It was nearly dawn when Henry and his comrades lay down for the rest that they needed badly.

They spread their blankets at the edge of the open, but well back from the burned area, which was now one great mass of coals and charred timbers, sending up little flame but much smoke.

Many of the troops were already asleep, but Henry, before lying down, begged William Gray to keep a strict watch lest the Iroquois attack from ambush.

He knew that the rashness and confidence of the borderers, especially when drawn together in masses, had often caused them great losses, and he was resolved to prevent a recurrence at the present time if he could.

He had made these urgent requests of Gray, instead of Colonel Butler, because of the latter's youth and willingness to take advice.
"I'll have the forest beat up continually all about the town," he said.
"We must not have our triumph spoiled by any afterclap." Henry and his comrades, wrapped in their blankets, lay in a row almost at the edge of the forest.