of "Indian" Butler
and his son, Walter Butler. After a talk of a minute or two they entered
one of the wooden houses.

"It's to be a conference of some kind," whispered Henry. "I wish I could
look in on it."

"And I," said the others together.

"Well, we know this much," continued Henry. "No great force of the
Iroquois is present, and if Colonel Butler's men come up quickly, we can
take the town."

"It's a chance not to be lost," said Paul.

They crept slowly away from the village, not stopping until they reached
the crest of a hill, from which they could see the roofs of two or three
of the Indian houses.

"I've a feeling in me," said Paul, "that the place is doomed. We'll
strike the first blow for Wyoming."

They neither slept nor rested that night, but retraced their trail with
the utmost speed toward the marching American force, going in Indian
file through the wilderness. Henry, as usual, led; Shif'less Sol
followed, then came Paul, and then Long Jim, while Silent Tom was the
rear guard. They traveled at great speed, and, some time after daylight,
met the advance of the colonial force under Captain William Gray.

William Gray was a gallant young officer, but he was startled a little
when five figures as silent as phantoms appeared. But he uttered an
exclamation of delight when he recognized the leader, Henry.

"What have you found?" he asked eagerly.

"We've been to Oghwaga," replied the youth, "and we went all about the
town. They do not suspect our coming. At least, they did not know when
we left. We saw Brant, Timmendiquas, the Butlers, and Wyatt enter the
house for a conference."

"And now is our chance," said eager young William Gray. "What if we
should take the town, and with it these men, at one blow."

"We can scarcely hope for as much as that," said Henry, who knew
that men like Timmendiquas and Thayendanegea were not likely to allow
themselves to be seized by so small a force, "but we can hope for a good
victory."

The young captain rode quickly back to his comrades with the news, and,
led by the five, the whole force pushed forward with all possible haste.
William Gray was still sanguine of a surprise, but the young riflemen
did not expect it. Indian sentinels were sure to be in the forest
between them and Oghwaga. Yet they said nothing to dash this hope. Henry
had already seen enough to know the immense value of enthusiasm, and
the little army full of zeal would accomplish much if the