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there was an absence of the curiosity that had characterized the former
sojourns of Indians at the peaceful village。
After a brief consultation with his brother missionaries； who all were opposed
to his preaching that afternoon； Jim decided he would not deviate from his
usual custom。 He held the afternoon service； and spoke to the largest
congregation that had ever sat before him。 He was surprised to find that the
sermon； which heretofore so strongly impressed the savages； did not now arouse
the slightest enthusiasm。 It was followed by a brooding silence of a boding；
ominous import。
Four white men； dressed in Indian garb； had been the most attentive listeners
to Jim's sermon。 He recognized three as Simon Girty； Elliott and Deering； the
renegades； and he learned from Edwards that the other was the notorious McKee。
These men went through the village； stalking into the shops and cabins； and
acting as do men who are on a tour of inspection。
So intrusive was their curiosity that Jim hurried back to Mr。 Well's cabin and
remained there in seclusion。 Of course； by this time Nell and her uncle knew
of the presence of the hostile savages。 They were frightened； and barely
regained their composure when the young man assured them he was certain they
had no real cause for fear。
Jim was sitting at the doorstep with Mr。 Wells and Edwards when Girty； with
his comrades； came toward them。 The renegade leader was a tall； athletic man；
with a dark； strong face。 There was in it none of the brutality and ferocity
which marked his brother's visage。 Simon Girty appeared keen； forceful；
authoritative； as； indeed； he must have been to have attained the power he
held in the confederated tribes。 His companions presented wide contrasts。
Elliott was a small； spare man of cunning； vindictive aspect； McKee looked； as
might have been supposed from his reputation； and Deering was a fit mate for
the absent Girty。 Simon appeared to be a man of some intelligence； who had
used all his power to make that position a great one。 The other renegades were
desperadoes。
〃Where's Heckewelder？〃 asked Girty； curtly； as he stopped before the
missionaries。
〃He started out for the Indian towns on the Muskingong；〃 answered Edwards。
〃But we have had no word from either him or Zeisberger。〃
〃When d'ye expect him？〃
〃I can't say。 Perhaps to…morrow； and then； again； maybe not for a week。〃
〃He is in authority here； ain't he？〃
〃Yes； but he left me in charge of the Mission。 Can I serve you in any way？〃
〃I reckon not；〃 said the renegade； turning to his companions。 They conversed
in low tones for a moment。 Presently McKee； Elliott and Deering went toward
the newly erected teepees。
〃Girty； do you mean us any ill will？〃 earnestly asked Edwards。 He had met the
man on more than one occasion； and had no hesitation about questioning him。
〃I can't say as I do；〃 answered the renegade； and those who heard him believed
him。 〃But I'm agin this redskin preachin'； an' hev been all along。 The injuns
are mad clear through； an' I ain't sayin' I've tried to quiet 'em any。 This
missionary work has got to be stopped； one way or another。 Now what I waited
here to say is this： I ain't quite forgot I was white once； an' believe you
fellars are honest。 I'm willin' to go outer my way to help you git away from
here。〃
〃Go away？〃 echoed Edwards。
〃That's it；〃 answered Girty； shouldering his rifle。
〃But why？ We are perfectly harmless； we are only doing good and hurt no one。
Why should we go？〃
〃'Cause there's liable to be trouble；〃 said the renegade； significantly。
Edwards turned slowly to Mr。 Wells and Jim。 The old missionary was trembling
visibly。 Jim was pale； but more with anger than fear。
〃Thank you； Girty； but we'll stay；〃 and Jim's voice rang clear。
Chapter XXI。
〃Jim； come out here；〃 called Edwards at the window of Mr。 Wells' cabin。
The young man arose from the breakfast table； and when outside found Edwards
standing by the door with an Indian brave。 He was a Wyandot lightly built；
lithe and wiry； easily recognizable as an Indian runner。 When Jim appeared
the man handed him a small packet。 He unwound a few folds of some oily skin to
find a square piece of birch bark； upon which were scratched the following
words：
〃Rev。 J。 Downs。 Greeting。
〃Your brother is alive and safe。 Whispering Winds rescued him by taking him as
her husband。 Leave the Village of Peace。 Pipe and Half King have been
influenced by Girty。
〃Zane。〃
〃Now； what do you think of that？〃 exclaimed Jim； handing the message to
Edwards。 〃Thank Heaven； Joe was saved！〃
〃Zane？ That must be the Zane who married Tarhe's daughter；〃 answered Edwards；
when he had read the note。 〃I'm rejoiced to hear of your brother。〃
〃Joe married to that beautiful Indian maiden！ Well； of all wonderful things；〃
mused Jim。 〃What will Nell say？〃
〃We're getting warnings enough。 Do you appreciate that？〃 asked Edwards。
〃'Pipe and Half King have been influenced by Girty。' Evidently the writer
deemed that brief sentence of sufficient meaning。〃
〃Edwards； we're preachers。 We can't understand such things。 I am learning； at
least something every day。 Colonel Zane advised us not to come here。 Wetzel
said； 'Go back to Fort Henry。' Girty warned us； and now comes this peremptory
order from Isaac Zane。〃
〃Well？〃
〃It means that these border men see what we will not admit。 We ministers have
such hope and trust in God that we can not realize the dangers of this life。 I
fear that our work has been in vain。〃
〃Never。 We have already saved many souls。 Do not be discouraged。〃
All this time the runner had stood near at hand straight as an arrow。
Presently Edwards suggested that the Wyandot was waiting to be questioned； and
accordingly he asked the Indian if he had anything further to communicate。
〃Hurongo bypaleface。〃 Here he held up both hands and shut his fists
several times； evidently enumerating how many white men he had seen。
〃Herewhenhighsun。〃
With that he bounded lightly past them； and loped off with an even； swinging
stride。
〃What did he mean？〃 asked Jim； almost sure he had not heard the runner aright。
〃He meant that a party of white men are approaching； and will be here by noon。
I never knew an Indian runner to carry unreliable information。 We have joyful
news； both in regard to your brother； and the Village of Peace。 Let us go in
to tell the others。〃
The Huron runner's report proved to be correct。 Shortly before noon signals
from Indian scouts proclaimed the approach of a band of white men。 Evidently
Girty's forces had knowledge beforehand of the proximity of this band； for the
signals created no excitement。 The Indians expressed only a lazy curiosity。
Soon several Delaware scouts appeared； escorting a large party of
frontiersmen。
These men turned out to be Captain Williamson's force； which had been out on
an