Wild Indian songs floated along the stream or through the meadows, which were quiet now.

They advanced at their ease, knowing that there was nobody to attack them, but they were watched by five woodsmen, two of whom were boys.

Meanwhile the story of Wyoming, to an extent that neither Indians nor woodsmen themselves suspected, was spreading from town to town in the East, to invade thence the whole civilized world, and to stir up an indignation and horror that would make the name Wyoming long memorable.

Wyoming had been a victory for the flag under which the invaders fought, but it sadly tarnished the cause of that flag, and the consequences were to be seen soon.
Henry Ware, Paul Cotter, Sol Hyde, Tom Ross, and Jim Hart were thinking little of distant consequences, but they were eager for the present punishment of these men who had committed so much cruelty.

From the bushes they could easily follow the canoes, and could recognize some of their occupants.