The day advanced, brilliant with sunshine, and the forces of St. Luc were quiet. For a long time, not a shot was fired, and it seemed to the besieged1 that the forest was empty of human beings save themselves. Robert did not believe the French leader would attempt a long siege, since an engagement could not be conducted in that manner in the forest, where a result of some kind must be reached soon. Yet it was impossible to tell what plan St. Luc had in mind, and they must wait until Tayoga came.
Young Captain Colden was in good spirits. It was his first taste of wilderness2 warfare3, and he knew that he had done well. The dead were laid decently among the bushes to receive Christian4 burial later, if the chance came, and the wounded, their hurts bound up, prepared to take what part they could in a new battle. Robert crept to the edge of the cliff, and looked toward the west, whence Tayoga had gone. He saw only a dazzling blue sky, unflecked by anything save little white clouds, and there was nothing to indicate whether the mission of his young Onondaga comrade would have any success. He crept back to the side of Willet.
"Have you any opinion, Dave, about the smoke that Tayoga saw," he asked.
"None, Robert, just a hope. It might have been made by another French and Indian band, most probably it was, but there is a chance, too, that friends built the fire."
"If it's a force of any size it could hardly be English. I don't think any troop of ours except Captain Colden's is in this region."
"We can't look for help from our own race."
Robert was silent, gazing intently into the west, whence Tayoga had gone. He recognized the immense difficulties of their position. Indians, if an attack or two of theirs failed, would be likely to go away, but the French, and especially St. Luc, would increase their persistence5 and hold them to the task. He returned to the forest, and his attention was drawn6 once more by Black Rifle. The man was lying almost flat in the thicket7, and evidently he had caught a glimpse of a foe8, as he was writhing9 slowly forward like a great beast of prey10, and his eyes once more had the expectant look of one who is going to strike. Robert considered him. He knew that the man's whole nature had been poisoned by the great tragedy in his life, and that it gave him a sinister11 pleasure to inflict12 blows upon those who had inflicted13 the great blow upon him. Yet he would be useful in the fierce war that was upon them and he was useful now.
Black Rifle crept forward two or three yards more, and, after he had lain quite still for a few moments, he suddenly thrust out his rifle and fired. A cry came from the opposing thicket and Robert heard the sharpshooter utter a deep sigh of satisfaction. He knew that St. Luc was one warrior14 less, which was good for the defense15, but he shuddered16 a little. He could never bring himself to steal through the bushes and shoot an unseeing enemy. Still Black Rifle was Black Rifle, and being what he was he was not to be judged as other men were.
After a half hour's silence, the besiegers suddenly opened fire from five or six points, sending perhaps two score bullets into the wood, clipping off many twigs18 and leaves which fell upon the heads of the defenders19. Captain Colden did not forget to be grateful to Willet for his insistence20 that the soldiers should always lie low, as the hostile lead, instead of striking, now merely sent a harmless shower upon them. But the fusillade was brief, Robert, in truth, judging that it had been against the commands of St. Luc, who was too wise a leader to wish ammunition22 to be wasted in random23 firing. At the advice of Willet, Captain Colden would not let his men reply, restraining their eagerness, and silence soon returned.
It was nearly noon now and a huge golden sun shone over the vast wilderness in which two little bands of men fought, mere21 motes24 in the limitless sea of green. Robert ate some venison, and drank a little water from the canteen of a friendly soldier. Then his thoughts turned again to Tayoga. The Onondaga was a peerless runner, he had been gone long now, and what would he find at the base of the smoke? If it had been the fire of an enemy then he would be back in the middle of the afternoon, and they would be in no worse case than before. They might try to escape in the night down the cliff, but it was not likely that vigilant25 foes26 would permit men, clumsy in the woods like the soldiers, to steal away in such a manner.
The earlier hours of the afternoon were passed by the sharpshooters on either side trying to stalk one another. Although Robert had no part in it, it was a savage27 play that alternately fascinated and repelled28 him. He had no way to tell exactly, but he believed that two more of the Indians had fallen, while a soldier received a wound. A bullet grazed Black Rifle's head, but instead of daunting29 him it seemed to give him a kind of fierce joy, and to inspire in him a greater desire to slay30.
These efforts, since they achieved no positive results, soon died down, and both sides lay silent in their coverts31. Robert made himself as comfortable as he could behind a log, although he longed to stand upright, and walk about once more like a human being. It was now mid-afternoon and if the smoke had meant nothing good for them it was time for Tayoga to be back. It was not conceivable that such a marvelous forester and matchless runner could have been taken, and, since he had not come, Robert's heart again beat to the tune32 of hope.
Willet with whom he talked a little, was of like opinion. He looked to Tayoga to bring them help, and, if he failed their case, already hard, would become harder. The hunter did not conceal33 from himself the prowess and skill of St. Luc and he knew too, that the savage persistency34 of Tandakora was not to be held lightly. Like Robert he gazed long into the blue west, which was flecked only by little clouds of white.
But the heavens said nothing. The sun, a huge ball of glowing copper36, was already far down the Western curve, and the hunter's heart beat hard with anxiety. He felt that if help came it should come soon. But little water was left to the soldiers, although their food might last another day, and the night itself, now not far away, would bring the danger of a new attack by a creeping foe, greatly superior in numbers. He turned away from the cliff, but Robert remained, and presently the youth called in a sharp thrilling whisper:
"Dave! Dave! Come back!"
Robert had continued to watch the sky and he thought he saw a faint dark line against the sea of blue. He rubbed his eyes, fearing it was a fault of vision, but the trace was still there, and he believed it to be smoke.
"Dave! Dave! The signal! Look! Look!" he cried.
The hunter came to the edge of the cliff and stared into the west. A thread of black lay across the blue, and his heart leaped.
"Do you believe that Tayoga has anything to do with it?" asked Robert.
"I do. If it were our foes out there he'd have been back long since."
"And since it may be friends they've sent up this smoke, hoping we'll divine what they mean."
"It looks like it. Tayoga is a sharp lad, and he'll want to put heart in the soldiers. It must be the Onondaga, and I wish I knew what his smoke was saying."
Captain Colden joined them, and they pointed37 out to him the trace across the sky which was now broadening, explaining at the same time that it was probably a signal sent up by Tayoga, and that he might be leading a force to their aid.
"What help could he bring?" asked the captain.
Willet shook his head.
"I can't answer you there," he replied; "but the smoke has significance for us. Of that I feel sure. By sundown we'll know what it means."
"And that's only about two hours away," said Captain Colden. "Whatever happens we'll hold out to the last. I suppose, though, that St. Luc's force also will see the smoke."
"Quite likely," replied Willet, "and the Frenchman may send a runner, too, to see what it means, but however good a runner he may be he'll be no match for Tayoga."
"That's sure," said Robert.
So great was his confidence in the Onondaga that it never occurred to him that he might be killed or taken, and he awaited his certain return, either with or without a helping38 force. He lay now near the edge of the cliff, whence he could look toward the west, the point of hope, whenever he wished, ate another strip of venison, and took another drink of water out of a friendly canteen.
The west was now blazing with terraces of red and yellow, rising above one another, and the east was misty39, gray and dim. Twilight40 was not far away. The thread of smoke that had lain against the sky above the forest was gone, the glittering bar of red and gold being absolutely free from any trace. St. Luc's force opened fire again, bullets clipping twigs and leaves, but the defense lay quiet, except Black Rifle, who crept back and forth41, continually seeking a target, and pulling the trigger whenever he found it.
The misty gray in the east turned to darkness, in the west the sun went down the slope of the world, and the brilliant terraces of color began to fade. The firing ceased and another tense period of quiet, hard, to endure, came. At the suggestion of the hunter Colden drew in his whole troop near the cliff and waited, all, despite their weariness and strain, keeping the keenest watch they could.
But Robert, instead of looking toward the east, where St. Luc's force was, invariably looked into the sunset, because it was there that Tayoga had gone, and it was there that they had seen the smoke, of which they expected so much. The terraces of color, already grown dim, were now fading fast. At the top they were gone altogether, and they only lingered low down. But on the forest the red light yet blazed. Every twig17 and leaf seemed to stand individual and distinct, black against a scarlet42 shield. But it was for merely a few minutes. Then all the red glow disappeared, like a great light going out suddenly, and the western forest as well as the eastern, lay in a gray gloom.
It always seemed to Robert that the last going of the sunset that day was like a signal, because, when the night swept down, black and complete everywhere, there was a burst of heavy firing from the south and a long exultant43 yell. No bullet sped through the thickets44, where the defenders lay, and Willet cried:
"Tayoga! Tayoga and help! Ah, here they come! The Mohawks!"
Tayoga, panting from exertion45, sprang into the bushes among them, and he was followed by a tall figure in war paint, lofty plumes46 waving from his war bonnet47. Behind him came many warriors48, and others were already on the flanks, spreading out like a fan, filing rapidly and shouting the war whoop49. Robert recognized at once the great figure that stood before them. It was Daganoweda, the young Mohawk chief of his earlier acquaintance, whom he had met both on the war path and at the great council of the fifty sachems in the vale of Onondaga. Had his been the right to choose the man who was to come to their aid, the Mohawk would have been his first choice. Robert knew his intense hatred50 of the French and their red allies, and he also knew his fierce courage and great ability in battle.
The soldiers looked in some alarm at the painted host that had sprung among them, but Willet and Robert assured them insistently51 that these were friends, and the sound of the battle they were already waging on the flank with St. Luc's force, was proof enough.
"Captain Colden," said Robert, not forgetful that an Indian likes the courtesies of life, and can take his compliments thick, "this is the great young Mohawk Chief, Daganoweda, which in our language means 'The Inexhaustible' and such he is, inexhaustible in resource and courage in battle, and in loyalty52 to his friends."
Daganoweda smiled and extended his hand in the white man's fashion.
"Daganoweda, whatever praise of you Mr. Lennox has given it's not half enough. I confess now although I would not have admitted it before, that if you had not come we should probably have been lost."
He had made a friend for life, and then, without further words the two turned to the battle. But Robert remained for a minute beside Tayoga, whose chest was still heaving with his great exertions56.
"Where did you find them?" he asked.
"Many miles to the west, Lennox. After I descended57 the cliff I was pursued by Huron skirmishers, and I had to shake them off. Then I ran at full speed toward the point where the smoke had risen, knowing that the need was great, and I overtook Daganoweda and the Mohawks. Their first smoke was but that from a camp-fire, as being in strong force they did not care who saw them, but the last, just before the sunset, was sent up as a signal by two warriors whom we left behind for the purpose. We thought you might take it to mean that help was coming."
"And so we did. How many warriors has Daganoweda?"
"Fifty, and that is enough. Already they push the Frenchman and his force before them. Come, we must join them, Dagaeoga. The breath has come back into my body and I am a strong man again!"
The two now quickly took their places in the battle in the night and the forest, the position of the two forces being reversed. The soldiers and the Mohawks were pushing the combat at every point, and the agile58 warriors extending themselves on the flanks had already driven in St. Luc's skirmishers. Black Rifle, uttering fierce shouts, was leading a strong attack in the center. The firing was now rapid and much heavier than it had been at any time before. Flashes of flame appeared everywhere in the thicket. Above the crackle of rifles and muskets59 swelled60 the long thrilling war cry of the Mohawks, and back in fierce defiance61 came the yells of the Hurons and Abenakis.
Willet joined Robert and the two, with Tayoga, saw that the soldiers fought well under cover. The young Philadelphians, in the excitement of battle and of a sudden and triumphant62 reversal of fortune, were likely to expose themselves rashly, and the advice of the forest veterans was timely. Captain Colden saw that it was taken, although two more of his men were slain63 as they advanced and several were wounded. But the issue was no longer doubtful. The weight that the Mohawks had suddenly thrown into the battle was too great. The force of St. Luc was steadily64 driven northward65, and Daganoweda's alert skirmishers on the flanks kept it compressed together.
Robert knew how bitter the defeat would be to St. Luc, but the knowledge did not keep his exultation66 from mounting to a high pitch. St. Luc might strive with all his might to keep his men in the battle, but the Frenchmen could not be numerous, and it was the custom of Indians, once a combat seemed lost, to melt away like a mist. They believed thoroughly67 that it was best to run away and fight another day, and there was no disgrace in escaping from a stricken field.
"They run! They run! And the Frenchmen must run with them!" exclaimed Black Rifle. As he spoke68, a bullet grazed his side and struck a soldier behind him, but the force pressed on with the ardor69 fed by victory. Willet did not try any longer to restrain them, although he understood full well the danger of a battle in the dark. But he knew that Daganoweda and his Mohawks, experienced in every forest wile70, would guard them against surprise, and he deemed it best now that they should strike with all their might.
Robert seldom saw any of the warriors before him, and he did not once catch a glimpse of a Frenchman. Whenever his rifle was loaded he fired at a flitting form, never knowing whether or not his bullet struck true, and glad of his ignorance. His sensitive and imaginative mind became greatly excited. The flashes of flame in the thickets were multiplied a hundred fold, a thousand little pulses beat heavily in his temples, and the shouts of the savages71 seemed to fill the forest. But he pressed on, conscious that the enemy was disappearing before them.
In his eagerness he passed ahead of Willet and Tayoga and came very near to St. Luc's retreating line. His foot became entangled72 in trailing vines and he fell, but he was up in an instant, and he fired at a shadowy figure not more than twenty feet in advance. In his haste he missed, and the figure, turning, raised a rifle. There was a fair moonlight and Robert saw the muzzle73 of the weapon bearing directly upon him, and he knew too that the rifle was held by firm hands. His vivid and sensitive imagination at once leaped into intense life. His own weapon was empty and his last moment had come. He saw the strong brown hands holding the rifle, and then his gaze passed on to the face of St. Luc. He saw the blue eyes of the Frenchman, as they looked down the sights, open wide in a kind of horror. Then he abruptly74 dropped the muzzle, waved one hand to Robert, and vanished in the thickets and the darkness.
The battle was over. There were a few dying shots, scattered75 beads76 of flame, an occasional shout of triumph from the Mohawks, a defiant77 yell or two in reply from the Hurons and the Abenakis, and then the trail of the combat swept out of the sight and hearing of Robert, who stood dazed and yet with a heart full of gratitude79. St. Luc had held his life upon the pressure of a trigger, and the trigger would have been pulled had he not seen before it was too late who stood before the muzzle of his rifle. The moonlight was enough for Robert to see that look of horror in his eyes when he recognized the target. And then the weapon had been turned away and he had gone like a flash! Why? For what reason had St. Luc spared him in the heat and fury of a desperate and losing battle? It must have been a powerful motive80 for a man to stay his bullet at such a time!
"Wake up, lad! Wake up! The battle has been won!"
Willet's heavy but friendly hand fell upon his shoulder, and Robert came out of his daze78. He decided81 at once that he would say nothing about the meeting with St. Luc, and merely remarked in a cryptic82 manner:
"I was stunned83 for a moment by a bullet that did not hit me. Yes, we've won, Dave, thanks to the Mohawks."
"Thanks to Daganoweda and his brave Mohawks, and to Tayoga, and to the gallant84 Captain Colden and his gallant men. All of us together have made the triumph possible. I understand that the bodies of only two Frenchmen have been found and that neither was that of St. Luc. Well, I'm glad. That Frenchman will do us great damage in this war, but he's an honorable foe, and a man of heart, and I like him."
A man of heart! Yes, truly! None knew it better than Robert, but again he kept his own counsel. He too was glad that his had not been one of the two French bodies found, but there was still danger from the pursuing Mohawks, who would hang on tenaciously85, and he felt a sudden thrill of alarm. But it passed, as he remembered that the chevalier was a woodsman of experience and surpassing skill.
Tayoga came back to them somewhat blown. He had followed the fleeing French and Indian force two or three miles. But there was a limit even to his nerves and sinews of wrought86 steel. He had already run thirty miles before joining in the combat, and now it was time to rest.
"Come, Tayoga," said the hunter, "we'll go back to the ground our lads have defended so well, and eat, drink and sleep. The Mohawks will attend to all the work that's left, which isn't much. We've earned our repose87."
Captain Colden, slightly wounded in the arm, appeared and Willet gave him the high compliments that he and his soldiers deserved. He told him it was seldom that men unused to the woods bore themselves so well in an Indian fight, but the young captain modestly disclaimed88 the chief merit, replying that he and his detachment would surely have been lost, had it not been for Willet and his comrades.
Then they went back to the ground near the cliff, where they had made their great fight, and Willet although the night was warm, wisely had a large fire built. He knew the psychological and stimulating89 effect of heat and light upon the lads of the city, who had passed through such a fearful ordeal90 in the dark and Indian-haunted forest. He encouraged them to throw on more dead boughs91, until the blaze leaped higher and higher and sparkled and roared, sending up myriads92 of joyous93 sparks that glowed for their brief lives among the trees and then died. No fear of St. Luc and the Indians now! That fierce fringe of Mohawks was a barrier that they could never pass, even should they choose to return, and no such choice could possibly be theirs! The fire crackled and blazed in increasing volume, and the Philadelphia lads, recovering from the collapse94 that had followed tremendous exertions and excitement, began to appreciate the extent of their victory and to talk eagerly with one another.
But the period of full rest had not yet come. Captain Colden made them dig with their bayonets shallow graves for their dead, six in number. Fluent of speech, his sensitive mind again fitting into the deep gravity of the situation, Robert said a few words above them, words that he felt, words that moved those who heard. Then the earth was thrown in and stones and heavy boughs were placed over all to keep away the digging wolves or other wild animals.
The wounded were made as comfortable as possible before the fire, and in the light of the brilliant flames the awe95 created by the dead quickly passed. Food was served and fresh water was drunk, the canteens being refilled from a spring that Tayoga found a quarter of a mile away. Then the soldiers, save six who had been posted as guard, stretched themselves on grass or leaves, and fell asleep, one by one. Tayoga who had made the greatest physical effort followed them to the land of slumber96, but Captain Colden sat and talked with Robert and Willet, although it was now far past midnight.
The bushes parted and a dark figure, making no sound as it came, stepped into the circle of light. It was Black Rifle and his eyes still glittered, but he said nothing. Robert thought he saw upon his face a look of intense satisfaction and once more he shuddered a little. The man lay down with his rifle beside him, and fell asleep, his hands still clutching his weapon.
Before dawn Daganoweda and the Mohawks came back also, and Robert in behalf of them all thanked the young chief in the purest Mohawk, and with the fine phrasing and apt allegory so dear to the Indian heart. Daganoweda made a fitting reply, saying that the merit did not belong to him but to Manitou, and then, leaving a half dozen of his warriors to join in the watch, he and the others slept before the fire.
"It was well that you played so strongly upon the feelings of the Mohawks at that test in the vale of Onondaga, Robert," said Willet. "If you had not said over and over again that the Quebec of the French was once the Stadacona of the Mohawks they would not have been here tonight to save us. They say that deeds speak louder than words, but when the same man speaks with both words and deeds people have got to hear."
"You give me too much credit, Dave. The time was ripe for a Mohawk attack upon the French."
"Aye, lad, but one had to see a chance and use it. Now, join all those fellows in sleep. We won't move before noon."
But Robert's brain was too active for sleep just yet. While his imaginative power made him see things before other people saw them, he also continued to see them after they were gone. The wilderness battle passed once more before him, and when he brushed his eyes to thrust it away, he looked at the sleeping Mohawks and thought what splendid savages they were. The other tribes of the Hodenosaunee were still holding to their neutrality—all that was asked of them—but the Mohawks, with the memories of their ancient wrongs burning in their hearts, had openly taken the side of the English, and tonight their valor97 and skill had undoubtedly98 saved the American force. Daganoweda was a hero! And so was Tayoga, the Onondaga, always the first of red men to Robert.
His heated brain began to grow cool at last. The vivid pictures that had been passing so fast before his eyes faded. He saw only reality, the blazing fire, the dusky figures lying motionless before it, and the circling wall of dark woods. Then he slept.
Willet was the only white man who remained awake. He saw the great fire die, and the dawn come in its place. He felt then for the first time in all that long encounter the strangeness of his own position. The wilderness, savages and forest battle had become natural to him, and yet his life had once been far different. There was a taste of a distant past in that fierce duel99 at Quebec when he slew100 the bravo, Boucher, a deed for which he had never felt a moment's regret, and yet when he balanced the old times against the present, he could not say which had the advantage. He had found true friends in the woods, men who would and did risk their own lives to save his.
The dawn came swiftly, flooding the earth with light. Daganoweda and many of the Mohawk warriors awoke, but the young Philadelphia captain and his men slept on, plunged101 in the utter stupor102 of exhaustion103. Tayoga, who had made a supreme104 effort, both physical and mental, also continued to sleep, and Robert, lying with his feet to the coals, never stirred.
Daganoweda shook himself, and, so shaking, shook the last shred105 of sleep from his eyes. Then he looked with pride at his warriors, those who yet lay upon the ground and those who had arisen. He was a young chief, not yet thirty years of age, and he was the bloom and flower of Mohawk courage and daring. His name, Daganoweda, the Inexhaustible, was fully106 deserved, as his bravery and resource were unlimited107. But unlike Tayoga, he had in him none of the priestly quality. He had not drunk or even sipped108 at the white man's civilization. The spirituality so often to be found in the Onondagas was unknown to him. He was a warrior first, last and all the time. He was Daganoweda of the Clan109 of the Turtle, of the Nation Ganeagaono, the Keepers of the Eastern Gate, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, and he craved110 no glory save that to be won in battle, which he craved all the time.
Daganoweda, as he looked at his men, felt intense satisfaction, because the achievement of his Mohawks the night before had been brilliant and successful, but he concealed111 it from all save himself. It was not for a chief who wished to win not one victory, but a hundred to show undue112 elation113. But he turned and for a few moments gazed directly into the sun with unwinking eyes, and when he shifted his gaze away, a great tide of life leaped in his veins114.
Then he gave silent thanks. Like all the other Indians in North America the Mohawks personified and worshipped the sun, which to them was the mighty115 Dweller116 in Heaven, almost the same as Manitou, a great spirit to whom sacrifices and thanksgivings were to be made. The sun, an immortal117 being, had risen that morning and from his seat in the highest of the high heavens he had looked down with his invincible118 eye which no man could face more than a few seconds, upon his favorite children, the Mohawks, to whom he had given the victory. Daganoweda bowed a head naturally haughty119 and under his breath murmured thanks for the triumph given and prayers for others to come.
The warriors built the fire anew and cooked their breakfasts. They had venison and hominy of three kinds according to the corn of which it was made, Onaogaant or the white corn, Ticne or the red corn, and Hagowa or the white flint corn. They also had bear meat and dried beans. So their breakfast was abundant, and they ate with the appetite of warriors who had done mighty deeds.
Daganoweda and Willet, as became great men, sat together on a log and were served by a warrior who took honor from the task. Black Rifle sat alone a little distance away. He would have been welcome in the company of the Mohawk chief and the hunter, but, brooding and solitary120 in mind, he wished to be alone and they knew and respected his wish. Daganoweda glanced at him more than once as he remained in silence, and always there was pity in his looks. And there was admiration121 too, because Black Rifle was a great warrior. The woods held none greater.
When Robert awoke it was well on toward noon and he sprang up, refreshed and strong.
"You've had quite a nap, Robert," said Willet, who had not slept at all, "but some of the soldiers are still sleeping, and Tayoga has just gone down to the spring to bathe his face."
"Which I also will do," said Robert.
"And when you come back food will be ready for you."
Robert found Tayoga at the spring, flexing122 his muscles, and taking short steps back and forth. "It was a great run you made," said the white youth, "and it saved us. There's no stiffness, I hope?"
"There was a little, Dagaeoga, but I have worked it out of my body. Now all my muscles are as they were. I am ready to make another and equal run."
"It's not needed, and for that I'm thankful. St. Luc will not come back, nor will Tandakora, I think, linger in the woods, hoping for a shot. He knows that the Mohawk skirmishers will be too vigilant."
As they went back to the fire for their food they heard a droning song and the regular beat of feet. Some of the Mohawks were dancing the Buffalo123 Dance, a dance named after an animal never found in their country, but which they knew well. It was a tribute to the vast energy and daring of the nations of the Hodenosaunee that they should range in such remote regions as Kentucky and Tennessee and hunt the buffalo with the Cherokees, who came up from the south.
They called the dance Dageyagooanno, and it was always danced by men only. One warrior beat upon the drum, ganojoo, and another used gusdawasa or the rattle124 made of the shell of a squash. A dozen warriors danced, and players and dancers alike sang. It was a most singular dance and Robert, as he ate and drank, watched it with curious interest.
The warriors capered125 back and forth, and often they bent126 themselves far over, until their hands touched the ground. Then they would arch their backs, until they formed a kind of hump, and they leaped to and fro, bellowing127 all the time. The imitation was that of a buffalo, recognizable at once, and, while it was rude and monotonous128, both dancing and singing preserved a rhythm, and as one listened continuously it soon crept into the blood. Robert, with that singular temperament129 of his, so receptive to all impressions, began to feel it. Their chant was of war and victory and he stirred to both. He was on the warpath with them, and he passed with them through the thick of battle.
They danced for a long time, quitting only when exhaustion compelled. By that time all the soldiers were awake and Captain Colden talked with the other leaders, red and white. His instructions took him farther west, where he was to build a fort for the defense of the border, and, staunch and true, he did not mean to turn back because he had been in desperate battle with the French and their Indian allies.
"I was sent to protect a section of the frontier," he said to Willet, "and while I've found it hard to protect my men and myself, yet I must go on. I could never return to Philadelphia and face our people there."
"It's a just view you take, Captain Colden," said Willet.
"I feel, though, that my men and I are but children in the woods. Yesterday and last night proved it. If you and your friends continue with us our march may not be in vain."
Willet glanced at Robert, and then at Tayoga.
"Ours for the present, at least, is a roving commission," said young
Lennox. "It seems to me that the best we can do is to go with Captain
Colden."
"I am not called back to the vale of Onondaga," said Tayoga, "I would see the building of this fort that Captain Colden has planned."
"Then we three are agreed," said the hunter. "It's best not to speak to Black Rifle, because he'll follow his own notions anyway, and as for Daganoweda and his Mohawks I think they're likely to resume their march northward against the French border."
"I'm grateful to you three," said Captain Colden, "and, now that it's settled, we'll start as soon as we can."
"Better give them all a good rest, and wait until the morning," said the hunter.
Again Captain Colden agreed with him.
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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persistence
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| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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8
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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12
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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13
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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15
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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17
twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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18
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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19
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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20
insistence
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| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
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21
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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22
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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23
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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24
motes
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| n.尘埃( mote的名词复数 )；斑点 | |
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25
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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26
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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27
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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28
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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29
daunting
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| adj.使人畏缩的 | |
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30
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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31
coverts
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| n.隐蔽的，不公开的，秘密的( covert的名词复数 )；复羽 | |
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32
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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33
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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34
persistency
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| n. 坚持(余辉, 时间常数) | |
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35
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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36
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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37
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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38
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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39
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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40
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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41
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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42
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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43
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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44
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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45
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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46
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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47
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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48
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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49
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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50
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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51
insistently
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| ad.坚持地 | |
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52
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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53
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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54
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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55
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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56
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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57
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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58
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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59
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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60
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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61
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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62
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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63
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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64
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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65
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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66
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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67
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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68
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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69
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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70
wile
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| v.诡计，引诱；n.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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71
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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72
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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74
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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75
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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76
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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77
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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78
daze
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| v.(使)茫然，(使)发昏 | |
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79
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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80
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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81
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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82
cryptic
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| adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的 | |
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83
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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84
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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85
tenaciously
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| 坚持地 | |
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86
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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87
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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88
disclaimed
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| v.否认( disclaim的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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90
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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91
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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92
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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93
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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94
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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95
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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96
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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97
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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98
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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99
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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100
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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101
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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102
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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103
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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104
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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105
shred
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| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
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106
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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107
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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108
sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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110
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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111
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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112
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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113
elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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114
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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115
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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116
dweller
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| n.居住者，住客 | |
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117
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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118
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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119
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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120
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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121
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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122
flexing
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| n.挠曲，可挠性v.屈曲( flex的现在分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
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123
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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124
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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125
capered
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| v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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126
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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127
bellowing
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的现在分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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128
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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129
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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