“The warrior taken by his enemies meets torture and death with a heroic soul,” said Tayoga solemnly.

Garay shivered.

“You’ll save me from torture?” he said to Robert.

Young Lennox shook his head.

“I’d do so if it were left to me,” he said, “but my friend, Tayoga, has a hard heart.  In such matters as these he will not let me have my way.  He insists upon the ancient practices of his nation.  Also, David Willet, the hunter, is waiting for us, and he too is strong for extreme measures.  You’ll soon face him.  Now, march straight to the right!”

Garay with a groan raised himself to his feet and walked unsteadily in the direction indicated.  Close behind him came the avenging two.

CHAPTER V

TAMING A SPY

Young Lennox undeniably felt exultation.  It fairly permeated his system.  The taking of Garay had been so easy that it seemed as if the greater powers had put him squarely in their path, and had deprived him of all vigilance, in order that he might fall like a ripe plum into their hands.  Surely the face of Areskoui was still turned toward them, and the gods, having had their play, were benevolent of mood—­that is, so far as Robert and Tayoga were concerned, although the spy might take a different view of the matter.  The triumph, and the whimsical humor that yet possessed him, moved him to flowery speech.

“Monsieur Garay, Achille, my friend,” he said.  “You are surprised that we know you so well, but remember that you left a visiting card with us in Albany, the time you sent an evil bullet past my head, and then proved too swift for Tayoga.  That’s a little matter we must look into some time soon.  I don’t understand why you wished me to leave the world prematurely.  It must surely have been in the interest of someone else, because I had never heard of you before in my life.  But we’ll pass over the incident now as something of greater importance is to the fore.  It was really kind of you, Achille, to sit down there in the middle of the trail, beside a fire that was sure to serve as a beacon, and wait for us to come.  It reflects little credit, however, on your skill as a woodsman, and, from sheer kindness of heart, we’re not going to let you stay out in the forest after dark.”

Garay turned a frightened look upon him.  It was mention of the bullet in Albany that struck renewed terror to his soul.  But Robert, ordinarily gentle and sympathetic, was not inclined to spare him.

“As I told you,” he continued, “Tayoga and I are disposed to be easy with you, but Willet has a heart as cold as a stone.  We saw you going to the French and Indian camp, and we laid an ambush for you on your way back.  We were expecting to take you, and Willet has talked of you in merciless fashion.  What he intends to do with you is more than I’ve been able to determine.  Ah, he comes now!”