The singular thing about this whole proceeding was, that the Kurabus did not even send out scouts to watch the movements of the parties in the wagon. This was one of the reasons why John adopted this apparently rash movement.
Afterwards, when George questioned him as to the reason for taking that hazardous course, he replied: “In war you must never do that which the enemy thinks you are going to do. The more hazardous the movement, the more likely it is to succeed. The history of stratagems is full of such instances. This is the way I diagnosed the situation: The Kurabus marched to the position behind the Berees, either for the purpose of attacking or to assist.
“Now, it is perfectly obvious that in either event, we were at their mercy, as soon as the fight was over. If they assisted the Berees, they would doubtless win over the Osagas. If they attacked to assist the Osagas, they would also be the winners, beyond question, and in either event the two tribes which were successful would, according to their way of thinking, put us at their mercy.”
“The theory then was, that the Kurabus would have considered our leaving a most hazardous thing to undertake, and that was just the risk you considered safest?” asked Blakely.
“That states the position exactly.”
“As subsequent events showed, you were right.”
Directing the course of the wagon down the slight incline, and veering to the left, Blakely soon got the wagon behind the crest of the hill. Ralph came back to assist, and when John saw him he hurriedly whispered to him: “Run to the wagon and tell Harry that as soon as the wagon gets over the crest, to drive forwardly at all speed directly to the east.”
“Have you any objective point to go to?”
“No, no, never mind that. Go to the east; we will know how to follow.”
John and Muro remained on the crest of the hill for a full half hour before they began to retreat. During this time there was no attack by the Kurabus, and another puzzling thing was presented.