CHAPTER III
THE FLIGHT
They were within twenty-four hours of the fort, when they struck a newtrail, one of the many they had seen in the forest, but Tayoga observedit with unusual attention.
"Why does it interest you so much?" asked Robert. "We've seen otherslike it and you didn't examine them so long."
"This is different, Dagaeoga. Wait a minute or two more that I mayobserve it more closely."
Young Lennox and Willet stood to one side, and the Onondaga, kneelingdown in the grass, studied the imprints. It was late in the afternoon,and the light of the red sun fell upon his powerful body, and long,refined, aristocratic face. That it was refined and aristocratic Robertoften felt, refined and aristocratic in the highest Indian way. In himflowed the blood of unnumbered chiefs, and, above all, he was in himselfthe very essence and spirit of a gentleman, one of the finest gentlemeneither Robert or Willet had ever known. Tayoga, too, had matured greatlyin the last year under the stern press of circumstance. Though but ayouth in years he was now, in reality, a great Onondaga warrior,surpassed in skill, endurance and courage by none. Young Lennox and thehunter waited in supreme confidence that he would read the trail andread it right.
Still on his knees, he looked up, and Robert saw the light of discoveryin the dusky eyes.
"What do you read there, Tayoga?" he asked.
"Six men have passed here."
"Of what tribe were they?"
"That I do not know, save as it concerns one."
"I don't understand you."
"Five were of the Indian race, but of what tribe I cannot say, but thesixth was a white man."
"A Frenchman. It certainly can't be De Courcelles, because we've lefthim far behind, and I hope it's not St. Luc. Maybe it's Jumonville, DeCourcelles' former comrade. Still, it doesn't seem likely that any ofthe Frenchmen would be with so small a band."
"It is not one of the Frenchmen, and the white man was not with theband."
"Now you're growing too complex for my simple mind, Tayoga. I don'tunderstand you."
"It is one trail, but the Indians and the white man did not pass over itat the same time. The Indian imprints were made seven or eight hoursago, those of the white man but an hour or so since. Stoop down, GreatBear, and you will see that it is true."
"You're right, Tayoga," said Willet, after examining minutely.
"It follows, then," said the young Onondaga, in his precise tones, "thatthe white man was following the red men."
"It bears that look."
"And you will notice, Great Bear, and you, too, Dagaeoga, that thewhite man's moccasin has made a very large imprint. The owner of thefoot is big. I know of none other in the forest so big except the GreatBear himself."
"Black Rifle!" exclaimed Robert, with a flash of insight.
"It can be none other."
"And he's following on the trail of these Indians, intending to ambushthem when they camp tonight. He hunts them as we would hunt wolves."
Robert shuddered a little. It was a time when human life was held cheapin the wilderness, but he could not bring himself to slay except inself-defense.
"We need Black Rifle," said Willet, "and they'll need him more at thefort. We've an hour of fair sunlight left, and we must follow this trailas fast as we can and call him back. Lead the way, Tayoga."
The young Onondaga, without a word, set out at a running walk, and theothers followed close behind. It was a plain trail. Evidently thewarriors had no idea that they were followed, and the same was true ofBlack Rifle. Tayoga soon announced that both pursuers and pursued weregoing slowly, and, when the last sunlight was fading, they stopped atthe crest of a hill and called, imitating first the cry of a wolf, andthen the cry of an owl.
"He can't be more than three or four hundred yards away," said Willet,"and he may not understand either cry, but he's bound to know that theymean something."
"Suppose we stand out here where he can see us," said Robert. "He mustbe lurking in the thickets just ahead."
"The simplest way and so the right way," said Willet. "Come forth, youlads, where the eyes of Black Rifle may look upon you."
The three advanced from the shelter of the woods, and stood clearlyoutlined in an open space. A whistle came from a thicket scarce ahundred yards before them, and then they saw the striking figure of thegreat, swarthy man emerging. He came straight toward them, and, althoughhe would not show it in his manner, Robert saw a gleam of gladness inthe black eyes.
"What are you doing here, you three?" he asked.
"Following you," replied Robert in his usual role of spokesman.
"Why?"
"Tayoga saw the trail of the Indians overlaid by yours. We knew you werepursuing them, and we've come to stop you."
"By what right?"
"Because you're needed somewhere else. You're to go with us to FortRefuge."
"What has happened?"
"Braddock's army was destroyed near Fort Duquesne. The general and manyof his officers were killed. The rest are retreating far into the east.We're on our way to Fort Refuge to save the garrison and people if wecan, and you're to go with us."
Black Rifle was silent a moment or two. Then he said:
"I feared Braddock would walk into an ambush, but I hardly believed hisarmy would be annihilated. I don't hold it against him, because heturned my men and me away. How could I when he died with his soldiers?"
"He was a brave man," said Robert.
"I'm glad you found me. I'll leave the five Indians, though I could haveambushed 'em within the hour. The whole border must be ablaze, andthey'll need us bad at Fort Refuge."
The three, now four, slept but little that night and they pressedforward all the next day, their anxiety to reach the fort before anattack could be made, increasing. It did not matter now if they arrivedexhausted. The burden of their task was to deliver the word, to carrythe warning. At dusk, they were within a few miles of the fort. An hourlater they noticed a thread of blue smoke across the clear sky.
"It comes from the fort," said Tayoga.
"It's not on fire?" said Robert, aghast.
"No, Dagaeoga, the fort is not burning. We have come in time. The smokerises from the chimneys."
"I say so, too," said Willet. "Unless there's a siege on now, we'reahead of the savages."
"There is no siege," said Tayoga calmly. "Tododaho has held the warriorsback. Having willed for us to arrive first, nothing could prevent it."
"Again, I think you're right, Tayoga," said Robert, "and now for thefort. Let our feet devour the space that lies between."
He was in a mood of high exaltation, and the others shared hisenthusiasm. They went faster than ever, and soon they saw rising in themoonlight the strong palisade and the stout log houses within it. Smokeascended from several chimneys, and, uniting, made the line across thesky that they had beheld from afar. From their distant point of viewthey could not yet see the sentinels, and it was hard to imagine a morepeaceful forest spectacle.
"At any rate, we can save 'em," said Robert.
"Perhaps," said Willet gravely, "but we come as heralds of disasteroccurred, and of hardships to come. It will be a task to persuade themto leave this comfortable place and plunge into the wilderness."
"It's fortunate," said Robert, "that we know Colden and Wilton andCarson and all of them. We warned 'em once when they were coming to theplace where the fort now is, and they didn't believe us, but they soonlearned better. This time they'll know that we're making no mistake."
As they drew near they saw the heads of four sentinels projecting abovethe walls, one on each side of the square. The forest within rifle shothad also been cleared away, and Black Rifle spoke words of approval.
"They've learned," he said. "The city lads with the white hands havebecome men."
"A fine crowd of boys," said Willet, with hearty emphasis. "You'll see'em acting with promptness and courage. Now, we want to tell 'em we'rehere without getting a bullet for our pains."
"Suppose you let me hail 'em," said Robert. "I'll stand on the littlehill there--a bullet from the palisades can't reach me--and sing 'em asong or two."
"Go ahead," said the hunter.
Standing at his full height, young Lennox began to shout:
"Awake! Awake! Up! Up! We're friends! We're friends!"
His musical voice had wonderful carrying power, and the forest, and theopen space in which the fort stood, rang with the sound. Robert becameso much intoxicated with his own chanting that he did not notice itseffect, until Willet called upon him to stop.
"They've heard you!" exclaimed the hunter. "Many of them have heard you!All of them must have heard you! Look at the heads appearing above thepalisade!"
The side of the palisade fronting them was lined with faces, some thefaces of soldiers and others the faces of civilians. Robert uttered ajoyful exclamation.
"There's Colden!" he exclaimed. "The moonlight fell on him just then,and I can't be mistaken."
"And if my eyes tell me true, that's young Wilton beside him," said thehunter. "But come, lads, hold up your hands to show that we're friends,and we'll go into the fort."
They advanced, their hands, though they grasped rifles, held on high,but Robert, exalted and irrepressible, began to sing out anew:
"Hey, you, Colden! And you, too, Wilton and Carson! It's fine to see youagain, alive and well."
There was silence on the wall, and then a great shout of welcome.
"It's Lennox, Robert Lennox himself!" cried someone.
"And Willet, the big hunter!"
"And there's Black Rifle, too!"
"And Tayoga, the Onondaga!"
"Open the gate for 'em! Let 'em come in, in honor."
The great gate was thrown wide, and the four entered quickly, to besurrounded at once by a multitude, eager for news of the outside world,from which they had been shut off so long. Torches, held aloft, cast aflickering light over young soldiers in faded uniforms, men in deerskin,and women in home-made linsey. Colden, and his two lieutenants, Wiltonand Carson, stood together. They were thin, and their faces brown, butthey looked wiry and rugged. Colden shook Robert's hand with greatenergy.
"I'm tremendously glad to see you," he exclaimed, "and I'm equally gladto see Mr. Willet, the great Onondaga, and Black Rifle. You're the firstmessengers from the outside world in more than a month. What news ofvictory do you bring? We heard that a great army of ours was marchingagainst Duquesne."
Robert did not answer. He could not, because the words choked in histhroat, and a silence fell over the crowd gathered in the court, oversoldiers and men and women and children alike. A sudden apprehensionseized the young commander and his lips trembled.
"What is it, Lennox, man?" he exclaimed. "Why don't you speak? What isit that your eyes are telling me?"
"They don't tell of any victory," replied Robert slowly.
"Then what do they tell?"
"I'm sorry, Colden, that I have to be the bearer of such news. I wouldhave told it to you privately, but all will have to know it anyhow, andknow it soon. There has been a great battle, but we did not win it."
"You mean we had to fall back, or that we failed to advance? But ourarmy will fight again soon, and then it will crush the French and Indianbands!"
"General Braddock's army exists no longer."
"What? It's some evil jest. Say it's not true, Lennox!"
"It's an evil jest, but it's not mine, Colden. It's the jest of fate.General Braddock walked into a trap--it's twice I've told the terribletale, once to Black Rifle and now to you--and he and his army weredestroyed, all but a fragment of it that is now fleeing from the woods."
The full horror of that dreadful scene in the forest returned to him fora moment, and, despite himself, he made tone and manner dramatic. Along, deep gasp, like a groan, came from the crowd, and then Robertheard the sound of a woman on the outskirts weeping.
"Our army destroyed!" repeated Colden mechanically.
"And the whole border is laid bare to the French and Indian hosts," saidRobert. "Many bands are converging now upon Fort Refuge, and the placecannot be held against so many."
"You mean abandon Fort Refuge?"
"Aye, Colden, it's what wiser men than I say, Dave here, and Tayoga, andBlack Rifle."
"The lad is speaking you true, Captain Colden," said Willet. "Not onlymust you and your garrison and people leave Fort Refuge, but you mustleave it tomorrow, and you must burn it, too."
Again Robert heard the sound of a woman weeping in the outskirts of thecrowd.
"We held it once against the enemy," protested Colden.
"I know," said Willet, "but you couldn't do it now. A thousand warriors,yes, more, would gather here for the siege, and the French themselveswould come with cannon. The big guns would blow your palisades tosplinters. Your only safety is in flight. I know it's a hard thing todestroy the fort that your own men built, but the responsibility of allthese women and children is upon you, and it must be done."
"So it is, Mr. Willet. I'm not one to gainsay you. I think we can beready by daylight. Meanwhile you four rest, and I'll have food served toyou. You've warned us and we can count upon you now to help us, can'twe?"
"To the very last," said Willet.
After the first grief among the refugees was over the work ofpreparation was carried on with rapidity and skill, and mostly insilence. There were enough men or well grown boys among the settlers tobring the fighting force up to a hundred. Colden and his assistants knewmuch of the forest now, and they were willing and anxious, too, to takethe advice of older and far more experienced men like Black Rifle andWillet.
"The fighting spirit bottled up so long in our line has surely ampleopportunity to break out in me," said Wilton to Robert toward morning."As I've told you before, Lennox, if I have any soldierly quality it'sno credit of mine. It's a valor suppressed in my Quaker ancestors, butnot eradicated."
"That is, if you fight you fight with the sword of your fathers and notyour own."
"You put it well, Lennox, better than I could have stated it myself.What has become of that wonderful red friend of yours?"
"Tayoga? He has gone into the forest to see how soon we can expectTandakora, De Courcelles and the Indian host."
The Onondaga returned at dawn, saying that no attack need be fearedbefore noon, as the Indian bands were gathering at an appointed place,and would then advance in great force.
"They'll find us gone by a good six hours," said Willet, "and we mustmake every minute of those six hours worth an ordinary day, because thewarriors, wild at their disappointment, will follow, and at least we'llhave to beat off their vanguard. It's lucky all these people are used tothe forest."
Just as the first rim of the sun appeared they were ready. There weresix wagons, drawn by stout horses, in which they put the spareammunition and their most valuable possessions. Everybody but thedrivers walked, the women and children in the center of the column, thebest of the scouts and skirmishers in the woods on the flanks. Then atthe command of Colden the whole column moved into the forest, butTayoga, Willet and a half dozen others ran about from house to house,setting them on fire with great torches, making fifty blazes which grewrapidly, because the timbers were now dry, uniting soon into one vastconflagration.
Robert and Colden, from the edge of the forest, watched the destructionof Fort Refuge. They saw the solid log structures fall in, sending upgreat masses of sparks as the burning timbers crashed together. They sawthe strong blockhouse go, and then they saw the palisade itself flaming.Colden turned away with a sigh.
"It's almost like burning your own manor house which you built yourself,and in which you expected to spend the remainder of your life," he said."It hurts all the more, too, because it's a sign that we've lost theborder."
"But we'll come back," said Robert, who had the will to be cheerful.
"Aye, so we will," said Colden, brightening. "We'll sweep back theseFrench and Indians, and we'll come here and rebuild Fort Refuge on thisvery spot. I'
ll see to it, myself. This _is_ a splendid place for afort, isn't it, Lennox?"
"So it is," replied Robert, smiling, "and I've no doubt, Colden, thatyou'll supervise the rebuilding of Fort Refuge."
And in time, though the interval was great, it did come to pass.
Colden was not one to be gloomy long, and there was too much work aheadfor one to be morbid. Willet had spoken of the precious six hours andthey were, in, truth, more precious than diamonds. The flight waspushed to the utmost, the old people or the little children who grewweary were put in the wagons, and the speed they made was amazing forthe wilderness. Robert remained well in the rear with Tayoga, Willet andBlack Rifle, and they continually watched the forest for the firstappearance of the Indian pursuit. That, in time, it would appear theynever doubted, and it was their plan to give the vanguard of thewarriors such a hot reception that they would hesitate. Besides thehundred fighting men, including the soldiers and boys large enough tohandle arms, there were about a hundred women and children. Coldenmarched with the main column, and Wilton and Carson were at the rear.Black Rifle presently went ahead to watch lest they walk into an ambush,while Tayoga, Robert and Willet remained behind, the point from whichthe greatest danger was apprehended.
"Isn't it likely," asked Robert, "that the Indians will see the light ofthe burning fort, and that it will cause them to hasten?"
"More probably it will set them to wondering," replied the hunter, "andthey may hesitate. They may think a strong force has come to rescue thegarrison and people."
"But whatever Tandakora and the officer of Onontio may surmise," saidTayoga, "our own course is plain, and that is to march as fast as wecan."
"And hope that a body of Colonial troops and perhaps the Mohawks willcome to help us," said Willet. "Colonel William Johnson, as we all know,is alert and vigorous, and it would be like him to push westward for theprotection of settlers and refugees. 'Twould be great luck, Tayoga, ifthat bold young friend of yours, Daganoweda, the Mohawk chief, should bein this region."
"It is not probable," said the Onondaga. "The Keepers of the EasternGate are likely to remain in their own territory. They would not,without a strong motive, cross the lands of the other nations of theHodenosaunee, but it is not impossible. They may have such a motive."
"Then let us hope that it exists!" exclaimed Robert fervently. "Thesight of Daganoweda and a hundred of his brave Mohawks would lift amighty load from my mind."
Tayoga smiled. A compliment to the Mohawks was a compliment to theentire Hodenosaunee, and therefore to the Onondagas as well. Moreoverthe fame and good name of the Mohawks meant almost as much to him as thefame and good name of the Onondagas.
"The coming of Daganoweda would be like the coming of light itself," hesaid.
They were joined by Wilton, who, as Robert saw, had become a fine forestsoldier, alert, understanding and not conceited because of hisknowledge. Robert noted the keen, wary look of this young man of Quakerblood, and he felt sure that in the event of an attack he would be amongthe very best of the defenders.
"The spirit of battle, bursting at last in you, Will, from its longconfinement, is likely to have full chance for gratification," he said.
"So it will, Lennox, and I tremble to think of what that released spiritmay do. If I achieve any deed of daring and valor bear in mind thatit's not me, but the escaped spirit of previous ages taking violent andreckless charge of my weak and unwilling flesh."
"Suppose we form a curtain behind our retreating caravan," said Robert."A small but picked force could keep back the warriors a long time, andpermit our main column to continue its flight unhampered."
"A good idea! an idea most excellent!" exclaimed Willet.
As a matter of form, the three being entirely independent in theirmovements, the suggestion was made to Colden, and he agreed at once andwith thorough approval. Thirty men, including Willet, Robert, Tayoga andWilton, were chosen as a fighting rear guard, and the hunter himselftook command of it. Spreading out in a rather long line to prevent beingflanked, they dropped back and let the train pass out of sight on itseastern flight.
They were now about ten miles from the burned fort, and, evidences ofpursuit not yet being visible, Robert became hopeful that the caution ofTandakora and De Courcelles would hold them back a long time. He andTayoga kept together, but the thirty were stretched over a distance ofseveral hundred yards, and now they retreated very slowly, watchingcontinually for the appearance of hostile warriors.
"They have, of course, a plain trail to follow," Robert said. "One couldnot have a better trace than that made by wagon wheels. It's just amatter of choice with them whether they come fast or not."
"I think we are not likely to see them before the night," said Tayoga."Knowing that the column has much strength, they will prefer thedarkness and ambush."
"But they're not likely to suspect the screen that we have thrown out tocover the retreat."
"No, that is the surprise we have prepared for them. But even so, we,the screen, may not come into contact with them before the dark."
Tayoga's calculation was correct. The entire day passed while the rearguard retreated slowly, and all the aspects of the forest were peaceful.They saw no pursuing brown figures and they heard no war cry, nor thecall of one band to another. Yet Robert felt that the night would bringa hostile appearance of some kind or other. Tandakora and De Courcelleswhen they came upon the site of the burned fort would not linger longthere, but would soon pass on in eager pursuit, hoping to strike afleeing multitude, disorganized by panic. But he smiled to himself atthe thought that they would strike first against the curtain of fire andsteel, that is, the thirty to whom he belonged.
When night came he and Tayoga were still together and Willet was a shortdistance away. He watched the last light of the sun die and then thedusk deepen, and he felt sure that the approach of the pursuing hostcould not be long delayed. His eyes continually searched the thicketsand forest in front of them for a sight of the savage vanguard.
"Can you see Tododaho upon his star?" he asked Tayoga in allearnestness.
"The star is yet faint in the heavens," replied the Onondaga, "and I canonly trace across its face the mists and vapors which are the snakes inthe hair of the great chieftain, but Tododaho will not desert us. We,his children, the Onondagas, have done no harm, and I, Tayoga, am one ofthem. I feel that all the omens and presages are favorable."
The reply of the Onondaga gave Robert new strength. He had the deepestrespect for the religion of the Hodenosaunee, which he felt was soclosely akin to his own, and Tododaho was scarcely less real to him thanto Tayoga. His veins thrilled with confidence that they would driveback, or at least hold Tandakora and De Courcelles, if they came.
The last and least doubt that they would come was dispelled within anhour when Tayoga suddenly put a hand upon his arm, and, in a whisper,told him to watch a bush not more than a hundred yards away.
"A warrior is in the thicket," he said. "I would not have seen him as hecrept forward had not a darker shadow appeared upon the shadow of thenight. But he is there, awaiting a chance to steal upon us and fire."
"And others are near, seeking the same opportunity."
"It is so, Dagaeoga. The attack will soon begin."
"Shall we warn Willet?"
"The Great Bear has seen already. His eyes pierce the dark and they havenoted the warrior, and the other warriors. Lie down, Dagaeoga, the firstwarrior is going to fire."
Robert sank almost flat. There was a report in the bush, a flash offire, and a bullet whistled high over their heads. From a point on theirright came an answering report and flash, and the warrior in the bushuttered his death cry. Robert, who was watching him, saw him throw uphis hands and fall.
"It was the bullet of the Great Bear that replied," said Tayoga. "It wasrash to fire when such a marksman lay near. Now the battle begins."
The forest gave forth a great shout, penetrating and full of menace,coming in full volume, and indicating to the shrewd ears of Ta
yoga thepresence of two or three hundred warriors. Robert knew, too, that alarge force was now before them. How long could the thirty hold back theIndian hosts? Yet he had the word of Tayoga that Tododaho looked downupon them with benignity and that all the omens and presages werefavorable. There was a flash at his elbow and a rifle sang its deadlysong in his ear. Then Tayoga uttered a sigh of satisfaction.
"My bullet was not wasted," he said.
Robert waited his opportunity, and fired at a dusky figure which he sawfall. He was heart and soul averse to bloodshed, but in the heat ofaction, and in self-defense, he forgot his repugnance. He was as eagernow for a shot as Tayoga, Willet, or any other of the thirty. Tayoga,who had reloaded, pulled trigger again and then a burst of firing camefrom the savage host. But the thirty, inured to the forest and forestwarfare, were sheltered well, and they took no hurt. The Indians whowere usually poor marksmen, fired many bullets after their fashion andwasted much lead.
"They make a great noise, inflict no wounds, and do not advance,"whispered Tayoga to Robert.
"Doubtless they are surprised much at meeting our line in the forest,and think us many times more numerous than we are."
"And we may fill their minds with illusions," said Robert hopefully."They may infer from our strong resistance that reenforcements havecome, that the Mohawks are here, or that Colonel Johnson himself hasarrived with Colonial troops."
"It may be that Waraiyageh will come in time," said Tayoga. "Ah, theyare trying to pass around our right flank."
His comment was drawn by distant shots on their right. The reports,however, did not advance, and the two, reassured, settled back intotheir places. Three or four of the best scouts and skirmishers were atthe threatened point, and they created the effect of at least a dozen.Robert knew that the illusion of a great force confronting them wasgrowing in the Indian mind, and his heart glowed with satisfaction.While they held the savage host the fugitive train was putting freshmiles between them and pursuit. Suddenly he raised his own rifle andfired. Then he uttered a low cry of disappointment.
"It was Tandakora himself," he said. "I couldn't mistake his size, butit was only a glimpse, and I missed."
"The time of the Ojibway has not come," said Tayoga with conviction,"but it will come before this war is over."
"The sooner the better for our people and yours, Tayoga."
"That is so, Dagaeoga."
They did not talk much more for a long time because the combat in theforest and the dark deepened, and the thirty were so active that therewas little time for question or answer. They crept back and forth frombush to bush and from log to log, firing whenever they saw a flittingform, and reloading with quick fingers. Now and then Willet, or someother, would reply with a defiant shout to the yells of the warriors,and thus, while the combat of the sharpshooters surged to and fro in thedim light, many hours passed.
But the thirty held the line. Robert knew that the illusion of at leasta hundred, doubtless more, was created in the minds of the warriors,and, fighting with their proverbial caution, they would attempt no rush.He had a sanguine belief now that they could hold the entire host untilday, and then the fleeing train would be at least twenty miles fartheron. A few of the thirty had been wounded, though not badly enough to putthem out of the combat, but Robert himself had not been touched. Asusual with him in moments of success or triumph his spirits flamed high,and his occasional shout of defiance rose above the others.
"In another hour," said Tayoga, "we must retreat."
"Why?" asked Robert. "When we're holding 'em so well?"
"By day they will be able to discover how few we are, and then, althoughthey may not be able to force our front, they will surely spread out andpass around our flanks. I do not see the Great Bear now, but I know hethinks so, too, and it will not be long before we hear from him."
Within five minutes Willet, who was about a hundred yards away, uttereda low whistle, which drew to him Robert, Tayoga and others, and then hepassed the word by them to the whole line to withdraw swiftly, but inabsolute silence, knowing that the longer Tandakora and De Courcellesthought the defenders were in their immediate front the better it wasfor their purpose. Seven of the thirty were wounded, but not one of themwas put out of the combat. Their hurts merely stung them to renewedenergy, and lighted higher in them the fire of battle.
Under the firm leadership of Willet they retreated as a group, whollywithout noise, vanishing in the thickets, and following fast on thetracks left by the wagons. When the sun rose they stopped and Tayogawent back to see if the Indian host was yet coming. He returned in anhour saying there was no indication of pursuit, and Robert exulted.
"We've come away, and yet we are still there!" he exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" asked Willet.
"We abandoned our position, but we left the great illusion there for thewarriors. They think we're still before 'em and so long as that illusionlasts it will hold 'em. So you see, Dave, an illusion is often fully asgood as reality."
"It may be for a little while, but it doesn't last as long. Withinanother hour Tandakora and De Courcelles will surely find out that we'vegone, and then, raging mad, they'll come on our trail."
"And we'll meet 'em with a second stand, I suppose?"
"If we can find a good place for defense."
One of the men, Oldham, who had been sent ahead, soon returned with newsthat the train had crossed a deep creek with rather high banks.
"It was a hard ford," he said, "but I followed the trail some distanceon the other side, and they seem to have made the passage without anybad accident."
"Was the far bank of the creek thick with forest?" asked Willet.
"Trees and undergrowth are mighty dense there," replied Oldham.
"Then that's the place for our second stand. If we can hold the creekagainst 'em for three or four hours more it will be another tremendousadvantage gained. With high banks and the woods and thickets on 'em sodense, we ought to create what Robert would call a second illusion."
"We will!" exclaimed Robert. "We can do it!"
"At least, we'll try," said Willet, and he led the little force at speedtoward the creek.
The Rulers of the Lakes: A Story of George and Champlain Page 5
