nor yet Junonville, but that young De Galissonniere, who was so kind to us
in Quebec, and whom we met later among the peaks. I was about to pull
trigger, and, if I had done so, I should be sorry all my life."

"Is he still there?"

Robert looked again and De Galissonniere was gone. He felt immense relief.
He thought it was war's worst cruelty that it often brought friends face to
face in battle.

The French and Indian horde from the lake landed and drove against the
rangers on the eastern flank with great violence, firing their rifles and
muskets, and then coming on with the tomahawk. The little force of Rogers
was in danger of being enveloped on all sides, and would have been
exterminated had it not been for his valor and presence of mind, seconded
so ably by Willet, Black Rifle and their comrades.

They formed a barrier of living fire, facing in three directions and
holding back the shouting horde until the main body of the surviving
rangers could gather for retreat. Robert and Tayoga were near Willet, all
the best sharpshooters were there, and never had they fought more valiantly
than on that day.

Robert crouched among the bushes, peering for the faces of his foes, and
firing whenever he could secure a good aim.

"Have you seen Tandakora?" he asked Tayoga.

"No," replied the Onondaga.

"He must be here. He would not miss such a chance."

"He is here."

"But you said you hadn't seen him."

"I have not seen him, but O, Dagaeoga, I have heard him. Did not we
observe when we were in the forest that ear was often to be trusted more
than eye? Listen to the greatest war shout of them all! You can hear it
every minute or two, rising over all the others, superior in volume as it
is in ferocity. The voice of the Ojibway is huge, like his figure."

Now, in very truth, Robert did notice the fierce triumphant shout of
Tandakora, over and above the yelling of the horde, and it made him shudder
again and again. It was the cry of the man-hunting wolf, enlarged many
times, and instinct with exultation and ferocity. That terrible cry, rising
at regular intervals, dominated the battle in Robert's mind, and he looked
eagerly for the colossal form of the chief that he might send his bullet
through it, but in vain; the voice was there though his eyes saw nothing at
which to aim.

Farther and farther back went the rangers, and the youth's heart was filled
with anger and grief. Had they endured so much, had they escaped so