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Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919

"The Scouts of the Valley"


It inspired every one of the five with fresh zeal and energy,
because they believed the first blow was about to be struck.
About ten o'clock at night they approached Oghwaga, and the
reports of its importance were confirmed. They had not before
seen an Indian village with so many signs of permanence. They
passed two or three orchards of apple and peach trees, and they
saw other indications of cultivation like that of the white
farmer.
"It ain't a bad-lookin' town," said Long Jim Hart. "But it'll
look wuss," said Shif'less Sol, "onless they've laid an ambush
somewhar. I don't like to see houses an' sech like go up in fire
an' smoke, but after what wuz done at Wyomin' an' all through
that valley, burnin' is a light thing."
"We're bound to strike back with all our might," said Paul, who
had the softest heart of them all.
"Now, I wonder who's in this here town," said Tom Ross. "Mebbe
Timmendiquas an' Brant an' all them renegades."
"It may be so," said Henry. "This is their base and store of
supplies. Oh, if Colonel Butler were only here with all his men,
what a rush we could make!"
So great was their eagerness that they crept closer to the
village, passing among some thick clusters of grapevines.


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