Henry and his comrades, well in
front, looked down upon the town, but saw nothing. No light came
from an Indian chimney, nor did any dog howl. just behind them
were the troops in loose order, Colonel Butler impatiently
striking his booted leg with a switch, and William Gray seeking
to restrain his ardor, that he might set a good example to the
men.
"What do you think, Mr. Ware?" asked Colonel Butler.
"I think we ought to rush the town at once."
"It is so!" exclaimed Heemskerk, forgetting all about painting
blue plates.
"The signal is the trumpet; you blow it, Captain Gray, and then
we'll charge."
William Gray took the trumpet from one of the men and blew a
long, thrilling note. Before its last echo was ended, the little
army rushed upon the town. Three or four shots came from the
houses, and the soldiers fired a few at random in return, but
that was all. Indian scouts had brought warning of the white
advance, and the great chiefs, gathering up all the people who
were in the village, had fled. A retreating warrior or two had
fired the shots, but when the white men entered this important
Iroquois stronghold they did not find a single human being.
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