This he read to his companion, who said:
“That’ll fix him. Once he gets them idees into his head, he’ll run away faster than the redskins did.”
“I’ll go on to the Indian camp and find some one to carry this to headquarters. Will you be here when I get back?”
“Somewhere in call,” Late replied. “But, say, how near is Colonel Arnold and his men? Perhaps I ought to signal Captain Swartwout that they are comin’.”
“I passed them near Little Falls, and, of course, traveled faster than they can. To-morrow will be ample time to give warning of their approach.”
“All right; but give me those lines an’ hooks I saw in your pack, an’ I’ll have some fish cookin’ when you come back.”
“I’ll leave my outfit here, and then you may help yourself to anything that is needed.”
It was several hours before he returned to find that Late had kept his promise, for half a dozen fine fish were ready to serve. As they were eating them Ira related his experiences.
“Before I got to the Indian encampment, I saw a young brave slowly crawling toward it. Watching him, I soon understood that he had been wounded and was trying to get back to his friends, therefore I quickened my steps to overtake him. Upon first seeing me he was alarmed; but when I showed my cross and spoke in his own tongue, he dismissed all fears and told me his story.
“He was in the battle at Oriskany and got a bullet in his body which for a time rendered him unconscious. When he came to himself the fighting was over, and, fearing he might be found and made captive, he crept into a thicket near a small brook, staying there until his wound was partially healed. Since then he had been endeavoring to get back to the camp. I did not leave him until he was safe with his own people, for he proved to be a chief of high rank. But the exertion had been too much for him, and before his friends could do anything, he died.