CHAPTER XIV
SHARP SWORD
The rangers and Mohawks had suffered a further thinning in the lastconflict with St. Luc, but they were still a formidable body, not somuch through numbers as through skill, experience, courage and qualityof leadership. There was not one among them who was not eager to advancetoward Crown Point and hazard every peril. But they were too wise inwilderness ways not to have a long and anxious council before theystarted, as there was nothing to be gained and much to be lost bythrowing away lives in reckless attempts.
They decided at last on a wide curve to the west, in order that theymight approach Crown Point from the north, where they would be leastsuspected, and they decided also that they would make most of thejourney by night, when they would be better hidden from wanderingwarriors. So concluding, they remained in the glen much longer than theyhad intended, and the delay was welcome to Robert, whose nervous systemneeded much restoration, after the tremendous exertions, the hopes andfears of recent days.
But he was able to imitate the Onondaga calm. He spread his blanket onthe turf, lay down upon it, and lowered his eyelids. He had no intentionof going to sleep, but he put himself into that drowsy state of calmakin to the Hindoo's Nirvana. By an effort of the will he calmed everynerve and refused to think of the future. He merely breathed, and saw ina dim way the things about him, compelling his soul to stay a while inpeace.
Most of the rangers and Mohawks were lying in the same stillness. Sternexperience had taught them to take rest, and make the most of it whenthey could find it. Only the watchful sentinels at the rim of the valleyand beyond stirred, and their moccasins made no sound as they slid amongthe bushes, looking and listening with all their eyes and ears forwhatever might come.
The sun was sunk far in the western heavens, tinting with gold thesurface of both lakes, for the rulership of which the nations fought,and outlining the mountains, crests and ridges, sharp and clear againsta sky of amazing blue. Yet so vast was the wilderness and so little hadit been touched by man, that the armies were completely hidden in it,and neither Dieskau nor Johnson yet knew what movement the otherintended.
The east was already dim with the coming twilight when the three leadersstood up, and, as if by preconcerted signal, beckoned to their men.Scarcely a word was spoken, but everyone looked to his arms, thesentinels came in, and the whole force, now in double file, marchedswiftly toward the north, but inclining also to the east. Robert andTayoga were side by side.
"I owe thee many thanks, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga.
"You owe me nothing," said Robert. "I but paid an installment on adebt."
Then they spoke no more for a long time, because there was nothing tosay, and because the band was now moving so fast that all their breathwas needed for muscular effort. The sun went down in a sea of goldenclouds, then red fire burned for a little while at the rim of the world,and, when it was gone, a luminous twilight, which by and by faded intodarkness, came in its place.
But the band in double file sped on through the dusk. Daganoweda, whoknew the way, was at the head, and so skillful were they that no stickcrackled and no leaf rustled as they passed. Mile after mile theyflitted on, over hill and valley and through the deep woods. Far in thenight they stopped to drink at a clear little brook that ran down toLake Champlain, but no other halt was made until the dawn broke over avast silver sheet of water, and high green mountains beyond.
"Oneadatote," said Tayoga.
"And a great lake it is," said Robert. "We had a naval encounter on itonce, and now we've had a battle, too, on George."
"But the French and their allies hold all of Oneadatote, while we onlydispute the possession of Andiatarocte. They will march against us fromCrown Point on the shores of this lake."
"We'll take George from 'em, all of it, and then we'll come and drive'em from Champlain, too."
The eyes of the Onondaga sparkled.
"Dagaeoga has a brave heart," he said, "and we will do all that hepredicts, but, as I have said before, it will be a long and terriblewar."
They descended to a point nearer the lake, but, still remaining hiddenin the dense forest, ate their breakfast of venison, bread and samp, anddrank again from a clear brook. They were now several miles north ofCrown Point, and the leaders talked together again about the best mannerof approach. They not only wished to see what the army of Dieskau wasdoing, but they thought it possible to strike some blow that wouldinflict severe loss, and delay his advance. Rogers used his glassesagain, and was able to discern many Indian canoes on the lake, bothnorth and south of the point where they lay, although they were mostlyscattered, indicating no certain movement.
"Those canoes ought to be ours," he said. "'Tis a great pity that we'velet the French take control of Champlain. It's easier to hold a thing inthe beginning than it is, having let your enemy seize it without afight, to win it back again."
"It's better to do that than to be rash," said Willet. "I was withBraddock when we marched headlong into the wilderness. If we had beenslower then we'd have now a good army that we've lost. Still, it's hardto see the French take the lead from us. We dance to their tune."
"Dave," said Rogers, "I see a whole fleet of Indian canoes far down thelake below Crown Point. One can see many miles in such a clear air asthis, and I'm sure they're canoes, though they look like black dotscrawling on the water. Take the glasses and have a look."
Willet held the glasses to his eyes a long time, and when he took themdown he said with confidence:
"They're canoes, a hundred of 'em at least, and while they holdcomplete command of the lake, it don't seem natural that so many of 'emshould be in a fleet away down there below the French fort. It meanssomething unusual. What do you think, Tayoga?"
"Perhaps Dieskau is already on the march," said the Onondaga. "Theglories that St. Luc, Dumas, Ligneris and the others won at Duquesnewill not let him sleep. He would surpass them. He would repeat on theshores of Andiatarocte what they did so triumphantly by the ford of theMonongahela."
"Thunderation!" exclaimed Rogers. "The boy may be right! They may beeven now stealing a march on us! If our army down below should be wipedout as Braddock's was, then we might never recover!"
Robert, who could not keep from hearing all the talk, listened to itwith dismay. He had visions of Johnson's army of untrained militiaattacked suddenly by French veterans and a huge force of Indians. Itwould be like the spring of a monstrous beast out of the dark, anddefeat, perhaps complete destruction for his own, would be the result.But his courage came back in an instant. The surprise could not becarried out so long as the band to which he belonged was in existence.
"I think," said Willet, "that we'd better go south along the shore ofthe lake, and approach as near to the fort as we dare. Then Daganowedaand a half dozen of his best warriors will scout under its very walls.Do you care for the task, Daganoweda?"
The eyes of the young Mohawk chieftain glittered. Willet had judged himaright. It would be no task for him, it would be instead a labor ofpleasure. In fifteen minutes he was off with his warriors, disappearinglike shadows in the undergrowth, and Robert knew that whatever reportDaganoweda might bring back it would not only be true but full.
The main band followed, though far more slowly, keeping well back fromthe lake, that no Indian eye might catch their presence in the woods,but able, nevertheless, to observe for immense distances everything thatpassed on the vast silver sheet of water. Rogers observed once more thefleet of Indian canoes rowing southward, and he and Willet were firmerthan ever in their belief that it indicated some measure of importance.
Their own march through the woods was peaceful. They frightened no gamefrom their path, indicating that the entire region had been hunted overthoroughly by the great force that had lain at Crown Point, and, after awhile, they passed a point parallel to the fort, though several miles tothe westward. Willet, Tayoga and Robert looked for trails or traces ofbands or hunters, but found none. Apparently the forest had beendeserted by the enemy for
some days, and their alarming belief wasstrengthened anew.
Four miles farther on they were to meet Daganoweda and his warriors, ata tiny silver pond among the hills, and now they hurried their march.
"I'm thinking," said Robert, "that Daganoweda will be there first,waiting with a tale to tell."
"All signs point to it," said Tayoga. "It is well that we came north onthis scouting expedition, because we, too, may have something to saywhen we return to Waraiyageh."
"You know this pond at which we are to meet?"
"Yes, it is in the hills, and the forest is thick all about it. OftenOnondaga and Mohawk have met there to take council, the one with theother."
In another hour they were at the pond, and they found the Mohawkchieftain and his men sitting at its edge.
"Well, Daganoweda," said Willet, "is it as we thought?" Daganoweda roseand waved his hand significantly toward the south.
"Dieskau with his army has gone to fall upon Waraiyageh," he said. "Wewent close up to the walls, and we even heard talk. The French and thewarriors were eager to advance, and so were their leaders. It was saidthat St. Luc, whom we call Sharp Sword, urged them most, and the largerpart of his great force soon started in canoes. A portion of it he leftat Ticonderoga, and the rest is going on. They intend to take the fortcalled Lyman, that the English and Americans have built, and then tofall upon Waraiyageh."
"It is for us to reach Waraiyageh first," said Willet, quietly, "and wewill. God knows there is great need of our doing it. If Johnson's armyis swept away, then Albany will fall, the Hodenosaunee, under terrificpressure, might be induced to turn against us, and the Province of NewYork would be ravaged with fire and the scalping knife."
"But we will reach Waraiyageh and tell him," said Tayoga, firmly. "Hewill not be swept away. Albany will not fall, and nothing can induce theHodenosaunee to join the French."
The eyes of the Great Bear glistened as he looked at the tall youngwarrior.
"That's brave talk, and it's true, too!" he exclaimed. "You shame us,Tayoga! If it's for us to save our army by carrying the news ofDieskau's sudden march, then we'll save it."
Daganoweda had told the exact truth. Dieskau had reached Crown Pointwith a force mighty then for the wilderness, and, after a short rest, heissued orders to his troops to be prepared for advance at a moment'snotice. He especially directed the officers to keep themselves in lightmarching order, every one of them to take only a bearskin, a blanket,one extra pair of shoes, one extra shirt, and no luxuries at all.
His orders to the Indians showed a savagery which, unfortunately, wasnot peculiar then to him. In the heat of battle they were not to scalpthose they slew, because time then was so valuable. While they weretaking a scalp they could kill ten men. But when the enemy was routedcompletely they could go back on the field and scalp as they wished.
The Indian horde was commanded by Legardeur de St. Pierre, who had withhim De Courcelles and Jumonville, and St. Luc with his faithful Duboisimmediately organized a daring band of French Canadians and warriors totake the place of the one he had lost. So great was his reputation as aforest fighter, and so well deserved was it, that his fame suffered nodiminution, because of his defeat by the rangers and Mohawks, and theyoung French officers were eager to serve under him.
It was this powerful army, ably led and flushed with the generaltriumph of the French arms, that Daganoweda and his warriors had seenadvancing, though perhaps no one in all the force dreamed that he wasadvancing to a battle that in reality would prove one of the mostdecisive in the world's history, heavy with consequences to which timeset scarcely any limit. Nor did Robert himself, vivid as was hisimagination, foresee it. His thoughts and energies were bounded for thetime, at least, by the present, and, with the others, he was eager tosave Johnson's army, which now lay somewhere near Lake George, and whichhe was sure had been occupied in building forts, as Waraiyageh, havingspent most of his life in the wilderness, knew that it was well when hehad finished a march forward to make it secure before he undertookanother.
The rangers and Mohawks now picked up the trail of Dieskau's army, whichwas moving forward with the utmost speed. Yet the obstinacy of hisIndian allies compelled the German baron to abandon the first step inhis plan. They would not attack Fort Lyman, as it was defended byartillery, of which the savages had a great dread, but they were willingto go on, and fall suddenly upon Johnson, who, they heard, thoughfalsely, had no cannon. Dieskau and his French aides, compelled to hideany chagrin they may have felt, pushed on for Lake George with the pickof their army, consisting of the battalions of Languedoc, and La Reine,a strong Canadian force, and a much larger body of Indian warriors,among whom the redoubtable Tandakora, escaped from rangers and Mohawks,was predominant.
Willet, Rogers, Black Rifle, Daganoweda and their small but formidableband read the trail plainly, and they knew the greatness of the danger.Dieskau was not young, and he was a soldier of fortune, not belonging tothe race that he led, but he was full of ardor, and the daring Frenchpartisans were urging him on. Robert felt certain that St. Luc himselfwas in the very van and that he would probably strike the first blow.
After they had made sure that Dieskau would not attack Fort Lyman, butwas marching straight against Johnson, the little force turned aside,and prepared to make a circuit with all the speed it could command.
As Willet put it tersely:
"It's not enough for us to know what Dieskau means to do, but to keephim from doing it. It's muscle and lungs now that count."
So they deserved to the full the name of forest runners, speeding ontheir great curve, using the long, running walk with which both Indiansand frontiersmen devoured space, and apparently never grew weary. In thenight they passed Dieskau's army, and, from the crest of a lofty hill,saw his fires burning in a valley below. Tayoga and some of the Mohawksslipped down through the undergrowth and reported that the camp had beenmade with all due precaution--the French partisan leaders saw tothat--with plenty of scouts about, and the whole force in swift,marching order. It would probably be up and away again before dawn, andif they were to pass it and reach Johnson in good time not a singlemoment could be wasted.
"Now I wonder," said Willet, "if they suspect the advance of thiswarning force. St. Luc, of course, knows that we were back there byChamplain, as we gave him the most complete proofs of it that humanbeings could give. So does Tandakora, and they may prevail upon Dieskauto throw out a swift band for the purpose of cutting us off. If so, St.Luc is sure to lead it. What do you say, Tayoga?"
"I think St. Luc will surely come," replied the Onondaga youth gravely."We have been trailing the army of Dieskau, and tomorrow, after we havepassed it, we shall be trailed in our turn. It does not need the whisperof Tododaho to tell me that St. Luc and Tandakora will lead thetrailers, because, as we all know, they are most fitting to lead them."
"Then there's no sleep for us tonight," said Rogers; "we'll push on andnot close our eyes again until we reach Colonel Johnson."
They traveled many miles before dawn, but with the rising of the sunthey knew that they were followed, and perhaps flanked. The Mohawkscouts brought word of it. Daganoweda himself found hostile signs in thebushes, a bead or two and a strand of deerskin fringe caught on a bush.
"It's likely," said Willet, "that they were even more cautious than wereckoned. It may be that before Dieskau left his force at Ticonderoga hesent forward St. Luc with a swift band to intercept us and any otherswho might take a warning to Colonel Johnson."
"I agree with you," said Rogers. "St. Luc started before we did, and,all the time, has been ahead of us. So we have him in front, Dieskaubehind, and it looks as if we'd have to fight our way through to ourarmy. Oh, the Frenchmen are clever! Nobody can deny it, and they'realways awake. What's your opinion, Daganoweda?"
"We shall have to fight," replied the Mohawk chieftain, although theprospect caused him no grief. "The traces that we have found prove SharpSword to be already across our path. We have yet no way to know thestrength of his f
orce, but, if a part of us get through, it will beenough."
Robert heard them talking, and while he was able once more to preserveoutward calm, his heart, nevertheless, throbbed hard. More than anyother present, with the possible exception of Tayoga, his imaginationpictured what was to come, and before it was fought he saw the battle.They were to march, too, into an ambush, knowing it was there, butimpossible to be avoided, because they must get through in some fashionor other. They were now approaching Andiatarocte again, and although theneed of haste was still great they dropped perforce into a slow walk,and sent ahead more scouts and skirmishers.
Robert and Tayoga went forward on the right, and they caught through thebushes the gleam from the waters of a small stream that ran down to thelake. Going a little nearer, they saw that the farther bank was high anddensely wooded, and then they drew back, knowing that it was a splendidplace for an ambush, and believing that St. Luc was probably there.Tayoga lay almost flat, face downward, and stared intently at the highbank.
"I think, Dagaeoga," he said, "that so long as we keep close to theearth we may creep a little nearer, and perhaps our eyes, which aregood, may be able to pick out the figures of our foes from the leavesand bushes in which they probably lie hidden."
They dragged themselves forward about fifty yards, taking particularcare to make nothing in the thickets bend or wave in a manner for whichthe wind could not account. Robert stared a long time, but his eyesseparated nothing from the mass of foliage.
"What do you see, Tayoga?" he whispered at last.
"No proof of the enemy yet, Dagaeoga. At least, no proof of which I amsure. Ah, but I do now! There was a flash in the bushes. It was a ray ofsunlight penetrating the leaves and striking upon the polished metal ofa gun barrel."
"It means that at least one Indian or Frenchman is there. Keep onlooking and see if you don't see something more."
"I see a red feather. At this distance you might at first take it for afeather in the wing of a bird, but I know it is a feather in thescalplock of a warrior."
"And that makes two, at least. Look harder than ever, Tayoga, and tellme what more you see."
"Now I catch a glimpse of white cloth with a gleam of silver. The clothis on the upper arm, and the silver is on the shoulder of an officer."
"A uniform and an epaulet. A French officer, of course."
"Of course, and I think it is Sharp Sword himself."
"Look once more, Tayoga, and maybe your eyes can pick out something elsefrom the foliage."
"I see the back and painted shoulder of a warrior. It may be those ofTandakora, but I cannot be sure."
"You needn't be. You've seen quite enough to prove that the whole forceof St. Luc is there in the bushes, awaiting us, and we must tell ourleaders at once."
They crept back to the center, where Willet and Rogers lay, Daganowedabeing on the flank, and told them what they had seen.
"It's good enough proof," said Rogers. "St. Luc with his whole force inthe bushes means to hold the stream against us and keep us from taking awarning to Johnson, but the hardest way to do a thing isn't always theone you have to choose."
"I take it," said Willet, "that you mean to flank him out of hisposition."
"It was what I had in mind. What do you think, Dave?"
"The only possible method. Those Mohawks are wonders at such operations,and we'd better detail as many of the rangers as we can spare to join'em, while a force here in the center makes a demonstration that willhold 'em to their place in the bushes. I'll take the picked men and joinDaganoweda."
Rogers laughed.
"It's like you, Dave," he said, "to choose the most dangerous part, andleave me here just to make a noise."
"But the commander usually stays in the center, while his lieutenantslead on the wings."
"That's true. You have precedent with you, but it wouldn't have made anydifference, anyhow."
"But when we fall on 'em you'll lead the center forward, and with sucha man as St. Luc I fancy you'll have all the danger you crave."
Rogers laughed again.
"Go ahead, old fire-eater," he said. "It was always your way. I supposeyou'll want to take Tayoga and Lennox with you."
"Oh, yes, I need 'em, and besides, I have to watch over 'em, in a way."
"And you watch over 'em by leading 'em into the very thickest of thebattle. But danger has always been a lure for you, and I know you're thebest man for the job."
Willet quickly picked twenty men, including Black Rifle and the twolads, and bore away with speed toward the flank where Daganoweda and theMohawks already lay. As Robert left he heard the rifle shots with whichthe little force of Rogers was opening the battle, and he heard, too,the rifles and muskets of the French and Indians on the other side ofthe stream replying.
Fortunately, as the forest was very dense, and it was not possible forany of St. Luc's men to see the flanking movement, Willet and hisrangers joined Daganoweda quickly and without hindrance, the eyes of thechieftain glittering when he saw the new force, and heard the plan tocross the stream far down and fall on St. Luc's flank.
"It is good," he said with satisfaction. "Sharp Sword has eyes to seemuch, but he cannot see everything."
"But one thing must be understood," said Willet, gravely. "If we seethat we are getting the worst of the fight and our men are fallingfast, the good runners must leave the conflict at once and make allspeed for Waraiyageh. Tayoga, you are the fastest and surest of all, andyou must leave first, and, Daganoweda, do you pick three of your swiftyoung warriors for the same task."
"I have one request to make," said Tayoga.
"What is it?"
"When I leave let me take Dagaeoga with me. We are comrades who haveshared many dangers, and he, too, is swift of foot and hardy. It may bethat there will be danger also in the flight to Waraiyageh's camp. Then,if one should fall the other will go on."
"Well put, Tayoga. Robert, do you hear? If the tide seems to be turningagainst us join Tayoga in his flight toward Johnson."
Robert nodded, and the young warriors chosen by Daganoweda alsoindicated that they understood. Then the entire force began its silentmarch through the woods on their perilous encircling movement. Theywaded the river at a ford where the water did not rise above theirknees, and entered the deep woods, gradually drawing back toward thepoint where St. Luc's force lay.
As they approached they began to hear the sounds of the little battleRogers was waging with the French leader, a combat which was intended tokeep the faculties and energies of the French and Indians busy, whilethe more powerful detachment under Willet and Daganoweda moved up forthe main blow. Faint reports of rifle and musket shots came to them, andalso the long whining yell of the Indians, so like, in the distance, tothe cry of a wolf. Then, as they drew a little nearer they heard theshouts of the rangers, shouts of defiance or of triumph rattlingcontinuously like a volley.
"That's a part of their duty," said Willet. "Rogers has only twenty men,but he means to make 'em appear a hundred."
"Sounds more like two hundred," said Robert. "It's the first time I everheard one man shout as ten."
As they drew nearer the volume of the firing seemed to increase. Rogerswas certainly carrying out his part of the work in the most admirablemanner, his men firing with great rapidity and never ceasing theirbattle shouts. Even so shrewd a leader as St. Luc might well believe theentire force of rangers and Mohawks, instead of only twenty men, was infront of him. But Robert was quite sure from the amount of firing comingfrom the Frenchman's position that he was in formidable force, perhapsoutnumbering his opponents two to one, and the fight, though with theadvantage of a flank attack by Willet and Daganoweda, was sure to bedoubtful. It seemed that Tayoga read his thought as he whispered:
"Once more, Dagaeoga, we may leave the combat together, when it is atits height. Remember the duty that has been laid upon us. If the battleappears doubtful we are to flee."
"A hard thing to do at such a time."
"But we have our or
ders from the Great Bear."
"I had no thought of disobeying. I know the importance of our gettingthrough, if our force is defeated, or even held. Why couldn't our wholedetachment have gone around St. Luc just as we've done, and have lefthim behind without a fight?"
"Because if the Mountain Wolf had not been left in his front, SharpSword would have discovered immediately the absence of us all and wouldhave followed so fast that he would have forced us to battle on histerms, instead of our being able to force him on ours."
"I see, Tayoga. Look out!"
He seized the Onondaga suddenly and pulled him down. A rifle cracked inthe bushes sixty or seventy yards in front of them, and a bulletwhistled where the red youth's head had been. The shot came from anoutlying sentinel of St. Luc's band, and knowing now that the time for ahidden advance had passed, Willet and all of his men charged with amighty shout.
Their cheering also was a signal to the twenty men of Rogers on theother side of the river, and they, too, rushed forward. St. Luc wastaken by surprise, but, as Robert had feared, his French and Indiansoutnumbered them two to one. They fell back a little, thus giving Rogersand his twenty a chance to cross the river, but they took up a new andstrong position upon a well-wooded hill, and the battle at close rangebecame fierce, sanguinary and doubtful.
Robert caught two glimpses of St. Luc directing his men with movementsof his small sword, and once he saw another white man, who, he was surewas Dubois, although generally the enemy was invisible, keeping wellunder the shelter of tree and bush. But while human forms were hidden,the evidences of ferocious battle were numerous. The warriors on eachside uttered fierce shouts, rifles and muskets crackled rapidly, nowand then a stricken man uttered his death cry, and the depths of theforest were illuminated by the rapid jets of the firing.
The sudden and heavy attack upon his flank compelled St. Luc to take thedefensive, and put him at a certain disadvantage, but he marshaled hissuperior numbers so well that the battle became doubtful, with everyevidence that it would be drawn out to great length. Moreover, thechevalier had maneuvered so artfully that his whole force was now drawndirectly across the path of the rangers and Mohawks, and the way toJohnson was closed, for the time, at least.
An hour, two hours, the battle swayed to and fro among the trees andbushes. Had their opponent been any other than St. Luc the threeleaders, Willet, Rogers and Daganoweda, would have triumphed by thattime, but French, Canadians and Indians alike drew courage from thedauntless Chevalier. More than once they would have abandoned the field,but he marshaled them anew, and always he did it in a manner so skillfulthat the loss was kept at the lowest possible figure.
The forest was filled with smoke, though the high sun shot it throughwith luminous rays. But no one looking upon the battle could have toldwhich was the loser and which the winner. The losses on the two sideswere about equal, and St. Luc, holding the hill, still lay across thepath of rangers and Mohawks. Robert, who was crouched behind the trunkof a great oak, felt a light touch upon his arm, and, looking back, sawTayoga.
"The time has come, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga.
"What time?"
"The time for us to leave the battle and run as fast as we may toWaraiyageh."
"I had forgotten. The conflict here had gotten so much into my bloodthat I couldn't think of anything else. But, as I said it would be, it'shard to go."
"Go, Robert!" called Willet from a tree twenty feet away. "Curve aroundSt. Luc. Do what Tayoga says--he can scent danger like an animal of theforest--and make all speed to Johnson. Maybe we'll join you in his camplater on."
"Good-by, Dave," said Robert, swallowing hard. He crept away with theOnondaga, not rising to his full height for a long time. Then the twostood for a few moments, listening to the sounds of the battle, whichseemed to be increasing in violence. Far through the forest they faintlysaw the drifting smoke and the sparks of fire from the rifles andmuskets.
"Once more I say it's hard to leave our friends there," exclaimedRobert.
"But our path leads that way," said Tayoga, pointing southward.
They struck, without another word, into the long, loping run that theforest runners use with such effect, and sped southward. The sounds ofthe conflict soon died behind them, and they were in the stillness ofthe woods, where no enemy seemed near. But they did not decrease theirpace, leaping the little brooks, wading the wider streams, and flittinglike shades through forest and thicket. Twice they crossed Indiantrails, but paid no heed to them. Once a warrior, perhaps a hunter,fired a long shot at them, but as his bullet missed they paid noattention to him, but, increasing their speed, fled southward at a paceno ordinary man could overtake.
"Now that we have left," said Robert, after a while, "I'm glad we didso. It will be a personal pleasure for us two to warn Johnson."
"We may carry the fate of a war with us, Dagaeoga. Think of that!"
"I've thought of it. But our friends behind us, engaged in the battlewith St. Luc! What of them? Does Tododaho whisper to you anything abouttheir fate?"
"They are great and skillful men, cunning and crafty in all the ways ofthe forest. They have escaped great dangers a thousand times before andTododaho tells me they will escape the thousand and first. Be of goodheart, Dagaeoga, and do not worry about them."
They dropped almost to a walk for a while, permitting their muscles torest. Tayoga's wound had healed so fast, the miracle was so nearlycomplete, that it did not trouble him, and, after walking two hours,they struck into the long, easy run again. The miles dropped fast behindthem, and now Johnson's camp was not far away. It was well for Tayogaand Robert that they were naturally so strong and that they had livedsuch healthy lives, as now they were able to go on all through the day,and the setting sun found them still traveling, the Onondaga leadingwith an eye as infallible for the way as that of a bird in the heavens.Some time after dark they stopped for a half hour and sat on fallen logswhile they took fresh breath. Robert was apprehensive about Tayoga'swound and expressed his solicitude.
"There is no pain," replied the young warrior, "and there will be none.Tododaho and Areskoui gave me the miraculous cure for a purpose. It wasthat I might have the strength to be a messenger to Waraiyageh, becauseif he is crushed then the French and the Indians will strike at theHodenosaunee, and they will ravage the Vale of Onondaga itself with fireand the tomahawk. Tododaho watches over his people."
"The stars have come out, Tayoga. Can you see the one on which Tododaholives? And if so, what is he saying to you now?"
Tayoga looked up a long time. He had received the white man's culture,but the Indian soul was strong within him, nevertheless, and he wassteeped, too, in Indian lore. All the legends of his race, all theIroquois religion, came crowding upon him. A faint silvery vaporoverspread the sky, the stars in myriads quivered and danced, and therein a remote corner of space was the great star on which Tododaho lived.It hung in the heavens a silver shield, small in the distance, but vast,Tayoga knew, beyond all conception. There were fine lines across itsface, but they were only the snakes in Tododaho's hair.
Gradually the features and countenance of the great Onondaga emergedupon the star, and the blood of Tayoga ran in a chill torrent throughhis veins, though the chill was not the chill of fear. He was, ineffect, meeting the mighty Onondaga of four hundred years ago, face toface. The forest around him glided away, Robert vanished, the solidearth melted from under his feet, and he was like a being who hung inthe air suspended from nothing. He leaned his head forward a little inthe attitude of one who listens, and he distinctly heard Tododaho say:
"Go on, Tayoga. As I have protected you so far on the way I shallprotect you to the end. Four hundred years ago I left my people, but mywatch over them is as vigilant now as it was when I was on earth. Thenations of the Hodenosaunee shall not perish, and they shall remaingreat and mighty."
The voice ceased, the face of the mighty Onondaga disappeared, Tayogawas no longer suspended without a support in the air, the forest cameback, and his good com
rade, Robert Lennox, stood by his side, staring athim curiously.
"Have you been in a trance, Tayoga?" asked Robert.
"No, Dagaeoga, I have not, but I can answer your question. I not onlyheard Tododaho, but I saw him face to face. He spoke to me in a voicelike the wind among the pines, and he said that he would watch over methe rest of the way, and that the Hodenosaunee should remain great andpowerful. Come, Dagaeoga, all danger for us on this march has passed."
They rose, continued their flight without hindrance, and the nextmorning entered the camp of Johnson.
The Rulers of the Lakes: A Story of George and Champlain Page 16
