The fall of the six men who had mounted the stockade, and of those who had climbed the trees, was a great blow to the Indians, and soon one of the old warriors sounded the retreat. This command made Long Knife furious, for he wanted to continue fighting, but nobody would listen to him, and at last the Indians retreated, and the enraged chief followed. It may be added that in the forest the chief tried to argue the point with the old warrior, who, instead of talking, struck Long Knife in the mouth, and told him to be quiet.
“Black Wolf is right,” said another warrior. “Long Knife would lead us to death. We have had enough of fighting the white man in his strong box. Henceforth Arrowhead shall fight the white man only in the forest.”
From the manner in which the Indians left the vicinity of the fort Daniel Boone was satisfied that they had almost enough of the fighting.
“Had we a few more men, we could follow them and bring them to terms,” he said. “But as it is we will have to continue on guard until we are certain they have left this locality.”
Three days were spent in the fort, and then some settlers from another locality arrived. They brought news that four other points had been attacked, but in each contest the enemy had been driven off with a heavy loss.
“Long Knife has encamped up at Flat-Rock Run,” said the pioneer. “A good many of his followers have deserted him. We are going up there after him. If we can capture him perhaps we can then learn what has become of the women and children he made captives a long while ago.”
“Let me go with you!” cried Joe eagerly.
“You?”
“Yes! yes! My mother was made a prisoner, and one of my girl friends, Clara Parsons, is missing, too.”
“I’ll go,” put in Pep Frost. “Joey can go with me.”