Lead on and find the stony hollow for us." The Onondaga turned without a word, and started into the maze of lofty hills and narrow valleys, where the shadows of the night that was coming so swiftly already lay thick and heavy.
The three had gone north after the great victory at Lake George, a triumph that was not followed up as they had hoped.

They had waited to see Johnson's host pursue the enemy and strike him hard again, but there were bickerings among the provinces which were jealous of one another, and the army remained in camp until the lateness of the season indicated a delay of all operations, save those of the scouts and roving bands that never rested.

But Robert, Willet and Tayoga hoped, nevertheless, that they could achieve some deed of importance during the coming cold weather, and they were willing to undergo great risks in the effort.
They were soon in the heavy forest that clothed all the hills, and passed up a narrow ravine leading into the depths of the maze.

The wind followed them into the cleft and steadily grew colder.

The glowing terraces in the west broke up, faded quite away, and night, as yet without stars, spread over the earth.
Tayoga was in front, the other two following him in single file, stepping where he stepped, and leaving to him without question the selection of a place where they could stay.