His prediction was right, and they set forth in the dark forest, Robert wearing the great buffalo robe which stored heat and consequent energy in his frame.  But the woods were so wet, and it was so difficult to find a good trail that they did not make very great progress, and when dawn came they were only a few miles away.  Robert’s strength, however, stood the test, and they dared to light a fire and have a warm breakfast.  Much refreshed they plunged on anew, hunting for friends who could not be much more than motes in the wilderness.  Robert hoped that some chance would enable him to meet Willet, to whom he owed so much, and who stood in the place of a father to him.  It did not seem possible that the Great Bear could have fallen in one of the numerous border skirmishes, which must have been fought since his capture.  He could not associate death with a man so powerful and vital as Willet.

The day was bright and warm, and he took off the buffalo robe.  It was quite a weight to be carried, but he knew he would need it again when night came and particularly if there were other storms.  They saw many trails in the afternoon and Tayoga was quite sure they were made by war bands.  Nearly all of them led southeast.

“The savages in the west and about the Great Lakes,” he said, “have heard of the victory at Oswego, and so they pour out to the French standard, expecting many scalps and great spoils.  Whenever the French win a triumph it means more warriors for them.”

“And may not some of the bands going to the war stumble on our own trail?”

“It is likely, Dagaeoga.  But if it comes to battle see how much better it is that you should be strong and able.”

“Yes, I concede now, Tayoga, that it was right for us to wait as long as we did.”

The trails grew much more numerous as they advanced.  Evidently swarms of warriors were about them and before midday Tayoga halted.

“It will not be wise for us to advance farther,” he said.  “We must seek some hiding place.”

“Hark to that!” exclaimed Robert.

A breeze behind them bore a faint shout to his ear.  Tayoga listened intently, and it was repeated once.

“Pursuit!” he said briefly.  “They have come by chance upon our trail.  It may be Tandakora himself and it is unfortunate.  They will never leave us now, unless they are driven back.”

“Then we’d better turn back towards the north, as the thickest of the swarms are sure to be to the south of us.”

“It is so.  Again the longest of roads becomes the safest for us, but we will not make it wholly north, we will bear to the east also.  I once left a canoe, hidden in the edge of a lake there, and we may find it.”

“What will we do with it if we find it?”

“Tandakora will not be able to follow the trail of a canoe.  But now we must press forward with all speed, Dagaeoga.  See, there is a smoke in the south and now another answers it in the north.  They are talking about us.”