Brant sent out six war parties, composed of not less than twenty
warriors apiece, to seek revenge, but they found nothing.
Henry and his comrades had found a remarkable camp at the edge of
one of the beautiful small lakes in which the region abounds.
The cliff at that point was high, but a creek entered into it
through a ravine. At the entrance of the creek into the river
they found a deep alcove, or, rather, cave in the rock. It ran
so far back that it afforded ample shelter from the rain, and
that was all they wanted. It was about halfway between the top
and bottom of the cliff, and was difficult of approach both from
below and above. Unless completely surprised-a very unlikely
thing with them-the five could hold it against any force as long
as their provisions lasted. They also built a boat large enough
for five, which they hid among the bushes at the lake's edge.
They were thus provided with a possible means of escape across
the water in case of the last emergency.
Jim and Paul, who, as usual, filled the role of housekeepers,
took great delight in fitting up this forest home, which the
fittingly called " The Alcove." The floor of solid stone was
almost smooth, and with the aid of other heavy stones they broke
off all projections, until one could walk over it in the dark in
perfect comfort.
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