"The Indians who burned this log house, are not far away," he whispered to her. "We must try to get to Hartford before they detect us."
"Let's talk it over quickly," Matthew suggested who in hours of danger was always impatient.
"Yes, let's do that," Agnes assented; "we'll hide our horses in the deep woods along the river. I know a fine place, where we may conceal ourselves."
"How about our boat?" Matthew asked. "Wouldn't it be better if we go to Hartford by way of the river?"
"Pst," Fred warned him, "you and Agnes are talking too loudly and excitedly. I am afraid that these woods have ears, as the Dutch say. Let's get away from here."
Fred was right. The children had not seen the Indians who, hidden behind the trees, observed every movement they made. So of this they were unaware, and in a moment they disappeared in the thick bush, drawing their horses after them.
The Indians did not disturb them, for they knew that they could not escape, though they were not many in number, since they constituted only a scouting party, left behind the main body which had moved west to come back from the south and thus surprise the white men.
As soon as the children had hidden their horses, they sought a small cave which they had discovered the year before, and here they held a council.
"First," said Fred, "let us kneel down in prayer; for if the Lord will not guide our thoughts, we shall never escape."
They prayed fervently, as people do who are in great trouble, and closed their devotion with a Lord's Prayer in unison.