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the edges of the blanket around his chin； and let his eyelids droop。
The rain was now seeping through the leafy canopy of green； but he did not care。 It could not penetrate the close fiber of the blanket； and the fur cap drawn far down on his head met the blanket。 Only his face was uncovered； and when a cold drop fell upon it； it was to him； hardened by forest life； cool and pleasant to the touch。
Although the eyelids still drooped； he did not yet feel the tendency to sleep。 It was merely a deep； luxurious rest； with the body completely relaxed； but with the senses alert。 The wind ceased to blow； and the rain came down straight with an even beat that was not unmusical。 No other sound was heard in the forest； as the ripple of the river at the edges was merged into it。 Henry began to feel the desire for sleep by and by； and； laying the paddle across the boat in such a way that it sheltered his face； he closed his eyes。 In five minutes he would have been sleeping as soundly as a man in a warm bed under a roof； but with a quick motion he suddenly put the paddle aside and raised himself a little in the canoe； while one hand slipped down under the folds of the blanket to the hammer of his rifle。
His ear had told him in time that there was a new sound on the river。 He heard it faintly above the even beat of the rain； a soft sound； long and sighing； but regular。 He listened； and then he knew it。 It was made by oars； many of them swung in unison； keeping admirable time。
Henry did not yet feel fear； although it must be a long boat full of Indian warriors； as it was not likely； that anybody else would be abroad upon these waters at such a time。 He made no attempt to move。 Where he lay it was black as the darkest cave； and his cool judgment told him that there was no need of flight。
The regular rhythmic beat of the oars came nearer； and presently as he looked through the covert of leaves the dusky outline of a great war canoe came into view。 It contained at least twenty warriors； of what tribe he could not tell； but they were wet； and they looked cold and miserable。 Soon they were opposite him； and he saw the outline of every figure。 Scalp locks drooped in the rain； and he knew that the warriors； hardy as they might be； were suffering。
Henry expected to see the long boat pass on； but it was turned toward a shelving bank fifty or sixty yards below； and they beached it there。 Then all sprang out； drew it up on the land； and； after turning it over； propped it up at an angle。 When this was done they sat under it in a close group； sheltered from the rain。 They were using their great canoe as a roof； after the habit of Shawnees and Wyandots。
The boy watched them for a long time through one of the little openings in the bushes； and he believed that they would remain as they were all night； but presently he saw a movement among them； and a little flash of light。 He understood it。 They were trying to kindle a fire…with flint and steel； under the shelter of the boat。 He continued to watch them 'lazily and without alarm。
Their fire； if they succeeded in making it； would cast no light upon him in the dense covert； but they would be outlined against the flame； and he could see them better； well enough； perhaps； to tell to what tribe they belonged。
He watched under his lowered eyelids while the warriors； gathered in a close group to make a shelter from stray puffs of wind； strove with flint and steel。 Sparks sprang up and went out； but Henry at last saw a little blaze rise and cling to life。 Then； fed with tinder and bark； it grew under the roof made by the boat until it was ruddy and strong。 The boat was tilted farther back； and the fire； continuing to grow； crackled cheerfully； while the flames leaped higher。
By a curious transfer of the senses； Henry； as he lay in the thick blackness felt the influence of the fire； also。 Its warmth was upon his face； and it was pleasing to see the red and yellow light victorious against the sodden background of the rain and dripping forest。 The figures of the warriors passed and repassed before the fire； and the boy in the boat moved suddenly。 His body was not shifted more than an inch； but his surprise was great。
A warrior stood between him and the fire； outlined perfectly against the red light。 It was a splendid figure； young； much beyond the average height； the erect and noble head crowned with the defiant scalplock； the strong； slightly curved nose and the massive chin cut as clearly as if they had been carved in copper。 The man who had laid aside a wet blanket was bare now to the waist； and Henry could see the powerful muscles play on chest and shoulders as he moved。
The boy knew him。 It was Timmendiquas； the great White Lightning of the Wyandots； the youngest； but the boldest and ablest of all the Western chiefs。 Henry's pulses leaped a little at the sight of his old foe and almost friend。 As always； he felt admiration at the sight of the young chief。 It was not likely that he would ever behold such another magnificent specimen of savage manhood。
The presence of Timmendiquas so far east was also full of significance。 The great fleet under Adam Colfax； and with Henry and his comrades in the van； had reached Pittsburgh at last。 Thence the arms； ammunition； and other supplies were started on the overland journey for the American army； but the five lingered before beginning the return to Kentucky。 A rumor came that the Indian alliance was spreading along the entire frontier； both west and north。 It was said that Timmendiquas； stung to fiery energy by his defeats； was coming east to form a league with the Iroquois； the famous Six Nations。 These warlike tribes were friendly with the Wyandots； and the league would be a formidable danger to the Colonies； the full strength of which was absorbed already in the great war。
But the report was a new call of battle to Henry； Shif'less Sol； and the others。 The return to Kentucky was postponed。 They could be of greater service here； and they plunged into the great woods to the north and； east to see what might be stirring among the warriors。
Now Henry； as be looked at Timmendiquas； knew that report had told the truth。 The great chief would not be on the fringe of the Iroquois country； if be did not have such a plan； and he had the energy and ability to carry it through。 Henry shuddered at the thought of the tomahawk flashing along every mile of a frontier so vast； and defended so thinly。 He was glad in every fiber that he and his comrades had remained to hang upon the Indian hordes； and be heralds of their marches。 In the forest a warning usually meant the saving of life。
The rain ceased after a while； although water dripped from the trees everywhere。 But the big fire made an area of dry earth about it； and the warriors replaced the long boat in the water。 Then all but four or five of them lay beside the coals and went to sleep。 Timmendiquas was one of those who remained awake； and Henry saw that he was in deep thought。 He walked back and forth much like a white man； and now and then he folded his hands behind his back； looking toward the earth； but not seeing it。 Henry cou