ht in
particular that wolf's howl makes it all the more uncanny to me."

The night had come on, uncommonly chill for the period of the year, and
Henry also was willing to go. But when he returned to his little room it
seemed littler than ever. This was not a fit place to be a home for a
human being. The air lay heavy on his lungs, and he felt that he no
longer had the patience to wait. The signal of his comrades had set
every pulse in his veins to leaping.

But he forced himself to sit down calmly and think it over. Lajeunais
had told him to watch the river; he had watched and from that point the
first sign had come. Then Lajeunais beyond a doubt meant him well, and
he must watch there whenever he could, because, at any time, a second
sign might come.

The next day and several days thereafter he was held in prison by order
of Colonel de Peyster. The commander seemed to be in a vacillating
mood. Now he was despondent, and then he had spells of courage and
energy. Henry heard through Holderness that the negotiations with
Timmendiquas were not yet concluded, but that they were growing more
favorable. A fresh supply of presents, numerous and costly, had arrived
from Niagara. The Shawnees and Miamis were eager to go at once against
Kentucky. Only the Wyandots still demurred, demanding oaths from the
King's commanders at Montreal and Quebec that all the tribes should be
aided in case of a return attack by the Kentuckians.

"But I think that in a week or so--two weeks at the
furthest--Timmendiquas will be on the march," said Holderness. "A few of
our soldiers will go with them and the whole party will be nominally
under the command of Colonel William Caldwell, but Timmendiquas, of
course, will be the real leader."

"Are you going with them?" asked Henry.

"No, I remain here."

"I am very glad of that."

"Why?"

"Because you do not really know what an Indian raid is."

Henry's tone was so significant that Holderness flushed deeply, but he
remained silent. In a little while he left, and Henry was again a prey
to most dismal thoughts. Bird, with his army and his cannon, doubtless
had reached Kentucky by this time and was doing destruction.
Timmendiquas would surely start very soon--he believed the words of
Holderness--and perhaps not a single settlement would escape him. It was
a most terrible fate to be laid by the heels at such a time. Before, he
had always had the power to struggle.

CHAPTER XII

THE CAN