“Huh!” snorted Sergeant Quayle. “Cain killed Abel an’ had to leave home; but he didn’t go bush-whackin’ two men from behind!”
“And what about Mr. Lobb, anyhow! We can’t leave him, once we’ve had the pleasure of his company?” put in Jim Small, with sarcasm.
“Take him along,” said another of the woodsmen.
“Yes, that is what I had in mind,” Ree answered. “He can tell Pipe what he has told us. But we must be moving, men! It’s a long tramp and time’s flying!”
Without loss of time the party got under way. No one questioned the wisdom of Kingdom’s plan, although, if the truth were known, two of the men at least, looked for a lively scrimmage as a result of the undertaking. But they did not falter. Indeed, it is a question if they did not rather relish the prospect of a brush with the Delawares. Lobb was completely disarmed but he was not bound.
“I give ye my word, master, I’ll not try get-tin’ away,” he said.
“Whist! Give me yer chances in the hereafter; one’s as good as ’tother,” retorted the Sergeant contemptuously, and then informed the murderer further that the slightest attempt on his part would result in his being shot first and asked as to the meaning of it afterward.
The fellow made some very humble answer but he grew decidedly thoughtful and rather sullen as the marchers hurried rapidly through the woods. There was a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes, too, when the party passed the clearing and saw only a heap of ashes and the chimney where the boys’ cabin had stood. He was thinking. He was planning to betray his captors and with Lone-Elk’s help to turn the tables upon them. How well he succeeded will soon be told, for now comes a part of this history which all participants therein remembered throughout their lives, and which left its impress upon the people of Captain Pipe’s town long after the village itself had ceased to be.
The day was bright and clear. Though not warm, neither was it very cold, and the south wind which sighed in the leafless branches of the trees and gently rippled the waters of the little lake seemed soft as velvet. The Delawares were in fine spirits. With savage rapture they looked forward to the terrible celebration the night would bring.
From the lower towns on the Muskingum Captain Pipe had brought encouraging news of Indian successes along the border and almost without exception his warriors were enthusiastic for the final conflict with Wayne’s “Legion,” which, they believed, would not be long in coming. They felt perfect confidence as to the outcome. They had seen his raw recruits. They did not know then that “Mad Anthony” had no intention of marching upon them until his troops were trained. This and much else they learned in time and to their sorrow.