his own.

Sir John Johnson turned to Braxton Wyatt, who had sat all the while in
silence.

"You have examined the evening's advance, Wyatt," he said. "What further
information can you give us?"

"We shall certainly be attacked to-morrow," replied Wyatt, "and the
American army is advancing cautiously. It has out strong flanking
parties, and it is preceded by the scouts, those Kentuckians whom I know
and have met often, Murphy, Elerson, Heemskerk, and the others."

"If we could only lead them into an ambush," said Sir John. "Any kind
of troops, even the best of regulars, will give way before an unseen foe
pouring a deadly fire upon them from the deep woods. Then they magnify
the enemy tenfold."

"It is so," said the fierce old Seneca chief, Hiokatoo. "When we killed
Braddock and all his men, they thought that ten warriors stood in the
moccasins of only one."

Sir John frowned. He did not like this allusion to the time when the
Iroquois fought against the English, and inflicted on them a great
defeat. But he feared to rebuke the old chief. Hiokatoo and the Senecas
were too important.

"There ought to be a chance yet for an ambuscade," he said. "The foliage
is still thick and heavy, and Sullivan, their general, is not used to
forest warfare. What say you to this, Wyatt?"

Wyatt shook his head. He knew the caliber of the five from Kentucky, and
he had little hope of such good fortune.

"They have learned from many lessons," he replied, "and their scouts are
the best. Moreover, they will attempt anything."

They relapsed into silence again, and the sharp eyes of the renegade
roved about the dark circle of trees and warriors that inclosed them.
Presently he saw something that caused him to rise and walk a little
distance from the fire. Although his eye suspected and his mind
confirmed, Braxton Wyatt could not believe that it was true. It was
incredible. No one, be he ever so daring, would dare such a thing. But
the figure down there among the trees, passing about among the warriors,
many of whom did not know one another, certainly looked familiar,
despite the Indian paint and garb. Only that of Timmendiquas could rival
it in height and nobility. These were facts that could not be hidden by
any disguise.

"What is it, Wyatt?" asked Sir John. "What do you see? Why do you look
so startled?"

Wyatt sought to reply calmly.

"There is a warrior among those trees over there whom I have not
seen here before," he rep