the sky. Only ear could
+tell when the danger was about to fall, and then it would be too late.
+
+He made a supreme effort, put his will in control of his paralyzed
+limbs, and wrenched himself away. He almost ran to the camp. Then
+bringing his pride to his aid he dropped to a walk, and stepped back
+into the circle of the camp. But he was barely able to restrain a cry of
+relief as the chill passed from his backbone. Angry and humiliated, he
+awakened four of the Shawnees and sent them into the woods in search of
+a foe. Early was aroused by the voices and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
+
+"What is it, Braxton?" he asked. "Are we about to be attacked?"
+
+"No," replied Wyatt, calming himself with a violent effort, "but I am
+convinced that there is someone in the bushes watching us. I know that I
+heard the noise of footsteps and I only hope that our Shawnees will run
+afoul of him."
+
+"If he's there they'll get him," said Early confidently.
+
+"I don't know," said Braxton Wyatt.
+
+The Indians came back presently, and one of them spoke to Wyatt, who
+went with them into the bushes. The moon had come out a little and, by
+its faint light, they showed him traces of footsteps. The imprints were
+ever so light, but experienced trailers could not doubt that human
+beings had passed. The renegade felt at the same time a certain relief
+and a certain alarm, relief to know that he had not been a mere prey to
+foolish fears, and alarm because they had been stalked by some spy so
+skillful and wary that they could not follow him. The Indians had
+endeavored to pursue the trail, but after a rod or so it was lost among
+the bushes.
+
+Wyatt, apprehensive lest his mission should fail, doubled the watch and
+then sought sleep. He did not find it for a long time, but toward
+morning he fell into a troubled slumber from which he was awakened by
+Early about an hour after the sun had appeared above the eastern forest.
+
+"We must be moving," said Early, "if we're going to spy out that
+Wareville of yours and tell our people how to get in."
+
+"You're right," said Wyatt, "but we must watch behind us now as well as
+before. It is certain that we are followed and I'm afraid that we're
+followed by an enemy most dangerous."
+
+Neglecting no precaution, he ordered a warrior to follow along the bank
+about two miles in the rear. An Indian in the deep brush could not be
+seen and the renegade's savage heart thrilled at the thought that after
+all he might be setting a trap into which his enemy would walk. Then his
+boat moved forward, more slowly now, and hugging the bank more closely
+than ever. Wyatt knew the way well. He had been several times along this
+river, a fine broad stream. He meant to leave the boat and take to the
+forest when within twenty miles of Wareville, but, before doing so, he
+hoped to achieve a victory which would console him for many defeats.
+
+The warrior left behind for purposes of ambush was to rejoin them at
+noon, but at the appointed hour he did not come. Nor did he come at one
+o'clock or at two. He never came, and after Wyatt had raged with
+disappointment and apprehension until the middle of the afternoon he
+sent back a second warrior to see what had become of him. The second
+warrior was the best trailer and scout in the band, a Shawnee with a
+great reputation among his fellows, but when the night arrived neither
+he nor the other warrior arrived with it. They waited long for both.
+Three of the Indians in a group went back, but they discovered no sign.
+They returned full of superstitious terror which quickly communicated
+itself to the others and Wyatt and Early, despite their white blood,
+felt it also.
+
+A most vigilant watch was kept that night. No fire was lighted and
+nobody slept. The renegade still hoped that the two missing warriors
+would return, but they did not do so. The other Indians began to believe
+that the evil spirit had taken them, and they were sorry that they had
+come upon such an errand. They wished to go back down the stream and
+beyond the Ohio. Near morning a warrior saw something moving in the
+bushes and fired at it. The shot was returned quick as a flash, and the
+warrior, who would fire no more, fell at the feet of the others and lay
+still. Wyatt and his men threw themselves upon their faces, and, after a
+long wait, searched the bushes, but found nothing.
+
+Now the Indians approached the point of rebellion. It was against the
+will of Manitou that they should prosper on their errand. The loss of
+three comrades was the gravest of warnings and they should turn back.
+But Wyatt rebuked them angrily. He did not mean to be beaten in such a
+way by an enemy who remained in hiding. The bullet had shown that it was
+an earthly foe, and, as far as Manitou was concerned, he always awarded
+the victory to courage, skill and luck. The Indians went forward
+reluctantly.
+
+The next night they tied up again by the wooded bank. Wyatt wanted two
+of the warriors to remain in the boat, but they refused absolutely to do
+so. Despite all that he could say their superstitious fears were strong
+upon them, and they meant to stay close to their comrades upon the solid
+earth. Dreading too severe a test of his authority the renegade
+consented, and all of them, except the guards, lay down among the bushes
+near the shore. It was a fine summer night, not very dark, and Wyatt did
+not believe a foe could come near them without being seen. He felt more
+confidence, but again he was sleepless. He closed his eyes and sought
+slumber by every device that he knew, but it would not come. At last he
+made a circuit with Early and two of the Indians in the forest about the
+camp, but saw and heard nothing. Returning, he lay down on his blanket
+and once more wooed sleep with shut eyes.
+
+Sleep still refused obstinately to come, and in ten minutes the renegade
+reopened his eyes. His glance wandered idly over the recumbent Indians
+who were sound asleep, and then to those who watched. It passed from
+them to the river and the black blur of the boat lying upon the water
+about twenty yards away. Then it passed on and after a while came back
+again to the boat.
+
+Braxton Wyatt knew that optical illusions were common, especially in the
+obscurity of night. One could look so long at a motionless object that
+it seemed to move. That was why the boat, tied securely to low boughs,
+did that curious trick of apparently gliding over the surface of the
+river. Wyatt laughed at himself. In the faint light, brain was superior
+to eye. He would not allow himself to be deceived, and the quality of
+mind that saved him from delusions gave him pride. He did not have a
+very good view of the boat from the point where he lay, but he saw
+enough of it to know that when he looked again it would be lying exactly
+where it had been all the time, despite that illusory trick of movement.
+So, to show the superiority of will over fancy, he kept his eyes shut a
+longer time than usual, and when he opened them once more he looked
+directly at the boat. Surely the shifting light was playing him new
+tricks. Apparently it was much farther out in the stream and was
+drifting with the current.
+
+Wyatt reproved himself as an unsteady fool. His nerves were shaken, and
+in order to restore his calmness he closed his eyes once more. But the
+eyes would not stay shut. Will was compelled to yield at last to impulse
+and the lids came apart. He was somewhat angry at himself. He did not
+wish to look at the boat again, and repeat those foolish illusions, but
+he did so nevertheless.
+
+Braxton Wyatt sprang to his feet with a cry of alarm and warning. It was
+no trick of fancy. He saw with eyes that did not lie a boat out in the
+middle of the stream and every moment going faster with the current. The
+power that propelled it was unseen, but Wyatt knew it to be there.
+
+"Fire! Fire!" he shouted to his men. "Somebody is carrying off our
+boat!"
+
+Rifles flashed and bullets made the water spout. Two struck the boat
+itself, but it moved on with increasing swiftness. Wyatt, Early and the
+Indians dashed to the water's edge, but a sharp crack came from the
+further shore, and Early fell forward directly into the river. Wyatt and
+the Indians shrank back into the bushes where they lay hidden. But the
+renegade, with a sort of frightened fascination, watched the water
+pulling at the body of his slain comrade, until it was carried away by
+the current and floated out of sight. The boat, meanwhile, moved on
+until it, too, passed a curve, and was lost from view.
+
+Wyatt recovered his courage and presence of mind, but he sought in vain
+to urge the Shawnees in pursuit. Superstition held them in a firm grasp.
+It was true that Early had been slain by a bullet, but a mystic power
+was taking the boat away. The hand of Manitou was against them and they
+would return to the country north of the Ohio. They started at once, and
+Wyatt, raging, was compelled to go with them, since he did not dare to
+go southward alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE SHADOWY FIGURE
+
+
+After Braxton Wyatt and the Indians had fled, their canoe proceeded
+steadily up the stream. Henry Ware, with his head only projecting, and
+sheltered fully by the boat, swam on. He heard neither shots nor the
+sound of men running through the bushes along the bank in pursuit. Nor
+did he expect to hear either. He had calculated well the power of hidden
+danger and superstition, and, confident of complete victory, he finally
+steered the boat toward the farther shore, bringing it under the
+overhanging boughs, about a mile from the point where Braxton Wyatt's
+canoe had been. As the prow struck the soft soil and he rose from the
+water, Paul came forward to meet him. Paul carried in his hands a rifle
+that he had just reloaded.
+
+"It was a success, Henry, more thorough even than we had hoped," Paul
+said.
+
+"Yes," replied Henry as he stood up, a dripping water god. "Fortune was
+surely good to us. I have not been pursued, and I know it is because the
+Indians did not dare to follow. They will certainly flee as fast as they
+can to their own country, and meanwhile we are the gainer by one fine
+big boat, which I think is not empty."
+
+"No, it is not," said Mr. Pennypacker, appearing from the bushes, "but I
+will never again enter into such another enterprise. It may suit young
+foresters like you two, but it is not for me, an old man and a
+schoolmaster."
+
+"Still, we have turned back a scouting party which might have carried
+dangerous information," said Henry, "and I propose that we now look and
+see what is in our new boat."
+
+The spoils were richer than they had expected. They found two extra
+rifles of good make, a large quantity of powder and bullets, some
+blankets and much food.
+
+"We can use all these things," said Henry, "and we'll go to Wareville in
+this big canoe, tying our own little one behind. When we get there we'll
+contribute the rifles and other things to the general store."
+
+"Where they may be welcome enough," said Mr. Pennypacker. "Well, you
+lads achieved this deed, while I filled the role of spectator and
+well-wisher. I am very glad, however, that you have secured this boat.
+It is a great improvement upon our own small one."
+
+The schoolmaster was a fine paddler, and he insisted that Henry and Paul
+rest, while he showed his skill. He was anxious, he said, to do his own
+part in the return, and this offered him the only chance. Henry and Paul
+acquiesced and he paddled stoutly on for a long time. But before morning
+he gave in, and the lads relieved him. Paul had slept for an hour or
+two, but Henry had remained wide awake.
+
+The river now flowed very slowly, and with but little opposition from
+the current, they were able to make good time. Both were full of eager
+anticipation. By the following night they ought to reach Wareville, the
+snug home of theirs that they had not seen in so long a time.
+
+"I wonder if they will know us," said Henry.
+
+"Not at first sight. Of that I am sure," replied Paul. "It seems to me,
+Henry, that you have grown at least six inches since we were last at
+Wareville."
+
+"You haven't been any sluggard yourself, Paul, so far as growth is
+concerned. They may or may not know us, but I feel quite certain that
+they won't believe everything we tell them, although every word will be
+gospel truth."
+
+"No, it's not likely, and yet sooner or later we can bring the
+witnesses. I suppose they'll find it hardest to believe about Wyoming. I
+wish myself that it wasn't true."
+
+Paul shuddered at the black memory.
+
+"But we've already struck back for it," said Henry. "It caused the
+destruction of the Iroquois power."
+
+Then both were silent. The schoolmaster, lying on a roll of the captured
+blankets, slept soundly. His breathing was steady and rhythmic, and the
+two youths glanced at him.
+
+"At any rate we're bringing him back," said Paul. "They'll be glad to
+see him at Wareville. I've no doubt they gave him up for dead long ago."
+
+The day came with a splendid sun shining on the green world. The spring
+had been very rainy, and the summer thus far had rejoiced in frequent
+showers. Hence no brown had yet appeared in the foliage, and the world
+looked fresh and young. Although they were now approaching Wareville the
+forest was unbroken, and no sound of civilization came to their ears.
+Henry told Paul, who was very tired, to go to sleep as he could paddle
+the boat alone. Paul lay down on the blankets beside the schoolmaster,
+and in a couple of minutes was off to slumberland.
+
+Henry paddled on. Before him was a long reach of the river almost
+without current and the prow cut the still water, leaving behind it a
+long trailing wake of liquid gold. Henry had never seen a finer sun.
+Beneath it forest and river were vivid and intense. Birds of many kinds
+chattered and sang in the boughs. Battle and danger seemed far away.
+Peace and beauty were to attend their coming home and he was glad. His
+strong arms swept the paddle through the water for a long time. The
+action was purely mechanical. His muscles were so thoroughly trained
+and hardened that he was not conscious of action. He was watching
+instead for the first sign of Wareville's presence, and a little before
+noon he saw it, a thin spire of smoke rising high, until it stopped like
+the point of a spearhead against the sky. He knew at once that it hung
+over Wareville, and his heart throbbed. He loved the great wilderness
+with an intensity that few men felt for their own acres, but he had been
+away a long time, a time, moreover, so crowded with events that it
+seemed far greater than reality.
+
+He did not yet awaken Paul and the schoolmaster, but, putting more power
+in his arms, he sent the boat on more swiftly. When he turned a point
+where a little peninsula, covered with forest, jutted into the river, he
+let the paddle swing idly for a minute or two and listened. A steady
+thudding sound, as regular as the beat of a drum, though slower, came to
+his ears. It was the woodsman's ax, and, for a moment, Henry flinched as
+if he himself lay beneath the blade. That ax was eating into his beloved
+forest, and a hundred more axes were doing the same. Then he recovered
+himself. The hundred axes might eat on, the hundred might become a
+thousand, and the thousand ten thousand, but they could eat only the
+edge of his wilderness which stretched away thousands of miles in every
+direction. The trees, and with them the deer and the bear, would be
+there long beyond his time, though he might live to be a hundred, and
+beyond that of the generation after. He took comfort in the thought, and
+once more felt deep content.
+
+It was not solely as a hunter and scout that Henry loved the wilderness.
+Forest and river and lake touched far deeper springs in his nature. They
+were for him full of beauty and majesty. Green forest in spring and red
+forest in autumn alike appealed to him. Brooks, rivers and lakes were
+alive. When duty did not call he could sit perfectly motionless for
+hours, happy to see the wilderness and to feel that it was all about
+him.
+
+He swung the paddle again, and the boat moved leisurely forward. The
+ring of the ax grew louder, and he heard others to the right and to the
+left. Presently something struck with a crash and, in spite of all his
+reasoning with himself, Henry sighed. A great tree cut through by the ax
+had fallen. Many others had gone in the same way, and many more would
+follow. The spire of smoke was attended now by smaller spires and
+Wareville could not be more than three miles away. He awakened Paul and
+the schoolmaster.
+
+"We shall be at home in less than an hour," he said. "Listen to the
+axes!"
+
+Paul glanced quickly at him. His fine and sensitive mind understood at
+once the inflection in Henry's voice, and he sympathized.
+
+"But they are our own people," he said, "and they are making homes which
+we must help to defend."
+
+"A stronghold in the wilderness, where man, woman and child may be safe
+from wild beast and savage," said the schoolmaster oracularly. "Ah,
+boys--boys! how much do I owe you! Truly I thought I should never see
+this comfortable little village again, and here I am, sound and whole,
+returning in triumph upon a captured vessel."
+
+They saw at the right a cleared field, in which the young corn was
+growing amid the stumps, and on the left was the sheen of wheat also
+amid the stumps. Mr. Pennypacker rubbed his hands delightedly, but Henry
+was silent. Yet the feeling was brief with the youth. Thoughts of his
+people quickly crowded it out, and he swung the paddle more swiftly. The
+other two, who were now helping him, did likewise, and the boat doubled
+its pace. Through the thinned forest appeared the brown walls of a
+palisade, and Henry, putting a hand in the shape of a trumpet to his
+lips, uttered a long, mellow cry that the forest gave back in many
+echoes. Faces appeared on the palisade and three or four men, rifle on
+shoulder, approached the bank of the river. They did not know either
+Henry or Paul, but one of them exclaimed:
+
+"Ef that ain't Mr. Pennypacker riz right up from the dead then I'm a
+ghost myself!"
+
+"It is Mr. Pennypacker," said the schoolmaster joyfully, "and I'm no
+more of a ghost than you are. I've come back from captivity, bringing
+with me two of those who saved me, young citizens of this village, Henry
+Ware and Paul Cotter."
+
+They turned the head of the boat to the bank and the whole population
+poured forth to meet them. Henry and Paul were greeted half with
+laughter and half with tears by their parents--border stoicism was
+compelled to melt away at this moment--and then they blushed at the
+words that were said about them. Their stature and strength attracted
+the attention of everybody. The borderers could not fail to note the
+ease and grace of their movements, the lightness with which they walked,
+and the dexterity with which they pulled the big boat upon the bank. It
+was evident that these two youths were far above the average of their
+kind, that naturally of a high quality they had been trained in a school
+that brought forth every merit. Henry towered above his own father, who
+no longer looked upon him as one to whom he should give tasks and
+reproofs. And the admiration with which they were regarded increased
+when the schoolmaster told how he had been rescued by them and their
+comrades.
+
+Henry sat that night in his father's house, and told long and true tales
+of their great wanderings and of danger and escape on land and water. He
+and Paul had eaten hugely, there was no escape, and he felt that he must
+sit quiet for a while. He was loth to talk of himself, but there was no
+escape from that either, and his story was so vivid, so full that it
+fairly told itself. As he spoke of the great journey and its myriad
+events between New Orleans and the Great Lakes, the crowd in the big
+room thickened. No one was willing to lose a word of the magic tale, and
+it was past midnight when he lay down on the blankets and sought sleep.
+
+The next day and the next were passed in further welcome, but when Henry
+sought the blankets the third night he became conscious that the first
+flush of the return was over. The weather had turned very hot--it was
+now July--and the walls and ceiling of the room seemed to press upon him
+and suffocate him. He drew deep and long breaths, but there was not air
+enough to fill a chest that had long been used to the illimitable
+outside. It was very still in the room. He longed to hear the boughs of
+trees waving over him. He felt that only such a sound or the trickle of
+running water could soothe him to sleep. Yet he would make another
+effort. He closed his eyes and for a half hour lay motionless. Then,
+angry, he opened them again, as wide awake as ever. He listened, but he
+could hear no sound in either the house or the village.
+
+Henry Ware rose to his feet, slipped on his clothing, and went to the
+window. He looked forth upon a sleeping village. The houses, built of
+solid logs, stood in ordered rows, gray and silent. Nothing stirred
+anywhere. He took his rifle from the hooks, and leaped lightly out of
+the window. Then he slipped cautiously among the houses, scaled the
+palisade and darted into the forest.
+
+He lay down by the side of a cold spring about a mile from the village.
+The bank of turf was soft and cool, and the little stream ran over the
+pebbles with a faint sighing sound. The thick leaves that hung overhead
+rustled beneath the south wind, and played a pleasant tune. Henry felt
+a great throb of joy. His chest expanded and the blood leaped in every
+vein. He threw himself down upon the bank and grasped the turf with both
+hands. It seemed to him that like Antaeus of old he felt strength flowing
+back into his body through every finger tip. He could breathe here
+easily and naturally. What a wonderful thing the forest was! How its
+beauty shone in the moonlight! The trees silvered with mist stood in
+long rows, and the friendly boughs and leaves, moving before the wind,
+never ceased to sing their friendly song to him.
+
+Deep peace came over him. Lying on his side and soothed by the forest
+and flowing water his eyelids drooped of their own accord. Presently he
+slept, breathing deeply and regularly, and drawing the fresh air into
+his veins. But he awoke before daylight and reentered the village and
+his father's house without being seen by anyone. To the questions of his
+parents he said that he had slept well, and he ate his breakfast with an
+appetite that he had not known since he came within the palisade.
+
+The news that Henry and Paul had brought of the great invasion
+threatened by an allied Indian and British force disturbed Wareville.
+Yet the settlers felt much safer when they learned that the redoubtable
+George Rogers Clark intended a counterstroke. More than twenty of the
+most stalwart colonists volunteered to go to Louisville and join Clark
+for the blow. Henry told his father that he and Paul would return with
+them.
+
+"I suppose it is your nature," said Mr. Ware, "but do you not think,
+Henry, that you have already suffered enough hardship and danger for the
+sake of the border?"
+
+"No, Father, I do not," replied Henry. "Not as long as hardship and
+danger are to be suffered. And I know, too, that it is my nature. I
+shall live all my life in the forest."
+
+Mr. Ware said nothing more. He knew that words were useless. That
+question had been threshed out between them long ago. But he gave him an
+affectionate farewell, and, a week after their arrival in Wareville,
+Henry and Paul departed again for the North, the whole population of
+Wareville waving them good-by as they embarked upon the river.
+
+But the two youths were far from being alone. A score of strong men,
+mostly young, were with them in four boats, and they carried an ample
+supply of arms and ammunition. Mr. Pennypacker wanted to go back with
+them, but he was dissuaded from undertaking the task.
+
+"Perhaps it is best that I stay in Wareville," he said regretfully. "I
+am really a man of peace and not of war, although war has looked for me
+more than once."
+
+Their boats now had oars instead of paddles, and with the current in
+their favor they moved rapidly toward the north. They also had a
+favoring breeze behind them and Henry and Paul, who were in the first
+boat, felt their hearts swell with the prospect of action. They were so
+habituated now to an eventful life that a week of rest seemed a long
+time to them. Already they were pining to be with George Rogers Clark on
+the great expedition.
+
+"How many men do you think Colonel Clark will be able to gather?" asked
+Ethan Burke, one of the stoutest of the Wareville contingent.
+
+"I don't know, but his name is something to conjure with," replied
+Henry. "He ought to get together six or seven hundred at least, and that
+many men, experienced in the woods, will make a formidable force."
+
+They rowed down the river for three or four days, stopping at intervals
+to beat up the woods for marauding Indian bands. They found no traces of
+an enemy. Henry surmised that the experience of Braxton Wyatt's party
+had been a warning, and that possibly also the chiefs had learned of
+Clark's plan. The news that he was coming would alone suffice to put an
+end for the time to the Indian raids.
+
+The voyage continued in unbroken peace until they entered the Ohio. Here
+they were assailed by a summer storm of great severity and one of the
+boats, struck by lightning, narrowly escaped sinking. A rower was
+knocked senseless, but nobody was seriously injured, and by great
+efforts, they got the boat into condition to resume the journey.
+
+The little fleet came to the Falls, and turned in to the southern shore,
+where the main settlement of Louisville now stood. Several spires of
+smoke rose, and they knew that no Indian disaster had befallen. As they
+drew nearer they saw many boats along the bank, far more than the
+inhabitants of a little village could use.
+
+"A big force has gathered already," said Henry. "Ah, see there!"
+
+A boat shot out from the mass and came rapidly toward them.
+
+"Don't you know them?" said Henry to Paul.
+
+"My eyes may be dim from old age," replied Paul, "and perhaps I only
+guess, but I should say that the one nearest us is a shiftless character
+whom I used to know in my youth, a man who, despite his general
+worthlessness and incapacity, had a certain humorous and attractive
+quality of mind that endeared him to his friends."
+
+"I am of the opinion that you are right," said Henry, looking under his
+hand, "and the second, I think, is a voluble person named Thomas Ross,
+who has talked a wide circle of acquaintances nearly to death."
+
+"Even so, and the third is a long thin fellow, one James Hart, noted for
+his aversion to the delicacies of the table and his dismissal of cookery
+as a triviality unworthy of the consideration of a serious man. Am I
+right, Mr. Ware?"
+
+"You are right, Mr. Cotter. Hey you, Sol, how have you been?"
+
+His voice rose in a mellow peal across the waters, and three shouts
+simultaneous and joyous came back.
+
+"Hey, Henry!" cried Shif'less Sol in a voice that could have been heard
+a mile. "We're mighty glad to see you, an' we're mighty glad that you've
+brought such good company with you."
+
+In a few more moments their boat was alongside and there was a mighty
+shaking of hands. The three knew all the Wareville men and Shif'less Sol
+said the reenforcement would be very welcome.
+
+"But we've got an army already," he said. "You just come and see it."
+
+As they tied their boats to the bank Henry noticed many tents along the
+sloping shore. One larger than the rest was surmounted by the new flag
+of the United States.
+
+"That's Colonel Clark's tent," said Shif'less Sol, noticing the
+direction of his eyes, "but the Colonel won't sleep in a tent many more
+nights. We start soon up the Ohio and all these are to be left behind."
+
+Henry was received that very day in the Colonel's tent. Clark, apt to
+grow sluggish and careless in idleness, was now all energy and keenness.
+The confidence of the borderer in him was not misplaced. Henry left his
+comrades behind when he was summoned to the Colonel's presence, but when
+he entered the big tent he saw others there whom he knew. A tall man,
+much bronzed by weather, blue of eyes and gentle of manner, greeted him
+warmly.
+
+"It's pleasant to see you again, young Mr. Ware," he said, "an' it's
+still more pleasant to know that we're to serve together under Colonel
+Clark."
+
+Daniel Boone, as gentle of speech as a woman, held out his hand and
+Henry fairly blushed with pride as he grasped it. Another man, darkened
+by weather like Boone, was Abe Thomas, also a celebrated scout, and
+there were yet others whose names were household words all along the
+border.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Ware, sit down," said Colonel Clark genially. "We're to
+hold a council of war, and we felt that it would not be complete without
+you."
+
+Henry experienced another throb of gratified pride, but as he was much
+the youngest present he spoke only when he was addressed directly. The
+debate was long and earnest. Colonel Clark had assembled between six and
+seven hundred good men, and he intended to go with this force up the
+Ohio to the mouth of the Licking. There they would be joined by another
+force under Colonel Benjamin Logan coming down the Licking. The united
+army after camping on the north shore of the Ohio, on the site of the
+present city of Cincinnati, would march straight for the Indian country.
+Boone, Henry Ware and other accomplished scouts would go ahead and guard
+against ambush. It was dark when the council ended, and when they
+prepared to leave, Clark said in his most sanguine tones:
+
+"If we do not strike a blow that will pay back Bird's and with interest
+then I'm not fit to lead. Our Indian friends will find that though they
+may destroy a village or two of ours their own villages will have to pay
+for it. And this great invasion that they've been planning will have to
+wait for another time."
+
+"We'll strike, and you're the man to lead us," said the others.
+
+It was night now and they stepped forth into the darkness. Henry passed
+among the tents toward the edge of the woods where his comrades were
+camped, and he saw a tall figure moving in the shadow of the trees. He
+would not have looked twice at the figure had not something familiar
+about it attracted his attention. It was the height, the breadth of the
+shoulders, and a certain haughty poise of the head that struck him all
+at once with the intensity of conviction. His friends had left him,
+going their respective ways, but Henry immediately darted toward the
+shadow.
+
+The tall and dusky figure melted away immediately among the trees, but
+the young forest runner pursued at his utmost speed. He did not doubt.
+It was no figment of fancy. It was the great chief himself spying with
+incredible daring upon his enemies. If he were permitted to escape, the
+advance of Clark would be surrounded with numberless dangers. The
+fertile brain and the invincible spirit of the great Wyandot would plant
+an ambush at every turn. The thought made Henry increase his speed.
+
+The figure flitted away among the oaks and beeches. Henry might have
+called for help earlier, but he was now too far away for anyone to hear,
+and, confident in his own strength and skill, he pressed on. The shadow
+was running eastward, and the way grew rough. Yet he did not lose sight
+of it flitting there among the trees. There was no swifter runner than
+he, but the distance between them did not decrease. It seemed to him
+that it remained always the same.
+
+"Stop or I shoot," he cried.
+
+The shadow did not stop and, raising his rifle, he fired. The figure
+never wavered for an instant, but continued its rapid and even flight,
+until it reached the crest of a little hill. There it suddenly turned
+about, leveled a rifle and fired in its turn. The bullet burned Henry's
+cheek and for a moment he hesitated, but only for a moment. Reloading
+his own rifle he continued the pursuit, the figure running steadily
+eastward, the gap between them remaining the same.
+
+The fugitive reached Beargrass Creek, darted swiftly through the water,
+climbed the opposite bank and was again among the trees. Henry crossed
+also and hung on with tenacity. He knew that Timmendiquas had probably
+reloaded also, but in the excitement and rush of the moment, he did not
+think of another return bullet. When he did recall the fact, as the
+chase lengthened, he felt sure that the chief would not stop to fight at
+close quarters. He could not afford to risk his life in an encounter
+with a single person, when he was the very keystone of the great Indian
+campaign.
+
+The chase still led northward through the deep woods that ran down to
+the shore of the Ohio. Strive as he would Henry could not gain. He did
+not forget that Timmendiquas had twice saved his life, but he in return
+had spared that of Timmendiquas, and now greater things were at stake
+than the feeling that one brave soul has for another. The light grew
+worse in the shadow of the giant trees and only at times could he see
+the flitting figure distinctly. At last was he able to secure what he
+considered a good aim, and he pulled the trigger a second time.
+
+Henry was an unerring marksman, perhaps the finest on all the border.
+The target at that moment was good, a shaft of clear moonlight falling
+directly upon the broad chest, and yet the bullet clipped a bush three
+feet away. Henry was conscious that, at the supreme instant when his
+finger pressed the trigger, he had been shaken by a sudden emotion. The
+muzzle of the rifle which bore directly upon the body of the chief had
+shifted just a little, and he was not surprised when the bullet went
+wide.
+
+Timmendiquas stopped, raised his own rifle, but fired straight up into
+the air. Then uttering a long whoop which the night gave back in clear
+echoes, he rushed directly to the river, and sprang far out into the
+dark waters. Henry was too astonished to move for a few moments. Then
+he, too, ran to the bank. He saw far out a dark head moving swiftly
+toward the northern shore. He might have reloaded, and even yet he might
+have taken a third shot with tolerable accuracy, but he made no effort
+to do so. He stood there, silent and motionless, watching the black head
+grow smaller and smaller until at last it was lost in the darkness that
+hung over the northern bank. But though hidden now he knew that the
+great chief had reached the far shore. In fancy he could see him as he
+walked into the woods, the glistening drops falling from his tall
+figure. Timmendiquas and he must fight on opposing sides, but real
+enemies they could never be. He felt that they were sure to meet again
+in conflict, and this would be the great decisive struggle. Timmendiquas
+himself knew that it was so, or he would not have come to look with his
+own eyes upon the force of Clark.
+
+Henry walked slowly back toward the little settlement. He waded the
+waters of Beargrass Creek, and soon saw the log cabins again. He and his
+comrades, when the ground was not wet, slept in neither a cabin nor a
+tent, but spread their blankets on the turf under a mighty beech. The
+four were already waiting for him there, and, in the darkness, they did
+not notice any unusual expression on Henry's face. He sat down beside
+them and said quietly:
+
+"I have just seen Timmendiquas."
+
+"What!" exclaimed four voices together.
+
+"I have just seen Timmendiquas. Moreover, I fired twice at him and he
+fired once at me. All three bullets missed."
+
+Then Shif'less Sol, experienced and wise, raised himself up on his
+blanket, looked at Henry, and said in a tone of conviction:
+
+"Henry Ware, you an' Timmendiquas together might miss with one bullet,
+but miss with three is impossible. I believe that you've seen him ez you
+say so, but I don't believe that you two missed three times."
+
+"We fired three times, as I said, and I should add that Timmendiquas
+fired a fourth time also, but he must have been aiming at a star, as he
+pointed his rifle straight upward."
+
+"Ah!" said four voices together again, but now the four understood.
+
+"I think," said Henry, "that he came to see for himself what Colonel
+Clark is doing. Now he is gone with the facts. I came here merely to
+tell you first, and I leave at once to tell the Colonel next."
+
+He found Colonel Clark still in the council tent, but alone and poring
+over a rude map. A burning wick in a basin of tallow scarcely dispelled
+the darkness, but Henry could see that the commander's face was knit and
+anxious. He turned expectantly to the youth.
+
+"You have some news of importance or you would not come back at this
+hour," he said.
+
+"I have," replied Henry. "When I left this tent I passed through the
+edge of the woods and I saw a figure there. It was that of an Indian, a
+chief whom I have seen before. It was Timmendiquas, the great Wyandot,
+the bravest, wisest and most daring of all the Western chiefs. I pursued
+him, fired at him, but missed. It was evidently not his object to fight
+anyone here. He sprang into the Ohio, swam to the northern shore, and no
+doubt is now on his way to his own people."
+
+Colonel Clark gazed thoughtfully at the flickering candle and did not
+speak for a long time.
+
+"I am glad you saw him," he said finally. "We know now that the allied
+tribes will be on their guard. They may meet us in force many days
+before we reach the Indian towns. Timmendiquas is a born leader,
+energetic and wary. Well, well hasten our own departure, and try to
+strike before they're ready. What do you say to that, my lad?"
+
+"My opinion is worth little, but I would say that we ought to strike as
+soon as we can."
+
+"I don't think a man among us will take any other view. We can leave
+with seven hundred men now, and we'll meet Logan with three hundred more
+at the mouth of the Licking. Then we shall have the largest white force
+ever gathered in the West, and it will be strange if we do not pay some
+of the debt we owe to the Indians and their allies. I wish, Mr. Ware,
+that you and your friends would march with Boone on the southern bank of
+the river. It is only a wish, however, as I have agreed that you should
+choose your own method of helping us."
+
+"It is just what we should wish most to do," said Henry, "and we shall
+be with Mr. Boone when he crosses to the other side."
+
+Henry walked back to the big beech and found his comrades yet wide awake
+and glad to hear that they would march in thirty-six hours.
+
+"We'll be back in the thick of it," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I'm
+thinkin', Henry, that we'll have all we kin do."
+
+"No doubt," said Henry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+A HERALD BY WATER
+
+
+The start from Louisville was made and the great expedition began among
+the cheers of the women and children of the little place and from the
+men who were left behind. Most of the army were in boats which also
+carried great quantities of arms, ammunition and food. All of the little
+settlements buried in the deep woods of Kentucky, though exposed at any
+time to sudden and terrible raids, had sent volunteers. They took the
+risk nevertheless, and dispatched their best to the redoubtable hero,
+George Rogers Clark. Few people have ever given more supreme examples of
+dauntless courage and self-sacrifice than these borderers. Tiny outposts
+only, they never failed to respond to the cry for help. There was
+scarcely a family which did not lose someone under the Indian tomahawk,
+but their courage never faltered, though for nearly twenty years no man
+was safe a single hour from savage ambush. They stood fast and endured
+everything.
+
+Henry, Paul and their comrades were not in the boats, but were with
+Daniel Boone who led a party of the best scouts on the southern shore.
+It was not only their business to find their enemy if he should be
+there, but to clear him out, unless he were in too great force, and it
+was a task that required supreme skill and caution. Throughout its whole
+course dense forests grew along the Ohio, and an ambush might be planted
+anywhere. The foliage was still thick and heavy on the trees, as it was
+not yet August, and one seldom saw more than a hundred yards ahead.
+
+The boats, keeping near the southern shore where their flank was
+protected by Boone's scouts, started, the sunlight streaming down upon
+them and the water flashing from their oars. The scouts had already gone
+on ahead, and the five were among the foremost. In a few minutes the
+last sign of the new settlement disappeared and they were in the
+wilderness. At Boone's orders the scouts formed in small bodies,
+covering at least two miles from the river. The five formed one of these
+little groups, and they began their work with zeal and skill. No enemy
+in the underbrush could have escaped their notice, but the whole day
+passed without a sign of a foe. When night came on they saw the boats
+draw into a cove on the southern bank, and, after a conference with
+Boone, they spread their blankets again under the trees, the watch not
+falling to their share until the following night. Having eaten from the
+food which they carried in knapsacks they looked contentedly at the
+river.
+
+"Well, this will be twice that we have gone up the Ohio, once on the
+water, and once on the shore," said Paul. "But as before we have
+Timmendiquas to face."
+
+"That's so," said Shif'less Sol, "but I'm thinkin' that nothin' much
+will happen, until we get up toward the mouth of the Lickin'. It's been
+only two nights since Timmendiquas hisself was spyin' us out, an' afore
+he strikes he's got to go back to his main force."
+
+"Mebbe so an' mebbe not," said Tom Ross. "My eyes ain't so bad and this
+bein' a good place to look from I think I see a canoe over thar right
+under the fur shore uv the Ohio. Jest look along thar, Henry, whar the
+bank kinder rises up."
+
+The point that Tom indicated was at least a mile away, but Henry agreed
+with him that a shape resembling a canoe lay close to the bank.
+Shif'less Sol and the others inclined to the same belief.
+
+"If so, it's a scout boat watching us," said Paul, "and Timmendiquas
+himself may be in it."
+
+Henry shook his head.
+
+"It isn't likely," he said. "Timmendiquas knows all that he wants to
+know, and is now going northeastward as fast as he can. But his warriors
+are there. Look! You can see beyond a doubt now that it is a canoe, and
+it's going up the river at full speed."
+
+The canoe shot from the shadow of the bank. Apparently it contained
+three or four Indians, and they had strong arms. So it sped over the
+water and against the current at a great rate.
+
+"They've seen all they want to see to-night," said Henry, "but that
+canoe and maybe others will be watching us all the way."
+
+A half hour later a light appeared in the northern woods and then
+another much further on. Doubtless the chain was continued by more, too
+far away for them to see. The men in the main camp saw them also, and
+understood. Every foot of their advance would be watched until the
+Indian army grew strong enough, when it would be attacked. Yet their
+zeal and courage rose the higher. They begged Clark to start again at
+dawn that no time might be lost. Boone joined the five under the tree.
+
+"You saw the lights, didn't you, boys?" he said.
+
+"We saw them," replied Henry, "and we know what they mean. Don't you
+think, Mr. Boone, that for a while the most dangerous part of the work
+will fall on you?"
+
+"Upon those with me an' myself," replied Boone in his gentle manner,
+"but all of us are used to it."
+
+For two successive nights they saw the fiery signals on the northern
+shore, carrying the news into the deep woods that the Kentucky army was
+advancing. But they were not molested by any skirmishers. Not a single
+shot was fired. The fact was contrary to the custom of Indian warfare,
+and Henry saw in it the wisdom and restraint of Timmendiquas. Indians
+generally attack on impulse and without system, but now they were
+wasting nothing in useless skirmishing. Not until all the warriors were
+gathered, and the time was ripe would Timmendiquas attempt the blow.
+
+It gave the little white army a peculiar feeling. The men knew all the
+time that they were being watched, yet they saw no human being save
+themselves. Boone's scouts found the trail of Indians several times, but
+never an Indian himself. Yet they continued their patient scouting. They
+did not intend that the army should fall into an ambush through any
+fault of theirs. Thus they proceeded day after day, slowly up the river,
+replenishing their supplies with game which was abundant everywhere.
+
+They came to the wide and deep mouth of the Kentucky, a splendid stream
+flowing from the Alleghany Mountains, and thence across the heart of
+Kentucky into the Ohio. Henry thought that its passage might be
+disputed, and the five, Boone, Thomas and some others crossed cautiously
+in one of the larger boats. They watched to see anything unusual stir in
+the thickets on the farther shore of the Kentucky, but no warrior was
+there. Timmendiquas was not yet ready, and now the land portion of the
+army was also on the further shore, and the march still went on
+uninterrupted. Paul began to believe that Timmendiquas was not able to
+bring the warriors to the Ohio; that they would stand on the defensive
+at their own villages. But Henry was of another opinion, and he soon
+told it.
+
+"Timmendiquas would never have come down to Louisville to look us over,"
+he said, "if he meant merely to act on the defensive at places two or
+three hundred miles away. No, Paul, we'll hear from him while we're
+still on the river, and I think it will be before Logan will join us."
+
+Boone and Thomas took the same view, and now the scouting party doubled
+its vigilance.
+
+"To-morrow morning," said Boone, "we'll come to the Licking. There are
+always more Indians along that river than any other in Kentucky and I
+wish Logan and his men were already with us."
+
+The face of the great frontiersman clouded.
+
+"The Indians have been too peaceful an' easy," he resumed. "Not a shot
+has been fired since we left Louisville an' now we're nearly to
+Tuentahahewaghta (the site of Cincinnati, that is, the landing or place
+where the road leads to the river). It means that Timmendiquas has been
+massing his warriors for a great stroke."
+
+Reasoning from the circumstances and his knowledge of Indian nature,
+Henry believed that Daniel Boone was right, yet he had confidence in the
+result. Seven hundred trained borderers were not easily beaten, even if
+Logan and the other three hundred should not come. Yet he and Boone and
+all the band knew that the watch that night must miss nothing. The
+boats, as usual, were drawn up on the southern shore, too far away to be
+reached by rifle shots from the northern banks. The men were camped on a
+low wooded hill within a ring of at least fifty sentinels. The Licking,
+a narrow but deep stream, was not more than five miles ahead. Clark
+would have gone on to its mouth, had he not deemed it unwise to march at
+night in such a dangerous country. The night itself was black with
+heavy, low clouds, and the need to lie still in a strong position was
+obvious.
+
+Boone spread out his scouts in advance. The five, staying together as
+usual, and now acting independently, advanced through the woods near the
+Ohio. It was one of the hottest of July nights, and nature was restless
+and uneasy. The low clouds increased in number, and continually grew
+larger until they fused into one, and covered the heavens with a black
+blanket from horizon to horizon. From a point far off in the southwest
+came the low but menacing mutter of thunder. At distant intervals,
+lightning would cut the sky in a swift, vivid stroke. The black woods
+would stand out in every detail for a moment, and they would catch
+glimpses of the river's surface turned to fiery red. Then the night
+closed down again, thicker and darker than ever, and any object twenty
+yards before them would become only a part of the black blur. A light
+wind moaned among the trees, weirdly and without stopping.
+
+"It's a bad night for Colonel Clark's army," said Shif'less Sol. "Thar
+ain't any use o' our tryin' to hide the fact from one another, 'cause we
+all know it."
+
+"That's so, Sol," said Long Jim Hart, "but we've got to watch all the
+better 'cause of it. I've knowed you a long time, Solomon Hyde, an'
+you're a lazy, shiftless, ornery, contrary critter, but somehow or other
+the bigger the danger the better you be, an' I think that's what's
+happenin' now."
+
+If it had not been so dark Long Jim would have seen Shif'less Sol's
+pleased grin. Moreover the words of Jim Hart were true. The spirit of
+the shiftless one, great borderer that he was, rose to the crisis, but
+he said nothing. The little group continued to advance, keeping a couple
+of hundred yards or so from the bank of the Ohio, and stopping every ten
+or twelve minutes to listen. On such a night ears were of more use than
+eyes.
+
+The forest grew more dense as they advanced. It consisted chiefly of
+heavy beech and oak, with scattered underbrush of spice wood and pawpaw.
+It was the underbrush particularly that annoyed, since it offered the
+best hiding for a foe in ambush. Henry prayed for the moon and the
+stars, but both moon and stars remained on the other side of
+impenetrable clouds. It was only by the occasional flashes of lightning
+that they saw clearly and then it was but a fleeting glimpse. But it was
+uncommonly vivid lightning. They noticed that it always touched both
+forest and river with red fire, and the weird moaning of the wind,
+crying like a dirge, never ceased. It greatly affected the nerves of
+Paul, the most sensitive of the five, but the others, too, were affected
+by it.
+
+Henry turned his attention for a while from the forest to the river. He
+sought to see by the flashes of lightning if anything moved there, and,
+when they were about half way to the mouth of the Licking, he believed
+that he caught sight of something in the shape of a canoe, hovering near
+the farther shore. He asked them all to watch at the point he indicated
+until the next flash of lightning came. It was a full minute until the
+electric blade cut the heavens once more, but they were all watching and
+there was the dark shape. When the five compared opinions they were sure
+that it was moving slowly northward.
+
+"It's significant," said Henry. "Daniel Boone isn't often mistaken, and
+the warriors are drawing in. We'll be fighting before dawn, boys."
+
+"An' it's for us to find out when an' whar the attack will come," said
+Shif'less Sol.
+
+"We're certainly going to try," said Henry. "Hark! What was that?"
+
+"Injuns walkin' an' talkin'," said Tom Ross.
+
+Henry listened, and he felt sure that Ross was right. Under his
+leadership they darted into a dense clump of pawpaws and lay motionless,
+thankful that such good shelter was close at hand. The footsteps, light,
+but now heard distinctly, drew nearer.
+
+Henry had a sure instinct about those who were coming. He saw Braxton
+Wyatt, Blackstaffe, and at least twenty warriors emerge into view. The
+night was still as dark as ever, but the band was so near that the
+hidden five could see the features of every man. Henry knew by their
+paint that the warriors belonged to different tribes. Wyandots, Miamis,
+Shawnees, and Delawares were represented. Wyatt and Blackstaffe were
+talking. Henry gathered from the scattered words he heard that
+Blackstaffe doubted the wisdom of an attack, but Wyatt was eager for it.
+
+"I was at Wyoming," said the younger renegade with a vicious snap of his
+teeth, "and it was the rush there that did it. We enveloped them on both
+front and flank and rushed in with such force that we beat them down in
+a few minutes. Nor did many have a chance to escape."
+
+"But they were mostly old men and boys," said Blackstaffe, "and they had
+little experience in fighting the tribes. Clark has a bigger force here,
+and they are all borderers. You know how these Kentuckians can use the
+rifle."
+
+Wyatt made a reply, but Henry could not hear it as the two renegades and
+the warriors passed on in the underbrush. But he did hear the click of a
+gun lock and he quickly pushed down the hand of Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Not now! not now, Sol!" he whispered. "Wyatt and Blackstaffe deserve
+death many times over, but if you fire they'd all be on us in a whoop,
+and then we'd be of no further use."
+
+"You're right, Henry," said the shiftless one, "but my blood was mighty
+hot for a minute."
+
+The band disappeared, turning off toward the south, and the five,
+feeling that they had now gone far enough, returned to the camp. On the
+way they met Boone and the remainder of the scouts. Henry told what they
+had seen and heard and the great frontiersman agreed with them that the
+attack was at hand.
+
+"You saw the war paint of four nations," he said, "an' that proves that
+a great force is here. I tell you I wish I knew about Logan, an' the
+men that are comin' down the Lickin'."
+
+It was now nearly midnight and they found Colonel Clark sitting under a
+tree at the eastern edge of the camp. He listened with the greatest
+attention to every detail that they could give him, and then his jaw
+seemed to stiffen.
+
+"You have done well, lads," he said. "There is nothing more dangerous
+than the calling of a scout in the Indian wars, but not one of you has
+ever shirked it. You have warned us and now we are willing for
+Timmendiquas and Girty to attack whenever they choose."
+
+Many of the men were asleep, but Clark did not awaken them. He knew
+fully the value of rest, and they were borderers who would spring to
+their feet at the first alarm, alive in every sense and muscle. But at
+least a third of his force was on guard. No attack was feared on the
+water. Nevertheless many of the men were there with the boats. It was,
+however, the semicircle through the forest about the camp that was made
+thick and strong. Throughout its whole course the frontiersmen stood
+close together and keen eyes and trained ears noted everything that
+passed in the forest.
+
+Henry and his four comrades were at the point of the segment nearest to
+the confluence of the Ohio and the Licking. Here they sat upon the
+ground in a close group in the underbrush, speaking but rarely, while
+time passed slowly. The character of the night had not changed. The
+solemn wind never ceased to moan among the trees, and far off in the
+west the thunder yet muttered. The strokes of lightning were far
+between, but as before they cast a blood red tinge over forest and
+river. The five were some hundreds of yards beyond the camp, and they
+could see nothing then, although they heard now and then the rattle of
+arms and a word or two from the officers. Once they heard the sound of
+heavy wheels, and they knew that the cannon had been wheeled into
+position. Clark had even been able to secure light artillery for his
+great expedition.
+
+"Do you think them big guns will be of any use?" asked Shif'less Sol.
+
+"Not at night," replied Henry, "but in the daytime if we come to close
+quarters they'll certainly say something worth hearing."
+
+It was now nearly half way between midnight and morning when the
+vitality is lowest. Paul, as he lay among the pawpaws, was growing very
+sleepy. He had not moved for so long a time and the night was so warm
+that his eyes had an almost invincible tendency to close, but his will
+did not permit it. Despite the long silence he had no doubt that the
+attack would come. So he looked eagerly into the forest every time the
+lightning flashed, and always he strained his ears that he might hear,
+if anything was to be heard.
+
+The melancholy wind died, and the air became close, hot and heavy. The
+leaves ceased to move, and there was no stir in the bushes, but Henry
+thought that he heard a faint sound. He made a warning gesture to his
+companions, and they, too, seemed to hear the same noise. All of Paul's
+sleepiness disappeared. He sat up, every nerve and muscle attuned for
+the crisis. Henry and he, at almost the same moment, saw the bushes move
+in front of them. Then they saw the bronze faces with the scalp lock
+above them, peering forth. The five sat perfectly silent for a few
+moments and more bronze faces appeared. The gaze of one of the Indians
+wandered toward the clump of pawpaws, and he saw there one of the five
+who had now risen a little higher than the rest to look. He knew that it
+was a white face, and, firing instantly at it, he uttered the long and
+thrilling war whoop. It was the opening cry of the battle.
+
+The five at once returned the fire and with deadly effect. Two of the
+warriors fell, and the rest leaped back, still shouting their war cry,
+which was taken up and repeated in volume at a hundred points. Far above
+the forest it swelled, a terrible wolfish cry, fiercest of all on its
+dying note. From river and deep woods came the echo, and the warriors in
+multitudes rushed forward upon the camp.
+
+Henry and his comrades when they discharged their rifles ran back toward
+the main force, reloading as they ran. The air was filled with terrible
+cries and behind them dark forms swarmed forward, running and bounding.
+From trees and underbrush came a hail of rifle bullets that whistled
+around the five, but which luckily did nothing save to clip their
+clothing and to sing an unpleasant song in their ears. Yet they had
+never run faster, not from fear, but because it was the proper thing to
+do. They had uncovered the enemy and their work as scouts was over.
+
+They were back on the camp and among the frontiersmen, in less than a
+minute. Now they wheeled about, and, with rifles loaded freshly, faced
+the foe who pressed forward in a great horde, yelling and firing. Well
+it was for the white army that it was composed of veteran borderers. The
+sight was appalling to the last degree. The defenders were ringed around
+by flashes of fire, and hundreds of hideous forms leaped as if in the
+war dance, brandishing their tomahawks. But Colonel Clark was everywhere
+among his men, shouting to them to stand fast, not to be frightened by
+the war whoop, and that now was the time to win a victory. Boone, Abe
+Thomas and the five gave him great help.
+
+The riflemen stood firm in their semicircle, each end of it resting upon
+the river. Most of them threw themselves upon the ground, and, while the
+bullets whistled over their heads, poured forth an answering fire that
+sent many a warrior to explore the great hereafter. Yet the tribes
+pressed in with uncommon courage, charging like white men, while their
+great chiefs Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, Black Panther, Moluntha, Captain
+Pipe and the others led them on. They rushed directly into the faces of
+the borderers, leaping forward in hundreds, shouting the war whoop and
+now and then cutting down a foe. The darkness was still heavy and close,
+but it was lit up by the incessant flashes of the rifles. The smoke from
+the firing, with no breeze to drive it away, hung low in a dense bank
+that stung the mouths and nostrils of the combatants.
+
+"Keep low, Paul! Keep low!" cried Henry, dragging his young comrade down
+among some spicewood bushes. "If you are bound to stick your head up
+like that it will be stopping a tomahawk soon."
+
+Paul did not have to wait for the truth of Henry's words, as a shining
+blade whizzed directly where his head had been, and, passing on,
+imbedded itself in the trunk of a mighty beech. Paul shuddered. It
+seemed to him that he felt a hot wind from the tomahawk as it flew by.
+In his zeal and excitement he had forgotten the danger for a moment or
+two, and once more Henry had saved his life.
+
+"I wish it would grow lighter," muttered Shif'less Sol. "It's hard to
+tell your friends from your enemies on a black night like this, and
+we'll be all mixed up soon."
+
+"We five at least must keep close together," said Henry.
+
+A fierce yell of victory came from the southern side of the camp, a yell
+that was poured from Indian throats, and every one of the five felt
+apprehension. Could their line be driven in? Driven in it was! Fifty
+Wyandots and as many Shawnees under Moluntha, the most daring of their
+war chiefs, crashed suddenly against the weakest part of the half
+circle. Firing a heavy volley they had rushed in with the tomahawk, and
+the defenders, meeting them with clubbed rifles, were driven back by the
+fury of the attack and the weight of numbers. There was a confused and
+terrible medley of shouts and cries, of thudding tomahawks and rifle
+butts, of crashing brushwood and falling bodies. It was all in the hot
+dark, until the lightning suddenly flared with terrifying brightness.
+Then it disclosed the strained faces of white and red, the sweat
+standing out on tanned brows, and the bushes torn and trampled in the
+wild struggle. The red blaze passed and the night shot down in its place
+as thick and dark as ever. Neither red men nor white were able to drive
+back the others. In this bank of darkness the cries increased, and the
+cloud of smoke grew steadily.
+
+It was not only well that these men were tried woodsmen, but it was
+equally well that they were led by a great wilderness chief. George
+Rogers Clark saw at once the point of extreme danger, and, summoning his
+best men, he rushed to the rescue. The five heard the call. Knowing its
+urgency, they left the spicewood and swept down with the helping band.
+Another flash of lightning showed where friends and foe fought face to
+face with tomahawk and clubbed rifle, and then Clark and the new force
+were upon the warriors. Paul, carried away by excitement, was shouting:
+
+"Give it to 'em! Give it to 'em! Drive 'em back!"
+
+But he did not know that he was uttering a word. He saw the high cheek
+bones and close-set eyes, and then he felt the shock as they struck the
+hostile line. Steel and clubbed rifle only were used first. They did not
+dare fire at such close quarters as friend and foe were mingled closely,
+but the warriors were pushed back by the new weight hurled upon them,
+and then the woodsmen, waiting until the next flash of lightning, sent
+in a volley that drove the Indians to the cover of the forest. The
+attack at that point had failed, and the white line was yet complete.
+
+Once more the five threw themselves down gasping among the bushes,
+reloaded their rifles and waited. In front of them was silence. The
+enemy there had melted away without a sound, and he too lay hidden, but
+from left and right the firing and the shouting came with undiminished
+violence. Henry, also, at the same time heard in all the terrible uproar
+the distant and low muttering of the thunder, like a menacing
+under-note, more awful than the firing itself. The smoke reached them
+where they lay. It was floating now all through the forest, and not only
+stung the nostrils of the defenders, but heated their brains and made
+them more anxious for the combat.
+
+"We were just in time," said Shif'less Sol. "Ef Colonel Clark hadn't led
+a hundred or so o' us on the run to this place the warriors would hev
+been right in the middle o' the camp, smashin' us to pieces. How they
+fight!"
+
+"Their chiefs think this army must be destroyed and they're risking
+everything," said Henry. "Girty must be here, too, urging them on,
+although he's not likely to expose his own body much."
+
+"But he's a real gen'ral an' a pow'ful help to the Injuns," said Tom
+Ross.
+
+Clark's summons came again. The sound on the flank indicated that the
+line was being driven in at another point to the eastward, and the
+"chosen hundred," as the shiftless one called them, were hurled against
+the assailants, who were here mostly Miamis and Delawares. The Indians
+were driven back in turn, and the circle again curved over the ground
+that the defenders had held in the beginning. Jim Hart and Tom Ross were
+wounded slightly, but they hid their scratches from the rest, and went
+on with their part. A third attack in force at a third point was
+repulsed in the same manner, but only after the most desperate fighting.
+Each side suffered a heavy loss, but the Indians, nevertheless, were
+repulsed and the defenders once again lay down among the bushes, their
+pulses beating fast.
+
+Then ensued the fiery ring. The white circle was complete, but the
+Indians formed another and greater one facing it. The warriors no longer
+tried to rush the camp, but flat on their stomachs among the bushes
+they crept silently forward, and fired at every white man who exposed a
+head or an arm or a hand.
+
+They seemed to have eyes that pierced the dark, and, knowing where the
+target lay, they had an advantage over the defenders who could not tell
+from what point the next shot would come.
+
+It was a sort of warfare, annoying and dangerous in the extreme, and
+Clark became alarmed. It got upon the nerves of the men. They were
+compelled to lie there and await this foe who stung and stung. He sought
+eagerly by the flashes of lightning to discover where they clustered in
+the greatest numbers, but they hugged the earth so close that he saw
+nothing, even when the lightning was so vivid that it cast a blood red
+tinge over both trees and bushes. He called Boone, Henry, Thomas and
+others, the best of the scouts, to him.
+
+"We must clear those Indians out of the woods," he said, "or they will
+pick away at us until nothing is left to pick at. A charge with our best
+men will drive them off. What do you say, Mr. Boone?"
+
+Daniel Boone shook his head, and his face expressed strong disapproval.
+
+"We'd lose too many men, Colonel," he replied. "They're in greater
+numbers than we are, an' we drove them back when they charged. Now if we
+charged they'd shoot us to pieces before we got where we wanted to go."
+
+"I suppose you're right," said Clark. "In fact, I know you are. Yes, we
+have to wait, but it's hard. Many of our men have been hit, and they
+can't stand this sort of thing forever."
+
+"Suppose you send forward a hundred of the best woodsmen and
+sharpshooters," said Boone. "They can creep among the bushes an' maybe
+they can worry the Indians as much as the Indians are worrying us."
+
+Colonel Clark considered. They were standing then near the center of the
+camp, and, from that point they could see through the foliage the dusky
+surface of the water, and when they looked in the other direction they
+saw puffs of fire as the rifles were discharged in the undergrowth.
+
+"It's risky," he said at last, "but I don't see anything else for us to
+do. Be sure that you choose the best men, Mr. Boone."
+
+Daniel Boone rapidly told off a hundred, all great marksmen and cautious
+woodsmen. Henry, Paul, Shif'less Sol, Long Jim and Tom Ross were among
+the first whom he chose. Then while the defenders increased their fire
+on the eastern side, he and his hundred, hugging the ground, began to
+creep toward the south. It was slow work for so large a body, and they
+had to be exceedingly careful. Boone wished to effect a surprise and to
+strike the foe so hard that he would be thrown into a panic. But Henry
+and Paul were glad to be moving. They had something now to which they
+could look forward. The two kept side by side, paying little attention
+to the firing which went on in unbroken volume on their left.
+
+Boone moved toward a slight elevation about a hundred yards away. He
+believed that it was occupied by a small Indian force which his gallant
+hundred could easily brush aside, if they ever came into close contact.
+Amid so much confusion and darkness he could reach the desired place
+unless they were revealed by the lightning. There was not another flash
+until they were more than half way and then the hundred lay so low among
+the bushes that they remained hidden.
+
+"We're beatin' the savages at their own game," said Shif'less Sol. "They
+are always bent on stalkin' us, but they don't 'pear to know now that
+we're stalkin' them. Keep your eye skinned, Henry; we don't want to run
+into 'em afore we expect it."
+
+"I'm watching," replied Henry in the same tone, "but I don't think I'll
+have to watch much longer. In two or three minutes more they'll see us
+or we'll see them."
+
+Fifty yards more and another red flash of lightning came. Henry saw a
+feathered head projecting over a log. At the same time the owner of the
+feathered head saw him, fired and leaped to his feet. Henry fired in
+return, and the next instant he and his comrades were upon the
+skirmishers, clearing them out of the bushes and sending them in
+headlong flight. They had been so long in the darkness now that their
+eyes had grown used to it, and they could see the fleeing forms. They
+sent a decimating volley after them, and then dropped down on the ridge
+that they had won. They meant to hold it, and they were fortunate enough
+to find there many fallen trees swept down by a tornado.
+
+"We've cut their line," said Boone, "an' we must keep it cut. I've sent
+a messenger to tell Colonel Clark that we've taken the place, an' since
+we've broke their front they'll be mighty good men, Indians and
+renegades, if they're ever able to join it together again."
+
+The warriors returned in great force to the attack. They appreciated the
+value of the position, but the sharpshooters fired from the shelter of
+the logs.
+
+The five, following their long custom, kept close together, and when
+they threw themselves down behind the logs they took a rapid accounting.
+Paul was the only one who had escaped unhurt. A tomahawk, thrown at
+short range, had struck Henry on the side of the head, but only with the
+flat of the blade. His fur cap and thick hair saved him, but the force
+of the blow had made him reel for a minute, and a whole constellation of
+stars had danced before his eyes. Now his head still rung a little, but
+the pain was passing, and all his faculties were perfectly clear and
+keen. A bullet had nicked Tom Ross's wrist, but, cutting a piece of
+buckskin from his shirt, he tied it up well and gave it no further
+attention. Jim Hart and Shif'less Sol had received new scratches, but
+they were not advertising them.
+
+They lay panting for a few minutes among the fallen trees, and all
+around them they heard the low words of the gallant hundred; though
+there were not really a hundred now. Boone was so near that Henry could
+see the outline of the great forest-fighter's figure.
+
+"Well, we succeeded, did we not, Colonel Boone?" he said, giving him a
+title that had been conferred upon him a year or two before.
+
+"We have so far," replied Boone, guardedly, "and this is a strong
+position. We couldn't have taken it if we hadn't been helped by
+surprise. I believe they'll make an effort to drive us out of this
+place. Timmendiquas and Girty know the need of it. Come with me, Mr.
+Ware, and see that all our men are ready."
+
+Henry, very proud to serve as the lieutenant of such a man, rose from
+his log and the two went among the men. Everyone was ready with loaded
+weapons. Many had wounds, but they had tied them up, and, rejoicing now
+in their log fortifications, they waited with impatience the Indian
+onset. Henry returned to his place. A red flare of lightning showed his
+eager comrades all about him, their tanned faces, set and lean, every
+man watching the forest. But after the lightning, the night, heavy with
+clouds, swept down again, and it seemed to Henry that it was darker than
+ever. He longed for the dawn. With the daylight disclosing the enemy,
+and helping their own aim, their log fortress would be impregnable.
+Elsewhere the battle seemed to be dying. The shots came in irregular
+clusters, and the war whoop was heard only at intervals. Directly in
+front of them the silence was absolute and Henry's rapid mind divined
+the reason for all these things. Girty and Timmendiquas were assembling
+their main force there and they, too, would rely upon surprise and the
+irresistible rush of a great mass. He crawled over to Boone and told him
+his belief. Boone nodded.
+
+"I think you are right," he said, "an' right now I'll send a messenger
+back to Colonel Clark to be ready with help. The attack will come soon,
+because inside of an hour you'll see dawn peeping over the eastern
+trees."
+
+Henry crawled back to his comrades and lay down with them, waiting
+through that terrible period of suspense. Strain their ears as they
+would, they could hear nothing in front. If Timmendiquas and Girty were
+gathering their men there, they were doing it with the utmost skill and
+secrecy. Yet the watch was never relaxed for an instant. Every finger
+remained on the trigger and every figure was taut for instant action.
+
+A half hour had passed. In another half hour the day would come, and
+they must fight when eyes could see. The lightning had ceased, but the
+wind was moaning its dirge among the leaves, and then to Henry's ears
+came the sound of a soft tread, of moccasined feet touching the earth
+ever so lightly.
+
+"They are coming! They are coming!" he cried in a sharp, intense
+whisper, and the next instant the terrible war whoop, the fiercest of
+all human sounds, was poured from the hundreds of throats, and dusky
+figures seemed to rise from the earth directly in front of them, rushing
+upon them, seeking to close with the tomahawk before they could take aim
+with their rifles in the darkness. But these were chosen men, ready and
+wonderfully quick. Their rifles leaped to their shoulders and then they
+flashed all together, so close that few could miss. The front of the
+Indian mass was blown away, but the others were carried on by the
+impetus of their charge, and a confused, deadly struggle took place once
+more, now among the logs. Henry, wielding his clubbed rifle again, was
+sure that he heard the powerful voice of Timmendiquas urging on the
+warriors, but he was not able to see the tall figure of the great
+Wyandot chieftain.
+
+"Why don't the help from Colonel Clark come?" panted Shif'less Sol. "If
+you don't get help when you want it, it needn't come at all."
+
+But help was near. With a great shout more than two hundred men rushed
+to the rescue. Yet it was hard in the darkness to tell friend from
+enemy, and, taking advantage of it, the warriors yet held a place among
+the fallen trees. Now, as if by mutual consent, there was a lull in the
+battle, and there occurred something that both had forgotten in the
+fierce passions of the struggle. The dawn came. The sharp rays of the
+sun pierced the clouds of darkness and smoke, and disclosed the face of
+the combatants to one another.
+
+Then the battle swelled afresh, and as the light swung higher and
+higher, showing all the forest, the Indian horde was driven back, giving
+ground at first slowly. Suddenly a powerful voice shouted a command and
+all the warriors who yet stood, disappeared among the trees, melting
+away as if they had been ghosts. They sent back no war cry, not another
+shot was fired, and the rising sun looked down upon a battlefield that
+was still, absolutely still. The wounded, stoics, both red and white,
+suppressed their groans, and Henry, looking from the shelter of the
+fallen tree, was awed as he had never been before by Indian combat.
+
+The day was of uncommon splendor. The sun shot down sheaves of red gold,
+and lighted up all the forest, disclosing the dead, lying often in
+singular positions, and the wounded, seeking in silence to bind their
+wounds. The smoke, drifting about in coils and eddies, rose slowly above
+the trees and over everything was that menacing silence.
+
+"If it were not for those men out there," said Paul, "it would all be
+like a dream, a nightmare, driven away by the day."
+
+"It's no dream," said Henry; "we've repulsed the Indians twice, but
+they're going to try to hold us here. They'll surround us with hundreds
+of sharpshooters, and every man who tries to go a hundred yards from the
+rest of us will get a bullet. I wish I knew where Logan's force is or
+what has become of it."
+
+"That's a mighty important thing to us," said Boone, "an' it'll grow
+more important every hour. I guess Logan has been attacked too, but he
+and Clark have got to unite or this campaign can't go on."
+
+Henry said nothing but he was very thoughtful. A plan was forming
+already in his mind. Yet it was one that compelled waiting. The day
+deepened and the Indian force was silent and invisible. The
+inexperienced would have thought that it was gone, but these borderers
+knew well enough that it was lying there in the deep woods not a quarter
+of a mile away, and as eager as ever for their destruction. Colonel
+Clark reenforced the detachment among the fallen trees, recognizing the
+great strength of the position, and he spoke many words of praise.
+
+"I'll send food to you," he said, "and meat and drink in plenty. After a
+night such as we have had refresh yourselves as much as you can."
+
+They had an abundance of stores in the boats, and the men were not
+stinted. Nor did they confine themselves to cold food. Fires were
+lighted in the woods nearest to the river, and they cooked beef,
+venison, pork and buffalo meat. Coffee was boiled in great cans of sheet
+iron, and breakfast was served first to the gallant hundred.
+
+Shif'less Sol, as he lay behind his tree, murmured words of great
+content. "It's a black night that don't end," he said, "an' I like fur
+mine to end jest this way. Provided I don't get hurt bad I'm willin' to
+fight my way to hot coffee an' rich buff'ler steak. This coffee makes
+me feel good right down to my toes, though I will say that there is a
+long-legged ornery creatur that kin make it even better than this. Hey,
+thar, Saplin'!"
+
+Long Jim Hart's mouth opened in a chasm of a grin.
+
+"I confess," he said, "I'm a purty good cook, ef I do tell it myself.
+But what are we goin' to do now, Henry?"
+
+"That's for Colonel Clark to say, and I don't think he'll say anything
+just yet."
+
+"Nice day," said Tom Ross, looking about approvingly.
+
+All the others laughed, yet Tom told the truth. The clouds were gone and
+the air had turned cooler. The forest looked splendid in its foliage,
+and off to the south they could see wild flowers.
+
+"Nothin' goin' to happen for some time," said Shif'less Sol, "an' me
+bein' a lazy man an' proud o' the fact, I think I'll go to sleep."
+
+Nobody said anything against it, and stretching himself out among the
+bushes which shaded his face, he was sleeping peacefully in a few
+minutes. Paul looked at him, and the impression which the slumbering man
+made upon him was so strong that his own eyelids drooped.
+
+"You go to sleep, too," said Henry. "You'll have nothing to do for
+hours, and sleep will bring back your strength."
+
+Paul had eaten a heavy breakfast, and he needed nothing more than
+Henry's words. He lay down by the side of his comrade, and soon he too
+was slumbering as soundly as Shif'less Sol. Several hours passed. The
+sun moved on in its regular course toward the zenith. Paul and the
+shiftless one still slept. Toward the eastern end of the camp someone
+ventured a little distance from the others, and received a bullet in his
+shoulder. A scout fired at the figure of an Indian that he saw for a
+moment leaping from one tree to another, but he could not tell whether
+he hit anything. At the other end of the camp there were occasional
+shots, but Paul and the shiftless one slept on.
+
+Henry glanced at the sleepers now and then and was pleased to see that
+they rested so well. He suggested to Jim Hart that he join them, and Jim
+promptly traveled to the same blissful country. Henry himself did not
+care to go to sleep. He was still meditating. All this sharpshooting by
+the two sides meant nothing. It was more an expression of restlessness
+than of any serious purpose, and he paid it no attention. Silent Tom
+noticed the corrugation of his brow, and he said:
+
+"Thinkin' hard, Henry?"
+
+"Yes; that is, I'm trying," replied Henry.
+
+Tom, his curiosity satisfied, relapsed into silence. He, too, cared
+little for the casual shots, but he was convinced that Henry had a plan
+which he would reveal in good time.
+
+The sniping went on all day long. Not a great deal of damage was done
+but it was sufficient to show to Colonel Clark that his men must lie
+close in camp. If the white army assumed the offensive, the great Indian
+force from the shelter of trees and bushes would annihilate it. And
+throughout the day he was tormented by fears about Logan. That leader
+was coming up the Licking with only three or four hundred men, and
+already they might have been destroyed. If so, he must forego the
+expedition against Chillicothe and the other Indian towns. It was a
+terrible dilemma, and the heart of the stout leader sank. Now and then
+he went along the semicircle, but he found that the Indians were always
+on watch. If a head were exposed, somebody sent a bullet at it. More
+than once he considered the need of a charge, but the deep woods forbade
+it. He was a man of great courage and many resources, but as he sat
+under the beech tree he could think of nothing to do.
+
+The day--one of many alarms and scattered firing--drew to its close.
+The setting sun tinted river and woods with red, and Colonel Clark,
+still sitting under his tree and ransacking every corner of his brain,
+could not yet see a way. While he sat there, Henry Ware came to him, and
+taking off his hat, announced that he wished to make a proposition.
+
+"Well, Henry, my lad," said the Colonel, kindly, "what is it that you
+have to say? As for me, I confess I don't know what to do."
+
+"Somebody must go down the Licking and communicate with Colonel Logan,"
+replied the youth. "I feel sure that he has not come up yet, and that he
+has not been in contact with the Indians. If his force could break
+through and join us, we could drive the Indians out of our path."
+
+"Your argument is good as far as it goes," said Colonel Clark somewhat
+sadly, "but how are we to communicate with Logan? We are surrounded by a
+ring of fire. Not a man of ours dare go a hundred yards from camp. What
+way is there to reach Logan?"
+
+"By water."
+
+"By water? What do you mean?"
+
+"Down the Ohio and up the Licking."
+
+Colonel Clark stared at Henry.
+
+"That's an easy thing to talk about," he said, "but who's going down the
+Ohio and then up the Licking for Logan?"
+
+"I--with your permission."
+
+Colonel Clark stared still harder, and his eyes widened a little with
+appreciation, but he shook his head.
+
+"It's a patriotic and daring thing for you to propose, my boy," he said,
+"but it is impossible. You could never reach the mouth of the Licking
+even, and yours is too valuable a life to be thrown away in a wild
+attempt."
+
+But Henry was not daunted. He had thought over his plan long and well,
+and he believed that he could succeed.
+
+"I have been along the Ohio before, and I have also been down the
+Licking," he said. "The night promises to be cloudy and dark like last
+night and I feel sure that I can get through. I have thought out
+everything, and I wish to try. Say that you are willing for me to go,
+Colonel."
+
+Colonel Clark hesitated. He had formed a strong liking for the tall
+youth before him, and he did not wish to see his life wasted, but the
+great earnestness of Henry's manner impressed him. The youth's quiet
+tone expressed conviction, and expressed it so strongly that Colonel
+Clark, in his turn, felt it.
+
+"What is your plan?" he asked.
+
+"When the night reaches its darkest I will start with a little raft,
+only four or five planks fastened together. I do not want a canoe. I
+want something that blends with the surface of the water. I'll swim,
+pushing it before me until I am tired, and then I'll rest upon it. Then
+I'll swim again."
+
+"Do you really think you can get through?" asked the Colonel.
+
+"I'm sure of it."
+
+Colonel Clark paced back and forth for a minute or two.
+
+"It looks terribly dangerous," he said at last, "but from all I have
+heard you've done some wonderful things, and if you can reach Logan in
+time, it will relieve us from this coil."
+
+"I can do it! I can do it!" said Henry eagerly.
+
+Colonel Clark looked at him long and scrutinizingly. He noted his
+height, his powerful figure, the wonderful elasticity that showed with
+every step he took, and his firm and resourceful gaze.
+
+"Well, go," he said, "and God be with you."
+
+"I shall start the moment full darkness comes," said Henry.
+
+"But we must arrange a signal in case you get through to Logan," said
+Colonel Clark. "He has a twelve pound bronze gun. I know positively that
+he left Lexington with it. Now if he approaches, have him fire a shot.
+We will reply with two shots from our guns, you answer with another from
+yours, and the signal will be complete. Then Logan is to attack the
+Indian ring from the outside with all his might, and, at the same moment
+and at the same point, we will attack from the inside with all of ours.
+Then, in truth, it will be strange if we do not win the victory."
+
+Henry returned to his comrades and told them the plan. They were loth to
+see him go, but they knew that attempts to dissuade him would be
+useless. Nevertheless, Shif'less Sol had an amendment.
+
+"Let me go with you, Henry," he said. "Two are better than one."
+
+"No," replied Henry, "I must go alone, Sol. In this case the smaller the
+party the less likely it is to be seen. I'll try, and then if I fail, it
+will be your time."
+
+The night, as Henry had foreseen, was cloudy and dark. The moon and
+stars were hidden again, and two hundred yards from shore the surface of
+the river blended into the general blur. His little raft was made all
+ready. Four broad planks from the wagons had been nailed securely
+together with cross-strips. Upon them he laid his rifle and pistols--all
+in holsters--ammunition secured from the wet, and food and his clothing
+in tight bundles. He himself was bare, save for a waist cloth and belt,
+but in the belt he carried a hatchet and his long hunting knife.
+
+Only his four comrades, Colonel Clark and Boone were present when he
+started. Every one of the six in turn, wrung his hand. But the four who
+had known him longest and best were the most confident that he would
+reach Logan and achieve his task.
+
+Henry slipped silently into the water, and, pushing his raft before him,
+was gone like a wraith. He did not look back, knowing that for the
+present he must watch in front if he made the perilous passage. The
+boats belonging to the army were ranged toward the shore, but he was
+soon beyond them. Then he turned toward the bank, intending to keep deep
+in its shadows, and also in the shade of the overhanging boughs.
+
+The Indians had no fleet, but beyond a doubt they were well provided
+with canoes which would cruise on both rivers beyond the range of rifle
+shot, and keep a vigilant watch for messengers from either Clark or
+Logan. Hence Henry moved very slowly for a while, eagerly searching the
+darkness for any sign of his vigilant foe. He rested one arm upon his
+little raft, and with the other he wielded a small paddle which sent him
+along easily.
+
+As it nears Cincinnati the Ohio narrows and deepens, and the banks rise
+more abruptly. Henry kept close to the southern shore, his body often
+touching the soft earth. Fortunately the bushes grew thickly, even on
+the steep cliff, to the water's edge. When he had gone three or four
+hundred yards he pulled in among them and lay still awhile. He heard the
+sound of distant shots and he knew that the Indians were still sniping
+the camp. The curve of the Ohio hid the boats of his friends, and before
+him the river seemed to be deserted. Yet he was sure that the Indian
+canoes were on watch. They might be hovering within fifty yards of him.
+
+He listened for the noise of paddles, but no such sound came, and
+pushing his tiny craft from the coil of bushes, he set out once more
+upon the Ohio. Still hearing and seeing nothing, he went a little
+faster. Henry was a powerful swimmer, and the raft, small as it was,
+gave him ample support. Meanwhile, he sought sedulously to avoid any
+noise, knowing that only an incautious splash made by his paddle would
+almost certainly be heard by an Indian ear.
+
+Presently he saw on the northern bank a light, and then another light
+farther up the stream. Probably the Indians were signaling to one
+another, but it did not matter to him, and he swam on towards the mouth
+of the Licking, now about a half mile away. Another hundred yards and he
+quickly and silently drew in to the bank again, pushing the raft far
+back, until it, as well as himself, was hidden wholly. He had heard the
+distant sounds of paddles coming in his direction, and soon two Indian
+canoes in file came in sight. Each canoe contained two warriors. Henry
+inferred from the way in which they scrutinized the river and the bank,
+that they were sentinels. Well for him that the bushes grew thick and
+high. The penetrating Indian eyes passed unsuspecting over his hiding
+place, and went on, dropping slowly down the river to a point where they
+could watch the white boats. A hundred yards in that darkness was
+sufficient to put them out of sight, and Henry again pushed boldly into
+the stream.
+
+The young blockade runner now had a theory that the sentinel boats of
+the Indians would keep close in to the shore. That would be their
+natural procedure, and to avoid them he swam boldly far out into the
+river. Near the middle of the current he paddled once more up stream.
+Only his head showed above the surface and the raft was so low that no
+one was likely to notice it. The wisdom of his movement soon showed as
+he made out three more canoes near the Kentucky shore, obviously on
+watch. Toward the north, at a point not more than seventy or eighty
+yards away he saw another canoe containing three warriors and apparently
+stationary. Others might be further ahead, but the darkness was too
+great for him to tell. Clearly, there was no passage except in the
+middle of the stream, the very point that he had chosen.
+
+Many a stout heart would have turned back, but pride commanded Henry to
+go on. Fortunately, the water lying long under the summer heat was very
+warm, and one could stay in it indefinitely, without fear of chill.
+While he deliberated a little, he sank down until he could breathe only
+through his nostrils, keeping one hand upon the raft. Then he began to
+swim slowly with his feet and the other hand and all the while he kept
+his eyes upon the stationary boat containing the three warriors. By dint
+of staring at them so long they began to appear clear and sharp in the
+darkness. Two were middle-aged, and one young. He judged them to be
+Wyandots, and they had an anchor as they did not use the paddles to
+offset the current. Undoubtedly they were sentinels, as their gaze made
+a continuous circle about them. Henry knew, too, that they were using
+ears as well as eyes and that nobody could hear better than the
+Wyandots.
+
+He decreased his pace, merely creeping through the water, and at the
+same time he swung back a little toward the southern shore and away from
+the Wyandots in the canoe. But the movement was a brief one. To the
+right of him he saw two more canoes and he knew that they formed a part
+of the chain of sentinels stretched by Timmendiquas across the river. It
+was obvious to Henry that the Wyandot leader was fully aware of the
+advance of Logan, and was resolved to prevent the passage of any
+messenger between him and Clark.
+
+Henry paused again, still clinging to his little raft, and holding his
+place in the current with a slight motion of his feet. Then he advanced
+more slowly than ever, choosing a point which he thought was exactly
+half way between the Wyandots and the other canoes, but he feared the
+Wyandots most. Twenty yards, and he stopped. One of the Wyandot warriors
+seemed to have seen something. He was looking fixedly in Henry's
+direction. Boughs and stumps of every sort often floated down the Ohio.
+He might have caught a glimpse of Henry's head. He would take it for a
+small stump, but he would not stop to surmise.
+
+Holding the planks with but one hand, Henry dived about two feet
+beneath the surface and swam silently but powerfully up the stream. He
+swam until his head seemed to swell and the water roared in his ears. He
+swam until his heart pounded from exhaustion and then he rose slowly to
+the surface, not knowing whether or not he would rise among his enemies.
+
+No one greeted him with a shot or blow as he came up, and, when his eyes
+cleared themselves of water, he saw the Wyandot canoe cruising about
+sixty or seventy yards down the stream, obviously looking for the dark
+spot that one of them had seen upon the surface of the river. They might
+look in his direction, but he believed that he was too far away to be
+noticed. Still, he could not tell, and one with less command of himself
+would have swam desperately away. Henry, instead, remained perfectly
+still, sunk in the water up to his nostrils, one hand only yet clinging
+to the raft. The Wyandots turned southward, joined their brethren from
+the Kentucky shore and talked earnestly with them. Henry used the
+opportunity to swim about a hundred yards further up the stream, and
+then, when the canoes separated, he remained perfectly still again. In
+the foggy darkness he feared most the Indian ear which could detect at
+once any sound out of the common. But the Wyandot canoe returned to its
+old place and remained stationary there. Evidently the warriors were
+convinced that they had seen only a stump.
+
+Henry now swam boldly and swiftly, still remaining in the middle of the
+stream. He saw several lights in the woods on the southern shore, not
+those of signals, but probably the luminous glow from camp fires as they
+burned with a steady blaze. The Indians were on watch, and the faint
+sound of two or three rifle shots showed that the night did not keep
+them from buzzing and stinging about Colonel Clark's force. Yet Henry's
+pulse leaped in throat and temple. He had passed one formidable obstacle
+and it was a good omen. The stars in their courses were fighting for
+him, and he would triumph over the others as they came.
+
+But he checked his speed, thinking that the Indian canoes would be thick
+around the mouth of the Licking, and presently he became conscious of a
+great weariness. He had been in the water a long time and one could not
+dive and swim forever. His arms and legs ached and he felt a soreness in
+his chest. It was too dangerous to pull in to the bank at that point,
+and he tried a delicate experiment. He sought to crawl upon his little
+raft and lie there flat upon his back, a task demanding the skill of an
+acrobat.
+
+Three or four times Henry was within an inch of overturning his frail
+craft with the precious freight, but he persisted, and by skillfully
+balancing himself and the raft too he succeeded at last. Then he was
+compelled to lie perfectly still, with his arms outstretched and his
+feet in the water. He was flat upon his back and he could look at only
+the heavens, which offered to his view nothing--no bright stars and
+shining moon, only lowering clouds. If an enemy appeared, he must depend
+upon his ear to give warning. But the physical difficulty of his
+position did not keep him from feeling a delightful sense of rest. The
+soreness left his chest, the ache disappeared from his arms and legs,
+and he drew the fresh air into his lungs in deep and easy breaths. An
+occasional kick of his feet kept the raft from floating down stream,
+and, for a while, he lay there, studying the clouds, and wondering how
+long it would be until the twinkle of a star would break through them.
+He heard the sound of both paddles and oars, the first to the north and
+the other to the south. But his experienced ear told him that each was
+at least two hundred yards away, which was too far for anyone to see him
+stretched out upon his boards. So he rested on and waited for his ears
+to tell him whether the sounds were coming any nearer. The boat with the
+oars passed out of hearing and the sound of the oars became fainter and
+fainter. Henry's heart ticked a note of thankfulness. He would not be
+disturbed for the present, and he continued his study of the low clouds,
+while the strength flowed back into every part of his body.
+
+It occurred to him presently that he could steer as well as propel his
+float with his feet. So he set to work, threshing the water very slowly
+and carefully, and turning his head towards the mouth of the Licking.
+Occasionally he heard the sounds of both oars and paddles, but he judged
+very accurately that those who wielded them were not near enough to see
+him. He was thankful that the night was not broken like the one before
+with flashes of lightning which would infallibly have disclosed him to
+the enemy.
+
+After a half hour of this work, he felt a strange current of water
+against his feet, and at first he was puzzled, but the solution came in
+a few minutes. He was opposite the mouth of the Licking, and he had come
+into contact with the stream before it was fully merged into the Ohio.
+What should he do next? The cordon across the Licking, a much narrower
+river, would be harder to pass than that on the Ohio.
+
+But he was rested fully now, and, sliding off his boards into the water,
+he took a long survey of his situation. No break had yet occurred in the
+clouds, and this was a supreme good fortune. To the east, he dimly saw
+two boats, and to the south, the high black bank. No lights were visible
+there, but he saw them further down the shore, where it was likely that
+the majority of the warriors were gathered. Henry resolved to make
+directly for the angle of land between the mouth of the Licking and the
+Ohio, and he swam toward it with swift, powerful strokes, pushing his
+raft before him.
+
+He calculated that at this angle of land he would be between the two
+Indian cordons, and there, if anywhere, he could find the way to Logan.
+He reached the point, found it well covered with bushes, and drew the
+little raft into concealment. Then he climbed cautiously to the top and
+looked long in every direction, seeking to trace the precise alignment
+of the Indian force. He saw lights in the woods directly to the south
+and along the shore of the Licking. The way there was closed and he knew
+that the watch would be all the more vigilant in order to intercept the
+coming of Logan. He could not pass on land. Hence, he must pass on
+water.
+
+There were yet many long hours before daylight, and he did not hasten.
+Although the water was warm he had been in it a long time and he took
+every precaution to maintain his physical powers. He did not dress, but
+he rubbed thoroughly every part of his body that he could reach. Then he
+flexed and tensed his muscles until he had thrown off every chance of
+chill, after which he lowered himself into the water, and pushed out
+with his raft once more.
+
+He turned the angle of land and entered the Licking, a narrow, deep, and
+muddy stream, lined there, like all the other rivers of that region,
+with high and thick forests. Ahead of him, he saw in the stream a half
+dozen boats with warriors, yet he continued his course towards the
+cordon, keeping his float very close to the western banks. It is said
+that fortune favors the daring, and Henry had often proved the truth of
+it. Once more the saying held good. Clouds heavier and thicker than any
+of the others floated up and plunged river and shores into deeper
+obscurity. Henry believed that if he could avoid all noise, he might, by
+hugging the bank, get by.
+
+He went in so close to the shore that he could wade, but finding that he
+was likely to become tangled among bushes and vines, thus making sounds
+which the warriors would not fail to hear, he returned to deeper water.
+Now the most critical moment of the river gauntlet was approaching. He
+saw about one hundred yards before him, and directly across his course,
+a boat containing two warriors. The space between this boat and the
+western shore was not more than thirty yards. Could he pass them,
+unseen? The chances were against it, but he resolved to try.
+
+Swimming silently, he approached the opening. He had sunk deep in the
+water again, with only one hand on the float, and there was yet nothing
+from the boat to indicate that the two warriors had either seen or heard
+him. Despite all his experience, his heart beat very fast, and his hand
+on the float trembled. But he had no thought of going back. Now he was
+almost parallel with the boat. Now, he was parallel, and the watchful
+eye of one of the warriors caught a glimpse of the darker object on the
+surface of the dark water. He stared a moment in surprise, and then with
+a yell of warning to his comrade, raised his rifle and fired at the
+swimming head.
+
+Henry had seen the upraised rifle, and diving instantly, he swam with
+all his might up stream. As he went down, he heard the bullet go zip
+upon the water. Knowing that he could not save his little craft, he had
+loosed his hold upon it and swam under water as long as he could. Yet
+those boards and the packages upon them saved his life. They were the
+only things that the warriors now saw, and all rowed straight towards
+the raft. Meanwhile, Henry rose in the bushes at the edge of the bank
+and took long and deep breaths, while they examined his rifle and
+clothing. Before they had finished, he dived into the deep water once
+more, and was again swimming swiftly against the current of the
+Licking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE COUNTER-STROKE
+
+
+Colonel Benjamin Logan was standing in a small opening near the banks of
+the Licking about five miles south of its junction with the Ohio. Dawn
+had just come but it had been a troubled night. The country around him
+was beautiful, a primeval wilderness with deep fertile soil and splendid
+forest. His company, too, was good--several hundred stalwart men from
+Lexington, Boonesborough, Harrod's Station and several other settlements
+in the country, destined to become so famous as the Bluegrass region of
+Kentucky. Yet, as has been said, the night was uneasy and he saw no
+decrease of worry.
+
+Colonel Logan was a man of stout nerves, seldom troubled by insomnia,
+but he had not slept. His scouts had told him that there were Indians in
+the forest ahead. One or two incautious explorers had been wounded by
+bullets fired from hidden places. He and the best men with him had felt
+that they were surrounded by an invisible enemy, and just at the time
+that he needed knowledge, it was hardest to achieve it. It was important
+for him to move on, highly important because he wanted to effect a
+junction for a great purpose with George Rogers Clark, a very famous
+border leader. Yet he could learn nothing of Clark. He did not receive
+any news from him, nor could he send any to him. Every scout who tried
+it was driven back, and after suffering agonies of doubt through that
+long and ominous night, the brave leader and skillful borderer had
+concluded that the most powerful Indian force ever sent to Kentucky was
+in front of him. His men had brought rumors that it was led by the
+renowned Wyandot chief, Timmendiquas, with Red Eagle, Black Panther,
+Moluntha, Captain Pipe and the renegade Girty as his lieutenants.
+
+Colonel Logan, brave man that he was, was justified when he felt many
+fears. His force was not great, and, surrounded, it might be overwhelmed
+and cut off. For the border to lose three or four hundred of its best
+men would be fatal. Either he must retreat or he must effect a junction
+with Clark of whose location he knew nothing. A more terrible choice has
+seldom been presented to a man. Harrod, Kenton and other famous scouts
+stood with him and shared his perplexity.
+
+"What shall we do, gentlemen?" he asked.
+
+There was no answer save the sound of a rifle shot from the woods in
+front of them.
+
+"I don't blame you for not answering," said the Colonel moodily,
+"because I don't know of anything you can say. Listen to those shots! We
+may be fighting for our lives before noon, but, by all the powers, I
+won't go back. We can't do it! Now in the name of all that's wonderful
+what is that?"
+
+Every pair of eyes was turned toward the muddy surface of the Licking,
+where a white body floated easily. As they looked the body came to the
+bank, raised itself up in the shape of a human being and stepped ashore,
+leaving a trail of water on the turf. It was the figure of a youth, tall
+and powerful beyond his kind and bare to the waist. He came straight
+toward Logan.
+
+"Now, who under the sun are you and what do you want!" exclaimed the
+startled Colonel.
+
+"My name is Henry Ware," replied the youth in a pleasant voice, "and
+what I want is first a blanket and after that some clothes, but
+meanwhile I tell you that I am a messenger from Colonel Clark whom you
+wish to join."
+
+"A messenger from Colonel Clark?" exclaimed Logan. "How do we know
+this?"
+
+"Simon Kenton there knows me well and he can vouch for me; can't you
+Simon?" continued the youth in the same pleasant voice.
+
+"And so I can!" exclaimed Kenton, springing forward and warmly grasping
+the outstretched hand. "I didn't know you at first, Henry, which is
+natural, because it ain't your habit to wander around in the daytime
+with nothing on but a waist band."
+
+"But how is it that you came up the Licking," persisted Colonel Logan,
+still suspicious. "Is Colonel Clark in the habit of sending unclothed
+messengers up rivers?"
+
+"I came that way," replied Henry, "because all the others are closed.
+I've been swimming nearly all night or rather floating, because I had a
+little raft to help me. I came up the Ohio and then up the Licking. I
+ran the Indian gauntlet on both rivers. At the gauntlet on the Licking I
+lost my raft which carried my rifle, clothes and ammunition. However
+here I am pretty wet and somewhat tired, but as far as I know, sound."
+
+"You can rely on every word he says, Colonel," exclaimed Simon Kenton.
+
+"I do believe him absolutely," said Colonel Logan, "and here, Mr. Ware,
+is my blanket. Wear it until we get your clothes. And now what of
+Clark?"
+
+"He is only about six miles away with seven hundred veterans. He was
+attacked night before last by Timmendiquas, Girty and all the power of
+the allied tribes, but we drove them off. Colonel Clark and his men are
+in an impregnable position, and they await only your coming to beat the
+whole Indian force. He has sent me to tell you so."
+
+Colonel Logan fairly sprang up in his joy.
+
+"Only six miles away!" he exclaimed. "Then we'll soon be with him.
+Young sir, you shall have the best clothes and the best rifle the camp
+can furnish, for yours has been a daring mission and a successful one.
+How on earth did you ever do it?"
+
+"I think luck helped me," replied Henry modestly.
+
+"Luck? Nonsense! Luck can't carry a man through such an ordeal as that.
+No, sir; it was skill and courage and strength. Now here is breakfast,
+and while you eat, your new clothes and your new rifle shall be brought
+to you."
+
+Colonel Logan was as good as his word. When Henry finished his breakfast
+and discarded the blanket he arrayed himself in a beautifully tanned and
+fringed suit of deerskin, and ran his hand lovingly along the long
+slender barrel of a silver-mounted rifle, the handsomest weapon he had
+ever seen.
+
+"It is yours," said Colonel Logan, "in place of the one that you have
+lost, and you shall have also double-barreled pistols. And now as we are
+about to advance, we shall have to call upon you to be our guide."
+
+Henry responded willingly. He was fully rested, and at such a moment he
+had not thought of sleep. Preceded by scouts, Logan's force advanced
+cautiously through the woods near the Licking. About a score of shots
+were fired at them, but, after the shots, the Indian skirmishers fell
+back on their main force. When they had gone about two miles Logan
+stopped his men, and ordered a twelve-pound cannon of which they were
+very proud to be brought forward.
+
+It was rolled into a little open space, loaded only with blank
+cartridges and fired. Doubtless many of the men wondered why it was
+discharged seemingly at random into the forest, because Colonel Logan
+had talked only with Henry Ware, Simon Kenton and a few others. But the
+sound of the shot rolled in a deep boom through the woods.
+
+"Will he hear?" asked Colonel Logan.
+
+"He'll hear," replied Simon Kenton with confidence. "The sound will
+travel far through this still air. It will reach him."
+
+They waited with the most intense anxiety one minute, two minutes, and
+out of the woods in the north came the rolling report in reply. A half
+minute more and then came the second sound just like the first.
+
+"The signal! They answer! They answer!" exclaimed Colonel Logan
+joyously. "Now to make it complete."
+
+When the last echo of the second shot in the north had died, the
+twelve-pounder was fired again. Then it was reloaded, but not with blank
+cartridges, and the word to advance was given. Now the men pressed
+forward with increased eagerness, but they still took wilderness
+precaution. Trees and hillocks were used for shelter, and from the trees
+and hillocks in front of them the Indian skirmishers poured a heavy
+fire. Logan's men replied and the forest was alive with the sounds of
+battle. Bullets cut twigs and bushes, and the white man's shout replied
+to the red man's war whoop. The cannon was brought up, and fired
+cartridges and then grape shot at the point where the enemy's force
+seemed to be thickest. The Indians gave way before this terrifying fire,
+and Logan's men followed them. But the Colonel always kept a heavy force
+on either flank to guard against ambush, and Henry was continually by
+his side to guide. They went a full mile and then Henry, who was
+listening, exclaimed joyfully:
+
+"They're coming to meet us! Don't you hear their fire?"
+
+Above the crash of his own combat Colonel Logan heard the distant
+thudding of cannon, and, as he listened, that thudding came nearer.
+These were certainly the guns of Clark, and he was as joyous as Henry.
+Their cooeperation was now complete, and the courage and daring of one
+youth had made it possible. His own force pushed forward faster, and
+soon they could hear the rifles of the heavier battle in the north.
+
+"We've got 'em! We've got 'em!" shouted Simon Kenton. "They are caught
+between the two jaws of a vice, and the bravest Indians that ever lived
+can never stand that."
+
+Logan ordered his men to spread out in a longer and thinner line,
+although he kept at least fifty of his best about the cannon to prevent
+any attempt at capture. The twelve-pounder may not have done much
+execution upon an enemy who fought chiefly from shelter, but he knew
+that its effect was terrifying, and he did not mean to lose the gun. His
+precaution was taken well, as a picked band of Wyandots, Shawnees and
+Miamis, springing suddenly from the undergrowth, made a determined
+charge to the very muzzle of the cannon. There was close fighting, hand
+to hand, the shock of white bodies against red, the flash of exploding
+powder and the glitter of steel, but the red band was at last driven
+back, although not without loss to the defenders. The struggle had been
+so desperate that Colonel Logan drew more men about the cannon, and then
+pressed on again. The firing to the north was growing louder, indicating
+that Clark, too, was pushing his way through the forest. The two forces
+were now not much more than a mile apart, and Simon Kenton shouted that
+the battle would cease inside of five minutes.
+
+Kenton was a prophet. Almost at the very moment predicted by him the
+Indian fire stopped with a suddenness that seemed miraculous. Every
+dusky flitting form vanished. No more jets of flame arose, the smoke
+floated idly about as if it had been made by bush fires, and Logan's men
+found that nobody was before them. There was something weird and uncanny
+about it. The sudden disappearance of so strong and numerous an enemy
+seemed to partake of magic. But Henry understood well. Always a shrewd
+general, Timmendiquas, seeing that the battle was lost, and that he
+might soon be caught in an unescapable trap, had ordered the warriors to
+give up the fight, and slip away through the woods.
+
+Pressing forward with fiery zeal and energy, Clark and Logan met in the
+forest and grasped hands. The two forces fused at the same time and
+raised a tremendous cheer. They had beaten the allied tribes once more,
+and had formed the union which they believed would make them invincible.
+A thousand foresters, skilled in every wile and strategy of Indian war
+were indeed a formidable force, and they had a thorough right to
+rejoice, as they stood there in the wilderness greeting one another
+after a signal triumph. Save for the fallen, there was no longer a sign
+of the warriors. All their wounded had been taken away with them.
+
+"I heard your cannon shot, just when I was beginning to give up hope,"
+said Colonel Clark to Colonel Logan.
+
+"And you don't know how welcome your reply was," replied Logan, "but it
+was all due to a great boy named Henry Ware."
+
+"So he got through?"
+
+"Yes, he did. He arrived clothed only in a waist band, and the first we
+saw of him was his head emerging from the muddy waters of the Licking.
+He swam, floated and dived all night long until he got to us. He was
+chased by canoes, and shot at by warriors, but nothing could stop him,
+and without him we couldn't have done anything, because there was no
+other way for us to hear a word from you."
+
+"Ah, there he is now. But I see that he is clothed and armed."
+
+Henry had appeared just then with his comrades, looking among the
+bushes to see if any savage yet lay there in ambush, and the two
+Colonels seized upon him. They could not call him by complimentary names
+enough, and they told him that he alone had made the victory possible.
+Henry, blushing, got away from them as quickly as he could, and rejoined
+his friends.
+
+"That shorely was a great swim of yours, Henry," said Shif'less Sol,
+"an' you're pow'ful lucky that the water was warm."
+
+"My little raft helped me a lot," rejoined Henry, "and I'm mighty sorry
+I lost it, although Colonel Logan has given me the best rifle I ever
+saw. I wonder what will be our next movement."
+
+Colonel Clark, who was now in command of the whole force, the other
+officers cooperating with him and obeying him loyally, deemed it wise to
+spend the day in rest. The men had gone through long hours of waiting,
+watching and fighting and their strength must be restored. Scouts
+reported that the Indians had crossed the Licking and then the Ohio, and
+were retreating apparently toward Chillicothe, their greatest town. Some
+wanted Colonel Clark to follow them at once and strike another blow, but
+he was too wise. The Indian facility for retreat was always great. They
+could scatter in the forest in such a way that it was impossible to find
+them, but if rashly followed they could unite as readily and draw their
+foe into a deadly ambush. Clark, a master of border warfare, who was
+never tricked by them, let them go and bided his time. He ordered many
+fires to be lighted and food in abundance to be served. The spirits of
+the men rose to the highest pitch. Even the wounded rejoiced.
+
+After eating, Henry found that he needed sleep. He did not feel the
+strain and anxiety of the long night and of the morning battle, until it
+was all over. Then his whole system relaxed, and, throwing himself down
+on the turf, he went sound asleep. When he awoke the twilight was
+coming and Paul and Shif'less Sol sat near him.
+
+"We had to guard you most of the time, Henry," said Shif'less Sol,
+"'cause you're a sort of curiosity. Fellers hev kep' comin' here to see
+the lad what swam the hull len'th o' the Ohio an' then the hull len'th
+o' the Lickin', most o' the time with his head under water, an' we had
+to keep 'em from wakin' you. We'd let 'em look at you, but we wouldn't
+let 'em speak or breathe loud. You wuz sleepin' so purty that we could
+not bear to hev you waked up."
+
+Henry laughed.
+
+"Quit making fun of me, Sol," he said, "and tell me what's happened
+since I've been asleep."
+
+"Nothin' much. The Indians are still retreatin' through the woods across
+the Ohio an' Colonel Clark shows his good hoss sense by not follerin'
+'em, ez some o' our hot heads want him to do. Wouldn't Timmendiquas like
+to draw us into an ambush,--say in some valley in the thick o' the
+forest with a couple o' thousand warriors behind the trees an' on the
+ridges all aroun' us. Oh, wouldn't he? An' what would be left of us
+after it wuz all over? I ask you that, Henry."
+
+"Mighty little, I'm afraid."
+
+"Next to nothin', I know. I tell you Henry our Colonel Clark is a real
+gin'ral. He's the kind I like to foller, an' we ain't goin' to see no
+sich sight ez the one we saw at Wyomin'."
+
+"I'm sure we won't," said Henry. "Now have any of you slept to-day?"
+
+"All o' us hev took naps, not long but mighty deep an' comfortin'. So
+we're ready fur anythin' from a fight to a foot race, whichever 'pears
+to be the better fur us."
+
+"Where are Paul and Tom and Jim?"
+
+"Cruisin' about in their restless, foolish way. I told 'em to sit right
+down on the groun' and keep still an' enjoy theirselves while they
+could, but my wise words wuz wasted. Henry, sometimes I think that only
+lazy men like me hev good sense."
+
+The missing three appeared a minute or two later and were received by
+the shiftless one with the objurgations due to what he considered
+misspent energy.
+
+"I'm for a scout to-night," said Henry. "Are all of you with me?"
+
+Three answered at once:
+
+"Of course."
+
+But Shif'less Sol groaned.
+
+"Think o' going out after dark when you might lay here an' snooze
+comf'ably," he said; "but sence you fellers are so foolish an'
+headstrong you'll need some good sens'ble man to take keer o' you."
+
+"Thank you, Sol," said Henry, with much gravity. "Now that we have your
+reluctant consent we need only to ask Colonel Clark."
+
+Colonel Clark had no objection. In fact, he would not question any act
+of the five, whom he knew to be free lances of incomparable skill and
+knowledge in the wilderness.
+
+"You know better than I what to do," he said, smiling, "and as for you,
+Mr. Ware, you have already done more than your share in this campaign."
+
+They left shortly after dark. The united camp was pitched at the
+junction of the Ohio and Licking, but along the bank of the larger
+river. Most of the boats were tied to the shore, and they had a heavy
+guard. There was also a strong patrol across the mouth of the Licking,
+and all the way to the northern bank of the Ohio.
+
+The five embarked in a large boat with four oarsmen and they lay at ease
+while they were pulled across the broad stream. Behind them they saw the
+numerous lights of the camp, twinkling in the woods. Clark meant that
+his men should be cheerful, and light ministers to good spirits. Ahead
+of him there was no break in the dark line of forest, but they
+approached it without apprehension, assured by other scouts that the
+Indian retreat had not ceased.
+
+They were landed on the northern bank and stating to the boatmen that
+they would be back in the morning, they plunged into the woods. There
+was some moonlight, and in a short time they picked up the trail of the
+main Indian force. They followed it until midnight and found that it
+maintained a steady course toward Chillicothe. Henry was satisfied that
+Timmendiquas meant to fall back on the town, and make a stand there
+where he could hope for victory, but he was not sure that smaller bands
+would not lurk in Clark's path, and try to cut up and weaken his force
+as it advanced. Hence, he left the great trail and turned to the right.
+In a mile or so they heard sounds and peering through the woods saw
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and about a dozen Shawnee warriors sitting
+about a small fire. Paul incautiously stepped upon a dead bough which
+cracked beneath his weight, and the Indians at once leaped up, rifle in
+hand. They fired several shots into the bushes whence the sound had
+come, but the five had already taken shelter, and they sent bullets in
+return. Rifles cracked sharply and jets of smoke arose.
+
+A combat did not enter into Henry's calculation. It was one thing that
+he wished especially to avoid, but neither he nor any other of the five
+could bear to make a hasty retreat before Braxton Wyatt. They held their
+ground, and sent in a fire so rapid and accurate that Wyatt and
+Blackstaffe thought they were attacked by a force larger than their own,
+and, fearing to be trapped, finally retreated. The result appealed
+irresistibly to Shif'less Sol's sense of humor.
+
+"Ef they hadn't run, we would," he said. "Jest think how often that's
+the case. Many a feller gits beat 'cause he don't wait for the other to
+beat hisself."
+
+They were all buoyant over the affair, and they followed some distance,
+until they saw that Wyatt and Blackstaffe had changed their course in
+order to join the main band, when they started back to Clark, having
+seen all they wished. They arrived at the river about daylight, and were
+ordered to the southern shore where they made a report that was greatly
+satisfactory to the commander. Clark passed his whole force over the
+Ohio the next day and then built a small fort on the site of Cincinnati,
+placing in it all the surplus stores and ammunition.
+
+Several days were spent here, and, throughout that time, Henry and his
+comrades scouted far and wide, going as far as thirty miles beyond the
+fort. But the woods were bare of Indians, and Henry was confirmed in his
+belief that Timmendiquas, after the failure at the mouth of the Licking,
+was concentrating everything on Chillicothe, expecting to resist to the
+utmost.
+
+"Thar's bound to be a pow'ful big battle at that town," said Shif'less
+Sol.
+
+"I think so, too," said Henry, "and we've got to guard against walking
+into any trap. I wish I knew what thought is lying just now in the back
+of the head of Timmendiquas."
+
+"We'll soon know, 'cause it won't take us many days to git to
+Chillicothe," said Tom Ross.
+
+The army took up its march the next day, going straight toward
+Chillicothe. It was the most formidable white force that had yet
+appeared in the western woods, and every man in it was full of
+confidence. It was not only an army, but it marched in the shape and
+fashion of one. The borderers, used to their own way, yielded readily to
+the tact and great name of Clark. The first division under Clark's own
+command, with the artillery, military stores and baggage in the center,
+led; Logan, who ranked next to Clark, commanded the rear.
+
+The men walked in four lines, with a space of forty yards between every
+two lines. On each flank was a band of veteran scouts and skirmishers.
+In front of the white army, but never out of sight, marched a strong
+detachment of skilled woodsmen and marksmen. In the rear and at a
+similar distance, came another such band.
+
+Clark also took further precautions against surprise and confusion. He
+issued an order that in case of attack in front the vanguard was to
+stand fast while the two lines on the right of the artillery were to
+wheel to the right, and the two on the left were to wheel to the left.
+Then the cannon and the whole line were to advance at the double quick
+to the support of the vanguard. If they were attacked from behind, the
+vanguard was to stand fast, and the whole proceeding was to be reversed.
+If they were attacked on either flank, the two lines on that flank and
+the artillery were to stand where they were, while the other two lines
+wheeled and formed, one on the van and the other on the rear. The men
+had been drilled repeatedly in their movements, and they executed them
+with skill. It now remained to be seen whether they would do as much
+under the influence of surprise and a heavy fire. Everyone believed they
+would stand against any form of attack.
+
+The commanders seemed to think of all things, and the training of the
+army excited the admiration of Henry and his comrades. They felt that it
+would be very hard to catch such a force in a trap, or, if it should be
+caught, there was nothing in the wilderness to hold it there. The five
+were not in the line. In fact, they kept ahead of the vanguard itself,
+but they often came back to make their reports to Clark. It was now the
+beginning of August, and the heat was great in the woods. The men were
+compelled to rest in the middle of the day and they drank thirstily
+from every brook they passed.
+
+Clark expected that they would be annoyed by the Indian skirmishers, but
+the first day passed, and then the second and not a shot was fired. The
+five and the other scouts assured him that no warriors were near, but he
+did not like the silence. Bowman and a strong force had attacked
+Chillicothe the year before, but had been repulsed. Undoubtedly it would
+now have a still stronger defense and he wondered what could be the plan
+of Timmendiquas. A border leader, in a land covered with great forests
+was compelled to guard every moment against the cunning and stratagem of
+a foe who lived by cunning and stratagem.
+
+The second night a council was held, and Henry and all his comrades were
+summoned to it. Would or would not the Indians fight before the white
+force reached Chillicothe? The country was rough and presented many good
+places for defense. Colonel Clark asked the question, and he looked
+anxiously around at the little group. Daniel Boone spoke first. He
+believed that no resistance would be offered until they reached
+Chillicothe. Simon Kenton and Abe Thomas shared his opinion. Henry stood
+modestly in the background and waited until Colonel Clark put the
+question. Then he replied with a proposition:
+
+"I think that Colonel Boone is right," he said, "but I and four others
+have been associated a long time in work of this kind. We are used to
+the forest, and we can move faster in it. Let us go ahead. We will see
+what is being prepared at Chillicothe, and we will report to you."
+
+"But the risk to you five?"
+
+"We're ready to take it. Everybody in the army is taking it."
+
+Henry's plan was so promising that he soon had his way. He and the
+others were to start immediately.
+
+"Go, my boy, and God bless you," said Colonel Clark. "We want all the
+information you can bring, but don't take excessive risks."
+
+Henry gave his promise, left the council, and in five minutes he and his
+comrades were deep in the forest, and beyond the sight of their own camp
+fires. The weather was now clear and there was a good moon and many
+stars. Far to the right of them rose the hoot of an owl, but it was a
+real owl and they paid no attention to it.
+
+"Jest what are you figurin' on, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I think that if we travel hard all of to-night," replied Henry, "and
+then take it easy to-morrow that we can reach Chillicothe early
+to-morrow night. We ought to learn there in a few hours all that we want
+to know, and we can be back with the army on the following day."
+
+None of the five had ever been at Chillicothe, but all of them knew very
+well its location. It was the largest Indian village in the Ohio River
+Valley, and many a foray had gone from it. They knew that the forest ran
+continuously from where they were almost to its edge, and they believed
+that they could approach without great difficulty. After a consultation
+they settled upon the exact point toward which they would go, and then,
+Henry leading the way, they sped onward in a silent file. Hour after
+hour they traveled without speaking. The moon was out, but they kept to
+the deepest parts of the forest and its rays rarely reached them. They
+used the long running walk of the frontiersman and their toughened
+muscles seemed never to tire. Every one of them breathed regularly and
+easily, but the miles dropped fast behind them. They leaped little
+brooks, and twice they waded creeks, in one of which the water went far
+past their knees, but their buckskin trousers dried upon them as they
+ran on. The moon went behind floating clouds, and then came back again
+but it made no difference to them. They went on at the same swift, even
+pace, and it was nearly morning when Henry gave the signal to stop.
+
+He saw a place that he thought would suit them for their informal camp,
+a dense thicket of bushes and vines on a hill, a thicket that even in
+the daylight would be impervious to the keenest eyes.
+
+"Suppose we crawl in here and rest awhile," he said. "We mustn't break
+ourselves down."
+
+"Looks all right," said Tom Ross.
+
+They crept into the dense covert, and all went to sleep except Henry and
+Ross who lay down without closing their eyes, theirs being the turn to
+watch. Henry saw the sun rise and gild the forest that seemed to be
+without human being save themselves. Beyond the thicket in which they
+lay there was not much underbrush and as Henry watched on all sides for
+a long time he was sure that no Indian had come near. He was confirmed
+in this opinion by two deer that appeared amid the oak openings and
+nibbled at the turf. They were a fine sight, a stag and doe each of
+splendid size, and they moved fearlessly about among the trees. Henry
+admired them and he had no desire whatever to harm them. Instead, they
+were now friends of his, telling him by their presence that the savages
+were absent.
+
+Henry judged that they were now about two-thirds of the way to
+Chillicothe, and, shortly before noon, he and Tom awakened the others
+and resumed their journey, but in the brilliant light of the afternoon
+they advanced much more slowly. Theirs was a mission of great importance
+and discovery alone would ruin it. They kept to the thicket, and the
+stony places where they would leave no trail, and once, when a brook
+flowed in their direction, they waded in its watery bed for two or three
+miles. But the intensity of their purpose and the concentration of their
+faculties upon it did not keep them from noticing the magnificence of
+the country. Everywhere the soil was deep and dark, and, springing from
+it, was the noblest of forests. It was well watered, too, with an
+abundance of creeks and brooks, and now and then a little lake. Further
+on were large rivers. Henry did not wonder that the Indians fought so
+bitterly against trespassers upon their ancient hunting grounds.
+
+The twilight of the second night came, and, lying in the thicket, the
+five ate and drank a little, while the twilight turned into dark. Then
+they prepared their plans. They did not believe that Chillicothe was
+more than three miles ahead, and the Indians, knowing that the army
+could not come up for two days yet, were not likely to be keeping a very
+strict watch. They meant to penetrate to the town in the night. But they
+waited a long time, until they believed most of the children and squaws
+would be asleep, and then they advanced again.
+
+Their surmise was correct. In a half hour they were on the outskirts of
+Chillicothe, the great Indian town. It was surrounded by fields of maize
+and pumpkin, but it seemed to the five to consist of several hundred
+lodges and modern houses. As they made this reckoning they stood at the
+edge of a large corn field that stretched between them and the town. The
+stalks of corn were higher than a man's head, and the leaves had begun
+to turn brown under the August sun.
+
+"We must go nearer," said Henry, "and it seems to me that this corn
+field offers a way of approach. The corn will hide us until we come to
+the very edge of the town."
+
+The others agreed, and they set off across the field. After they entered
+it they could see nothing but the corn itself. The dying stalks rustled
+mournfully above their heads, as they advanced between the rows, but no
+sounds came from the town. It was about three hundred yards across the
+field, and when they reached its far edge they saw several lights which
+came from Chillicothe itself. They paused, while still in the corn, and,
+lying upon the ground, they got a good view of the big village.
+
+Chillicothe seemed to run a long distance from north to south, but Henry
+at once noticed among the buildings, obviously of a permanent character,
+many tepees such as the Indians erect only for a night or two. His
+logical mind immediately drew the inference. Chillicothe was full of
+strange warriors. The Wyandots, Shawnees, Miamis, Delawares, Ottawas,
+Illinois, all were there and the circumstance indicated that they would
+not try to lay an ambush for Clark, but would await him at Chillicothe.
+He whispered to his comrades and they agreed with him.
+
+"Can you see how far this corn field runs down to the right?" he asked
+Tom Ross.
+
+"'Bout two hundred yards, I reckon."
+
+"Then let's drop down its edge and see if the new tepees are scattered
+everywhere through the town."
+
+The trip revealed an abundance of the temporary lodges and farther down
+they saw signs of an embankment freshly made. But this breastwork of
+earth did not extend far. Evidently it had been left incomplete.
+
+"What do you make of that, Henry?" asked Ross.
+
+"That the Indians are in a state of indecision," replied Henry promptly.
+"They intended to fortify and fight us here, and now they are thinking
+that maybe they won't. If they had made up their minds thoroughly they
+would have gone on with the earthwork."
+
+"That certainly sounds reasonable," said Paul, "but if they don't fight
+here where will they fight? I can't believe that Timmendiquas will
+abandon the Indian towns without resistance and flee to the woods."
+
+"They have another big town farther on--Piqua they call it. It may be
+more defensible than Chillicothe, and, if so, they might decide to
+concentrate there. But we can be sure of one thing. They have not yet
+left Chillicothe. It is for us to discover within the next few hours
+just what they mean to do."
+
+At the lower end of the corn field they found a garden of tall pea and
+bean vines which they entered. This field projected into the village and
+when they reached its end they saw a great increase of lights and heard
+the hum of voices. Peeping from their precarious covert they beheld the
+dusky figures of warriors in large numbers, and they surmised that some
+sort of a council was in progress.
+
+Henry was eager to know what was being said at this council, but for a
+long time he could think of no way. At last he noticed a small wooden
+building adjoining the garden, the door of which stood half open,
+revealing ears of corn from the preceding season lying in a heap upon
+the floor. He resolved to enter this rude corncrib knowing it would
+contain many apertures, and see and hear what was being done. He told
+the others his plan. They tried to dissuade him from it but he
+persisted, being sure that he would succeed.
+
+"I'm bound to take the risk," he said. "We must find out what the
+Indians intend to do."
+
+"Then if you're bent on throwin' away your life," said Shif'less Sol,
+"I'm goin' in with you."
+
+"No," said Henry firmly. "One is enough, and it is enough to risk one.
+But if you fellows wish, lie here behind the vines, and, if I have to
+make a run for it, you can cover me with your fire."
+
+The four at last agreed to this compromise, although they were loth to
+see Henry go. Every one of them made up his mind to stand by their
+leader to the last. Henry left the shelter of the vines, but he lay down
+almost flat, and crept across the narrow open space to the corncrib.
+When he saw that no one was looking he darted inside, and cautiously
+pushed the door shut.
+
+As he expected, there were plenty of cracks between the timbers and also
+a small open window at one end. The ears of corn were heaped high at the
+window, and, pushing himself down among them until he was hidden to the
+shoulders, he looked out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE BATTLE OF PIQUA
+
+
+The window, doubtless intended merely for letting in air, was very
+small, but Henry had a fine view of a wide open space, evidently the
+central court of the village. It was grassy and shady, with large oak
+and beech trees. About fifteen yards from the corncrib burned a fire,
+meant for light rather than heat, as the night was warm. Around it were
+gathered about fifty men, of whom six or seven were white, although they
+were tanned by exposure almost to the darkness of Indians.
+
+Henry knew a number of them well. Upon a slightly raised seat sat
+Timmendiquas, the famous White Lightning of the Wyandots. He wore only
+the waist cloth, and the great muscles of his chest and arms were
+revealed by the firelight. His head was thrown back as if in defiance,
+and above it rose a single red feather twined in the scalp lock. Just
+beyond Timmendiquas sat Moluntha, the Shawnee; Captain Pipe and Captain
+White Eyes, the Delawares; Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the
+Shawnee. Beyond them were Simon Girty, Braxton Wyatt, Moses Blackstaffe
+and the other renegades. There was also a Mohawk chief at the head of a
+small detachment sent by Thayendanegea. All the chiefs were in war paint
+tattooed to the last note of Indian art.
+
+Henry knew from the number of chiefs present and the gravity of their
+faces that this was a council of great importance. He heard at first
+only the rumble of their voices, but when he had become used to the
+place, and had listened attentively he was able to discern the words.
+Timmendiquas, true to his brave and fierce nature, was urging the allied
+chiefs to stay and fight Clark for Chillicothe. In the East before the
+battle on the Chemung, he had been in a sense a visitor, and he had
+deferred to the great Iroquois, Thayendanegea, but here he was first,
+the natural leader, and he spoke with impassioned fervor. As Henry
+looked he rose, and swinging a great tomahawk to give emphasis to his
+words, he said:
+
+"The one who retreats does not find favor with Manitou. It is he who
+stays and fights. It is true that we were defeated in the battle across
+from Tuentahahewaghta (the site of Cincinnati), but with great warriors
+a defeat is merely the beginning of the way that leads to victory in the
+end. This is the greatest town of our race in all the valley of
+Ohezuhyeandawa (the Ohio), and shall we give it up, merely because Clark
+comes against it with a thousand men? Bowman came last year, but you
+beat him off and killed many of his men. The soldiers of the king have
+failed us as we feared. The promises of de Peyster and Caldwell have not
+been kept, but we can win without them!"
+
+He paused and swung the great war tomahawk. The firelight tinted red the
+glittering blade, and it made a circle of light as he whirled it about
+his head. A murmur ran around the circle, and swelled into a chorus of
+approval. These were the words that appealed to the hearts of the
+warlike tribes, but Simon Girty, crafty, politic and far-seeing, arose.
+
+"Your words are those of a brave man and a great leader, Timmendiquas,"
+he said, speaking in Shawnee, "but there are many things that the chiefs
+must consider. When the white men are slain, others come from the East
+to take their places; when our warriors fall their lodges stay empty and
+we are always fewer than before. You were across the mountains,
+Timmendiquas, with the chief of the Iroquois, Thayendanegea, and so was
+my friend who sits here by my side. The Iroquois fought there on the
+Chemung River, and brave though they were, they could not stand against
+the Yengees and their cannon. They were scattered and their country was
+destroyed. It would have been better had they fallen back, fighting
+wherever they could lay a good ambush.
+
+"Now Kentucky comes against us in great force. It is not such an army as
+that which Bowman led. They are all trained, even as our own, to the
+forest and its ways. This army, as it marches, looks before and behind,
+and to right and to left. It will not stick its head in a trap, and when
+its cannon thunder against your Chillicothe, smashing down your houses
+and your lodges, what will you do? Clark, who leads the men from
+Kentucky, has beaten our allies, the British, at Vincennes and
+Kaskaskia. Hamilton, the governor at Detroit before de Peyster, was
+captured by him, and the Yengees held him a prisoner in Virginia. This
+Clark is cunning like the fox, and has teeth like the wolf. He is the
+winner of victories, and the men from Kentucky are ready to fight around
+him to the last."
+
+Another murmur came from the circle and it also indicated approval of
+Girty's words. Always greatly influenced by oratory, the opinion of the
+chiefs now swung to the latest speaker. Timmendiquas flashed a look of
+scorn at Girty and at some of the chiefs near him.
+
+"I know that Girty thinks much and is wise," he said. "He is faithful to
+us, too, because he dare not go back to his own white people, who would
+tear him to pieces."
+
+Timmendiquas paused a moment for his taunt to take effect, and looked
+directly at the renegade. Girty winced, but he had great self-control,
+and he replied calmly:
+
+"What you say is true, Timmendiquas, and no one knows it better than I.
+The whites would surely tear me in pieces if they could catch me,
+because my deeds in behalf of the Indians, whom I have chosen to be my
+brethren, are known to all men."
+
+Girty had replied well, and the older and more cautious chiefs gave him
+another murmur of approval. Timmendiquas flashed him a second glance of
+contempt and hate, but the renegade endured it firmly.
+
+"What, then, do you say for us to do, Girty?" asked the Wyandot chief.
+
+"As the enemy comes near Chillicothe fall back to Piqua. It is only
+twelve miles away, yet not all the warriors of Piqua are here ready to
+help us. But they will wait for us if we come to them, and then we shall
+be in stronger force to fight Clark. And Piqua is better suited to
+defense than Chillicothe. The enemy cannot come upon the town without
+receiving from us a hidden fire."
+
+Girty spoke on, and to the listening youth he seemed to speak plausibly.
+Certainly many of the chiefs thought so, as more than once they nodded
+and murmured their approval. Timmendiquas replied, and several of the
+younger chiefs supported him, but Henry believed that the burden of
+opinion was shifting the other way. The tribes were probably shaken by
+the defeat at the mouth of the Licking, and the name of Clark was
+dreaded most of all.
+
+Indians love to talk, and the debate went on for a long time, but at
+last it was decided, much against the will of Timmendiquas, that if they
+could not catch Clark in an ambush they would abandon Chillicothe and
+retreat toward Piqua. The decisive argument was the fact that they could
+gather at Piqua a much larger force than at Chillicothe. The advance of
+Clark had been more rapid than was expected. They would not only have
+all the Piqua men with them, but many more warriors from distant
+villages who had not yet arrived.
+
+The fire was now permitted to die down, the crowd broke up and the
+chiefs walked away to their lodgings. Henry left the little place from
+which he had been peeping, drew himself from the corn and prepared to
+open the door. Before he had pulled it back more than an inch he stopped
+and remained perfectly still. Two warriors were standing outside within
+three feet of him. They were Miamis, and they were talking in low tones
+which he could not understand. He waited patiently for them to pass on,
+but presently one of them glanced at the door. He may have been the
+owner of the crib, and he noticed that the door was shut or nearly shut,
+when it had been left open. He stepped forward and gave it a push,
+sending it against the youth who stood on the other side.
+
+The Miami uttered an exclamation, but Henry acted promptly. He did not
+wish to fire a shot and bring hundreds of warriors down upon himself and
+his friends, but he sprang out of the door with such violence that he
+struck the first Miami with his shoulder and knocked him senseless. The
+second warrior, startled by this terrifying apparition, was about to
+utter a cry of alarm, but Henry seized him by the throat with both
+hands, compressed it and threw him from him as far as he could. Then he
+sprang among the vines, where he was joined by his comrades, and,
+bending low, they rushed for the corn field and its protection.
+
+The second Miami was the first to recover. He sprang to his feet and
+opened his mouth to let forth the war cry. It did not come. Instead an
+acute pain shot along his throat. He did not know how powerful were the
+hands that had constricted him there. Nevertheless he persisted and at
+the fourth trial the war cry came, sending its signal of alarm all
+through the village. Warriors poured out of the dark, and led by the
+Miamis they dashed through the garden in eager pursuit.
+
+The five were already in the field, running down among the corn rows.
+Over them waved the highest blades of the corn, still rustling dryly in
+the wind.
+
+"We are as good runners ez they are," said Shif'less Sol. "An' they
+can't see us here in the corn, but ain't that a pack o' them on our
+heels. Listen to that yelp."
+
+The war cry came from hundreds of throats, and behind them they heard
+the patter of many feet on the soft earth of the field, but they were
+not in despair. Not far beyond lay the woods, and they had full faith
+that they would reach their cover in time. The rows of corn guided them
+in a perfectly straight line, and the number of their pursuers were of
+no avail. They reached the woods in a few minutes, and, although the
+warriors then caught dim glimpses of them, and fired a few shots, no
+bullets struck near, and they were soon hidden among the trees and
+thickets. But they were too wise to stop merely because they were out of
+sight. They continued at good speed for a long time on the return
+journey to Clark.
+
+Henry's comrades asked him no questions, knowing that when they stopped
+he would tell them everything, unasked. But they saw that he was in an
+excellent humor, and so they inferred that he brought valuable
+information from Chillicothe.
+
+"I call it luck," said Shif'less Sol, "that when you have to run for
+your life you can at the same time run the way you want to go."
+
+"Yes, it's our lucky night," said Henry.
+
+Stopping occasionally to listen for pursuit, they ran about four hours,
+and then took a long rest by the side of a cool little brook from which
+they drank deeply. Then Henry told what he had heard.
+
+"It's not their intention to fight at Chillicothe," he said.
+"Timmendiquas, of course, wanted to make a stand, but Girty and the
+older chiefs prevented him and decided on Piqua. It's likely, I think,
+that the authority of White Lightning has been weakened by their defeat
+at the mouth of the Licking."
+
+Then he related every word that he had been able to catch.
+
+"This is mighty important," said Paul, "and Colonel Clark will surely be
+glad to hear your news."
+
+After a rest of one hour they pushed on at great speed and they did not
+stop the next day until they saw Colonel Clark's vanguard. Clark himself
+was at the front and with him were Boone, Kenton and Thomas. The face of
+the Colonel became eager when he saw the five emerge from the
+undergrowth.
+
+"Anything to tell?" he asked briefly.
+
+When Henry related what he had heard from the window of the corncrib,
+the Colonel uttered short but earnest words of thanks, and put his hand
+upon the lad's shoulder.
+
+"Once more we are in great debt to you, young sir," he said. "You
+brought our forces together at the Licking, and now you guide our main
+campaign. This news that the savages will not defend Chillicothe will
+give our men great encouragement. Already they will see the enemy
+fleeing before them."
+
+Colonel Clark was a good prophet. The men cheered when they heard that
+the Indian force was likely to abandon Chillicothe and they were anxious
+to press forward at increased speed, but the leader would not permit,
+nor would he allow them to disarrange their marching order in the
+slightest. He had never been defeated by the Indians, because he had
+never given them a chance to trap and surprise him, and he did not mean
+to do so now.
+
+"Plenty of time, boys--plenty of time," he said, soothingly. "Before we
+finish this campaign you'll get all the fighting you want. Don't forget
+that."
+
+That night, which was to be the last before reaching Chillicothe, he
+doubled the guard. Except the five, who had fully earned the right to
+sleep, the very best of the scouts and sharpshooters were on watch.
+Skirmishers were thrown far out among the bushes, and no matter how dark
+the night might be, no considerable Indian force could ever get near
+enough for surprise. Boone, Kenton, Thomas and others heard signals, the
+hoots of owls and the howls of wolves, but they continued their watch
+undisturbed. So long as a thousand good men were there in the wilderness
+in a heavy square, bristling with rifles and artillery, they did not
+care how many signals the savages made to one another.
+
+Morning came, bright and hot. It was the sixth of August, the month when
+the great heats that sometimes hang over the Ohio River Valley usually
+reach their uttermost.
+
+This promised to be such a day. After the bright dawn the atmosphere
+became thick and heavy. Sweat stood on every face. Exertion was an
+effort. Yet the men felt no abatement of zeal. In three or four hours
+more, they would reach Chillicothe unless the enemy gave battle first.
+Nevertheless little was said. The veteran frontiersmen knew the valor of
+their enemy, and his wonderful skill as a forest fighter. This was no
+festival to which they were going. Many of them would never return to
+Kentucky.
+
+They marched about three miles. It was noon now, and the sun from its
+vantage point in the center of the heavens poured down a flood of
+burning rays upon them. Colonel Clark, with his usual patience, made the
+men halt for a few minutes and take food. Their formation had never been
+broken for a moment. No matter from what side the attack came the whole
+army could face it inside of two minutes.
+
+The five with Boone, Kenton and Thomas were just ahead of the vanguard,
+and Colonel Clark who was now on horseback rode up to them.
+
+"How far would you say it is to Chillicothe?" he asked Henry.
+
+"We should be there in an hour."
+
+Colonel Clark looked at his watch.
+
+"One o'clock in the afternoon," he said. "That will give us plenty of
+time for a battle, if they choose to offer it to us, but it looks as if
+we would receive no such offer. All that you have said, young sir, is
+coming to pass."
+
+They were following the broad trail left by the Indian army on its
+retreat, but not a single warrior appeared to oppose them. There were no
+sounds in the woods save those made by themselves. No bark of dog or
+signal of savage came from the village which was now just beyond a thin
+veil of forest.
+
+Colonel Clark's iron self-control yielded a little. He allowed the men
+to hasten somewhat, and they came all at once into the corn field which
+Henry and his friends had entered. They saw, beyond, the walls and roofs
+of Chillicothe. Colonel Clark instantly ordered a halt. A field of
+waving corn could hold a thousand hidden warriors, but Boone, Henry and
+the others were already in the corn and announced that nobody was there.
+Then the army with a great shout advanced on the run, the wheels of the
+cannon grinding down the corn.
+
+In five minutes they were at Chillicothe, and then they saw flames
+leaping from the highest houses. The town was on fire and all its people
+had fled. The broad trail, littered with fragments, showed that they had
+gone towards Piqua. But the army, still kept in battle order, did not
+follow yet. It watched the burning of Chillicothe and helped it along.
+The soldiers, with the cannon in the center, were drawn up just on the
+outside of the town, and, under order of the officers, many of them
+seized torches and lighted tepee and wigwam. The dry corn in the fields
+and everything else that would burn was set on fire. What would not
+burn was trampled to a pulp beneath the feet of men and horses.
+
+Meanwhile the flames spread to every part of the village, united and
+fused into one vast conflagration. The sight thrilled and awed even
+Henry, Paul, and the others who had seen similar things in the Iroquois
+country. But there were not many in that army of white men who felt
+pity. This was Chillicothe, the greatest of the Western Indian towns.
+Some of them had been held prisoners there. Others had seen their
+friends tortured to death at this very place. The wives and children of
+many had been taken away to Chillicothe and no one had ever seen or
+heard of them again. Here the great Indian forays started and the very
+name of Chillicothe was hateful to the white men who had come from
+beyond the Ohio to destroy it and the warriors who lived there. They
+were glad to see it burning. They rejoiced when wigwams and Council
+House crashed down in blazing timbers. It pleased them to see the corn
+and beans and all the Indian stores destroyed, because then the warriors
+must hunt in the forest for food, and would have no time to hunt in the
+Kentucky woods for white scalps.
+
+The five stayed on the side of the town somewhat away from the
+conflagration. The heat was tremendous. It was a big town and the flames
+rose in an enormous red tower waving under the wind, and roaring as they
+ate into fresh food. Light tepees were licked up in an instant. Sparks
+flew in myriads and red coals were carried by the wind. Orchards and
+fields were swept away with the rest by the fiery blast. A great pall of
+ashes began to settle over the country surrounding the town.
+
+"I've never seen anything before on the same scale," said Paul, "and it
+will certainly be a terrible blow to the Indians."
+
+"But it will not break either their spirit or their power," said Henry.
+"To do that we've got to beat them in battle, and they'll be waiting for
+us at Piqua."
+
+The fire burned all the afternoon, but when the twilight came the town
+was wholly consumed. Not a house or tepee was left standing. Over a wide
+area there was nothing but a mass of burning coals, which glowed and
+cast a bright light against the coming dark. Clouds of smoke gathered,
+but the wind blew them off to the eastward and the site of Chillicothe
+was yet almost as light as day. On the outward edges of this mass of
+coals the men cooked their suppers.
+
+The night advanced. Again it was very hot and close, with but little
+wind stirring. All about them it was still as light as day. For more
+than a mile the embers, yet red and glowing, lay, and in the orchards
+tree trunks smoldered casting out alternate flame and smoke. Save for
+those melancholy ruins everything was swept bare. At the edge of the
+woods an Indian dog poked his nose at the sky and howled dismally. It
+affected the nerves of Henry and Paul, who walked across the corn fields
+and chased him away with stones.
+
+"I'm sorry," said Paul, looking back at the wide range of ruin, "that
+these things have to be done, even in war."
+
+"So am I, Paul," said Henry, "but think how many bands have gone forth
+from this place to do destruction upon our people. We have to fight such
+a foe with the weapons that we can use."
+
+They did not stay long at the edge of the woods, knowing that Indian
+sharpshooters might be lurking there, but went back to their friends and
+the army. The men having eaten amply and having looked upon the
+destruction of Chillicothe were in joyous mood, but their leader did not
+permit them to relax caution a particle. Too often the borderers,
+thinking victory won, permitted themselves to fall into disorder, when
+their victory was turned into defeat by the shrewd foe. Now the men
+spread their blankets far enough away from the woods to be safe from
+sharpshooters hidden there. The guard was made of unusual strength, and
+gunners were always at the cannon in case of a night attack.
+
+The five were not on duty that night, in view of what they had done
+already, and they spread their blankets near the edge of the corn field,
+across which they had run at such good speed. The coals still glowed.
+Far off they heard the howling of wolves.
+
+"Is there any danger of a night attack?" asked Paul.
+
+"I don't think so," replied Henry. "Of course the Indians have spies in
+the woods and they will report that it is impossible to surprise us."
+
+It was a long time before Henry could go to sleep. The great events
+through which he had been crowded upon his mind. He had seen the
+Iroquois win and then he had seen them destroyed. The western tribes had
+won victories too and now a great commander was striking at their very
+heart. Their capital lay in ruins, and, unless Timmendiquas could defeat
+the white men in battle, when they marched on Piqua, then the western
+tribes also would receive a blow from which they could never recover.
+Despite himself, he was sorry for Timmendiquas. Nevertheless he was
+loyal in every fiber to his own people.
+
+The howling of the wolves came nearer. They would find little for their
+teeth among these ruins, but they knew somehow that destruction had been
+done, and instinct called them to the place. It was an unpleasant sound
+and it made Henry shiver a little. It made him think of what was to come
+for the Indians. Even savages, in the fierce winters of the North, would
+suffer for lost Chillicothe. Wooden houses and lodges could not be
+replaced in a day. While the great beds of coals were still glowing he
+fell asleep, but he was up with the others at dawn.
+
+It was one of the most somber days that Henry had ever seen. The heat,
+close, heavy and thick, like a mist, endured, but the sun did not shine.
+The whole circle of the sky was covered with gray clouds. Everything was
+sullen and ugly. Some timbers in the vast ruin of Chillicothe yet burned
+and showed red edges, but it would be impossible to conceive of a more
+desolate heap. Piles of ashes and dead coals were everywhere. The fires
+that were soon lighted served the double purpose of cooking and of
+making cheer. But while they ate, the skies grew perceptibly darker. No
+ray of the sun broke anywhere through the steel-colored atmosphere.
+
+Colonel Clark became anxious. He had intended to start early for Piqua,
+but storms in the woods must be reckoned with, as one reckons with an
+enemy. He delayed and sent forward a scouting party of fifteen men under
+Boone, who, of course, included the five in the fifteen. Boone, owing to
+his captivity among the Indians, knew something about the country, and
+he led them straight toward Piqua. As Piqua and Chillicothe, two large
+Indian towns, were only twelve miles apart, there was an Indian road or
+broad trail between them, and they followed it for some distance.
+
+The road showed the haste with which the inhabitants of Chillicothe had
+fled. Here and there were feathers which had fallen from the scalp locks
+of the men or the braids of the women. Now they came to a gourd, or a
+rude iron skillet bought at a British post.
+
+After four or five miles Boone deemed it wiser to turn into the thick
+woods. The Indians with such a formidable force only twelve miles away
+would certainly have out sentries and skirmishers, and his cautious
+movement was just in time, as less than three hundred yards further on
+they were fired upon from the bushes. They replied with a few shots, but
+it was not Boone's intention to precipitate a real skirmish. He merely
+wished to know if the Indians were on guard, and, in a few minutes, he
+drew off his men and retired.
+
+They were followed by derisive yells which said plainly enough that, in
+the opinion of the Indians, they were afraid. Some of the younger men
+wanted to go back, but Boone remained firm in purpose and tranquil in
+mind.
+
+"Let 'em yell at us all they want to," he said in his peculiarly gentle
+voice. "We can stand it, and we'll see how they can stand the battle
+to-day or to-morrow when the army comes up."
+
+They were back at the camp about two hours after noon, and reported that
+the Indians had sentinels and skirmishers on the way to Piqua. But Clark
+thought they could be brushed aside, and as the clouds had lightened
+somewhat, they started at four o'clock. Good humor was restored at once
+to the men. They were moving now and in a few hours they might bring the
+campaign to a head, if the Indians only stood. Some believed that they
+would not stand even at Piqua.
+
+The order of march that had been preserved all the way from the mouth of
+the Licking remained unbroken. Colonel Clark led, Colonel Logan
+commanded the rear guard, the soldiers were in four lines, ready to
+wheel in any direction, and the cannon were in the center. They followed
+the Indian road, but ahead of all were Henry and his comrades, always
+searching the woods for a sight of some flitting Indian figure. Henry
+did not believe there would be any skirmishes before they reached Piqua,
+but he was not among those who did not think the Indians would make a
+stand there. He knew Timmendiquas too well. The Wyandot leader had
+yielded, when the majority of the chiefs favored Piqua instead of
+Chillicothe, but now he would certainly hold them to the agreement. The
+trail led on unceasingly, but the brightening of the skies was
+deceptive. The clouds soon closed in again, heavier and blacker than
+ever. Although it was only mid-afternoon it became almost as dark as
+night. Then the lightning began to play in swift flashes, so bright that
+the men were dazzled, and the thunder cracked and roared in tremendous
+volume.
+
+"If I live through the campaign," said Paul, "I shall certainly remember
+it by this storm, if by nothing else."
+
+The thunder was so great that he was compelled fairly to shriek out his
+words. Save when the lightning flashed he could see only the head of the
+army. Presently both thunder and lightning ceased, the wind set up a
+vast moaning and then the rain came. Colonel Clark and his officers were
+already at work, instructing the men to put up as many tents as
+possible, and, under any circumstances to keep their arms and powder
+dry. Here again discipline and experience told, as the orders were
+obeyed to the last detail.
+
+The five sheltered themselves as well as they could under the trees and
+they felt that Paul's words about the storm were true. Certainly they
+could never forget it. The bottom had dropped out of the clouds, and all
+the rain, stowed for months, was pouring down in a few hours. They soon
+abandoned any attempt to protect themselves, and devoted all their care
+to their ammunition.
+
+For more than two hours the rain fell in seemingly solid sheets. Then it
+ceased abruptly, and the late afternoon sun broke out, tingeing the
+forest with gold. Yet every bush and tree still ran water. Pools and
+often little lakes stood in the valleys. The earth was soaked deep. The
+precious ammunition and most of the stores were dry, but every man
+whether in a tent or not was wet to the skin.
+
+It was obvious that they could not go on and attack Piqua at once, as
+they would arrive far in the night, and the most skilled of the
+borderers were ordered to try their cunning at lighting fires. Patience
+and persistence had their reward. The bark was stripped from fallen
+trees, and dry splinters were cut from it. When these were lighted with
+flint and steel the problem was solved. Heat triumphed over wet, and
+soon twenty glorious fires were blazing in the forest. The men were
+allowed to dry their clothes in relays, each relay baring itself and
+holding its clothes before the fire until the last touch of damp was
+gone.
+
+All the time a vigilant watch was kept in the woods. Indians might
+attack when their enemy was depressed by storm and wet, but nothing to
+disturb the peace of the drying army occurred. Wolves howled again far
+away but they were still prowling among the ruins of Chillicothe,
+seeking unburned portions of venison or other meat. After the storm the
+close oppressive heat disappeared. A fresh and cool wind blew. Out came
+the moon and stars and they shone in a silky blue. The leaves and grass
+began to dry. The five lay down within range of the fires. Shif'less Sol
+made himself very comfortable on his blanket.
+
+"I don't want anybody to bother me now," he said, "'cause I'm goin' to
+sleep all through the night. No Injuns will be roun' here disturbin' me,
+an' I don't want no white man to try it either."
+
+The shiftless one knew what he was talking about, as there was no alarm
+in the night and early the next morning the army began its march again.
+But Henry was sure there would be a fierce fight at Piqua.
+
+They still followed the Indian road, and now went a little faster,
+although never breaking their old formation for a single instant. Yet
+every heart throbbed. They would soon be at Piqua, face to face with the
+allied forces led by their best chiefs. It was likely that their fire
+would burst from their undergrowth at any moment. But the scouts still
+reported nothing. Most of the morning was gone and they came to a broad
+but shallow stream. It was Mad River, and Piqua was not more than a mile
+up its stream.
+
+"Surely they will fight us here," was the thought of Clark. He halted
+his army and the scouts crossed the stream at many points. They beat up
+the woods and found no enemy, although Piqua was so near. Then the order
+to march was given again, and the whole army plunged into the stream.
+The heavy wheels of the cannon grated on the bottom, but they were still
+kept in the very center of the force. Clark never abated his resolve to
+protect these guns at all hazards from capture. But the cannon passed
+safely, and then came Logan with the rear guard. It, too, crossed and
+the commander drew a mighty breath of relief.
+
+"How far away is Piqua now?" he asked of a man who had once been a
+prisoner there.
+
+"Not more than a mile," he replied. "Soon you can see the smoke from it
+rising above the trees."
+
+"Ah, I see it now. Then they have not set their town on fire, and they
+are not running away. We shall have a battle."
+
+The news was quickly passed throughout the army, and eagerness began to
+show. The men wanted to be led on at once. It was nearly noon, and grass
+and foliage were dry again. There was not a cloud in the heavens, and
+the sun was a golden circle in a solid blue dome.
+
+"Finest day for a fight I ever saw," said Tom Ross.
+
+Paul laughed but it was a nervous laugh, coming from high tension. He
+was not afraid, but he knew they were going into battle. They passed
+into the forest and beyond in an open space they saw the houses, wigwams
+and tepees of Piqua scattered along Mad River. Just before them was a
+sort of prairie covered with weeds as high as a man's head. Henry threw
+himself flat upon the ground and peered in among the weeds.
+
+"Back! back!" he cried in a tremendous voice. "The warriors are here!"
+
+His sharp eyes had caught glimpses of hundreds of forms lying among the
+weeds. The whole army recoiled, and then a sheet of flame burst from the
+field, followed by the fierce war whoop of the Indians. The bullets sung
+in swarms like bees over his head, but knowing that all would fire at
+once after the Indian custom, he leaped to his feet, and ran to the
+shelter of the forest before they could reload and deliver the second
+volley.
+
+"Here's a tree, Henry," said Shif'less Sol; "a lot of officers wanted
+it, but I've saved it for you."
+
+But it was good-natured banter. There was not a sign of panic in the
+army. The men at once formed themselves into line of battle, according
+to their instructions, and opened a terrible fire upon the weeds in
+which the warriors lay concealed. Hundreds of bullets swept every part
+of the cover, and then the cannon sent in round shot and grape, cutting
+down weeds and warriors together, and driving the savage force in flight
+to shelter.
+
+But Timmendiquas, who had chosen the position, had reckoned well. The
+field was not only covered with high weeds, but the portion near the
+town was intersected with deep gullies. The warriors fell back in good
+order and sought refuge in these gullies which would hold hundreds. Here
+bullets, cannon balls and grape shot alike passed over their heads, and
+suffering but little loss, they sent back a storm of their own bullets.
+
+The army advanced to the edge of the woods, and was ready to charge
+across them but Colonel Clark hesitated. Before they could reach the
+gullies his men might be cut in pieces by a protected foe. The five,
+Boone, and many other of the best frontiersmen had already sought the
+shelter of stones or little hillocks, and were firing at every head that
+appeared above the edge of the gullies. Before the smoke became too
+dense Henry saw beyond the gullies that Piqua was a large town, larger
+than they had supposed. It would perhaps be impossible for the army to
+envelop it. In fact, it was built in the French-Canadian style and ran
+three miles up and down Mad River.
+
+Henry heard the fierce war whoop rising again and again above the firing
+which was now an unbroken crash. He also heard another and shriller
+note, and he knew it was the shouting that came from the vast swarm of
+squaws and children in Piqua. The yell of the Indians also took on a
+triumphant tone. It seemed that the beginning of the battle was in their
+front, and the ambushed warriors in the gullies were strengthened by
+other forces on their right and left that crept forward and opened a
+heavy fire from cover. Along a range of more than a mile there was a
+steady flash of firing, and it seemed impossible for any force to
+advance into it and live.
+
+Fortunate, again fortunate, and thrice fortunate were the frontiersmen
+who were veterans, also! The cannon were sheltered in the wood and the
+men were made to lie down. The great guns still thundered across the
+field, but the riflemen held their fire, while the Indian shout of
+triumph swelled higher and higher. In this terrible moment when many
+another commander would have lost his head, the staunch heart of Clark
+never faltered. He hastily called his leading officers and scouts, and
+while the battle flamed before them, he gave his orders behind a screen
+of bushes. He bade Colonel Logan, assisted by Colonel Floyd and Colonel
+Harrod, to take four hundred men, circle to the east of the town as
+quickly as he could, and attack with all his might. After giving a
+little time for the circuit, Clark, with the artillery, would march
+straight across the field in the face of the main Indian force. He gave
+Henry and his comrades their choice as to which body with which they
+would march.
+
+"We go with you and the artillery across the field," replied Henry at
+once.
+
+"I thought so," said Clark with a smile.
+
+The five lay down at the edge of the forest. Full of experience, they
+knew that it was not worth while now to be sending bullets toward the
+gullies. They knew, also, that the charge in which they were about to
+take part would offer as much danger as anything they had ever met. It
+is likely that every one of them thought of Wareville, and their kin,
+but they said nothing.
+
+A few men in front maintained the fire in order to keep the Indians
+across the field busy, but the great majority, lying quiet, waited to
+hear the rifles of Logan and the four hundred. Meanwhile this flanking
+force emerged from the woods, and having now become the left wing of the
+American army, sought to rush the town. It was immediately assailed by a
+powerful Indian force, and a furious battle followed. One side of it was
+exposed to another field from which Indians sent in bullets in showers.
+Nevertheless the men, encouraged by Logan, Floyd, and Harrod, drove
+straight toward Piqua. The Indians in front of them were led by Girty,
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and Moluntha, the Shawnee, and they fought
+alike from open and covert, offering the most desperate resistance. The
+four hundred were compelled now and then to yield a few yards, but
+always they gained it back, and more. Slowly the town came nearer, and
+now Logan's men heard to their right a welcome crash that told them
+Clark was advancing.
+
+As soon as Clark heard the sound of Logan's battle, he gave the signal
+to his men to attack. In front of them, much of the smoke had lifted,
+and they could see the field now, with most of its weeds cut away.
+Beyond was a strip of woods, and on the other side of the woods but
+already visible through the bushes, lay the long town.
+
+"Now for it!" cried Henry to his comrades who were close about him.
+
+"Forward!" shouted Clark, and with a tremendous shout the men charged
+into the field, the artillery drawn as always in the center and blazing
+the way. From the gullies came the answering fire in shower after shower
+of bullets. Henry heard them thudding upon human bodies, and he heard
+the low cries of men as they fell, but the smoke and the odor of
+gunpowder were in his nostrils, and his head was hot. Everything was red
+before him, and he had a furious desire to reach the gullies and rush in
+among the Indians. It was only two hundred yards across the field, but
+already the smoke was gathering in dense clouds, split apart now and
+then by the discharges of the cannon. Behind them the charging men left
+a trail of dead and dying. Henry took a hasty look to see if his
+comrades were still upon their feet. Two were on one side of him and two
+on the other. There was a patch of red on Jim Hart's shoulder and
+another on Tom Ross's, but they did not seem to amount to anything.
+
+Half way across the field the column staggered for a moment under the
+heavy fire which never slackened for an instant, but it recovered itself
+quickly and went on. The smoke lifted and Henry saw Timmendiquas at the
+edge of the nearest gully, a splendid figure stalking up and down,
+obviously giving orders. He had expected to find him there. He knew that
+wherever the battle was thickest Timmendiquas would be. Then the smoke
+drifted down again, and his head grew hotter than ever. The firing
+increased in rapidity and volume, both before them and on their left.
+The crash of the second battle moved on with them. Even in those rushing
+moments Henry knew that the left flank under Logan was forcing its way
+forward, and his heart gave a leap of joy. If the two commands ever
+united in the village they might crush everything. So eager did he
+become that he began to shout: "On! On!" without knowing it.
+
+They were nearing the gullies now and once more Henry saw Timmendiquas
+who seemed to be shouting to his men. It was a fleeting glimpse but so
+vivid and intense that Henry never forgot it. The great Wyandot chief
+was a very war god. His eyes flamed and fiercely brandishing his great
+tomahawk, he shouted to the warriors to stand.
+
+The left flank under Logan and the larger force under Clark were now
+almost in touch. The American line of battle was a mile long and
+everywhere they were faced by a foe superior in numbers. Despite the
+cannon, always terrifying to them, the Indians stood firm, and behind
+them thousands of women and children urged them on to the conflict. They
+knew, too, the greatness of the crisis. The war that they had carried so
+often to the white settlements in Kentucky was now brought to them. One
+of their great towns, Chillicothe, was already destroyed. Should Piqua,
+the other, share the same fate? Timmendiquas, the greatest of the
+leaders, the bravest of men said no, and they sought to equal his
+courage. No Indian chief that day shirked anything; yet the white foe
+always advanced, and the boom of the cannon sounded in their ears like
+the crack of doom. Some of the balls now passed over the fields through
+the strip of woods and smashed into the houses of the town. The shouting
+of the women became shriller.
+
+Nearer and nearer came the white enemy. The great barrels and wheels of
+the cannon loomed terribly through the smoke. The blasts of fire from
+their muzzles were like strokes of lightning. The Indians in the first
+gully began to leap out and dart back. Henry saw the dusky figures
+giving way and he shouted, still unconsciously,--"On! On! They're
+running! They're running!" Others had seen the same movement, and a roar
+of triumph passed up and down the white line, thinned now by the rifle
+fire, but no longer in doubt of victory.
+
+They rushed upon the gullies, they cleaned out the first and second and
+third and all; they helped the cannon across, and now the contact
+between the two forces was perfect. They bore down upon the town, but
+they encountered a new obstacle. Rallied by Timmendiquas and others the
+warriors filled the strip of woods between the fields and Piqua. They
+lay down in the undergrowth, they hid behind every tree, and shouting
+their war cries, they refused to give another step. But Clark, the
+astute, would not permit any diminution in the zeal of his men, now
+carried to the highest pitch by seeming victory. He knew the danger of
+allowing the fire of battle to grow cold.
+
+He ordered a rifle fire of unparalleled rapidity to be poured into the
+wood, and then the cannon were loaded and discharged at the same spot as
+fast as possible. Not an Indian could show his head. Boughs and twigs
+rattled down upon them. Saplings cut through at the base by cannon shot
+fell with a crash. Although Timmendiquas, Moluntha, Captain Pipe and
+others raged up and down, the warriors began to lose spirit. It was soon
+told among them that Girty and all the other renegades had ceased
+fighting and had retired to the town. Girty was a white man but he was
+wise; he was faithful to the Indians; he had proved it many times, and
+if he gave up the battle it must be lost. Never had the Indians fought
+better than they had fought that day but it seemed to them that the face
+of Manitou was turned from them.
+
+While they doubted, while the moment of gloom was present, Clark with
+his whole united force rushed into the wood, drove every warrior before
+him, followed them into Piqua, and the Indian host was beaten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE LAST STAND
+
+
+Every one of the five felt an immense exhilaration as they drove the
+Indians back into the town. They were not cruel. They did not wish to
+exult over a defeated enemy, but they had witnessed the terrible
+suffering of the border, and they knew from the testimony of their own
+eyes what awful cruelties a savage enemy in triumph could inflict. Now
+Clark and the Kentuckians had struck directly at the heart of the Indian
+power in the West. Chillicothe was destroyed and Piqua was taken. The
+arms and ammunition sent to them by the power, seated in Canada, had not
+availed them.
+
+Henry did not know until much later that it was the cunning and crafty
+Girty who had given up first. He had suddenly announced to those near
+him that Piqua could not be defended against the American army. Then he
+had precipitately retreated to the other side of the town followed by
+Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and all the renegades. The Indians were
+shaken by this retreat because they had great confidence in Girty. The
+Delawares gave up, then the Ottawas and Illinois, the Wyandots,
+Shawnees, Miamis and the little detachment of Mohawks, as usual, stood
+to the bitter last. At the very edge of the village the great war
+chiefs, Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the Shawnee, fell
+almost side by side, and went to the happy hunting grounds together.
+Moluntha, the other famous Shawnee chief, received two wounds, but lived
+to secure a momentary revenge at the great Indian victory of the Blue
+Licks, two years later. Timmendiquas would have died in the defense, but
+a half dozen of his faithful warriors fairly dragged him beyond the
+range of the Kentucky rifles.
+
+Yet Timmendiquas, although the Kentuckians were in the town, did not
+cease to fight. He and a hundred of the warriors threw themselves into
+the strongest of the houses, those built of timber, and opened a
+dangerous fire from doors and windows. The woodsmen were ordered to
+charge and to take every house by assault, no matter what the loss, but
+Clark, always resourceful, sternly ordered a halt.
+
+"You forget our cannon," he said. "Logan, do you, Floyd and Harrod keep
+the riflemen back, and we'll drive the enemy out of these houses without
+losing a single man on our side."
+
+"Thar speaks wisdom," said Shif'less Sol to the other. "Now in all the
+excitement I had clean forgot that we could blow them houses to pieces,
+but the Colonel didn't forget it."
+
+"No, he didn't," replied Henry. "Stand back and we'll see the fun. A lot
+of destruction will be done soon."
+
+The twilight had not yet come, although the sun was slowly dimming in
+the East. A great cloud of smoke from the firing hung over Piqua and the
+bordering fields that had witnessed so fierce a combat. The smoke and
+the burned gunpowder made a bitter odor. Flashes of firing from the
+strong houses, and from ambushed Indians here and there pierced the
+smoke. Then came a tremendous report and a twelve-pound cannon ball
+smashed through a wooden house. Another and another and it was
+demolished. The defenders fled for their lives. Every other house that
+could be used for shelter was served in the same way. The last ambushed
+foe was swept from his covert, and when the twilight fell Piqua,
+throughout its whole length of three miles along Mad River, was held by
+the Kentuckians.
+
+The Indian women and children had fled already to the forest, and there
+they were slowly followed by the warriors, their hearts filled with rage
+and despair. Beaten on ground of their own choosing, and not even able
+to bring away their dead, they saw their power crumbling. Fierce words
+passed between Timmendiquas and Simon Girty. The Wyandot chieftain
+upbraided the renegade. He charged him with giving up too soon, but
+Girty, suave and diplomatic, said, after his first wrath was over, that
+he had not yielded until it was obvious that they were beaten. Instead
+of a fruitless defense it was better to save their warriors for another
+campaign. They could yet regain all that they had lost. There was some
+truth in Girty's words. Blue Lick and St. Clair's terrible defeat were
+yet to come, but Clark's blow had destroyed the very nerve-center of the
+Indian confederacy. The Kentuckians had shown that not only could they
+fight successfully on the defensive, but they could also cross the Ohio
+and shatter the Indian power on its own chosen ground. Neither the valor
+of the warriors, nor the great aid that they received from their white
+allies could save them from ultimate defeat.
+
+Henry, Paul, the officers, and many others felt these things as the
+night came down, and as they roamed through Piqua, now deserted by the
+enemy. Paul and Jim Hart went in one direction to look at the big
+Council House, but Henry, the shiftless one, and Tom Ross remained with
+Colonel Clark.
+
+"We've won a great victory, though we've lost many good men," said the
+Colonel, "and now we must consign Piqua to the fate that Chillicothe has
+just suffered. It's a pity, but if we leave this nest, the hornets will
+be back in it as soon as we leave it, snug and warm, and with a
+convenient base for raiding across the Ohio."
+
+"We'll have to give it to the flames," said Colonel Logan.
+
+The other Colonels nodded. First they gathered up all the dead, whether
+red or white and buried them. At Henry's instance the two old chiefs,
+Yellow Panther, the Miami, and Red Eagle, the Shawnee, were laid side by
+side in the same grave. Then he fixed a board at their head upon which
+he cut this inscription:
+
+      In this grave Lie
+    Yellow Panther, the Miami,
+    And Red Eagle, the Shawnee;
+    They were great Chiefs,
+    And died fighting
+    For Their People.
+
+Not a white man disturbed the epitaph. But as soon as the last of the
+fallen were buried, and the soldiers had eaten and refreshed themselves,
+the torch was set to Piqua, even as it had been set to Chillicothe. In
+an hour the town was a huge mass of flames, three miles long, and
+lighting up the neighboring forest for many miles. The Indian refugees,
+thousands of them, from both towns saw it, and they knew to the full how
+terrible was the blow that had been inflicted upon them. Timmendiquas
+sought to rally the warriors for a daring attack upon an enemy who,
+flushed with victory, might not be very cautious, but they would not
+make the attempt. Timmendiquas then saw that it would take time to
+restore their shaken courage and he desisted.
+
+Henry, Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross watched the fire for a long time,
+while the soldiers destroyed all the orchards, gardens and crops. They
+saw the flames reach their highest until the country around them was as
+bright as day, and then they saw them sink until nothing was left but
+darkness made luminous by the coals. The great village was gone.
+
+"I think we'd better get Paul and Jim and go to sleep," said Henry.
+
+"So do I," said Shif'less Sol, and they looked around for the two. But
+they were not found easily.
+
+"Ought to have stayed with us," said Tom Ross.
+
+"An' they'd have saved a lazy man a lot of trouble, lookin' through this
+big place fur 'em," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+Tom and Jim became still harder to find. The three hunted everywhere.
+They hunted an hour. They hunted two hours, and there was not a sign of
+their two comrades. They asked many about them and nobody could tell a
+word. It was nearly midnight when they stopped and looked at one another
+in dismay.
+
+"They are not in the camp--that is sure," said Henry.
+
+"And they've got too much sense to go out in the woods," said Sol.
+
+"Which means that they've been took," said Tom Ross.
+
+Tom's words carried conviction, sudden and appalling, to all three. Paul
+and Jim Hart, going about the burning town, had been seized by some
+lurking party and carried off, or--they would not admit to themselves
+the dreadful alternative--but they hoped they had been merely taken
+away, which they deemed likely, as hostages would be of great value to
+the Indians now. The three sat down on a log at the northern edge of the
+town. They saw little now but the river, and the clouds of smoke rising
+from it.
+
+"We'll never desert Paul and Jim," said Shif'less Sol. "Now what is the
+fust thing fur us to do?"
+
+"We've got to find this trail, and the trail of those who took them,"
+replied Henry. "The army, of course, cannot follow all through the
+northern woods in order to rescue two persons, and it's not fitted for
+such a task anyhow. We three will do it, won't we?"
+
+"Ez shore ez the sun rises an' sets," said Shif'less Sol.
+
+"I reckon we will," said Tom Ross.
+
+"And we must start upon the road this minute," said Henry. "Come, we'll
+see Colonel Clark and tell him that we have to go."
+
+They found the commander about a mile away, encamped as near the burned
+town as the heat would allow. Logan, Floyd, Harrod, Boone, Thomas, and
+others were with him. They were talking together earnestly, but when
+Henry approached and saluted, Colonel Clark greeted him pleasantly.
+
+"Why, it's young Mr. Ware!" he exclaimed, "the lad to whom we owe so
+much. And I see two of your comrades with you. Where are the other two?"
+
+"That is why we have come, Colonel Clark," Henry replied. "We do not
+know where the other two are, but we fear that they have been taken by
+the retreating Indians. The campaign, I suppose, is over. We wish
+therefore to resign from the army, follow and rescue our comrades if we
+can."
+
+Colonel Clark sprang to his feet.
+
+"Two of your friends taken, and we to desert you after what you have
+done for us!" he exclaimed. "That cannot be. The army must march to
+their rescue!"
+
+The other officers raised their voices in affirmation. Henry and his
+friends bowed. All three were affected deeply. But Henry said:
+
+"Colonel Clark, you can't know how much we thank you for such an offer,
+but we three must go alone. If the army followed into the woods, and
+pressed the Indians closely, they would put their prisoners to death the
+very first thing. They always do it. In a case like this, only silence
+and speed can succeed. We must follow alone."
+
+Daniel Boone spoke up in his gentle, but singularly impressive tones.
+
+"The boy is right, Colonel Clark," he said. "If the job can be done it
+is these three alone who can do it."
+
+"I suppose you are right," said Colonel Clark regretfully, "but it does
+hurt me to see you leave us, unhelped. When do you wish to go?"
+
+"Now," replied Henry.
+
+Colonel Clark held out his hand. There were actual tears in his eyes. He
+shook hands with the three, one by one, and all the others did the same.
+Boone and Kenton went with them a little distance into the woods.
+
+"Now, lads," said Boone, "don't ever forget to be careful. You got to
+get your friends back by stealth and cunnin'. Keep out of a fight unless
+the time comes when everything depends on it. Then if you've got to
+fight, fight with all your might."
+
+The three thanked him. Last hand-clasps were given and then Boone and
+Kenton heard for a brief second or two only faint and dying footfalls in
+the forest. They went back quietly to camp ready for the return with the
+army to Kentucky, but the three were already deep in the forest, and far
+beyond the area of light.
+
+"I'm thinkin'," said Sol, "that the Indians hev crossed the river. It's
+likely that they'd want to keep the water between themselves an' us."
+
+"Looks like good argument to me," said Tom Ross.
+
+Henry being of the same opinion, they decided to cross Mad River also,
+and approach as nearly as they could to the chief body of the Indians.
+It was probable that many bands were wandering about and they would be
+in great danger from them, but it was their business to follow the
+advice of Daniel Boone and avoid them. They exercised now their greatest
+skill and patience. At a distance of eight or ten miles from Piqua they
+found two Indian camps, but, after a thorough examination, they became
+satisfied that Paul and Jim were not in either of them. Just before
+daylight they found a valley in which a great mass of warriors, women
+and children were huddled. Evidently this was the chief point of
+retreat, and creeping as near as they could, they saw Timmendiquas,
+Moluntha, Girty and Braxton Wyatt passing about the camp.
+
+The three lay close in the bushes and they observed Wyatt intently. Two
+or three times he passed between them and a camp fire, and they studied
+his face.
+
+"Doesn't look like that of one who has lost," whispered Henry.
+
+"No, it don't," said Shif'less Sol. "O' course he don't mourn much about
+the Indians, an' I reckon he's got somethin' to make him happy."
+
+"And what he's got is Paul an' Jim," said Tom Ross.
+
+"No doubt you're right," said Henry. "I think it likely that they were
+trapped by a band under Braxton Wyatt, and that they are his especial
+prisoners. Look! There they are now, by the tree!"
+
+Some shifting of the Indians gave a distant view of the two prisoners
+bound securely and leaning against a tree. Wyatt passed by, and looked
+upon them with an air of possession. They were sure now that it was he
+who had taken them, and, drawing further back into the forest, they
+waited patiently for the next move in the great game of life and death.
+
+Indian scouts several times passed within a few yards of them, but they
+knew that the minds of these men were upon the army not upon them. They
+were scouting to see whether Clark would follow them into the forest
+and, when they became certain about noon that he would not do so, they
+gathered their own numbers together and started northward to the
+villages of their brethren.
+
+Henry, Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross followed closely enough to know what
+was going on, but not so closely that they would walk into a trap.
+Fortunately the country was heavily wooded with evergreen and there was
+still an abundance of leaves on the trees. Fortified by such a long
+experience as theirs it was not difficult to keep under cover, and when
+the tribes went into camp that night, the three pursuers were not a
+quarter of a mile away.
+
+The three hung around the camp half the night, but they saw no chance to
+rescue their comrades. The crowd about them was too great. They followed
+in the same way the next day, and continued thus a week. Henry began to
+feel sure now that Paul and Jim were in no immediate danger of death,
+and he ascribed the fact to the influence of Timmendiquas. Even if they
+were Wyatt's own prisoners, he would not dare to go directly contrary to
+the wishes of the great Wyandot chieftain.
+
+Now a change occurred, the motive of which baffled the three for a
+while. Timmendiquas, Braxton Wyatt, about twenty warriors, and the two
+prisoners, leaving the main body of the Indians, turned toward the
+Northwest, following a course which would lead them around the lower
+curve of Lake Michigan. The three sitting among the bushes debated it a
+long time.
+
+"I think," said Henry, "that Timmendiquas is making a last desperate
+effort to lead a great force against us. He is going into the far
+Northwest to see if he can bring down the Sacs and Foxes, and even the
+Ojibways, Chippewas, and Sioux to help against us."
+
+"Then why do they take Paul and Jim along?" asked the shiftless one.
+
+"As trophies to impress the distant Indians or maybe as a sacrifice.
+Braxton Wyatt goes, too, because they are his prisoners."
+
+"It may be so," said Tom Ross. "The more I think about it, the more I
+think you're right. Anyhow it'll give us a better chance to get at Jim
+and Paul."
+
+"But we've got to play the Injuns' own game," said Shif'less Sol. "We
+must follow them a long time without lettin' them know we're on their
+track. Then they'll begin to go easy and won't keep much guard."
+
+Shif'less Sol was undoubtedly right, and for many days they followed
+this band deep into the Northwestern woods. August passed, September
+came. Whenever the wind blew, the dead leaves fell fast, and there was a
+crisp touch in the air. The nights became so cool that they were
+compelled to sleep between the two blankets that everyone carried at his
+back. They were thoroughly convinced now that Timmendiquas was in search
+of help in the far Northwest, and that Paul and Jim would be offered as
+trophies or bribes. Several times the Indians stopped at small villages,
+and, after a brief and hospitable stay, passed on. It became evident,
+too, that neither Timmendiquas nor Wyatt thought any longer of possible
+pursuit. Both knew how the five would stand by one another but it had
+been so long since the battle at Piqua, and they had traveled so many
+hundreds of miles from the burned town that pursuit now seemed out of
+the question. So they traveled at ease, through an extremely fertile and
+beautiful region, onward and onward until they began to near the shores
+of the greatest of all lakes, Superior.
+
+The cold in the air increased but the three pursuers did not mind it.
+They were inured to every hardship of the wilderness, and the colder it
+grew the more pleasant was the fresh air to the lungs. They felt strong
+enough for any task. Now that the guard was relaxed somewhat they hoped
+for a chance to save Paul and Jim, but none came. Three separate nights
+they went near enough to see them by the camp fire, but they could not
+approach any closer. Henry surmised that they would soon reach a large
+village of the Chippewas, and then their chances would decrease again.
+The attempt must be made soon.
+
+It was now late October and all the forests were dyed the varied and
+beautiful colors of an American autumn. The camp of Timmendiquas was
+pitched on a beautiful stream that ran a few miles further on into an
+equally beautiful little lake. Food had become scarce and that morning
+he had sent most of the warriors on a hunting expedition. He sat with
+Braxton Wyatt and only two warriors by the side of the small camp fire.
+The two prisoners were there also, their arms bound, but not in a manner
+to hurt. Motives of policy had compelled Timmendiquas and Wyatt to be
+seeming friends, but the heart of the great chief was full of
+bitterness. He had not wanted to bring Wyatt with him and yet it had
+been necessary to do so. Wyatt had taken the two prisoners who were
+intended as offerings to the Northwestern tribes, and, under tribal law,
+they belonged to him, until they were willingly given to others. His
+presence would also convince the Ojibways, Chippewas and others that
+white men, too, were on their side. Yet nothing could make Timmendiquas
+like Wyatt. It seemed unnatural to him for a man to fight against his
+own race, and he knew the young renegade to be treacherous and cruel.
+
+They were sitting in silence. Wyatt spoke once or twice to Timmendiquas,
+but the chieftain made no reply. Timmendiquas stared into the fire, and
+planned how he would bring down the Northwestern tribes. The two
+warriors were as still as statues. Paul and Long Jim were leaning
+against the fallen tree, and Braxton Wyatt's eyes wandered over them. He
+sneered at Paul, but the boy took no notice. Wyatt had often tried to
+annoy the two prisoners on the march, but he was afraid to go very far
+because of Timmendiquas. Yet he remembered with great satisfaction how
+he had trapped them that night after the battle of Piqua, when they
+wandered too near the edge of the forest.
+
+His eyes passed from them, wandering around the circle, and came back to
+them again. Did he see Long Jim start? Did he see a flash of
+intelligence appear in the eyes of the hunter? Could he have heard
+something? He looked again. Long Jim Hart's face expressed nothing.
+Braxton Wyatt felt that he was growing nervous, and the next instant he
+sprang to his feet with a shout of alarm. Three figures sprang from the
+undergrowth and, with leveled weapons, commanded the four unbound men
+who sat by the fire to throw up their hands. Up went the hands of the
+four, and Timmendiquas smiled sadly.
+
+"Your patience has been greater than ours," he said, "and the reward
+that you are about to take belongs to you."
+
+"We could fire upon you, Timmendiquas," said Henry, "and for the moment
+the advantage is ours, but even if we should win the victory, in the end
+some of us would fall. Those who are bound, and for whom we have come,
+would surely be slain. Then, I say to you, mighty chief, give us our
+friends, promise that you will forbid pursuit, and we go."
+
+Timmendiquas stood up and his face bore a singular look of dignity and
+kindness.
+
+"You speak fairly," he said, "and I wish, Ware, that we could be friends
+in peace. Cut the bonds of the prisoners."
+
+He spoke to the two warriors, but at that moment some demon leaped up in
+the soul of Braxton Wyatt. "I will do it," he said. But his rage and
+disappointment were so great that they nearly blinded him. He snatched
+out his knife and rushed at Paul Cotter, but the blade was turned toward
+the bound boy's throat, and not toward the thongs.
+
+Henry uttered a cry and sprang forward, but the great war tomahawk of
+Timmendiquas left his hand, and flew through the air so swiftly that the
+eye saw only a flash. The glittering edge struck the head of Braxton
+Wyatt, and he fell, cloven to the chin. He was dead before he touched
+the ground.
+
+"We keep faith," said Timmendiquas.
+
+The five bade the great Wyandot chieftain farewell and ten minutes
+later were on their return journey. They knew that they were safe from
+any pursuit by the band of Timmendiquas. They returned to Wareville and
+they fought always with distinction throughout the border wars. They
+were at the Blue Licks that dreadful day when Timmendiquas and Moluntha,
+Caldwell and Girty, who finally came, with the Wyandots and Shawnees
+destroyed more than half of the Kentucky force. Strangely enough they
+went with Clark from the mouth of the Licking just two years after the
+first expedition, again with a thousand riflemen against Piqua which had
+been rebuilt, and they destroyed it, as before, in revenge for Blue
+Licks.
+
+Years later they were in the terrible slaughter of St. Clair's army, and
+they were with Wayne when he inflicted the crushing and final defeat
+upon the allied tribes at the Fallen Timbers. After the peace all the
+five, every one of whom lived to a very great age, became the fast
+friends of Timmendiquas, famous war chief of the Wyandots, the nation
+that knew no fear.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+
+Page 59, "tattoed" corrected to "tattooed". (bear tattooed upon his
+chest)
+
+Page 69, removed duplicate "to". (large enough to keep three men)
+
+page 77, a comma is presumed as text is unclear. (Fowler, and six savage)
+
+Page 84 and 97, spelling "hare lip" retained. Elsewhere in text it is
+spelled "harelip". (a hare lip. Then he)(wrinkled his ugly hare lip)
+
+Page 90, "dear" corrected to "deer". (of buffalo, deer, bear)
+
+Page 97, retained comma although question mark probably more
+appropriate. (South with you," he said)
+
+Page 100, and Page 156, "Kentucy" corrected to "Kentucky". (prospect of
+victory. The Kentucky) (doubtless had reached Kentucky)
+
+Page 130, inserted missing period. (watched him shrewdly.)
+
+Page 163, a colon is presumed as original is unclear. (flushed, but he
+continued:)
+
+Page 196, a character named "Tom" is addressed in dialogue. Context
+shows it should be the character "Sol" instead. Original text retained.
+("Tom, that can be)
+
+Page 240, unusual word "sidewiping" retained. Author possibly meant
+"sideswiping". (a glancing blow, sidewiping it)
+
+Page 241, a comma is presumed as text is unclear. (come to them through
+the woods,)
+
+Page 271, "house" corrected to "houses". (houses, built of solid logs,
+stood in ordered rows)
+
+Page 279, inserted missing period. (toward the little settlement.)
+
+Page 293 and 317, "Black Panther" (name of a chief) probably refers to
+"Yellow Panther", a name which occurs more frequently in the text.
+Original text retained.
+
+Page 295, "menancing" corrected to "menacing". (like a menacing
+under-note)
+
+Page 313, inserted missing period. (sound of oars became fainter and
+fainter.)
+
+Page 335, removed duplicate "the". (cracks between the timbers)
+
+Page 353, inserted missing period. ( the army to envelop it.)
+
+Page 365, a dialogue attributed to character "Ross" should probably be
+"Sol" since in the next paragraph "Tom Ross" answers. However the
+original text has been retained. (said Ross, "that the Indians hev
+crossed)
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Border Watch, by Joseph A. Altsheler
+
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