Keeping close to the shore, the little flotilla went onward until they reached a small brook opening into the bay. Here they could see the narrow road running close to the water's edge.
"We land here," ordered Telca, turning his canoe toward the bank.
"What are you going to do with the canoes?" asked Dick. "It seems a shame to destroy them."
"We will all get out except four of the young men," said Telca. "They will tow the birch boats to the land out there, and we will send word to our brothers, the Delawares, where the Redman has hidden them. They may have them, for they were our friends when we came across the mountains twelve moons ago."
"I'm glad they are not going to be wasted. They are such beauties," Dick said. "And that idea of having us all go ashore here and hiding them around the peninsular is a fine one."
The Indians quickly stepped out, gathered up their few possessions and their rifles, and roped the canoes together so that the four young men whom Telca had picked out might convey the whole string to the hiding place.
"Young men catch up to us soon," volunteered Telca. "We will not wait."
"Hope they do," replied Dick. "We aren't any too strong now and every man will count if we run into that British troop again."
"Young men will be with their people by the end of this sun," responded Telca, confidently. "Young men travel fast."
"Mein gootness, I'm glat ve don'd haf to race like those fellars," said Fritz. "Und also I could vish Tim Murphies vas mit dem."