He had come so softly that they did not notice him before.
Henry did not reply, but laughed again the dry chuckle that made Lucy tremble she scarcely knew why, and ran his hand lovingly along the slender barrel of his rifle.
"At least you do not complain of it," he said presently.
"No, we do not," replied Ross, "an' I guess we won't.

You saved us, that's sure.

I've lived on the border all my life, but I never saw such shootin' before." Then Henry gave some details of his work and Lucy Upton, watching him closely, saw how he had been engrossed by it.

Paul Cotter too noticed, and feeling constraint, at least, demanded that Henry doff his savage disguise, put on white men's clothes and get something to eat.
He consented, though scarce seeing the necessity of it, but kept the Indian blanket close to hand, saying that he would soon need it again.
But he was very gentle with his mother telling her that she need have no fear for him, that he knew all the wiles of the savage and more; they could never catch him and the outside was his place, as then he could be of far more service than if he were merely one of the garrison.
The news of Henry Ware's return was throughout the village in five minutes, and with it came the knowledge of his great deed.

In the face of such a solid and valuable fact the vague charge that he was a renegade died.