Evidently the fugitives were in no condition, either mental or physical, to go farther that day, and the rest was worth more than the risk.
When this decision was announced to them, most of the women took it apathetically.

Soon they lay down upon a blanket, if one was to be had; otherwise, on leaves and branches.

Again Henry thanked God that it was summer, and that these were people of the frontier, who could sleep in the open.

No fire was needed, and, outside of human enemies, only rain was to be dreaded.
And yet this band, desperate though its case, was more fortunate than some of the others that fled from the Wyoming Valley.

It had now to protect it six men Henry and Paul, though boys in years, were men in strength and ability--five of whom were the equals of any frontiersmen on the whole border.