He had fought in the battle, too, and he recognized the great youth and his comrades who had been there with him.
"What do you want of us ?" asked he.
"Nothing," replied Henry, "except to help you." Carpenter looked at them with a kind of sad pathos.
"You don't belong here in Wyoming," he said, "and there's nothing to make you stick to us.

What are you meaning to do ?" "We will go with you wherever you intend to go," replied Henry; "do fighting for you if you need it, and hunt game for you, which you are certain to need." The weather-beaten face of the farmer worked.
"I thought God had clean deserted us," he said, "but I'm ready to take it back.

I reckon that he has sent you five to help me with all these women and little ones." It occurred to Henry that perhaps God, indeed, had sent them for this very purpose, but he replied simply: "You lead on, and we'll stay in the rear and on the sides to watch for the Indians.

Draw into the woods, where we'll be hidden." Carpenter, obscure hero, shouldered his rifle again, and led on toward the woods.

The long line of women and children followed.