ght that we would see what
was going on. Four of us have been captives among the Iroquois. We know
much of their plans, and we know, too, that Timmendiquas, the great
chief of the Wyandots, whom we fought along the Ohio, has joined them
with a hand of his best warriors. We have also seen Thayendanegea, every
one of us."

"You have seen Brant?" exclaimed Colonel Butler, calling the great
Mohawk by his white name.

"Yes," replied Henry. "We have seen him, and we have also seen the woman
they call Queen Esther. She is continually urging the Indians on."

Colonel Butler seemed convinced, and invited them to sit down. He also
introduced the officers who were with him, Colonel John Durkee, Colonel
Nathan Dennison, Lieutenant Colonel George Dorrance, Major John Garrett,
Captain Samuel Ransom, Captain Dethrie Hewitt, and some others.

"Now, gentlemen, tell us all that you saw," continued Colonel Butler
courteously. "You will pardon so many questions, but we must be careful.
You will see that yourselves. But I am a New England man myself, from
Connecticut, and I have met Adam Colfax. I recall now that we have heard
of you, also, and we are grateful for your coming. Will you and your
comrades tell us all that you have seen and heard?"

The five felt a decided change in the atmosphere. They were no longer
possible Tories or renegades, bringing an alarm at one point when it
should be dreaded at another. The men drew closely around them, and
listened as the tallow wicks sputtered in the dim room. Henry spoke
first, and the others in their turn. Every one of them spoke tersely but
vividly in the language of the forest. They felt deeply what they had
seen, and they drew the same picture for their listeners. Gradually the
faces of the Wyoming men became shadowed. This was a formidable tale
that they were hearing, and they could not doubt its truth.

"It is worse than I thought it could be," said Colonel Butler at last.
"How many men do you say they have, Mr. Ware?"

"Close to fifteen hundred."

"All trained warriors and soldiers. And at the best we cannot raise more
than three hundreds including old men and boys, and our men, too, are
farmers."

"But we can beat them. Only give us a chance, Colonel!" exclaimed
Captain Ransom.

"I'm afraid the chance will come too soon," said Colonel Butler, and
then turning to the five: "Help us all you can. We need scouts and
riflemen. Come to the fort for any food and ammunition you may n