The man then wanted to know something about Henry, and the youth told him as much as he deemed necessary. The two were in the midst of the conversation when two Indians came in and hustled Henry out of the wigwam and to another part of the village.
“White people talk too much,” said one of the Indians, thereby giving the youth to understand that they did not wish the pair to consult together.
From what little Henry had learned he was now certain that a strong attack was to be made on the trading post. As a consequence he wanted to get free more than ever, that he might warn his friends.
His bonds were not the same as those which had kept him a prisoner before, and by working diligently over them, he managed at last to get one hand free. The other quickly followed, and then he freed his feet.
He was alone in the wigwam, the Indians in the village having gathered to hold a pow-wow, the question being how much they should do to aid Moon Eye and Jean Bevoir. The Indians had no desire to become hurt in a battle, yet they were anxious to obtain some of the many gifts which Bevoir had promised them in case of a victory over the English.
With great caution Henry looked out of the wigwam and surveyed the situation. The camp was close to the river bank and was backed up by the virgin forest, which, at this point, was rough and uncertain. It would be an easy matter to hide in the forest, but the question arose, what should he do when he got there?
“Well, anything is better than being a prisoner,” he mused. “I’ll take what I can lay my hands on and get out.”
He looked about him and managed to secure an old hunting knife and likewise a pretty fair bow and several arrows. It was growing dark, and at the risk of being seen he stole to a place where the Indians had stored some blankets and some provisions. He supplied himself with what he wanted, and then, like a ghost, glided into the mighty forest.
“Now for the trading post,” he muttered to himself. “By hook or crook, I must get there, and pray Heaven I get there before it is too late!”
He knew that in order to reach the post he would have to keep close to the river. He imagined the trading post was about three miles away, although he was by no means sure.