appreciated more fully than ever the mercy of
Timmendiquas. The five and Carpenter could not possibly have protected
the miserable fugitives against the great chief, with fifty Wyandots and
Iroquois at his back. Timmendiquas knew this, and he had done what none
of the Indians or white allies around him would have done.

In another hour they saw a man standing among some vines, but watchful,
and with his rifle in the hollow of his arm. It was Carpenter, a man
whose task was not less than that of the five. They were in the thick
of it and could see what was done, but he had to lead on and wait. He
counted the dusk figures as they approached him, one, two, three, four,
five, and perhaps no man ever felt greater relief. He advanced toward
them and said huskily:

"There was no fight! They did not attack!"

"There was a fight," said Henry, "and we beat them back; then a second
and a larger force came up, but it was composed chiefly of Wyandots, led
by their great chief, Timmendiquas. He came forward and said that they
would not pursue women and children, and that we could go in safety."

Carpenter looked incredulous.

"It is true," said Henry, "every word of it."

"It is more than Brant would have done," said Carpenter, "and it saves
us, with your help."

"You were first, and the first credit is yours, Mr. Carpenter," said
Henry sincerely.

They did not tell the women and children of the fight at the oasis,
but they spread the news that there would be no more pursuit, and many
drooping spirits revived. They spent another day in the Great Dismal
Swamp, where more lives were lost. On the day after their emergence
from the marsh, Henry and his comrades killed two deer, which furnished
greatly needed food, and on the day after that, excepting those who had
died by the way, they reached Fort Penn, where they were received into
shelter and safety.

The night before the fugitives reached Fort Penn, the Iroquois began the
celebration of the Thanksgiving Dance for their great victory and the
many scalps taken at Wyoming. They could not recall another time when
they had secured so many of these hideous trophies, and they were drunk
with the joy of victory. Many of the Tories, some in their own clothes,
and some painted and dressed like Indians, took part in it.

According to their ancient and honored custom they held a grand council
to prepare for it. All the leading chiefs were present, Sangerachte,
Hiokatoo, and the other