Chapter XXIV. Down the Ohio

by Joseph A. Altsheler

　　"We didn't get Wyatt," said Henry, "but we did pretty well,nevertheless."

　　"That's so," said Shif'less Sol. "Thar's nothin' left o' hisband but hisself, an' I ain't feelin' any sorrow 'cause I helpedto do it. I guess we've saved the lives of a good many innocentpeople with this morning's work."

　　"Never a doubt of it," said Henry, "and here's the army nowfinishing up the task."

　　The soldiers were setting fire to the town in many places, and intwo hours the great Seneca Castle was wholly destroyed. The fivetook no part in this, but rested after their battles and labors.One or two had been grazed by bullets, but the wounds were tootrifling to be noticed. As they rested, they watched the fire,which was an immense one, fed by so much material. The blazecould be seen for many miles, and the ashes drifted over all theforest beyond the fields.

　　All the while the Iroquois were fleeing through the wilderness tothe British posts and the country beyond the lakes, whence theirallies had already preceded them. The coals of Little Beard'sTown smoldered for two or three days, and then the army turnedback, retracing its steps down the Genesee.

　　Henry and his comrades felt that their work in the East wasfinished. Kentucky was calling to them. They had no doubt thatBraxton Wyatt, now that his band was destroyed, would returnthere, and he would surely be plotting more danger. It was theirpart to meet and defeat him. They wished, too, to see again thevalley, the river, and the village in which their people had madetheir home, and they ,wished yet more to look upon the faces ofthese people.

　　They left the army, went southward with Heemskerk and some othersof the riflemen, but at the Susquehanna parted with the gallantDutchman and his comrades.

　　"It is good to me to have known you, my brave friends," saidHeemskerk, "and I say good-by with sorrow to you, Mynheer Henry;to you, Mynheer Paul; to you, Mynheer Sol; to you, Mynheer Tom;and to you, Mynheer Jim."

　　He wrung their hands one by one, and then revolved swiftly awayto hide his emotion.

　　The five, rifles on their shoulders, started through the forest.When they looked back they saw Cornelius Heemskerk waving hishand to them. They waved in return, and then disappeared in theforest. It was a long journey to Pittsburgh, but they found it apleasant one. It was yet deep autumn on the Pennsylvania hills,and the forest was glowing with scarlet and gold. The air wasthe very wine of life, and when they needed game it was there tobe shot. As the cold weather hung off, they did not hurry, andthey enjoyed the peace of the forest. They realized now thatafter their vast labors, hardships, and dangers, they needed agreat rest, and they took it. It was singular, and perhaps notso singular, how their minds turned from battle, pursuit, andescape, to gentle things. A little brook or fountain pleasedthem. They admired the magnificent colors of the foliage, andlingered over the views from the low mountains. Doe and fawnfled from them, but without cause. At night they built splendidfires, and sat before them, while everyone in his turn told talesaccording to his nature or experience.

　　They bought at Pittsburgh a strong boat partly covered, and atthe point where the Allegheny and the Monongahela unite they setsail down the Ohio. It was winter now, but in their stoutcaravel they did not care. They had ample supplies of all kinds,including ammunition, and their hearts were light when they swunginto the middle of the Ohio and moved with its current.

　　"Now for a great voyage," said Paul, looking at the clear streamwith sparkling eyes.

　　"I wonder what it will bring to us," said Shif'less Sol.

　　"We shall see," said Henry.