“It’s what I expected,” said Tayoga.  “The French and their allies had complete control of Andiatarocte until we appeared, and it is likely, when the storm began to die, Sharp Sword sent for the aid that is now coming.”

The canoes soon showed clear outlines in the intense sunlight, and, as well as Rogers could judge through his glasses, they brought about fifty men, ten of whom were Frenchmen.  But there were no long boats, a fact at which they all rejoiced, as in a naval battle the canoes would be at a great disadvantage opposed to the heavier craft.

“When do you think it best to make the attack?” Willet asked the leader of the rangers.

“Within an hour,” replied Rogers.  “If we had been in condition we might have gone at them before their help came, but it was wise to let the men rest a little after last night’s struggle.”

“And it will be better for our purpose to beat two forces instead of one.”

“So it will, and that’s the right spirit, Dave.  You can always be depended upon to take the cheerful view of things.  It’s good, old friend, for us to be together again, doing our best.”

“So it is, and it’s a time that demands one’s best.  The world’s afire, and our part of it is burning with the rest.  What do your glasses tell you now?”

“The reenforcements are landing on the island.  St. Luc himself has gone forward to meet them.  He’s a fine leader.  He impresses red men and white men alike, and he’ll make the new force feel that it’s the most important and timely in the world.  Have you found anything in the woods, Black Rifle?”

“No,” replied the swart forester, who had been circling about the camp.  “Nobody is there.  It’s just ourselves and the fellows out there on the island.”

“Do you see any more canoes, Rogers, coming to the help of St. Luc?” asked Willet.

The ranger searched long and carefully over the surface of the lake with his strong glasses and then replied: 

“Not a canoe.  If they have any more force afloat it’s too far in the north to reach here in time.  We’ve all of our immediate enemy before us, and we’ll attack at once.”

The boats and canoes were lifted into the water and the little force made ready for the naval battle.

CHAPTER X

THE NAVAL COMBAT

Robert and Tayoga went into a long boat with Willet, a boat that held eight men, all carrying paddles, while their rifles were laid on the bottom, ready to be substituted for the paddles when the time came.  Daganoweda was in another of the large boats, and Rogers commanded a third, the whole fleet advancing slowly and in almost a straight line toward St. Luc’s stronghold.

Doubtless many a combat between Indians had taken place on Andiatarocte in the forgotten ages, but Robert believed the coming encounter would be the first in which white men had a part, and, for the moment, he forgot his danger in the thrilling spectacle that opened before him.