Captain Colden did not forget to be grateful to Willet for his insistence that the soldiers should always lie low, as the hostile lead, instead of striking, now merely sent a harmless shower upon them.

But the fusillade was brief, Robert, in truth, judging that it had been against the commands of St.Luc, who was too wise a leader to wish ammunition to be wasted in random firing.

At the advice of Willet, Captain Colden would not let his men reply, restraining their eagerness, and silence soon returned.
It was nearly noon now and a huge golden sun shone over the vast wilderness in which two little bands of men fought, mere motes in the limitless sea of green.

Robert ate some venison, and drank a little water from the canteen of a friendly soldier.

Then his thoughts turned again to Tayoga.