The three, each leaning against his tree, did not move but kept their rifles across their knees ready at once for possible use.

Tayoga had fastened his bow over his back by the side of his quiver, and their packs were adjusted also.
Robert was anxious not so much for himself as for the unknown others who were marching through the wilderness, and for whom the French and Indians were laying an ambush.

It had been put forward first as a suggestion, but it quickly became a conviction with him, and he felt that his comrades and he must act as if it were a certainty.

But no sound that would tell them which way to go came out of this black forest, and they remained silent, waiting for the word.
The night thickened and they were still uncertain what to do.

Robert made a silent prayer to the God of the white man, the Manitou of the red man, for a sign, but none came, and infected strongly as he was with the Indian philosophy and religion, he felt that it must be due to some lack of virtue in himself.