"It seems to me that they will certainly try to save their
towns," said Henry. "Surely Brant and the Tories will not let us
strike so great a blow without a fight."
"Most of their warriors are elsewhere, Mynheer Henry," said
Heemskerk, " or they would certainly give us a big battle. We've
been lucky in the time of our advance. As it is, I think we'll
have something to do."
It was now about noon, the noon of a beautiful October day of the
North, the air like life itself, the foliage burning red on the
hills, the leaves falling softly from the trees as the wind blew,
but bringing with them no hint of decay. None of the vanguard
felt fatigue, but when they crossed a low range of hills and saw
before them a creek flowing down to the Susquehanna, Henry, who
was in the lead, stopped suddenly and dropped down in the grass.
The others, knowing without question the significance of the
action, also sank down.
"What is it, Henry ?" asked Shif'less Sol.
"You see how thick the trees are on the other side of that bank.
Look a little to the left of a big oak, and you will see the
feathers in the headdress of an Iroquois. Farther on I think I
can catch a glimpse of a green coat, and if I am right that coat
is worn by one of Johnson's Royal Greens.
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