placed him beside he lad, and he caught his arm with
a grip of iron.

It was of no use trying to hold back. Omas half running, half leaping,
drove his way like a wedge through the surging swarm. His left hand
closed around the upper arm of Ben, while his right grasped his
tomahawk, he having thrown aside his rifle.

The boy was repeatedly jerked almost off his feet. He could run fast,
but was not equal to this warrior, who forged along with resistless
might. Twice did an Iroquois make for the young prisoner, as he supposed
the lad to be, but a warning motion of the tomahawk upheld by Omas
repelled him.

The Delaware was prudent, and instead of keeping in the midst of the
surging mass, worked to one side, so that they were soon comparatively
free from the tumultuous throng.

There was no attempt at conversation between the Delaware and Ben. The
boy knew what was meant by this rough kindness. The day was lost, and
his thoughts went out to the loved ones waiting down the valley to learn
the result of the battle. He wanted to get to them as quickly as he
could.

The rush carried them beyond the main body of fugitives, though not out
of danger, for the Iroquois were pursuing hard; but soon Omas loosened
his grip and dropped the arm of the lad. They were far enough removed
from the swirl to exchange words.

"Where moder--where Alice?", asked the Delaware, as if he had no concern
for his own child.

"At Forty Fort."

"Linna with them?"

"Yes; they are together with the other folks."

"Go dere--tell cross riber--make haste to Del'mware."

This command meant that the little party should hurry to the eastern
side of the Susquehanna, and start for the settlements on the Upper
Delaware. The nearest town was Stroudsburg, sixty miles distant, and the
way led through a dismal forest.

The words of Omas showed, too, that he knew what was coming. Though the
British Colonel Butler might accept the surrender and strive to give
fair treatment to the prisoners, he would find it hard to restrain the
Tories and Indians.

All that could be done was for the fugitives to flee, without an hour's
delay. They were already flocking to the river in the effort to reach
the other side. A good many hid among the grass and undergrowth on
Monacacy Island, where the Tories and Indians followed, and hunted them
out without mercy.

Those who were wise enough to set out in time had a chance of arriving
at the settlements on the Upper Dela