The Senecas, it
may be repeated, had suffered terribly at the Battle of the
Oriskany in the preceding year, and throughout these years of
border were the most cruel of all the Iroquois. In this respect
Hiokatoo led all the Senecas, and now Braxton Wyatt used as he
was to savage scenes, was compelled to admit to himself that this
was the most terrifying human being whom he had ever beheld. He
was old, but age in him seemed merely to add to his strength and
ferocity. The path of a deep cut, healed long since, but which
the paint even did not hide, lay across his forehead. Others
almost as deep adorned his right cheek, his chin, and his neck.
He was crouched much like a panther, with his rifle in his hands
and the ready tomahawk at his belt. But it was the extraordinary
expression of his eyes that made Braxton Wyatt shudder. He read
there no mercy for anything, not even for himself, Braxton Wyatt,
if he should stand in the way, and it was this last fact that
brought the shudder.
Hiokatoo thought it a good plan. Twenty warriors, mostly Senecas
and Cayugas, were detailed to execute it at once, and they stole
off toward the right. Henry had suspected some such diversion,
and, as he had been joined now by the four men from the other
side of the creek, he disposed his little force to meet it.
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