ed about Tayoga.
"You tell me that the Indians won't go away," he said, "and if you're
right, and I think you are, the Onondaga is surely shut off from Fort
Refuge."
Robert smiled.
"I tell you for the last time that he will come at the appointed
hour," he said.
A long day began. Hours that seemed days in themselves passed, and
quiet prevailed in the forest, although the young soldiers no longer
had any belief that the warriors had gone away.
CHAPTER VI
THE RETURN
It was near the close of a day that had been marked by little
demonstration from the enemy, and the young officers, growing used to
the siege, attained a philosophical state of mind. They felt sure they
could hold the palisade against any number of enemies, and the
foresight of Willet, Robert and Tayoga had been so great that by no
possibility could they be starved out. They began now to have a
certain exultation. They were inside comfortable walls, with plenty
to eat and drink, while the enemy was outside and must forage for
game.
"If it were not for Tayoga," said Wilton to Robert, "I should feel
more than satisfied with the situation. But the fate of your Onondaga
friend sticks in my mind. Mr. Willet, who knows everything, says we're
surrounded completely, and I don't wish him to lose his life in an
attempt to get through at a certain time, merely on a point of honor."
"It's no point of honor, Will. It's just the completion of a plan at
the time and place chosen. Do you see anything in that tall tree to
the east of the palisade?"
"Something appears to be moving up the trunk, but as it's on the far
side, I catch only a glimpse of it."
"That's an Indian warrior, seeking a place for a shot at us. He'll
reach the high fork, but he'll always keep well behind the body of the
tree. It's really too far for a bullet, but I think it would be wise
for us to slip back under cover."
The sharpshooter reached his desired station and fired, but his bullet
fell short. He tried three more, all without avail, and then Willet
picked him off with his long and deadly rifle. Robert shut his eyes
when he saw the body begin its fall, but his vivid imagination, so
easily excited, made him hear its thump when it struck the earth.
"And so ends that attempt!" he said.
An hour later he saw a white flag among the trees, and when Willet
mounted the palisade two French officers came forward. Robert saw at
once that they were De Courcelles and Jumonvi
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