Ned in the Block-House

their destination long before morning. At that season the days were short, and as the Shawanoe was familiar with the woods, and could travel with

e others to walk with the least noise possible, he setting the example b

leaves. The exercise of walking and their thick garments kept them sufficiently warm, though it would have been different had

out the least noise or occurrence to awaken alarm. They must have gone at least four miles in this manner, B

y, and who was directing affairs in accordance with his own theory of strategy. He knew that that scout is sure to meet disaster, sooner or later, w

nity of the Licking, Deerfoot came to an abrupt and

ste

ow moaning of the wind through the trees, and the faint, almost inaudible mu

thers hear

stinguish nothing more than was

p of the Wyandots," was

ow that?" inqu

tion, in such a guarded undertone that

d the truth of his declaration was soon manifest. Certain as he was that they were c

lenty of time in which to lift his feet as high as he knew how, settin

a point of fire directly ahead. Instantly all stopped, and no one spoke; they knew that i

could be seen, because there were so many

urn," said Deerfoot, turning his

of asking a question, when he became aware that he and Blossom

e," said Blossom in a husky whis

vant, but he remained standing himself, leaning against

ek," remarked the negro lad, with a sigh of contentm

; "and the best thing we can do w

t I'm doin' as

Blossom, for some of the

," assented the other, who

and skill he could command. Possibly he would have incurred no great risk by stalking bol

son, and he knew such a course would deepen the suspic

and some of the settlements along the Ohio. If they should find he was dogging th

rvation, and to make his reconnoissance precisely as

and increased his misgiving was the fact that this was a new party altogether. Waughtauk did not lead

and they were in their war-paint. They had probably left their towns north of the Ohio at the same t

lled to do no little guessing. He was satisfied that the chief and his warriors intended to compass th

seem they numbered enough to overwhelm the garrison. It looked as if Colonel Preston had discovered his danger, though it wa

ntly finished a meal on something, and were now smoking their pipes, lolling on their blankets, sharpening their knives with peculiar whetst

d only a few minutes, when he began a cautious return to his two friends, who wer

ut he believed, by acting promptly, it could be done with safety. Ned Preston was inclined to ask wherein the use lay of a

plan which he had not yet revealed, and which necessitated th

when the Wyandots will

hour with Deerfoot's people, but

not closer t

foot will lead the way, and if the warriors' eyes are not like those of the

le moment: no one could know better than they that the briefest forgetfulness was likely to pro

on the outside, and awaiting an opportunity to enter. Could they succeed in letting Colonel Preston know t

be termed, around the block-house. It was more than probable that Colonel Preston had

to dispatch a messenger to Wild Oaks, to inform the settlers of his peril, and to bring back help. The assailing Indians would anticipate suc

entrance into the building: the gauntlet, in the latter case, would be more difficult than in the former, inasmuch as it would be ne

th a caution which can hardly be pictured. Ned Preston could not hear the slightest soun

om; when the start was made again, a slight sibilant sound, which a listening Indian twenty feet dist

he gave his companions time to raise their feet and put them down

he two in front of him, there was no excuse for his making a false step. Once he began a sentence in a husky whisper, but befo

ee, as a consequence, became more delicate and perilous than before; for, to effect a safe withdrawal from the neighborhoo

stand-still. This was scarcely done when Deerfoot, for the first time since the

op d

ons knew the danger was imminent) wit

nything to explain the cause of the alarm of their guide. At the end of the brief sp

crouching on the ground. In the gloom, deepened by the shadow of the wood, it was impossible to see a half dozen feet; but while Ned Preston was pe

ion of Ned was the head and shoulders of an Indian warrior, who was gliding with a silence which led the specta

sely the same fashion; but though the eye strained itself to catch sight of

y the Shawanoe was more than repaid; for had it been less, the hostiles

his custom, and would return when he saw fit. Ned crept far enough backward to allow him to whi

en the Shawanoe returned as

connoissance, where he wanted no companions.

rywhere; we canno