He directed them to follow Rondout Creek to the Wall kill and to leave that for a third stream, where the encampment of their enemies would be found. The statement that the Indians intended putting their prisoners to death urged the rescuers to greater haste if possible. Dubois and his companions, guided by the savage, pushed through the wilderness for a distance of twenty-six miles, and though they were burdened with the heav}^ arms of the period, besides knapsacks and provisions, we do not read that they paused till they were in the neighbourhood of the encampment. While they were stealing up, making a reconnoissance previous to the attack, Dubois suddenly came across an Indian, who was slain by his sword before he could alami his companions. The attac^k was delayed until evening, but the dogs, running at large, betrayed them. The Indians recognised them as "white man's dogs," and fled in consternation, having evidently had enough

Rondout and Kinoston 453

of Wiltwyck fighting qualities. Dulxjis saw his wife fleeing along with the savages and lustily shouted her

RIVhR SCENE CATSKILL (7. ir. Casi/car, 1859. From the Stuart Collection, Lenox Library)

name, whereu]3on she and her companions turned back and were welcomed with great joy by their rescuers. The discovery had been made none too soon. Catherine Dubois had already been placed on a funeral ]^yre of wood, preparator}* to being burned, and had

454 The Hudson River

evidenced her Christian fortitude by singing hvmns that pleased her cai^tors so that they demanded a repetition of them. It was no new thing for them to hear a warrior sing his death- song in the face of his enemies, but for a woman to show such courage may have excited their admiration, and the strange sweetness of the unusual melodies she sang no doubt arrested their attention.