The Shadow of the North | Page 8

and rugged features.
More than the rest he rejoiced in the prospect of combat. They did not
seek battle and they fought only when they were compelled to do so,
but he, with his whole nature embittered forever by that massacre of
long ago, loved it for its own sake. He had ranged the border, a torch of
fire, for years, and now he foresaw more of the revenge that he craved
incessantly.
He led without hesitation straight toward the north. All four were
accomplished trailers and the flitting figures were soundless as they
made their swift march through the forest. In a half hour they reached
the crest of a rather high hill and Black Rifle, stopping, pointed with a
long forefinger toward a low and dim light.
"The camp of the Pennsylvanians," he said with bitter irony. "As I told

you, fearing lest the savages should miss 'em in the forest they keep
their fire burning as a beacon."
"Don't be too hard on 'em, Black Rifle," said Willet. "Maybe they come
from Philadelphia itself, and city bred men can scarcely be expected to
learn all about the wilderness in a few days."
"They'll learn, when it's too late, at the muzzles of the French and
Indian rifles," rejoined Black Rifle, abating a little his tone of savage
derision.
"At least they're likely to be brave men," said Willet, "and now what do
you think will be our best manner of approaching 'em?"
"We'll walk directly toward their fire, the four of us abreast. They'll
blaze away all fifty of 'em together, as soon as they see us, but the
darkness will spoil their aim, and at least one of us will be left alive,
able to walk, and able to tell 'em of their danger. We don't know who'll
be the lucky man, but we'll see."
"Come, come, Captain Jack! Give 'em a chance! They may be a more
likely lot than you think. You three wait here and I'll go forward and
announce our coming. I dare say we'll be welcome."
Willet advanced boldly toward the fire, which he soon saw consisted of
a great bed of coals, surrounded by sleepers. But the figures of men,
pacing back and forth, showed that the watch had not been neglected,
although in the deep forest such sentinels would be but little protection
against the kind of ambush the French and Indians were able to lay.
Not caring to come within the circle of light lest he be fired upon, the
hunter whistled, and when he saw that the sentinels were at attention he
whistled again. Then he emerged from the bushes, and walked boldly
toward the fire.
"Who are you?" a voice demanded sharply, and a young man in a fine
uniform stood up in front of the fire. The hunter's quick and penetrating
look noted that he was tall, built well, and that his face was frank and

open.
"My name is David Willet," he replied, "and I am sometimes called by
my friends, the Iroquois, the Great Bear. Behind me in the woods are
three comrades, young Robert Lennox, of New York and Albany;
Tayoga, a young warrior of the clan of the Bear, of the nation
Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, and the famous
hunter and border fighter, of whom everybody has heard, Captain Jack,
Black Hunter, or Black Rifle as he has been called variously."
"I know the name," replied the young man, "and yours too, Mr. Willet.
My own is Colden, James Colden of Philadelphia, and I am in
command of this troop, sent to guard the farthest settlements against the
French and Indians. Will you call your comrades, Mr. Willet? All of
you are welcome."
The hunter whistled again, and Robert, Tayoga and Black Rifle,
advancing from the forest, came within the area of half light cast by the
glow from the coals, young Captain Colden watching them with the
most intense curiosity as they approached. And well he might feel
surprise. All, even Robert, wore the dress of the wilderness, and their
appearance at such a time was uncommon and striking. Most of the
soldiers had been awakened by the voices, and were sitting up, rubbing
sleepy eyes. Robert saw at once that they were city men, singularly out
of place in the vast forest and the darkness.
"We welcome you to our camp," said young Captain Colden, with
dignity. "If you are hungry we have food, and if you are without
blankets we can furnish them to you."
Willet and Tayoga looked at Robert and he knew they expected him to
fill his usual role of spokesman. The words rushed to his lips, but they
were held there by embarrassment. The soldiers who had been
awakened were already going