“He does not,” replied Robert.  “It was my bullet that hurt his shoulder, but I gave him the wound in fair combat.”

“And he hates you because of it?”

“That and other things.”

“What a strange man!  A wound received in fair and honorable battle should be a tie that binds.  If you had given it to me in a combat on equal terms I’d have considered it an honor conferred upon me by you.  It would have wiped away all grievance and have made us friends.”

“Then, Monsieur Langlade, I’m afraid I missed my opportunity to make our friendship warmer than it is.”

“How is that?”

“I held you also under the muzzle of my rifle in that battle in the forest, but when I recognized you I could not send the bullet.  I turned the weapon aside.”

“Ah, that was in truth a most worthy and chivalrous act!  Embrace me, my friend!”

“No!  No!  We American men never embrace or kiss one another!”

“I should have remembered.  A cold people!  But never mind!  You are my brother, and I esteem you so highly that I shall let nothing on earth take you away from us.  Can you not reconsider your decision about the sister of the Dove?  She would make you a most admirable wife, and after the war we could become the greatest rangers, you and I, that the forest has ever known.  And the life in the woods is marvelous in its freedom and variety!”

But Robert plead extreme youth once more, and the Owl was forced to be resigned.  The small tent in which guard and prisoner were to sleep was almost in the center of the camp and Robert truly would have needed wings and the power of invisibility to escape then.  Instead of it he let the thought pass for a while and went to sleep on a blanket.

* * * * *

While young Lennox slept St. Luc was in the tent of Montcalm talking with his leader.  The Marquis was in much perplexity.  His spies had brought him word of the great force that was mustering in the south, and he did not know whether to await the attack at Ticonderoga or to retreat to the powerful fortifications at Crown Point on Lake Champlain.  His own ardent soul, flushed by the successes he had already won, told him to stay, but prudence bade him go.  Now he wanted to hear what St. Luc had to say and wanting it he knew also that the Chevalier was the most valiant and daring of his captains.  He wished to hear from the dauntless leader just what he wished to hear and nothing else.

“Your observations, then, confirm what the spies have reported?” he said.  “The enemy can easily control Lake George!”

“He has only to make an effort to do so, my general,” replied St. Luc.  “I could have captured the boat builders on the point or have compelled their retirement, but large forces came to their relief.  The numbers of the foe are even greater than we had feared.”

“How many men do you think General Abercrombie will have when he advances against us?”