The Rulers of the Lakes: A Story of George and Champlain by Joseph A. Altsheler
CHAPTER IV
A FOREST CONCERT
The deep creek with its high banks and interwoven forest and thickets onthe other side formed an excellent second line of defense, and Willet,with the instinct of a true commander, made the most of it, againposting his men at wide intervals until they covered a distance ofseveral hundred yards, at the same time instructing them to concealthemselves carefully, and let the enemy make the first move. He allowedRobert and Tayoga to remain together, knowing they were at their bestwhen partners.
The two lay behind the huge trunk of a tree torn down by some oldhurricane and now almost hidden by vegetation and trailing vines. Theywere very comfortable there, and, uplifted by their success of the nightthey were sanguine of an equal success by day.
To the right Robert caught occasional glimpses of Willet, moving aboutin the bushes, but save for these stray glances he watched the otherside of the stream. Luckily it was rather open there, and no savage,however cunning, could come within fifty yards of it without being seenby the wary eyes in the thickets.
"How long do you think it will be before they come?" Robert asked ofTayoga, for whose forest lore he had an immense respect.
"Three hours, maybe four," replied the Onondaga. "Tandakora and DeCourcelles may or may not know of this creek, but when they see it theyare sure to advance with caution, fearing a trap."
"What a pity our own people don't show the same wisdom!"
"You are thinking of the great slaughter at Duquesne. Every people hasits own ways, and the soldiers have not yet learned those of the forest,but they _will_ learn."
"At a huge cost!"
"Perhaps there is no other way? You will notice the birds on the busheson the far side of the stream, Dagaeoga?"
"Aye, I see 'em. They're in uncommon numbers. What a fine lot of fellowswith glossy plumage! And some of 'em are singing away as if they livedfor nothing else!"
"I see that Dagaeoga looks when he is told to look and sees when he istold to see. The birds are at peace and are enjoying themselves."
"That is, they're having a sunlight concert, purely for their ownpleasure."
"It is so. They feel joy and know that danger is not present. They areprotected by the instinct that Manitou, watching over the least of hiscreatures, has given to them."
"Why this dissertation on birds at such a time, Tayoga?"
"Dissertation is a very long word, but I am talking for Dagaeoga's owngood. He has learned much of the forest, but he can learn more, and I amhere to teach him."
"Wondrous good of you, Tayoga, and, in truth, your modesty also appealsto me. Proceed with your lesson in woodcraft, although it seems to methat you have chosen a critical time for it."
"The occasion is most fitting, because it comes out of our presentdanger. We wish to see the approach of our enemies who will lie downamong the grass and bushes, and creep forward very silently. We will notsee them, perhaps, but others will give warning."
"Oh, you mean that the birds, alarmed by the warriors, will fly away?"
"Nothing else, Dagaeoga."
"Then why so much circumlocution?"
"Circumlocution is another very long word, Dagaeoga. It is the firsttime that I have heard it used since we left the care of our teacher inAlbany. But I came to the solution by a circular road, because I wishedyou to see it before I told it to you. You did see it, and so I feelencouraged over the progress of my pupil."
"Thanks, Tayoga, I appreciate the compliment, and, as I said before,your modesty also appeals to me."
"You waste words, Dagaeoga, but you have always been a great talker.Now, watch the birds."
Tayoga laughed softly. The Indian now and then, in his highest estate,used stately forms of rhetoric, and it pleased the young Onondaga, whohad been so long in the white man's school, to employ sometimes the mostorotund English. It enabled him to develop his vein of irony, withwhich he did not spare Robert, just as Robert did not spare him.
"I will watch the birds," said young Lennox. "They're intelligent,reasoning beings, and I'll lay a wager that while they're singing awaythere they're not singing any songs that make fun of their friends."
"Of that I'm not sure, Dagaeoga. Look at the bird with the red crest,perched on the topmost tip of the tall, green bush directly in front ofus. I can distinguish his song from those of the others, and it seemsthat the note contains something saucy and ironic."
"I see him, Tayoga. He is an impudent little rascal, but I should callhim a most sprightly and attractive bird, nevertheless. Observe how hishead is turned on one side. If we were only near enough to see his eyesI'd lay another wager that he is winking."
"But his head is not on one side any longer, Dagaeoga. He hasstraightened up. If you watch one object a long time you will see itmuch more clearly, and so I am able to observe his actions even at thisdistance. He has ceased to sing. His position is that of a soldier atattention. He is suspicious and watchful."
"You're right, Tayoga. I can see, too, that the bird's senses are on thealert against something foreign in the forest. All the other birds,imitating the one who seems to be their leader, have ceased singingalso."
"And the leader is unfolding his wings."
"So I see. He is about to fly away. There he goes like a flash of redflame!"
"And there go all the rest, too. It is enough. Tandakora, De Courcellesand the savages have come."
Robert and Tayoga crouched a little lower and stared over the fallenlog. Presently the Onondaga touched the white youth on the arm. Robert,following his gaze, made out the figure of a warrior creeping slowlythrough a dense thicket toward the creek.
"It is likely that Great Bear sees him, too," said Tayoga, "but we willnot fire. He will not come nearer than fifty yards, because good coveris lacking."
"I understand that the contest is to be one of patience. So they canloose their bullets first. I see the bushes moving in several placesnow, Tayoga."
"It is probable that their entire force has come up. They may wait atleast an hour before they will try a ford."
"Like as not. Suppose we eat a little venison, Tayoga, and strengthenourselves for the ordeal."
"You have spoken well, Dagaeoga."
They ate strips of venison contentedly, but did not neglect to keep awary watch upon the creeping foe. Robert knew that Tandakora and DeCourcelles were trying to discover whether or not the line of the creekwas defended, and if Willet and his men remained well hidden it wouldtake a long time for them to ascertain the fact. He enjoyed theirperplexity, finding in the situation a certain sardonic humor.
"The Ojibway and the Frenchman would give a good deal to know just whatis in the thickets here," he whispered to Tayoga. "But the longer theymust take in finding out the better I like it."
"They will delay far into the afternoon," said Tayoga. "The warriorsand the Frenchmen have great patience. It would be better for theAmericans and the English if they, too, like the French, learned thepatience of the Indians."
"The birds gave us a warning that they had come. You don't think itpossible, Tayoga, that they will also give the savages warning that weare here?"
"No, Dagaeoga, we have been lying in the thickets so long now, and havebeen so quiet that the birds have grown used to us. They feel sure weare not going to do them any harm, and while they may have flown awaywhen we first came they are back now, as you can see with your own eyes,and can hear with your own ears."
Almost over Robert's head a small brown bird on a small green bough wassinging, pouring out a small sweet song that was nevertheless clear andpenetrating. Within the radius of his sight a half dozen more weretrilling and quavering, and he knew that others were pouring out theirsouls farther on, as the low hum of their many voices came to his ears.Now and then he saw a flash of blue or brown or gray, as some restlessfeathered being shot from one bough to another. The birds, unusual innumber and sure that there was no hostile presence, were having a grandconcert in honor of a most noble day.
Robert listened an
"By the snakes in the hair of the wise Tododaho," he said, "it ispleasant to hear! May the wilderness endure always that the birds cansing in it, far from men, and in peace!"
"May it not be, Tayoga, that the warriors watching the thickets herewill see the birds so thick, and will conclude from it that no defendersare lying in wait?"
"De Courcelles might, but Tandakora, who has lived his whole life in theforest, will conclude that the birds are here, unafraid, because we havebeen so long in the bushes."
Time went on very slowly and the forest on either side of the creek wassilent, save for the singing of the birds among the bushes in which thedefenders lay hidden. Robert, from whom the feeling of danger departedfor the moment, was almost tempted into? a doze by the warmth of thethicket and the long peace. His impressions, the pictures that passedbefore his mental and physical eye, were confused but agreeable. He waslying on a soft bank of turf that sloped up to a huge fallen trunk, andwarm, soothing winds stole about among the boughs, rustling the leavesmusically. The birds were singing in increased volume, and, though hiseyes were half veiled by drooping lids, he saw them on many boughs.
"'Tis not their daily concert," he said to Tayoga "In very truth it mustbe their grand, annual affair I believe that a great group on our rightis singing against another equally great group on our left. I can'trecall having heard ever before such a volume of song in the woods. It'sin my mind that a contest is going on, for a prize, perhaps. Doubtlessjuicy worms are awaiting the winners."
Tayoga laughed.
"You are improving, Dagaeoga," he said in precise tones. "You do notmerely fight and eat and sleep like the white man. You are developing asoul. You are beginning to understand the birds and animals that live inthe woods. Almost I think you worthy to be an Onondaga."
"I know you can pay me what is to you no higher compliment, but I have anotion the end of the concert is not far away. It seems to me the volumeof song from the group on the left is diminishing."
"And you notice no decrease on our right?"
"No, Tayoga. The grand chorus there is as strong as ever, and unless myears go wrong, I detect in it a triumphant note."
"Then the test of song which you have created is finished, and the prizehas been won by the group on the right. It is a fine conceit that youhave about the birds, Dagaeoga. I like it, and we will see it to theend."
The song on their left died, the one on their right swelled anew, andthen died in its turn. Soon the birds began to drift slowly away. Robertwatched some of them as they disappeared among the green boughs fartheron.
"I also am learning to read the signs, Tayoga," he said, "and, havingobserved 'em, I conclude that our foes are about to make an advance, orat least, have crept forward a little more. The birds, used to ourpresence, know we are neither dangerous nor hostile, but they do notknow as much about those on the other side of the creek. While theadvance of the warriors is not yet sufficient to threaten 'em, it'senough to make 'em suspicious, and so they are flying away slowly, readyto return if it be a false alarm."
"Good! Very good, Dagaeoga! I can believe that your conclusions aretrue, and I can say to you once more that almost you are worthy to be anOnondaga. If you will look now toward the spot where the banks shelvedown, and the grass grows high you will see four warriors on their handsand knees approaching the creek. If they reach the water without beingfired upon they will assume that we are not here. Then the entire forcewill rush across the stream and take up the trail."
"But the creeping four will be fired upon."
"I think so, too, Dagaeoga, because there is no longer any reason for usto delay, and the rifle of the Great Bear will speak the first word."
There was a report near them, and one of the warriors, sinking flat inthe grass, lay quite still. Robert, through the bushes, saw Willet,smoking rifle in hand. The three savages who lived began a swiftretreat, and the others behind them uttered a great cry of grief andrage. They fired a dozen shots or so, but the bullets merely clippedleaves and twigs in the thickets. Nobody among the defenders save Willetpulled trigger, but his single shot was a sufficient warning toTandakora and De Courcelles. They knew that the creek was held strongly.
Now ensued another long combat in which the skill, courage and ingenuityof warriors and hunters were put to the supreme test. Many shots werefired, but faces and bodies were shown only for an instant. Neverthelessa bullet now and then went home. One of Willet's men was killed andthree more sustained slight wounds. Several of the warriors were slain,and others were wounded, but Robert had no means of telling the exactnumber of their casualties, as it was an almost invisible combat, whichWillet and Tayoga, as the leaders, used all their skill to prolong tothe utmost with the smallest loss possible. What they wanted was time,time for the fugitive train, now far away among the hills.
So deftly did they manage the defense of the creek that the entireafternoon passed and Tandakora and De Courcelles were still held infront of it, not daring to make a rush, and Willet, Robert and Tayogaglowed with the triumph they were achieving at a cost relatively sosmall. Night arrived, fortunately for them thick and black, and Willetgathered up his little force. They would have taken away with them thebody of the slain man, but that was impossible, and, covering it up withbrush and stones, they left it. Then still uplifted and exulting, theyslipped away on the trail of the wagons, knowing that the Indian hordemight watch for hours at the creek before they discovered the departureof the defenders.
"You see, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga to Robert, "that there is more in warthan fighting. Craft and cunning, wile and stratagem are often asprofitable as the shock of conflict."
"So I know, Tayoga. I learned it well in the battle by Duquesne. Whatright had a force of French and Indians which must have been relativelysmall to destroy a fine army like ours!"
"No right at all," said Willet, "but it happened, nevertheless. We'lllearn from it, though it's a tremendous price to pay for a lesson."
"Do we make a third stand somewhere, Dave?" asked Robert, "and delaythem yet another time?"
"I scarcely see a chance for it," replied the hunter. "We must havefavorable ground or they'd outflank us. How old does the trail of thewagons look, Tayoga?"
"They are many, many hours ahead," replied the Onondaga. "They have madegood use of the time we have secured for them."
"Another day and night and they should be safe," said Willet. "Tandakoraand De Courcelles will scarcely dare follow deep into the fringe ofsettlements. What is it, Tayoga?"
The Onondaga had stopped and, kneeling down, he was examining the trailas minutely as he could in the dusk.
"Others have come," he replied tersely.
"What do you mean by 'others'?" asked Willet.
"Those who belong neither to pursued nor pursuers, a new force, whitemen, fifteen, perhaps. They came down from the north, struck this trail,for which they were not looking, and have turned aside from whatevertask they were undertaking to see what it means."
"And so they're following the fugitive train. Possibly it's a band ofFrench."
"I do not think so, Great Bear. The French do not roam the forest alone.The warriors are always with them, and this party is composed wholly ofwhite men."
"Then they must be ours, perhaps a body of hunters or scouts, and weneed 'em. How long would you say it has been since they passed?"
"Not more than two hours."
"Then we must overtake 'em. Do you lead at speed, Tayoga, but on thebare possibility that they're French, look out for an ambush."
"The new people, whoever they are," said Robert, "are trailing thetrain, we're trailing them, and the French and Indians are trailing us.It's like a chain drawing its links through the forest."
"But the links are of different metals, Robert," said Willet.
They talked but little more, b
"Do the traces of the new group grow warmer?" asked Robert.
"They do," replied Tayoga. "We are advancing just twice as fast as they.We will overtake them before midnight."
"White men, and only by the barest possibility French," said Robert."So the chances are nine out of ten that they're our own people. Now, Iwonder what they are and what they're doing here."
"Patience, Dagaeoga," said the young Onondaga. "We will learn bymidnight. How often have I told you that you must cultivate patiencebefore you are worthy to be an Onondaga?"
"I'll bear it in mind, O worthy teacher. Your great age and vastlearning compel me to respect your commands."
The new trail, which was like a narrow current in the broad stream ofthat left by the flying train, was now rapidly growing warmer. The speedof the thirty was so great that it became evident to Tayoga that theywould overtake the strange band long before midnight.
"They stopped here and talked together a little while," he said, whenthey had been following the trail about two hours. "They stood by theside of the path. Their footprints are gathered in a group. They knew bythe wagon tracks that white settlers, fleeing, were ahead of them, andthey may have thought of turning back to see who followed. That is whythey drew up in a group, and talked. At last they concluded to keep onfollowing the train, and they cannot be more than a half hour aheadnow."
Willet knelt down for the first time, and examined the traces with thegreatest care and attention.
"The leader stood here by this fallen log," he said, "He had big feet,as anybody can see, and I believe I can make a good guess at hisidentity. I hope to Heaven I'm right!"
"Whom do you mean?" exclaimed Robert eagerly.
"I won't say just yet, because if I'm wrong you won't know the mistakeI've made. But come on, lads. 'Twill not take long to decide thequestion that interests us so much."
He led the way with confidence, and when they had gone about a mile hesank down in a thicket beside the trail, the others imitating him. Thenthe hunter emitted a sharp whistle.
"I think I'll soon get an answer to that," he said, "and it'll not comefrom French or Indian."
They waited a minute or two and then the whistling note, clear anddistinct, rose from a point ahead of them. Willet whistled a secondtime, and the second reply soon came in similar fashion.
"Now, lads," he said, rising from the bush, "we'll up and join 'em. It'sthe one I expected, and right glad I am, too."
He led the way boldly, making no further effort at concealment. Robertsaw outlined in the moonlight on a low hill in front of them a group offifteen or sixteen white men, all in hunter's garb, all strong, resolutefigures, armed heavily. One, a little in advance of the others, and whomthe lad took at once to be the leader, was rather tall, with a verypowerful figure and a bold, roving eye. He was looking keenly at theapproaching group and as they drew near his eyes lighted up withrecognition and pleasure.
"By all that's glorious, it's Dave Willet, the Great Bear himself, thegreatest hunter and marksman in all the northern province! Of acertainty it's none other!"
"Yes, Rogers, it's Willet," said the hunter, extending his hand,"though you complimented me too prettily. But glad am I, too, to see youhere. You're no beauty, but your face is a most welcome sight."
Then Robert understood. It was Robert Rogers from the New Hampshiregrants, already known well, and destined to become famous as one of thegreat partisan leaders of the war, a wild and adventurous spirit who wasfully a match for Dumas and Ligneris or St. Luc himself, a man whosebattles and hairbreadth escapes surpassed fiction. Around him gatheredspirits dauntless and kindred, and here already was the nucleus of thelarger force that he was destined to lead in so many a daring deed. Nowhis fierce face showed pleasure, as he shook the hunter's powerful handwith his own hand almost as powerful.
"It's a joy to meet you in these woods, Dave," he said. "But who are thetwo likely lads with you? Lads, I call 'em because their faces are thoseof lads, though their figures have the stature and size of men."
"Rogers, this is Tayoga, of the clan of the Bear, of the nationOnondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, a friend of ours, andno braver or more valiant youth ever trod moccasin. Tayoga, this isRobert Rogers of the New Hampshire grants."
The sunburnt face of Rogers shone with pleasure.
"I've heard of the lad," he said, "and I know he's all that you claimfor him, Dave."
"And the other youth," continued Willet, "is Robert Lennox, in a way award of mine, in truth almost a son to me. What Tayoga is among theOnondagas, he is among the white people of New York. I can say nomore."
"That's surely enough," said Rogers, "and glad am I to meet you, Lennox.I've come from the north and the east, from Champlain and George, withmy brave fellows, hearing of Braddock's defeat and thinking we might beneeded, and by chance we struck this broad trail. It's plain enough thatit's made by settlers withdrawing from the border, but whether 'tis aprecaution or they're pursued closely we don't know. We thought once ofturning back to see. But you know, Dave."
Willet explained rapidly and again the fierce face of Rogers shone withpleasure.
"'Twas in truth a fortunate chance that guided us down here," he said.
"It was Tododaho himself," said Tayoga with reverence.
Then Willet also called rapidly the names of his hunters and scouts, whohad remained in a little group in the rear, while the leaders talked.
"Dave," said Rogers, "you and I will be joint leaders, if you say so.We've now nearly two score stout fellows ready for any fray, and sinceyou've twice held back Tandakora, De Courcelles and their scalp hunters,our united bands should be able to do it a third time. I agree with youthat the best way to save the train is to fight rear guard actions, andnever let the train itself be attacked."
"If we had about twenty more good men," said Willet, "we might not onlydefend a line but push back the horde itself. What say you to sendingTayoga, our swiftest runner, to the wagons for a third force?"
"A good plan, a most excellent plan, Dave! And while he's about it, tellhim to make it thirty instead of twenty. Then we'll burn the faces ofthese Indian warriors. Aye, Dave, we'll scorch 'em so well that they'llbe glad to turn back!"
It was arranged in a minute or two and Tayoga disappeared like one ofhis own arrows in the forest and the darkness, while the othersfollowed, but much more slowly. It would not escape the sharp eyes ofthe warriors that a reenforcement had come, but, confident in theirnumbers, they would continue the pursuit with unabated zeal.
The united bands of hunters and scouts fell back slowly, and for a longtime. Robert looked with interest at Rogers' men. They were the pickedsurvivors of the wilderness, the forest champions, young mostly, lean,tough of muscle, darkened by wind and weather, ready to follow wherevertheir leader led, ready to risk their lives in any enterprise, no matterhow reckless. They affiliated readily with Willet's own band, and werenot at all averse to being overtaken by the Indian horde.
After dawn they met Tayoga returning with thirty-five men, rather morethan they had expected, and also with the news that the train was makinggreat speed in its flight. Willet and Rogers looked over the seventy ormore brave fellows, with glistening eyes, and Robert saw very well that,uplifted by their numbers, they were more than anxious for a thirdcombat. In an hour or so they found a place suitable for an ambush, along ravine, lined and filled with thickets which the wagons evidentlyhad crossed with difficulty, and here they took their stand, all of theforce hidden among the bushes and weeds. Robert, at
"You're young, lad," he said, "and not as much seasoned in the bark asthe rest of us who are older. I'll be sure to wake you when the battlebegins, and then you'll be so much the better for a nap that you'll be avery Hercules in the combat."
Robert, trained in wilderness ways, knew that it was best, and he closedhis eyes without further ado. When he opened them again it was becausethe hunter was shaking his shoulder, and he knew by the position of thesun that several hours had passed.
"Have they come?" he asked calmly.
"We've seen their skirmishers in the woods about two hundred yardsaway," replied the hunter. "I believe they suspect danger here merelybecause this is a place where danger is likely to be, but 'twill notkeep them from attacking. You can hold your rifle ready, lad, but you'llhave no use for it for a good quarter of an hour. They'll do a lot ofscouting before they try to pass the ravine, but our fellows are happyin the knowledge that they'll try to pass it."
Robert suppressed as much as he could the excitement one was bound tofeel at such a time, and ate a little venison to stay him for thecombat, imitating the coolness and providence of Tayoga, who was alsostrengthening his body for the ordeal.
"About noon, isn't it?" he asked of the Onondaga.
"A little after it," Tayoga replied.
"When did they come up?"
"Just now. I too have slept, although my sleep was shorter than yours."
"Have you seen Tandakora or De Courcelles?"
"I caught one glimpse of Tandakora. My bullet will carry far, but alas!it will not carry far enough to reach the Ojibway. It is not the will ofTododaho that he should perish now. As I have said, his day will come,though it is yet far away."
"What will happen here, Tayoga?"
"The forces of Tandakora and De Courcelles will be burned worse thanbefore. The man Rogers, whom some of the Mohawks call the Mountain Wolf,is like a Mohawk warrior himself, always eager to fight. He will want topush the battle and Great Bear, having so many men now, will bewilling."
The words of Tayoga came to pass. After a long delay, accompanied bymuch scouting and attempts to feel out the defense, Tandakora and DeCourcelles finally charged the ravine in force and suffered a bitterrepulse. Seventy or eighty rifles, aimed by cool and experiencedsharpshooters, poured in a fire which they could not withstand, and somany warriors were lost that the Ojibway and the Frenchman retreated.The Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf would not allow their eager men tofollow, lest in their turn they fall into an ambush.
Later in the day the Indian horde returned a second time to the attack,with the same result, and when night came Tayoga and several others whowent forward to scout reported that they had withdrawn several miles.The white leaders then decided in conference that they had done enoughfor their purpose, and, after a long rest on their arms, withdrew slowlyin the path of the retreating train, ready for another combat, ifpursued too closely, but feeling sure that Tandakora and De Courcelleswould not risk a battle once more.
They overtook the train late that evening and their welcome was enoughto warm their hearts and to repay them for all the hardships and dangersendured. Colden was the first to give them thanks, and his fine youngface showed his emotion.
"I'm sorry I couldn't have been back there with you," he said, when heheard the report Robert made; "you had action, and you faced the enemy,while we have merely been running over the hills."
"In truth you've made a good run of it," said Robert, "and as I see it,it was just as necessary for you to run as it was for us to fight. Wehad great luck, too, in the coming of Rogers and his men."
That night the train, for the first time since it began its flight, madea real camp. Willet, Rogers and all the great foresters thought it safe,as they were coming now so near to the settled regions, and the faces ofthe pursuers had been scorched so thoroughly. Scouts and skirmisherswere thrown out on all sides, and then fires were built of the fallenbrushwood that lay everywhere in the forest. The ample supplies in thewagons were drawn upon freely, and the returning victors feasted attheir leisure.
It was a happy time for Robert. His imaginative mind responded as usualto time and place. They had won one victory. It was no small triumph toprotect the fugitive train, and so they would win many more. He alreadysaw them through the flame of his sanguine temperament, and the glow ofthe leaping fires helped in the happy effect. All around him werecheerful faces and he heard the chatter of happy voices, their ownershappy because they believed themselves released from a great andimminent danger.
"Has anything been heard of Black Rifle?" Robert asked of Tayoga.
"He has not come back," replied the Onondaga, "but they think he will behere in the morning."
The dawn brought instead fifty dusky figures bare to the waist andpainted in all the terrible imagery of Indians who go to war. Some ofthe women cried out in fright, but Tayoga said:
"Have no fear. These be friends. The warriors of our great brothernation, the Ganeagaono, known to you as the Mohawks, have come to aidus."
The leader of the Mohawks was none other than the daring young chief,Daganoweda himself, flushed with pride that he had come to the help ofhis white brethren, and eager as always for war. He gravely salutedRobert, Willet and Tayoga.
"Dagaeoga is a storm bird," he said. "Wherever he goes battle follows."
"Either that," laughed Robert, "or because I follow battle. How could Ikeep from following it, when I have Willet on one side of me and Tayogaon the other, always dragging me to the point where the combat ragesfiercest?"
"Did you meet Black Rifle?" asked Willet.
"It was he who told us of your great need," replied Daganoweda. "Thenwhile we came on at the speed of runners to help you, he continued northand east in the hope that he would meet Waraiyageh and white troops."
"Do you know if Colonel William Johnson is in this region or near it?"
"He lay to the north with a considerable force, watching for the Frenchand Indians who have been pouring down from Canada since their greattaking of scalps by Duquesne. Black Rifle will find him and he willcome, because Waraiyageh never deserts his people, but just when he willarrive I cannot say."
Ample food was given to the Mohawks and then, burning for battle,Daganoweda at their head, they went on the back trail in search ofTandakora, De Courcelles and their savage army.
"We could not have a better curtain between us and the enemy," saidWillet. "War is their trade and those fifty Mohawks will sting and stinglike so many hornets."
The train resumed its flight an hour after sunrise, although more slowlynow and with less apprehension, and about the middle of the afternoonthe uniforms of Colonial militia appeared in the forest ahead. All setup a great shout, because they believed them to be the vanguard ofJohnson. They were not mistaken, as a force of a hundred men, betterequipped and drilled than usual, met them, at their head Colonel WilliamJohnson himself, with the fierce young Mohawk eagle, Joseph Brant,otherwise Thayendanegea, at his side. The somber figure of Black Rifle,who had brought him, stood not far away.
Colonel Johnson was in great good humor, thoroughly delighted to findthe train safe and to meet such warm friends of his again. He was firstpresented duly to Captain Colden and his young officers, paid them somecompliments on their fine work, talked with them a while and thenconversed more intimately with Tayoga, Robert and Willet.
"The train is now entirely safe," he said. "Even if Tandakora and DeCourcelles could brush away the screen of the Mohawks, they dare notrisk an encounter with such a force as we have here. They will turnaside for easier game."
"And there will be no battle!" exclaimed young Brant, in deepdisappointment. "Ah! why did I not have the chance to go forward with mycousin, Daganoweda?"
Colonel Johnson laughed, half in pride and half in amusement, and pattedhis warlike young Mohawk brother-in-law on the shoulder.
"All in good time, Joseph, my lad," he said. "Remember that you arescarce twelv
The three assented gladly, and they saw that their service of danger wasbut taking a new form.