a
week, but he will seek us later."

"Why didn't you awake us, Tayoga, and take us with you?"

"I wished to do this deed alone."

"You've done it well, that's sure," said Willet, "and now that all
danger has been removed we'll light our fire and cook breakfast."

After breakfast they shouldered their packs and plunged once more into
the greenwood, intending to reach as quickly as they could the hidden
canoe on the Richelieu, and then make an easy journey by water.

CHAPTER XIV

ON CHAMPLAIN

The three arrived at the Richelieu without further hostile encounter,
but they met a white forest runner who told them the aspect of affairs
in the Ohio country was growing more threatening. A small force from
Virginia was starting there under a young officer named Washington, and
it was reported that the French from Canada in numbers were already in
the disputed country.

"We know what we know," said Willet thoughtfully. "I've never doubted
that English and French would come into conflict in the woods, and if I
had felt any such doubts, our visit to Quebec would have driven them
away. I don't think our letters from the Governor of New York to the
Governor General of Canada will be of any avail."

"No," said Robert, soberly. "They won't. But I want to say to you, Dave,
that I'm full of gladness, because we've reached our canoe. Our packs
without increasing in size are at least twice as heavy as they were when
we started."

"I can join you in your hosannas, Robert. Never before did a canoe look
so fine to me. It's a big canoe, a beautiful canoe, a strong canoe, a
swift canoe, and it's going to carry us in comfort and far."

It was, in truth, larger than the one they had used coming up the
lakes, and, with a mighty sigh of satisfaction, Robert settled into his
place. Their packs, rifles, swords and the case containing Tayoga's bow
and arrows were adjusted delicately, and then, with a few sweeps of the
Onondaga's paddle, they shot out into the slow current of the river.
Robert and Willet leaned back and luxuriated. Tayoga wanted to do the
work at present, saying that his wrists, in particular, needed exercise,
and they willingly let him. They were moving against the stream, but so
great was the Onondaga's dexterity that he sent the canoe along at a
good pace without feeling weariness.

"It's like old times," said Willet. "There's no true happiness like
being in a canoe on good water, with the strong arm of anothe