第56章

"The Wyandots have remained in the East to fight men, not to kill squaws and papooses," continued Timmendiquas."So I say to you, go on with those who flee across the mountains.Our warriors shall not pursue you any longer.We will turn back to the valley from which we come, and those of your race, Blackstaffe and Wyatt, shall go with us."The great chief spoke quietly, but there was an edge to his tone that told that every word was meant.Henry felt a glow of admiration.The true greatness of Timmendiquas spoke.

"And the Iroquois?" he said, "will they go back with you?""They will.They have killed too much.Today all the white people in the valley are killed or driven away.Many scalps have been taken, those of women and children, too, and men have died at the stake.I have felt shame for their deeds, Ware, and it will bring punishment upon my brethren, the Iroquois.It will make so great a noise in the world that many soldiers will come, and the villages of the Iroquois will cease to be.""I think it is so, Timmendiquas," said Henry."But you will be far away then in your own land."The chief drew himself up a little.

"I shall remain with the Iroquois," he said."I have promised to help them, and I must do so.""I can't blame you for that," said Henry, "but I am glad that you do not seek the scalps of women and children.We are at once enemies and friends, Timmendiquas."White Lightning bowed gravely.He and Henry touched hands again, and each withdrew, the chief into the morass, while Henry walked back toward his comrades, holding himself erect, as if no enemy were near.

The four rose up to greet him.They had heard part of what was said, and Henry quickly told them the rest.

"He's shorely a great chief," said Shif'less Sol.He'll keep his word, too.Them people on ahead ain't got anything more to fear from pursuit."He's a statesman, too," said Henry."He sees what damage the deeds of Wyoming Valley will do to those who have done them.He thinks our people will now send a great army against the Iroquois, and I think so, too.""No nation can stand a thing like that," said Paul, and I didn't dream it could happen."They now left the oasis, and went swiftly along the trail left by the fugitives.All of them had confidence in the word of Timmendiquas.There was a remote chance that some other band had entered the swamp at a different point, but it was remote, indeed, and it did not trouble them much.

Night was now over the great swamp.The sun no longer came through the gray clouds, but here and there were little flashes of flame made by fireflies.Had not the trail been so broad and deep it could easily have been lost, but, being what it was, the skilled eyes of the frontiersmen followed it without trouble.

"Some uv 'em are gittin' pow'ful tired," said Tom Ross, looking at the tracks in the mud.Then he suddenly added: "Here's whar one's quit forever."A shallow grave, not an hour old, had been made under some bushes, and its length indicated that a woman lay there.They passed it by in silence.Henry now appreciated more fully than ever the mercy of Timmendiquas.The five and Carpenter could not possibly have protected the miserable fugitives against the great chief, with fifty Wyandots and Iroquois at his back.

Timmendiquas knew this, and he had done what none of the Indians or white allies around him would have done.

In another hour they saw a man standing among some vines, but watchful, and with his rifle in the hollow of his arm.It was Carpenter, a man whose task was not less than that of the five.

They were in the thick of it and could see what was done, but he had to lead on and wait.He counted the dusk figures as they approached him, one, two, three, four, five, and perhaps no man ever felt greater relief.He advanced toward them and said huskily:

"There was no fight! They did not attack!""There was a fight," said Henry, "and we beat them back; then a second and a larger force came up, but it was composed chiefly of Wyandots, led by their great chief, Timmendiquas.He came forward and said that they would not pursue women and children, and that we could go in safety."Carpenter looked incredulous.

"It is true," said Henry, "every word of it.""It is more than Brant would have done," said Carpenter, "and it saves us, with your help.""You were first, and the first credit is yours, Mr.Carpenter,"said Henry sincerely.

They did not tell the women and children of the fight at the oasis, but they spread the news that there would be no more pursuit, and many drooping spirits revived.They spent another day in the Great Dismal Swamp, where more lives were lost.On the day after their emergence from the marsh, Henry and his comrades killed two deer, which furnished greatly needed food, and on the day after that, excepting those who had died by the way, they reached Fort Penn, where they were received into shelter and safety.