“That’s true.  You have precedent with you, but it wouldn’t have made any difference, anyhow.”

“But when we fall on ’em you’ll lead the center forward, and with such a man as St. Luc I fancy you’ll have all the danger you crave.”

Rogers laughed again.

“Go ahead, old fire-eater,” he said.  “It was always your way.  I suppose you’ll want to take Tayoga and Lennox with you.”

“Oh, yes, I need ’em, and besides, I have to watch over ’em, in a way.”

“And you watch over ’em by leading ’em into the very thickest of the battle.  But danger has always been a lure for you, and I know you’re the best man for the job.”

Willet quickly picked twenty men, including Black Rifle and the two lads, and bore away with speed toward the flank where Daganoweda and the Mohawks already lay.  As Robert left he heard the rifle shots with which the little force of Rogers was opening the battle, and he heard, too, the rifles and muskets of the French and Indians on the other side of the stream replying.

Fortunately, as the forest was very dense, and it was not possible for any of St. Luc’s men to see the flanking movement, Willet and his rangers joined Daganoweda quickly and without hindrance, the eyes of the chieftain glittering when he saw the new force, and heard the plan to cross the stream far down and fall on St. Luc’s flank.

“It is good,” he said with satisfaction.  “Sharp Sword has eyes to see much, but he cannot see everything.”

“But one thing must be understood,” said Willet, gravely.  “If we see that we are getting the worst of the fight and our men are falling fast, the good runners must leave the conflict at once and make all speed for Waraiyageh.  Tayoga, you are the fastest and surest of all, and you must leave first, and, Daganoweda, do you pick three of your swift young warriors for the same task.”

“I have one request to make,” said Tayoga.

“What is it?”

“When I leave let me take Dagaeoga with me.  We are comrades who have shared many dangers, and he, too, is swift of foot and hardy.  It may be that there will be danger also in the flight to Waraiyageh’s camp.  Then, if one should fall the other will go on.”

“Well put, Tayoga.  Robert, do you hear?  If the tide seems to be turning against us join Tayoga in his flight toward Johnson.”

Robert nodded, and the young warriors chosen by Daganoweda also indicated that they understood.  Then the entire force began its silent march through the woods on their perilous encircling movement.  They waded the river at a ford where the water did not rise above their knees, and entered the deep woods, gradually drawing back toward the point where St. Luc’s force lay.

As they approached they began to hear the sounds of the little battle Rogers was waging with the French leader, a combat which was intended to keep the faculties and energies of the French and Indians busy, while the more powerful detachment under Willet and Daganoweda moved up for the main blow.  Faint reports of rifle and musket shots came to them, and also the long whining yell of the Indians, so like, in the distance, to the cry of a wolf.  Then, as they drew a little nearer they heard the shouts of the rangers, shouts of defiance or of triumph rattling continuously like a volley.