"
White Lightning bowed gravely. He and Henry touched hands again,
and each withdrew, the chief into the morass, while Henry walked
back toward his comrades, holding himself erect, as if no enemy
were near.
The four rose up to greet him. They had heard part of what was
said, and Henry quickly told them the rest.
"He's shorely a great chief," said Shif'less Sol. He'll keep his
word, too. Them people on ahead ain't got anything more to fear
from pursuit."
He's a statesman, too," said Henry. "He sees what damage the
deeds of Wyoming Valley will do to those who have done them. He
thinks our people will now send a great army against the
Iroquois, and I think so, too."
"No nation can stand a thing like that," said Paul, and I didn't
dream it could happen."
They now left the oasis, and went swiftly along the trail left by
the fugitives. All of them had confidence in the word of
Timmendiquas. There was a remote chance that some other band had
entered the swamp at a different point, but it was remote,
indeed, and it did not trouble them much.
Night was now over the great swamp. The sun no longer came
through the gray clouds, but here and there were little flashes
of flame made by fireflies.
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