He arose to go, but a slight sound came from the lake, and he stayed.  It was merely the cry of the night bird, calling to its mate, one would have said, but Robert’s attention was attracted by an odd inflection in it, a strain that seemed familiar.  He listened with the utmost attention, and when it came a second time, he was so sure that his pulses beat very fast.

Willet and Tayoga, as he had hoped in the day, were out there on the lake.  It had been foolish of him to think they would come in the full sunlight, exposed to every hostile eye.  It was their natural course to approach in the dark and send a signal that he would know.  He imitated the call, a soft, low note, but one that traveled far, and soon the answer came.  No more was needed.  The circle was complete.  Willet and Tayoga were on the lake and they knew that he was at the foot of the cliff, waiting.

He took a long breath of intense relief and delight.  Tandakora would resume the search for him in the morning, hunting along the crest, and he might even find his way to the narrow ledge on which Robert now stood, but the lad would be gone across the waters, where he left no trail.

He saw a stout young bush growing on the edge of the lake, and, leaning far out while he held on to it with one hand, he watched.  He did not repeat the call.  One less cautious would have done so, but he knew that his friends had located him already and he meant to run no risk of telling the warriors also where he stood.  Meanwhile, he listened attentively for the sound of the paddles, but many long minutes passed before he heard the faint dip, dip that betokened the approach of Willet and Tayoga.  He never doubted for an instant that it was their canoe and again his heart felt that triumphant feeling.  Surely no man ever had more loyal or braver comrades!  If he had malignant enemies he also had staunch friends who more than offset them.

He saw presently a faint shadow, a deeper dark in the darkness, and he uttered very low the soft note of the bird.  In an instant came the answer, and then the shadow, turning, glided toward him.  A canoe took form and shape and he saw in it two figures, which were unmistakably those of Willet and Tayoga, swinging their paddles with powerful hands.  Again he felt a thrill of joy because these two trusty comrades had come.  But it was absurd ever to doubt for an instant that they would come!

He leaned out from the tree to the last inch, and called in a penetrating whisper: 

“Dave!  Tayoga!  This way!”

The canoe shifted its course a little, and entered the bushes by the side of Robert, the hunter and the Onondaga putting down their dripping paddles, and stepping out in the shallow water.  In the dusk the great figure of Willet loomed up, more than ever a tower of strength, and the slender but muscular form of Tayoga, the very model of a young Indian warrior, seemed to be made of gleaming bronze.  Had Robert needed any infusion of courage and will their appearance alone would have brought it with them.