irmished more than once with the vanguard of the
army. Growing in Henry's heart was a strong desire to match forces with
him, and it was quite probable that a swift advance might find him at
the Seneca Castle.

The riflemen took up their march on a brisk morning in late autumn. The
night had been clear and cold, with a touch of winter in it, and
the brilliant colors of the foliage had now turned to a solid brown.
Whenever the wind blew, the leaves fell in showers. The sky was a fleecy
blue, but over hills, valley, and forest hung a fine misty veil that is
the mark of Indian summer. The land was nowhere inhabited. They saw
the cabin of neither white man nor Indian. A desolation and a silence,
brought by the great struggle, hung over everything. Many discerning
eyes among the riflemen noted the beauty and fertility of the country,
with its noble forests and rich meadows. At times they caught glimpses
of the river, a clear stream sparkling under the sun.

"Makes me think o' some o' the country 'way down thar in Kentucky," said
Shif'less Sol, "an' it seems to me I like one about ez well ez t'other.
Say, Henry, do you think we'll ever go back home? 'Pears to me that
we're always goin' farther an' farther away."

Henry laughed.

"It's because circumstances have taken us by the hand and led us away,
Sol," he replied.

"Then," said the shiftless one with a resigned air, "I hope them same
circumstances will take me by both hands, an' lead me gently, but
strongly, back to a place whar thar is peace an' rest fur a lazy an'
tired man like me."

"I think you'll have to endure a lot, until next spring at least," said
Henry.

The shiftless one heaved a deep sigh, but his next words were wholly
irrelevant.

"S'pose we'll light on that thar Seneca Castle by tomorrow night?" he
asked.

"It seems to me that for a lazy and tired man you're extremely anxious
for a fight," Henry replied.

"I try to be resigned," said Shif'less Sol. But his eyes were sparkling
with the light of battle.

They went into camp that night in a dense forest, with the Seneca Castle
about ten miles ahead. Henry was quite sure that the Senecas to whom it
belonged had not yet abandoned it, and with the aid of the other tribes
might make a stand there. It was more than likely, too, that the Senecas
had sharpshooters and sentinels well to the south of their town, and
it behooved the riflemen to be extremely careful lest they run into a
hornet's nest. Henc