“I caught a glimpse of the fellow who fired the shot,” said Willet.  “I think it was the Canadian, Dubois, whom we saw with St. Luc.”

“Tayoga saw St. Luc himself on the flank,” said Robert, “and so there is no doubt that he is leading the attack.  The fact makes it certain that it will be carried on with persistence.”

“We shall be here, still besieged, when day comes,” said the hunter.  “It’s lucky that the cliff protects us on one side.”

As if to disprove his assertion, all the firing stopped suddenly, and for a long time the forest was silent.  Fortunately they had water in their canteens, and they were able to soothe the thirst of the wounded men.  They talked also of victory, and, knowing that it was only two or three hours until dawn, Captain Colden’s spirits rose to great heights.  He was sure now that the warriors, defeated, had gone away.  This Frenchman, St. Luc, of whom they talked, might be a great partisan leader, but he would know when the price he was paying became too high, and would draw off.

The men believed their captain, and, despite the earnest protest of the foresters, began to stir in the bushes shortly before dawn.  A rifle shot came from the opposing thickets and one of them would stir no more.  Captain Colden, appalled, was all remorse.  He took the death of the man directly to himself, and told Willet with emotion that all advice of his would now be taken at once.

“Let the men lie as close as they can,” said the hunter.  “The day will soon be here.”

Robert found shelter behind the trunk of a huge oak, and crouched there, his nerves relaxing.  He did not believe any further movement of the enemy would come now.  As the great tension passed for a time he was conscious of an immense weariness.  The strain upon all the physical senses and upon the mind as well made him weak.  It was a luxury merely to sit there with his back against the bark and rest.  Near him he heard the soldiers moving softly, and now and then a wounded man asking for water.  A light breeze had sprung up, and it had upon his face the freshness of the dawn.  He wondered what the day would bring.  The light that came with it would be cheerful and uplifting, but it would disclose their covert, at least in part, and St. Luc might lead both French and Indians in one great rush.

“Better eat a little,” said Tayoga, who had returned to the center.  “Remember that we have plenty of food in our knapsacks, nor are our canteens empty.”

“I had forgotten it,” said Robert, and he ate and drank sparingly.  The breeze continued to freshen, and in the east the dawn broke, gray, turning to silver, and then to red and gold.  The forest soon stood out, an infinite tracery in the dazzling light, and then a white fleck appeared against the wall of green.

“A flag of truce!” exclaimed Captain Colden.  “What can they want to say to us?”

“Let the bearer of the flag appear first,” suggested Willet, “and then we’ll talk with ’em.”