They've come from Tioga Point on
the river, an' our Colonel Butler kin expect 'em soon."
The sunlight became dazzling, and showed the boats, despite the
distance, with startling clearness. The five, watching from
their peak, saw them turn in toward the land, where they poured
forth a motley stream of red men and white, a stream that was
quickly swallowed up in the forest.
"They are coming down through the woods on the fort, said Tom
Ross.
"And they're coming fast," said Henry. "It's for us to carry the
warning."
They sped back to the Wyoming fort, spreading the alarm as they
passed, and once more they were in the council room with Colonel
Zebulon Butler and his officers around him.
"So they are at hand, and you have seen them?" said the colonel.
"Yes," replied Henry, the spokesman, "they came down from Tioga
Point in boats, but have disembarked and are advancing through
the woods. They will be here today."
There was a little silence in the room. The older men understood
the danger perhaps better than the younger, who were eager for
battle.
"Why should we stay here and wait for them?" exclaimed one of the
younger captains at length-some of these captains were mere boys.
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