“Go on, Tayoga.  As I told you, I’d try to stand it.”

“That is well, Red Coat.  But it is not enough merely to wish for Black Rifle’s bear steaks.  We will have a portion of them ourselves.”

“Now, Tayoga, your talk sounds a little wild to me.”

“But listen, Red Coat.”

The Onondaga suddenly put his fingers to his lips, and blew a shrill whistle that penetrated far in the forest.  In a few instants, the answer, another whistle, came back from a point a few hundred yards ahead, and Tayoga said quietly: 

“Red Coat, Black Rifle is waiting for us.  We will now go forward and he will give us our dinner.”

They advanced without hesitation and the figure of the dark hunter rose up to meet them.  His face showed pleasure, as he extended his hand first to Willet.

“Dave, old comrade,” he said, “the sight of you in the forest is always a pleasure to the eye.  I thought you’d be coming with the lads, and I’ve been making ready for you.  I knew that Tayoga, the greatest trailer the world has ever known, would be sure to strike my traces, and that he’d read them like print.  And here’s Robert too, a fine boy, if I do say it to his face, and Lieutenant Grosvenor.  You mayn’t know me, Lieutenant, though I recall you, and I can tell you you’re mighty lucky to fall into the hands of these three.”

“I think so too,” said Grosvenor earnestly.

“Red Coat is happy to see you,” said Tayoga, “but he will be happier to see your bear.”

“The Lieutenant is hungry,” said Black Rifle.  “Then come; there is enough for all.”

“What made you wait for us?” asked Robert.

“You know how I roam the woods, doing as I please and under nobody’s command.  I found that Tandakora was by the lake with warriors and that St. Luc was not far away.  Tandakora’s men seemed to be trailing somebody, and hiding in the bushes, I spied on them.  I was near enough to hear two warriors talking and I learned that it was you they were following.  Then, coming on ahead, I left a trail for you to see.  And I’ve got plenty of bear steaks already cooked for you.”

“God bless you, Mr. Black Rifle,” said Grosvenor fervently.

“Amen!” said Robert.

Black Rifle showed them his lair among dense bushes, and, after they had satisfied their hunger, the bear, divided in equal portions among all, was stored away in their knapsacks, Grosvenor luckily having retained his own as the Indians had not deprived him of it.  They now had food enough for several days, and one great source of anxiety was removed.

“What had you found, Black Rifle?” asked Willet.

“St. Luc has a big force.  He’s throwing a sort of veil before Montcalm, while the Marquis fortifies to meet the attack of the British and Americans that all know is coming.  Perhaps the Lieutenant can tell us most about that force!”

“It’s to be a great one,” said Grosvenor.