The Masters of the Peaks | Page 7

is thinking of his
lost warriors, and the rout of his people and the French."
"Even so, Dagaeoga. Now Tandakora and De Courcelles talk with the
spy, Garay. They want his news. They rejoice when he tells them

Waraiyageh and his soldiers still make no preparations to advance after
their victory by the lake. The long delay, the postponement of a big
campaign until next spring will give the French and Indians time to
breathe anew and renew their strength. Tandakora and De Courcelles
consider themselves fortunate, and they are pleased with the spy, Garay.
But look, Dagaeoga! Behold who comes now!"
Robert's heart began to throb as the handsomest and most gallant figure
of them all walked into the red glow of the firelight, a tall man, young,
lithe, athletic, fair of hair and countenance, his manner at once graceful
and proud, a man to whom the others turned with deference, and
perhaps in the case of De Courcelles and Jumonville with a little fear.
He wore a white uniform with gold facings, and a small gold hilted
sword swung upon his thigh. Even in the forest, dress impresses, and
Robert was quite sure that St. Luc was in his finest attire, not from
vanity, but because he wished to create an effect. It would be like him,
when his fortunes were lowest, to assume his highest manner before
both friend and foe.
"You'd think from his looks that he had nothing but a string of victories
and never knew defeat," whispered Willet. "Anyway, his is the finest
spirit in all that crowd, and he's the greatest leader and soldier, too.
Notice how they give way to him, and how they stop asking questions
of Garay, leaving it to him. And now Garay himself bows low before
him, while De Courcelles, Jumonville and Tandakora stand aside. I
wish we could hear what they say; then we might learn something
worth all our risk in coming here."
But their voices did not reach so great a distance, though the three,
eager to use eye even if ear was of no use, still lay in the bushes and
watched the flow of life in the great camp. Many of the French and
Indians who had been asleep awoke, sat up and began to cook breakfast
for themselves, holding strips of game on sharp sticks over the coals. St.
Luc talked a long while with Garay, afterward with the French officers
and Tandakora, and then withdrew to a little knoll, where he leaned
against a tree, his face expressing intense thought. A dark, powerfully
built man, the Canadian, Dubois, brought him food which he ate

mechanically.
The dusk floated away, and the sun came up, great and brilliant. The
three stirred in their covert, and Willet whispered that it was time for
them to be going.
"Only the most marvelous luck could save us from detection in the
daylight," he said, "because presently the Indians, growing restless, will
wander about the camp."
"I'm willing to go," Robert whispered back. "I know the danger is too
great. Besides I'm starving to death, and the odors of all their good food
will hasten my death, if I don't take an antidote."
They retreated with the utmost care and Robert drew an immense
breath of relief when they were a full mile away. It was well to look
upon the French and Indian camp, but it was better to be beyond the
reach of those who made it.
"And now we make a camp of our own, don't we?" he said. "All my
bones are stiff from so much bending and creeping. Moreover, my
hunger has grown to such violent pitch that it is tearing at me, so to
speak, with red hot pincers."
"Dagaeoga always has plenty of words," said Tayoga in a whimsical
tone, "but he will have to endure his hunger a while longer. Let the
pincers tear and burn. It is good for him. It will give him a chance to
show how strong he is, and how a mighty warrior despises such little
things as food and drink."
"I'm not anxious to show myself a mighty warrior just now," retorted
young Lennox. "I'd be willing to sacrifice my pride in that respect if I
could have carried off some of their bear steaks and venison."
"Come on," said Willet, "and I'll see that you're satisfied. I'm beginning
to feel as you do, Robert."
Nevertheless he marshaled them forward pretty sternly and they

pursued a westward course for many miles before he allowed a halt.
Even then they hunted about among the rocks until they found a
secluded place, no fire being permitted, at which it pleased Robert to
grumble, although he did not mean it.
"We were better off last night when we