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Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919

"The Scouts of the Valley"

Promises were made to
the tribes that they should have other victories even greater
than those of Wyoming and Cherry Valley, and again the terrible
Queen Esther went among them, swinging her great war tomahawk
over her head and chanting her song of death. She, more than any
other, inflamed the Iroquois, and they were eager for the coming
contest.
Timmendiquas had gone back to the Ohio country in the winter,
but, faithful to his promise to give Thayendanegea help to the
last, he returned in the spring with a hundred chosen warriors of
the Wyandot nation, a reenforcement the value of which could not
be estimated too highly.
Henry and his comrades felt the stir as they roamed through the
forest, and they thrilled at the thought that the crisis was
approaching. Then they set out for Lake Otsego, where the army
was gathering for the great campaign. They were equipped
thoroughly, and they were now so well known in the region that
they knew they would be welcome.
They traveled several days, and were preparing to encamp for the
last night within about fifteen miles of the lake when Henry,
scouting as usual to see if an enemy were near, heard a footstep
in the forest.


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