He flung out his arms in a wide, embracing gesture, and he, too, took deep long breaths of the crisp air that came over the clean forest.  Tayoga smiled, and the smile was fathomless.

“I, Tayoga, of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, can rejoice more than either of you, my white friends,” he said, “because I and my fathers for ages before me were born into this wonderful country of which you speak so well, but not too well, and much of it belongs to the Hodenosaunee.  The English and the French are but of yesterday.  Tododaho lighted the first council fire in the vale of Onondaga many generations before either came across the sea.”

“It’s true, Tayoga,” said Willet, “and I don’t forget it for a moment.  All of us white people, English, French, Dutch, Germans and all other breeds, are mere newcomers, and I’m not one ever to deny the rights of the Hodenosaunee.”

“I know that the Great Bear is always our friend,” said the young Onondaga, “and Lennox too, no less.”

“I am, Tayoga,” said Robert fervently.

The white lad went to sleep by and by, the others to follow in their turn, and when he woke it was afternoon.  About midway of his comrade’s nap Tayoga had gone to sleep also, and now Willet followed him, leaving Robert alone on guard.

His eyes could pierce the bushes, and for some distance beyond, and he saw that no intruder had drawn near.  Nor had he expected any.  The place was too remote and well hidden, and the keenest warriors in the world could not follow a vanished trail.

He ate two or three strips of the deer meat, walked around the complete circle of the opening, examining the approaches from every side, and having satisfied himself once more that no stranger was near, returned to his place on the grass near his comrades, full of the great peace that can come only to those of sensitive mind and lofty imagination.  His sleep had rested him thoroughly.  The overtaxed muscles were easy again, and with the vast green forest about him and the dim blue mountains showing on the horizon, he felt all the keen zest of living.

He was glad to be there.  He was glad to be with Tayoga.  He was glad to be with Willet and he was glad to be going on the important mission which the three hoped to carry out, according to promise, no matter what dangers surrounded them, and that there would be many they already had proof.  But, for the present, at least, there was nothing but peace.

He lay on his back and stared up at the blue sky, in which clouds fleecy and tiny were drifting.  All were going toward the northeast and that way the course of himself and his comrades lay.  If Manitou prospered them, they would come to the Quebec of the French, which beforetime had been the Stadacona of old Indian tribes.  That name, Quebec, was full of significance to him.  Standing upon its mighty rock, it was another Gibraltar.  It told him of