Robert awoke with a start.

“You dragged me out of a beautiful world,” he said.

“A world in which you were the central star,” rejoined the hunter.

“So I was, but isn’t that the case with all the imaginary worlds a man creates?  He’s their sun or he wouldn’t create ’em.”

“We’re getting too deep into the unknown.  Plant your feet on the solid earth, Robert, and let’s think about the problems a dark night is going to bring us in the Indian country, not far south of the St. Lawrence.”

Young Lennox shivered again.  The terraces in the west suddenly began to fade and the wind took on a fresh and sharper edge.

“I know one thing,” he said.  “I know the night’s going to be cold.  It always is in the late autumn, up here among the high hills, and I’d like to see a fire, before which we could bask and upon which we could warm our food.”

The hunter glanced at the Onondaga.

“That tells the state of my mind, too,” he said, “but I doubt whether it would be safe.  If we’re to be good scouts, fit to discover the plans of the French and Indians, we won’t get ourselves cut off by some rash act in the very beginning.”

“It may not be a great danger or any at all,” said Tayoga.  “There is much rough and rocky ground to our right, cut by deep chasms, and we might find in there a protected recess in which we could build a smothered fire.”

“You’re a friend at the right time, Tayoga,” said Robert.  “I feel that I must have warmth.  Lead on and find the stony hollow for us.”

The Onondaga turned without a word, and started into the maze of lofty hills and narrow valleys, where the shadows of the night that was coming so swiftly already lay thick and heavy.

The three had gone north after the great victory at Lake George, a triumph that was not followed up as they had hoped.  They had waited to see Johnson’s host pursue the enemy and strike him hard again, but there were bickerings among the provinces which were jealous of one another, and the army remained in camp until the lateness of the season indicated a delay of all operations, save those of the scouts and roving bands that never rested.  But Robert, Willet and Tayoga hoped, nevertheless, that they could achieve some deed of importance during the coming cold weather, and they were willing to undergo great risks in the effort.

They were soon in the heavy forest that clothed all the hills, and passed up a narrow ravine leading into the depths of the maze.  The wind followed them into the cleft and steadily grew colder.  The glowing terraces in the west broke up, faded quite away, and night, as yet without stars, spread over the earth.

Tayoga was in front, the other two following him in single file, stepping where he stepped, and leaving to him without question the selection of a place where they could stay.  The Onondaga, guided by long practice and the inheritance from countless ancestors who had lived all their lives in the forest, moved forward with confidence.  His instinct told him they would soon come to such a refuge as they desired, the rocky uplift about him indicating the proximity of many hollows.