The whole nation of the Cherokees along the line of the mountains was unquiet.

Old family feuds had been patched up, and there was a coming and going of messengers from Chickamauga to the Potomac.
"Well, we're ready for them," I said, and I told him the full story of our preparations.
"Ay, but that is not all.

I would not give much for what the Cherokees and the Tuscaroras could do.

There might be some blood shed and a good few blazing roof-trees in the back country, but no Indian raid would stand against our lads.

But I have a notion--maybe it's only a notion, though Lawrence is half inclined to it himself--that there's more in this business than a raid from the hills.