They had not been gone more than fifteen minutes when there was a faint rustle in the thicket, and Tayoga stood before him.

“I was hid in a clump of weeds not far away and I saw,” said the Onondaga.  “It was a narrow escape, but you were protected by the great powers of the earth and the air.  Else they would have seen you.”

“It is so,” said Robert, devoutly, “and it makes me all the more glad to see you, Tayoga.  I hope your journey, like all the others, has been fruitful.”

The Onondaga smiled in the dusk.

“It is a good village to which I go,” he replied in his precise fashion.  “You will recall that they had in Albany what they call in the English tongue a chemist’s shop.  It is such that I sought in the village, and I found it in one lodge, the owners of which were absent, and which I could reach at my leisure.  Here is a gourd of Indian tea, very strong, made from the essence of the sassafras root.  It will purge the impurities from your blood, and, in another day, your appetite will be exceedingly strong.  Then your strength will grow so fast that in a short time you will be ready for a long journey.  I have also brought a small sack filled with samp.”

Robert uttered a little cry of joy.  He craved bread, or at least something that would take its place, and samp, a variation of which is known as hominy, was a most acceptable substitute.

“You are, in truth, a most efficient burglar, Tayoga,” he said.

“I obtained also information,” continued the Onondaga.  “While I lay in one of the lodges, hidden under furs, I heard two of the old men talking.  They believe since they have taken Oswego that all things are possible for them and the French.  Montcalm appears to them the greatest of all leaders and he will take them from one victory to another.  Their defeat by Andiatarocte is forgotten, and they plan a great advance toward the south.  But they intend first to sweep up all the scouts and bands of the Americans and English.  Their first attack will be upon Rogers, him whom we call the Mountain Wolf.”

“Rogers!  Is he somewhere near us?” exclaimed Robert eagerly.

“Far to the east toward Andiatarocte, but they mean to strike him.  The Frenchmen De Courcelles and Jumonville will join with Tandakora, then St. Luc will go too and he will lead a great force against the Mountain Wolf, with whom, I suspect, our friend the Great Bear now is, hoping perhaps, as they hunt through the forest, to discover some traces of us.”

“I knew all along, Tayoga, that Dave would seek me and rescue me if you didn’t, or if I didn’t rescue myself, provided I remained alive, as you see I did.”

“The Great Bear is the most faithful of all comrades.  He would never desert a friend in the hands of the enemy.”

“You think then that we should try to meet the Mountain Wolf and his rangers?”

“Of a certainty.  As soon as Dagaeoga is strong enough.  Now lie still, while I scout through the forest.  If no enemy is near I will heat the tea, and then you must drink, and drink deep.”