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

"The Scouts of the Valley"

It was Thayendanegea. Then three white figures
appeared. One was that of Braxton Wyatt, and the others they
took to be those of "Indian" Butler and his son, Walter Butler.
After a talk of a minute or two they entered one of the wooden
houses.
"It's to be a conference of some kind," whispered Henry. "I wish
I could look in on it."
"And I," said the others together.
"Well, we know this much," continued Henry. "No great force of
the Iroquois is present, and if Colonel Butler's men come up
quickly, we can take the town."
"It's a chance not to be lost," said Paul.
They crept slowly away from the village, not stopping until they
reached the crest of a hill, from which they could see the roofs
of two or three of the Indian houses.
"I've a feeling in me," said Paul, "that the place is doomed.
We'll strike the first blow for Wyoming."
They neither slept nor rested that night, but retraced their
trail with the utmost speed toward the marching American force,
going in Indian file through the wilderness. Henry, as usual,
led; Shif'less Sol followed, then came Paul, and then Long Jim,
while Silent Tom was the rear guard. They traveled at great
speed, and, some time after daylight, met the advance of the
colonial force under Captain William Gray.


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