The Onondaga did not reply, and, despite the impossibility of reaching him, Robert was cheered by the knowledge that he was near.

He had a faithful and powerful friend who would help him some day, be it soon or late.
The summer was well advanced when Langlade announced that their journey was done.
"Before night," he said triumphantly, "we will be in the camp of the Marquis de Montcalm, and we will meet the great soldier himself.

I, Charles Langlade, told you that it would be so, and it is so." "What, Montcalm near ?" exclaimed Robert, aflame with interest.
"Look at the sky above the tops of those trees in the east and you will see a smudge of smoke, beneath which stand the tents of the French army." "The French army here! And what is it doing in the wilderness ?" "That, young Monsieur Lennox, rests on the knees of the gods.

I have some curiosity on the subject myself." An hour or two later they came within sight of the French camp, and Robert saw that it was a numerous and powerful force for time and place.

The tents stood in rows, and soldiers, both French and Canadian, were everywhere, while many Indian warriors were on the outskirts.