“When the storm stops, which will not be before dark,” said Tayoga, “I shall go to the village and get you a heavy buffalo robe.  They have some, acquired in trade from the Indians of the western plains, and one of them belongs to you.  So, Dagaeoga, I will get it.”

“Tayoga, you have taken too much risk for me already.  I can make out very well as I am, and suppose we start tonight in search of Rogers and Willet.”

“I mean to have my way, because in this case my way is right.  We work together as partners, and the partnership becomes ineffective when one member of it cannot endure the hardships of a long march, and perhaps of battle.  And has not Dagaeoga said that I am an accomplished burglar?  I prove it anew tonight.  As soon as the rain ceases I will go to the village, the great storehouse of our supplies.”

The Onondaga spoke in a light tone with a whimsical inflection, but Robert saw that he was intensely in earnest, and that it was not worth while for him to say more.  The great storm passed on to the southward, the rain sank to a drizzle, but it was very cold in the forest, and Robert’s teeth chattered, despite every effort to control his body.

“I go, Dagaeoga,” said Tayoga, “and I shall return with the great, warm buffalo robe that belongs to you.”

Then he melted without noise into the darkness and Robert was alone.  He knew the mission of the Onondaga to be a perilous one, but he did not doubt his success.  The cold drizzle fell on the shelter of brush and saplings, and some of it seeped through.  Now and then a drop found its way down his neck, and it felt like ice.  Physically he was very miserable, and it began to depress his spirit.  He hoped that Tayoga would not be long in obtaining the buffalo robe.

The thunder moaned a little far to the south, and then died down entirely.  There were one or two stray flashes of lightning and then no more.  He sank into a sort of doze that was more like a stupor, from which he was awakened by a dusky figure in the doorway of the little shelter.  It was Tayoga, and he bore a heavy dark bundle over his arm.

“I have brought the buffalo robe that belongs to you, Dagaeoga,” he said cheerfully.  “It was in the lodge of the head chief of the village and I had to wait until he went forth to greet Tandakora, who came with a band of his warriors to claim shelter, food and rest.  Then I took what was your own and here it is, one of the finest I have ever seen.”

He held up the great buffalo robe, tanned splendidly and rich in fur and the sight of it made Robert’s teeth stop chattering.  He wrapped it around his body and sufficient warmth came back.

“You’re a marvel, Tayoga,” he said.  “Does the village contain anything else that belongs to us?”

“Nothing that I can think of now.  The rain will cease entirely in an hour, and then we will start.”