The Scouts of the ValleyAltsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
General
The Scouts of the Valley
Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
Chemung River Valley (N.Y. and Pa.) -- Fiction; Historical fiction; Wyoming Valley (Pa.) -- Fiction
Henry believed that the Iroquois and Wyandots would form a fortified
camp here, a place from which they would make sudden and terrible forays
upon the settlements. He based his opinion upon the good location and
the great number of saplings that had been cut down already. They would
build strong lodges and then a palisade around them with the saplings.
He was speedily confirmed in this opinion when he saw warriors come to
the forest with hatchets and begin to cut down more saplings. He knew
then that it was time to go, as a wood chopper might blunder upon him at
any time.
He slipped from his covert and was quickly gone in the forest. His limbs
were somewhat stiff from lying so long in one position, but that soon
wore away, and he was comparatively fresh when he came once more to the
islet in the swamp. A good moon was now shining, tipping the forest with
a fine silvery gray, and Henry purveyed with the greatest satisfaction
the simple little shelter that he had found so opportunely. It was a
good house, too, good to such a son of the deepest forest as was Henry.
It was made of nothing but bark and poles, but it had kept out all
that long, penetrating rain of the last three or four days, and when he
lifted the big stone aside and opened the door it seemed as snug a place
as he could have wished.
He left the door open a little, lighted a small fire on the flat stones,
having no fear that it would be seen through the dense curtain that shut
him in, and broiled big bear steaks on the coals. When he had eaten
and the fire had died he went out and sat beside the hut. He was well
satisfied with the day's work, and he wished now to think with all
the concentration that one must put upon a great task if he expects to
achieve it. He intended to invade the Indian camp, and he knew full well
that it was the most perilous enterprise that he had ever attempted.
Yet scouts and hunters had done such things and had escaped with their
lives. He must not shrink from the path that others had trodden.
He made up his mind firmly, and partly thought out his plan of
operations. Then he rested, and so sanguine was his temperament that he
began to regard the deed itself as almost achieved. Decision is always
soothing after doubt, and he fell into a pleasant dreamy state. A gentle
wind was blowing, the forest was dry and the leaves rustled with the low
note that is like the softest chord of a violin. It became penetrating,
thrillingly sweet, and hark! it spoke to him in a voice that he knew.
It was the same voice that he had heard on the Ohio, mystic, but telling
him to be of heart and courage. He would triumph over hardships and
dangers, and he would see his friends again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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