Tayoga’s fever increased, and when morning came, with the rain still falling, though not in such a deluge as by night, it seemed to Robert, who had seen many gunshot wounds, that it was about at the zenith.  The Onondaga came out of his sleep, but he was delirious for a little while, Robert sitting by him, covering him with his blanket and seeing that his hurt was kept away from the air.

The rain ceased by and by, but heavy fogs and vapors floated over the mountains, so dense that Robert could not see more than fifteen or twenty feet beyond the mouth of the cave, in front of which a stream of water from the rain a foot deep was flowing.  He was thankful.  He knew that fog and flood together would hide them in absolute security for another day and night at least.

He ate a little venison and regretted that he did not have a small skillet in which he could make soup for Tayoga later on, but since he did not have it he resolved to pound venison into shreds between stones, when the time came.  Examining Tayoga again, he found, to his great joy, that the fever was decreasing, and he washed the wound anew.  Then he sat by him a long time while the morning passed.  Tayoga, who had been muttering in his fever, sank into silence, and about noon, opening his eyes, he said in a weak voice: 

“How long have we been here, Dagaeoga?”

“About half of the second day is now gone,” replied Robert, “and your fever has gone with it.  You’re as limp as a towel, but you’re started fairly on the road to recovery.”

“I know it,” said Tayoga gratefully, “and I am thankful to Tododaho, to Areskoui, to Manitou, greatest of all, and to you, Dagaeoga, without whom the great spirits of earth and air would have let me perish.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Tayoga.  It’s what one comrade has a right to expect of another.  Did you exert your will, as you said, when you were delirious, and help along nature with your cure?”

“I did, Dagaeoga.  Before I lapsed into the unconsciousness of which you speak, I resolved that today, when my fever should have passed, my soul should lift me up.  I concentrated my mind upon it, I attuned every nerve to that end, and while I could not prevent the fever and the weakness, yet the resolution to get well fast helps me to do so.  By so much does my mind rule over my body.”

“I’ve no doubt you’re right about it.  Courage and optimism can lift us up a lot, as I’ve seen often for myself, and you’re certainly out of danger now, Tayoga.  All you have to do is to lie quiet, if the French and Indians will let us.  In a week you’ll be able to travel and fight, and in a few weeks you’ll never know that a musket ball passed through your shoulder.  When do you think you can eat?  I’ll pound some of the venison very fine.”