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breaking。 No stronger plea could have been made than the allusion to those
gentle； dependent Christians。 No one but a missionary could realize the
sweetness； the simplicity； the faith； the eager hope for a good； true life
which had been implanted in the hearts of these Indians。 To bear it in mind；
to think of what he； as a missionary and teacher； was to them； relieved him of
half his burden； and for strength to bear the remainder he went to God。 For
all worry there is a sovereign cure； for all suffering there is a healing
balm； it is religious faith。 Happiness had suddenly flashed with a
meteor…like radiance into Young's life only to be snuffed out like a candle in
a windy gloom； but his work； his duty remained。 So in his trial he learned the
necessity of resignation。 He chaffed no more at the mysterious； seemingly
brutal methods of nature； he questioned no more。 He wondered no more at the
apparent indifference of Providence。 He had one hope； which was to be true to
his faith； and teach it to the end。
Nell mastered her grief by an astonishing reserve of strength。 Undoubtedly it
was that marvelously merciful power which enables a person； for the love of
others； to bear up under a cross； or even to fight death himself。 As Young
had his bright…eyed Indian boys and girls； who had learned Christianity from
him； and whose future depended on him； so Nell had her aged and weakening
uncle to care for and cherish。
Jim's attentions to her before the deep affliction had not been slight； but
now they were so marked as to be unmistakable。 In some way Jim seemed changed
since he had returned from the Delaware encampment。 Although he went back to
the work with his old aggressiveness； he was not nearly so successful as he
had been before。 Whether or not this was his fault； he took his failure deeply
to heart。 There was that in his tenderness which caused Nell to regard him； in
one sense； as she did her uncle。 Jim； too； leaned upon her； and she accepted
his devotion where once she had repelled it。 She had unconsciously betrayed a
great deal when she had turned so tenderly to him in the first moments after
her recognition； and he remembered it。 He did not speak of love to her； he let
a thousand little acts of kindness； a constant thoughtfulness of her plead his
cause。
The days succeeding Heckewelder's departure were remarkable for several
reasons。 Although the weather was enticing； the number of visiting Indians
gradually decreased。 Not a runner from any tribe came into the village； and
finally the day dawned when not a single Indian from the outlying towns was
present to hear the preaching。
Jim spoke； as usual。 After several days had passed and none but converted
Indians made up the congregation； the young man began to be uneasy in mind。
Young and Edwards were unable to account for the unusual absence from worship；
yet they did not see in it anything to cause especial concern。 Often there had
been days without visitation to the Village of Peace。
Finally Jim went to consult Glickhican。 He found the Delaware at work in the
potato patch。 The old Indian dropped his hoe and bowed to the missionary。 A
reverential and stately courtesy always characterized the attitude of the
Indians toward the young white father。
〃Glickhican； can you tell me why no Indians have come here lately？〃
The old chief shook his head。
〃Does their absence signify ill to the Village of Peace？〃
〃Glickhican saw a blackbird flitting in the shadow of the moon。 The bird
hovered above the Village of Peace； but sang no song。〃
The old Delaware vouchsafed no other than this strange reply。
Jim returned to his cabin decidedly worried。 He did not at all like
Glickhican's answer。 The purport of it seemed to be that a cloud was rising on
the bright horizon of the Christian village。 He confided his fears to Young
and Edwards。 After discussing the situation； the three missionaries decided to
send for Heckewelder。 He was the leader of the Mission； he knew more of Indian
craft than any of them； and how to meet it。 If this calm in the heretofore
busy life of the Mission was the lull before a storm； Heckewelder should be
there with his experience and influence。
〃For nearly ten years Heckewelder has anticipated trouble from hostile
savages；〃 said Edwards； 〃but so far he has always averted it。 As you know； he
has confined himself mostly to propitiating the Indians； and persuading them
to be friendly； and listen to us。 We'll send for him。〃
Accordingly they dispatched a runner to Goshocking。 In due time the Indian
returned with the startling news that Heckewelder had left the Indian village
days before； as had； in fact； all the savages except the few converted ones。
The same held true in the case of Sandusky； the adjoining town。 Moreover； it
had been impossible to obtain any news in regard to Zeisberger。
The missionaries were now thoroughly alarmed； and knew not what to do。 They
concealed the real state of affairs from Nell and her uncle； desiring to keep
them from anxiety as long as possible。 That night the three teachers went to
bed with heavy hearts。
The following morning at daybreak； Jim was awakened from a sound sleep by some
one calling at his window。 He got up to learn who it was； and； in the gray
light； saw Edwards standing outside。
〃What's the matter？〃 questioned Jim； hurriedly。
〃Matter enough。 Hurry。 Get into your clothes；〃 replied Edwards。 〃As soon as
you are dressed； quietly awaken Mr。 Wells and Nellie； but do not frighten
them。〃
〃But what's the trouble？〃 queried Jim； as he began to dress。
〃The Indians are pouring into the village as thickly as flying leaves in
autumn。〃
Edwards' exaggerated assertion proved to be almost literally true。 No sooner
had the rising sun dispelled the mist； than it shone on long lines of marching
braves； mounted warriors； hundreds of packhorses approaching from the forests。
The orderly procession was proof of a concerted plan on the part of the
invaders。
From their windows the missionaries watched with bated breath； with wonder and
fear they saw the long lines of dusky forms。 When they were in the clearing
the savages busied themselves with their packs。 Long rows of teepees sprung up
as if by magic。 The savages had come to stay！ The number of incoming visitors
did not lessen until noon； when a few straggling groups marked the end of the
invading host。 Most significant of all was the fact that neither child；
maiden； nor squaw accompanied this army。
Jim appraised the number at six or seven hundred； more than had ever before
visited the village at one time。 They were mostly Delawares； with many
Shawnees； and a few Hurons among them。 It was soon evident； however； that for
the present； at least； the Indians did not intend any hostile demonstration。
They were quiet in manner； and busy about their teepees and camp…fires； but
there was an absence of the curiosity that had characteriz