Somewhat later they met a white runner in the forest, and he told them of the terrible massacre of Cherry Valley.

Walter Butler, emulating his father's exploit at Wyoming, had come down with a mixed horde of Iroquois, Tories, British, and Canadians.

He had not been wholly successful, but he had slaughtered half a hundred women and children, and was now returning northward with prisoners.

Some said, according to the runner, that Thayendanegea had led the Indians on this occasion, but, as the five learned later, he had not come up until the massacre was over.

The runner added another piece of information that interested them deeply.