“There was a third who was generally with you, a famous hunter, David Willet, was there not?”

“He is with Captain Colden, sir, assisting in the defense.”

“I’m glad he’s there.  Judging from what I’ve heard of him, he’s a tower of strength.  But come into the camp.  Doubtless, both of you need food and rest.  The times be dark, and we must get out of each day whatever it has to offer.”

Robert looked at him with interest.  He was the forerunner of a type that was to develop markedly in New England, tall, thin, dry-lipped, critical, shrewd and tenacious to the last degree.  He and his kind were destined to make a great impress upon the New World.  He gave to the two the best the camp had, and ordered that they be treated with every courtesy.

“I’ve a strong force here,” he said, “although it might have been stronger if our Governor and Legislature had done their full duty.  Still, we must make the best of everything.  My men reported Indians in the forest to the north of us, and that, perhaps, is the reason why we have not come into contact with Captain Colden, but I did not suspect that he was besieged.”

Robert, as he ate the good food set before him, looked over the camp, which had been pitched well, with far-flung pickets to guard against ambush, and his eyes glistened, as they fell upon two brass cannon, standing side by side upon a slight rise in the center of the camp.  The big guns, when well handled, were always effective against forest warriors.  Colonel Strong’s eyes followed his.

“I see that you are taking notice of my cannon,” he said.  “They’re good pieces, but if our governor and legislature had done their duty they’d be four instead of two.  Still, we have to make the best of what we have.  I told Shirley that we must prepare for a great war, and I tell Pownall the same.  Those who don’t know him always underrate our French foe.”

“I never do, sir,” said Robert.  “I’ve seen too much of him to do that.”

“Well, well, we’ll do the best we can.  I’ve four hundred men here, though if the Governor and the Legislature of Massachusetts had done their full duty they’d be eight hundred, not to say a thousand.  I’ll advance as soon as possible to the relief of Colden.  He can surely hold out until the morrow.”

“Not a doubt of it, sir, and, if you’ll pardon me for making a suggestion, I wouldn’t begin any advance until the morning.  Not much of the day is left.  If we started this afternoon, night would overtake us in the woods and the Chevalier de St. Luc is sure to plant an ambush for us.”

“Sensibly spoken, young sir.  We’re an eternally rash people.  We’re always walking into traps.  I’ve in my force about twenty good scouts, though if the Governor and Legislature of Massachusetts had done their full duty they’d be forty, not to say fifty, and I don’t want to risk their loss in night fighting in the forest.”

He went away and Robert saw him moving among his men, giving orders.  Elihu Strong, a merchant, nevertheless had made himself a strenuous soldier at his province’s call, and he was not unwilling to learn even from those not more than half his age.