“I confess that I don’t know how to do it, still it must be done,” whispered the hunter.

“Yes, it must be done,” the Onondaga whispered back.  “We must steal our friend out of the hands of his enemies.  Neither do I know how to do it, but perhaps Tododaho will tell me.  See, there is his star!”

He pointed to a great star dancing in the sky, a star with a light mist across its face, which he knew to be the wise snakes that lay coil on coil in the hair of the Onondaga sage who had gone away four hundred years ago to his place in the heavens, and prayed for a thought, a happy thought that would tell him the way.  In a moment, his mind was in a state of high spiritual exaltation.  An electric current seemed to pass from the remote star to him.  He shut his eyes, and his face became rapt.  In a few minutes, he opened them again and said quietly: 

“I think, Great Bear, that Tododaho has told us how to proceed.  You and Dagaeoga must draw off the warriors, and then I will take Red Coat from those that may be left behind.”

“It’s mighty risky.”

“Since when, Great Bear, have we been turned aside by risks!  Besides, there is no other way.”

“It seems that I can’t think of any other.”

Tayoga unfolded his plan.  Robert and Willet must steal along the edge of the cliff and seek to pass to the north of the line of sentinels.  If not detected, they would purposely cause an alarm, and, as a consequence, draw off the main portion of the band.  Then it was their duty to see to it that they were not taken.  Meanwhile Tayoga in the excitement and confusion was to secure the release of Grosvenor, and they would flee southward to the mouth of a small creek, in the lake, where Robert and Willet, after making a great turn, were to join them.

“It’s complicated and it’s a desperate chance,” said Willet thoughtfully, “but I don’t see anything else to do.  Besides, we have got to act quickly.  Being on the war-path, they won’t hold him long, and you know the kind of death Tandakora will serve out to him.”

Robert shuddered.  He knew too well, and knowing so well he was ready to risk his life to save his friend.

“I think,” said Tayoga, “that we had better wait until it is about two hours after midnight.  Then the minds and bodies of the warriors will be at their dullest, and we will have the best chance.”

“Right, Tayoga,” said the hunter.  “We’ll have to use every trifle that’s in our favor.  Can you see Tandakora from here?”

“He is leaning against the big tree, asleep.”

“I’m glad of that.  He may be a bit confused when he awakes suddenly and rushes off after us, full tilt, with nearly all the warriors.  If only two guards are left with the prisoner, Tayoga, you can dispose of ’em.”

“Fortune may favor us.”

“Provided we use our wits and strength to the utmost.”

“That provision must always be made, Great Bear.”