The somber face of Waraiyageh lightened.

“David Willet,” he said, “you are a man.  I have always known it, but it seems to me that every time I meet you you have acquired some new virtue of the mind.  ’Tis a daring task you undertake, but a noble one that I think will prove fruitful.  Perhaps, though, you should leave the lads behind.”

Then up spoke Robert indignantly.

“I’ve been through a thousand dangers with Dave, and I’ll not shirk a new one.  I have no commission in the army and it cannot hold me.  I shall be sorry to go without your permission, Colonel Johnson, but go I surely will.”

“For more centuries than man knows, my ancestors have trod the war trail,” said Tayoga, “and I should not be worthy to have been born a son of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, if I did not go now upon the greatest war trail of them all, when the nations gather to fight for the lordship of half a world.  When the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf and Dagaeoga and the others leave this camp for the shores of Andiatarocte I go with them!”

He stood very erect, his head thrown back a little, his eyes flashing, his face showing unalterable resolve.  Colonel Johnson laughed mellowly.

“What a pair of young eagles we have!” he exclaimed in a pleased tone.  “And if that fiery child, Joseph Brant, were here he would be wild to go too!  And if I let him go on such a venture Molly Brant would never forgive me.  Well, it’s a good spirit and I have no right to make any further objection.  But do you, Dave Willet, and you, Rogers, and you, Black Rifle, see that they take no unnecessary risks.”

Grosvenor also was eager to go, but they thought his experience in the woods was yet too small for him to join the rangers, and, to his great disappointment, the band was made up without him.  Then they arranged for their departure.

CHAPTER VII

ON THE GREAT TRAIL

Robert appreciated fully all the dangers they were sure to encounter upon their perilous expedition to the lakes.  Having the gift of imagination, he saw them in their most alarming colors, but having a brave heart also, he was more than willing, he was eager to encounter them with his chosen comrades by his side.  The necessity of striking some quick and sharp blow became more apparent every hour, or the lakes, so vital in the fortunes of the war, would soon pass into the complete possession of the French and Indians.

The band was chosen and equipped with the utmost care.  It included, of course, all of Rogers’ rangers, Robert, Tayoga, Willet and Black Rifle, making a total of fifty white men, all of tried courage and inured to the forest.  Besides there were fifty Mohawks under Daganoweda, the very pick of the tribe, stalwart warriors, as tough as hickory, experienced in every art of wilderness trail and war, and eager to be at