It's an ambush, Sol,
an ambush meant for us."
"But it's not an ambush intended for our main force, Mynheer
Henry," said Heemskerk, whose red face began to grow redder with
the desire for action. "I, too, see the feather of the
Iroquois."
"As good scouts and skirmishers it's our duty, then, to clear
this force out of the way, and not wait for the main body to come
up, is it not?" asked Henry, with a suggestive look at the
Dutchman.
"What a goot head you have, Mynheer Henry!" exclaimed Heemskerk.
"Of course we will fight, and fight now!"
"How about them blue plates?" said Shif'less Sol softly. But
Heemskerk did not hear him.
They swiftly developed their plan of action. There could be no
earthly doubt of the fact that the Iroquois and some Tories were
ambushed on the far side of the creek. Possibly Thayendanegea
himself, stung by the burning of Oghwaga and the advance on
Cunahunta, was there. But they were sure that it was not a large
band.
The party of Henry and Heemskerk numbered fourteen, but every one
was a veteran, full of courage, tenacity, and all the skill of
the woods. They had supreme confidence in their ability to beat
the best of the Iroquois, man for man, and they carried the very
finest arms known to the time.
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