A rally was
always destroyed in the beginning, and the chiefs themselves at
last ran for their lives. The pursuit was continued for a long
time, not only by the vanguard, but the army itself moved forward
over the battlefield and deep into the forest on the trail of the
flying Iroquois.
The scouts continued the pursuit the longest, keeping a close
watch, nevertheless, against an ambush. Now and then they
exchanged shots with a band, but the Indians always fled quickly,
and at last they stopped because they could no longer find any
resistance. They had been in action or pursuit for many hours,
and they were black with smoke, dust, and sweat, but they were
not yet conscious of any weariness. Heemskerk drew a great red
silk handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped his glowing face,
which was as red as the handkerchief.
"It's the best job that's been done in these parts for many a
year," he said. "The Iroquois have always thought they were
invincible, and now the spell's been broke. If we only follow it
up."
"That's sure to be done," said Henry. "I heard General Sullivan
himself say that his orders were to root up the whole Iroquois
power."
They returned slowly toward the main force, retracing their steps
over the path of battle.
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