The blood leaped in his veins. It was
a tide of fierce joy. He had achieved both of the purposes for
which he had come. He had thoroughly scouted the Seneca Castle,
and he was about to come to close quarters with Braxton Wyatt and
the band which he had made such a terror through the valleys.
Shif'less Sol saw the face of his young comrade, and he was
startled. He had never before beheld it so stern, so resolute,
and so pitiless. He seemed to remember as one single, fearful
picture all the ruthless and terrible scenes of the last year.
Henry uttered again that cry which was at once a defiance and a
signal, and from the forest ahead of him it was answered, signal
for signal. The riflemen were coming, Paul, Long Jim, and
Heemskerk at their head. They uttered a mighty cheer as they saw
the flying three, and their ranks opened to receive them. From
the Indians and Tories came the long whoop of challenge, and
every one in either band knew that the issue was now about to be
settled by battle, and by battle alone. They used all the
tactics of the forest. Both sides instantly dropped down among
the trees and undergrowth, three or four hundred yards apart, and
for a few moments there was no sound save heavy breathing, heard
only by those who lay close by.
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