On the road to the waterfall Kenton asked many questions. He, together with his companions, had been stunned when the uproar burst forth, just before they were ready to begin operations. But all was made plain now, and, while Simon Kenton would have been happier had he found himself in the thick of the fray, he could not complain at the way things had turned out.
They found the two French trappers still where they had been left. All they would say was that Larue had seemed to suddenly break loose, and had basely left them, possibly in his haste to reach the village and give the alarm, not wishing to linger long enough to effect their release.
"The tricky Frenchman rolled into this pool of water, and let his bonds soak," said Kenton, after he had made an examination. "When wet, the deerskin thongs stretched enough for him to work loose. He was afraid we might come back and secure him again, so he fled without stopping to so much as lend a helping hand to his mates."
"Yes, and upon reaching the village he must have seen Pontiac sitting there alone," said Bob, in turn. "Remembering how the great chief had struck him in the face, and humiliated him at the grand council under the big oak, he was unable to resist the temptation to creep up and try to obtain revenge. In doing it Larue never suspected that he was playing right into our hands."
"If the Indians only knew that we listened to what was said at that same council," remarked Kenton; "they might not be willing to let the rest of us escape so easily."
"But what shall we do with these two men?" asked Bob, thoughtfully. "We can't leave them here, for perhaps Larue may be put to the stake with the dawn, and the story of their captivity would never be known. The Indians avoid this spot, Blue Jacket says, as the waterfall is believed to be haunted by the spirits of their ancestors, who call out constantly, and try to make the red children understand what they are doing in Manitou Land."
"No, we will take them along with us," determined Kenton. "Some days hence we can let them go free. By that time they could not harm us by returning to the Seneca village, and telling what they know of the council spies."
They lost no time in starting. Though Kenton knew that Pontiac's totem belt would probably be able to protect them, he was, nevertheless, anxious to be well on the way to the Ohio.
So, for several days they journeyed; after which the two French trappers were let go, with a warning that they would be roughly treated if they ever again showed themselves near the settlement on the river bank.
And one day the little company arrived safely at home. Great was the rejoicing of Mrs. Armstrong. The entire community gathered around that humble home in the clearing to hear the story of the wonderful journey. And every hand had to touch the wampum belt of Pontiac that was to stand between the Armstrongs and peril, in case of another Indian uprising.