ce where man had made a little opening
the wilderness was quickly reclaiming its own again. Next year the grass
and the foliage would cover up the coals and the hideous relics that lay
among them.

They jerked great quantities of venison on the trees on the cliff side,
and stored it in "The Alcove." They also cured some bear meat, and,
having added a further lining of skins, they felt prepared for winter.
They had also added to the comfort of the place. They had taken the
precaution of bringing with them two axes, and with the heads of these
they smoothed out more of the rough places on the floor and sides of
"The Alcove." They thought it likely, too, that they would need the axes
in other ways later on.

Only once during these arrangements did they pass the trail of Indians,
and that was made by a party of about twenty, at least ten miles from
"The Alcove." They seemed to be traveling north, and the five made no
investigations. Somewhat later they met a white runner in the forest,
and he told them of the terrible massacre of Cherry Valley. Walter
Butler, emulating his father's exploit at Wyoming, had come down with a
mixed horde of Iroquois, Tories, British, and Canadians. He had not
been wholly successful, but he had slaughtered half a hundred women and
children, and was now returning northward with prisoners. Some said,
according to the runner, that Thayendanegea had led the Indians on this
occasion, but, as the five learned later, he had not come up until the
massacre was over. The runner added another piece of information that
interested them deeply. Butler had been accompanied to Cherry Valley by
a young Tory or renegade named Wyatt, who had distinguished himself by
cunning and cruelty. It was said that Wyatt had built up for himself a
semi-independent command, and was becoming a great scourge.

"That's our Braxton," said Henry. "He is rising to his opportunities. He
is likely to become fully the equal of Walter Butler."

But they could do nothing at present to find Wyatt, and they went
somewhat sadly back to "The Alcove." They had learned also from the
runner that Wyatt had a lieutenant, a Tory named Coleman, and this fact
increased their belief that Wyatt was undertaking to operate on a large
scale.

"We may get a chance at him anyhow," said Henry. "He and his band may go
too far away from the main body of the Indians and Tories, and in that
case we can strike a blow if we are watchful."

Every one of the