"We didn't have good shelter here," said Shif'less Sol, "but I think the rain and its coolness have helped Paul."
Adam Colfax bent over the boy and, in the dawning light, made a critical examination.
"He will live," he said. "We'd have come to your relief long ago, had we known you were here."
"It was Braxton Wyatt who led the last attack against us," said Henry, "and as usual, he has had the good luck to escape. At least, we can't find his body here, and I haven't the slightest doubt that he's living to do more mischief and that we'll meet him again."
It was true, and a diligent search revealed no trace of Wyatt. He had escaped, fleeing North after the battle, to rejoin his old friends, the Shawnees and Miamis.
Paul was lifted gently, after receiving treatment from the surgeon of the fleet, and carried to a boat, where he regained consciousness. His wound was severe, but his blood was so healthy that he would recover, according to the surgeon, with great rapidity.
When all five were together, Adam Colfax said to them collectively:
"You did the most of all to save the fleet."
That was enough reward for them.
The body of Father Montigny was buried in the forest, and a little wooden cross was put at his head, Christian burial was given to the body of Alvarez, too, and the supply fleet prepared for a new start.