“The spirit of battle, bursting at last in you, Will, from its long confinement, is likely to have full chance for gratification,” he said.

“So it will, Lennox, and I tremble to think of what that released spirit may do.  If I achieve any deed of daring and valor bear in mind that it’s not me, but the escaped spirit of previous ages taking violent and reckless charge of my weak and unwilling flesh.”

“Suppose we form a curtain behind our retreating caravan,” said Robert.  “A small but picked force could keep back the warriors a long time, and permit our main column to continue its flight unhampered.”

“A good idea! an idea most excellent!” exclaimed Willet.

As a matter of form, the three being entirely independent in their movements, the suggestion was made to Colden, and he agreed at once and with thorough approval.  Thirty men, including Willet, Robert, Tayoga and Wilton, were chosen as a fighting rear guard, and the hunter himself took command of it.  Spreading out in a rather long line to prevent being flanked, they dropped back and let the train pass out of sight on its eastern flight.

They were now about ten miles from the burned fort, and, evidences of pursuit not yet being visible, Robert became hopeful that the caution of Tandakora and De Courcelles would hold them back a long time.  He and Tayoga kept together, but the thirty were stretched over a distance of several hundred yards, and now they retreated very slowly, watching continually for the appearance of hostile warriors.

“They have, of course, a plain trail to follow,” Robert said.  “One could not have a better trace than that made by wagon wheels.  It’s just a matter of choice with them whether they come fast or not.”

“I think we are not likely to see them before the night,” said Tayoga.  “Knowing that the column has much strength, they will prefer the darkness and ambush.”

“But they’re not likely to suspect the screen that we have thrown out to cover the retreat.”

“No, that is the surprise we have prepared for them.  But even so, we, the screen, may not come into contact with them before the dark.”

Tayoga’s calculation was correct.  The entire day passed while the rear guard retreated slowly, and all the aspects of the forest were peaceful.  They saw no pursuing brown figures and they heard no war cry, nor the call of one band to another.  Yet Robert felt that the night would bring a hostile appearance of some kind or other.  Tandakora and De Courcelles when they came upon the site of the burned fort would not linger long there, but would soon pass on in eager pursuit, hoping to strike a fleeing multitude, disorganized by panic.  But he smiled to himself at the thought that they would strike first against the curtain of fire and steel, that is, the thirty to whom he belonged.

When night came he and Tayoga were still together and Willet was a short distance away.  He watched the last light of the sun die and then the dusk deepen, and he felt sure that the approach of the pursuing host could not be long delayed.  His eyes continually searched the thickets and forest in front of them for a sight of the savage vanguard.