be in sight in a minute or two," said Paul, "and I'm truly
thankful that we have ground so favorable. We wouldn't have a chance
without it."

"That's so," said Henry, "and we must never lose our heads for a minute.
If we do we're gone."

"Anyway, surprise will be a help to us," said Shif'less Sol, "'cause all
the signs show that they don't dream we're here. But jest to ourselves,
boys, I'm mighty glad that river is between us an' them. Did you ever
hear sech a war chant? Why, it freezes me right into the marrer!"

"They've gone mad with triumph before they've won it," said Henry. "They
intoxicate themselves with singing and dancing. Look at those fellows on
the outer edges of the line jumping up and down."

"An' did you ever see savages more loaded down with war paint?" said
Long Jim. "Why, I think it must be an inch thick on the faces uv them
dancers an' jumpers!"

The forest, in truth, had beheld few sights as sinister as this Indian
army advancing, keeping step to its ferocious chant. Henry saw Yellow
Panther come into view, and then Red Eagle, and then the rumbling guns
with their gunners, and then Blackstaffe and Wyatt, and then the English
Colonel, Alloway, his second, Cartwright, and three or four more
officers riding. After them came the caissons and the other ammunition
wagons, and then more warriors, hundreds and hundreds, joining in that
ferocious whining chorus. The red coats of the British officers lent a
strange and incongruous touch to this scene of forest and savage
warfare.

"I don't like to shoot a white man from ambush," said Henry, "but I'd be
perfectly willing to send a bullet through the head of that Colonel
Alloway. It would help our people--save them, perhaps--because without
the British the Indians can't use the guns."

"You won't git a chance, Henry," said Long Jim. "He's too fur back. The
warriors will come into range fust, an' we'll hev to open fire on 'em. I
don't see no signs of flankers turnin' off from the crossin'."

"No, they won't send 'em up such high hills when they don't think any
enemies are near. Make ready, boys. The foremost warriors are now in
range. I hate to shoot at red men, even, from ambush, but it has to be
done."

Five muzzles were thrust forward in the bushes, and five pairs of keen
eyes looked down the sights, as on came the chanting army, painted and
horrible. The vanguard would soon be at the water.

"Be sure you don't miss," said Henry. "The more deadly