corn
and beans and all the Indian stores destroyed, because then the warriors
must hunt in the forest for food, and would have no time to hunt in the
Kentucky woods for white scalps.

The five stayed on the side of the town somewhat away from the
conflagration. The heat was tremendous. It was a big town and the flames
rose in an enormous red tower waving under the wind, and roaring as they
ate into fresh food. Light tepees were licked up in an instant. Sparks
flew in myriads and red coals were carried by the wind. Orchards and
fields were swept away with the rest by the fiery blast. A great pall of
ashes began to settle over the country surrounding the town.

"I've never seen anything before on the same scale," said Paul, "and it
will certainly be a terrible blow to the Indians."

"But it will not break either their spirit or their power," said Henry.
"To do that we've got to beat them in battle, and they'll be waiting for
us at Piqua."

The fire burned all the afternoon, but when the twilight came the town
was wholly consumed. Not a house or tepee was left standing. Over a wide
area there was nothing but a mass of burning coals, which glowed and
cast a bright light against the coming dark. Clouds of smoke gathered,
but the wind blew them off to the eastward and the site of Chillicothe
was yet almost as light as day. On the outward edges of this mass of
coals the men cooked their suppers.

The night advanced. Again it was very hot and close, with but little
wind stirring. All about them it was still as light as day. For more
than a mile the embers, yet red and glowing, lay, and in the orchards
tree trunks smoldered casting out alternate flame and smoke. Save for
those melancholy ruins everything was swept bare. At the edge of the
woods an Indian dog poked his nose at the sky and howled dismally. It
affected the nerves of Henry and Paul, who walked across the corn fields
and chased him away with stones.

"I'm sorry," said Paul, looking back at the wide range of ruin, "that
these things have to be done, even in war."

"So am I, Paul," said Henry, "but think how many bands have gone forth
from this place to do destruction upon our people. We have to fight such
a foe with the weapons that we can use."

They did not stay long at the edge of the woods, knowing that Indian
sharpshooters might be lurking there, but went back to their friends and
the army. The men having eaten amply and having looked upon the
destruct