sts upon the knees of the gods."

"It does, sir, and I'm as willing as you to abide by the result."

"And I have the honor of bidding you good day."

"An equally great honor is mine."

The two French officers were ceremonious. They lifted their fine,
three-cornered hats, and bowed politely, and Colden, Willet and Robert
were not inferior in courtesy. Then the Frenchmen walked away into the
forest, while the three Americans went inside the palisade, where the
heavy gate was quickly shut behind them and fastened securely. But
before he turned back Robert thought he saw the huge figure of
Tandakora in the forest.

When the French officers disappeared several shots were fired and the
savages uttered a long and menacing war whoop, but the young soldiers
had grown used to such manifestations, and, instead of being
frightened, they felt a certain defiant pleasure.

"Yells don't hurt us," said Wilton to Robert. "Instead I feel my
Quaker blood rising in anger, and I'd rejoice if they were to attack
now. A very heavy responsibility rests upon me, Robert, since I've to
fight not only for myself but for my ancestors who wouldn't fight at
all. It rests upon me, one humble youth, to bring up the warlike
average of the family."

"You're one, Will, but you're not humble," laughed Robert. "I believe
that jest of yours about the still, blood of generations bursting
forth in you at last is not a jest wholly. When it comes to a pitched
battle I expect to see you perform prodigies of valor."

"If I do it won't be Will Wilton, myself, and I won't be entitled to
any credit. I'll be merely an instrument in the hands of fate, working
out the law of averages. But what do you think those French officers
and their savage allies will do now, Robert, since Colden, so to
speak, has thrown a very hard glove in their faces?"

"Draw the lines tighter about Fort Refuge. It's cold in the forest,
but they can live there for a while at least. They'll build fires and
throw up a few tepees, maybe for the French. But their anger and their
desire to take us will make them watch all the more closely. They'll
draw tight lines around this snug little, strong little fort of ours."

"Which removes all possibility that your friend Tayoga will come at
the appointed time."

Robert glared at him.

"Will," he said, "I've discovered that you have a double nature,
although the two are never struggling for you at the same time."

"That is I march tandem with