They caught a distant glimpse of the Susquehanna, a silver spot among some trees, and they saw the sunlight glancing off the opposite mountains, but for the present they saw nothing that seemed hostile.
They allowed the distance between them and the retreating file to grow until it was five or six hundred yards, and they might have let it grow farther, but Henry made a signal, and the three lay down in the grass.
"You see 'em, don't you!" the youth whispered to his comrade.
"Yes, down thar at the foot o' that hillock," replied Shif'less Sol; "two o' em, an' Senecas, I take it." "They've seen that crowd of women and children," said Henry.
It was obvious that the flying column was discovered.

The two Indians stepped upon the hillock and gazed under their hands.

It was too far away for the three to see their faces, but they knew the joy that would be shown there.

The two could return with a few warriors and massacre them all.
"They must never get back to the other Indians with their news," whispered Henry.

"I hate to shoot men from ambush, but it's got to be done.