"He will tell his white brother where he may be found, after I can run five miles."
"Meaning that you will go from me to him, and return?" the general asked; but it was as if the Indian did not hear the question, for he said, in a tone which to me was one of menace:
"You will come no nearer Oghkwaga until Thayendanega shall give his permission."
Having said this, he turned slowly about until facing the direction where I knew Brant and his followers encamped the night previous, when he stalked slowly away, giving no more heed to those who pressed closely to him than if he was the only person in that vast wilderness.
To Jacob this enforced halt, at a time when he believed it was vitally necessary he should be making search for his father, was most painful, and despite all Sergeant Corney and I could say or do to relieve his distress of mind, the poor lad paced to and fro, as I was told he had during the long hours of the night, in a nervous condition pitiable to behold.
When half an hour or more had passed, the old soldier said to me, in a more kindly tone than I had ever suspected he could use:
"The lad is eatin' his heart out, an' all to no purpose. Can't you quiet him a bit, Noel?"
"I have said all within my power, an' he turns a deaf ear," I replied, sadly.
"Then I shall try my fist at it," and the old man went up to my comrade, taking him gently by the hand, and leading him into the thicket just beyond view of the encampment.
There the two seemingly conversed for a long time, and I was left comparatively alone, until the soldier who had told us of General Herkimer's doings nearabout Johnson Hall, came up.