But Henry did not expect it to be, nor did he need it.
He had marked its base too clearly in his mind to make any
mistake, and he advanced with certainty. He came presently into
an open space, and he stopped with amazement. Around him were
the stumps of a clearing made recently, and near him were some
yards of rough rail fence.
He crouched against the fence, and saw on the far side of the
clearing the dim outlines of several buildings, from the chimneys
of two of which smoke was rising. It was his first thought that
he had come upon a little settlement still held by daring
borderers, but second thought told him that it was impossible.
Another and more comprehensive look showed many signs of ruin.
He saw remains of several burned houses, but clothing all was the
atmosphere of desolation and decay that tells when a place is
abandoned. The two threads of smoke did not alter this
impression.
Henry divined it all. The builders of this tiny village in the
wilderness bad been massacred or driven away. A part of the
houses had been destroyed, some were left standing, and now there
were visitors. He advanced without noise, keeping behind the
rail fence, and approaching one of the houses from the chimneys
of which the smoke came.
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