The Sun of Quebec | Page 6

about the
present and the future. Well, whatever it was he was sure they would
discuss it with wisdom and foresight.
"Come, Tayoga," he said. "Outdoors is calling to us."
"And be sure that you return in time for supper," said Master Jacobus.
"This house is to be your home as long as you are in Albany. I should
be offended mortally if you went elsewhere."
"No danger of that," said Robert. "Tayoga and I know a good home
when we find it. And we know friends, too, when we see them."
It was a bit of sentiment, but he felt it very deeply and he saw that all of
the men looked pleased. As he and Tayoga went out he noticed that
they drew their chairs about the dining-room table that Caterina had
cleared, and before the door closed upon the two lads they were already
talking in low and earnest tones.
"They have affairs of importance which are not for us," he said, when
he and the Onondaga were outside.
"It is so," said Tayoga. "The white people have their chiefs and
sachems like the nations of the Hodenosaunee, and their ranks are filled
by age. The young warriors are for the trail, the hunt, and the war path,
and not for the council. It is right that it should be thus. I do not wish to
be a chief or a sachem before my time. I am glad, Dagaeoga, to enjoy

youth, and let our elders do the hard thinking for us."
"So am I," said Robert joyfully as he filled his lungs with draught after
draught of the fresh air. "No seat at the council for me! Not for twenty
years yet! Give me freedom and action! Let others do the planning and
take the responsibility!"
He felt a great elation. His sanguine temperament had made a complete
rebound from the depression following Ticonderoga. Although he did
not know it the result was partly physical--good food and abundant rest,
but he did not seek to analyze the cause, the condition was sufficient.
The color in his cheeks deepened and his eyes glowed.
"Dagaeoga is feeling very, very good," said Tayoga.
"I am," replied Robert with emphasis. "I never felt better. I'm forgetting
Ticonderoga; instead, I'm beholding our army at Quebec, and I'm
seeing our flag wave over all Canada."
"Dagaeoga sees what he wants to see."
"It's not a bad plan. Then the lions die in your path."
"It is so. Dagaeoga speaks a great truth. We will now see how Red Coat
feels."
A portion of the army that had retreated from Ticonderoga was camped
on the flats near the town, and Robert and Tayoga walked swiftly
toward the tents. It was a much more silent force, British and American,
than that which had gone forth not so very long ago to what seemed
certain victory. Officers and men were angry. They felt that they had
been beaten when there was no reason why they should have been
defeated. Obeying orders, they had retreated in sullen silence, when
they had felt sure they could have gone on, fought a new battle, and
have crushed Montcalm. Now they waited impatiently for another call
to advance on Canada, and win back their lost laurels. Both lads felt the
tension.

"They are like the wounded bear," said Tayoga. "They feel very sore,
and they wish for revenge."
They learned that Grosvenor was in his tent and soon found him there
lying upon his blankets. Some of the ruddy color was gone from his
cheeks, and he looked worn and thin. But he sat up, and welcomed
Robert and Tayoga joyously.
"It's foolish of me to break down like this," he said, "but after we got
back to civilization something seemed to cave in. I hope you chaps
won't overlook the fact that I'm not as much used to the forest as you
are, and bear in mind that I did my best."
"Red Coat's best was very good," said Tayoga in his grave, precise
manner. "Few who have been in the forest as little as he could have
done as much and have borne as much."
"Do you really think so, Tayoga? You're not merely flattering me?"
"Our wisest sachem would tell you so, Red Coat."
"Thanks, my friend. You make me feel better. I was lucky enough to go
through the great battle with little hurt. It was a most ghastly slaughter,
and I still dream of it. I stood up all right until we got back to Albany,
and then I collapsed. But to-morrow I'll be on my feet again. Your
friends, Colden, Wilton and Carson are all here. They showed great
courage and they have some slight wounds, but not enough to trouble
'em."
Robert found the