The most delicate part of his task had now come, one that good
fortune only could aid him in achieving, but the brave youth, his
heart aflame with righteous anger against those inside, still
pursued the work. His heart throbbed, but hand and eye were
steady.
Now came the kindly stroke of fortune for which he had hoped.
The wind rose much higher and roared harder against the house.
It would prevent the Iroquois within, keen of ear as they were,
from hearing a light sound without. Then he drew forth his flint
and steel and struck them together with a hand so strong and
swift that sparks quickly leaped forth and set fire to the pine
tinder. Henry paused only long enough to see the flame spread to
the splinters, and then he ran rapidly to the other house, where
the task was repeated-he intended that his job should be
thorough.
Pursuing this resolve to make his task complete, he came back to
the first house and looked at his fire. It had already spread to
the larger pieces of pine, and it could not go out now. The
sound made by the flames blended exactly with the roaring of the
wind, and another minute or two might pass before the Iroquois
detected it.
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