I seated myself, wondering what foolhardy people these might be, and trying to see more plainly the women in the two batteaux.  As the boatmen poled nearer, it seemed to me that some of the people looked marvelously like the riflemen of my own corps; and a few moments later I sprang to my feet astounded, for of the two women in the nearest batteau one was Lois de Contrecoeur and the other Lana Helmer.

Suddenly the Oneida canoe shot out from the farther shore, passed both batteaux, paddles flashing, and came darting toward the landing where I stood.  Two riflemen were in it; one rose as the canoe’s nose grated on the gravel, cast aside the bow-paddle, balanced himself toward the bow with both hands, and leaped ashore, waving at me a gay greeting.

“My God!” said I excitedly, as Boyd ran lightly up the slope.  “Are you stark mad to bring ladies into this damnable place?”

“There are other women, too.  Why, even that pretty jade, Dolly Glenn, is coming!  What could I do?  The General himself permitted it.  Miss de Contrecoeur and Lana heard that a number of women were already here, and so come for a frolic they must.”

“Who accompanies them?  I see no older woman yonder.”

“Mrs. Sabin, the lady of Captain Sabin, Staff Commissary of Issues.”

“Where is she, then?”

“We left her with the army at the Ouleout.”

“Where do you propose to quarter these ladies?”

“We understand that you have four block-forts mounting cannon.  That would argue barracks.  Therefore, I don’t think the danger is very considerable.  Do you?”

“There is danger, of course,” I said.  “The entire Seneca nation is here with Indian Butler and Brant.”

“Well, then, we’ll turn your Butler into a turn-spit, and make of your wild Brant a domestic gander!”

He spoke coolly, a slight smile on his eager, handsome features.  And I wondered how he could make a jest of this business, and how he could have permitted so mad a prank if he truly entertained any very deep regard for Lana Helmer.

“Danger,” I repeated coldly.  “Yes, there is a-plenty of that hereabouts, what with the Seneca scalping parties combing the woods around us, and the cattle-guard fired upon in plain sight of headquarters.”

“Well, there were and still are some few scalping parties hanging around Otsego.  I myself see no real reason why the ladies should not pay us a visit here, have their frolic, and later return with the heavier artillery down the river to Easton.  Or, if they choose, they shall await our return from Catharines-town.”

“And if we do not return?  Have you thought of that, Boyd?”

“You shall not conjure me with any such forebodings!” he laughed.  “This raid of ours will be no very great or fearsome affair.  They’ll run—­ your Brants and Butlers—­ I warrant you.  And we’ll follow and burn their towns.  Then, like the French king of old, down hill we’ll all go strutting, you and I and the army, Loskiel; and no great harm done to anybody or anything, save to the Senecas’ squash harvest, and the sensitive feelings of Walter Butler!”