“It’s a joy to meet you in these woods, Dave,” he said.  “But who are the two likely lads with you?  Lads, I call ’em because their faces are those of lads, though their figures have the stature and size of men.”

“Rogers, this is Tayoga, of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, a friend of ours, and no braver or more valiant youth ever trod moccasin.  Tayoga, this is Robert Rogers of the New Hampshire grants.”

The sunburnt face of Rogers shone with pleasure.

“I’ve heard of the lad,” he said, “and I know he’s all that you claim for him, Dave.”

“And the other youth,” continued Willet, “is Robert Lennox, in a way a ward of mine, in truth almost a son to me.  What Tayoga is among the Onondagas, he is among the white people of New York.  I can say no more.”

“That’s surely enough,” said Rogers, “and glad am I to meet you, Lennox.  I’ve come from the north and the east, from Champlain and George, with my brave fellows, hearing of Braddock’s defeat and thinking we might be needed, and by chance we struck this broad trail.  It’s plain enough that it’s made by settlers withdrawing from the border, but whether ’tis a precaution or they’re pursued closely we don’t know.  We thought once of turning back to see.  But you know, Dave.”

Willet explained rapidly and again the fierce face of Rogers shone with pleasure.

“’Twas in truth a fortunate chance that guided us down here,” he said.

“It was Tododaho himself,” said Tayoga with reverence.

Then Willet also called rapidly the names of his hunters and scouts, who had remained in a little group in the rear, while the leaders talked.

“Dave,” said Rogers, “you and I will be joint leaders, if you say so.  We’ve now nearly two score stout fellows ready for any fray, and since you’ve twice held back Tandakora, De Courcelles and their scalp hunters, our united bands should be able to do it a third time.  I agree with you that the best way to save the train is to fight rear guard actions, and never let the train itself be attacked.”

“If we had about twenty more good men,” said Willet, “we might not only defend a line but push back the horde itself.  What say you to sending Tayoga, our swiftest runner, to the wagons for a third force?”

“A good plan, a most excellent plan, Dave!  And while he’s about it, tell him to make it thirty instead of twenty.  Then we’ll burn the faces of these Indian warriors.  Aye, Dave, we’ll scorch ’em so well that they’ll be glad to turn back!”

It was arranged in a minute or two and Tayoga disappeared like one of his own arrows in the forest and the darkness, while the others followed, but much more slowly.  It would not escape the sharp eyes of the warriors that a reenforcement had come, but, confident in their numbers, they would continue the pursuit with unabated zeal.