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Black Rifle will find him and he will come, because Waraiyageh never deserts his people, but just when he will arrive I cannot say." Ample food was given to the Mohawks and then, burning for battle, Daganoweda at their head, they went on the back trail in search of Tandakora, De Courcelles and their savage army. "We could not have a better curtain between us and the enemy," said Willet.
"There's nothing for it but the north," said Willet, "and we'll trust to luck to get the letter to Waraiyageh in time. Perhaps we can find Rogers. He must be roaming with his rangers somewhere near Champlain." At dawn they were up and away, but all through the forenoon they saw rings of smoke rising from the peaks and ridges, and the last lingering hope that they were not followed disappeared.
Daganoweda and a chosen group of his Mohawks came back, reporting the French and Indian force to be far larger than the one that had defeated Braddock by Duquesne, and that Baron Dieskau who led it was considered a fine general. Unless Waraiyageh made up his mind to strike quickly Dieskau would strike first.
"I think it likely that they are going to join Amherst in his advance on Ticonderoga or Crown Point, or maybe they will turn west and help Waraiyageh, but, in either case, they do not feel any alarm about the warriors with whom they fought last night. Now and then the trail of a scout branches off from their main trail, but it soon comes back again.
They rejoice when he tells them Waraiyageh and his soldiers still make no preparations to advance after their victory by the lake. The long delay, the postponement of a big campaign until next spring will give the French and Indians time to breathe anew and renew their strength. Tandakora and De Courcelles consider themselves fortunate, and they are pleased with the spy, Garay. But look, Dagaeoga!
"It is sure now," he said joyfully, "that Waraiyageh and Dieskau cannot meet before I am able to do battle." "Anyhow, they wouldn't think of fighting until you came, Tayoga," said Robert. Their spirits were very high. They felt that they had been released from great danger, some of which they could not fathom, and they would soon leave the hollow.
Robert, Tayoga and Willet grew impatient as the days passed. The news came that Prideaux had been killed before Niagara, but Sir William Johnson, the Waraiyageh of the Mohawks, assuming command in his stead, had taken the place, winning a great victory. After the long night the dawn had come. Everything seemed to favor the English and Americans, and now the eyes of the three turned upon Quebec.
"It is well that we came north on this scouting expedition, because we, too, may have something to say when 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. Often Onondaga and Mohawk have met there to take council, the one with the other."
It soothes my eyes to see you again, brave hunter, and Tayoga, too, who is fully as welcome." He shook hands with them both and the Onondaga gravely asked: "What news of my people, Waraiyageh?" Colonel Johnson's face clouded. "Things do not go well between us and the vale of Onondaga," he replied. "The Hodenosaunee complain of the Indian commissioners at Albany, and with justice.
In another hour they were at the pond, and they found the Mohawk chieftain and his men sitting at its edge. "Well, Daganoweda," said Willet, "is it as we thought?" Daganoweda rose and waved his hand significantly toward the south. "Dieskau with his army has gone to fall upon Waraiyageh," he said. "We went close up to the walls, and we even heard talk.
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