Johnstown, Caughnawaga, and Schenectady. Sir John Johnson, Major
Ross, and Captain Butler are preparing to gather at Niagara Fort.
They expect to place a strong, swift force in the field--Rangers,
Greens, Hessians, Regulars, and partizans, not counting Brant's
Iroquois of the Seneca, Cayuga, and Mohawk nations.

"The trysting-place is named as Thendara. Only an Iroquois, adopted
or native, can understand how Thendara is to be found. It is a town
that has no existence--a fabled town that has existed and will
exist again, but does not now exist. It is a mystic term used in
council, and understood only by those clan ensigns present at the
Rite of Condolence. At a federal council of the Five Nations, at a
certain instant in the ceremonies, that spot which for a week shall
be chosen to represent the legendary and lost town of Thendara, is
designated to the clan attestants.

"Now, sir, as our allies the Oneidas dare not answer to a belt
summons for federal council, there is no one who can discover for
you the location of the trysting-spot, Thendara. I, however, am an
Oneida councilor, having conformed to the law of descent by
adoption; and having been raised up to ensign by the Wolf-Clan of
the Oneida Nation, beg leave to place my poor services at your
Excellency's disposal. There may be a chance that I return alive;
and you, sir, are to judge whether any attempt of mine to answer
the Iroquois belt, which surely I shall receive, is worth your
honorable consideration. In the meanwhile I am sending copies of
this letter to Colonel Willett and to Gen'l Schuyler."

I hastily signed, seized more writing-paper, and fell to copying
furiously. And at length it was accomplished, and I wrapped up the
letters in a box of snuff, tied and sealed the packet, and called
Dennis.

"Take this snuff back to Ennis, in Hanover Square," I said peevishly,
"and inform him that Mr. Renault desires a better quality."

My servant took the box and hastened away. I stood an instant,
listening. Walter Butler was still singing. I cast my eyes about,
picked up a half-written sheet I had discarded for fault of blots,
crumpled it, and reached for a candle to burn it. But at that instant I
heard the voices of the ladies on the landing below, so quickly opening
my wainscot niche I thrust the dangerous paper within, closed the
panel, and hastened away down-stai