Human skill can not aid him! Only God
can save."

"Didn't I hear a third shot?" whispered Dave, gazing round with sad,
questioning eyes. "Heckewelder?"

"Is safe. He has gone to see Williamson. You did hear a third shot.
Half King fell dead with a bullet over his left eye. He had just
folded his arms in a grand pose after his death decree to the
Christians."

"A judgment of God!"

"It does seem so, but it came in the form of leaden death from
Wetzel's unerring rifle. Do you hear all that yelling? Half King's
death has set the Indians wild."

There was a gentle knock at the door, and then the word, "Open," in
Heckewelder's voice.

Jim unbarred the door. Heckewelder came in carrying over his
shoulder what apparently was a sack of meal. He was accompanied by
young Christy. Heckewelder put the bag down, opened it, and lifted
out a little Indian boy. The child gazed round with fearful eyes.

"Save Benny! Save Benny!" he cried, running to Nell, and she clasped
him closely in her arms.

Heckewelder's face was like marble as he asked concerning Edwards'
condition.

"I'm not badly off," said the missionary with a smile.

"How's George?" whispered Heckewelder.

No one answered him. Zeisberger raised his hands. All followed
Heckewelder into the other room, where Young lay in the same
position as when first brought in. Heckewelder stood gazing down
into the wan face with its terribly significant smile.

"I brought him out here. I persuaded him to come!" whispered
Heckewelder. "Oh, Almighty God!" he cried. His voice broke, and his
prayer ended with the mute eloquence of clasped hands and uplifted,
appealing face.

"Come out," said Zeisberger, leading him into the larger room. The
others followed, and Jim closed the door.

"What's to be done?" said Zeisberger, with his practical common
sense. "What did Williamson say? Tell us what you learned?"

"Wait--directly," answered Heckewelder, sitting down and covering
his face with his hands. There was a long silence. At length he
raised his white face and spoke calmly:

"Gentlemen, the Village of Peace is doomed. I entreated Captain
Williamson to help us, but he refused. Said he dared not interfere.
I prayed that he would speak at least a word to Girty, but he denied
my request."

"Where are the converts?"

"Imprisoned in the church, every one of them except Benny. Mr.
Christy and I hid the child in the meal sack and were thus able to
get him here. We must save h