r, and Gage leading a strong
advance guard across it, found no enemy on the other side, puzzling
and also pleasing news. The foe, whom they had expected to find in
this formidable position, seemed to have melted away. No trace of him
could be found in the forest, and to many it appeared that the road to
Fort Duquesne lay open.

"They've concluded our force is too great and have abandoned the
fort," said Robert. "I can't make anything else of it, Dave."

"It does look like it," said the hunter doubtfully. "I certainly
thought they would meet us here. The ford is the place of places for a
defensive battle."

Gage made his report to Braddock, confirming the general in his belief
that the French and Indians would not dare to meet him, and that the
dangers of the wilderness had been overrated. The order to resume the
march was given and the trumpets in the advance sang merrily, the
silent woods giving back their echoes in faint musical notes. The
afternoon that had now come was as brilliant as the morning. A great
sun blazed down from a sky of cloudless blue, deepening and
intensifying the green of the forest, the red uniforms of the British
and the blue uniforms of the Virginians. Robert again admired the
sight. The army marched as if on parade, and it presented a splendid
spectacle.

The head of the column entered the shallows, and soon the long line
was passing the river. Robert had a lingering belief that the bullets
would rain upon them in the water, but nothing stirred in the forest
beyond. The head of the column emerged upon the opposite bank, and
then its long red and blue length trailed slowly after. Robert and his
comrades crossed in a wagon. They had wanted to go into the woods,
seeking for the enemy, but the orders of Braddock, who wished to keep
all his force together, held them.

The entire army was now across, and, within the shade of the forest,
the general ordered a short period for rest and food, before they
completed the few miles that yet separated them from Fort
Duquesne. The troops were in great spirits. They might have been held
at the dangerous ford, they thought, but now that it had been passed
without resistance the woods could offer nothing able to stop them.

"What has become of your warlike Frenchmen, Mr. Willet?" asked
Grosvenor. "So far as this campaign is concerned they seem to excel as
runners rather than warriors."

"I confess that I'm surprised, Mr. Grosvenor," replied the
hunter.