“And of course St. Luc is eager to strike,” said Willet.  “He can recover his lost laurels and serve France at the same time.  If we’re swept away here, both the French and the Indians will pour down in a flood from Canada upon the Province of New York.”

Robert did not hear this talk, as he was seeking in the ranger camp the repose that he needed so badly.  He had brought with him some remnants of food and the great buffalo robe that Tayoga had secured for him with so much danger from the Indian village.  Now he put down the robe, heaved a mighty sigh of relief and said to the Onondaga: 

“I’m proud of myself as a carrier, Tayoga, but I think I’ve had enough.  I’m glad the trail has ended squarely against the deep waters of Lake Champlain.”

“And yet, Dagaeoga, it is a fine robe.”

“So it is.  I should be the last to deny it, but now that we’re with the rangers I mean to carry nothing but my arms and ammunition.  To appreciate what it is to be without burdens you must have borne them.”

The hospitable rangers would not let the two youths do any work for the present, and so they took a luxurious bath in the lake, which they commanded as far as the bullets from their rifles could reach.  They rejoiced in the cool waters, after their long flight through the wilderness.

“It’s almost worth so many days and nights of danger to have this,” said Robert, swimming with strong strokes.

“Aye, Dagaeoga, it is splendid,” said the Onondaga, “but see that you do not swim too far.  Remember that for the time Oneadatote belongs to Onontio.  We had it, but we have lost it.”

“Then we’ll get it back again,” said Robert courageously.  “Champlain is too fine a lake to lose forever.  Wait until I’ve had a big sleep.  Then my brain will be clear, and I’ll tell how it ought to be done.”

The two returned to land, dressed, and slept by the campfire.

CHAPTER XIV

ST. LUC’S REVENGE

When Robert awoke from a long and deep sleep he became aware, at once, that the anxious feeling in the camp still prevailed.  Rogers was in close conference with Willet, Black Rifle and several of his own leaders beside a small fire, and, at times, they looked apprehensively toward the north or west, a fact indicating to the lad very clearly whence the danger was expected.  Most of the scouts had come in, and, although Robert did not know it, they had reported that the force of St. Luc, advancing in a wide curve, and now including the western band, was very near.  It was the burden of their testimony, too, that he now had at least a thousand men, of whom one-third were French or Canadians.

Tayoga was sitting on a high point of the cliff, watching the lake, and Robert joined him.  The face of the young Onondaga was very grave.

“You look for an early battle, I suppose,” said Robert.