Tayoga gazed out upon Andiatarocte.

Robert’s eyes followed the Onondaga’s.

“It’s true,” he said, “that the Sun God, your Areskoui, and mine, too, for that matter, makes no promise to us.  The warriors of the Hodenosaunee have looked upon Andiatarocte for many centuries, but doubtless there has never been a day before when any one of them saw it more beautiful and more gleaming than it is now.”

“Yes, Dagaeoga, the waters slide and ripple before the wind, and they are blue and green, and silver and gold, and all the shades between, as the sunlight shifts and falls, but it is many hours until night and Areskoui may be of another mind by then.”

“I know it, Tayoga.  I remember the two storms on Champlain, and I don’t forget how quickly they can come on either lake.  I’m not praying for any storm, but I do want a dark and cloudy night.”

“Dagaeoga should not be too particular,” said Tayoga, his eyes twinkling.  “He has told Areskoui exactly what kind of a night he wishes, but I think he will have to take just the kind of a night that Areskoui may send.”

“I don’t dispute it, Tayoga, but when you’re praying to the Sun God it’s as well to pray for everything you want.”

“We’ll watch Areskoui with more than common interest today, you and I, Dagaeoga, but the warriors of the Ganeagaono, even as the Hurons, the Abenakis and the Ojibways, will go to sleep.  Behold, Daganoweda even now lies down upon his blanket!”

The Mohawk chief, as if sure that nothing more of importance was going to happen that day, spread his fine green blanket upon some leaves, and then settling himself in an easy posture upon it, fell asleep, while many of his warriors, and some of the rangers too, imitated his example.  But Robert and Tayoga had slept enough, and, though they moved about but little, they were all eyes and ears.

Scouts had been sent far up and down the shores of the lake, and they reported that no other band was near, chance leaving the issue wholly to the two forces that now faced each other.  Yet the morning, while remaining of undimmed beauty, had all the appearance of ease, even of laziness.  Several of the rangers went down to the edge of the lake, and, removing their clothing, bathed in the cool waters.  Then they lay on the slope until their bodies dried, dressed themselves, and waited patiently for the night.

The French and Indians, seeing them engaged in a pleasant task, found it well to do likewise.  The waters close to the island were filled with Frenchmen, Canadians and Indians, wading, swimming and splashing water, the effect in the distance being that of boys on a picnic and enjoying it to the utmost.

Robert took a little swim himself, though he kept close to the shore, and felt much refreshed by it.  When he had been dried by the sun and was bade in his clothes, he stretched himself luxuriously near the rangers on the slope, taking an occasional glance at the sun from under his sheltering hand.