and
saw to it that the road was safe. In this band were the five, of course,
and after them Heemskerk, young Taylor, and several others.

"If the Iroquois do not get in our way, we'll strike Cunahunta before
night," said Heemskerk, who knew the way.

"It seems to me that they will certainly try to save their towns," said
Henry. "Surely Brant and the Tories will not let us strike so great a
blow without a fight."

"Most of their warriors are elsewhere, Mynheer Henry," said Heemskerk,
"or they would certainly give us a big battle. We've been lucky in the
time of our advance. As it is, I think we'll have something to do."

It was now about noon, the noon of a beautiful October day of the North,
the air like life itself, the foliage burning red on the hills, the
leaves falling softly from the trees as the wind blew, but bringing with
them no hint of decay. None of the vanguard felt fatigue, but when they
crossed a low range of hills and saw before them a creek flowing down
to the Susquehanna, Henry, who was in the lead, stopped suddenly and
dropped down in the grass. The others, knowing without question the
significance of the action, also sank down.

"What is it, Henry?" asked Shif'less Sol.

"You see how thick the trees are on the other side of that bank. Look
a little to the left of a big oak, and you will see the feathers in the
headdress of an Iroquois. Farther on I think I can catch a glimpse of
a green coat, and if I am right that coat is worn by one of Johnson's
Royal Greens. It's an ambush, Sol, an ambush meant for us."

"But it's not an ambush intended for our main force, Mynheer Henry,"
said Heemskerk, whose red face began to grow redder with the desire for
action. "I, too, see the feather of the Iroquois."

"As good scouts and skirmishers it's our duty, then, to clear this force
out of the way, and not wait for the main body to come up, is it not?"
asked Henry, with a suggestive look at the Dutchman.

"What a goot head you have, Mynheer Henry!" exclaimed Heemskerk. "Of
course we will fight, and fight now!"

"How about them blue plates?" said Shif'less Sol softly. But Heemskerk
did not hear him.

They swiftly developed their plan of action. There could be no earthly
doubt of the fact that the Iroquois and some Tories were ambushed on
the far side of the creek. Possibly Thayendanegea himself, stung by the
burning of Oghwaga and the advance on Cunahunta, was there. But they
were sure that it was not a