They made good speed near the shores of Andiatarocte and now and then they caught glimpses once more through the heavy green foliage of the lake’s glittering waters.  But they saw anew the canoes of the French and Indians upon its surface, and they realized with increasing force that Andiatarocte, so vital in the great struggle, belonged, for the time at least, to their enemies.  Yet the three themselves were favored.  The rain ceased, a warm wind out of the south dried the forest, and their flight became easy.  A fat deer stood in their path and fairly asked to be shot, furnishing them all the food they might need for days to come, and they were able to dress and prepare it at their leisure.

“It is clear, as I have already surmised and stated,” said Tayoga in his precise language, “that the frown of Manitou is not for us three.  The way opens before us, and we shall rejoin our friends.”

“If we have any friends left,” said the hunter.  “I fear greatly, Tayoga, that Montcalm will have struck before we arrive.  He has a powerful force with plenty of cannon, and we know he acts with decision and speed.”

“He has struck already and he has struck terribly,” said Tayoga with great gravity.

“How do you know that?” asked Robert, startled.

“I do not know it because of anything that has been told to me in words,” replied the Onondaga, “but O, Dagaeoga, the mind, which is often more potent than eye or ear, as I have told you so many times, is now warning me.  We know that our people farther south have been in disagreement.  The governors of the provinces have not acted together.  Everyone is of his own mind, and no two minds are alike.  No effort was made to profit by the great victory last year on the shores of Andiatarocte.  Waraiyageh, sore in body and mind, rests at home, so it is not possible that our people have been ready and vigorous.”

“While the French and Indians are all that we are not?”

“Even so.  Montcalm advances with great speed, and knows precisely what he intends to do.  He has had plenty of time to reach our forts below.  His force is overwhelming, though more so in preparation and decision, than in numbers.  He has had time to strike, and being Montcalm, therefore he has struck.  There is no chance of error, O, Dagaeoga and Great Bear, when I tell you a heavy blow has fallen upon us.”

“I don’t want to believe you, Tayoga,” said the hunter, “but I do.  The conclusion seems inevitable to me.”

“I’m hoping when hope’s but faint,” said Robert.

They swung again into the great trail, left by the army of Montcalm, or at least a part of it, and the Onondaga and the hunter told its tale with precision.

“Here passed the cannon,” said Tayoga.  “I judge by the size of the ruts the wheels made that a battery of twelve pounders went this way.  What do you say, Great Bear?”

“You’re right, of course, Tayoga, and there were eight guns in the battery; a child could tell their number.  They had other batteries too.”