Their faces were hideous with war paint and their coarse black hair rose in the defiant scalp lock.
"Maybe they don't know that our men are at the Lick," said Ross, "or if they do they don't think we know they've come, an' they're planning for an attack to-night, when they could slip up on us sleepin'." The guide's theory seemed plausible to Henry, but he said nothing.

It did not become him to venture opinions before one who knew so much of the wilderness.
"It can't be more'n two o'clock," whispered Ross, "an' they'd attack about midnight.

That gives us ten hours.

Henry, the Lord is with us.
Come." He slid away through the bushes and Henry followed him.

When they were a half mile from the Indian camp they increased their speed to an astonishing gait and in a half hour were at the Big Bone Lick.
"Have 'em to load up all the salt at once," said Ross to Shif'less Sol, "an' we must go kitin' back to Wareville as if our feet was greased." Shif'less Sol shot him a single look of comprehension and Ross nodded.
Then the shiftless one went to work with extraordinary diligence and the others imitated his speed.