The talk of Langlade, his frank egotism and boastfulness for himself personally and for the French collectively, beguiled the journey which soon became strenuous, the force advancing at a great pace through the forest.  At night a fire was built in the deep woods, the knapsacks furnished plenty of food, and Robert slept soundly on a blanket until dawn.  He had seen before closing his eyes that a strict guard was set, and he knew that it was not worth while to keep awake in the hope of escape.  Like a wise man he dismissed the hope of the impossible at once, and waited calmly for another time.  He knew too that St. Luc had originally sent out his warriors to capture a prisoner from whom they might drag information, but that the Chevalier would not try to cross-examine him, knowing its futility.

They traveled northward by east all the next day, through very rough country, slept another night in the forest, and on the third day approached a great camp, which held the main French force.  Robert’s heart thrilled.  Here was the center of the French power in North America.  Vaudreuil and Bigot at Quebec might plan and plot and weave their webs, but in the end the mighty struggle between French and English and their colonies must be decided by the armies.

He knew that this was the outlet of Lake George and he knew also that the army of Abercrombie was gathering at the head of the same lake.  His interest grew keener as they drew nearer.  He saw clusters of tents, cannon parked, and many fires.  There were no earthworks or other fortifications, and he inferred from their absence that Montcalm was undecided whether to go or stay.  But Robert thought proudly that he would surely go, when the invincible Anglo-American army advanced from its base at the head of the lake.  The whole camp lay under his eye, and he had enough military experience now to judge the French numbers by its size.  He did not think they were much in excess of three thousand, and as Abercrombie would come four or five to one, Montcalm must surely retreat.

“I take it that this is Ticonderoga,” he said to St. Luc.

“Aye,” replied the Chevalier.

“And in effect you have Champlain on one side of you and George on the other.  But you can’t hold the place against our great force.  I’m here in time to join you in your retreat.”

“We don’t seem to be retreating, as you’ll notice, Mr. Lennox, and I don’t know that we will.  Still, that rests on the knees of the gods.  I think you’ll find here some old friends and enemies of yours, and though your people have made a great outcry against the Marquis de Montcalm because of the affair at Fort William Henry, I am sure you will find that the French know how to treat a prisoner.  I shall put you for the present in the care of Monsieur Langlade, with whom you appear to have no quarrel.  He has his instructions.”