The council in the great tent was long and weighty, and well it might have been, even far beyond the wildest thoughts of any of the participants.  These were the beginnings of events that shook not only America but Europe for sixty years.  In the tent they agreed upon a great and comprehensive scheme of campaign that had been proposed some time before.  Braddock would proceed with his attack upon Fort Duquesne, Shirley would see that the forces of New England seized Beausejour and De Lancey would have Colonel William Johnson to move upon Crown Point and then Niagara.  Acadia also would be taken.  Dinwiddie after Shirley was the most vigorous of the governors, and he promised that the full force of Virginia should be behind Braddock.  But to Shirley was given the great vision.  He foresaw the complete disappearance of French power from North America, and, to achieve a result that he desired so much, it was only necessary for the colonists to act together and with vigor.  While he recognized in Braddock infirmities of temper and insufficient knowledge of his battlefield, he knew him to be energetic and courageous and he believed that the first blow, the one that he was to strike at Fort Duquesne, would inflict a mortal blow upon France in the New World.  In every vigorous measure that he proposed Dinwiddie backed him, and the other governors, overborne by their will, gave their consent.

While Robert sat with his friends in the shade of a grove, awaiting the result of the deliberations in the tent, his attention was attracted by a strong, thick-set figure in a British uniform.

“Colonel Johnson!” he cried, and running forward he shook hands eagerly with Colonel William Johnson.

“Why, Colonel!” he exclaimed, “I didn’t dream that you were here, but I’m most happy to see you.”

“And I to see you, Mr. Lennox, or Robert, as I shall call you,” said Colonel Johnson.  “Alexandria is a long journey from Mount Johnson, but you see I’m here, awaiting the results of this council, which I tell you may have vast significance for North America.”

“But why are you not in the tent with the others, you who know so much more about conditions on the border than any man who is in there?”

“I am not one of the governors, Robert, my lad, nor am I General Braddock.  Hence I’m not eligible, but I’m not to be neglected.  I may as well tell you that we are planning several expeditions, and that I’m to lead one in the north.”

“And Madam Johnson, and everybody at your home?  Are they well?”

“As well of body as human beings can be when I left.  Molly told me that if I saw you to give you her special love.  Ah, you young blade, if you were older I should be jealous, and then, again, perhaps I shouldn’t!”

“And Joseph?”

“Young Thayendanegea?  Fierce and warlike as becomes his lineage.  He demands if I lead an army to the war that he go with me, and he scarce twelve.  What is more, he will demand and insist, until I have to take him.  ’Tis a true eagle that young Joseph.  But here is Willet!  It soothes my eyes to see you again, brave hunter, and Tayoga, too, who is fully as welcome.”