Out of the forest in front of them came a long, lonely hoot.

“Speak of the owl and you hear his voice,” said Wilton.

“If Tayoga were here he could tell us exactly what that owl, who is no owl but an Indian, meant,” said Grosvenor, “also the tribe of the Indian, his age, his complexion, what he had for supper, how he is feeling and whether he is married or single.  Oh, I assure you, Wilton, you needn’t smile!  I’ve seen the Onondaga do things much more marvelous.  Nothing short of trailing a bird through the air would really test his wilderness powers.”

“I wasn’t smiling at your belief, Grosvenor,” said the young Quaker, “I was merely smiling at your earnestness.  When you tell me anything about Tayoga’s skill on the trail I shall believe it, I don’t care what it is.  I saw him do marvelous things when we were at Fort Refuge.”

The owl ceased its melancholy cry, and no other sound came from the forest, while the camp waited, with as much patience as it could muster, for the attack.

CHAPTER IX

THE MASKED ATTACK

Light clouds floated before the moon, and the surface of the lake was ruffled by a southern wind.  As no attack was anticipated from the south, the guard in that quarter was comparatively small, but it was composed, nevertheless, of good men, the boat builders mostly, but all experienced with the rifle and under the direct command of Carson.  But the main force was always kept facing the forest, and, there, behind the logs, Colden stood with the four—­Black Rifle again being outside.  The hooting of the owls had not been repeated and the long wait had become hard upon the nerves of the young Philadelphia captain.

“Do you feel sure that they will attack to-night?” he asked Willet.  “Perhaps St. Luc, seeing the strength of our position, will draw off or send to Montcalm for cannon, which doubtless would take a week.”

The hunter shook his head.

“St. Luc will not go away,” he said, “nor will he send for cannon, which would take too long.  He will not use his strength alone, he will depend also upon wile and stratagem, against which we must guard every minute.  I think I’ll take my own men and go outside.  We can be of more service there.”

“I suppose you’re right, but don’t walk into danger.  I depend a lot on you.”

Willet climbed over the logs.  Tayoga, Robert and Grosvenor followed.

“Red Coat buckled on a sword, and I did not think he would go on a trail again,” said Tayoga.

“One instance in which you didn’t read my mind right,” rejoined the Englishman.  “I know that swords don’t belong on the trail, but this is only a little blade, and you fellows can’t leave me behind.”

“I did read your mind right,” said Tayoga, laughing softly.  “I merely spoke of your sword to see what you would say.  I knew all the time that you would come with us.”