d him all
the more because he was an American and not an Englishman. He could not
understand how an American, Tory though he might be, could send his own
people to fire and the stake, and doom women and little children to a
horrible death.

Arent Schuyler de Peyster, born in the city of New York, was now a man
of middle years, strongly built, haughty in manner, proud of his family
and of his rank in the army of the King. He was confident that the royal
arms would triumph ultimately, and, meanwhile he was doing his best to
curb the young settlements beyond the Ohio, and to prevent the rebel
extension to the West. Now the expedition of Bird had gone forth from
Detroit against Kentucky and he was anxious to send another and greater
one which should have as its core the Wyandots, the bravest and most
daring of all the western tribes. He had never seen Timmendiquas before,
but he was familiar with his name, and, after a single glance, it was
impossible to mistake him. His roving eye also saw the tall white youth,
and, for the present, he wondered, but his mind soon turned to his
welcome to the warlike chief.

A salute of four guns was fired from one of the batteries in the
bastion. Then Colonel de Peyster greeted Timmendiquas and after him, the
other chiefs one by one. He complimented them all upon their bravery and
their loyalty to the King, their great white father across the ocean. He
rejoiced to hear of their great deeds against the rebels, and promised
them splendid rewards for the new deeds they would achieve. Then, saying
that they had marched far and must be hungry and tired, he invited them
to a feast which he had prepared, having been warned by a runner of
their coming.

Timmendiquas, Red Eagle, and Yellow Panther heard him in silence and
without a change of countenance, but the eyes of the other chiefs
sparkled. They loved blankets of brilliant colors, beads, and the many
gaudy trinkets that were sold or given away at the post. New rifles and
fresh ammunition, also, would be acceptable, and, in order to deserve
than in increasing quantities, they resolved that the next quest for
scalps should be most zealous.

Having finished his address, which had been studied carefully, de
Peyster nodded toward Henry.

"A new recruit, I suppose," he said. "One who has seen the light. Truly,
he is of an admirable figure, and might do great service in our cause.
But he bears no arms."

Henry himself answered before Timmend