They trembled before Lea. Savages of the year 1664! Well might they have thought her a goddess; white, fairy-like creature with flowing blue robe and dangling golden tresses--and the Time-traveling tower behind her. "I bring you commands," she said, "from the Spirit Land where your fathers hunt now in peace and happiness. You have a chieftain--a man of much power here in these woods. He is called Silver Water--name like a woman, but he is a man very old, and wise, and very good." One of the Indians stepped forward. "I know him. His lodge--off there by the water of the dawn--not far." He pointed to the southeast. "I will go with you," she said. "Lead me. Be not afraid, young braves." "Lea, come back!" San called. She turned. "I'll be careful. No danger, San. Watch out for Turber." She followed the Indians into the dark shadows of the forest. * * * * * "But, Goddess of the Sun, I have buried the hatchet with the pale-face intruders here." The old sachem was troubled. He sat by his camp fire with his braves about him. The East River flowed near by. The wigwams of his village stood along it--dark-coned shapes in the gloom. The curious women and children hovered in the background. Lea stood straight and commanding with her back against a tree. The firelight painted her. She held her arms upraised. "I am at peace here," the old Indian repeated. "The pale-face chief with the one live leg sat here at my fire and smoked the pipe of peace with me. And you would command me to break my oath--" "No," she said. "There is one little fort, this side of the city. You know it." "I know it," he said. "And it is in your woods." He nodded gravely. "Yes. They press always farther, these pale-face intruders. But I want no fighting. The white men are very good at killing--and I have heard this day that more of the pale-face ships are coming. One of my braves was in the city today. He came back drunk with firewater, but he had the tale." "Have they ever broken their word with you?" she demanded. "Yes--many times." "Well, it is not my wish you should start any fighting. Merely frighten away the guards of the little fort." "My braves," he said, "run wild when deeds of violence start. We want no killing." "No," she agreed. "I will be careful of that." Lea at last convinced him. There were two gods, and another goddess like herself, held in that little fort by the Dutch. A score of braves and herself could go and frighten away the Dutchmen and rescue them. If they were left there--if evil came to them--then evil would fall upon all this forest. He listened. Abruptly he stood up and flung his gray braids with a toss of his head; and wound his vivid blanket around him. Dignified, venerable figure. But he was afraid of Lea. Her curse upon these, his forests--his people-- "It shall be as you command. You shall have thirty of my braves. In a moment they will be ready." * * * * *