The warriors capered back and forth, and often they bent themselves far over, until their hands touched the ground.  Then they would arch their backs, until they formed a kind of hump, and they leaped to and fro, bellowing all the time.  The imitation was that of a buffalo, recognizable at once, and, while it was rude and monotonous, both dancing and singing preserved a rhythm, and as one listened continuously it soon crept into the blood.  Robert, with that singular temperament of his, so receptive to all impressions, began to feel it.  Their chant was of war and victory and he stirred to both.  He was on the warpath with them, and he passed with them through the thick of battle.

They danced for a long time, quitting only when exhaustion compelled.  By that time all the soldiers were awake and Captain Colden talked with the other leaders, red and white.  His instructions took him farther west, where he was to build a fort for the defense of the border, and, staunch and true, he did not mean to turn back because he had been in desperate battle with the French and their Indian allies.

“I was sent to protect a section of the frontier,” he said to Willet, “and while I’ve found it hard to protect my men and myself, yet I must go on.  I could never return to Philadelphia and face our people there.”

“It’s a just view you take, Captain Colden,” said Willet.

“I feel, though, that my men and I are but children in the woods.  Yesterday and last night proved it.  If you and your friends continue with us our march may not be in vain.”

Willet glanced at Robert, and then at Tayoga.

“Ours for the present, at least, is a roving commission,” said young Lennox.  “It seems to me that the best we can do is to go with Captain Colden.”

“I am not called back to the vale of Onondaga,” said Tayoga, “I would see the building of this fort that Captain Colden has planned.”

“Then we three are agreed,” said the hunter.  “It’s best not to speak to Black Rifle, because he’ll follow his own notions anyway, and as for Daganoweda and his Mohawks I think they’re likely to resume their march northward against the French border.”

“I’m grateful to you three,” said Captain Colden, “and, now that it’s settled, we’ll start as soon as we can.”

“Better give them all a good rest, and wait until the morning,” said the hunter.

Again Captain Colden agreed with him.

CHAPTER IV

THE PERILOUS PATH

After a long night of sleep and rest, the little troop resumed its march the next morning.  The wounded fortunately were not hurt so badly that they could not limp along with the others, and, while the surgery of the soldiers was rude, it was effective nevertheless.  Daganoweda, as they had expected, prepared to leave them for a raid toward the St. Lawrence.  But he said rather grimly that he might return, in a month perhaps.  He knew where they were going to build their fort, and unless Corlear and all the other British governors awoke much earlier in the morning it was more than likely that the young captain from Philadelphia would need the help of the Mohawks again.