settlements, and Timmendiquas and his fierce Wyandots would help
them. All of them, from the oldest to the youngest, rejoiced in
the decision, and, not least, the famous Thayendanegea. He hated
the Americans most because they were upon the soil, and were
always pressing forward against the Indian. The Englishmen were
far away, and if they prevailed in the great war, the march of
the American would be less rapid. He would strike once more with
the Englishmen, and the Iroquois could deliver mighty blows on
the American rearguard. He and his Mohawks, proud Keepers of the
Western Gate, would lead in the onset. Thayendanegea considered
it a good night's work, and he slept peacefully.

The great camp relapsed into silence. The warriors on the ground
breathed perhaps a little heavily after so much feasting, and the
fires were permitted to smolder down to coals. Wolves and
panthers drawn by the scent of food crept through the thickets
toward the faint firelight, but they were afraid to draw near.
Morning came, and food and drink were taken to the lodges in
which four prisoners were held, prisoners of great value, taken
by Timmendiquas and the Wyandots, and held at his urgent
insistence as hostages.

Three were found as they had been left, and when their bonds were
loosened they ate and drank, but the fourth hut was empty. The
one who spoke in a slow, drawling way, and the one who seemed to
be the most dangerous of them all, was gone. Henry and Sol had
taken the severed thongs with them, and there was nothing to show
how the prisoner had disappeared, except that the withes
fastening the door had been cut.