“Back to the fort!” said Willet.  “We’ve already done ’em damage they can’t repair in a long time, and maybe we’ve broken up their camp for the winter!  What a godsend the snow was!”

“It was Tododaho who sent it,” said Tayoga, reverently.  “They almost make a red ring around our fort.  We have succeeded because the mighty chief, the founder of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, who went away to his star four centuries ago, willed for us to succeed.  How splendidly the fires burn!  Not a hut, not a lodge will be left!”

“And it’s time for us to be going,” said the hunter.  “Men like De Courcelles, Jumonville and Tandakora will soon bring order out of all that tumult, and they’ll be looking for those who set the torch.  The snow is coming down heavier and heavier and it hides our flight, although it is not able to put out the fires.  You’re right, Tayoga, about Tododaho pouring his favor upon us.”

It was easy for the three to regain the palisade, and they were not afraid of mistaken bullets fired at them for enemies, since Colden and Wilton had warned the soldiers that they might expect the return of the three.  Tododaho continued to watch over, them as they reached the palisade, at the point where the young Philadelphia captain himself stood upon the raised plank behind it.

“Captain Colden!  Captain Colden!” called Willet through the white cloud.

“Is it you, Mr. Willet?” exclaimed Colden.  “Thank God you’ve come.  I’ve been in great fear for you!  I knew that you had set the fires, because my own eyes tell me so, but I didn’t know what had become of you.”

“I’m here, safe and well.”

“And Mr. Lennox?”

“Here, unhurt, too,” replied Robert.

“And the Onondaga?”

“All right and rejoicing that we have done even more than we hoped to do,” said Tayoga, in his measured and scholastic English.

The three, coated with snow until they looked like white bears, quickly scaled the wall, and received the joyous welcome, given to those who have done a great deed, and who return unhurt to their comrades.  Colden, Wilton and Carson shook their hands again and again and Robert knew that it was due as much to pleasure at the return as at the destruction of the besieging camp.

The entire population of Fort Refuge was at the palisade, heedless of the snow, watching the burning huts and lodges.  There was no wind, but cinders and ashes fell near them, to be covered quickly with white.  Fierce yells now came from the forest and arrows and bullets were fired at the fort, but they were harmless and the defenders did not reply.

The flames began to decline by and by, then they sank fast, and after a while the snow which still came down as if it meant never to stop covered everything.  The circling white wall enveloped the stronghold completely, and Robert knew that the disaster to the French and Indians had been overwhelming.  Probably all of them had saved their lives, but they had lost ammunition—­the explosions had told him that—­much of their stores, and doubtless all of their food.  They would have to withdraw, for the present at least.