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a miracle, as it seemed, they reached the edge of the woods undetected, and from there,  pausing a moment, had their first view of the  distressed village. The firing had diminished somewhat, though from the garrison house,  which stood, readily distinguished in the light  of the burning buildings, near the center of  the settlement, a flash now and then told of a  musket shot. Between the rescue party and the beleaguered garrison many buildings had  been burned, but the ruins, some still glowing and smouldering, afforded protection and  served to hide their approach to some extent. Skulking forms flitted about in the lurid gloom, and under the lee of a still standing  granary many Indians were to be seen gathered at some task not apparent from such  distance.

Major Willard spoke softly and the company crept from the concealment of the forest, keeping as best they might under cover of the blackened ruins. A dozen yards were