ted camp was pitched at the
junction of the Ohio and Licking, but along the bank of the larger
river. Most of the boats were tied to the shore, and they had a heavy
guard. There was also a strong patrol across the mouth of the Licking,
and all the way to the northern bank of the Ohio.

The five embarked in a large boat with four oarsmen and they lay at ease
while they were pulled across the broad stream. Behind them they saw the
numerous lights of the camp, twinkling in the woods. Clark meant that
his men should be cheerful, and light ministers to good spirits. Ahead
of him there was no break in the dark line of forest, but they
approached it without apprehension, assured by other scouts that the
Indian retreat had not ceased.

They were landed on the northern bank and stating to the boatmen that
they would be back in the morning, they plunged into the woods. There
was some moonlight, and in a short time they picked up the trail of the
main Indian force. They followed it until midnight and found that it
maintained a steady course toward Chillicothe. Henry was satisfied that
Timmendiquas meant to fall back on the town, and make a stand there
where he could hope for victory, but he was not sure that smaller bands
would not lurk in Clark's path, and try to cut up and weaken his force
as it advanced. Hence, he left the great trail and turned to the right.
In a mile or so they heard sounds and peering through the woods saw
Braxton Wyatt, Blackstaffe and about a dozen Shawnee warriors sitting
about a small fire. Paul incautiously stepped upon a dead bough which
cracked beneath his weight, and the Indians at once leaped up, rifle in
hand. They fired several shots into the bushes whence the sound had
come, but the five had already taken shelter, and they sent bullets in
return. Rifles cracked sharply and jets of smoke arose.

A combat did not enter into Henry's calculation. It was one thing that
he wished especially to avoid, but neither he nor any other of the five
could bear to make a hasty retreat before Braxton Wyatt. They held their
ground, and sent in a fire so rapid and accurate that Wyatt and
Blackstaffe thought they were attacked by a force larger than their own,
and, fearing to be trapped, finally retreated. The result appealed
irresistibly to Shif'less Sol's sense of humor.

"Ef they hadn't run, we would," he said. "Jest think how often that's
the case. Many a feller gits beat 'cause he don't wait for the other to