hunter, a great warrior, one who lived
a truthful and upright life before the face of Manitou. But he is gone.
Three nights ago, Tandakora, the Ojibway, the friend and ally of the
French, with a band of his treacherous men, foully murdered him in
ambush. But other Onondagas came, and Tandakora and his band had to flee
so fast that he could not regain his tomahawk. It has been brought to
the vale of Onondaga by those who saw Tandakora, but who could not
overtake him. It was given by them to Tayoga, whom all of you know and
honor, and he has given it to me as proof of the faith of Onontio.
Tandakora and Onontio are brothers. What Tandakora does Onontio does
also, and the bright blood of Hosahaho, the Onondaga, that stains the
tomahawk of Tandakora, the Ojibway, was shed by Onontio as well as
Tandakora. Behold! Here are the promises of Onontio, written red in the
blood of your brother!"

An immense tumult followed, but presently Tododaho, first among the
sachems, rose and stilled it with uplifted hands. Turning his eyes upon
Robert, he said:

"You have spoken well, O Dagaeoga, and you have shown the proof of your
words. Never will the great nations of the Hodenosaunee be the friends
of the French. There is too much blood between us."

Then, turning to Chevalier de St. Luc and Father Drouillard, he said:

"Go you back to Quebec and tell Onontio that he cannot come to us with
promises in one hand and murder in the other. Our young men will guard
you and see that you are safe, until you pass out of our lands. Go!
Through me the fifty sachems speak for the great League of the
Hodenosaunee."

The chevalier and the priest, disappointed but dignified, left the vale
of Onondaga that night, and St. Luc said to Robert that he bore him no
ill will because of his defeat.

Several weeks later, as Robert, Willet, and Tayoga were on their way to
Albany, they heard from an Oneida runner that the English colonials from
Virginia, under young Washington, and the French had been in battle far
to the west.

"The war has begun," said Willet solemnly, "a war that will shake both
continents."

"And the Hodenosaunee will not help Onontio," said Tayoga.

"And the French may lose Quebec," said Robert looking northward to the
city of his dreams.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HUNTERS OF THE HILLS***

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