r Black
Rifle and I were able to warn him and give him some help, but even
then we should have been overborne and destroyed had not a Mohawk
chief, Daganoweda, and a formidable band come to our aid. United, we
defeated St. Luc and drove him northward. Captain Colden lost several
of his men, but with the rest he is now marching to the junction with
you."

Wilton's face turned gray, but in a moment or two his eyes brightened.

"Then a special Providence has been watching over us," he said. "We
haven't seen or heard of an Indian."

His tone was one of mingled relief and humor, and Robert could not
keep from laughing.

"At all events," he said, "you are safe for the present. I'll remain
with you while Tayoga goes back for Captain Colden."

"If you'll be so good," said Wilton, who did not forget his manners,
despite the circumstances. "I've begun to feel that we have more eyes,
or at least better ones, with you among us. Where is that Indian? You
don't mean to say he's gone?"

Robert laughed again. Tayoga, after his fashion, had vanished in
silence.

"He's well on his way to Captain Colden now," he said, exaggerating a
little for the sake of effect. "He'll be a great chief some day, and
meanwhile he's the fastest runner in the whole Six Nations."

Colden and his troop arrived soon, and the two little commands were
united, to the great joy of all. Lieutenant Wilton had passed from
the extreme of confidence to the utmost distrust. Where it had not
been possible for an Indian to exist he now saw a scalplock in every
bush.

"On my honor," he said to Colden, "James, I was never before in my
life so happy to see you. I'm glad you have the entire command now. As
Mr. Lennox said, Providence saved me so far, but perhaps it wouldn't
lend a helping hand any longer."

The pack horses carried surgical supplies for the wounded, and Willet
and Black Rifle were skillful in using them. All of the hurt, they
were sure would be well again within a week, and there was little to
mar the general feeling of high spirits that prevailed in the
camp. Wilton and Carson were lads of mettle, full of talk of
Philadelphia, then the greatest city in the British Colonies, and
related to most of its leading families, as was Colden too, his family
being a branch of the New York family of that name. Robert was at home
with them at once, and they were eager to hear from him about Quebec
and the latest fashions of the French, already the arbiters