It rose
steadily, untroubled by wind until it was dissipated. It meant
"attention!" and presently it was followed by a column of such
rings, one following another beautifully. The column said: " The
foe is near." Henry read the Indian signs perfectly. The rings
were made by covering a little fire with a blanket for a moment
and then allowing the smoke to ascend. On clear days such
signals could be seen a distance of thirty miles or more, and he
knew that they were full of significance.
Evidently the Iroquois party had divided into two or more bands.
One had found his trail, and was signaling to the other. The
party sending up the smoke might be a half mile away, but the
others, although his trail was yet hidden from them, might be
nearer. It was again time for flight.
He swiftly put on the snowshoes, neglecting no thong or lace,
folded the blanket on his back again, and, leaving the friendly
root, started once more. He ran forward at moderate speed for
perhaps a mile, when he suddenly heard triumphant yells on both
right and left. A strong party of Iroquois were coming up on
either side, and luck had enabled them to catch him in a trap.
They were so near that they fired upon him, and one bullet nicked
his glove, but he was hopeful that after his long rest he might
again stave them off.
Pages:
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392