He wheeled instantly to cover behind the body of
a great beech tree, and the stranger sought to do likewise, only
he had no convenient tree that was so large. It was about the
twelfth hour, but Henry could see a portion of a body protruding
beyond a slim oak, and he believed that he recognized it. As he
held the advantage he would, at any rate, hail the stranger.
"Ho, Cornelius Heemskerk, Dutchman, fat man, great scout and
woodsman, what are you doing in my wilderness? Stand forth at
once and give an account of yourself, or I will shoot off the
part of your body that sticks beyond that oak tree!"
The answer was instantaneous. A round, plump body revolved from
the partial shelter of the tree and stood upright in the open,
rifle in hand and cap thrown back from a broad ruddy brow.
"Ho, Mynheer Henry Ware," replied Cornelius Heemskerk in a loud,
clear tone, "I am in your woods on perhaps the same errand that
you are. Come from behind that beech and let us see which has
the stronger grip."
Henry stood forth, and the two clasped hands in a grip so
powerful that both winced. Then they released hands
simultaneously, and Heemskerk asked:
"And the other four mynheers? Am I wrong to say that they are
near, somewhere ?"
"You are not wrong," replied Henry.
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