"Have they ever broken their word with you?" she demanded.
"Yes—many times."
"Well, it is not my wish you should start any fighting. Merely frighten away the guards of the little fort."
"My braves," he said, "run wild when deeds of violence start. We want no killing."
"No," she agreed. "I will be careful of that."
Lea at last convinced him. There were two gods, and another goddess like herself, held in that little fort by the Dutch. A score of braves and herself could go and frighten away the Dutchmen and rescue them. If they were left there—if evil came to them—then evil would fall upon all this forest.
He listened. Abruptly he stood up and flung his gray braids with a toss of his head; and wound his vivid blanket around him. Dignified, venerable figure. But he was afraid of Lea. Her curse upon these, his forests—his people—
"It shall be as you command. You shall have thirty of my braves. In a moment they will be ready."
The little blockhouse stood in the trees on a rise of ground. Lea, with her Indians about her, moved silently through the underbrush. It was her intention to creep up and surprise the Dutch guards, and to overcome them without arousing the near-by village. The door of the blockhouse faced the other way. The building stood black and silent. Were we in there? Was any one in there? She did not know.