The six men decided that, although night had not yet come, it
would be best to remain there until the morning. Evidently the
fugitives were in no condition, either mental or physical, to go
farther that day, and the rest was worth more than the risk.
When this decision was announced to them, most of the women took
it apathetically. Soon they lay down upon a blanket, if one was
to be had; otherwise, on leaves and branches. Again Henry
thanked God that it was summer, and that these were people of the
frontier, who could sleep in the open. No fire was needed, and,
outside of human enemies, only rain was to be dreaded.
And yet this band, desperate though its case, was more fortunate
than some of the others that fled from the Wyoming Valley. It
had now to protect it six men Henry and Paul, though boys in
years, were men in strength and ability - five of whom were the
equals of any frontiersmen on the whole border. Another crowd of
women was escorted by a single man throughout its entire flight.
Henry and his comrades distributed themselves in a circle about
the group. At times they helped gather whortleberries as food
for the others, but they looked for Indians or game, intending to
shoot in either case.
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