They knew that he would upbraid them for not summoning him to do his share, but there would be abundant chance for him to serve later on as a sentinel.
The Onondaga did not arouse his comrades until long past daylight, and then they opened their eyes to a white world, clear and cold.

The snow had ceased falling, but it lay several inches deep on the ground, and all the leaves had been stripped from the trees, on the high point where they lay.

The coals still glowed, and they heated over them the last of their venison and bear meat, which they ate with keen appetite, and then considered what they must do, concluding at last to descend into the lower country and hunt game.
"We can do nothing at present so far as the war is concerned," said Willet.

"An army must eat before it can fight, but it's likely that the snow and cold will stop the operations of the French and Indians also.

While we're saving our own lives other operations will be delayed, and later on we may find Garay going back." "It is best to go down the mountain and to the south," said Tayoga, in his precise school English.