CHAPTER VIII
THE ALARM
The long, silent night was slowly merging into dawn when the Delawares were suddenly awakened by a piercing shout from the center of the camp. Thoroughly alarmed, they rushed from the lodges, weapons in hand, expecting to find themselves beset by foes. Instead they found Dancing Owl, a young warrior who had left the village the previous day to hunt.
"Well, young man, what has happened?" inquired Black Panther, the famous Delaware war chief.
"The Mohawks are on the river," Dancing Owl told him.
The announcement threw the Delawares into a frenzy of excitement. They feared that their fierce foes from the north were about to attack the village.
"Where are they?" Black Panther asked, anxiously.
"I saw them a sun's travel up the river," declared Dancing Owl.
The Delawares felt relieved. They realized that there was at least time to prepare for defense. They crowded eagerly about Dancing Owl and began to question him. Then Black Panther asked them to assemble at the council lodge to hear the words of Dancing Owl.