But the very mental stupor of many of them was an aid.

They ceased to cry out, and some even ceased to be afraid.
Henry, Shif'less Sol, and Tom dropped to the rear.

Paul and Long Jim were on either flank, while Carpenter led slowly on toward the mountains.
"'Pears to me," said Tom, "that the thing fur us to do is to hurry 'em up ez much ez possible." "So the Indians won't see 'em crossing the plain," said Henry.

"We couldn't defend them against a large force, and it would merely be a massacre.

We must persuade them to walk faster." Shif'less Sol was invaluable in this crisis.