ained just beyond rifle shot. Evidently De Courcelles
was explaining something to the Indian as once he pointed toward the
blockhouse.

Wilton heard Robert beside him draw a deep breath, and he turned in
surprise. The face of young Lennox was tense and his eyes fairly
blazed as he gazed at De Courcelles and the warrior. Then looking back
at the forest Robert uttered a sudden sharp, Ah! the release of
uncontrollable emotion, snapping like a pistol shot.

"Did you see it, Will? Did you see it?" he exclaimed. "It was quicker
than lightning!"

The Indian runner stooped, snatched the pistol from the belt of De
Courcelles, struck him such a heavy blow on the head with the butt of
it that he fell without a sound, and then his brown body shot forward
like an arrow for the fort.

"Open the gate! Open the gate!" thundered Willet, and strong arms
unbarred it and flung it back in an instant. The brown body of Tayoga
flashed through, and, in another instant, it was closed and barred
again.

"He is here with five minutes to spare!" said Robert as he left the
palisade with Wilton, and went toward the blockhouse to greet his
friend.

Tayoga, painted like a Micmac and stooping somewhat hitherto, drew
himself to his full height, held out his hand in the white man's
fashion to Robert, while his eyes, usually so calm, showed a passing
gleam of triumph.

"I said, Tayoga, that you would be back on time, that is by noon
today," said Robert, "and though the task has been hard you're with us
and you have a few minutes to spare. How did you deceive the sharp
eyes of Tandakora?"

"I did not let him see me, knowing he would look through my disguise,
but I asked the French colonel to come forward with me at once and
inspect the fort, knowing that it was my only chance to enter here,
and he agreed to do so. You saw the rest, and thus I have come. It is
not pleasant to those who besiege us, as your ears tell you."

Fierce yells of anger and disappointment were rising in the
forest. Jumonville and two French soldiers had rushed forward, seized
the reviving De Courcelles and were carrying him to one of the fires,
where they would bind up his injured head. But inside the fort there
was only exultation at the arrival of Tayoga and admiration for his
skill. He insisted first on being allowed to wash off the Micmac
paint, enabling him to return to his true character. Then he took food
and drink.

"Tayoga," said Wilton, "I believed you could