As Henry lingered at the edge of the camp, in indecision whether
to wait a little or plunge boldly into the light of the fires, he
became aware that all sounds in the village-for such it was
instead of a camp-had ceased suddenly, except the light tread of
feet and the sound of many people talking low. He saw through
the bushes that all the Iroquois, and with them the detachment of
Wyandots under White Lightning, were going toward a large
structure in the center, which he surmised to be the Council
House. He knew from his experience with the Indians farther west
that the Iroquois built such structures.
He could no longer doubt that some ceremony of the greatest
importance was about to begin, and, dismissing indecision, he
left the bushes and entered the village, going with the crowd
toward the great pole building, which was, indeed, the Council
House.
But little attention was paid to Henry. He would have drawn none
at all, had it not been for his height, and when a warrior or two
glanced at him he uttered some words in Shawnee, saying that he
had wandered far, and was glad to come to the hospitable
Iroquois. One who could speak a little Shawnee bade him welcome,
and they went on, satisfied, their minds more intent upon the
ceremony than upon a visitor.
Pages:
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109