The Shadow of the North: A Story of Old New York and a Lost Campaign

by Joseph A. Altsheler

  CHAPTER IV

  THE PERILOUS PATH

  After a long night of sleep and rest, the little troop resumed itsmarch the next morning. The wounded fortunately were not hurt sobadly that they could not limp along with the others, and, while thesurgery of the soldiers was rude, it was effective nevertheless.Daganoweda, as they had expected, prepared to leave them for a raidtoward the St. Lawrence. But he said rather grimly that he mightreturn, in a month perhaps. He knew where they were going to buildtheir fort, and unless Corlear and all the other British governorsawoke much earlier in the morning it was more than likely that theyoung captain from Philadelphia would need the help of the Mohawksagain.

  Then Daganoweda said farewell to Robert, Tayoga, Willet and BlackRifle, addressing each according to his quality. Them he trusted. Heknew them to be great warriors and daring rovers of the wilderness.He had no advice for them, because he knew they did not need it, buthe expected them to be his comrades often in the great war, and hewished them well. To Tayoga he said:

  "You and I, oh, young chief of the Onondagas, have hearts that beatalike. The Onondagas do well to keep aloof from the white man'squarrels for the present, and to sit at peace, though watchful, in thevale of Onondaga, but your hopes are with our friends the English andyou in person fight for them. We Mohawks know whom to hate. We knowthat the French have robbed us more than any others. We know, thattheir Quebec is our Stadacona. So we have dug up the tomahawk and lastnight we showed to Sharp Sword and his men and Tandakora the Ojibwayhow we could use it."

  Sharp Sword was the Iroquois name for St. Luc, who had already provedhis great ability and daring as a forest leader.

  "The Ganeagaono are now the chief barrier against the French and theirtribes," said Tayoga.

  The brilliant eyes of Daganoweda glittered in his dark face. He knewthat Tayoga would not pay the Mohawks so high a compliment unless hemeant it.

  "Tayoga," he said, "we belong to the leading nations of the greatLeague of the Hodenosaunee, you to the Onundahgaono and I to theGaneagaono. You are first in the council and we are first on thewarpath. It was Tododaho, the Onondaga, who first formed the greatLeague and it was Hayowentha, the Mohawk, who combed the snakes out ofhis hair and who strengthened it and who helped him to build it sofirmly that it shall last forever. Brothers are we, and always shallbe."

  He touched his forehead in salute, and the Onondaga touched his inreply.

  "Aye, brothers are we," he said, "Mohawk and Onondaga, Onondaga andMohawk. The great war of the white kings which draws us in it hascome, but I know that Hayowentha watches over his people, and Tododahoover his. In the spring when I went forth in the night to fight theHurons I gazed off there in the west where shines the great star onwhich Tododaho makes his home, and I saw him looking down upon me, andcasting about me the veil of his protection."

  Daganoweda looked up at the gleaming blue of the heavens, and his eyesglittered again. He believed every word that Tayoga said.

  "As Tododaho watches over you, so Hayowentha watches over me," hesaid, "and he will bring me back in safety and victory from theSt. Lawrence. Farewell again, my brother."

  "Farewell once more, Daganoweda!"

  The Mohawk chief plunged into the forest, and his fifty warriorsfollowed him. Like a shadow they were gone, and the waving bushes gaveback no sign that they had ever been. Captain Colden rubbed his eyesand then laughed.

  "I never knew men to vanish so swiftly before," he said, "but lastnight was good proof that they were here, and that they came intime. I suppose it's about the only victory of which we can makeboast."

  He spoke the full truth. From the St. Lawrence to the Ohio the borderwas already ravaged with fire and sword. Appeals for help were pouringin from the distant settlements, and the governors of New York,Pennsylvania and Massachusetts scarcely knew what to do. France hadstruck the first blow, and she had struck hard. Young Washington,defeated by overwhelming numbers, was going back to Virginia, andDuquesne, the fort of the French at the junction of the Monongahelaand Allegheny, was a powerful rallying place for their own forces andthe swarming Indian bands, pouring out of the wilderness, drawn by thetales of unlimited scalps and plunder.

  The task before Captain Colden's slender force was full of danger. Hisnumbers might have been five times as great and then they would nothave been too many to build and hold the fort he was sent to build andhold. But he had no thought of turning back, and, as soon asDaganoweda and the Mohawks were gone, they started, bending theircourse somewhat farther toward the south. At the ford of a rivertwenty men with horses carrying food, ammunition and other supplieswere to meet them, and they reckoned that they could reach it bymidnight.

  The men with the horses had been sent from another point, and it wasnot thought then that there was any danger of French and Indian attackbefore the junction was made, but the colonial authorities hadreckoned without the vigor and daring of St. Luc. Now the most cruelfears assailed young Captain Colden, and Robert and the hunter couldnot find much argument to remove them. It was possible that the secondforce had been ambushed also, and, if so, it had certainly beendestroyed, being capable of no such resistance as that made byColden's men, and without the aid of the three friends and theMohawks. And if the supplies were gone the expedition would beuseless.

  "Don't be downhearted about it, captain," said Willet. "You saythere's not a man in the party who knows anything about thewilderness, and that they've got just enough woods sense to take themto the ford. Well, that has its saving grace, because now and then,the Lord seems to watch over fool men. The best of hunters are trappedsometimes in the forest, when fellows who don't know a deer from abeaver, go through 'em without harm."

  "Then if there's any virtue in what you say we'll pray that these menare the biggest fools who ever lived."

  "Smoke! smoke again!" called Robert cheerily, pointing straight ahead.

  Sure enough, that long dark thread appeared once more, now against thewestern sky. Willet laughed.

  "They're the biggest fools in the forest, just as you hoped, Captain,"he said, "and they've taken no more harm than if they had built theirfires in a Philadelphia street. They've set themselves down for thenight, as peaceful and happy as you please. If that isn't the campfireof your men with the pack horses then I'll eat my cap."

  Captain Colden laughed, but it was the slightly hysterical laugh ofrelief. He was bent upon doing his task, and, since the Lord hadcarried him so far through a mighty danger, the disappointment oflosing the supplies would have been almost too much to bear.

  "You're sure it's they, Mr. Willet?" he said.

  "Of course. Didn't I tell you it wasn't possible for another suchparty of fools to be here in the wilderness, and that the God of thewhite man and the Manitou of the red man taking pity on theirsimplicity and innocence have protected them?"

  "I like to think what you say is true, Mr. Willet."

  "It's true. Be not afraid that it isn't. Now, I think we'd better stophere, and let Robert and Tayoga go ahead, spy 'em out and makesignals. It would be just like 'em to blaze away at us the moment theysaw the bushes move with our coming."

  Captain Colden was glad to take his advice, and the white youth andthe red went forward silently through the forest, hearing the sound ofcheerful voices, as they drew near to the campfire which was a largeone blazing brightly. They also heard the sound of horses moving andthey knew that the detachment had taken no harm. Tayoga parted thebushes and peered forth.

  "Look!" he said. "Surely they are watched over by Manitou!"

  About twenty men, or rather boys, for all of them were very young,were standing or lying about a fire. A tall, very ruddy youth in theuniform of a colonial lieutenant was speaking to them.

  "Didn't I tell you, lads," he said, "there wasn't an Indian nearerthan Fort Duquesne, and that's a long way from here! We've come agreat distance and not a foe has appeared anywhere. It may be that theFrench vanish when they hear this valiant Quaker troop is coming, butit's my own personal opinion they'll
stay pretty well back in the westwith their red allies."

  The youth, although he called himself so, did not look much like aQuaker to Robert. He had a frank face and merry eyes, and manner andvoice indicated a tendency to gayety. Judging from his words he had nocares and Indians and ambush were far from his thoughts. Proof of thiswas the absence of sentinels. The men, scattered about the fire, wereeating their suppers and the horses, forty in number, were grazing inan open space. It all looked like a great picnic, and the effect washeightened by the youth of the soldiers.

  "As the Great Bear truly said," whispered Tayoga, "Manitou has watchedover them. The forest does not hold easier game for the taking, andhad Tandakora known that they were here he would have come seekingrevenge for his loss in the attack upon Captain Colden's troop."

  "You're right as usual, Tayoga, and now we'd better hail them. Butdon't you come forward just yet. They don't know the differencebetween Indians and likely your welcome would be a bullet."

  "I will wait," said Tayoga.

  "I tell you, Carson," the young lieutenant was saying in an oratoricalmanner, "that they magnify the dangers of the wilderness. The ford atwhich we were to meet Colden is just ahead, and we've come straight toit without the slightest mishap. Colden is no sluggard, and he shouldbe here in the morning at the latest. Do you find anything wrong withmy reasoning, Hugh?"

  "Naught, William," replied the other, who seemed to be second incommand. "Your logic is both precise and beautiful. The dangers of theborder are greatly exaggerated, and as soon as we get together a goodforce all these French and Indians will flee back to Canada. Ah, whois this?"

  Both he and his chief turned and faced the woods in astonishment. Ayouth had stepped forth, and stood in full view. He was taller thaneither, but younger, dressed completely in deerskin, although superiorin cut and quality to that of the ordinary borderer, his complexionfair beneath his tan, and his hair light. He gazed at them steadilywith bright blue eyes, and both the first lieutenant and the secondlieutenant of the Quaker troop saw that he was no common person.

  "Who are you?" repeated William Wilton, who was the first lieutenant.

  "Who are you?" repeated Hugh Carson, who was the second lieutenant.

  "My name is Robert Lennox," replied the young stranger in a mellowvoice of amazing quality, "and you, I suppose, are Lieutenant WilliamWilton, the commander of this little troop."

  He spoke directly to the first lieutenant, who replied, impressed asmuch by the youth's voice as he was by his appearance:

  "Yes, such is my name. But how did you know it? I don't recall everhaving met you before, which doubtless is my loss."

  "I heard it from an associate of yours, your chief in command, CaptainJames Colden, and I am here with a message from him."

  "And so Colden is coming up? Well, we beat him to the place ofmeeting. We've triumphed with ease over the hardships of thewilderness." "Yes, you arrived first, but he was delayed by a matterof importance, a problem that had to be solved before he could resumehis march."

  "You speak in riddles, sir."

  "Perhaps I do for the present, but I shall soon make fullexplanations. I wish to call first a friend of mine, anIndian--although you say there are no Indians in the forest--a mostexcellent friend of ours. Tayoga, come!"

  The Onondaga appeared silently in the circle of light, a splendidprimeval figure, drawn to the uttermost of his great height, his loftygaze meeting that of Wilton, half in challenge and half ingreeting. Robert had been an impressive figure, but Tayoga, owing tothe difference in race, was even more so. The hands of several of thesoldiers moved towards their weapons.

  "Did I not tell you that he was a friend, a most excellent friend ofours?" said Robert sharply. "Who raises a hand against him raises ahand against me also, and above all raises a hand against ourcause. Lieutenant Wilton, this is Tayoga, of the Clan of the Bear, ofthe nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee. He is aprince, as much a prince as any in Europe. His mind and his valor haveboth been expended freely in our service, and they will be expendedwith equal freedom again."

  Robert's tone was so sharp and commanding that Wilton, impressed byit, saluted the Onondaga with the greatest courtesy, and Tayoga bowedgravely in reply.

  "You're correct in assuming that my name is Wilton," said the younglieutenant. "I'm William Wilton, of Philadelphia, and I beg to presentmy second in command, Hugh Carson, of the same city."

  He looked questioningly at Robert, who promptly responded:

  "My name is Lennox, Robert Lennox, and I can claim either Albany orNew York as a home."

  "I think I've heard of you," said Wilton. "A rumor came toPhiladelphia about a man of that name going to Quebec on an errand forthe governor of New York."

  "I was the messenger," said Robert, "but since the mission was afailure it may as well be forgotten."

  "But it will not be forgotten. I've heard that you bore yourself withgreat judgment and address. Nevertheless, if your modesty forbids thesubject we'll come back to another more pressing. What did you meanwhen you said Captain Colden's delay was due to the solution of avexing problem?"

  "It had to do with Indians, who you say are not to be found in theseforests. I could not help overhearing you, as I approached your camp."

  Wilton reddened and then his generous impulse and sense of truth cameto his aid.

  "I'll admit that I'm careless and that my knowledge may be small!" heexclaimed. "But tell me the facts, Mr. Lennox. I judge by your facethat events of grave importance have occurred."

  "Captain Colden, far east of this point, was attacked by a strongforce of French and Indians under the renowned partisan leader,St. Luc. Tayoga, David Willet, the hunter, the famous ranger BlackRifle and I were able to warn him and give him some help, but eventhen we should have been overborne and destroyed had not a Mohawkchief, Daganoweda, and a formidable band come to our aid. United, wedefeated St. Luc and drove him northward. Captain Colden lost severalof his men, but with the rest he is now marching to the junction withyou."

  Wilton's face turned gray, but in a moment or two his eyes brightened.

  "Then a special Providence has been watching over us," he said. "Wehaven't seen or heard of an Indian."

  His tone was one of mingled relief and humor, and Robert could notkeep from laughing.

  "At all events," he said, "you are safe for the present. I'll remainwith you while Tayoga goes back for Captain Colden."

  "If you'll be so good," said Wilton, who did not forget his manners,despite the circumstances. "I've begun to feel that we have more eyes,or at least better ones, with you among us. Where is that Indian? Youdon't mean to say he's gone?"

  Robert laughed again. Tayoga, after his fashion, had vanished insilence.

  "He's well on his way to Captain Colden now," he said, exaggerating alittle for the sake of effect. "He'll be a great chief some day, andmeanwhile he's the fastest runner in the whole Six Nations."

  Colden and his troop arrived soon, and the two little commands wereunited, to the great joy of all. Lieutenant Wilton had passed fromthe extreme of confidence to the utmost distrust. Where it had notbeen possible for an Indian to exist he now saw a scalplock in everybush.

  "On my honor," he said to Colden, "James, I was never before in mylife so happy to see you. I'm glad you have the entire command now. AsMr. Lennox said, Providence saved me so far, but perhaps it wouldn'tlend a helping hand any longer."

  The pack horses carried surgical supplies for the wounded, and Willetand Black Rifle were skillful in using them. All of the hurt, theywere sure would be well again within a week, and there was little tomar the general feeling of high spirits that prevailed in thecamp. Wilton and Carson were lads of mettle, full of talk ofPhiladelphia, then the greatest city in the British Colonies, andrelated to most of its leading families, as was Colden too, his familybeing a branch of the New York family of that name. Robert was at homewith them at once, and they were eager to hear from him about Quebecand the latest fashions of the
French, already the arbiters offashion, and recognized as such, despite the war between them, byEnglish and Americans.

  "I had hoped to go to Quebec myself," said Wilton reflectively, "but Isuppose it's a visit that's delayed for a long time now."

  "How does it happen that you, a Quaker, are second in command here?"asked Robert.

  "It must be the belligerency repressed through three or fourgenerations and breaking out at last in me," replied Wilton, his eyestwinkling. "I suppose there's just so much fighting in every family,and if three or four generations in succession are peaceful the nextthat follows is likely to be full of warlike fury. So, as soon as thewar began I started for it. It's not inherent in me. As I said, it'sthe confined ardor of generations bursting forth suddenly in myperson. I'm not an active agent. I'm merely an instrument."

  "It was the same warlike fury that caused you to come here, build yourfire and set no watch, expecting the woods to be as peaceful asPhiladelphia?" said Colden.

  Wilton colored.

  "I didn't dream the French and Indians were so near," he repliedapologetically.

  "If comparisons are valuable you needn't feel any mortification aboutit, Will," said Colden. "I was just about as careless myself, and allof us would have lost our scalps, if Willet, Lennox and Tayoga hadn'tcome along."

  Wilton was consoled. But both he and Colden after the severe lessonthe latter had received were now all for vigilance. Many sentinels hadbeen posted, and since Colden was glad to follow the advice of Willetand Tayoga they were put in the best places. They let the fire dieearly, as the weather had now become very warm, and all of them, savethe watch soon slept. The night brought little coolness with it, andthe wind that blew was warm and drying. Under its touch the leavesbegan to crinkle up at the edge and turn brown, the grass showed signsof withering and Willet, who had taken charge of the guard that night,noticed that summer was passing into the brown leaf. It caused him apang of disappointment.

  Great Britain and the Colonies had not yet begun to move. TheProvincial legislatures still wrangled, and the government at Londonwas provokingly slow. There was still no plan of campaign, the greatresources of the Anglo-Saxons had not yet been brought together foruse against the quick and daring French, and while their slow, patientcourage might win in the end, Willet foresaw a long and terrible warwith many disasters at the beginning.

  He was depressed for the moment. He knew what an impression the earlyFrench successes would make on the Indian tribes, and he knew, too, ashe heard the wind rustling through the dry leaves, that there would beno English campaign that year. One might lead an army in winter on thegood roads and through the open fields of Europe, but then onlyborderers could make way through the vast North American wilderness inthe deep snows and bitter cold, where Indian trails alone existed. Thehunter foresaw a long delay before the British and Colonial forcesmoved, and meanwhile the French and Indians would be more stronglyplanted in the territory claimed by the rival nations, and, while inlaw possession was often nine points, it seemed in war to be tenpoints and all.

  As he walked back and forth Black Rifle touched him on the arm.

  "I'm going, Dave," he said. "They don't need me here anylonger. Daganoweda and his Mohawks, likely enough, will follow theFrench and Indians, and have another brush with 'em. At any rate, it'ssure that St. Luc and Tandakora won't come back, and these young mencan go on without being attacked again and build their fort. Butthey'll be threatened there later on, and I'll come again with awarning."

  "I know you will," said Willet. "Wherever danger appears on theborder, Black Rifle, there you are. I see great and terrible daysahead for us all."

  "And so do I," said Black Rifle. "This continent is on fire."

  The two shook hands, and the somber figure of Black Rifle disappearedin the forest. Willet looked after him thoughtfully, and then resumedhis pacing to and fro.

  They made an early start at dawn of a bright hot day, crossed theford, and resumed their long march through the forest which under thelight wind now rustled continually with the increasing dryness.

  But the company was joyous. The wounded were put upon the pack horses,and the others, young, strong and refreshed by abundant rest, wentforward with springing steps. Robert and Tayoga walked with the threePhiladelphians. Colden already knew the quality of the Onondaga, andrespected and admired him, and Wilton and Carson, surprised at firstat his excellent English education, soon saw that he was no ordinaryyouth. The five, each a type of his own, were fast friends before theday's march was over. Wilton, the Quaker, was the greatest talker ofthem all, which he declared was due to suppression in childhood.

  "It's something like the battle fever which will come out along aboutthe fourth or fifth generation," he said. "I suppose there's a certainamount of talk that every man must do in his lifetime, and, havingbeen kept in a state of silence by my parents all through my youth,I'm now letting myself loose in the woods."

  "Don't apologize, Will," said Colden. "Your chatter is harmless, andit lightens the spirits of us all."

  "The talker has his uses," said Tayoga gravely. "My friend Lennox,known to the Hodenosaunee as Dagaeoga, is golden-mouthed. The gift ofgreat speech descends upon him when time and place are fitting."

  "And so you're an orator, are you?" said Carson, looking at Robert.

  Young Lennox blushed.

  "Tayoga is my very good friend," he replied, "and he gives me praise Idon't deserve."

  "When one has a gift direct from Manitou," said the Onondaga, gravely,"it is not well to deny it. It is a sign of great favor, and you mustnot show ingratitude, Dagaeoga."

  "He has you, Lennox," laughed Wilton, "but you needn't say more. Iknow that Tayoga is right, and I'm waiting to hear you talk in acrisis."

  Robert blushed once more, but was silent. He knew that if he protestedagain the young Philadelphians would chaff him without mercy, and heknew at heart also that Tayoga's statement about him was true. Heremembered with pride his defeat of St. Luc in the great test of wordsin the vale of Onondaga. But Wilton's mind quickly turned to anothersubject. He seemed to exemplify the truth of his own declaration thatall the impulses bottled up in four or five generations of Quakerancestors were at last bursting out in him. He talked more than allthe others combined, and he rejoiced in the freedom of the wilderness.

  "I'm a spirit released," he said. "That's why I chatter so."

  "Perhaps it's just as well, Will, that while you have the chance youshould chatter to your heart's content, because at any time an Indianarrow may cut short your chance for chattering," said Carson.

  "I can't believe it, Hugh," said Wilton, "because if Providence waswilling to preserve us, when we camped squarely among the Indians, putout no guards, and fairly asked them to come and shoot at us, then itwas for a purpose and we'll be preserved through greater andcontinuous dangers."

  "There may be something in it, Will. I notice that those who deserveit least are often the chosen favorites of fortune."

  "Which seems to be a hit at your superior officer, but I'll pass itover, Hugh, as you're always right at heart though often wrong in thehead."

  Although the young officers talked much and with apparent lightness,the troop marched with vigilance now. Willet and Tayoga, and Colden,who had profited by bitter experience, saw to it. The hunter and theOnondaga, often assisted by Robert, scouted on the flanks, and threeor four soldiers, who developed rapid skill in the woods, were soonable to help. But Tayoga and Willet were the main reliance, and theyfound no further trace of Indians. Nevertheless the guard was neverrelaxed for an instant.

  Robert found the march not only pleasant but exhilarating. Itappealed to his imaginative and sensitive mind, which magnifiedeverything, and made the tints more vivid and brilliant. To him theforests were larger and grander than they were to the others, and therivers were wider and deeper. The hours were more intense, he livedevery second of them, and the future had a scope and brilliancy thatfew others would foresee. In company with youths of his own age com
ingfrom the largest city of the British colonies, the one that had therichest social traditions, his whole nature expanded, and he cast awaymuch of his reserve. Around the campfires in the evening he became oneof the most industrious talkers, and now and then he was carried awayso much by his own impulse that all the rest would cease and listen tothe mellow, golden voice merely for the pleasure of hearing. ThenTayoga and Willet would look at each other and smile, knowing thatDagaeoga, though all unconsciously, held the center of the stage, andthe others were more than willing for him to hold it.

  The friendships of the young ripen fast, and under such circumstancesthey ripen faster than ever. Robert soon felt that he had known thethree young Philadelphians for years, and a warm friendship, destinedto last all their lives, in which Tayoga was included, was soonformed. Robert saw that his new comrades, although they did not knowmuch of the forest, were intelligent, staunch and brave, and they sawin him all that Tayoga and Willet saw, which was a great deal.

  The heat and dryness increased, and the brown of leaf and grassdeepened. Nearly all the green was gone now, and autumn would sooncome. The forest was full of game, and Willet and Tayoga kept themwell supplied, yet their progress became slower. Those who had beenwounded severely approached the critical stage, and once they stoppedtwo days until all danger had passed.

  Three days later a fierce summer storm burst upon them. Tayoga hadforeseen it, and the whole troop was gathered in the lee of a hill,with all their ammunition protected by blankets, canvas and the skinsof deer that they had killed. But the young Philadelphians,unaccustomed to the fury of the elements in the wilderness, lookedupon it with awe.

  In the west the lightning blazed and the thunder crashed for a longtime. Often the forest seemed to swim in a red glare, and Roberthimself was forced to shut his eyes before the rapid flashes ofdazzling brightness. Then came a great rushing of wind with a mightyrain on its edge, and, when the wind died, the rain fell straight downin torrents more than an hour.

  Although they kept their ammunition and other supplies dry the menthemselves were drenched to the bone, but the storm passed moresuddenly than it had come. The clouds parted on the horizon, then allfled away. The last raindrop fell and a shining sun came out in a hotblue sky. As the men resumed a drooping march their clothes dried fastin the fiery rays and their spirits revived.

  When night came they were dry again, and youth had taken no harm. Thenext day they struck an Indian trail, but both Willet and Tayoga saidit had been made by less than a dozen warriors, and that they weregoing north.

  "It's my belief," said Willet, "that they were warriors from the Ohiocountry on their way to join the French along the Canadian border."

  "And they're not staying to meet us," said Colden. "I'm afraid, Will,it'll be some time before you have a chance to show your unbottledQuaker valor."

  "Perhaps not so long as you think," replied Wilton, who had plenty ofpenetration. "I don't claim to be any great forest rover, although Ido think I've learned something since I left Philadelphia, but Iimagine that our building of a fort in the woods will draw 'em. TheIndian runners will soon be carrying the news of it, and then they'llcluster around us like flies seeking sugar."

  "You're right, Mr. Wilton," said Willet. "After we build this fortit's as sure as the sun is in the heavens that we'll have to fight forit."

  Two days later they reached the site for their little fortress whichthey named Fort Refuge, because they intended it as a place in whichharried settlers might find shelter. It was a hill near a large creek,and the source of a small brook lay within the grounds they intendedto occupy, securing to them an unfailing supply of good water in caseof siege.

  Now, the young soldiers entered upon one of the most arduous tasks ofthe war, to build a fort, which was even more trying to them thanbattle. Arms and backs ached as Colden, Wilton and Carson, advised byWillet, drove them hard. A strong log blockhouse was erected, and thena stout palisade, enclosing the house and about an acre of ground,including the precious spring which spouted from under a ledge ofstone at the very wall of the blockhouse itself. Behind the buildingthey raised a shed in which the horses could be sheltered, as all ofthem foresaw a long stay, dragging into winter with its sleet andsnow, and it was important to save the animals.

  Robert, Willet and Tayoga had a roving commission, and, as they couldstay with Colden and his command as long as they chose, they choseaccordingly to remain where they thought they could do the mostgood. Robert took little part in the hunting, but labored with thesoldiers on the building, although it was not the kind of work towhich his mind turned.

  The blockhouse itself, was divided into a number of rooms, in whichthe soldiers who were not on guard could sleep, and they had blanketsand the skins of the larger animals the hunters killed forbeds. Venison jerked in great quantities was stored away in case ofsiege, and the whole forest was made to contribute to theirlarder. The work was hard, but it toughened the sinews of the youngsoldiers, and gave them an occupation in which they were interested.Before it was finished they were joined by another small detachmentwith loaded pack horses, which by the same kind of miracle had comesafely through the wilderness. Colden now had a hundred men, fiftyhorses and powder and lead for all the needs of which one could think.

  "If we only had a cannon!" he said, looking proudly at their newblockhouse, "I think I'd build a platform for it there on the roof,and then we could sweep the forest in every direction. Eh, Will, mylad?"

  "But as we haven't," said Wilton, "we'll have to do the sweeping withour rifles."

  "And our men are good marksmen, as they showed in that fight withSt. Luc. But it seems a world away from Philadelphia, doesn't it,Will? I wonder what they're doing there!"

  "Counting their gains in the West India trade, looking at the latestfashions from England that have come on the ships up the Delaware,building new houses out Germantown way, none of them thinking much ofthe war, except old Ben Franklin, who pegs forever at the governor ofthe Province, the Legislature, and every influential man to takeaction before the French and Indians seize the whole border."

  "I hope Franklin will stir 'em up, and that they won't forget us outhere in the woods. For us at least the French and Indians are areality."

  Meanwhile summer had turned into autumn, and autumn itself waspassing.