CHAPTER XI
THE HAPPY ESCAPE
The spirits of young Lennox rose to the zenith. Although they werestill grazing the edge of peril, he had supreme confidence in Tayogaand also in the fog. It was a great fog, a thick fog, a kindly fog,and it had made possible their escape and the achievement of theirmission. Having held so long it would hold until they needed it nolonger.
"Have they come any nearer, Tayoga?" he asked.
"Jumonville is still giving orders, and sending the canoes somewhat atrandom. He is not the leader Sharp Sword would be in an emergency, noranything like it. He is having his own boat paddled about uncertainly.I can hear the paddles of the four men in it. Now and then he speaksangrily, too. He is upbraiding those who are not to blame. How areyou feeling now, Dagaeoga? Has Manitou already filled you with newstrength?"
"I'm feeling as well as I ever did in my life. I'm ready to swing thepaddle again."
"Then we go. The fog will not wait for us forever. We must use itwhile we have it."
They swept their paddles through the water in long and vigorousstrokes, and the canoe shot forward once more. They were confident nowthat no enemy was ahead of them, and that none of those behind couldovertake them. The wet, cold fog still enclosed them like a heavy,damp blanket, but their vigorous exercise and their high spirits keptthem warm. After ten minutes they made another stop, but as Tayogacould hear nothing of Jumonville's party they pushed on again atspeed. By and by the Onondaga said:
"I feel the fog thinning, Dagaeoga. A wind out of the west has risen,and soon it will take it all away."
"But it has served its purpose. I shall always feel well toward fogs.Yes, here it goes! The wind is rising fast, and it is taking away themists and vapors in great folds."
The water began to roughen under the stiff breeze. The fog was splitasunder, the pieces were torn to fragments and shreds, and theneverything was swept away, leaving the surface of the lake a silvermirror, and the mountains high and green on either shore. Far behindthem hovered the Indian canoes, and four or five miles ahead a towerof smoke rose from the west bank.
"Certainly our people," said Robert, looking at the smoke.
"There is no doubt of it," said the Onondaga, "and that is where wewill go."
"And those behind us know now that we tricked them in the fog and haveescaped. They give forth a shout of anger and disappointment. Now theyturn back."
They eased their strokes a little as the pursuit had been abandoned,but curved more toward the center of the lake, lest some hiddensharpshooter on shore might reach them, and made fair speed toward thesmoke, which Robert surmised might be made by a vanguard of troops.
"We ought to have help for Colden and Willet very soon," he said.
"It will not be long," said Tayoga; "but Dagaeoga has forgottensomething. Can he not think what it is?"
"No, Tayoga, I can't recall anything."
"Dagaeoga's body is bare from the waist up. It is well for an Indianto go thus into a white camp, but it is not the custom of the peopleto whom Lennox belongs."
"You're right. I've had so much excitement that I'd forgotten allabout my clothes. I must be true to my race, when I meet my brethren."
He reclothed himself, resumed his paddle, and they pushed on steadilyfor the smoke. No trace of the fog was left. The lake glistened inthe sun, the ranges showed green from base to summit, and the tower ofsmoke deepened and broadened.
"Can you make out what lies at the foot of it, Tayoga?" asked Robert.
"I think I can see a gleam of the sun on an epaulet. It is certainlya camp of your people. The lake is supposed to be under their command,and if the French should make a new incursion here upon its shoresthey would not build their fires so boldly. Now, I see another gleam,and I hear the ring of axes. They are not boat builders, because noboats, either finished or unfinished, show at the water's edge. Theyare probably cutting wood for their fires. I hear, too, the crack ofa whip, which means that they have wagons, and the presence of wagonsindicates a large force. They may be coming ahead with supplies forour great army when it advances. I can now see men in uniform, andthere are some red coats among them. Hold your paddle as high as youcan, Dagaeoga, as a sign that we are friends, and I will send thecanoe in toward the shore. Ah, they see us now, and men are comingdown to the lake's edge to meet us! It is a large camp, and it shouldhold enough men to make St. Luc give up the siege of Colden."
The two sent the canoe swiftly toward the land, where soldiers andothers in hunter's dress were already gathered to meet them. Robertsaw a tall, thin officer in a Colonial uniform, standing on the narrowbeach, and, assuming him to be in command, he said as the canoe sweptin:
"We are messengers, sir, from the force of Captain Colden, which isbesieged at the sawmill ten or twelve miles farther north."
"Besieged, did you say?" said the officer, speaking in a sharp, dryvoice. "It's one of those French tricks they're always playing on us,rushing in under our very noses, and trying to cut out our forces."
"That's it, sir. The French and Indian host, in this case, is ledby St. Luc, the ablest and most daring of all their partisans, and,unless you give help, they'll have to escape as best they can in whatboats they have."
"As I'm a good Massachusetts man, I expected something of this kind. Isent word to Pownall, our Governor, that we must be extremelycautious in respect to the French, but he thinks the army of GeneralAbercrombie will overwhelm everything. Forest fighting is verydifferent from that of the open fields, a fact which the French seemto have mastered better than we have. My name, young sir, is ElihuStrong. I'm a colonel of the Massachusetts militia, and I command theforce that you see posted here."
"And mine, sir, is Robert Lennox, a free lance, and this is Tayoga, ofthe clan of the Bear, of the great Onondaga nation, a devoted friendof ours and the finest trailer the world has ever produced."
"Ah, I heard something of you both when I was at Albany from oneJacobus Huysman, a stout and worthy burgher, who spoke well of you,and who hazarded a surmise that I might meet you somewhere in theneighborhood of the lakes."
"We lived in the house of Mynheer Jacobus when we went to school inAlbany. We owe him much."
"There was a third who was generally with you, a famous hunter, DavidWillet, was there not?"
"He is with Captain Colden, sir, assisting in the defense."
"I'm glad he's there. Judging from what I've heard of him, he's atower of strength. But come into the camp. Doubtless, both of youneed food and rest. The times be dark, and we must get out of each daywhatever it has to offer."
Robert looked at him with interest. He was the forerunner of a typethat was to develop markedly in New England, tall, thin, dry-lipped,critical, shrewd and tenacious to the last degree. He and his kindwere destined to make a great impress upon the New World. He gave tothe two the best the camp had, and ordered that they be treated withevery courtesy.
"I've a strong force here," he said, "although it might have beenstronger if our Governor and Legislature had done their full duty.Still, we must make the best of everything. My men reported Indians inthe forest to the north of us, and that, perhaps, is the reason why wehave not come into contact with Captain Colden, but I did not suspectthat he was besieged."
Robert, as he ate the good food set before him, looked over the camp,which had been pitched well, with far-flung pickets to guard againstambush, and his eyes glistened, as they fell upon two brass cannon,standing side by side upon a slight rise in the center of the camp.The big guns, when well handled, were always effective against forestwarriors. Colonel Strong's eyes followed his.
"I see that you are taking notice of my cannon," he said. "They'regood pieces, but if our governor and legislature had done their dutythey'd be four instead of two. Still, we have to make the best of whatwe have. I told Shirley that we must prepare for a great war, and Itell Pownall the same. Those who don't know him always underrate ourFrench foe."
"I never do, sir," said Robert. "I've seen too much of hi
m to dothat."
"Well, well, we'll do the best we can. I've four hundred men here,though if the Governor and the Legislature of Massachusetts had donetheir full duty they'd be eight hundred, not to say a thousand. I'lladvance as soon as possible to the relief of Colden. He can surelyhold out until the morrow."
"Not a doubt of it, sir, and, if you'll pardon me for making asuggestion, I wouldn't begin any advance until the morning. Not muchof the day is left. If we started this afternoon, night would overtakeus in the woods and the Chevalier de St. Luc is sure to plant anambush for us."
"Sensibly spoken, young sir. We're an eternally rash people. We'realways walking into traps. I've in my force about twenty good scouts,though if the Governor and Legislature of Massachusetts had done theirfull duty they'd be forty, not to say fifty, and I don't want to risktheir loss in night fighting in the forest."
He went away and Robert saw him moving among his men, giving orders.Elihu Strong, a merchant, nevertheless had made himself a strenuoussoldier at his province's call, and he was not unwilling to learn evenfrom those not more than half his age.
"Open Eyes will do well," said Tayoga.
"Open Eyes?"
"Aye, Dagaeoga. The colonel who is named Strong I will call Open Eyes,because he is willing to look and see. He will look when you tellhim to look, and many who come from the cities will not do that. Andbecause his eyes are open he will not stick his head into an ambush.Yet he will always complain of others."
"And sometimes of himself, too," laughed Robert. "I think he'll befair in that respect. Now, Tayoga, we'll rest here, and be easy withourselves until to-morrow morning, when we advance."
"We will stay, Dagaeoga, but I do not know whether it will be so easy.Since Jumonville saw us escape he will tell St. Luc of it, and SharpSword will send a force here to harry Open Eyes, and to make him thinkthe forest is full of warriors. But Open Eyes, though he may complain,will not be afraid."
It was even as the Onondaga predicted. The foe came with the twilight.The dark wilderness about them gave back whoops and yells, and furtivebands skirmished with Strong's scouts. Then the shouts of the warriorsincreased greatly in number, and seemed to come from all points aboutthe camp. It was obvious to Robert that the enemy was trying to makeStrong's men believe that a great force was confronting them, and someof them, unused to the woods, showed apprehension lest such an unseenand elusive danger overwhelm them. But Elihu Strong never flinched.The forest was almost as much of a mystery to him as it was to histroops, but he was there to dare its perils and he dared them.
"I shall keep my men in camp and await attack, if they make it," hesaid to Robert, to whom he seemed to have taken a great fancy, "andwhatever happens I shall move forward in the morning to the relief ofColden."
He shut his thin lips tightly together and his pale blue eyes flashed.The merchant, turned soldier, had the stoutest of hearts, and a stoutheart was what was needed in his camp that night. The warriors gavehis men no rest. They circled about continually, firing and whooping,and trying to create panic, or at least a fear that would hold Strongwhere he was.
Robert went to sleep early, and, when he awakened far in the night,the turmoil was still going on. But he saw Elihu Strong walking backand forth near one of the fires, and in the glow his thin face stillreflected an iron resolution. Satisfied that the camp was in no dangerof being frightened, young Lennox went back to sleep.
A gray, chilly morning came, and soon after dawn Elihu Strong beganto prepare his men for their perilous progress, serving first an amplehot breakfast with plenty of tea and coffee.
"Open Eyes not only watches but he knows much," said Tayoga. "He haslearned that an army marches better on a full stomach."
Strong then asked Robert and Tayoga to serve in a way as guides, andhe made his dispositions, sending his scouts in advance, putting hismost experienced soldiers on the flanks and heading his main columnwith the two brass cannon. The strictest injunctions that nobodystraggle were given, and then the force took up its march.
They had not been molested while at breakfast, and when making thepreparations, but as soon as they left the fire and entered thedeep forest, the terrifying turmoil burst forth again, fierce whoopsresounding on every side and bullets pattering on the leaves or bark.Colonel Strong left his scouts and flankers to deal with the ambushedwarriors, and the main column, face to the front, marched steadilytoward Colden's camp. It was to be a trial of nerves, and Robert wasquite confident that the stern New England leader would win.
"The savages make a tremendous tumult," he said to young Lennox, "buttheir bullets are not reaching us. We're not to be shaken by merenoise."
"When they find that out, as they soon will," said Robert, "they'llmake an attack. Some French officers and troops must be with them.Perhaps Jumonville came in the night to lead them."
He and Tayoga then went a short distance into the forest ahead of thescouts, and Tayoga saw ample evidence that the French were presentwith the Indians.
"You are right in your surmise that Jumonville came in the night," hesaid. "He wore boots, and here are the imprints of his heels. I thinkhe is not far away now. Watch well, Dagaeoga, while I lie on the earthand listen."
Ear to the ground, the Onondaga announced that he could hear men onboth sides of them moving.
"There is the light step of the warriors," he said, "and also theheavier tread of the French. I think I can hear Jumonville himself. Itsounds like the crush of boots. Perhaps they are now seeking to lay anambush."
"Then it's time for us to fall back, Tayoga, both for our own sakesand for the sake of Colonel Strong's force."
The two retreated quickly lest they be caught in an ambush, and gavewarning to Elihu Strong that an attack was now probable, a beliefin which they were confirmed by the report the scouts brought inpresently that a creek was just ahead, a crossing always being afavorite place for an Indian trap.
"So be it," said Colonel Strong, calmly. "We are ready. If theGovernor and Legislature of Massachusetts had done their full duty,we'd be twice as strong, but even as we are we'll force the passage ofthe creek."
"You will find a body of the warriors on this side of the stream,"said Tayoga. "They will give way after a little firing, tempting youto think you have won an easy victory. Then when about half of yourmen are across they will attack with all their might, hoping to cutyou down."
"I thank you for telling me," said Colonel Strong. "I've no doubt youknow what you're talking about. Your manner indicates it. We might bemuch better equipped than we are if those in authority in my provincehad done their full duty, but we will make way, nevertheless. I'llcover the passage of the creek with the guns."
The firing in front already showed that Tayoga's prediction was comingtrue, and it was accompanied by a tremendous volume of yelling, as ifthe whole Indian force were gathered on the near side of the creek.
Robert from the crest of a hill saw the stream, narrow and deep,though not too deep for fording as he was to learn later, fringed oneither side with a dense growth of low bushes, from the shelter ofwhich warriors were sending their bullets toward the white force. Themen were eager to go against them at once, but the scouts were sentforward through the undergrowth to open up a flanking fire, and thenthe main column marched on at a steady pace.
The crash of the rifles grew fast. The warriors on the near side ofthe creek leaped from the bushes as Strong's men drew near, waded thestream and disappeared in the forest on the other bank, giving forthhowls of disappointment as they fled. The soldiers, uttering ashout of triumph, undertook to rush forward in pursuit, but Strongrestrained them.
"It's the ambush against which the Onondaga warned us," he said to hislieutenants, "and we won't run into it. Bring forward the cannon."
The two brass guns, fine twelve pounders, were moved up within closerange of the creek, and they swept the forest on the other side withballs and grape shot. It was probably the first time cannon were everheard in those woods, and the reports came back in many ec
hoes. Boughsand twigs rained down.
"It is a great sound," said Tayoga admiringly, "and the warriors whoare trying to plant an ambush will not like it."
"But you'll remember Braddock's fate," said Robert. "The cannon didn'tdo much then."
"But this is different, Dagaeoga. Open Eyes has his eyes open. Heis merely using the cannon as a cover for his advance. They will bebacked up by the rifles. You will see."
The soldiers approached the creek cautiously, and, when the firstranks were in the water, the cannon raked the woods ahead to right andleft, and to left and right. The best of the riflemen were also pushedforward, and, when the warriors opened fire, they were quickly drivenaway. Then the whole force, carrying the cannon with them, crossed,and stood in triumph on the other side.
"Did I not tell you that Open Eyes knew what he was doing?" saidTayoga.
"It seems that he does," Robert replied, "but we haven't yet arrivedat Colden's station. An attack in force is sure to come."
"Dagaeoga speaks truth. I think it will occur a mile or two fartheron. They will make it before Captain Colden's men can learn that weare on the march."
"Then they won't wait long. Anywhere will do, as the forest is denseeverywhere."
Since they had carried the ford with but little loss, the cannonthat had blazed the way ceased to fire, but the gunners regarded themproudly and Robert did not withhold admiration. They were pioneers,fine brass creatures, and when handled right they were a wonderfulhelp in the forest. He did not blame the gunners for patting thebarrels, for scraping the mud of the creek's crossing from the wheels,and for speaking to them affectionately. Massive and polished theygleamed in the sun and inspired confidence.
Tayoga went ahead in the forest, but came back soon and reported alow ridge not more than half a mile farther on, a likely place foran attack, which he judged would come there. It would be made by theunited force of the French and Indians and would be severe.
"So be it," said Elihu Strong, whose iron calm nothing disturbed. "Weare ready for the foe, though St. Luc himself should come. It is truethat instead of two cannon we might have had four or even six, ortwice as many men, if the Governor and Legislature of Massachusettshad done their full duty, but we'll let that pass. Will you, Lennox,and you, Tayoga, advance with the scouts and be my eyes?"
Robert appreciated the compliment to the full, and promptly replied inthe affirmative for them both. Then he and Tayoga at once plungedinto the forest with the borderers who were there to provide againstambush, all of them approaching the menacing ridge with great care. Itwas a long projection, rising about a hundred feet, and grown denselywith trees and bushes. It looked very quiet and peaceful and birdseven were singing there among the boughs. The leader of the scouts, abronzed man of middle age named Adams, turned to Tayoga.
"I see nothing there," he said, "but I've heard of you and your powerto find things where others can't. Do you think they're on that ridgewaiting for us?"
"It is certain," replied the Onondaga. "It is the place best fittedfor them, and they will not neglect it. Let me go forward a little,with my friend, Dagaeoga, and we will unveil them."
"We'll wait here, and if they're on it I believe you'll soon know it,"said Adams confidently.
Tayoga slid forward among the bushes and Robert followed. Neither madethe slightest noise, and they drew much nearer to the ridge, whichstill basked in the sun, peaceful and innocent in looks. Not a warrioror a Frenchman appeared there, the bushes gave back no glint ofweapons, nothing was disclosed.
"They may be hidden in that jungle, but they won't stir until we'reunder the muzzles of their rifles. What do you propose to do?" askedRobert.
"I will tempt them, Dagaeoga."
"Tempt them? I don't understand you."
"Tododaho on his great star which we cannot see in the day, but which,nevertheless, is there, whispers to me that Tandakora himself is amongthe bushes on the ridge. It is just such an ambush as he loves. As youknow, Dagaeoga, he hates us all, but he hates me most. If he sees agood opportunity for a shot at me he will not be able to forego it."
"For Heaven's sake, Tayoga, don't make a martyr of yourself merely todraw the enemy's fire!"
"No such thought was in my mind. I am not yet ready to leave theworld, which I find bright and full of interest. Moreover, I wish tosee the end of this war and what will happen afterward. Risks are apart of our life, Dagaeoga, but I will take none that is undue."
Tayoga spoke in his usual precise, book English, explaining everythingfully, and Robert said nothing more. But he awaited the actions of theOnondaga with intense interest. Tayoga crept forward five or six yardsmore, and then he stumbled, striking against a bush and shaking itviolently. Robert was amazed. It was incredible that the Onondagashould be so awkward, and then he remembered. Tayoga was going to drawthe enemy's fire.
Tayoga struck against another bush, and then stood upright andvisible. Those hidden on the ridge, if such there were, could see himclearly. The response was immediate. A gigantic figure stood up amongthe bushes, leveled a rifle and fired at him point blank. But theOnondaga, quick as lightning, dropped back and the bullet whistledover his head. Robert fired at the great painted figure of Tandakora,but he too missed, and in a moment the Ojibway chief sank down in theundergrowth. A shout came from the hidden Indians about him.
"They are there," said Tayoga, "and we know just where many of themlie. We will suggest to Open Eyes that he fire the cannon at thatpoint."
They rejoined Adams.
"You were right, as I knew you'd be," said the scout. "You've located'em."
"Yes, because Tandakora could not resist his hate of me," said theOnondaga.
They withdrew to the main force, and once more the brave brass gunswere brought up, sending solid shot and grape into the bushes on theridge, then moving forward and repeating the fire. Many rifles openedupon them from the thickets, and several men fell, but Elihu Strongheld his people in hand, and the scouts drove back the sharpshooters.Meanwhile the whole force advanced and began to climb the ridge, thecannon being turned on the flanks, where the attack was now heaviest.A fierce battle ensued, and the guns, served with great skill andeffectiveness, kept the Indians at bay. More of Strong's men wereslain and many were hit, but their own rifles backed up the guns witha deadly fire. Thus the combat was waged in the thickets a full twohours, when they heard a great shout toward the north, and Willet, atthe head of a hundred men, broke his way through to their relief. ThenFrench and Indians drew off, and the united forces proceeded to thepoint, where Colden, Wilton, Carson and Grosvenor gave them a greatwelcome.
"We are here," said Elihu Strong. "If the Governor and Legislature ofMassachusetts had done their full duty we might have been here sooner,but here we are."
"I knew that you would come back and bring help with you," saidGrosvenor to Robert. "I felt sure that Tayoga would guide the canoethrough every peril."
"Your confidence was not misplaced," said Robert. "He did somewonderful work. He was as great a trailer on the water as he is onland. Now that we are so much stronger, I wonder what St. Luc is goingto do."
But Black Rifle came in the next morning with the news that theChevalier and his whole force were gone.
They had stolen away silently in the night, and were now marchingnorthward, probably to join Montcalm.
"I'm not surprised," said Willet. "We're now too strong for himand St. Luc is not the man to waste his time and strength in vainendeavors. I suspect that we will next hear of him near Champlain,somewhere in the neighborhood of Ticonderoga. I think we'd betterfollow his trail a little distance."
Willet himself led the band that pursued St. Luc, and it includedTayoga, Robert, Grosvenor, Black Rifle and Adams, Daganoweda and hisMohawks having left shortly before on an expedition of their own. Itwas an easy enough task, as the trail necessarily was wide and deep,and the Onondaga could read it almost with his eyes shut.
"Here went Sharp Sword," he said after looking about a while. "I findtraces of his
moccasins, which I would know anywhere because I haveseen them so many times before. Here another Frenchman joined him andwalked beside him for a while. It was Jumonville, whose imprints Ialso know. They talked together. Perhaps Jumonville was narrating thedetails of his encounter with us. Now he leaves St. Luc, who is joinedby another Frenchman wearing moccasins. But the man is heavy andwalked with a heavy step. It is the Canadian, Dubois, who attends uponSharp Sword, and who is devoted to him. Perhaps Sharp Sword is givinghim instructions about the camp that they will make when the dayis over. Now Dubois also goes, and here come the great moccasins ofTandakora. I have seen none other so large in the woods, and a childwould know them. He too talks with Sharp Sword, but Sharp Sword doesnot stop for him. They walk on together, because the stride continuessteady and even, just the length that a man of Sharp Sword's heightwould make when walking. Tandakora is very angry, not at SharpSword--he would not dare to show anger against him--but at the willof Manitou who would not let him win a victory over us. He did not getmuch satisfaction from Sharp Sword, because he stayed with him only avery short time. Here his trail leads away again, and Sharp Sword oncemore walks on alone.
"Perhaps Sharp Sword prefers to be alone. Most men do after adisappointment, and he knows that his attack upon the boat buildershas been a failure. Sharp Sword does not like failures any more thanother people do, and he wants to think. He is planning how to wina great success, and to atone for his failure here. I do not seeanything of De Courcelles. I do not find his trail anywhere, whichshows that the wound you gave him, Dagaeoga, was severe. He is beingcarried either by warriors or French soldiers on a litter. It is farmore likely to be soldiers, and here I find them, the trail of fourmen who walk exactly even, two by two all the time. The rage of DeCourcelles will mount very high against you, Dagaeoga, and you willhave to beware of him."
"I am ready for him," said Robert, proudly.
The broad trail led steadily on toward the north, but Willet, after awhile, spread out his own little force, taking no chances with forestambush. He considered it highly probable that before long Tandakorawould curve aside with some of his warriors, hoping to trap theunwary. He was confirmed in his opinion by the Onondaga's reading ofthe trail.
"I find the footprints of the Ojibway chief again," said Tayoga. "Herethey go at the edge of the trail. Now he has stopped. His stridehas ceased, and he stands with his moccasins close together. He isprobably talking with his warriors and he meditates something. Therage of Tandakora is as great as that of De Courcelles, but Tandakorais not hurt, and he is able to strike. He moves on again, and, ah!here he goes into the woods. Beyond question he is now engaged inplanting an ambush for those who would follow St. Luc. Shall we goback, Great Bear, or shall we meet the Ojibway's ambush with an ambushof our own?"
The black eyes of the Onondaga sparkled.
"We ought to turn back," replied Willet, "but I can't resist playingTandakora's own game with him. It may give us a chance to rid theborder of that scourge. We'll leave the trail, and go into the deepbush."
Led by the hunter the little band plunged into the forest and begana careful circle, intending to come back to the trail some distanceahead, and to post themselves behind Tandakora in case that wilysavage was planning an ambush, as they felt sure he was. Theyredoubled their precautions, ceasing all talk for the while, andallowing no bushes to rustle as they passed. Willet led the line, andTayoga brought up the rear. Grosvenor was just behind Robert. He, too,was now able to bring down his feet in soundless fashion, and to avoidevery stick or twig that might break with a crack beneath his weight.While he was aware of the perils before them, his heart beat high. Hefelt that he was making further progress, and that he was becoming aworthy forest runner.
After two careful hours of travel, they came back again to the broadtrail which showed that St. Luc was still maintaining steady progresstoward the north. But both the hunter and the Onondaga felt sure thatTandakora and a chosen band were now to the south, waiting in ambushfor those who would come in pursuit.
"We'd better draw 'em if we can," said Willet. "Let 'em know we'rehere, but make 'em believe we're friends."
"I think I can do it," said Tayoga. "I know Huron and St. Regissignals. It is likely that some of the warriors with Tandakora areHurons, and, in any event, the Ojibway will understand the signals."
He imitated the cawing of a crow, and presently the answer camefrom the forest about a quarter of a mile to the south. The cry wasrepeated, and the answer came duly a second time. No one in the littleband now doubted that Tandakora and his men were there.
"Shall we attack?" asked Robert.
"I think we can sting them a little," replied Willet. "Our numbers arefew, but the force of the Ojibway is not likely to be large. It washis purpose to strike and get away, and that's what we'll do. Now,Tayoga, we're relying upon you to get us into a good position on hisflank."
The Onondaga led them in another but much smaller circle toward theforest, from which the answering caws of the crow had come. The waywent through dense thickets but, before he reached his chosen spot, hestopped.
"Look," he said, pointing to the earth, where there were faint tracesthat Robert could scarcely see and over which he would have passed,unnoticing. "Here is where Tandakora went on his way to the ambush. Itis a little trail, and it was to be only a little ambush. He has onlyabout ten warriors with him. The Ojibway has come back for revenge. Hecould not bear to leave without striking at least one blow. Perhaps heslipped away from Sharp Sword to try the ambush on his own account."
"They can't be far ahead," said the hunter.
"No," said the Onondaga. "They will be coming back in response to mycall, and I think we would better await them here."
They disposed themselves in good order for battle, and then sank tothe earth. Light waves of air registered delicately but clearly onthose wonderful eardrums of Tayoga's. Faint though the sound was,he understood it. It was the careful tread of men. Tandakora and hiswarriors were on the way, called by the crow. He knew when they camewithin a hundred yards of where he and his companions lay, and heknew when they spread out in cautious fashion, to see what manner offriends these were who came. He knew, too, that Tandakora would notwalk into a trap, and he had not expected at any time that he would,it having been merely his purpose when he cawed like a crow to callhim back to fair and honorable combat, ambush against ambush. He notedwhen the thin line of detached warriors began to advance again, he waseven able to trace the step of Tandakora, heavier than the others,and to discern when the Ojibway chief stopped a second time, trying topierce the thickets with his eyes.
"Tandakora is in doubt," he whispered to Robert. "The call of the crowwhich at first seemed so friendly has another meaning now. He is notso sure that friends are here after all, but he does not understandhow an enemy happens to be behind him. He is angry, too, that his ownpretty ambush, in which he was sitting so cunningly waiting for us,is broken up. Tandakora's humor is far from good, but, because of it,mine is excellent."
"You certainly learned the dictionary well when you were in ourschools," Robert whispered back, but as full as ever of admiration forTayoga's powers. "Has all sound ceased now?"
"They are not stirring. They have become quite sure that we areenemies and they wait for us to act first."
"Then I'll give 'em a lead," said Willet, who lay on Tayoga's right.
He thrust out a foot, bringing it down on a dead stick so hard thatit broke with a sharp snap, but instantly drew away to the shelter ofanother bush. A rifle cracked in front of them and a bullet cut theair over the broken stick. Before the warrior who fired the bulletcould sink back Black Rifle pulled the trigger at a certain target,and the man fell without a sound.
"A fine shot, Captain Jack," said Willet, and a few minutes later thehunter himself made another just as good. For a half hour the combatwas waged in the deep thickets, mere glimpses serving for aim, but thecombatants were as fierce and tenacious as if the issue were joinedby great armies. Four warriors f
ell, Willet's band suffered only a fewscratches, and then, at a signal from him, they melted away into thewoods, curved about again, and took up the return journey toward theirown force.
"We did enough," said Willet, when he was sure they were not pursuedby Tandakora. "All we wanted to do was to sting the Ojibway and not tolet him forget that those who ambush may be ambushed. He'll be fairlyburning with anger."
"How are you feeling, Red Coat?" asked Tayoga.
"As well as could be expected after such an experience," repliedGrosvenor with pride. But the young Englishman was very sober, too.A warrior had fallen before his rifle, and, with the heat of battleover, he was very thoughtful.
The Lords of the Wild: A Story of the Old New York Border Page 13
