te people in the
valley are killed or driven away. Many scalps have been taken, those
of women and children, too, and men have died at the stake. I have
felt shame for their deeds, Ware, and it will bring punishment upon my
brethren, the Iroquois. It will make so great a noise in the world that
many soldiers will come, and the villages of the Iroquois will cease to
be."

"I think it is so, Timmendiquas," said Henry. "But you will be far away
then in your own land."

The chief drew himself up a little.

"I shall remain with the Iroquois," he said. "I have promised to help
them, and I must do so."

"I can't blame you for that," said Henry, "but I am glad that you do
not seek the scalps of women and children. We are at once enemies and
friends, Timmendiquas."

White Lightning bowed gravely. He and Henry touched hands again, and
each withdrew, the chief into the morass, while Henry walked back toward
his comrades, holding himself erect, as if no enemy were near.

The four rose up to greet him. They had heard part of what was said, and
Henry quickly told them the rest.

"He's shorely a great chief," said Shif'less Sol. "He'll keep his word,
too. Them people on ahead ain't got anything more to fear from pursuit."

"He's a statesman, too," said Henry. "He sees what damage the deeds of
Wyoming Valley will do to those who have done them. He thinks our people
will now send a great army against the Iroquois, and I think so, too."

"No nation can stand a thing like that," said Paul, "and I didn't dream
it could happen."

They now left the oasis, and went swiftly along the trail left by the
fugitives. All of them had confidence in the word of Timmendiquas. There
was a remote chance that some other band had entered the swamp at a
different point, but it was remote, indeed, and it did not trouble them
much.

Night was now over the great swamp. The sun no longer came through the
gray clouds, but here and there were little flashes of flame made by
fireflies. Had not the trail been so broad and deep it could easily have
been lost, but, being what it was, the skilled eyes of the frontiersmen
followed it without trouble.

"Some uv 'em are gittin' pow'ful tired," said Tom Ross, looking at
the tracks in the mud. Then he suddenly added: "Here's whar one's quit
forever."

A shallow grave, not an hour old, had been made under some bushes,
and its length indicated that a woman lay there. They passed it by
in silence. Henry now