The reply will soon come." The two listened and Robert's heart beat hard.

He owed much to Willet.
Their relationship was almost that of son and father, and the two were about to meet after a long parting.

He never doubted for a moment that the Onondaga had always read the trail aright, and that Willet was with Black Rifle in the valley below them.
Full and clear rose the song of a bird out of the dense bushes that filled the valley.

When it was finished Tayoga sang again, and the reply came as before.

The two went rapidly down the slope and the stalwart figures of the hunter and Black Rifle rose to meet them.