Hugh Pendexter

“ The regulars were inclined to remain huddled together, and Putnam could hear Dalzell striving to make them spread out to prevent a flank attack. At the peril of his life Putnam stood erect and looked back for some sign of Rogers and his rangers. These at that moment were a mile away.
The hidden foe increased their fire and the provincials began to give ground, falling back through the bushes yet stanchly attempting to form a line, each man fighting on his own initiative. Putnam rallied them with his thunderous battle-cry, leading the advance with a contempt for danger that inspired them all. ”

“ Immediately more fuel was heaped on the fires and the warriors grouped themselves in a half-circle around the prisoner. The man whose face Putnam had slashed at the beginning of the fight now rose and demanded—
“Who owns this white man?”
No one spoke for a minute. Then an Oneida rose and replied:
“Once the Red Eagle was with him. That was at the beginning of the march. He is not here to claim him. He must be dead.
“It is not good that a white man should be among us without an owner,” cried the wounded warrior, his small eyes blazing wickedly. ”

“ The Indians began to break camp, and Marin glided: away to make the fort and return with soldiers. Putnam nursed his aching jaws and waited for the packs to be strapped on his back. But Red Eagle remained seated near the torture post, his brows drawn down in meditation. When the others realized he was in no hurry to take up the march Black Turtle asked him if he was ready.
“They say this man laughed when the flames ate his flesh,” slowly replied the Eagle. “If that is true then you did not know how to burn him. No man laughs when the Eagle burns him. ”

“ This can be done only by our enemies. What will they give us? They send no wampum. They strike an ax in our face.
“But now they give us one of their warriors, a very brave man. This man will die very brave. The ghosts of our warriors will be glad when the ghost of this brave white man walks among them and says our fires sent him to them. Then they will know we have covered their bones with his bones; and the wicked birds will not talk to us at night. I have spoken.”
“Ho! Ho! He looks like a brave man. He will not make us hang our heads in shame by dying like a weak man,” shouted a warrior. ”

“ The savage who had fired his piece prematurely came leaping through the bushes to retrieve his error by some startling coup, and he fell upon Putnam. The ranger flung him off, blocked a swing of the Indian's ax and, pulling his knife, slashed it across the hideous countenance. With a howl of pain the warrior crashed into the bushes.
The line of fire told Putnam that Marin had arranged his ambush in a half-circle, the deepest point being where it cut the trail. If the flanks closed in the provincials would be in great danger of being pinched off from the rest of the forces. ”

“ First a shower of rain and then the partizan had saved the ranger, but he could scarcely expect a third intervention. He summoned all his will-power to meet the end bravely.
As the Eagle towered above him and informed him of his doom there came a call from the forest. The savages glared uneasily at the black depths and some of the younger men slipped away to investigate. The Eagle alone gave the voice no heed, but seized Putnam by the arm and helped him to his feet, saying—
“White man, you are about to go into the darkness to find your uncles.” ”

“ Willis suffered more from exhaustion and nerve-strain than Putnam had anticipated. He seemed indifferent to the danger of pursuit by the Potawatomi and desired only to rest on the clean forest floor with his head pillowed on the girl's knees.
Young Brant spouted for small game, something he could knock over with ax or arrow. Willis seldom spoke and the girl was lost to all but her lover's eloquent eyes. Two young fools, Putnam called them. After twenty-four hours had failed to show that the Potawatomi were on their trail Putnam ceased to fear pursuit. ”

“ You can tell your words to the Eagle when he comes and finds his prisoner half-roasted.”
“We believed that the warrior who took the white man prisoner had been killed, leaving him a prisoner of the nation. We can talk our words to Red Eagle and hold our faces high. We have done no wrong to the Eagle,” sullenly answered Black Turtle.
Satisfied in having saved Putnam from the stake, Marin led the ranger to one side and called for bear's oil. ”

“ Putnam came to the regulars sprawled out on the forest floor and staring through the gloomy depths with uneasy eyes. A little apart from the men was Captain Dalzell, calm and unconcerned, fated to be killed by Pontiac's warriors at Detroit.
Exchanging greetings with Dalzell, Putnam passed on to the provincials, who were quite at home in the wild environment. The men were greatly pleased to have a Connecticut man as commander, and even more pleased that the man should. be of Putnam's distinction.
“Let 'em come!” cried one. “We've got Wolf Putnam! We'll give 'em their guts full of fighting.” ”

“ Those of our people who serve the Little Onontio and the Great Onontio knew of only one death for such. Had he been a weak man we would have hit him in the face with an ax and left him for the wolves. ”

“ I will go ahead and tell him you will talk and bring back soldiers and remove you to the fort.”
“I'll roast in —— before I'll tell Montcalm what he wants to know.”
“You'll talk, or roast on the beach opposite Ticonderoga,” warned Marin. “We can interfere with our Indians only when there is much to gain.”
“You waste your time,” muttered Putnam.
“You can't help the provinces by dying at the stake. And our Caughnawagas can keep a man alive for two days.”
“I shall never harm the provinces by living,” declared the ranger. ”

“ The Caughnawaga began retreating toward the edge of the forest, keeping the throng taut and his captive's wrists drawn well forward. Struggle as he would, the ranger was unable to overcome the savage's great advantage.
Before he realized his captor's intentions the latter had dodged around a small spruce and had a line of the tough cord entangling the prisoner's legs. With great dexterity the savage further secured the kicking feet. To tie Putnam against the tree was now easily accomplished. ”

“ Is this man a moose or a wolf that he can walk through this wilderness in the naked hide?”
Again the Caughnawaga heeded and fished a pair of moccasins from one of the discarded packs and permitted Putnam to stop and put them on.
Putnam twisted his head to thank the officer but through a blur of sweat only glimpsed the tails of the white coat disappearing through the bushes.
The flight was now almost a rout, the defection of the Canadians being generally known and the number being greatly exaggerated. The Indians had no heart for a give-and-take battle ”

“ By degrees their intelligence appreciated the great spirit of the man, only they misconstrued his mirth. They credited him with a supernormal disdain for pain, whereas he took no pride in his ability to laugh. ”

“ As Rogers reloaded he said:
“Marin's down here for mischief. Hit his trail yesterday. Think he's planning a raid on Fort Edward. He's got between four and five hundred Canadians and Indians. I'm waiting for my scouts to come in.
“You will lead the provincials, as they are nearly all Connecticut men. You'll find them in the bush there, also Captain Dalzell, who's to hold the middle of the line, the regulars, I shall bring up the rear with the rangers.” ”